A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj- 10

A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj- 10

To accompany Sri Maharaj on a pilgrimage is a blessing for the devotees. The divine presence of Sri Maharaj with Sri Brahmanand at his side, gave the accompanying devotees the divine pleasure. Sri Brahmanand maharaj was always in attendance of Sri Maharaj, and for him, Sri Maharaj was the supreme Deity Sri Ram..

Sri Maharaj had established a Sri Rama Mandir, during one of his earlier visits to Varanasi. The Mandir is known as Tilwankar Rama Mandir, as the place belonged to Sri Hari narayan Tilwankar.

         Sri Maharaj's Ram Mandir at Varanasi.

Sri Maharaj and the devotees stayed in Varanasi for about a month and a half after visiting Prayag, Ayodhya and other places. That year, Gurupournami was celebrated in Varanasi. Sri Maharaj was seated on a high chair, and Guru pooja was done with great devotion.

After returning to Gondavale,Sri Brahmananda Maharaj , with Sri Maharaj’s permission went back to his place. He went straight to Teradala, where he had arranged for Rama nama sapthaha. A large number of people assembled. A thera koti (thirteen crores) Japa sankalpa was made. Soon, the small village of Teradala , became holy with the large number of Anugraheet (initiated) devotees, and the thera koti Japam was completed with in a few months.  Sri Brahmanand Maharaj sent a few villagers to invite Sri Maharaj.for the Sangatha yagnya. But, Sri Maharaj expressed his inability to go there due to his illness, but sent his blessings. But Sri Brahmanand Maharaj was not ready to conduct the ceremony with out Sri Maharaj. So, he postponed the function. After nearly one year, on Sri Maharaj’s strict instruction to complete the Sangatha Ygnya., the sangatha yagnya was carried out in Teradala in a grand and fitting manner. Thousands of people were fed with delicious dishes and the main feature was poor-feeding. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj arranged everything perfectly,.

On request from Pandarpur devotees, Sri Maharaj went to Pandarpur with hundreds of devotees and stayed there for more than three  months. He called Sri Brahmanand to be with him. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj went to Pandarpur and had the pleasure of being with Sri Maharaj. They were staying in the Rama Mandir there. Every day, there was Annadaan, and thousands of people were satiated with the divine Prasad. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj was looking after the kitchen and the serving of food.

One day, Sri Maharaj expressed his desire of calling all the Brahmins and beggars of Pandarpur, the next day, for Midday meal. Some one estimated the expenses may go up to one thousand four hundred rupees. Sri Maharaj, asked whether any of the devotees present there can bear the expenses. As no response came from any one, Sri Maharaj asked Sri Brahmanand Maharaj to arrange for the next day’s feast. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj humbly, answered in the affirmative.

That was already late in the evening. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj went to Sri Panduranga darshan, with one of his Karnatak disciples.  On the way, he met a house-holder who bowed to him, and requested him to go to his house which was near by. At his house, he gave a packet, and told him that he had a dream previous night of Sri Panduranga asking him to handover certain amount to Sri Brahmanand Maharaj. So, after collecting the required amount he was going to Sri Rama Mandir to meet Sri Brahmanand Maharj. But, he was pleased to meet him on the way. Now, that he had handed over the packet, he was  satisfied that Sri Panduranga Vithala’s order to him has been carried out, and requested Sri Brahmanand Maharaj to accept it. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj was pleased and asked him to visit the Rama Mandir, next day, at 10 a.m. to have darshan of Sri Maharaj and  to take prasadam there.

After returning to his place of stay, Sri Brahmanand checked the contents of the packet and found that there were rupees one thousand four hundred in it, exactly the amount required for the next day’s feast. So, as per Sri Maharaj’s wish, all the Brahmins and Beggars of Pandharpur were invited for the lunch, and a festive food was served to all.

That year, Guru Pournami was celebrated in Pandharpur. The arrangements were grander than at Varanasi, and thousands of devotees garlanded and bowed down to Sri Maharaj’s feet with great fervour and devotion.

Soon after the Guru Pournami ,Sri Maharaj gave permission for Sri Brahmanand to return, and himself went back to Gondavale, with all his retinue.

