At last, Swamiji bowed to the pressure and agreed to go to Japan to represent the Hindu religion. Raja got down to arrange Swamiji’s departure to Japan. A lot of formalities were required to be completed to make Swamiji an authorised representative.
Meanwhile, Swamiji called back his disciple Narayana from Sindh. He wanted Narayana to accompany him to Japan.
On 28th August, 1902 Swami Ramtirtha and Narayana boarded a ship bound for Japan on which booking had been made by Raja of Tehri. The news of his departure for the far east had preceded him to the ports his ship was supposed to dock on way.
At Hongkong a crowd of hundreds of Indians was anxiously waiting for Swamiji, when his ship anchored and he appeared on deck the people raised slogans hailing Hinduism and the motherland.
Ramtirtha was given rousing reception. He was taken in a grand procession to the house of an Indian trader where arrangements of his stay had been made. The people of Indian origin were very excited about his visit.
There was a gurudwara near the house of the merchant where he was to hold his congregation. The people heard him in utter devotional trance. The subject of the discourse he had chosen was ‘Devotion to Guru’.
At last Swamiji reached Japan, the most developed land of Asia. It was in no ways inferior to the western countries. While the rest of the Asian nations were poor, dirty, undeveloped, lazy and had become slaves of the white countries, Japan was free and had made industrial progress as amazing as the Western nations. The Japanese cities were organised, clean and beautiful. The people were neat, hard working and disciplined.
The progress made by Japan impressed Swami Ramtirtha. Narayana agreed with him.
In Nagasaki, Swamiji was accorded a grand welcome. He visited Japanese temples and talked to scholars and leaders. He went into the homes of ordinary Japanese people to see their lives and the living styles.
Happy and dutiful Japanese pleased him.
He confided to his disciple Narayana, “What can I teach these Japanese? Whatever values I preach based on Vedanta, these Japanese are practising those values in their practical lives. We ought to learn from them.”
When Swamiji reached Tokyo he was informed with regret that the proposed ‘All World Religions Conference’ had been cancelled due to some reason. Narayana was very disappointed but not Swamiji. He was not disturbed at all.
Swamiji wrote to the sponsor about the cancellation of the conference. They were naturally very sorry about it. The countrymen were sad.
But Swamiji said, “It was God’s will. He wanted to retrieve me out of the darkness of caves to send me to Japan to let me see the other side of the picture of life.”
And he announced that he would nevertheless on his own hold meetings and preach Dharma. His announcement pleased Indians back home and those who were living in Japan.
There was a club in Tokyo called ‘India-Japan Friendship Club’. It was being looked after by Sardar Puran Singh. He was very impressed with Swamiji’s thoughts, spiritual knowledge and oratory. He organised many meetings where Swamiji delivered sermons at various places.
He also interacted with the teachers of Tokyo University.
A Sanskrit Professor of the University claimed, “Swami Ramtirtha possesses a very impressive personality. I have seen the world but have not seen a scholar like him. He acts upon what he preaches. That is a great quality in a teacher.”
Swamiji also visited Trade and Commerce Institute. There he spoke on the subject ‘The Key to Success’ on a unique line. He explained how spiritualism can be harmonised with practical aspects of life.
He said, “Dear teachers and students,
I came to Japan and interacted with you so closely and completely that I have become a Japanese myself. So, don’t take me for an alien. India and Japan have been friendly since ancient times. Our sages and spiritual teachers have been coming to Japan to spread their messages. I also want to go all over the globe and preach spiritual message…”
He revealed seven ingredients that make success possible. They were industry, self-reliance, cheerful nature, concentration, love to all, sacrifice and fearlessness. He spoke extensively on each subject.
His speeches were carried by all the major news papers of Japan. The people recognised the genius of Swami Ramtirtha. He was earning great fame. Japanese scholars and religious heads were making a bee line to meet Swamiji.
Swamiji sent Narayana back to India and he himself departed for America accompanied by another disciple named Chhatre, a circus company owner of Pune.
The ship carrying Swamiji reached San Francisco. As soon as the ship docked at the port passengers went in a frenzy to collect their respective luggage items and packing the loose things. There was a lot of hollering and shouting. Everyone was asking the other ones to hurry up.
Swami Ramtirtha was sitting sprawled on his seat without any care and he was watching the mad activities of others amused.
An American passenger asked him, “Why are you so calm? Won’t you gather your luggage?”
“I have already done that,” Swamiji replied.
“Where’s your luggage?”
“Right infront of you. The clothes I wear and my body inside is my entire luggage,” Swamiji revealed with a smile.
“You can buy everything here, whatever you need. Have you brought enough money?” The American informed.
“I am a monk. You should know that a monk won’t even touch money.”
“Then, how do you manage life? With what do you buy food?’’ The incredulous American asked.
Swamiji said, “I trust God. Wherever I go He arranges to fulfil my basic requirements. I love every human being considering him an image of God. Thus, some one or the other gives me food and shelter.”
“I see. So, here there should be the ones you love and know them. Are there?”
“There are. But one of them is really close to me,” Swamiji informed.
