A Brief Biography of Sri Brahmananda Maharaj - 3

 A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj - 3

Later on, one night, Shri Shastry found himself, while sitting on meditation, surrounded by many serpents, with some of them moving over him, tied him as a rope, hissing all the time. Shri Shastry  tolerating the intolerable pain, prayed to Shri Maharaj with closed eyes that he was only working out his order, and if he dies without completing, it was not his fault but considered as his Guru’s Will. Suddenly, Shri Maharaj emerged from the Shiva-Linga, and approaching Shri Shastry, put His hand on his head. All of a sudden, the serpents vanished.  On seeing shri Maharaj, Shri Shastry executed deergha danda namaskar, with tears of happiness on seeing his beloved Guru.. Maharaj put his arms round Shastry and gave an affectionate hug, which gave him the Divine Ananda, He was seeing The God Ram every where. After releasing him, Shri Maharaj  brought him back to the normal state. Shri Maharaj told Shri Shastry that he was impressed by his steadfast determination and hard penance. So he was bestowing him the Divine Ananda, forever. He conferred him the name “Brahmananda”. Shri Maharaj told him to finish his penance with in a day or two and go to Indore. Shastry became very happy and began to chant the prayer, "Brahmendra Mukhya maradurlabham….."

Then Shri Maharaj vanished.

According to his Guru’s advice, Shri “Brahmananda” completed his penance, and went to Indore.

He went straight to Bhayya Saheb’s house. In spite of having lost a lot of weight because of  having only leaves for food, Shri Shastry was recognized and welcomed there. Shri Brahmananda asked whether Shri Maharaj was in Indore. He was told that Shri Maharaj had gone back to Gondavale three days back. When they were talking, Shri Bhayya Saheb received by post, a letter from Shri Maharaj. Shri Maharaj had written that Shastry would be coming there after attaining ‘Brahmananda’, and that he should be looked after well, and be sent to Gondavale after two days. Likewise, the Indore devotees detained and looked after Shri Brahmananda, with affection and regards for two days, and then sent him to Gondavale.

Sri Brahmananda came to Gondavale and straight went to Shri Maharaj, and with tears in his eyes bowed down to His feet. Shri Maharaj raised him with affection. Shri Brahmananda, began to chant “Sashtanga vandhooni Sadguroo raayaache”, spontaneously.

Sri Brahmanand with his Guru’s Grace, had attained self-realization. But, still he involved himself in the service of Shri Maharaja’s household, doing all the menial chores and was in attendance of Shri Maharaj all the twenty four hours.

One day, early in the morning, Shri Maharaj called him to his side, and told him that he was happy with the service he was rendering. But, due to the effect of Kali, righteousness was retreating and the unrighteousness was advancing everywhere. So, it was necessary to spread Rama Bhakthi, and to teach people the moral values. “Now you are fit for it. So, you go to your area of Karnataka and spread Rama Bhakthi there. You teach them how the people can attain the God even in domestic life, attending all the household responsibilities and one need not renounce the world by taking Sanyasa. So, your motherland of Karnataka is waiting for you. Go there”, Sri Maharaj gave him a Kapini, a Kulavi (Cap) which was on his head, His sandals, and a coin, and told him that he will always be at his side, and if any where, at any time, if he was in a problem, he will come there to his aid.  Sri Brahmanand Maharaj felt very sad to leave shri Maharaj, and spent the remaining day alone. Shri Maharaj, noticing his absence, went in search of him and finding him alone, told him of his duty of resurrecting the Dharma buddhi of the people. Of course, all the time, he will be at his side.

Shri Brahmananda Maharaj, after leaving Gondavale, with the blessings of Shri Maharaj, went straight to Jalihala, his birth place. He stayed in the Vithal Mandir near his house. In the evening, he put Shri Maharaja’s picture, and the padukas, in front of him and with closed eyes did the Manasa pooja.(pooja performed mentally). Afterwards, in his sweet voice, he started to sing Bhajans. On hearing his Bhajans, the village people began to assemble. His elder brothers also had come there. He had gone away twelve years back. Now he was with moustache and a beard, red cap on his head, only loin-cloth and a dhoti covering from waist to knee, speaks Marathi; no one recognized him. Completing his Bhajans and Arathi, as his usual custom, he enquired about the welfare of the surrounding villagers. Many of them, requested him to go to their house for Phalahar (night meals). He refused all of them, but went with his brothers. He saw his thinned down mother Jevoo Bai, and bowed down to her. Thinking that he is a Maharashtrian saint, Jevoo bai asked his daughters-in-law, to serve him food. But, Shri Brahmananda asked Jevoo bai to serve the food herself.. He took the food served by his mother, with pleasure, and went back to the Vitthal Mandir, after bowing down to his mother, again.