A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj-11

A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj - 11

After returning from  Phandharpur, Sri Brahmanand Maharaj was more meditative. But, the constructions at Venkatapur demanded more of his attention. He himself went to Badami, and got stone pillars  and other slabs for roofing. Transporting those stones to Venkatapur from Badami might have been a Herculean task, at that time.  With no motorized vehicles, transporting on ox driven carts, might have taken a long time and very expensive. But as the work progressed, more stones were needed and had to be procured from Badami.

One Sri Thirukambhat of Hombala., well versed in shastras and quite rich,  was a staunch devotee of Bhagavan Shankar, and he was praying him daily to show the way to emancipation. One day, he had a dream in which Bhagavan Shankar appeared and told him that he will be meeting his Sadguru shortly. Soon after, Sri Brahmanad Maharaj went to his house calling his name. Sri Thirukambhat, suddenly realized that this was the Guru, he was in search of, and the Guru, Bhagvan Shankar pointed out. So, Sri Thirukambatt fell down at the feet of Sri Brahmanand Maharaj and surrendered himself to Him.

Sri Thirukambatt stayed , on the order of Sri Brahmanand Maharaj, at Venkatapur and supervised the works there. He also went to Badami several times to get the required stones.

Sri Guruji Brahmanand Maharaj was active in meeting devotees, traveling from village to village and from town to town, instigating Rama Sapthahas and advising the people to take up Ram-nam.

One day, while he was in Gadag, he woke up early morning, sent for a barber, and got his head shaved. After taking bath, he went inside his room and sat for meditation. He did not come out of the room for a few hours. When he came out of the room, the pensive looking Guruji started immediately for Beladhadhi by walk..

Soon after he went, a telegraphic message was received at Gadag, about Sri Maharaj leaving his body. The message was sent immediately through a young devotee, Sri Nagappa, who ran and caught Guruji with in a few kilometers. Learning about the message, Guruji sat down and wept like a child. He exclaimed, “ The talking God has gone away !, by spending Rs.2/- on a ticket we could have seen him.“. Controlling himself, he went on his journey. But, he was not seen by any one for three days. After three days, he came to Beladhadhi.

At Gondavale, the saddest thing had happened. When Sri Maharaj left his body on Margashira Bahula Dashami, 22-12-1913, there was a commotion. Though Sri Maharaj had told several people of his intending departure, no one was prepared. Sri Bhau Saheb Ketkar sent telegraphic messages to all the devotees. In particular, as no one knew of the whereabouts of Sri Brahmananda Maharaj, he sent the telegrams to several places like Gadag, Hubli, Dharwad etc. 

The devotees there decided to proceed further only after the arrival of Sri Brahmanand Maharaj. But, there was no trace of him. They waited till next day. Then they decided not to wait any longer and cremated the body in the afternoon of 23-12-1913.

At Beladhadhi, Sri Brahmanand Guruji arranged a seven days program starting from the fifth day of Sri Maharaj’s departure. He sent words to all the devotees in the surrounding places, and Nama sapthaha was carried out. A temporary shelter was put up on a big area. Sri Maharaj’s Picture was placed on a high pedestal. Bhajans and Japanushtan was arranged non-stop. Food was arranged for thousands, and the poor people were fed sumptuously, every day. 

A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj - 12

             A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj - 12

Sri Brahmananda Maharaj showed here that the devotees of Sri Maharaj, have to perform His aradhana wherever they are situated, with Bhajans, Japanushthan and Annadaan.

Though he immediately did not go to Gondavale, he had maintained the contacts. He had to write to  Sri Bhavana Rao, who had kept the Astis (bones) of Sri Maharaj for himself in safe keeping, and was adamant not to give them to anybody, to handover to Sri Haripant Master to be sent for immersion in Triveni Sangam at Prayaag..

When Sri Brahmanand Maharaj went to Gondavale, he arranged to construct a Samadhi Mandir at the place of cremation of Sri Maharaja’s body. On consulting with other devotees, it was decided to construct the Samadhi mandir similar to the one at Sajjanghad. The building was scheduled to be completed before the first Punya Thithi.

