GURU DARSHAN
Knowing
the physical health condition of our dear and Rev. Guru Maharaj Sri Swami
Chidanandaji, I did not want to go to Dehra Dun for Darshan. After my arrival,
I reported to the Sevaks at Guru Niwas. I was patiently waiting for THE
CALL. On the 4th August morning I got a phone call from Sri
Swami Saranagatanandaji that Sri Guru Maharaj will grant Darshan after
5.30 pm today.
His
Holiness Sri Swami Jivanmuktanandaji Maharaj was very kind to provide me
with a vehicle to go to Shanti Niwas, Dehradun and come back.
Arrived
at Dehra Dun much before time - I was waiting in the car outside the gate
though Sri Vinodji, Guru Maharaj's car driver, wanted me to go into
the waiting hall. I was thinking about Nachiketas' waiting for 3 days and
3 nights outside the gate for wisdom. After 5.00pm Swami Paramalakshyananda,
one of the sevakas came and took me inside. Brig. L.N. Sabehrwal
was there. We had a very nice chat for nearly 2 hours on different topics.
We have known each other for more than 25 years.
Sri
Swami Saranagatanandaji came and told me that I may have to wait, as Sri
Guru Maharaj was not ready. I told him I would wait for eternity for blessings
of Sri Guru Maharaj.
At
about 7.00 pm one sevak signalled me to join Sri Guru Maharaj outside.
He was on a routine walk around the building on the wheel chair. I was
just going behind and having Darshan without making myself seen. After
many rounds His sevaks took Him inside the building and I came around to
the waiting hall where He was already present. I prostrated myself
flat on the ground before His Holy Lotus Feet.
Sri
Guru Maharaj: May the Choicest Blessings of Lord Almighty
and Sri Guru Bahagavan be ever upon you and grant you health, long life
peace, bliss and Jivanmukti in this life itself. I was so much moved that
I prostrated on the ground again at His Holy Feet with wet heart and tears
in my eyes.
After getting up from the ground I came near (Upanishad) to Sri Guru Maharaj so that He might speak to me without any strain.
Receiving the blessings I responded: Swamiji Maharaj, I renounced the world only for this. I am grateful to Sri Guru Maharaj for all the opportunity and all the Blessings that I have received.
I had been requested by a sevak not to strain Sri Guru Maharaj in any way by bring any work or report of my tour. Sri Swamiji Maharaj has done so much for all of us all his life that a simple glance (Darshan) was more than enough - I prayed for all of us in my heart before him.
Then Sri Guru Maharaj suggested to study the following four books:
1. Jivanmuktai Vivek
2. Atma Bodha
3. Vairagya Satakam
4. Sadhana Panchakam
Sri Guru Maharaj started explaining
Sadhana Panchakam in English. Then I chanted:
VEDO
NITYAMADHIYATAM TADUDITAM KARMA SVANUSTHIYATAM-
Study the Vedas
daily. Perform diligently the duties ordained by them
And I then asked how can we study the Vedas daily as they are vast and inaccessible and perform the duties ordained by them?
Sri Guru Maharaj: The essence of the Vedas are the Upanishads. There are 108 Upanishads among them 10 are main. The essence of the main Upanishds are the 4 Mahavakyas. Remembering the ultimate goal and doing Sadhana to achieve this is the essence of the Vedas and this is the foremost dutiy ordained by the Vedas. Swami Brahmanandaji Maharaj has written a small commentary on this. He came to visit me some days back with Swami Nitayanandaji. He is above 90. He cannot hear in one ear so I came close to Him so that He could hear me.
Brig Sabherwal gave Swamiji Maharaj THE KALYAN KALPATARU - the special annual issue on the Upanishads. Sri Guru Maharaj started to read the same.
The senses are going out all the time in search of happiness. Because the Maker has made them that way. "Paranchi khani vyatrunat swayambhu, tasmat paran pasyanti naantaratma." There are two birds in this body tree. One is the Witness, and the other, the Enjoyer - he enjoys the bad and the good Karmas.
