A Brief Biography of Sri Brahmananda Maharaj - 4

A Brief Biography of Sri Brahmananda Maharaj - 4

Next morning, in early hours, Sri Brahmanand left the place and went to the sacred Banashankari temple.  After staying there that night, he went to Venkatapur, where he had rendered the seva of udbhava Shri Venkateshwara Swamy, before he went on the pilgrimage in search of his Guru. He thought of staying there to do the work of Shri Maharaj. But, a person of Beladhadi, which is only a few kilometers from Venkatapur, who knew him in his early days, requested him to stay at Beladhadhi. But, as he was not fully made up in his mind to go to Beladhadi, Shri Maharaj appeared one night and asked him to stay at Beladhadi and spread Ram-nam.  People of Beladhadhi, who knew him in early days, when he used to give lectures on Srimad Bhagavatha Purana, continued to call him as "Anantha Shastry". Now, they did not know that this was a realized soul, who is always in the divine “Brahmananda”..

Shri Brahmananda’s daily routine was to get up two hours before sunrise, and did one hour of Nama japa ,and  after taking bath, go to some secluded place, and sit for Anusthan, up to an hour before sunset, come back to the village, and go for alms to two or three houses. After getting whatever food they gave, he used to offer before Shri Maharaj, before eating.

 Shri Maharaj's Padukas worshipped by Shri Brahmananda Maharaj and kept in Beladadhi

Then after finishing his routine evening worship, he used to sing Bhajans, in his sweet voice, which was well attended by the villagers. During all these days he spoke very little. Considering his austerities, the villagers respected him, and some of them took more care of him. Many times he used to forget himself in meditation, and did not return home for three or four days. All these days he remained with out food. Considering his attitude, one elderly lady, Dwaraka bai Ranga Rao Inamdar, took great care, and went around, and after tracing him sitting or lying some where, she used to bring him to her house and gave him food. But, he ate very little. Sri Brahmanand used to call her, who showered motherly affections on him, ‘Kaki’, meaning ‘aunt’. He used to tell the wondrous tales of Shri Maharaj to her. But, other wise, he was almost silent and spoke with nobody.

People began to understand that he has a Guru known as “Shri Brahmachaitanya Maharaj” And they began to call Shri Brahmananda as “Guruji”

For some time, he stayed in a farm near Bheeshma Tank, in Gadag. During that time, some Maharashtrian devotees of Shri Maharaj, who had come to Gadag, visited him. They told that they were on the way to Gokarna. Shri Brahmanand smiled and chanted :

Jethe dise Sadguru charana teche aamha gokarna| Gokarnaacha Maheshwara sadgurunath kharokara || Gondavale aise kshetra soduni jaave kaa itaratra || Gondavale aise bhuvana sadgurooche janmasthaana || Managangaachiyaa teeri Lolataari muktichaaree|| Brahmanannda saangoo kitee sadguruveenaa naahee gati ||

This made them realize Shri Brahmananda’s devotion to his Guru, Shri Maharaj.and felt ashamed at their own short-coming.

After some days, he came back to Beladhadi and stayed there. He told of his intention of building a Ram Mandir, in Beladhadi. Shri Inamdar gave a place near his house, to construct the Mandir, and offered his service in the construction. Guruji was very happy, and he began to collect the necessary stones and bring them carrying on his head.  After a month or two, he again became silent, and with the intention of getting Shri Maharaj to that place, he began anusthan.