Samarpan Ashram, Dandi, Navsari
I had come to Dandi Ashram on Sunday itself. I had originally planned to
come on Monday, but I got a message asking me whether it would be possible for
me to be part of the team to receive Saints coming from Sri Lanka very early in
the morning on Monday. I replied ‘yes’ after confirming it with the family at
home. I was told that we have to attend our elder daughter’s friends’ wedding
at ISKCON at 11am and after that I could go. I had spoken with Ruchitaji and I
had told her that I plan to leave for Dandi at around 12.30-1pm after the
wedding, and as I was travelling alone if she knew anyone who wanted a lift
could get in touch with me. On Saturday evening Ruchitaji called asking whether
it would be possible for me to pick up two Chinese sadhikas arriving from
Singapore by the 10.30am flight from the International Airport. I was
delighted, as I was at ISKCON and it would be just a half hour drive to the
airport from there. I told her I would definitely do so and asked her to
forward their contact details so that I could be in touch once they landed. In
the meanwhile, a His Holiness Swamiji’s 8th message came for
translation from Her Holiness Guruma at 10.55am. I saw it an hour later and
forwarded it to Krupaji for translation, stressing on the urgency. I got the
translated message a couple of hour later and I forwarded the same to Her
Holiness, saying that as I am travelling to Navsari, I will review and format
the next morning. In the meanwhile, the Madhuchaitanya section heads decided to
include this last message in the Anushthan message booklet which was to be
released on Mahashivratri, so it was sent to the heads of the other two
languages for translation.
When I was at the wedding I got a message from Wang Leng saying that
they had landed and would by through immigration in 20 odd minutes. I messaged
saying I was at a wedding and I would get in touch immediately on leaving the
wedding hall. At around 12.30pm I left and messaged saying I would reach the
airport by 1 – 1.15 depending on traffic and I requested them to come on the 10th
floor Departure section, where it would be easier to pick them up. I reached
exactly at 1.15pm and I got a call from Wang Leng, I saw them and guided them
to the car. After greetings and Jai Baba Swamis we put the bags in and set off
for Dandi. It took us an hour and a half to exit from Fountain and cross the
bridge due to heavy traffic, thanks to the metro work. I could see the tension
on Wang Leng’s face as the traffic moved at a snail’s pace with cars on either
side just inches away! She kept saying if you can drive in Mumbai, you can
drive anywhere. I told her, ‘Wait till you see Kolkata or Varanasi, Mumbai is
pretty cool in comparison’!! We ultimately crossed the city exit toll and then
the Thane creek bridge at around 2.40pm – one and a half hours just to exit
Mumbai – sheesh!! I had told both Wang Leng and Ting that we should reach Hotel
Royal Regency by 5.30pm. We stopped for a short meal at Kamaths and then
proceeded on our journey. I narrated a few experiences and I noticed Wang Leng
nodding off; before we left Mumbai, I had told Ting to put on the seat belt 2-3
times, as she was sitting right in the centre with her head coming in between
the two front seats to listen to the conversation. As we left the city and she
got tossed around a bit, she said now I know why you said put on the seat belt!
We reached the Hotel at 5.31pm, just a minute behind schedule. After dropping
them off, I left for the Ashram via Navsari as the railway crossing road was
shut for bridge construction. I reached the Ashram around 6pm, registered and
went to my allotted bed to keep my bag. I met Sureshji, Ramaniji and Govindji
from Goa and Dr. Limbani from Kutch who had already come. Seemaji and Maitriji
later apprised me of the schedule for receiving the Saints from Sri Lanka and
Nepal early next morning. Thereafter the ladies took us to inspect the brand-new
rooms which had been constructed for the Saints attending the International
Saints’ Shibir from 16th February to 23rd February. After
doing the rounds, I sat for meditation in the open facing the Guru Shakti Dham.
Post meditation went for having prasad, then returned to the quarters to retire
for the day.
I woke up at 3am as usual, freshened up and met Maitriji who was
coordinating the arrival of the Saints. Manoj Bole from Singapore came at
around 4.30am and the 4 Saints from Sri Lanka arrived shortly thereafter. We
received them - they were accompanied by Shitalji and a couple of sadhaks from
Mumbai - and showed them to their rooms. After ensuring their comfort,
arranging green tea for them – Maitriji and Bansariji were very efficient and
dedicated in the discharge of their duties. The 6 Saints from Nepal had arrived
the previous night and were put up in Surat. They came with Pankajji at around
8.30am and were escorted by Soundarajahji and Manojji to their quarters. They
subsequently had an introduction session which was taken by Rajahji and Manojji
along with Maitriji. In the meanwhile, I went for the group meditation session
at 5.30am, which was the last session in the meditation pandal as its function
was to change for Mahashivratri and those arrangements were to be made during
the day.
After breakfast I went to the office with my laptop (I had carried it on
a hunch at the last moment) to review and format the 8th message. I
did that and sent it to Jayeshbhai, who then had the envious task of page
layout and printing in all four languages so that the sadhaks got the benefit
of the last message in the book. Great work by his team as the book with all
Anushthan messages was launched at the hands of Her Holiness Guruma the next
day – Mahashivratri. The rest of the day passed in relaxing and visiting the
various stalls. The existing exhibitions which were on display during 45 days Anushthan
were removed and were replaced with a pictorial exhibition of the progress at
Rajasthan Samarpan Ashram, Aradka, Ajmer. I sat for evening meditation at 6pm
and subsequently heard the Guru Ahavan as Rambhai started collective meditation
outside for the sadhaks who had come to stay at the Ashram on the eve of
Mahashivratri. I got up from meditation at 7.20pm and left for prasad. After prasad,
I went back to our bedding area to find almost everybody from Aadhar had
arrived. I was requested by Seemaji/Maitriji to escort the Saints to their
seats the next morning along with Manoj Boleji. After retiring for the night, I
woke up as usual at 3am and got ready. I met Maitriji outside and they were all
prepped up for Mahashivaratri. All the Saints came down by 5.20pm, the event
was to start with meditation at 5.30am. I told Manoj and Maitri that I will
request the volunteers to hold the ladies and gents crowd till the saints
passed, matter of a couple of minutes max! – the ladies path to the pandal was
past the Guru Prasad Bhavan where the Saints had been put up and were waiting
for the green signal from me to start. After I explained to the volunteer by
showing her the waiting Saints, she stopped the ladies line after which I waved
to Manoj/Maitri to start coming forward, then I went to hold the gents line.
