Reminiscences by Dr. M. Lakshmi Kumari

During JanamShati Parva of Ma. Eknathji Vol 43 Feb 2014 After the sad demise of Shri Eknathji, Dr. M. Lakshmi Kumari took charge of the Vivekananda Kendra as President, according to Eknathji’s wish. Lakshmikumari from Trichur, Kerala, was highly educated. She had been to Russia for education and research, but she had spiritual inclination from her childhood. She was the distant sister of Shri Swami Chinmayananda and had an innate fascination for Swami Vivekananda. After returning from Russia, she worked as a scientist in IARI, Delhi. Her father P. R. Menon was the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court. After retirement he was the Sanghachalak of RSS in Trichur district. He was also the Chief Secretary for the chief of the former state of Kochin and was a renowned author. He had been the President of Vivekananda Shila Smarak Samiti, Kerala. Lakshmikumari was his eighth offspring. Her father’s legacy and her own spiritual inclination led her in 1978 to Vivekananda Kendra and Eknathji. “Eknathji had known me only for three to four years. Still he handed over the legacy of the Kendra to me. I am still unable to comprehend what Eknathji detected in me; the secret has not been revealed yet,” Didi says in a choked voice. A programme of Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary was organized at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Delhi. Swami Chinmayananda was present in the programme. It was here that I saw Eknathji for the first time. There was a stall of the Kendra. After reading the information, I filled the form for becoming a patron member and paid the annual subscription fee of Rs. 12. In the form I wrote that I was interested in doing any work related to Swami Vivekananda. The very next day the then General Secretary of Vivekananda Kendra, Mr. Maniyan, came to meet me. From the laboratory, I went with him to Shri Anil Batra’s house. There were other workers also and Eknathji was there too. After introduction, some discussion took place and during the weekend I joined the activity of a medical camp run by Vivekananda Kendra in the slums. Probably from there I came into the special notice of Eknathji. In 1979 he sent me to Kashmir to conduct classes on 'Bhaja Govindam' in a camp. After a year, when Eknathji was staying at the residence of Lala Hansraj Gupta in Delhi for medical treatment and rest, we came into close contact. I used to take halwa made of papaya for him. During conversations Eknathji would ask, “What have you decided to do in the future? Will you start Swamiji’s work in old age when you become physically weak? Swamiji wanted young and energetic people.” His words created deep vibrations in my heart. Eknathji continued to ask me the same question in every meeting: “What have you decided?” Once he stayed with me for a whole week. Finally I told him that since my father’s death I had never taken any decision without my mother’s consent. If he could convince her, I would take the decision. Eknathji said casually, “It is not me but your Guru speaking through me. Nobody will prevent you from taking the decision. Go and speak to your mother right now.” When I spoke to my mother, to my surprise she immediately gave her consent. She only advised me to think practically before leaving my job so that I would not regret later. Before leaving for Kanyakumari, Eknathji told me that there would be a general body meeting of Vivekananda Kendra in January 1981 and he would declare my name as Joint General Secretary in that meeting. I was then compelled to take the decision. I consulted my uncle Shri Angiras. From his words I understood that everyone had been waiting for me. I reached Kanyakumari a day before the general meeting. When Eknathji saw me, a remarkable expression appeared on his face. He said, “I have not slept for three days thinking whether you would come or not.” As planned, he announced my name as the Joint General Secretary. I then returned to Delhi and continued my duty. Eknathji’s health was delicate and he was in a hurry to settle organizational matters. This made some colleagues uneasy. After discussion, the workers suggested creating the post of Working President. When asked whose name they had in mind, they replied, “Anyone of your choice.” Eknathji suggested my name and in November 1981 I was appointed as the Working President (Chief Executive). In January 1982 I resigned from my job and in March 1982 I finally reached Kanyakumari after the resignation was accepted. Eknathji was very delighted to see me. Soon he started guiding me closely. One day he asked me to write the editorial for Yuva Bharati. After reading my first editorial titled 'Need of the Hour', he said, “I feel I have written this editorial. You have expressed exactly what I wanted to say.” But Eknathji did not only praise me. Once I told him that I had improved the kitchen and the quality of food had become better. He immediately remarked, “You must have added your favourite dishes and therefore you think the quality has improved.” Through this he reminded me that when one dedicates oneself completely, there should be no place for personal likes and dislikes. One must also overcome the ego of ‘I’, ‘me’ and ‘my’. During this time he also visited my mother. When I look back today, the only feeling that occupies my mind is contentment. He removed my sense of incompleteness and elevated me to great heights. When my father retired he brought home a photograph of Swami Vivekananda. As a child I was deeply attracted to that photograph. Whenever I stumbled or made mistakes, I felt that Swamiji showed me the right path. This faith guided me to Eknathji for thirteen years. I served as the President of Vivekananda Kendra. Even today I do not understand why I was given this honour, though I felt I was not fit for the responsibility. There is a story in the Mahabharata about Lord Krishna. An ugly woman with a hunched back once came before Lord Krishna. He addressed her as a beautiful woman and removed her hunch simply by touching her back. Just like that woman, Eknathji with his 'Midas touch' transformed my life into gold.