Friday, December 3, 2010

Baba Shri Manohar Das ji, the Pride of the Spiritual World-XI

Maheshwar, a Tranquil City in Madhya Pradesh


Once a year, Baba used to definitely go and meet his mother in Maheshwar as long as she lived. At that point of time, Baba would abandon his dress up as a sadhu (ascetic) and wear a dhoti-kurta (dhoti-a piece of cloth worn around the lower body, one end of which passes between the legs and is tucked in behind,kurta-a collarless shirt) so that his mother could get some consolation.




Sri Radha Raman ji, Vrindavan


When his mother was extremely distressed out of concern for Baba, he would ask her to leave her household and come with him to Vrindavan. Giving an assurance that he would attend to her needs by doing her seva there. Baba's mother was an extremely faithful and devoted wife that is why she explained to Baba that it was not a matter of giving up the house or its premises. And she would abandon the company of her husband only after death. In the course of time she took Sushri Shashikala Mule, her seven year old grand-daughter, and came for a few days to Vrindavan.




Manohar Baba Serving Shri Maharaj ji


Revered Manohar Baba would look after the needs of revered Shri Maharaj ji with attentive devotion. In the bitter cold, Baba would conscientiously wrap adequate woolens around Maharaj ji and put him to sleep.Even though Baba slept near him, he would be extremely vigilant. Because during those days, Maharaj ji was going through an ecstatic trance of religious rapture.


Thus in a short while, Baba would find that the blanket had been thrown off his body.Alongside, he often saw Maharaj ji's eyes shedding tears and his body blazing(for union with the divine.) On getting an indication that there was an unbearable headache hurting Maharaj ji, Baba would massage his head with a cool oil but the intense fervour of Maharaj ji's body would not be  cooled.


Baba would often see Maharahj ji discard his bed and sparsely clad in a kopeen (a small piece of cloth to cover the private parts)be sitting in the open courtyard with tears streaming down his cheeks. Even the ground below would be soaked with his flowing tears. By making constantly ardent entreaties to Maharaj ji, Baba would somehow get him into the room and make him lie down.Amazingly the sheet covering his bed got wet because of Maharaj ji's tears at times. Baba would wring the sheet and put it out to dry, as he covered the cot with a fresh spread.



Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Shedding Tears


Baba would tell us that when he had read about the traits of tears squirting out from the eyes of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, he had considered it an exaggeration. But when he saw the same condition in Maharaj ji, his disbelief radically transformed into implicit belief. In the year 1947, Maharaj ji was in a trance state of extreme religious rapture. Therefore Baba would be by his side like a shadow.



Eternal Vrindavan,Where Shri Radha-Krishna Forever Dwell


One fine highly revered Maharaj ji revealed to Manohar Baba and Devi ji that he had got a signal from eternal Vrindavan, the site of Krishna's nitya leela, of staying in a state of akhand bhavadasha of ecstatic exaltation for a month. After this information, the two of them became more alert. Soon after a span of two-three days, Shri Maharaj ji began to live in an intense state of bhava dasha, having reached the heights of elation and ecstasy.

Whenever he would be in a semi-conscious condition, an effort was made to make him eat something but before the food could reach his mouth, he would invariably get into a sleep like trance again, without response to stimuli. (Page 361 of 'Smriti Kaumudi',the memoirs of Manohar Baba.)

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Certain Observances to be Adopted for Kirtan

Shri Hari

Hare Ram Hare Ram, Ram Ram Hare Hare |

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare ||


Every member will initially get the kirtan (group singing of hymns to a deity) done for ten minutes. In case there is time or few participants, he can get the sankirtan (glorifying a deity with devotional songs) done for another ten minutes. By following this regime, the maximum number of bhaktas get a chance to sing devotional songs. We ought to take care of children, guests who have come the first time and distinctive invitees, in particular. In case old members do not get an opportunity to sing the second time for this very reason, it does not matter.


Therefore it is essential that a visible timepiece is placed in front of everyone. Such a watch which is seen by all and members follow the time limit of ten minutes, on their own.


Shri Yamuna

Shri Yamuna is a svamini or devotional ideal very much like Shri Radha. Unlike everyone else Yamunaji has regular, exclusive company of Lord Krishna and it is no wonder that pushti margis place great emphasis on memorizing the forty-one padas of Shr Yamunaji, early on in life. Thus one may begin the kirtan with a stuti (hymn of praise) of Shri Yamuna ji,'Hey Krishna Prem-pravihini...”


Everyone should pay attention to the fact that the mahamantra is recited for at least an hour in a kirtan which lasts for two hours. Other padas or devotional songs which are sung should be easily followed by the gathering which means individual and difficult to grasp padas be avoided and sung back home.



Usually or generally the time of kirtan has been fixed for 5 to seven in the evening, leaving aside the months of December and January when it is extremely cold. Just as it is important to begin the kirtan precisely at 5 o'clock, in the same way it is essential to start the aarti at seven o'clock sharp. Otherwise members who are particular about time can be put to inconvenience.


Usha Bahenji's Yugal or Shri Radha-Krishna

They have to go home on time and offer bhoga (food offered to a deity) to Gopal ji or Thakurji, their personal diety whose seva they do, while attending to His needs.


Krishna Janamshtami

The splendid beauty of paath and kirtan on special festivals like Shri Krishna Janamashtami, Shivratri or Ramnaumi belongs to that particular day. Even if one does not have an off, he must continue encouraging the religious rapture of other members and escalate their enthusiasm.


Shri Manohar Baba

Let us keep in mind that we are paying a homage to all the saints of Vraja and Shri Manohar Baba, in particular, by our monthly Shri Hari Kirtan. Therefore having the kirtan every month is of greater significance than where it is taking place. Above all, a sankirtan should certainly be arranged for special occasions of recurring festivals. And everyone has the responsibility of ascertaining this matter.


Sankirtan

Some members ring up when the kirtan is going on in full swing and ask the address, which distracts everyone's absorption in religious contemplation. Kindly note the directions and landmark if any either in the morning or a day earlier. The best person to tell the correct location is the one who lives there, so please ring him up directly.


In the same manner, inform personally if you are not coming so that the host knows the exact number of devotees attending the kirtan and can make preparations for serving prasad accordingly.Once you have decided the date of keeping kirtan, please be firm about the decision. Other members should also not insist of swapping dates as this practice upsets the entire schedule.


Let us joyously sing in unison'


Shri Vrindavan Vihari Lal Ki Jai...


Shri Radha-Krishna

Jai Jai Shri Radhika-Madhav...


Hare Ram Hare Ram, Ram Ram Hare Hare |

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare ||