Wednesday, January 26, 2011

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

Lord Krishna With His Gopas & Gopis


There is an incident which occurred in the year 1963 or was it 1964. In those days Shri Vimla Bahen ji used to live in 'Vedant Niketan.' One fine day Manohar Baba came over to meet her. Shri Usha Bahenji, Shri Sushila Bahenji and Shri Uma Bahenji and others also dropped in due to Baba's arrival. All of them talked about the glories of Thakur ji for quite some time.

Precisely then all of a sudden Baba got absorbed in the loka of divine bhavas (love flowing towards the Supreme Being). At times his eyes would shut and then open in quick succession. Late in the night, walking unsteadily he somehow went to Venu Vinod Kunj with great difficulty.



Sakhivesha


After he had left Usha Bahenji revealed to everyone that she had seen Manohar Baba in sakhivesh (adorning sakhivesh facilitates the cultivation of sakhibhava of sweet and total commitment and love for Krishna. It is an accepted Hindu doctrine that the questing human soul is feminine and the only male is God) today.

Shri Ramharshan Das ji Maharaj


Ramharshan Das ji Maharaj, the prime ascetic saint of Ayodhya, who has attained the divine, is actually an icon of love. He resides in 'Shri Ramharshan Kunj' which is situated on the parikrama marg (Naya Ghat)in Ayodhya. Manohar Baba had heard about him. Once when Shri Manmohan Jajodia of Gorakhpur came to Venu Vinod Kunj, Baba told him of his desire to meet Shri Ramharshan Das ji. Jajodia assured Baba that he would make him have darshan of Shri Maharaj.

Consequently in the year 2004, Baba went along with his niece Sushri Shashikala Mule, Sushri Vijaya Mule, Shri Radha Raman ji and others from Vrindavan to see him. At first Baba reached the residence of Shri Prem Bihari Khare in Lucknow, whereas Manmohan Jajodia arrived in Ayodhya from Gorakhpur. Baba was in contact with him on phone. Thereafter Baba went to Ayodhya with roughly fifteen people. And that is when Manmohan Jajodia made Baba meet Shri Ram Harshan Das ji Maharaj.

The great saint Shri Harshan Das ji Maharaj had prior information of Manohar Baba's arrival that is why in spite of his ill health he welcomed Baba with loving tenderness. He wrapped his arms around Baba and hugged him. On meeting each other both these saints experienced such great joy that tears streamed down from their eyes constantly. This emotional scene made those present also teary-eyed.


Shri Ramharshan Das ji Maharaj Rubbing Attar on Manohar Baba


In his welcome,saint Shri Ramharshan Das ji Maharaj poured and emptied the contents of an full bottle of attar on Manohar Baba's hair. Simultaneously, he thoroughly rubbed the attar on his locks and beard. With this act the chamber of Shri Maharaj abounded with the fragrance of attar and the unprecedented affection of two divine saints.

Shri Ramharshan Das ji Maharaj had a detailed discussion with Baba which went on for several hours. 

When members of his parikar (inner circle of devotees) intervened that he would get very fatigued this way, he replied, “ With great good fortune one gets comes into contact with saints. The Supreme Being has arrived from Vrindavan Himself and is giving darshan in the form of this saint.” 

Manohar Baba was deeply embarrassed on hearing such lavish praise. Simultaneously he was thrilled to see Maharaj ji's immense love for him. On the insistence of Shri Maharaj, Baba and all those who had gone with him had food-prasad there itself.


Kanak Bhavan, Palace of Shri Sita & Ram in Ayodhya


Taking leave of Shri Maharaj, Manohar Baba saw Kanak Bhavan, River Sarayu, Ram Janam Bhoomi and other sites. 


Vrindavan Dham

Thereafter he returned to Vrindavan via Lucknow. Baba was so deeply impressed on meeting Shri Maharaj that he would send his respectful greetings to him whenever any acquaintance of Baba's would go to Ayodhya from Vrindavan. On the other hand Shri Maharaj would also ask about Manohar Baba's health and well-being from the people who came to him from Vrindavan.




