In His (Morya's) Own Country (The Roerichs' Memorial House) ... II

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Helena Roerich's Study (Room)

The space within the Roerich Estate and its surroundings is deeply saturated with the electric fire of the Cosmic Spirit. There is a fire of the First Ray that gives one a subtle sense of the atmosphere surrounding Blavatsky’s training in Tibet, before she was sent out alone into the world to prepare our way. Truly, as Helena Roerich often proclaimed, Agni Yoga becomes a fiery baptism over here.

Climbing to the first floor of the house, we find the Roerich family’s dining room, Helena Roerich’s study, the living room and library, Helena and Nicholas Roerich’s bedroom, and Svetoslav Roerich’s studio. As I peeped into Helena’s room, two things caught my eye—the sacred images of Master Morya and H. P. Blavatsky that belonged to Helena. These set aflame deep gratitude and veneration within the cave of my heart.

While I was absorbed in such feelings, my wife drew my attention to a Nicholas Roerich painting hanging on the wall of the room. It depicted a woman “dreaming of great countries beyond the seas, striving toward the distant shore in the realization of the predestined treasures of the Spirit.” As the apotheosis of this spiritual striving, Nicholas Roerich painted 'She Who Leads'. He sought to portray the resplendent striving of the woman who leads the seeker toward achievement and the glorious peaks. The radiant hues and the majestic force of rich natural colors—an inherent harmony—bring an unusual influx of psychic energy. In gilded frames and on internet websites, we often find mere commercial prints, while true art flutters on a poster in the wind and snow here. The painting reminded me of H. P. Blavatsky, Alice Bailey, and Helena herself, as guiding presences.

The room display contains Helena P. Blavatsky’s 'The Secret Doctrine' in two volumes, translated by Helena Roerich from English into Russian. On the desk, we find her personal copies of a few books, including Fiery World, a kerosene lamp, sacred images, a notebook with diary entries, letters, and a bouquet of fresh flowers.

From the window of her room, the peaks of Mount M.˙. can be seen, commanding us toward the Cause and the Task—

"You serve a cause beyond the reach even of wealth.
The pure offering is returned alive by God to those who bring their offerings in pure faith, 
just as was offered Isaac upon the altar.
And Mount M.˙., which accepts your offering, will guard the offered treasure of the heart.
Not a small task have you undertaken.
Without pride or self-interest you placed all your possessions upon the altar.
Can I, the Truth Bearer, pass silently by those who, amidst cold and storm,
brought useful tributes for the coming harvest?
In safeguarding My Instructions will you find protection.
Need shall not afflict My Manifestations.
Calm is found in the light of Truth.
The mountain before you is not a test, but a task."

- The Call, Book I of Leaves of Morya's Garden. 



Images - The first floor of the House, Helena's Study Room, 'She who leads' painted by Nicholas in 1924, Mount M.˙. as seen from Helena's Study Room and painted by Nicholas in 1931 in Public Domain. (This experience was made possible through the spirit of International Roerich Memorial Trust Kullu and Nicholas Roerich Museum New York, to whom I offer my sincere gratitude.)

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