Internet Ramakrishna Ashrama: Tusu

One

The Universe is His expression. All forms pulsating in it is Her Dance. This has been said in various ways - Purusha Prakriti; Nitya Lila; Brahman Shakti; Absolute Relative and so on. Anything born or manifest comes into the domain of Shakti but still very often the Absolute has been mentioned in masculine. So we began the way we began, 'The Universe is His expression; All forms pulsating in it is Her Dance'.*

To try to be Universal is the first service one can do to lay their devotion or tribute to Sri Ramakrishna. Vivekananda says to the effect 'Unselfishness is (the basic fact of) Religion'. We start practicing religion by trying to be inclusive every way; in thoughts, words and deeds.

Ramakrishna Mission formally started on May 1, 1897. That was 115 years back. Its sacred Memorandum begins with

'1. The name of the Association is the Ramkrishna Mission.'

and then proceeds to say

'2. The Object of the Association are : (a) To impart and promote the study of the Vedanta and its principles as propounded by Sri Ramkrishna and practically illustrated by his own life, and of Comparative theology in its widest form. (b) To impart and promote the study of the arts, sciences and industries (c) To train teachers in all branches of knowledge above mentioned and enable them to reach the masses (d) To carry on educational work among the masses (e) To establish, maintain, carry on and assist schools, colleges, orphanages, workshops, laboratories, hospitals, dispensaries, houses for the infirm, the invalid and afflicted, famine-relief works, and other educational and charitable works and institutions of a like nature'.

======================================================================

*Here we have to mention that though Shakti is always refereed to as Feminine, it need not not be so. An interesting reason about Why Shakti is generally refereed so is given by Swami Vivekananda. This has also been dealt with in Radhika's Reflections on the Mother of all Good and Evil (http://www.writerscramp.ca/docs/radhika.html) or (http://littlelittlestories.blogspot.in/2011/08/radhikas-reflections-on-mother-of-all.html)

=======================================================================

Two

Here we note the following:

Firstly the holy name of Sri Ramakrishna;

secondly Vedanta in the light of Sri Ramakrishna's Teachings and Life;

third 'Comparative Theology in its widest form' and

fourth study of arts, etc; to train teachers and reach the masses; and

lastly comes the establishment and maintenance of institutions.

Of these items, except for the last bit about institutions, everything else can be done by individuals. In fact it is incumbent on comitted individuals to do these as best as they could, as much as they could.

I on my part am trying to attempt something herewith.

We take up here 'Comparative Theology in its widest form' and 'study of arts' and 'reach the masses', always keeping in our mind the name of Sri Ramakrishna and 'Vedanta .. principles .. practically illustrated by his own life'.

We may note here that

the name of Sri Ramakrishna

develops into his sayings and doings

which further develops into the widest theology

which manifests into arts, etc,

which leavens the masses

to keep which process ever going we need institutions.

Well, we are going to talk of a little thing we came across and became fond of; a beautiful little thing; the one about which a great song and dance is made - in fact many songs and lovely dances.

It is about a delightful little divine girl by name Tusu.

There is a whole season about her. Many in the Eastern Indian region sing and dance with her name on their lips.

I think this Tusu has either a twin or she came dressed differently long back in South India with the name Paavai.