After the volunteers stopped the gents line I started walking back and to my
utter surprise and shock the ladies crowd was rushing towards the Saints – I
asked the volunteer why she let them go, she indicated to another volunteer
that she asked ‘who told you to stop?’ and let them go. There was no time, so I
rushed towards the Saints, and we tried to form a kind of passage for the
Saints against the onrushing ladies crowd. I went ahead as now the gents had
also opened the line and were rushing across the path. I told them to stop, but
no one heeded, I raised my voice a little, still no one heeded me, then I
literally had to shout to make them stop – which fortunately they did, and within
a few moments the Saints passed by and the crowd was asked to move forward. We
escorted them to their seats, after which I went and took my seat just in time
as Rambhai started the meditation on the dot at 5.30am with Guru Ahavan
mantra (invocation of the Gurus), followed by soul-mantra and then Guru mantra
and then the journey within…..
After the meditation with more than 25000 pure souls ended at 6.00am.
Rambhai called upon Anuragji to felicitate and welcome the Saints from Nepal,
Sri Lanka, Germany and Jain monks from India. Thereafter the SRPF 7th
battalion officers were welcomed after which the chants started in anticipation
of the arrival of Her Holiness Guruma and His Holiness Swamiji. Rambhai was
then informed about the presence of a Deputy Superintendent from SRPF 11th
Battalion, and he too was welcomed, after which the chants continued. My eyes
were shut and I suddenly started feeling cold vibrations (I opened my eyes and
noted the time – 6.17am) and I had a small voice inside me say ‘Her Holiness is
approaching’ and within a minute or so the conches started blowing announcing
the arrival of Her Holiness. After paying her obeisance to the Gurus, she took
her seat. Rambhai then announced the launch of new literature at the hands of
Her Holiness – 1) Atmeshwar (Hindi, Gujarati, English & Marathi) in four
languages – a compilation of the 8 messages written by His Holiness during the
Anushthan; 2) Atma ki Patang MP3 CD of Her Holiness Guruma’s Makar Sankranti
discourse; 3) HKSY-6 in Gujarati and Marathi languages. After launching the
literature Guruma had words of praise for Jayeshbhai and his team. She said,
“Words are only a medium to connect with Param Pujya Gurudev. During this launch
I did not have to tear any paper wrapping, I just had to untie the knot and get
to the books, similarly open the knots of your mind and free yourself of the
umbrella of the body, become a soul and merge with consciousness.” Thereafter
Rambhai announced that His Holiness will be arriving shortly and everyone
should sit in silence feeling the energy. The chants resumed…. It was 6.30am
and from 6.30am to 6.34am I kept feeling cold vibrations moving up from the
soles of my feet, up my body and to the crown, this kept on continuing and
again that voice said His Holiness is arriving – the cold vibrations were so
wonderful and soothing – my whole body had gone cold and I was in a state of
silent bliss. The conches announced His Holinesses arrival, as I felt Him come
on to the stage – there was a feeling of untold pure joy in my being….the
connect was there – very strong. His Holiness paid obeisance to Shiv Baba, lit
the lamp to the accompaniment of the Deep Prajolan mantra, and then joined
hands in Namaskar to all those who were present there before taking His seat.
Rambhai then prayed thrice to His Holiness Swamiji to shower his words
of nectar.
My Salutations to all the pious souls present here,
Today on the occasion of the holy festival of
Mahashivratri, we all have gathered here on the day of the conclusion of the 12th
Deep Meditation Practicum. The Mahashivratri day is a festival of souls, and in
this festival, I wish that you participate as souls. During this Deep
Meditation Practicum, the consecration of the Auspicious Idol for the Singapore
Ashram has taken place (loud applause). My state is like that mother, who
prepares porridge after putting in great efforts for her children, similarly
during these 45 days of the Anushthan – porridge made of some spiritual
experiences, consciousness and knowledge has also been cooked inside which I am
going to serve to you (applause) – but there is one announcement – don’t listen
to this discourse, experience it – take the spiritual experience. Whatever I am
going to say, tell you – that is not information it is wisdom and it can only
be experienced, it can be absorbed only through spiritual experience. I have a
request for you, your entire chitta should be on what you feel, experience –
and you will experience that Atmeshwar Mahadev is resident within you yourself
(applause). If we talk of human civilisation has developed very slowly and
sequentially over thousands of years. Today the countries which you see spread
all over, were part of one land mass, with the passage of time, slowly, very
slowly they started separating and spreading afar. Earlier, during ancient
times our ancestors used to live in caves, they used to hunt for food by
killing birds-animals to fill their stomachs. Human civilisation has developed
very slowly, from amongst them some great souls, great humans went far from
their community and lived in solitude, in jungles and after living in the
jungles came into the proximity of nature, and while coming in proximity of
nature they experienced that in nature’s proximity thoughts are fewer, and
slowly they merged with nature, and while merging with nature they got the
knowledge that this body has been made of the same five elements. And if we
establish oneness with these five elements then we feel good, we get rid of our
problems, and then some people went there and stayed back, but some of them
came back to their community and shared their experiences and knowledge,
whatever new knowledge they had obtained, they shared with the people in their
society. And because of their meditation practice, because they lived in
solitude and in silence a kind of charisma was created, and because of that
very charisma the people in society were attracted towards them – you can call
it radiance too. After that, people started listening to their talks and gave
them importance. Very few people actually ‘knew’ them during their life-times,
and after they passed away, these very people were put on a pedestal as gods;
and their preaching and their spiritual experiences, their experiences slowly
started taking on the form of a method of worship. There are lots of methods of
worship – lots of them. In this manner methods of worship developed. Also, in
this manner, isn’t it, newer instruments were added, what was the objective? To
present man with more and more comforts. Similarly, what was the objective at
that time? To develop the humanity which was present within man. The methods of
worship had only one objective which was to awaken the humanity within man. All
efforts took place towards that end. Slowly, over time, these methods of
worship took on the form of religions, they started being called as religions.
Though, in reality, there is only one religion which is humanity, and these
methods of worship were there to awaken that very humanity. Even then, there
was only one objective of these methods of worship – to awaken the humanity
lying dormant within man, to make man introspective – only one objective of
these methods of worship which later on took on the form of religions. Slowly,
communication/transport facilities got developed, people started coming in
close proximity to each other, and after coming in close proximity many
problems started cropping up. Those methods of worship which were developed only
with the objective of awakening the humanity within man, because of those very
methods of worship society started getting divided; and after that debates
started on whether your method of worship is good or my method of worship is
good, your God is great or my God is great. Meaning, those methods of worship
which were created to awaken the humanity within man because the cause for
fights amongst men as a result man started going away from man. What was the
reason? In all the methods of worship only one common thing had been said – do
good deeds, do not perform bad deeds, perform pious acts, do not perform sinful
acts. Squeeze out the root from all methods of worship, they all said – do good
deeds, don’t perform bad deeds, but no method could stop the sins from
occurring – they only gave they knowledge of piety and sins. It made you aware
of what is good, what is bad, but it could not stop you from doing bad things.