“Who is that close one?” American asked.
“He is right here asking me question upon question. But I don’t know his name. What is your name?”
The American stared at him and said, “Do you really consider me your close one? If it is true I will feel privileged.”
“That is true, my friend. Here you are the my closest one.” Swami Ramtirtha majestically rose up and put his palms on the shoulders of the American in a very patronising way. The American introduced himself.
Swamiji took leave of Chhatre who had already made his own arrangements and left with that American. The American turned out to be a doctor named Hiller.
Swami Ramtirtha stayed with Hiller as his guest. Only after a few days Hiller became Swamiji’s disciple.
He introduced his friends to Swamiji. He had told them, “Swamiji is supernatural person. An incredible character. You stay in his contact for a little time and you feel a divine energy flowing through you.”
The friends of Hiller also became admirers of Swamiji. They arranged discourses of Swamiji at several places. His sublime spiritual thoughts impressed lot of people. Several prominent personalities began to come to meet Swamiji, to benefit from his thoughts.
Swamiji was becoming a sort of celebrity. Many big and famous names became the followers of his spiritual philosophy. One of the converts were Paulin Whitman who was a well known short story writer. She wrote several articles on Swamiji and his thoughts and got them printed in journals and newspapers.
Her articles introduced Swamiji to greater circle of Americans. The impressed ones came to meet Swamiji and know his philosophy from his own mouth. He never disappointed anyone.
He was not a fake miracle man. He never promised blindman-will-see and lame-will-walk miracles. His spiritual philosophy was like a kind of para-science, the knowledge of soul. The meaterialist mind of the west had ignored the spiritual aspect of human life which was making their lives animal like. The introduction to their souls by Swami Ramtirtha was helping them to return to the human fold. Swamiji was a messiah of spiritualism.
He stayed in America for two years spreading his message. To make his message clear he would use analogus stories liberally to exemplify the subject he talked about.
He always stressed the point that nothing came easily in the world. One had to work hard for to earn name, fame, glory, knowledge or spiritual wisdom. He would use following example to make his point understood—
‘There was a wrestler whose name was Mr. Lion. He wanted a picture of a roaring lion tattooed on his chest to put a scare into the heart of his challengers to win the bouts easily.
So, he called a tattooist to his home and asked him to tattoo a roaring lion on his chest.
As the tattooist brought his tattoo needle towards him he breathed in to swell his chest to provide taught canvas.
He asked, “Say, which part of the body of lion are you going to tattoo first?”
“The ears,” tattooist replied.
“The ears are not important parts of lion’s body. No one will even notice if you omitted them.”
“What should I do?” Tattooist asked.
“Tattoo some other part of lion’s body.”
The tattooist put his needle at another place.
The wrestler asked, “What are you tattooing?”
“Tail.”
“Oh! People cut off the tails of puppies when they adopt them. It is a fashion. I also want my lion to have no tail.”
“So, what do you want me to tattoo?”
“Some other part of the lion’s body.”
The tattooist moved his needle to another spot on the wrestler’s chest. The wrestler again enquired, “What will you tattoo first?”
“Hind legs,” tattooist informed irritatedly.
“When a lion sits its hind legs are almost invisible. My lion will be in sitting position readying to roar. So, you need not tattoo the hind legs. Start with some other part of lion,” the wrestler advised.
At this, the tattooist started collecting his tattooing instruments and packing them in his kit. After the pack up he prepared to depart. The wrestler asked, “Why are you leaving?”
“Why should I stay? You are a sissy. Even a little needle prick frighten you. So, I am not going to waste my time with you.” The tattooist left without looking back.
After telling the story Swamiji would explain how the wrestler, Mr. Lion wanted a lion tattooed without going through the little pain of tattoo needle. The world was full of such people who want to become great without sweating out to become one. Such people achieve nothing. The riches, fame, glory, wisdom and spiritual knowledge take hard work and sacrifices to come by.
When a man striving for something is waylaid by attachment he goes astray. So one must not fall victim to attachments and desires or greeds for success and progress.
Swamiji revealed to his followers, “God is present everywhere. He is in every creature. He is omnipresent. If you really believe in it and honestly accept it as gospel truth then you won’t do any wrong. The belief of his presence around will act as a deterrent against evil or undesirable acts.”
He also taught people yoga exercises and organised workshops for it. He ran spiritual classes as well.
On 28th January, 1903 Swami Ramtirtha gave his famous speech at San Francisco’s Golden Gate House. It was titled ‘India’s Appeal to America.’
He thought that in case of India, America was merely paying lip service. Its love for India was fake which was no good. America was suspected of covertly supporting British were keeping India under their colonial rule. Thus, he thought that the government of America was playing double game of deceit and evil politics.
He pleaded, “God Almighty is one and is Creator of all. For Him the people of different faiths are the same. He helps those to gain victory who fight with moral principles as primary weapons. He is the winner of the hearts of all. Indians believe in that theory. India wants the entire humanity to accept Him as the Lord of all. If you want to help India help it only in becoming India. Do no try to make it America. There lies the interest of India and America both. And it will benefit the world also.’’