That year, Sri Brahmanand Maharaj stayed in Gondavale for Sri Ramotsav. Sri Ramotsav was performed on a grand scale with Bhajans, Japanushthan and Annadaan. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj had taken many disciples with him, among  them there were devotees from Ashwathpur who were good cooks They  cooked  delicious dishes on every day of the Utsav.

Sri Maharaj had left a will. He had divided his property into two portions. One consisted of what he got from his ancestors. And the other portion was what he had earned. The one he inherited, he named his cousins as the inheritors. The other portion was left to Sri Rama Mandir. He named Panchs (five Trustees ) to look after the Rama Mandir.

Sri Maharaj had proposed the trustees as: 1) Brahmananda 2) Appa Saheb Bhadavankar. 3) Bapu Saheb sathe . 4) Tatya sahib chapalgavkar. The fifth one was Himself.

But, Sri Brahmandand Maharaj, after the Ramotsav, told that as he will be in Karnataka, most of the time, it may not be possible to look after the affairs of the Gondavale trust, properly. So, he said that in his place, he would appoint Sri Paagaa Phadanees of Sangli.

Sri Appa Saheb Bhadavankar will be the chief trustee. Sri Brahmanand, however, worked in the interest of the Gondavale Mandir.

Many people of the surrounding places used to keep their money with Sri Maharaj for safe keeping and took back whenever they needed. Sri Maharaj had warned them to take back their money because of his approaching end. But many of them did not respond to his advice. After Sri Maharaj left his body, they were worried about their money and wanted it back.  But it seemed difficult for the Mandir trust to return as per their demands. A few of their demands seemed to be bogus. Sri Maharaj had not kept any written account of them. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj came to the rescue. He told Sri Appa Saheb, “Is it not the duty of the children to meet the commitments made by their father? So, we have to return any money Sri Maharaj had to pay. Those people are asking in the name of  Sri Maharaj. Whether it is true or false is not our concern. Sri Maharaj will take care of it. We will raise the amount required among ourselves, and pay back”.  The amount the trust had to pay was about Rs.3000=00 . Sri Brahmanad  took out Rs.500=00 from his bag, and gave it to Sri Appa Saheb. Immediately, the other devotees present also gave their contribution and soon, Rs.3000=00 was collected and demands of all those people were met with.

 Sri Brahmanand Maharaj made a tour and went to up to Jalna to collect funds for the construction of the Samadhi Mandir. He had many followers, in Karnataka, who donated for the construction.

Sri Appa Saheb Bhadavankar looked after the construction of the Mandir, and reported the completion of the building to Sri Brahmanada Maharaj. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj and Sri Mahabhagavat went to Kurtakoti and brought to Gondavale, the best one among  the three Shila Padukas  which were graced by Sri Maharaj by standing on each of them, when he visited Kurtakoti..

Everything was arranged to install the Padukas during the first Aradhana Mahotsav.

Sri Brahmanand Maharaj toured extensively and invited all the devotees for the installation ceremony and the Aradhanotsav. Invitations were also posted to devotees of Sri Maharaj, all over India.

A big temporary shelter was erected; a temporary kitchen with a store was also built.

As the day approached devotees began to pour in. Arrangements were made for their comfortable stay. All the ten days, the kitchen was active serving the devotees with Tea, breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

The Divine Padukas were installed in the Samadhi Mandir on Margashira Bahula Padyami. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj spoke a few words on Sri Maharaj: “Do not be discouraged that our Sadgurunatha has disappeared from our eyes by leaving his earthly body. Know that, that Great Prophet is re-born to-day. Earlier, being inside the material body, he could only be at Gondavale to think about the welfare of his devotees. But, now, in his spiritual form, he has enveloped the whole world and protects the devotees by staying eternally in their hearts. Installing the kind Sadguru in your heart, bowing down to his feet, chant day and night the Sri Rama Taraka Mantra initiated by him. Sri Ram will definitely take care of you”. Having said these words, Sri Brahmananda Maharaj did the Arathi, and then chanted the Guru Parampara Stotra: 'Narayantwaadi gurum paresham….. ' Performing the deergha danda Pranam, he started the Bhajan: Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram Patita Pavana Seeta Ram. which was repeated by the others. Thus started the Akhanda Bhajan which continued non stop for ten days. Likewise, Akhanda Japanushtan, Purana pravachan, Keerthan, continued for ten days upto Margashira Bahula Dashami..