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. 

A Brief Biography of Sri Brahmananda Maharaj-5

A Brief Biography of Sri Brahmananda Maharaj - 5

With in a few days, Shri Samartha Sadguru Brahmachaitanya Maharaj, with his disciples, came to  Maruthi Mandir at Beladhadhi.. People gathered in wonder to see this divine person. Shri Maharaj asked them where was Brahmananda?  The people there did not know who Brahmananda was. But when one of Shri Maharaj’s disciples asked them for Anantha Shastry ,immediately, some of the villagers ran to the farm temple where Brahmananda stayed and informed him that “Gondavalekar Maharaj has come”. Suddenly Shri Brahmananda ran, jumping over the fence of the farm, with out considering a second’s rest, he came directly to Shri Maharaj, and prostrated before him. His happiness had no bounds. Shri Maharaj smilingly told “ Brahmananda, why did you take so much strain“and with affection, put his extended hand on his head. The extreme pleasure Shri Brahmananda felt at the sight of Shri Maharaj, cannot be explained in words. The blessed people of Beladhadi watched the meeting of the two divine people.

Then, Shri Brahmananda introduced Shri Maharaj to the assembled villagers. They were all very happy to see the great saint. They all shouted “Shri Sadguru Brahmachaithanya Maharaj ki Jai”. Shri Inamdar took Shri Maharaj in a grand procession to his house, and arranged his stay there.

 Each day, one of the villagers took Shri Maharaj to his house and after washing his feet, performed pooja and served food to Shri Maharaj and the assembled devotees. One among the villagers, though he had the desire of taking Shri Maharaj to his house, as he had no means of meeting the expenses, kept quiet. But Shri Brahmananda, knowing his intention, told him to call Shri Maharaj on the day of his departure so that there will be only 10-12 persons with him and he can easily arrange food for them. Like-wise, that person invited Shri Maharaj to his house on the day of his departure. When Shri Maharaj started to give pravachan(lecture), about 200 persons gathered to listen.  They were not invited that day. As the time of lunch was past, the host came and informed Shri Maharaj that the food is ready. Then, Shri Maharaj asked the assembled devotees that as he is leaving Beladhadhi that day, let them all take food with him. This made the host tremble, as he had only prepared food for 12 persons. But, shri Brahmananda assured him not to worry.

Shri Maharaj, after the pravachan, went to the kitchen and looked gracefully at the food prepared, and then went to bathe. After his bath he did the usual Sandhyavandan, and then went to the kitchen; the prepared food was offered (Naivedya) to God Shri Ram, and He asked them to serve.   Shri Brahmananda also joined to serve. Surprisingly, every one was fed sumptuously and there still remained some food. The host was very happy, and bowed down to Shri Maharaj with his humble gratitude.

While at Beladhadhi, Sri Maharaj , learning that Shri Brahmananda’s mother Smt. Jevoo bai was staying in Gadag.,  sent a Bullock-cart to Gadag and got her to Beladhadhi. He told her that the world has to thank her for delivering a son like Brahmananda. He felicitated her with a saree and fruits, and bowed down to her feet with a dandavat pranam. Afterwards, he sent her back to her house with all due respects.

Then He advised the villagers to do Ram-nam, and  obey Sri Brahmanand. He himself volunteered that after the completion of Sri Rama mandir, he will come for the installation of Sri Rama idols. Then He returned to Gondavale with his retinue. The villagers of Beladhadhi felt very sorry on his departure, for He had conquered their hearts with his affection.

A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj-6

 A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj - 6

After shri Maharaj went away, Sri Brahmananda Maharaj became very active, traveling and visiting the devotees of the surrounding places, and started the construction of Shri Rama Mandir. He arranged Nama-sapthaha which was well attended by the people from different places.

