I woke up at 2.30am on this holy day to get ready for
departure. We had decided to leave early so that we would not get stuck in
traffic as had happened last year. Hotel
Royal Regency had made a marvellous gesture this year and kept a complimentary
breakfast for all sadhaks leaving for the Ashram to attend the Mahashivratri
function. I had a breakfast of ‘poha’ and jam sandwich along with a cup of tea.
We checked out and left the hotel at 3.30am for the Ashram. This was the first
time that I drove through the road in the city as I followed other cars which
had left just before we did. Actually almost the entire hotel was packed with
sadhaks from all over – I saw some sadhaks from Singapore too. I had to go back
to Sadhak Niwas to pick a sadhika who had requested for an early morning pick
up. After she sat in the car, I drove down towards the Ashram on a road
(usually empty) which was busy with traffic going to the Ashram. As we neared
the ashram volunteers guided us on to the old road (only light motor vehicles)
which took us straight into the parking lot. Buses, trucks, tempos were asked
to take the other road and vehicles were not allowed to go back as a result of
which there were no jams as were experienced last year. This year the planning
and organisation was meticulous. I must appreciate all the volunteers who were
standing with face masks so early in the morning as the dust being raised by
the vehicles on that ‘kaccha’ road was massive.
As we reached the Ashram around 4.30am, I saw that all buses were parked
systematically on the right hand side and on the left all the private vehicles
were being parked. As I parked and got out of the vehicle, the temperature was
about 24 degrees celcius and pretty pleasant. We saw a massive line of sadhaks
waiting to get into the Ashram to take their seats. There must have been more
than 20000 people who attended the program. As we walked towards the line,
Anant Khamankar called out and joined our small group. We proceeded in line and
took our seats in the center in the second section about 20 rows behind the
path on which Pujya Swamiji’s chariot would pass later in the day.
The entire atmosphere was very pleasant, cool and filled
with consciousness. There was pin drop silence as everybody waited in
anticipation of the arrival of our beloved Swamiji from His 45 day Anushthan.
The shape of the moon was exactly the shape as that which is depicted on Lord
Shiva’s head - it appeared that Lord Shiva was watching the proceedings from His
abode in the heavens! At around 5.15am the chant was started over the audio
system – as the chant started there was a whoosh of cool air and consciousness
started flowing. Within seconds the temperature dropped down to about 14
degrees celcius and people started taking out their shawls and putting them on.
At 5.45am Shri Rambhai started the meditation with invocation of the Guru
Avahan and Guru Mantras. As the Guru Ahavan and Guru Mantra was being chanted
the energy flow from my crown chakra downwards started in circular motion.
During the meditation I could clearly hear the sound of birds chirping, a
peacocks cry in the background and the soothing rhythmic sound of the sea waves
crashing onto the shore. My entire spine had gone cold, my palms were ice cold
and I could feel cold energy oozing out of my palms and whiffs of the fragrance
of jasmine kept coming off and on. The meditation session of half an hour got
over no sooner than it had started (that was what I perceived) as Shri Rambhai
said ‘Om’ indicating the end of the session. We recited the prayer and after
that ‘Shanti Path’. Shri Rambhai then announced that Pujya Guruma would be
arriving shortly. Pujya Guruma was welcomed with a loud round of applause.
After she took her seat she inaugurated the launch of two audio CD’s – Pujya
Swamiji’s discourses at Samarpan Mahadhyan Shibirs – Rajkot and Gandhinagar and
Pujya Gurumas Makar ‘Sankranti’ discourse. After that she launched two booklets
– one ‘Prerak Prasang’ inspiring stories with a message narrated by Pujya
Guruma and printed in Madhuchaitanya for the readers and ‘Bhajnavali’ – a booklet
giving the wordings of the bhajans sung at Samarpan functions. Pujya Guruma
then requested the sadhaks to maintain silence as Pujya Gurudev’s state was
extremely sensitive and the smallest of small sounds appeared to Him to be very
loud – in fact she said that He could hear the entire internal working of His
bodies organs working – the sound was loud as the sounds of a functioning
factory. Shri Rambhai then announced that Pujya Swamiji will arrive shortly. I
had my eyes closed with my chitta on the ‘sahastrar’ when I sensed Pujya
Swamiji leaving the ‘kutir’ and moving towards the stage, and as I felt him on
the stage, Shri Rambhai started reciting the ‘Deep Prajolan Mantra’ (Lighting
of the lamp mantra).