Why? This advise was external, do this, don’t do this, this is good, this is
not good – externally. The objective was good that on listening to the advice
people will change, improve. But no change was taking place. To the contrary,
the methods of worship became the cause for disputes. Look, a person who stays
inside the house cannot see what is happening in the house, but a person who
stays outside can examine what is happening inside the house – what are the
problems in the house? In this very manner, the way in which all this was
happening in society, isn’t it, at that very time, the rishis and sages living
in the Himalayas were studying this in a very subtle manner, they were watching
all this peacefully. But even they could not see a solution, see a path. Then a
new method of worship used to come, and then another one – they used to think
they would listen to this, then if not this then this, but no – no change was
taking place, nothing was happening. So, even they with their spiritual
practice and penance, after 800 years, after 800 years if research they found a
path, a road – that one should not give any advice, should not tell them what
is sin what is piety, what is good or what is bad, tell them nothing; because
they are not improving in spite of telling them, there is no change at all!
Secondly, the main objective of all the methods was to awaken the soul-element
within each person which was not happening. So, they selected a new path – that
of direct spiritual experience. Meaning, make man directly obtain spiritual
experience of the soul, then he will himself come to know what is good and what
is bad, what is sin and what is pious – this will start happening to him from
within himself. They found this path, this road, then another problem cropped
up – they (Himalayan Sages) had given up society and had gone to the Himalayas,
and as it is in the Himalayas it is one-way traffic, whoever goes there goes
permanently and does not return. So, they question which came was – who will
convey this spiritual experience to society; hence they created a medium,
medium means a person who has no existence of his own, who has no knowledge of
his own, no thoughts of his own, not thoughts – nothing, completely empty! In
this manner they selected a medium, authorised him to distribute this spiritual
experience in society. By means of instilling of values this anubhooti reaches
from one pure soul to another pure soul. Next, you will see that there is
nothing physical in this, absolutely nothing. You are not made to do any
exercise with your hands, no fees are taken from you, no hand is placed on your
head, no amulet is tied to you, meaning there is nothing that has been done at
the material level. There are three methods of meditating in the world. One is
placing one’s chitta on breathing – inhaling, exhaling, by perusing this method
slowly, slowly you do your meditation. This is one method which is popular in
the world. The second method is tratak – people light a lamp, and focus
their eyes on the flame, and by continuously doing this they obtain a state of
thoughtlessness and then man attains a state of void. This is also one method.
The third method is pranayama. BY continuously doing pranayama a
state of thoughtlessness is attained.
These are the three methods, but amongst
these three, ours is not any of these three methods. Hence, last time I had
taken a shibirs of Jain monks for eight days, and after eight days they said,
“Swamiji, you did not make us do anything in this. So, what will we tell the
other monks as to what we have learnt and come? What is the method, what is the
technique – because there is no method at all. It is not that nothing has
happened, something has happened but we cannot put it in words. We cannot
explain it to anybody, what has happened we don’t know, but something has
happened, there has been a change in us. But the change which has happened
cannot be described, it cannot be explained, it can only be experienced.” So,
you also think, how can progress take place in this? Firstly, there is no role
for anything physical in this, there is nothing physical – there is no scope
for enhancing your ego by doing anything, I paid this amount as fees – no, I
did this exercise and learnt – no, I did pranayama and learnt – no, I
concentrated and learnt – no, I did tratak and learnt – no. There is
nothing in this which will make you say, ‘I have done this’ – in this there is
nothing of this kind. Meaning, whatever progress has to take place will not
happen physically. Next, in this no one has got anything alone, whatever you
have received, you have received in collectivity. Has the medium come to your
house and made you experience something – no, made you obtain a spiritual
experience – no. Whatever spiritual experience you obtained, whatever you have
experienced, you have done so in collectivity. Remember two things, one,
whatever you have received, you have received in subtle form, nothing in
physical form. Second, whatever you have received, you have not received it
alone, you have received it in collectivity. So, if you want to progress on
this path, this road, then you will have to catch hold of (accept) these two
things and move ahead. Next, all methods of worship talk about sin and good
deeds – focus has been kept only on these things. So, today understand a little
about the concept of the karmic wheel. Any person assumes a body so that he can
endure the karmas of his past birth, because what he has absorbed in the
physical form he will have to pay it off in the physical form itself. And after
taking a new birth, he endures the fruits of his past birth – if he has
performed good deeds he enjoys its fruits and if he has performed bad deeds he
endures those fruits. But in his new birth, and during that time span new
karmas are created. Meaning, the karmas of the past birth are extinguished but
fresh new karmas are created, and it is those karmas which become the cause for
another birth and then a new birth takes place. Next, by performing good karmas
we enjoy good fruits and if we perform bad karmas we endure the bad fruits.
Then where is the need for God? Then there is no need for Paramatma, we will
perform bad karmas and endure the bad karmas, we perform good karmas and enjoy
good karmas. Really, then there is no need for God. Just believe that your car
has fallen into muck and you are enjoying yourself a lot in the muck, you are
rolling in the muck and feeling, ‘aah! this is such happiness’. Till such time
you keep feeling this you will never get out. When you are lying in the muck,
you see a beautiful bird flying in the sky, you get the feeling that I should
get out of this muck, get out of this ditch and I should also fly, like it is
flying. So, first and foremost it is necessary to have a desire that I want to
get out of this, get out of this karmic wheel, first and foremost you should
have the desire. And as you start having this desire and as this desire becomes
more and more intense, a living Guru comes into your life. And once a living
Guru enters your life, what incident takes place? The incident is that he
awakens you, just as a child tells his/her mother to wake him/her up at 4 in
the morning, after that I will study by myself, I just cannot awaken by myself.
You just wake me up. This is the only incident. He has no other work, he just
wakes you up; wakes you up meaning, he just reminds you that you are in a body
but you are not the body. And then the sadhak slowly, very slowly walks on that
path. For one, just as one obtains self-realisation, he gets the spiritual
experience, the medium nullifies all the bad karmas of this birth. It is only
after nullifying the bad karmas that self-realisation can be bestowed, that is
no bad karmas remain. Thereafter whatever karmas of the past birth are
remaining, those you will have to endure; but you will endure those in
collectivity therefore you won’t come to know about its bite and in
collectivity those karmas too will end. After that, on your meditating
continuously an aura will develop around you and in that aura only total
positive energy will be there. So, you will not have any negative energy so you
will never perform any bad karmas at all. Not do – they will not occur through
you at all. So, the karmas prior to self-realisation ended upon
self-realisation, you endured the karmas of the past births, now bad karmas are
not happening through you, and whatever good karmas you are doing you are
keeping the feeling that these are happening with the Guru’s Grace, meaning in
collectivity – meaning you are giving credit to the collectivity and not tying
yourself to it – you are not saying – I have done it, I have done it! Then a
free state will come into your life by which there will be nothing remaining to
be done in your life. Neither do you have any good karmas nor do you have any
bad karmas, nothing at all, your account is nil. State of void! No anger
towards anybody, no greed, complete satisfaction. There is no reason because of
which you will have to take a new birth, all reasons have ended – become zero.