In Gadag, there was a person named Phadke,  a devotee of Sri Brahmananda Maharaj. Occasionally, Sri Brahmanand  used to stay over-night in Sri Phadke’s house, when he visited Gadag. One day, Sri Phadke asked Sri Brahmanand Maharaj to initiate the Taraka Manthra to him. Sri Brahmanand told him to go to Gondavale and be initiated directly by Sri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj. Sri Phadke insisted that it was enough for him if Sri Brahmanand maharaj initiated the manthra, but Sri Brahmanand Maharaj refused.

Then, Sri Phadke told him that if Sri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj was as powerful as he was described, can he himself come there and initiate him? Sri Brahmanand Maharaj told him that there is nothing impossible for Sri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj. He asked Sri Phadke to do pooja to Sri Gurupadaka daily, and to chant Ram-nam with devotion. He asked him to fast on every Thursday.

After about two months, Sri Brahmanand Maharaj visited his house. The family was very happy and requested him to take his midday meal with them. Sri Brahmanand told him, that as it was a Thursday, he will fast from the morning and take food in the night only. So, he asked them to prepare the food for the night, when he will come back for the night-meal. So, the entire family decided to skip the food in the afternoon, and await Sri Brahmanand Maharaj. At about 6 p.m. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj came there, and asked  Sri Phadke to take a bath. Meanwhile, he arranged for a Guru Peetha (a seat arranged for a holy person), and pooja articles. As soon as Sri Phadke returned after taking a bath, Sri Brahanand started doing Bhajans accompanied by the entire family. Suddenly there was a knock on the door, and when the door was opened, they were all surprised and happy to see Sri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj entering their house. Sri Maharaj sat on the Gurupeetha which was ready, and Sri Phadke washed the divine feet of Maharaj, and did the Arathi.

Sri Maharaj lovingly initiated Sri Phadke with the taraka Manthra. Afterwards they all ate food there. A room was arranged with Bed for Sri Maharaj. When Sri Maharaj went to Bed, Sri Phadke was pressing his legs till he slept. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj slept in a separate room.

Early in the morning, Sri Phadke was awaiting Sri Maharaj to wake up and come out of the room. But as the sun-rise approached, he got suspicious and went inside to find Sri Maharaj not there. So, he went to the room where Sri Brahmanand was sleeping, and there also he did not find Sri Brahmanand. He was stunned, and became very un-happy. He searched in the houses of other devotees of Gadag, for the saints, but not a trace of them anywhere. He started fasting with devotion, and the second morning, Sri Brahmanand Maharaj came to him and consoled him stating that when the Ashta Siddhis were always ready to serve Him, it is not difficult for Sri Maharaj to satisfy the desire of such a devotee like Sri Phadke. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj stayed with him for a few hours, took food in their house in the afternoon and went away advising them to do namasmaran.

A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj-7

A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj -7

The construction of Shri Rama Mandir at Beladhadhi was completed and the idols were ready to be installed. A day was set-up. A large number of erudite Sanskrit scholars and priests were invited to conduct the installation ceremony. Sadguru Sri Brahmachaithanya maharaj came from Gondavale and personally installed the Divine idols of Shri Ram, Shri Lakshman, Shri Sita Mai and Shri Hanuman. Thousands of people poured in from surrounding places to witness the holy ceremony. Food was served to everyone. Sri Maharaj told them all to chant Ram-nam. After the ceremonies were over, Shri Maharaj left for Gondavale with his retinue.

Shri Brahmanand Maharaj laid out the programs for daily pooja activities in the newly constructed Mandir. As per the order of Shri Maharaj, he renovated all the old temples in the Village. He also constructed a well, and called it “Sri Rama Thirtha”.  He prompted many people to take up Ram-nam. Though he was permitted by Shri Maharaj to initiate the Tarak manthra, himself, he used to send the people to Shri Maharaj for initiation. He put up plaques on Sri Rama Mandir and Sri Rama Thirtha, stating that they were constructed by Shri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj. This shows his devotion to his Guru, unselfishness and humility.

His righteous attitude  attracted people wherever he went. He instructed them to chant Ram-nam. He sent them to Gondavale to get initiated by Shri Maharaj. He used to sing Marathi Bhajans which, people of Beladhadhi and other places he frequented, could not understand. So he wrote and chanted many Kannada Bhajans which impressed the local people. Though, he was a saint of the first order disinterested in the worldly life, he attended the people in their dire need. He helped many people out of their problems.

