Reminiscences

There is in the Konkan a village with a temple dedi­cated to the deity Ganapati,* celebrated as responding to the devotee's supplication. During a visit to that temple, ShriMaharaj was asked, * What should one supplicate for, here?' The reply was," Ganapati* literally means 'Lord of the senses' and, by extension, of the tendencies which prompt them to action. These are both properly guided by namasmarana. So, we should pray Ganapati to grant us interest, pleasure, in chanting nama."

t) - from Gana - the senses + pati = lord,

Reminiscences

Bapusaheb Sathaye's fondness for his son Rajabhau was boundless, for Rajabhau was an only child, a weak­ling, of a delicate constitution, from his childhood. Later, when ShriMaharaj went on a pilgrimage to Kashi, Bapusaheb was among the persons accompanying him. Baburao Gadre had also accompanied the party with his parents. After the pilgrimage to the three main holy places-Prayag, Gaya, Kashi - ShriMaharaj said to him, 'Baburao, your parents have now made their pilgrimage to Kashi, now let them return. But you should remain with us for the sake of Bapusaheb.' Accordingly Baburao stayed on, with the journeying party.

By stages the party arrived at Harda. During the stay there, one day Bapusaheb got stricken with cholera. Baburao diligently tended to him, but the illness went on worsening. Then, sitting by his side, ShriMaharaj said to Bapusaheb, 'Bapusaheb, on the whole the condition ap­pears serious. Should Rajabhau be sent for by a telegram?' But at this last moment, Bapusaheb's attachment for physical matters had been completely eradicated. He said, 'No, Maharaj, it is good that he is not here. If he happens to be before me, who knows, my soul may not find release because of attachment for him.'

After a short while Bapusaheb's life came peacefully to an end.

Reminiscences

What is the best kind of life ? In answering this question ShriMaharaj said, 'It is good to lead a life of activity in worldly affairs, with the object of chanting nama. To live for doing nothing but chanting nama is better; and to live so that one remembers nothing else but nama, for­getting oneself in it, is the best.'

Reminiscences

The wife of a railway official came to see ShriMaharaj. She said, 'Maharaj, how much suffering need one bear in one's life! My father passed away soon after my wedding. Two years later, I had my first son; he died. Last year, married daughter died in an accident. Now my husband is suffering from blood pressure. What is all this?' On . listening to the lady's story, ShriMaharaj said, 'Madam, there are many wonders in this world. Of these, a great one is that a person in domestic life is unworried, though he is as it were sitting on top of a volcano. There is no telling when it will erupt. There is no telling what sorrow will fall, to whose lot and when. Not to let things turn out the way one wishes, to be ever changing, is precisely the nature of worldly life. Therefore, one should be active in the uncertain worldly life, but lean upon God for support; only then contentedness will endure. One feels the sup­port of God by chanting nama.'

Reminiscences

An affectionate devotee used to visit Sri Maharaj often, but he always used to come alone, without his wife.()nce ShriMaharaj called him aside and asked him the reason for not bringing his wife. He said sadly, 'Maharaj, my wife is a kleptomaniac; she has the bad habit of tak­ing other's belongings. It cannot be called stealing, for she is not aware that she has taken someone else's thing; unabashed, she vaunts it even before the owner of the article. But not only people are unnecessarily inconve­nienced by this fault of hers; in addition, she becomes a laughing - stock, and I too feel ashamed. So I avoid tak­ing her anywhere.' On hearing this, ShriMaharaj said, 'It does not matter, since she does not do it with the idea of stealing. Rama will manage. Bring her along next time.'

The next time, the devotee went to Gondavale with his wife as ShriMaharaj had advised. When, the lady bowed to touch ShriMaharaj's feet, he whispered to her 'Never forget that Rama constantly watches everyone here !' For her in effect, this was a conferring of initiation. It was indeed an impartation of moral strength. The couple stayed at Gondavale for nearly a month, but not a single incident of Kleptomaniac stealing by the lady took place. Her husband was greatly surprised. Before returning both formally received an impartation of nama from ShriMaharaj. ShriMaharaj merely said, 'Now both of you uhould chant nama in all sincerity. You should act with Rama as your witness. He will not let you suffer humilia­tion.' The lady lived for nearly twenty years thereafter, but the woman was cured of her kleptomania,

Reminiscences

ShriMaharaj asked an eminent lawyer, 'All lawyers' have studied law, but while only some earn a name for themselves as good lawyers, the others lag behind. Why does this happen ?' The lawyer said, 'Maharaj, my experi­ence is that while studying a case and presenting the client's side before the court, an identification with the client's position is needed. One then fully grasps the cor­rect situation and the legal pros and cons. Consequently one can present the client's position capably.' Upon this ShriMaharaj said, 'But what if this identification is main­tained all the time ?' The lawyer said, 'How can it be? It will be sheer foolishness!' Then Shri Maharaj said, 'I, too, tell people the same thing. While presenting a client's point of view, the lawyer temporarily identifies himself  with the interest of the client. Likewise, one should con­duct worldly affairs, temporarily imagining that one's body belongs to oneself, but, instead of actually being one with the body, one should become one with God. By acting thus, a person will be able to manage successfully both worldly affairs and attainment of God.'