Lord Dattatreya


Shri Narayan Svami Maharaj, the renowned saint of Maharashtra, is the devotee of Lord Dattatreya( Sage Atri was given a boon by the Supreme Being that He would be born as his son, hence the name Dattatreya.) He is giving the spiritual instruction of 'Wake up, awaken others and be benevolent' to the world. Shri Maharaj wants to make mankind aware of humanity. His main sphere of work is Narayanpur (Pune). 


Bhagwan Dattatreya Mandir, Jalkoti

\In a place named Jalkoti in Maheshwar (Khargone)he has got the Ek Mukhi Datta Mandir built near the constantly gushing waterfall or Sahastradhara of river Narmada.  

In July 2008 when Manohar Baba went to Barwani for kirtan he visited Maheshwar, his home town, for two days to have darshan of Shri Narsingh Bhagwan, his family deity. There he expressed a desire to Govind Tiwari an advocate of Maheshwar to meet Shri Narayan Svami Maharaj, an eminent saint. He took Baba along with his parikar to Jalkoti.

That is where Shri Narayan Svami Maharaj and his followers received Baba warmly and welcomed them with great respect. Baba was deeply impressed with the extremely unaffected and simple disposition of Shri Narayan Svami Maharaj who had a medium height and was clad in pyjamas, shirt and a kantopa (a cap with flaps covering the ears).



Shri Narayan Svami Maharaj Gifting The Coconut to Manohar Baba


Soon after, Shri Narayan Svami Maharaj told Baba, “Maheshwar belongs to you. We have just come for making the temple of Lord Dattatreya in your town, by His inspiration.”

Baba had a conversation with him for about two hours, in isolation. When Manohar Baba was taking his leave, he asked one of his disciples to get a shriphal or coconut, kumkum and a saffron-coloured safa or turban.


Manohar Baba Wearing the Safa Tied by Shri Narayan Svami Maharaj


When Baba asked him the purpose of getting them, he responded with loving tenderness, “It is the tradition of this temple to respect devout people visiting the shrine.” 

Soon after Shri Narayan Svami Maharaj tied the safa on Baba's head and applying roli on his forehead gifted him the coconut.

Baba was very delighted by this meeting with him. 

“ To be endowed with such intense greatness and immense simplicity at the same time is possible only in some true saint,” said Baba. (page 385-386 of 'Smriti Kaumudi,'the memoirs of Shri Manohar Baba)

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

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

Shri Radha Krishna

Revered Manohar Baba once saw that Shri Radha-Krishna passed by in front of him with tinkling anklets when the evening sankirtan of Venu Vinod Kunj had reached its zenith. 

Before Baba could ask for a confirmation of this scene, the sound of highly revered Maharaj ji's voice came from his room, “Sometimes Priya-Priyatam delightfully appear right in the midst of the kirtan's gushing religious rapture.” 

Hearing these words from Shri Maharaj ji, Baba was ecstatic.

Manohar Baba in the Verandah of Venu Vinod Kunj, Vrindavan


Once the evening kirtan was going on in Venu Vinod Kunj. In the presence of rasacharya Svami Shri Ram Sharma and rasacharya Svami Fateh Krishna Sharma, the unprecedented rasa of the melodious kirtan was surging forth. 


Thicket of Jasmine Flowers

Precisely then Manohar Baba saw that close to the thicket of jasmine flowers stood an extremely tall saint, whose long matted hair fell down to his feet. He who wore a wooden kaupin ( a small piece of wooden solid belt to cover the private parts) and was listening to the devotional songs in rapt attention. Five to ten other saints also stood behind him. Apart from them, some saints were standing on the threshold.

Seeing this scene, Baba got up and going close to them bowed with religious devotion. Soon after, he reverentially insisted that they take a seat in the kirtan.