So, this state of freedom is the state of moksha (liberation), after
this there is no next birth. If you do not want to come out of the karmic wheel,
then there is no question at all, but if you want to come out, you feel that
you should come out then the path of anubhooti is such a path by which
you can come out.
Next, we keep looking for Paramatma outside, we go here,
there, here, there, we are looking outside, we keep looking outside, when He
(Paramatma) is resident within you, inside you. The Paramatma outside is not as
close to you as the Paramatma within you, inside you – Paramatma is universal,
where is he not there? But the inner form of Paramatma which is there within
you, inside you, is the one closest to you, nearest to you – you leave that
form and keep looking for Paramatma outside. And even the Paramatma you are
looking for outside too, are mirrors. Mirrors meaning, by going there you
become inward looking, and you reach the Paramatma within you. You feel good
isn’t it, when you go there is because that is the motive, because of it you
reach the Paramatma within you. When you go to any temple and stand before any
one deity, in an instant you obtain a lot of happiness, you feel great bliss,
you feel very good. Why? Because some Mahatma, some Saint has transferred his
internal energies into those deities, into the idols of those deities. As soon
as you go before those idols you become inward looking, thus reaching close to
the Paramatma within you – in an instant, but it requires motivation, if there
is no idol then you won’t go. As it happens isn’t it, if we want to look at our
own face we need a mirror, if there is a mirror the face is reflected otherwise
the face is not seen. So, these deities of Gods are mirrors, they reflect you,
make you meet your own Paramatma. It does the work of a mirror. Similarly, when
you go to a shrine (samadhi), there that body has been kept with which
lakhs of souls have been connected, the collectivity of lakhs of souls is in
it. Because of its inward-looking energy you become inward-looking and you get
the darshan of Paramatma, you get Paramatma’s anubhooti. In exactly this
manner when you go in the presence of a living Satguru, before him, then
because of his inward-looking state, you too – even if it is for just a few
moments – become inward-looking. And because you become inward-looking you like
going over there. So, Paramatma is residing within you, inside you. And as soon
as your chitta, your attention goes on the Paramatma within you because of some
idol, some samadhi, some living guru, you feel very good, you feel very happy,
very blissful. In the way look for Paramatma outside, in that same manner we
seek happiness outside. Seek happiness outside meaning, I will get happiness
from my wife, my son, my daughter, grandson, meaning you are dependent on
others for your happiness. If you want happiness you need someone else
otherwise you will not get happiness. In the manner in which Paramatma is
within you, similarly happiness is also inside you. Nobody can make a person
who wants to be happy in life, unhappy, and a person who wants to be unhappy,
nobody can make him happy; because happiness or sadness are not received from
outside – those feelings come from inside. You meditate, then you will get your
own anubhooti of inner-peace. It happens, we think about some problems,
focus on problems, keep focusing on different things. Our chitta too is
distributed, it happens, not that it does not; I will tell you my own experience.
During this Deep Meditation Practicum, I got the anubhooti of inner-peace.
And many a times what happens isn’t it, is that we ourselves don’t understand
what happens until someone makes us get the feeling, makes us experience it.
During this Deep Meditation Practicum, one day, I myself got the darshan of my
soul. Nothing, in meditation, my eyes were closed, everything was there, even
then, even if the eyes are closed if a big light comes in front, then
accurately you come to know that there is light. In this very manner, I too got
the darshan of my subtle body, of my soul; it made me experience that I had no
work left to be done in life; and as far as the Ashrams are concerned, you do
not have a need for the Ashrams at all. You have no need for shibirs, all the
needs of your life have ended. And now, if the sadhaks state is (good) then the
Ashrams will be developed, otherwise they will not – the sadhaks need it – by
saying this I was made to experience happiness. When your soul becomes strong,
it only guides you, it only tells you – with one such experience I got to understand
the meaning of omniscient. During my childhood my maternal grandmother used to
tell me stories of sages, saying that they were omniscient (know what has
happened in the past, what happens in the present and what will happen in the
future). So, during this Deep Meditation Practicum I understood that being
omniscient is not a siddhi (accomplishment). If you do any work which
makes your soul very happy, then that soul will become strong, and after your
soul becomes strong your chitta will also become strong, and with a strong
chitta you can go anywhere, anytime at any moment. And it can tell you
everything that is going to happen, you get all the information, but the chitta
should be strong. Exactly 20 years ago today, I had met Rambhai and I had
written a letter to Rambhai describing all this development which has happened
over here, I had written to him saying that all this is going to happen
(applause). This was when I had not yet come to Navsari, there was nothing over
here. Next, Ujjwalaben’s mother translates HKSY in Marathi, and repeatedly
asked me, “Swamiji I do not remember anything which has happened even last
year, but you narrate things which have happened 60 years ago as if they have
occurred yesterday! How is this possible? How does this happen? That time I had
given an answer saying that it plays like a film in my mind and based on that I
answer, I write it down. But during this Deep Meditation Practicum I got the
experience that no film plays, I go to that time and place with my chitta, that
time 60 years ago, and after going into that dimension, I come to know even the
smallest of things about that time. Whatever has happened in that time, all
that (information) comes, provided that person who has asked has a very deep
desire to know. It does not happen with one’s own desire, like when a sadhika
asked me a question that, ‘what is the reason by which you went out in search
of Paramatma’? No one had asked me this question till today. There must be some
reason, some incident isn’t it, because of which you felt that you should go
out in search of Paramatma. This was her deep desire to know about this. So, I
will narrate this incident in brief, but when I wrote it down it ran into 13
pages, minute details about that were noted. In brief, I used to love my
maternal grandfather a lot, I was very attached to him – I used to stay
throughout the day with my grandfather, he also used to take me to the Hanuman
Temple. One evening, it was becoming dark, around 7-7.30pm my grandfather’s health
deteriorated. My grandfather fell sick and my Mama told me, “You know Dr
Shroti’s house isn’t it”. I said yes, I go there to get wild tamarind, I throw
stones and I pick the wild tamarind which falls down, I definitely know that
house. You go and call him saying that my grandfather’s health is not good. So,
I went to his house to call him and saw that the husband and wife were standing
in the garden and saying, “What a long tail it has, isn’t it?” So, I went there
and told him that my grandfather’s health is not good, please come. He said,
yes, he will come. But they continued talking, saying that what a long tail it
has. And they were looking at the sky and saying something. I ran from there
straight into my grandfather’s room, and I thought that they were seeing some
demon in the sky who had a very long tail. I narrated that whole incident to my
grandfather, saying that I had gone to call him because your health was bad,
and he was talking about some demon with a long tail. My grandfather said that
was no demon, but just a comet, which is nothing but a star with a tail, he
must have been looking at that and describing it. After being explained this I
slept with him at night and woke up next morning and found that I was not next
to him. I was sleeping in some neighbour’s house and when I was woken up I came
to know that my grandfather had died. At that time, I did not understand
anything about death, I kept asking where has grandfather gone. He has gone to
God, where is grandfather, he has gone to God. I thought he had gone to the
Hanuman Temple. Then I too felt the desire to go to God, I was told you cannot
go like that, I insisted – no I have to go! I had no interest in God, I was
interested in my grandfather, I wanted to go to God because I wanted to look
for my grandfather because he had gone to God. Meaning I noticed such minute
things, and I wrote 13 pages on that in the book. What I mean by saying that one
goes to that era through the chitta isn’t it, in brief what I mean to say is
that the chitta goes back in time to that time 60 years ago and the smallest of
events which had occurred 60 years ago are recalled, which if you ask me
casually, I will not be able to tell you. In this manner, it (information)
comes gradually. Similarly, once Dr. Binytha had met me in England two years
ago, in the Ashram in England and at that time elections were in progress in
America, elections were to take place. She asked, “Swamiji, who will win Trump
or someone else?” I replied Trump will win. She wondered how will Trump win?
