Sadvani - A Collection of Teachings of Ma Anandamayi as Recorded & Compiled by 'Bhaiji'

This is the latest edition (2022) of 'Sadvani' which is the very first collection of Ma's teachings to appear in print. Compiled by Bhaiji (Jyotish Chandra Roy) who received Ma's blessings in abundant measure. She allowed him to be in close proximity to Her. And making use of that golden opportunity, he asked Her various questions, writing down Her responses in his daily diary. Devotees who knew Bhaiji are in agreement on the fact that of all the men and women who have come in contact with Ma, Bhaiji is the person who understood Her best and who had succeeded in effacing his ego in Mataji's service. We can be confident that what he recorded in his diary and reproduced here could hardly be colored by his own beliefs or point of view.

"There is nothing in the world that can be called new. Revolving ceaselessly on the wheel of time, the old appears again and again clothed in ever new forms. This is even more obvious concerning the dissemination of Supreme Wisdom (param tatva). Time after time, expressed in many different ways, there have been numerous attempts throughout the ages to proclaim the Eternal Truth of ONE in many. This ancient truth (Satya) has ever purified and enlightened the human mind. To this category belongs the teachings set forth in 'Sadvani'. May it bring Supreme Joy to all the readers."

Bhaijee Jyotish Chandra Ray was born on 16th July 1880 in a high caste Vaidya Kulin family. His father, Govind Chandra Ray was born and brought up in a highly respected cultured conservative family. He was a virtuous and saintly person. Bhaijee had two elder brothers Durga Kinkar and Satish. The eldest brother died very early. The second brother Satish served as The District Sub-Registrar.

After a brilliant academic career, Jyotish joined the State Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Bengal in Dhaka. He rose to become Personal Assistant to the then Director of Agriculture, Mr. Finlow and was awarded ISO by Her Majesty's Government.

Bhaijee had his first Darshan of Ma Anandamayi at the Shahbag Garden' Dhaka in December 1924. Ma was keeping Maun (vow of silence) that time. On seeing Ma's Divine personality, Bhaijee realized that he had ultimately got the "Mother" he was searching for, for a very long time. At the lotus feet of Ma, with composure and courage, he asked "Mother, what are the chances for my spiritual progress?" Ma replied, "There are no signs of hunger as yet". Bhaijee was a little disheartened.

Some months later Bhaijee completed writing a book titled, 'Sadhana'. He sent it to Ma Anandamayi through one of his colleagues. Ma sent for Bhaijee. At that time Ma had just completed her Maun lasting three years and said, "Although my voice is still not clear after a long spell of Maun, I still feel like talking. Your book has been a good one".

"Try to improve upon your bhava (state of mind) and noble thinking". Bhaijee felt very happy and highly motivated. Since then, he started visiting Shahbag frequently. One day he asked Ma, "Mother, tell me really who are you?" Ma replied smilingly, "Why such a childish question?" Ma, further said, "I am the same what I was earlier and shall continue to remain the same in future too, but know it for certain, that this body (sharir) did not take birth arising out of any Prarabdh (sum total of past deeds)".

Seeing the radiant face of Ma Anandamayi and hearing Her laughter, you guess that She is an incarnation of joy. Touched by the caress of Her glance you know that Her heart is over flowing with love for all beings. Listening to Her teachings, so simple and clear, you understand that She is in possession of all wisdom. But one cannot say, whether it is Joy, Love or Wisdom that is the source of all this, for with Her all three are inextricably and indissolubly mingled - one could not exist without the others.

The Joy which Ma Anandamayi lives is not that which we know in the worldly life, where pleasure and pain, hope, regret and disillusionment, attraction and repulsion follow on each other's heels, born one of another.

**Contents and Sample Pages**