Here is a short Report on the First nine days (21st to 29th May) of a memorable visit of one of the Vice-Presidents of the world-wide Ramakrishna Order, Sri Swami Smarananandaji Maharaj. His arrival – second time in South Africa – saw a surge of joy and enthusiasm among the devotees here. His previous visit in 2002 was in his capacity as the General Secretary of the Ramakrishna Order. He reached Durban from Mumbai on 21st May, 2008.
On arrival he, along with his monastic assistant Swami Jnanavratananda, was given a warm and traditional welcome reception at our Temple Hall in the evening. In his Address of Reply, Swami Smarananandaji pointed out the deeper link of this SA Centre with Belur Math and how the continued relationship would be a potent factor in bringing peace and happiness to the people of South Africa.
Next day in the morning he was taken to Ramakrishna Abalindi Home at Inanda where he met African people among whom hampers were distributed. Later in the evening he was met by distinguished dignitaries of Durban.
On Friday, 23rd May, Most Revered Vice-President Maharaj addressed a gathering of devotees at our Chatsworth Sub-Centre. He explained the advent of Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna as a necessity to bring people of all faiths together. On 24th he visited the Ramakrishna Ethembeni Home at Kwa Mashu where he met orphans among whom a few children were affected by HIV/AIDS. In the evening he was given a public reception at our Nischalananda Hall where more than 600 people of all walks of life attended. There was also a cultural programme of Kathak dance recital by the famous Manesh Maharaj.
On Monday evening the Vice-President Maharaj addressed a gathering of devotees at our Redhill Satsang Group on the cultivation of devotion to Holy Mother.
On Tuesday morning, Most Revered Vice-President Maharaj gave initiation (mantra diksha) to 109 devotees at our Temple. In the evening at the Temple Hall he gave a scholarly discourse to the devotees on Srimad Bhagavad Gita and its day-to-day utility. Wednesday was spent on granting interviews to the spiritual aspirants. He and his monastic assistant Swami Jnanavratananda were taken round of the beautiful Botanic gardens in Durban where they enjoyed the varieties of plants and trees including the water birds.
On 29th that is on Thursday, Most Revered Vice-President Maharaj blessed 98 devotees with initiation (mantra diksha). Thus in South Africa he has initiated 208 devotees with spiritual guidance. Earlier on Sunday morning, Most Revered Vice-President Maharaj inaugurated the Ramakrishna Shrine at our Phoenix Sub-Centre which was attended by more than a thousand people. A special puja was performed by Swami Saradananda on that auspicious occasion. On Friday morning he and his team left for Northern Natal tour.
Vedanta in Practice 
Pronaam Maharaaj! Though I have seen Smaranandaji Maharaaj at Belur and read couple of lectures of him, but I had never have the opportunity to listen him straight. However if it could be added some discusstion about the topics he discussed or emphasized it could be better for us. And also could it be possible to label the pictures?
Pronaam again
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Thanks, Sucheta! for your valuable suggestion. This particular Post is a ‘Short Report’ and hence you will appreciate that scholastic ideas cannot be included. For serious devotees like you, I am arranging DVDs of all speeches given here by Most Revered Swami Smarananandaji Maharaj, which I can send you by post, if you can supply me your postal address. And as to the ‘labels’, just move your mouse anywhere on the photo and lo! you will find the ‘label’ instantly displayed! With blessings,
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Pranaam Maharaj
Revered Swami Smarananandaji Maharaj is Truly a Highly Evolved Soul, and it was a Blessing indeed to hear His discourses and to be in His Holy Company. Opportunities like these are rare and we owe our Heartfelt Gratitiude to our Sri Swami Vimokshanandaji Maharaj and to Sri Swami Saradanandaji Maharaj for making it possible to spend time with our Most Revered Vice President Maharaj. Humble Pranams to The Holy Trio for Blessing the land of Africa with the Divine Presence of Vice President Maharaj.
Pranams
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Pranam Maharaj,
Swami Smaranandaji Maharaj’s pointing out of the relationship between Belur Math and the South African Centre of the mission is true to the last word. It feels really so fortunate to be a part of an order that has made a countless number of brothers and sisters for us from all corners of the world.
Thank you Maharaj for sharing the wonderful experience.
Pranam.
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Pranam Maharaj,
Sri Ramakrishna’s vision of Divine Mother as the Light of Pure Consciousness expands in magnificence through the passage of time in the hearts of his devotees and lovers of truth.
The visit by Maharaj brings another ray of revelation to our shores to nourish our souls and spark spiritual unfoldment.
O Master! thrilling is the sight and touch of your humble sons!
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Respected Maharajji,
Please accept our Pranams. Congratulations to the Devotees at South Africa! They have been fortunate to receive the Blessings from Revered Swami Smaranandaji maharaj for the second time.
Thank you very much for sharing the experience.
Pranams,
Rupen & Chitra
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My humblest Pranams at the Holy feet of our Gurujon
We have truly been blessed to have had Most Revered Sri Swami Smarananandaji Maharaj in our midst for the last few days. What a great soul. Such an ocean of knowledge. The many lectures that we had attended have been truly Pearls of Wisdom and food for our souls. To our younger Sw.Jnanavratananda our humblest pranams as well. May they return soon to our shores through the grace of our Holy Trio.
Kind regards,
Jai Thakur
Jyothi
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I am extremely happy to go through the photos and report related to the visit of Rev.Swami Smarananandaji Maharaj. The devotees of South Africa are indeed to blessed to have had this rare opportunity, thanks to Swami Vimoshanandaji and Swami Saradanandaji. Prayerful best wishes to all the devotees of SA.
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pranam maharaj, i have met the respected Swami Smaranandaji maharaj on 7th August. and took dikhsha from him. so want to know more about my Guruji. and this time this information is very valueable to me .and thanks u again for this information about my Guruji.
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Swamiji,
Yesterday I with my family got initiated by Swami Smarananandaji Maharaj at Maayer Bari (Bagbazar, Kolkata). While searching for HIS photo or biography over internet, I found your precise and excellent report along with photos. It would be great if I could get some more details of my Gurudev here or somewhere.
Pranam and thanks.
Amit
Kolkata, India
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