Sri Brahmananda Maharaj's letter on Manasa Pooja

Some time back, Sri Brahmananda Maharaj's letter written in Kannada was published. Thinking that non-kannadiga devotees of Sri Maharaj may be interested to know the content of the letter, it has been translated in to English, and presented here.Many Sanskrit words are retained finding no appropriate English words to substitute,and thinking that, as the readers are mostly Indians, the mix of Sanskrit words may not hamper the understanding.    

Shri Sadguru Brahmananda Maharaja’s Divine Message

Phalguna shuddha Panchami                                             Sri Rama Samartha                                     camp:Harda                                                  

                                                                                                                                                          Date: 22-3-1913

Salutations and Blessings of Sri  Brahmananda Ramadasi,Sri Rama samsthan, Beladadi to Shri Rama Bhakta paraayana  Sarva bhakta mandali

Received your letter and noted the contents. As per the letter, eight lakhs twenty thousand Ram Jap was offered at the feet of Sri Samarth and conveyed the Dandavat Sashtaanga Pranams of all of you. Sri Samarth felt very happy. He blessed with his Poorna  Ashirvad to all of you. Continue to do Ram-Jap like this. How much to write about the immense Mahima of Sri Samarth! How much ever we write can only be a very little. We have heard Sadhus like Ramadasa Swamy, Jnyanoba Maharaj, Purandara Das, Kanaka Das, Chidambara Deekshit took avathaar, uplifted many people, and performed Super human deeds. Now, Sri Samarth has taken re-birth. How can I describe His immense greatness! I am not talented enough. Everyday, miracles are happening! One cannot understand His greatness unless one sees personally. He sowed the seed of Ram-naam all over the country.

 You are now in Betegeri. Sri Samarth is 500 Haridari (1500miles) away in Harda. You are doing Sri Rama namasmarana. Is this by your own strength or by the Grace of Sri Samarth? Like this, people from all over the country do Sri Rama namasmaran. There is no one who can uplift the mankind like Sri Samarth. His talk is sweeter than Amritha. On hearing his Niroopan, even a hard minded atheist will be tempted to do Sri Rama Namasmarana. His charisma is Divine. On seeing Him, every one will know that He is God. He has no ordinary man-like behaviour. Dhairya, kshamaa, shaanthi, vichaara, viveka, vairaagya, jnyaana all are fully abounding in him. All of you have seen Him. Having taken darshan of Sri Maharaj,  do naamasmaran, as per his advice and be blessed. During the time of death, when Yamadeva drags, father, mother, wife, children, relatives and friends, wealth, nobody can free from his clutches. None can guard, except Sri Ram-nam. Yama Deva, cannot come near one who is doing Ram namasmaran always. This is true. Do not think this as false. This has to be deliberated in a very subtle way. No one  tells as much, with concern..

There is one necessary action. Who ever may be, and whatever his profession, he must be doing his job, but while going, while coming , while he sits, while he stands, while he lies down till he gets sleep, let him be chanting Sri Ram, Sri Ram. He should not sleep early in the night. Sit chanting Sri Rama, Sri Rama for half an hour. Again, wake up two hours before Sun-rise, and after finishing morning ablutions, sit with concentration on a mat. Do manasa – pooja. Imagine a Mantap in your heart in which a gem clad Throne is placed. Meditate on Sri Ram sitting on that throne. The dark skinned handsome person, with his body shining like Agase (flax ?) flower, dressed in Peethaambar, with Crown, Ear drops, Bhuja keerti, and Sri vatsa kousthubha vanamaala in the neck, holds bow and arrow in the hand.

Seeta Devi is sitting on Sri Ramachandra’s lap. Lakshmana is standing behind holding an umbrella. Bharata and Shatrughna are  standing, fanning from left and right sides. Maaruti Raaja is standing in front folding his hands in humility, chanting Sri Rama Sri Rama; Vasishtji, Naradji, and saints led by Sanaka are chanting keertans. Meditating like this in mind, do Pooja.

Anoint the God Sri Rama with Perfumed oil. Bathe him with the hot water from Bhaageerati (river), wipe him with clean shining cloth, Dress him with Peetaambara, Anoint him with Saffron scent, and Musk mixed Akshata. Put many types of flower garlands and Tulasi garland. Put Kireeta, Kundala and other Jewels. Decorate Seeta Devi with jewels and female decorations. After Dhoopa, Deepa, desirable eatables like Pancha bhaksha pakwaanna should be served in a golden plate to Sri Rama. Imagine that the God Ramacandra is eating. Then, wash his hand, wipe it, and put Tamboola in his mouth . Do arati chanting Jayadeva Jayadeva Jaya Seetha Rama. After doing Pradakshina, prostrate holding his feet firmly and pray ‘ Sri Rama, Deena Dayaala, Protect me’,

Imagine that God Sri Rama has put his assuring hand on your head. Getting up, look at the smiling face of  the God Sri Rama. The mind should not wander that way or this way. Should be chanting Sri Rama Sri Rama, till day-break. After Sunrise, one should carry on his professional duties. Women while doing their household chores should be chanting Rama Rama. Should not waste the time. Should always be doing Rama Smarana.  Life is transient. Nothing comes with us in death. Always be chanting Sri Rama Sri Rama Sri Rama Sri Rama.       Blessings.

                                                                                                      Brahmananda