Sri Guru Maharaj: Did you tell Sabherwalji about your trip and retreat in Sardinia?
Yes Swamiji, I have told him something about my trip though not everything.
I have been to Sicily not to Sardinia Swamiji. The family who sponsored my trip was Mamma Stefania and her husband Mr. Andrea. I gave a very brief report to Swamiji Maharaj and told Him about Rev. Father Anthony of Holy Assisi, whom Swamiji Maharaj knows very well. Sri Swamiji Maharaj started to narrate about Rev Father Anthony to Brig. Sabherwalji.
Mr. Eros Selvaniza and Mrs. Antonita Selvaniza arranged for me to go to Kamaldoli Eremo (Hermitage) with Rev. Father Thomas. He took me from Padova in the train. For two days he took care of me. He did my laundry and took care of my food and took me around the monastery. Took me up to the Hermitage in the mountain. Rev. Father Thomas is above 80 years old and is a perfect follower of Christ. His utter devotion and humility moved my heart. When I expressed my deepest gratitude for all his kindness. He expressed that all the services that he has rendred was a love offering at the feet of Rev Swami Chidanandaji. As he had heard so much about this Saint Francis of India that he was very happy that he could do some services to Him through me.
On
the way back to the Arezzo railway station he told me - "all services
I have done is to Rev. Swami Chidanandaji not to you. I have heard about
him and may not be able to see him anymore as He is old and I am also old.
All this is my Love for him".
Sri
Swami Saranagatanandaji gave a packet to Sri Guru Maharaj to be given to
me as Prasad.
Sri Guru Maharaj asked for some other special Prasad to be brought. Sri Guru Maharaj told this Prasad for your personal distribution.
Most of this was being recorded in video and digital photo by Sri Swami Chidswarupanandaji; he is behind the video camera (I have taken the photos where I am not there).
Sri Guru Maharaj started saying: I shall be on earth for a few months only. I replied: Yes, I have been hearing this type of statement for the last twenty years. I do not believe all this. When one has never come ... ... then how can one go?
Sri
Guru Maharaj started to relate an incident that took place some 2 or 3
decades ago. He was travelling in a train in Orissa, where He was a State
guest. There was a gentleman in the same compartment. He was a palmist
and wanted to read Swamiji's palm. Swamiji
said: I am a monk I do not have a future! The gentleman said
- I am not a professional palmist. This is my hobby. -
After saying many other usual things, he said - Swamiji,
you do not have a Death line. That means you will leave the body only when
you wish to do so.
SRI
GURU MAHARAJ SHOWING HIS HAND TO A CO-PASSENGER PALMIST IN THE TRAIN !!!
Brig Sabherwal said - Yes Swamiji, Once I was sharing the room with Swami Ramaswarup ji in Guru Niwas as there was a big crowd in the Ashram. I heard a tape in which a Bhrgu Samhita Pandit is saying many things about you and in the end he says you have Iccha Mrutyu - you can leave the body whenever you will. You have told me some days back that you wish to leave the body. Because it has come from the mind you have not accepted the same.
I told Sabherwalji, when there is no arrival why are you talking about departure. Our relation is with the Guru-Tattwa only - not with the one that comes and goes.
Sri Swamiji Maharaj was happy that He couldn't hide the Truth any more. Chidananda Rupa Sivoham Sivoham
Swami Saranagatananndaji wheeled Sri Swamiji Maharaj inside. . .
After a little while I heard Sri Swamiji Maharaj's sweet voice say "Where is Swami Ramaswarupananda?" ... I saw him being brought back from the room to the hall and I went near Him.
Swamiji
Maharaj: Where are you staying? I am staying at Ganga Kutir Swamiji.
Swamiji Maharaj: Where is Sri K. K. Sudji?
Swami Saranagatji replied that he would be returned to Shanti Niwas before going to Madras (Channai)
Sri
Swamiji Maharaj gave His blessings again and I took leave. It was nearly
9.00pm by the time I arrived at Holy Ganga Kutir.