Pujya Swamiji started His discourse at 6.45am, “My
salutations to all the pious souls present here. Today on the sacred occasion
of Mahashivratri, we pure souls have gathered together for reflecting on the
soul and for examining of our souls. Today for Gurukarya – nineteen years have
been completed for authorised Gurukarya. In a time span of nineteen years
Samarpan Meditation’s live knowledge has spread from the Himalayan caves to
every corner of the world and today, coincidently is the 10th of
March the same date as it was nineteen years ago. Amongst the Gods ‘Mahadev’ is
said to be the greatest because He is the benefactor of all those who please
him – he beyond all borders and above all these – organisation, power, ‘punyavan’,
sinner, God, Devil, good, bad – Gods and ‘rakshasas’ have pleased him and
reaped benefits; that’s why is called Bholenath also, as he is very innocent
and pure – Shivs other name is ‘Mangal’. When your relation with the Shiva
within starts then it is the start of ‘mangal’ (joy, bliss) within.
After writing this much – I scribbled in my notebook - “the
energy levels are too high – and my spine has gone ice-cold – temperature down
to 12-14 degrees – cannot write”. My eyes shut after that as I half-listened to
Pujya Swamiji’s (modern day Lord Shiva) and basked in the energy field full of
consciousness. Later Pujya Swamiji mentioned that the two ends of Samarpan were
Shivbaba and Pujya Guruma. About Pujya Guruma, Swamiji’s valentine day message
said it all during the Anushthan! Pujya Swamiji also mentioned that this was
the best Gahan Dhyan Anushthan so far, as there was absolutely no disturbance
from the sadhaks for which He thanked all the sadhaks. He mentioned that He had
started writing the next part of Himalaya Ka Samarpan Yog. Also the ‘manal
murti’ which will be consecrated and installed at Rajkot Samarpan Ashram was
ready and had been filled with life-force energy. This idol will be on display at
Dandi Ashram Gurushaktidham from 14th March to 14th April
and will be consecrated and installed at Rajkot Samarpan Ashram on 25th
April. He mentioned that each idol gives a different experience. These idols
are for the future and one will be able to get self-realisation in front of
them. He mentioned that one should have one’s own protection thereafter – each ‘murti’
is established with such a ‘sankalp’. He mentioned that you can see the
physical form of the idol but not its internal deeper
After Pujya Swamiji’s discourse, Shri Rambhai announced that
the sadhaks had collectively decided to gift custom-made Toyota Innova van to
Pujya Swamiji – the same was gifted after Shri Rambhai recited various mantras
for its well-being. After that Pujya Swamiji gave ‘darshan’ to his devotees by
being seated on a chariot which was taken around the ground on special tracks
made for it to be pulled along. Pujya Swamiji was moving his right hand
slightly as if ‘clearing’ the sadhaks seated there. I was seated with my hands
on my lap receiving energy as Pujya Swamiji’s ‘rath’ was being pulled and as
Pujya Swamiji came in front of the place where I was seated my right hand automatically
moved towards my heart and tapped it twice, at the same time I saw Swamiji
repeating my gesture as he came exactly opposite to where I was seated. At that
point I felt totally blessed as I felt the connection. After Pujya Swamiji did
His round, Shri Rambhai announced the paduka naman ceremony to the
accompaniment of bhajans being sung by a new group led by Mrs. Rajashri
Pithadiya. As she sang in her mellifluous voice we waited our turn for paduka
naman. After paduka naman, Dr. Singh, Anant Khamankar and self sat on the mat
sharing experiences waiting for the line for bhojan prasad to become small.
Once they started removing the green mats, we got up and stood in line for
prasad. After eating the prasad, we went to the Sahitya stall and purchased the
newly launched CD’s, took the prasad being distributed at the exit and left for
home.
We left the Ashram at 11.30am, stopped at Baba Dham for a bottle of vibrated water, then got a call from Pravin Purav as to where we were. We were just off the highway at that point in time. We reached the highway and looked behind, and saw that Deepak Tandon’s car was just behind us. We stopped for eating watermelon as Dr. Singh had been fasting. After that we stopped at Parsi Dhabha for snacks and tea and I reached home by 5.10pm – ten minutes later than my scheduled arrival time.
It was a great occasion and was thoroughly enjoyed by me. Hope those reading this blog also enjoy it.
Jai Baba Swami