Swami Ramtirtha was fed up with car choked cities of America and mechanical life style of city dwellers. He badly needed to get away from all the artificiality and retire to the company of the mother nature to do some fresh thinking and introspection.
He escaped to Sacramento hills and forests. There were high mountains and dense forest. Swami Ramtirtha liked the setting. It gave him the feeling of being in Himalayas again.
On the bank of river Sacramento he got a hut erected and started living there with a few followers and admires.
Swami Ramtirtha would sit on grass or on a boulder up the hillock from where he could see far and wide. At such spots he would sit for hours, eyes fixed on the natural beauty younder and his mind wandered into spiritual thoughts. Sometimes he would even forget to return for lunch.
He had got a swing fixed in front of his hut. Swamiji would sit on it to swing and do his reading or writing.
One day a Hollywood actress came to him. She was wearing a costly shimmering dress and was loaded with jewellery.
The film star opened her heart to Swamiji by saying, “People enjoy my performance in films. But my heart is always sad. I feel guilty for all the wrongs I have done. I want peace of mind. When shall my mind be free of the guilt feeling? Will I ever be really happy in the true sense? Swamiji, please guide me and help me redeem myself.”
“You can be redeemed, lady,” Swamiji assured her.
He revealed to her the Karma theory, Hindu spiritualism, penance and unattached Karma yoga contained in Gita.
It mentally and emotionally helped her and got liberated from her guilt feeling.
One other day a rich lady came to Swamiji.
She cried and revealed her woe, “My son died whom I loved so much. Now my life is barren. Shall I be able to become mother again?”
“Surely you will. Like people run shops to sell provisions and other items I run a shop that sells peace and happiness,” said Swamiji with a smile.
The lady stared at him. Was he mocking? No, he was dead serious.
“Then bless me a child,” she begged.
“Lady, it does not come free. You will have to pay a price.”
“I will pay any price. You just have to ask.”
Swamiji pointed towards a side where a Negro child was playing some distance away and said, “Take that kid to your home. You can mother him. He is an orphan.”
The lady shook her head, “No Swami. I can’t do that. I want a child from my own womb.”
“Then, you can’t become a mother again because you don’t have motherly feeling and the spirit. The nature will disqualify you anyway.”
It made the lady cry. She was going through an intense inner struggle. Arrogance of money and racial bias were trying hard to keep her goodness and maternal love pinned down. The strain was showing all over her. Atlast the presence of Swamiji had a telling effect. The goodness won the battle against the racialism and arrogance.
Her face had eased up and it exuded kindness and compassion besides motherly love. She smiled sweetly and said, “Swami, I will do whatever you say.”
Swamiji pointed towards the Negro child. The lady went up to the kid and picked him up with care. She took him home and started mothering him as if it were her own child.
Now she realised how mistaken she had been all her life so far. Bringing up an adopted child of a different race was more enjoyable and loveful than rearing up an own child. Her innerself was generating extra dose of love and understanding required. She was happy like she never was.
Swami Ramtirtha held discourses at Chicago, Denvor, Oregon, Buffalo, Boston, Minniapolis, Washington and Philadelphia. He preached the religion based on love, peace, and the principle of mutual coexistence. The soul of the philosophy was brotherhood of entire mankind.
His inspiration led to the foundation of several institutions based on those universal values which preached mutual understanding in place of confrontation.
Two years had gone by and now Ramtirtha wanted to return to India. Himalaya was calling him back. He announced his wish to return to the motherland. The preparations for his departure began in earnest. Farewell ceremonies were orgainsed for Swamiji.
He spoke in all the farewell ceremonies. The gist of his messages can be seen two of his verses which literally meant—
‘‘All people must think what they are doing. After what they are spending their energies. These questions require to be seriously considered. What you call culture and civilisation must not merely mean your dresses and luxuries. It should be focussed in God.
The people toil to keep body and the soul together. That is not enough. The toil should be for visualisation of God because only that can fill your lives with light.
Don’t be slaves of your senses. Try to conquer the senses. Your interest lies in gaining control over your mind. Don’t ignore the voice of your own conscience. Pay heed to the voice of soul. Go into the presence of God only after cleaning yourselves of dishonesty and deceit. Don’t think and speak evil of other. Surrender totally to God after giving up arrogance and false pride.
Do not evaluate everything in terms of money. Follow the path of good and truth. Do not bother about what others say. Do not kill you conscience. It will make you sorrowful. Do not follow the people of a country who are on suicidal mission. Know the difference between the truth and the falsehood. Gain real knowledge. Doing so will save your mind from drowning in darkness.
We talk liberty but our practical lives are shackled by desires. Break free of those shackles. Those who take good for bad must think where they are erring. Everyone sees dreams in sleep but don’t believe in dreams. Wake up. There lies your own and your country’s good. This body of yours is perishable. But keep it clean. Don’t turn it into a living graveyard.’’
Swamiji had made legions of followers in America. Americans had grown a strange kind of fascination and love for Swami Ramtirtha. They were feeling very sad at bidding good bye to the alien who had come to them a couple of years ago but now he was a part of their conscience.
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