Durango semi-weekly herald., 1907-06-17
GREAT HINDU BRINGS
LIGHT TO NEW YORK
BY William E. Curtis. Correspondent
Of Chicago Record-Herald.

BY William E. Curtis, Correspondent
Of Chicago RecordHerald.
Nsw York, May 25.-The Mahatma
Agumya Gura Paramahansa, one of
the most remarkable men in the wor' l,
a Hindu scholar and ascetic. and the
head nj the Yogis, as the yellow-robed
monks OF India are known, has been
In New York for week or more. Nv
ing quietly and receiving his disciples
and students at private residence.
which they have rented for his ac-om-
mediation, at 80 w. Eighty-seconl
street.
A Mahatma is teacher. The term
indicates no rank, power or authority.
but, at the same time, those TO whom
It il applied have the highest Jegree
Of both. The Mamatma Agumya Guru
Paramahansa is considered the great
est living exponent OF the Vendanta
philosophy. the Oldest code Of ethics
and method Of spiritual development
known, which, uatil now. has never
been presented by genuine teacher
to the thinking people OF the western
world. This philosophy-for 1t is not
q religions founded upon the Vedas,
the sacred books of the Brahmins
the word Ve1a meaning rot single
volume, but the entire Brahmin lit
erature, and it Is claimed by believers
that II contains all of the truth In
all the various religions that have
ever been developed by human minds
At the same time the Vendata phi
losophy and its teachings cannt be
fully understood even by scholars ol
the profoundest learning unless they
are assisted by the light of Yoga, q
system of mind control which cannot
be learned from books.
The Ypgis of India contend thai
mind control Is the source of all the
happiness In the world, and that the
therefore they argue as happiness IL
based upon the action OF the mind, Il
can only be obtained by intellectual
cultivation and the study OF the mys
teries under the instruction of tn,
learned few who have attained en-
lightenment and ultimate wisdom
through long lives of austerities an,
contemplation. The Yoga system o
Hindu philosophy is sometimes de
fined as the means by which the hu
man soul may attain complete happi
ness by union with the Supreme Soul
The word Yoga means literally tn,
Concentration OF the Mind in Abstrac
Meditation, which sharpens the senses
stimulates the intelligence, restrain
the desires. produces calm, and pro
notes contemplation. This can onl.
be accomplished by an ascetic lif,
and mental exercise In seclusion
which the Hindu student seeks in tn,
forests of the Himalayas. Thos,
mountains have been chosen for cen
turtles for the study of the Infinite
because the surroundings are beauti
full, serene and tranquil; nature ma.
there be contemplated In her grand
est moods, the fruits and vegetable
furnish sufficient food for years o
vigil. and the atmosphere is stimu
lating. Sometimes students remail
In the forests of the Himalayas for
half OF lifetime; others only fey
years; and 1t Is contended that sucl
abstinence and introspection not onl.
result in an extraordinary develop
ment OF the mental powers, but ais,
In an increase of physical vitality an,
muscular force which protects then
against disease, increases their powe
OF endurance, and gives clean bod.
as well as clean soul. The believ
ers OF Yoga also claim n clearnes
Of judgment and accuracy of visiol
which can never be ATTAINED by OF
binary people.
The Mahatma, who Is the highes
authority and the most learned ex
ponent OF this philosophy. has com,
to New York to offer instruction u
those who desire Enlightenment, bu
he reserves his time for the benefi
of those who are serious and SINGER,
In their anxiety to learn the Truth
As he SAID to me the other evening
Il am generous; ! am willing u
give; but, at the same time, an
equally miserly and guard the mos
precious things in my store until
am convinced that student is worth,
to receive them"
He Is not only the High Leader o
the Yellow Robe Escetics of India
who number millions. but is recognize,
by them and others as the re-incar
nation OF Krishna. one of the thre,
gods In the Hindu triology-Siva
Vishnu. and Krishna. He is therefor,
divine. He believes himself to be ;
god. and at present is living and teach
Ing In the world according TO hi.
desire TO Enlighten Men.
Mahatma Agymya Guru Paramahan
sa Is the son of the Preceptor of the
Rajah OF Cashmere. He was educate.
In the schools OF his native country
where he learned English among other
accomplishments.
He became a Darrister and In time
was appointed judge Of the High Cour,
OF the Indian Empire. He began the
study Of the Vendata philosophy
which sharpened his perceptions and
cleared his vision SO that he became
overwhelmed with the injustice and