Though he advocated chanting of Ram-naam for all evils, he instructed them not to forsake their duties. He arranged Sri Rama -nama -week  at many places and helped to establish Sri Rama Mandir at several places.

A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj-8

A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj - 8

Sri Brahmanand Maharaj, once visited Kurtakoti, a place near Gadag. In Kurtakoti, there was a young man, named Lingana Gowda,  who was well educated. He was well versed in both English and Sanskrit languages. He could subjugate many scholars in arguments. He learnt from some sources that Sri Brahmanand Maharaj was well versed in Vedantha, having studied in Varanasi. So Sri Lingana Gowda invited Sri Brahamanad Maharaj to his house and during conversation, started to ask some questions with the intention of knowing about the scholarship of Sri Brahmananda Maharaj. But Sri Brahmananda Maharaj, smiled, and  told him that from the time when Sri Brahma Chaithanya Maharaj Graced  and initiated him, he has sold his tongue entirely to ‘Sri Rama naam’. He told: “With Sri Maharaj’s divine favour my desires for Shastra and Meemaamsa have vanished. By my Guru’s  Grace my earlier interest for  Shastras have declined  and  I have realized that  one cannot get  real satisfaction and peace from these shastras .Without chanting  Nama (God’s name) this life will be a mere waste”. The young man was very much impressed, and requested Sri Brahmanand Maharaj to initiate him. Sri Brahmanand told him that as Sadguru  Sri Bramachaithanya Maharaj would be visiting Gadag and other places shortly, he could be initiated by Sri Maharaj himself.

 Naragunda is a small village but had many devotees of Shri  Brahmananda Maharaj.  Naragund devotees wanted to arrange a thera koti (13 crores )  Rama-Jap in their place. So, they requested Sri Brahmanand Maharaj to help them. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj wanted to take permission of Shri Maharaj. So, on behalf of the villagers he wrote a letter to Sri Appa Saheb Bhadavankar of Pandarpur asking to intimate the desire of the villagers to Sri Maharaj and take his permission to start the thera-koti Japa at Naragund. Here, we have to note that Sri Brahmanand did not write letters directly to Sri Maharaj., but wrote to a person who is near Shri Maharaj at that time and asked him to intimate Sri Maharaj about his letter.

Sri Maharaj replied in a letter to Sri Brahmananda  expressing his pleasure and approval for starting the Thera Koti Japaanushtaan at Naragunda.. .The villagers were pleased and started the Manthra Jap with Sri Brahmanand Maharaj taking the lead. Many devotees from surrounding villages began to come there and participate in the Japaanushtaan. The food and shelter were arranged for all the outsiders. As the days went on, the number of participants increased and the thirteen crore Japa sankalpa was almost at its end. Sri Brahmanand  sent two of the villagers to Gondavale to invite Sri Maharaj for the closing ceremony. One of them was Sri Shiva Deekshit of Yavagal, which is near Naragund. Sri Maharaj delayed his visit for the reason he only knew. But when he started on his journey after nearly two months, many devotees accompanied him. Meanwhile, at Nargund, expecting the arrival of Sri Maharaj, thousands of devotees gathered.

On the way, they came to Yavagal. In Yavagal,  Sri Shiva Deekshit  had constructed a Mandir on the instruction of Sri Maharaj, and the idols of Sri Dattatreya and Sri Pattaabhi Ram were ready to be installed. Sri Brahmananda Guruji had arranged everything for the installation ceremony. Yavagal devotees received Sri Maharaj with all the enthusiasm and devotion. Sri Maharaj installed the divine  idols in the newly constructed Mandir.

Then the entire retinue  went to Naragund.

In Naragund, Sri Rama Sapthaha was conducted, in the presence of  Sri Maharaj , and the devotees there might have  felt the thrill of the Divine presence.

 However, Naragund locals  found to their dismay, that the water in the tank which was feeding the entire village with drinking water, was dwindling , and they felt it may not be sufficient for the entire programme, with nearly ten thousand people assembled there. Besides, that was the only source of drinking water the villagers had. The  villagers  confided with Sri Brahmananda Maharaj  the cause of their worry. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj told them not worry as the Divine Sri Brahma Chaithanya Maharaj himself was  there, there will not be any shortage.

The homas and rituals were over. All the assembled were fed with Maha Prasad; the clouds began to gather, and by evening a heavy rain began to  pour and with in a short time the tanks and wells began to fill, and the villagers were  very happy and heaved a sigh of relief.

A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj-9

A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj- 9

Sri Maharaj stayed in Naragund for about eight days and visited other surrounding places on the requests of his devotees. At each place Sri Maharaj visited, many people took to Ramnam, being initiated by Sri Maharaj himself. Sri Linganagowda of Kurtakoti was also initiated. He became a great devotee and  followed Sri Maharaj wherever He went.

 Sri Brahmanand Maharaj requested Sri Maharaj to Grace the celebrations of Sri Ramotsav to be held at Beladhadi.  That year, Sri Ramotsav at Beladadhi, with Sri Maharaj at the helm was a grand affair. It was a nine days celebration, and Sri Maharaj asked LinganaGowda, to speak on Bhagavatha. Sri Maharaj liked his speech, and called him Maha Bhagavat.  Sri Maharaj always addressed  him as Maha Bhagavat. So,Sri Lingana Gowda retained the name of Maha Bhagavat. He surrendered himself entirely to Sri Maharaj, went to Gondavale with him and worked for Sri Maharaj for several years. He has written several abhangs in kannada. He came back to Kurtakoti after  Sri Maharaj ordered him to return and  spread Ram-naam in the surrounding area.

A few words about Gadag: Gadag is a place sanctified by several visits of Sri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj’s places of action (Beladhadi,Venkatapur, Kurtakoti, Bidarahalli,Naragund, Bisarahally, Teradala, Ashwathapura,Jaalihala.. to name only a few) were mostly surrounding or near Gadag. Sri Bahu Saheb Ketkar, Poojya  Tatya Saheb Ketkar Maharaj’s  father was in service here, as an Engineer. Though he had met Sri Maharaj, once, long back. it was here he understood the Divinity of Sri Maharaj and surrendered to him. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj had a large number of following here. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj renovated an old Shiva Temple in Gadag-Betegeri. There is an old and beautiful Sri Veeranarayan Temple in Gadag which inspired, five hundred years back, Sri Narayanappa (Kumara Vyasa) to write the inspiring Mahabharatha kaavya in Kannada. Sitting near a pedestal inside the temple Sri Narayanappa is supposed to have written, that great work which is also known as Gadugina Bharatha.

Sri Brahmananda Maharaj was doing an incessant work in spreading Rama Naam. He visited many places and incited many people to take up Ram-naam. Rama-Sapthahas were arranged and many temples were built or renovated. All the events are known to have provided sumptuous food to all devotees irrespective of caste, creed and class. Sri Brahmananda Mharaj always took permission of Sri Maharaj before starting any event, and invited Sri Maharaj always for the closing ceremony. Sri Maharaj, most of the times, graced the events with His presence. On one of such visits, Sri Maharaj visited Kurthakoti on the invitation of Sri Maha Bhagavat, and stayed there for several days.

 During His stay in Kurthakoti, a painter, Sri Harappanahally painted Sri Maharaj sitting with a Red Kapini, which became very famous with the devotees of Sri Maharaj. Thousands of copies of the painting were printed and distributed, freely.

At Kurtakoti, a sculptor offered three sets of Padukas and a beautiful Maruthi statue ,all in black granite,  to Sri Maharaj.  Sri Maharaj, on the request of devotees, stood on each of the Padukas and the poojas were done. Sri Mahabhagavat requested Sri Maharaj to install them in Kurthakoti .  Sri Maharaj  told not to install the  Padukas as the occasion to install them will rise in due course. But, Sri Maharaj installed the Maruthi idol in the place provided by Sri Maha Bhagavat.

While at Beladhadhi, Sri Brahmanand Maharaj took Sri Maharaj to Venkatapur.. He showed him the udbhava Venkateshwara swamy in the old and small temple and expressed the need to renovate the temple. Sri Maharaj lovingly asked him to take up the project.

Sri Brahmanand Maharaj accompanied Sri Maharaj when he returned to Gondavale. He stayed at Gondavale awaiting Sri Maharaj’s order to return. But, with in a few days, Sri  Maharaj started for Varnasi with hundreds of disciples. Sri Maharaj asked Sri Brahmanand Maharaj to join them.