A Brief Biography of Sri Brahmananda Maharaj - 13

After the Aradhanotsav, Sri Brahmanand Maharaj stayed for a month in Gondavale, and arranged for the regular poojas to be conducted in the Samadhi Mandir and at all the temples built by Sri Maharaj in Gondavale. He made arrangements for the food and accommodation to the many devotees from other places, visiting the Samadhi Mandir. He arranged for the construction of the goshaala (cow-shed) near the Samadhi Mandir.

Then he left Gondavale. Sri Maharaj had ordered for the renovation of the temple at Venkatapur. The construction was going on. He had to supervise it. In order to raise funds for the expenses, he had to visit the places where he had followers. Most of the time, he walked the distances on barefoot. On the way, he chanced to visit Ramadurga, a small village. He had a large number of followers there. But, when he mentioned about the contribution to the construction of the Venkatapur temple, they all pleaded that as there was famine because of the absence of the rain, they could willingly do any work  Guruji tells except giving out money. For that Sri Brahmanand Maharaj smiled, and told them then that they should do one and a half crores of nama-japam within fifteen days. They all agreed. And the Japam started the same day. To start with, they were only 30 members. But as the news spread, many people from the surrounding places participated. Sri Brahmanand maharaj arranged food for all of them. The one and a half crores of Japam were completed on the fifteenth day. The completion ceremony (Saangatha Yagnya) was arranged on the next day; and all the people of the village were invited for the Maha Prasad.

 When Sri Brahmanad maharaj started to leave the place, all the people of the village assembled and gave out whatever money they could afford individually. Sri Brahmanad maharaj asked them to do namasmaran; he blessed that  Sri Ram will remove all their difficulties and improve their condition.

After renovating the Sri Venkateshwara temple, he had only the work of spreading Ram-nam, as per his Guru’s order. He arranged many sapthahas  and initiated thousands of people with Tharaka naam.  As his main work was spreading of Ram-nam and Annadaan, he used to get cooks from a place called Pimpala, near Udupi in Karnataka. The Brahmins there were very poor and lived by cooking . One Sri Ramaiah and his team were regular cooks for Sri Brahmanand Maharaj. They developed high regard for Sri Brahmanand Maharaj , and took to Ram-naam. After witnessing the constructions of many Rama Mandirs, they felt they should also build a Rama mandir in their place. When they expressed their desire, Sri Brahmanand Maharaj ignored it initially. But when their urge was extreme, he asked them to request Sri Maharaj when he visited Bidarahally Ramotsav. These cooks fell on the hot sand before the procession of Sri Maharaj, and got sanctioned for the Mandir. They got the Mandir ready and even the Idols for installation; but as Sri Maharaj was unwell and Sri Brahmanand was not very willing personally to install the idols, they could not get the Rama Mandir, early. After Shri Maharaj left his body, they again approached Sri Brahmanand Maharaj with intense desire for the Mandir. Sri Brahmanad agreed , but told them that the idols they already had were not suitable and got different idols from Bombay.  Finally, the idols were installed, and as the place where the Mandir was built was full of Ashwatha trees, he called the place as Ashwathapur. He formed a trust of devotees to look after the Mandir. He charted out the daily pooja Vidhaan, which is followed to this day.

Before he left Ashwathapur, he handed out the Prasad of cashew nuts, handful to each of the devotees gathered to see him off. The cashews were placed in a plate, but the devotees were many. But he gave the handful of cashews with his blessings to every body. Needless to say that the number of cashews in the plate increased automatically, and still, a few more remained in the plate after giving out to everybody.

This event of the installation of Sri Rama Mandir, became a turning point in the lives of the villagers. Their prosperity increased and now the Aswathapurians have spread all over the world with success to their credit in different fields.

A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj - 14

A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj - 14

Here after, Sri Brahmanand Maharaj stayed more at Venkata pur. His Bhajans were very inspiring. He wrote many Bhajans in Kannada and Marathi. They contain his teachings to the common man.  A few of his Kannada Bahajans are given here.