His state is very bad. I said you see what happens later, and then later Trump
only won.
What happens, isn’t it, this happens in an instant, like when she
asked, in an instant my chitta went to the result and returned and I told her,
when I had absolutely no knowledge of the politics over there. After that, this
news reached Germany, because she was from Germany. When this news went to
Germany’s Parliament, then a Minister from the German Parliament asked we now
have a coalition government and our party wants to form the government on its
own after the next election. I said nothing is going to happen, a similar
coalition government will be formed. So, he became very nervous and he said you
have made me very nervous. But, even then I will show you the Parliament and he
took me there, but later a coalition government only was formed, just like it
was earlier, a coalition government was formed, After that, now, its something
which happened just a few days back – in December – we were walking on the hills
of the Guru Shakti Dham in Rajkot, me BM Pate, Jignaben, then BM Patel asked,
“Swamiji, tomorrow the election results will be out, who will win?” I said,
“BJP”, then he responded saying BJP? But here the trend is towards the
Congress! So, I said I do not understand all that, you asked me a question, I
promptly gave you the answer. So, the next day it was the same result. After
that, Guruma had to leave for Ahmedabad – I am giving you a whole lot of
examples – actually all this came to me as a link – after that Guruma had to
leave for Ahmedabad and I left for Mumbai. And next, the chitta does not have
any knowledge, the chitta is totally dumb. I will tell you what happened next,
I went to Mumbai, after going to Mumbai Binytha had to catch the night flight to
Germany, at that time big news was telecast on TV saying that there has been
such heavy snowfall that all airports in Germany were blocked. The airport in
Germany is closed, so, Ujjwala’s mother asked me whether we should allow her to
go or not. I replied let her go, snow has fallen in Munich and then I asked
Ujjwalaben where is Munich? Ujjwalaben replied you don’t know where Munich is
and you are saying snow has fallen in Munich! When Binytha reached she called
to say, yes, snow had fallen in Munich and not where she stayed. To tell you in
brief, for this you do not need any geographical knowledge. Ujjwalaben is
saying you don’t know where Munich is and you are telling us that it has snowed
in Munich. What happens is that incident takes place in a flash. In a flash the
chitta goes there, immediately provides the answer and returns. The question
was where has snow fallen, so, I saw that it had fallen in Munich, then I asked
her where is Munich! So, what I mean to say is that once the chitta has become
strong, in a fraction of a moment you…….aaaah! Next, it is not that it is only
of this birth – the chitta also goes into the past birth. Now, I keep telling
you stay in the present, all that is there, but I also know your past births.
When any person comes before me isn’t it, just like a letter comes from outside
– nowadays you don’t get letters, you get emails – what is the first thing you
see? Whose letter is this? It has come to me fine, but who has sent it? When
any person comes before me I see where has he been dispatched from? Actually,
you have not come just like that, someone has kicked you out and sent you, and
then you have come here, hence I see who has sent you (loud applause). (Swamiji
laughing) Arrey! This is not about you only - my case is also the same! Now,
just as the farmer’s compounds are there isn’t it, in the Himalayas compounds
have been made of their aura, each one has his own aura, so, no one can enter
their aura without their permission. After that, I manage to enter, then they
don’t see me, they see who has sent me, meaning they find out everything
accurately, who has sent him! It is like that, when you also come isn’t it,
where have you been sent from, dispatched from, to such and extent that the
person himself says where he has come from. From where he has come means who
has sent him.
So, the nature of this is, I get all information of your past
births, many times mistakes are repeated. The mistakes a person has made in his
past life, he makes exactly the same mistakes in this life, which he has made
in the last birth. When I feel this, then I particularly warn that sadhak again
and again, don’t do this, don’t do this! I repeatedly tell him – his tube-light
does not spark and he thinks why is Swamiji telling me this again and again. I
keep telling him because he has made the same mistake in the last birth and
will repeat the same now too – so I keep warning him. Next, it is not that I
cannot tell. I will tell you one more incident. A sadhika came to meet me and
said I have no feelings towards anybody, I only have jovial nature and speak to
everyone while laughing because of which everyone feels that I love them.
Whereas I do not have any feeling of love towards anybody, but everyone feels
like this, why is it so? And because of this, many misunderstandings take
place, and many boys come after me. So, what should I do? I saw her for an
instant and I to told her that you were a prostitute in your last birth, and
the effects of being a prostitute in the last birth are present in this birth
because of which men are attracted to you. So, what should I do? I said,
“nothing, the solution to everything is the same, by meditating continuously,
the day the past (karmas) come to an end this too will stop.” So, as she
continued meditating, over a period of time, the effects of her past life wore
out. Many times, you feel, you see what happens with the members of your family
itself, each person has a different kind of nature, that is because of the
effects of values of the past birth. Many times, the values of past birth have
an effect on this birth. With that influence it makes a difference. She was a
prostitute in her last birth, so those effects were coming on her, so in spite
of knowing all this……yes. Behind this, there is another thing – look! The chitta
is like a torch, a torch is lying over here. Can it go anywhere by itself? No!
