This foreword is written by an Indian professor in Sanskrit:
Dr. K.S. Balasubramanian
The quest for Truth or God or Reality in man cannot be traced to any specific period or place. It led man to not only go deeper into the core of his heart, but also to different places in search of a competent Masters who could show the path to realize the Truth hidden in oneself. Thus many people left their homes seeking the guidance of such Masters who usually lived in seclusion, in caves, forests, or mountains, beyond the reach of common man. Millions of others remained content worshipping gods with different names and forms in Temples and other places of worship, often leading to pilgrimage to sacred places.
India is the homeland of spirituality. For several hundred years it has attracted people from different parts of the globe seeking higher knowledge. India is also the land where innumerable texts on varied subjects of Arts, Science, Spirituality, Yoga, Law, Codes of conduct etc. have been written to guide men in the right path. It is said that when Alexander the Great asked his Master Aristoteles before embarking on his long tour to distant lands what he wanted, Aristoteles said: “If you go to Indika (India) bring a holy man with whom I can discuss things” [1].
Such is the glory of this holy land that many travellers from Greece, Italy, China, Arabia and other countries have visited this land, travelled length and breadth of this country and documented their appreciation with awe and wonder. Even after numerous invasions by foreigners who tried to force their ideologies, religious beliefs, customs etc. on to the men of this land, it stands tall without losing its cultural identity, true to the saying that just like all the water falling from the sky reaches the ocean in the form of various rivers, all the prayers addressed to different gods reach but one God.
Vedas are the oldest specimen of literature in this world and they originated in India. Rigveda, the oldest text of this, declares boldly that: “There is one Reality, but the learned speak of it in different ways” (Rigveda I.164.46). The Vedic saints had the wisdom and humility to say: “Let the noble thoughts come to us from all directions” (Rigveda I.89.1).
In the 19th and 20th centuries great saints like Swami Vivekananda and Rev. Babuji Maharaj (Shri Ram Chandraji of Shahjahanpur, U.P., India), attracted thousands of seekers from all parts of the world. There have been many other religious teachers, preachers and philosophers as well who were adored by thousands of people across the globe.
Lisbeth Ejlertsen of Denmark is one such genuine seeker of Reality. In this book, The Spiritual Wisdom of India, she describes vividly her efforts to find solution to the purpose of her life and quench the spiritual thirst. This in turn led her to read a lot of literature pertaining to various religious and spiritual paths.
Her writings on the Vedas in this book, though very brief, are a good introduction to the sacred literature of India and have been presented without any prejudice or bias. She has also given a description of “Nadi” or palm-leaf manuscripts of astrology and how she met both quacks and genuine interpreters of this ancient science of astrology through which the great saints who lived several hundred years ago could predict our present and future.
Lisbeth has also recorded her experiences with four Gurus / Swamijis or spiritual guides of India who have large followers. Her respect for each one is reflected in her writings. Lisbeth’s experiences in the Sahaj Marg system of Raja Yoga as practised by the abhyasis of Shri Ram Chandra Mission, a world-wide spiritual organization, her meetings with the great Master Rev. Chariji Maharaj (Shri Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari) and the present Master of the system Rev. Kamaleshji, give us an input of the earnest endeavor of the pining soul to reach its destination.
One can understand from her writings that the seeker should go from “external” to “internal”, from “form” to “formless”, from “mind” to “heart” and from “unreal” to “real”.
This book would stimulate the readers to unravel the mystery of life for which one has to depend on the inner Self, which is possible through the guidance of a worthy Guru.
May this book serve all the people in this direction!
I congratulate Lisbeth Ejlertsen for writing such a wonderful book and wish her to produce more such books for the benefit of humanity!
Chennai, January 3, 2017
Dr. K.S. Balasubramanian
Deputy Director
The KSR Institute,
Mylapore, Chennai – 04.
India
[1] Caturyuga Calendar of Vaivasvata Manvantara (Puranic Chronicles) by R. Parthasarathy, The Kuppuswami Sastri Research Institute, Chennai, 2015. p.8.