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Namo lambodara namo vighnaharaa  namo devaavaraa gajaananaa 

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smarana maatradinda sankata kaleyuvi devi gowri taayee nandanane 

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mooshakavaahana dosha nivaarana paashaankusha dhara eesha kuvara

                                 ------------------------

Rama Rama Rama Seetha Rama Rama anniri. Ramasmaraneya horatu kaala vyartha kaleya bediri.||Pa||

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Snaana Sandhya nitya nema japava tapavanu maadiri| saayosankaTa bandaroo paradharma hidiyabediri ||1||

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Tande taayi bandhu balagavu mithyavendu tiliyiri| nandu naanendemba mohava bittu raamana bhajisiri ||2||

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Kaama krodha moha bittu manasu jalajalamaadiri| kaayavaacha manasininda guruvige sharanhogiri ||2||

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Pararanaari pararadravya narakavendu tiliyiri| chinteyillade raamachintisi janana maranava neegiri ||4||

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Bhaktibhaavadinda sadguru hariyu haranendariyiri | guruvinappaneyante nadedare muktiyendu tiliyiri ||5||

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Divasa raatri saadhu santara sanghavanne bayasiri | brahmaanandaru saari heluva raama naamava japisiri ||6||

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Patita paavana embo birudu satya maado raama indu

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Anatha naatha embo naamaa khare iralee meghashyaamaa

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Saadhu santa mahantarellaa deena dayaala antaaralla

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hogaluvudu ninna keerti sahajavidu vishwa moorti

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Brahmaananda beduva raamaa hrudayadalli bitto premaa ||6||

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Sri Shankaracharya of Koodli  Mutt visited Venkatapur. When he found the atmosphere serene and calm, he decided to stay there for four months during  chaaturmaasa.. Sri Brahmanand maharaj agreed and made arrangements for his comfortable stay along with his retinue.

Sri Brahmanand Maharaj arranged the Ramotsav in Baladhadi in a very grand manner inviting Sri Maharaj’s devotees from all over the country. Poojya Venkannaiah of Chintamani also received the invitation. He was very much interested to go there for the nine-day function, and so applied for leave. But, as the day of departure approached he did not receive the leave approval from his head-office. But, as he had applied for the leave, and it was a week-end any way, he went to Beladhadi planning to return by Monday morning to attend his work at the usual time.

 SriBrahmanand Maharaj gladly received him, and arranged for his stay. Sri Venkannaiah had  great moments of meditation and Bhajans there. He was addressed as ‘Mysoor Buva’ by Sri Brahmanand maharaj.( In those times, Mysore was a separate country comprising of sevaral districts like Mysore,Bangalore, Kolar,Tumkur,Hassan  etc. Anybody from any of these places was called as a Mysorean, in other places.  Dharwar, Gadag, Bijapur and some other places of the present Karnataka belonged to either Bombay Presidency or Hyderabad).

After two days, he had to return for the work, he approached Sri Brhamanand Maharaj for permission. But Sri Brahamandand Maharaj asked him to stay.

After two more days Sri Venkannaiah again told of his intention of leaving, but again Sri Brahmanand Maharaj asked him to remain. Now, Sri Venkannaiah was worried, but could not disobey the order of the great saint. However, he was happily surprised to receive, two days later, the leave-approval notice which was re-directed to Beladhadhi by one of his friends. The great saint must have known about the leave-approval! Other-wise, Sri Venkannaiah  would have missed the grand final day!

A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj -15

  A Brief Biography of a Great Saint - Sri Brahmananda Maharaj - 15

Once, in  Menasagi village, near Gadag, a few devotees were reading the Jaimini Bharatha in a temple. During their talk, they remembered that Sri Brahmanada guruji  had not visited their place since a long time. So, they thought of visiting Venkatapur themselves to see him.  But, with in half an hour, even while they were sitting there,  they were pleasantly  surprised  when  Sri Guruji himself went there. They all bowed down to him. Sri Brahmanand told them,  “A little while ago, when you remembered me, I was on my way to Kannur from Yavagal .with a few persons. I sent them directly, and came here intending to go to Kannur later. They were all very happy and each asked him to visit their house. But Sri Guruji went to Tammanna Rao’s house and asked him to invite others to next day’s  Pooja and Mahaprasad.  Later, he started to go to Kannur. But, the devotees wanted to send him in a bullock cart. So, after searching they could find only a cart and a pair of new untrained bullocks. The other trained bullocks being taken to the farms at that time. So, they instructed the cart-man to go slowly and carefully as the bullocks were untrained.

After leaving the village, Sri Guruji asked the cart-man to sit behind and took the rein himself. Asking the cart-man to hold him-self strongly, started to drive the bullocks in a high speed. Bullocks started to run and in no time they reached the destination. Soon after reaching the place, he paid the cart-man with extra money to get the bullocks grains as they had a hard work.

Sri Brahmanand Maharaj was very receptive to the difficulties and problems of the devotees; helped and guided them at the time of their need always instructing them to chant Ram-nam.

When the construction work of Sri Venkatapur Mandir was in progress, Sri Brahmanand Maharaj was in urgent need of money. So, he sent Sri Tirukambatt to Sri Chidambara Bhatta of Chkka Handigola, asking him a sum  of Rupees One thousand, stating that it will be returned in a month. Sri chidambara bhatt , as he had no ready cash, gave some jewels to Sri Tirukambatt. However, after some days he began to worry whether he would get back the Jewels. Sri Tirukambat gave  to Sri Brahmanand Maharaj. The construction of the Mandir progressed.  However, Sri Chidambara Bhat’s worrying about the jewels increased, and finally, one morning, he told himself that if Sri Brahmanand Maharaj was really an avatar, as people believed,  he will get back his jewels with in two or three days.

Sri Brahmanand Maharaj was in a camp in a village near Gadag. He called Sri Tirukambat and gave him the jewels. As the money for the construction was adjusted,  he asked him to go to Chikka Handigola and return the jewels to Sri Chidambara Bhat. Sri Chidambara Bhat  was shocked to find his jewels returned on the same day of his determination.  He felt very bad for doubting such a divine person as Sri Brahmanand Maharaj.

A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj - 16

  A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj - 16

Shree Brahmanand Maharaj was getting intermittent fever. He might have felt that his time had come. One day, (Bhadrapada bahula sapthami), after attending to the regular pooja to the Lord Venkateshwar, in venkatapur, he went to Beladhadi in the  evening. After taking darshan of Sri Ram, he went round Beladhadhi and met all the house -holders with a smile on his face. Later, he left for Hubli. He went to Sri Dattopanth Tabib’s house. This was the house where Sri Maharaj had stayed in, when he visited Hubli to install Sri Ram near that house. That was a fortnight of Pitru Paksha. During that period, most of the people celebrate a ritual remembering their ancestors. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj celebrated the ritual remembering Sri Maharaj on the Dashami day, in Sri Tabib’s house. He went to Kagawad, next day, on Ekadashi. Next morning, he asked Sri Moodalappa who had accompanied him from Beladhadhi to return. When Moodalappa refused to leave him alone, commenting on the weakness of Sri Brahmanand  Maharaj,  Guruji told him that as there was plague  in Kagawad, he must return as he was a householder with  young children. After being convinced to return, Sri Moodalappa, noticing that Guruji’s bag was empty, offered one hundred rupee note to Guruji.  Guruji refused with a laughter, “why, do you think I have no money?”, stating that he poured hundreds of coins from his small bag. Moodalappa was dumb-founded. Guruji told him that the marriage of the daughter of Tirukambhat scheduled to be held at Venkatapur must be held at the scheduled time, even if there was any delay in his returning.

In Kagawad, many devotees came for his darshan. Some expressed surprise about his visit, as the Navarathri festival was approaching, and nobody would have dreamt of his leaving Venkatapur-Beladhadhi during that time.

Next morning, Sri Brahmanand Maharaj and others were waiting for the bullock cart to go to Navabhag, River Krishna flows near Navabhag.. He was joking with the GuruBhaktas who were there. He addressed Sri Hari Bhavoo and told that if he died, not to burn the body or do any kind of rituals. He advised them to tie the body with four empty pots to the four corners and immerse it in the Krishna River, where the river is deep. He told that as he was a bachelor, no rituals were necessary. When they reached Nava Bhag he went to the river with the devotees to bathe. While bathing he enquired to know where the river was deep. Then, he asked some one present to wash the small bag he was carrying as it was dirty. Afterwards, he felt that he did not require the bag any more, and filling it up with water, he immersed it in the river. In the evening he did Bhajans. The Bhajans were very emotional. He did not take any food that night.  As it was Thursday, he would not take any thing accept Sri Guru Theertha.

He woke up early and did his morning ablutions. After finishing up his usual prayers, he lied down on his bed and started to breathe heavily. Noticing that he did not wake up even after 7 a.m. the devotees thought that he must be oversleeping as he might have some disturbed sleep in the night. So, they began to chant Bhajans. Again, after some time, noticing that he did not wake up still, they got worried. They sent for a doctor from a near-by village. He checked the pulse, and found the pulse rate had come down and declared him as no more. The devotees shifted down the body to floor. They sent telegrams to Sri Bheema Rao Gaadagoli of Gadag who was Sri Brahmanand Maharaj’s brother’s son, and to some other devotees. .

At about 10-30 a.m. they found a sudden movement of hands, and suddenly Sri Brahmanand Maharaj opened his eyes and looked at the surrounding devotees with a smile on his lips. The surrounding devotees were delighted that nothing had happened to Guruji. But, suddenly, chanting ‘Ram, Ram’, he closed his eyes not to open any more.

Thus ended the life of a great saint. He left his body to mingle with his Guru Sri Brahma Chaithanya Maharaj. He was an Ichchaa Marani (a person who can die only when he wants) like Bhishma. He might have felt his work living in that body was over.

 Sri Brahmanand Maharaj‘s body was immersed in the Krishna River as per his wish.

He was a great disciple, a great saint. His devotion and obedience towards his Guru can not have an equal..

Once Sri Brahmanand had gone to Gondavale. Though he himself had thousands of followers, he would be the humblest of servants to Sri Maharaj. When he was present, he would allow none to do the personal service to his Guru. He would always be at the beck and call of Sri Maharaj.

Sri Maharaj had to go to Naravani village which is about 10 kms from Gondavale. Sri Maharaj started on the journey soon after lunch. Sri Damle and Sri Manjreji immediately got over the tonga and sat with Sri Maharaj. Sri Brahmanand maharaj came with some articles needed by Sri Maharaj and kept them in the Tonga. Sri Maharaj asked him to accompany them. Sri Brahmanand immediately started to follow them walking behind the Tonga. Sri Maharaj asked him to climb up into the Tonga, but Sri Brahmanand did not heed him. It was a hot day. Then, Sri Maharaj threw out his sandals (foot-wear) asking  Sri Brahmanand to wear them as he was on bare foot. But, as soon as he got Sri Maharaj’s sandals, he put them on his head and began to follow the tonga some time running and some time walking. Sri Maharaj finished his work and returned after about two hours. Sri Brahmanand again followed the Tonga, running bare-foot. Sri Damle and Sri Manjreji felt Sri Brahmanand disobeyed Sri Maharaj by not getting into the Tonga. They discussed this matter with Sri Bahu Saheb Ketkar. Sri Ketkar, told them that it was they who committed mistake by sitting next to Sri Maharaj in the Tonga, and not Sri Brahmanand Maharaj. Then, Sri Damleji asked Sri Brahmanand  why he did not wear the sandals thrown by Sri Maharaj, Sri Brahmanand maharaj told them Sri Maharaj’s sandals were fit only to be carried on his head. He told that as soon as he put them on his head, the scorching Sun became cool towards him and he did not feel any heat or tiresomeness for running behind the Tonga.

His Gurubhakthi knew no bounds. The scholar who was well versed in Sanksrit Vedantha, Meemaamsa,and Shastras discarded them all on coming into the hold of Sri Maharaj. He considered Sri Maharaj as Ram himself. And Sri Maharaj used to tell that there was no difference between   himself and Brahmanad.

                      ---------Sri Brahma Chaithanya Maharaj ki Jai ---------------

                                     Sri Brahmananda Maharaj ki Jai
                                     Sab Sadhoo santhon ki Jai.! Jai Jai Raghuveera Samartha.