Unless someone picks it up lights it and points it, then only will it light up.
Similar is the case with the chitta. The chitta by itself cannot go by itself,
someone will have to take it there and that person should have an intense
desire, then only it can go. Without intensity it cannot go. So, whoever is
asking the question, he too should be having something at stake. If you ask a
question for the sake of asking, nothing will happen, you should have a stake
in it, you should be depending on that question – there should be intensity in
you then the answer which comes will also come from the past birth. Then
information from the past birth can also be obtained. But, only when there is
an absolute need, then only. And if something good will happen to you today
because of that need, if something good is happening to you, if some positive
change is coming in you – then too it can happen. There are many reasons which
can make this possible. Next, during this Deep Meditation Practicum I also came
to know a new meaning of ‘donation’. The meaning which we ordinarily apply to
donation, the meaning which I got is different, grand from the ordinary
meaning. Like, all our lives we keep running in only one direction, that
direction is - I have to get this, I have to get this, I have to get this –
meaning right since childhood, I have to get good marks – it starts from there.
Then I have to get a good job, then good salary, then good wife, meaning I have
to get this, get, get this…this thing keeps running (in the mind). This happens
to every individual throughout his life. Run in only one direction – I have to
get. This very direction – if a person is running in the wrong direction we
tell him that this direction is wrong, you need to run in this direction – this
is not possible isn’t it! That we stop him suddenly from going in that
direction, and make him suddenly turn in another direction. It is not possible!
So, stationary, not running in this direction nor that direction – stop in the
middle. The work of stopping is donation. Throughout life, I have to get, I
have to get, I have to get, pause – now starting to give. But understand the
meaning of donation in totality. Many people invest – donation is not
investment. Like the beggars say, isn’t it – give me one rupee you will get a
lakh! Like that, many Gurus also say donate one rupee to me and you will get a
lakh! Investment! You give me one rupee you will get a lakh! Donation is not
investment! Because in investment also you have to receive, isn’t it! Meaning
with the desire of getting one lakh you are giving one rupee. Meaning, donation
is not investment. Next, donation is not a bribe either. If you do this work
for me I will give one rupee to God. This commitment – this too is a type of
bribe – this too should not happen. Next, If I give in this birth, then I will
get in the next birth. Many times, the priest says isn’t it, ‘Arrey, are you
going to carry all this with you, donate here then you will get in the next
birth. See how many ways there are to donate! Donate in this birth with the
hope that you will get in the next birth, therefore they are giving in this
birth. Here too the expectation is to get in next birth. If I give me one rupee
I will get a lakh! This also is getting – donate in this birth and you will get
in next – that too is getting. We are saying we don’t want a next birth at all!
(applause) Look, we get lakhs of rupees in donations but there is no plaque
with the donor’s name, no board, saying that so and so gave so and so rupees.
Nothing! We don’t desire that he should take another birth to enjoy the fruits
of that good deed. Hence, we give great importance to anonymous donations.
Meaning, don’t make donations as investment, don’t make donations as bribe,
don’t donate with hopes of past (next?) birth.
Next, some people donate to
nullify their sinful deeds. The Guruji says, you have committed this sin so
donate thousand rupees. If you have committed this sin, then donation one lakh.
Note this, this is absolutely false! Even if you have committed a hundred
rupees sin and donated one lakh rupees that sin is not going to be erased – you
will have to endure it! Is this the book keeping of a baniya (trader)!
No, actually what have (they) made of donations! Even if you have sinned for
one rupee you will have to endure that one-rupee sin, even if you donate lakhs
of rupees, that will not help in doing anything. That is a different department
and this is a different department. Hence, do not donate by thinking in that
manner – donate to reduce effect of bad deeds – not even that! Next, boosting
your ego by putting up your name plaque – that is absolutely not fine! Then,
why should we donate? Don’t understand donation as investment, bribe, doing
something for past birth – donate only for the happiness of the soul, for the
soul’s happiness, to make it happy, because my soul becomes happy by doing so.
I felt good. No need to tell anybody, you are doing good work, good work is taking
place, by helping me in that good work my soul felt good, my soul felt
happiness. The happier you make your soul – the soul itself is Paramatma. So,
when Paramatma becomes happy, then automatically it will do all the work itself,
it will become strong. Like, when I had newly come to Mumbai – this is a 20-
year old incident. Many businessmen used to tell me your meditation etc is
good, but as you are doing it for free the people will think it is third class.
I said it is their thinking, what can I do for that? It is their thinking, I
cannot do anything. What I mean to say is, many people are surprised as to how
this spread all over the world in 20-22 years. There is only one reason –
because I did it selflessly and with the hope that my soul is feeling good, my
soul is feeling joy, I did not have to show……there was no other reason, I did
this work only to make the soul happy. Even you, whatever work you do, not only
donating, whatever work you do, the smallest of small tasks, but do it only for
making your soul happy. I keep saying isn’t it, that Guru-karya is that work
which gives you the inspiration to do the best work. Meaning, whatever capacity
to work which I have, I will put my all in it and get the best result, perform
the best work. Next, no work is big or small. Like, I say isn’t it, even if you
sweep, sweep in such a manner that no has ever swept (the floor) till today and
no one will do so even later. No, it happens, I found such a broom during the
Deep Meditation Practicum. I sit for meditation below the banyan tree, and
before I sit for meditation I sweep the place myself, and after sweeping the
place, I light an incense stick and sit for meditation. The sadhikas who have
besmeared the place, have done it so beautifully, layer upon layer in this manner,
layer upon layer of cow-dung on the platform, such a beautiful design made up
of layers – whichever sadhikas have done this have performed the best work
(applause). So, daily before sitting for meditation I used to bless them.
Behind that banyan tree – I just remembered an incident! Another thing I wat to
tell you is that you may go into a meditative state, any time, anywhere, at any
moment, but it will never happen if you have a desire. If you think that you
are in a very good state today, then it will never happen on that day because
you expected it. If you are sitting continuously in a selfless manner…….In this
manner, one day, I was sitting below the banyan tree, while sitting I
experienced that I had left the body. In this body there are seven chakras,
there are seven more chakras above these seven chakras in subtle form. When you
go beyond even those chakras, isn’t it, then you come to know that you have
left the body down below and I have come pretty high up. I could see from
above, I could see the banyan tree, I could see the body below, but my journey
was going higher, higher and still higher. Next, on the way up I crossed some
clouds too, but there was no water in the clouds. After crossing those clouds,
I kept going higher, higher and still higher up, the body had become very light
– I could not feel the body at all. Next, I was in such a state for some time
only, and after some time I felt water falling on top of my head and I was
completely bathing in water. I got this kind of a spiritual experience. And I
sat experiencing this for a long time. Then I thought that I have come way
higher than the clouds which could have made me wet, I have come much higher
than those clouds – then why has this happened, why is it happening? By doing
this, then slowly, very slowly I came down and saw that a pipe close by was
torn and the water from that pipe was coming on my body and my body was being
bathed. But, I could experience this bath even when I was up (outside the
body). What I mean to say is that you leave the body but you are not detached
from the body. You are connected to the body by a thin string – a silver string
– your complete connection to the body remains. And when I saw the body below I
noticed that the body’s aura had a diameter of 300 km. So, looking for the body
in a 300km radius and correctly return to the body, this work happens easily.
But I told you isn’t it, it will not happen if you sit down to do it with
expectations, this just occurs! I am
telling you this because it could also happen to you any day. Any day you will
feel that you have left the body and gone quite high up. So, if you experience
anything of this kind, do not be afraid, do not be scared. Many times, one gets
the fear that one will die. In reality, the only thing to die is the ego, the
feeling of the body and nothing else.
This 45-days Anushthan concluded
in a very good state, very good condition. We are celebrating this year as the
‘Year of Security Forces’ (applause). In the of ‘Year of Security Forces’ you
can conduct shibirs for the police, military, air force, navy and make them
participate. Now, the problems which are occurring at the border – daily 1-2,
1-2 of our soldiers are dying. If they meditate, an aura will develop around
them and that aura itself will protect them. There is one objective – that they
too should obtain protection; they protect us so it is our natural duty to
think about their protection. It has happened isn’t it, in England there are
soldiers who have returned after fighting for 2, 3 years in Afghanistan – they
narrate their experience. Swamiji, we don’t know what used to happen, for a
moment we would bend down or something used to happen, but we used to be saved
from the bullet. Actually, when we submit control over our body to our soul,
then the soul completely controls the body. So, where you have to go, where you
should go, where you should not go, where it is suitable to go, where there is
danger – all that which is to take place it (the soul) knows. And it
ceaselessly keeps protecting. It is my desire that you protect yourself, become
self-dependent. Become self-dependent for Paramatma too, do not depend on
anybody, do not even depend on me; I too am a mirror, what I do is only take
you towards your Paramatma. I make you inward-looking, once you become
inward-looking you yourself see your Paramatma. So, if you yourself learn to
become inward-looking, then you won’t even need me. Don’t depend on anybody –
don’t depend on me, do not depend on any deity, do not depend on any temple, do
not depend on any place, do not depend on any shrine (samadhi-sthal) –
not on anybody! Paramatma is within you, inside you – become self-dependent,
become self-dependent for Paramatma – your Paramatma is within you, why don’t
you do your own thing! Why do you need someone else’s support, why do you need
baby-walkers? These idols, these photos, what are these the instruments for?
All these instruments are there for you to become inward-looking, but once you
know how to become inward-looking then there is no need for all these things.
Next, it is there isn’t it, a small child is there – a year, year and a half,
two years old – a baby-walker is given to him and then he starts walking, he
walks like this for some days and after some days he learns to walk on his own
feet. Similarly, all these external Paramatmas, all these Paramatmas are
baby-walkers. Its okay, for some days you cannot walk, you can walk with them
for some time; after a defined period of time become self-dependent. Similar is
the case with happiness, why do you depend on others for your happiness, that
someone will give me happiness or if someone gives us happiness then only we
will get it – it is not like that! We should get our happiness. Happiness is
within in you - Paramatma is within you, happiness is within you – whereas we
keep looking for both outside. Next, in the spiritual field there is nothing
greater to attain than self-realisation. Once your chitta goes within, once you
become inward-looking, once you get the spiritual experience of your own soul,
the external world itself comes to an end. Then we get the darshan of Atmeshwar
(Soul as God) within ourselves only. Next, I invested 60 years of my life to
reach up to this point. I am telling you based on the experience of these 60
years that you begin this as soon as possible. Next, give some time to
yourself, all our lives we give time to all - to the community, to society, to
the business, to the family – we do not give time to ourselves. Give time to
yourself na! I also tell the Gurus that whether the disciple meditates or not
the Guru should definitely meditate – the Guru should never leave his spiritual
practice. Next, if the Guru has the feeling that he should give, then first he
should get and then give. I remembered something while talking about Guru,
during this Deep Meditation Practicum, I met an alcoholic Guru. This Guru was
like this – he himself used to drink, but he never used to wander nor did his
mouth ever stink. So, he corrected my own mistake. The first thing he told me
was that because a Guru drinks, you start drinking – it is not like that; some
Guru takes hashish, you start smoking hashish, it is not like that; some Guru
eats fish, you see that and start eating fish, that is not correct. Just as a
weight-lifter is there, that weight-lifter can climb a hill with 500 kilos, he
can climb that, you will not be able to climb. That is his extra capacity and
it is not yours, hence you don’t imitate him. Stay like an ordinary person – you
think about him – he has progress to such an extent after eating fish, after
drinking he has made so much spiritual progress, he has made so much spiritual
progress after smoking hashish! Look at what he has attained, don’t look at
what he does not have. Next, I say isn’t it, he corrected me saying that when I
talk about Gurus I say all Gurus are good, and what is it, they have left their
spiritual practice hence they got corrupted – that Gurus said no, it is not like
that. You are good hence you feel all Gurus are good, all Gurus are not good.
Also, a Satguru can never be an incestuous person, this is something which is
at a very low level – first one gets free of physical feelings and then only
development takes place. A person who is not free of physical feelings was
never a Satguru. A person who has fallen from grace was never a Satguru, if he
was then he would never have fallen from grace. After a certain stage, after
going beyond that stage, these things don’t happen – you are good that is why
you feel everyone is good – all are not good. But, as they say – these physical
matters – don’t pay attention to those; someone is drinking so you drink,
someone is smoking hashish so you smoke it, someone is eating fish so eat start
eating fish – it is not like that. They have extra strength/energy – we do not
have it, isn’t it! We are ordinary people we should behave like ordinary people
and live like ordinary people. So, give some time to yourself, remain in
solitude for some time, I remain for 45 days, you at least stay for 45 hours!
Lock yourself in a room and say that you are going to remain inside for 45
hours. Actually, isn’t it, I have this feeling of giving – once I had said
isn’t it – that I will make a cottage in which some people will stay with me in
solitude for 45 days. But this staying alone is not so easy, if you are inside
physically then you should also remain inside through your chitta. If you are
outside through your chitta and inside physically, then you will tear your
clothes and come out running like a mad man after 45 days. No, I am really
telling you, if your chitta is going out daily – then you forcefully – then the
manager over here said we will keep him locked for 45 days and we will open it
only after 45 days, then he will come out as a mad person. So, we cannot keep
anyone forcefully. So, you make your own efforts – make small ones, nothing –
stay in solitude for one day, remain silent for one day, makes such small,
small attempts. At once, it won’t be possible for 45 days. Even if you do it
for some time, you will start getting thoughts from here and there, then
slowly, very slowly your chitta will start focusing on the soul. Next,
remaining in silence is also good, when you talk isn’t it, you talk about
others, others come into your conversation. When we are in silence,
automatically we start going inside – deeper and deeper and deeper. What to do
– say mobile, you keep roaming around with the mobile - look at me, I have
remained without the mobile etc for 45 days. So, you can do this too – you do
not become a slave of the mobile, the mobile should be your slave – you should
use it only when you want to, when you don’t want it, then you don’t want it!
If someone’s mobile gets lost just see how he roams about like a mad man, as if
his life is ebbing away! No, meaning not just the mobile my dear, but do not
get attached to anything, saying you want it! If you get it also it is fine, if
you don’t then also it is fine. So, you make such small, small attempts, for
one day, then for three days, then for seven days, and like this make small,
small attempts. Next, give some time to yourself – at least give a minimum of
one hour! Throughout the day stay in solitude for one day, think, introspect –
nothing – just sit like this and ask, “Who am I?” “Who am I?” “Who am I?” You
ask this question thrice, even then you go inside. So, make some efforts by
yourself and become self-dependent. From 23rd April onwards a mega
shibirs is going to take place in Shirdi (applause). 20 years ago, from today,
when I had obtained the spiritual experience of Sai Baba, he had told me that I
plant seeds on stone, I will give you such a parcel of land where very good farming
can take place. I did not understand. So, 'planting seed on barren land' - meaning that I
gave the spiritual experience to all and sundry, I give self-realisation to
anyone – he said that in reference to this. He was saying I will give you good
land where there can be a good crop. I definitely knew than that he will
definitely do one mega shibir, so I was waiting for it, and the wait for me was
for 20 years. This is a 20 years old matter. Also, just as a sculptor makes an
idol, he makes good idols based on his skill, based on his strength, he gives
it his all. But sometimes Paramatma himself appears through the medium of some
sculptor, then that idol is incomparable in the world and that sculptor cannot
duplicate that idol even if he dies doing it. It is like that, Sai Baba Himself
has invited us, it is that kind of a shibir – one like this has never happened
before and one like this will not take place in future. Hence, I am saying
leave this Ashram etc behind, lock the Ashrams and all of you come. No, because
I will not be able to do this again. Some incidents are like this, they are
incomparable – has not happened before and will not happen again. So, why
should you miss such a chance. Also, you go to the police, military, and
prepare them for this. Nothing, 23 April we cannot invite the police /
military personnel over there – tell them you can watch it life in your
offices. Like today’s programme, it is being webcast live all over the world
and people from all over the world are connected with you today. So, like that
we will also be showing that programme live everywhere, so you tell them that
you can make arrangements to watch the relay in your office and keep the jawans
free for those two hours. Also, I have got a request not to keep the programme
for three hours, so I will be trying to wind up in two hours. Later, isn’t it,
people’s condition becomes bad by sitting for three hours at a stretch. Hence,
this will be from 7pm to 9pm. Inform everyone that this will be webcast live
from 23 April to 30 April from 7pm to 9pm and you can show the same online to
everyone in your office. Everyone can then see. Namaskar!
Swamiji's Rath Yatra
After the discourse Rambhai took us all through
the Shantipath, after which Swamiji was to do the rounds of the ground
in a chariot pulled by sadhaks, to the accompaniment of bhajans. Rambhai
requested everybody to remain seated while Swamiji went about distributing
consciousness and giving darshan to the sadhaks. As soon as Swamiji got on to
the chariot sadhaks started standing up not paying heed to what Rambhai had
said. After two, three admonishments and with other sadhaks requesting the
standing sadhaks to sit down they ultimately did sit. After that I closed my
eyes and soaked in the consciousness while enjoying the soulfully rendered
bhajans. After about half an hour, around 9am Swamiji left after completing the
chariot round to loud applause and shouts of Baba Swami Maharaj ki jai….
Thereafter Rambhai requested the volunteers to
prepare for the paduka naman ceremony. After a short while we were
ready. As I was in the first row I paid my respects and stood aside trying to
control the ladies who had charged forward – there were no lady volunteers to
be seen, thankfully the gentlemen maintained decorum and stood silently in a
line waiting patiently for their turn. I told one well dressed, seemingly
educated lady not to rush forward – the paduka was at least four feet to
that ladies left and she was trying to squeeze in and pushing and shoving –
this reminded me of the pressure on felt on the back while waiting in the crowd
during the Mumbai Marathon – I was desperately holding on to one table and
donation box – there was a serious risk of the human pressure toppling the
tables! I told that lady to come in line, she said she was in line, I told her
the line is four feet to her left and she said something silly to which I
replied “kamal hai” and she said something with so much malevolence that
it immediately affected my heart chakra – I stopped trying to inculcate
discipline and just held on to the table to stop it from falling. After about
15 minutes, some semblance of order was restored and I moved away.
As I went looking for my co-passengers, I noticed Sundeepji giving an interview to local TV channel. The same is given below.
Thereafter, I went to
the residence area and we were served prasad and tea over there. After
that, I changed and packed my bag. We had arranged a meeting with the
Organising Committee to take stock of the good and the points for improvement.
After these discussions which went on for about an hour, I went to check if my
fellow passengers were ready. They were all waiting for me at the registration
counter. We left the Ashram at around 1.15pm and came back to Mumbai. The
return journey was uneventful and we reached Mumbai after a halt at Parsi Dairy
by 6pm.
The entire 45 days Anushthan was
beautifully managed, even the Mahashivratri event with upward of 25000 people
was managed wonderfully. This time the parking arrangements, seating
arrangements were wonderful. The dining was also awesome and one could not see
any lines of people as things moved smoothly and like clockwork – apart from
the small aberration during the naman ceremony the whole event was
managed beautifully. My heartfelt thanks to the organising committee for doing
a wonderful job. May His Holiness Swamiji’s blessings shower on all those who
helped – directly or indirectly – in making this event a grand success. My complete surrender and obeisance at His Lotus Feet for such a beautiful energy giving, consciousness filled Mahashivratri - May the Guru-Energies give His Holiness a long life for doing their Guru-karya in connecting more and more people to Samarpan Meditation and over time helping Him realise the goal of Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam.
Jai Baba Swami