Shri Venu Vinod Bihari


The group of saints moved forward, did pranam and bowed before Thakur Shri Venu Vinod Bihari . Shri Baba had them respectfully seated in the verandah which lay in front of Thakur ji.

After some time when the circle of saints got ready to leave, Baba instantly got up from his aasan or seat. Folding his hands and approaching them he went to see them off at the door.


Shri Ram Das ji Kathia Baba


Later on, Baba revealed to some members of his parikar (inner circle) that it was none other than the great renunciant Shri Ram Das ji Kathia Baba, renowned for his austere penance.


Shri Radha Baba, Gorakhpur


In the same manner Manohar Baba once saw when the evening sankirtan of Venu Vinod Kunj was going on that Shri Radha Baba, the famed saint of Gorakhpur, slowly came and sat in the verandah outside the temple. Amazingly he vanished after listening to the kirtan for some time.


Shriji's Temple, Barsana



Watching the festivities of Shriji's temple in Barsana on the festival of Holi was a very old religious regime of Manohar Baba. Once he could not go to Barsana for some particular reason and hence his mind was very dejected.

Holi Being Celebrated with Joyous Abandon in Barsana


Therefore meditating upon the Holi of Barsana, Baba mentally enjoyed the joyous abandon of its celebration there.

The very next day, Mohini, a lady who was an income tax officer, came to Venu Vinod Kunj from Delhi. 

“When did you come from Barsana?” on seeing Baba she asked instantly.

 “ I just could not go to Barsana,” Baba answered with surprise.

“What are you talking about? I saw you sitting right in front of me,” the lady responded on hearing this statement.


Shri Radha, the Godhead in Female Form


Manohar Baba was rapturous by this infinite grace of Shriji showered on him.

Revered Manohar Baba once went with highly revered Shri Maharaj ji to have darshan of Kara's(Uttar Pradesh) revered Shri Baba Ratandas ji Maharaj (the virtuous guru of Shri Ramdas Baba). He would never allow anyone to click his photographs. If a person happened to do so secretly, the photographs came out to be hazy.

But surprisingly when Baba wanted to take his snap, Ratandas ji Maharaj agreed and readily posed along with his kamandal (an earthen or wooden water pot used by ascetics).His photograph which Baba came out sharp and clear. Later on the idol which was made after Ratan Das ji Maharaj left this world, was based on the sole snap which had been taken by Manohar Baba.


Shri Anand Das ji Baba


Revered Ram Das Baba (disciple of Shri Ratan Das Baba) of Kara would come to the ashram of revered Shri Anand Das Baba

Goswami Tulsidas ji


on the occasion of Tulsi Jayanti. Once it so happened that Manohar Baba also went there on this Jayanti and instead of sitting on the dais, he sat down. On this act Shri Ram Das Baba insistently made him get up from where he sat and sit on the dais next to him.

Simultaneously he asked Baba as to why he had sat down and not on the platform. “In any case siddh (perfected or sanctified by penance)saints are going from the surface of this earth, one by one.” 

Manohar Baba's response to this statement was, “You are the machine who makes siddh saints, yourself. Whichever person you place your hands on will surely become a perfect saint.” At this enthused exultation of Manohar Baba, Ram Das Baba held his hand with immense affection and smiled slightly.

Shri Subal Das ji Maharaj,the great rasika and siddh saint of Vraja rasa (blissful sentiments) used to live at Radha Kund. Once Manohar Baba went along with Bal Krishna Das ji Maharaj to have his darshan. He too would not let anyone click his photographs. Surprisingly when Baba persisted to take his snap, he readily agreed. The sole photograph of Subal Das ji which is available as of today has been clicked by Baba.



Krishna Janamashtami


It so happened that once on the festival of Janamashtami, a peculiar pain gripped Manohar Baba's chest and ribs. He took several medications but there was no improvement in his condition for three-four days. On basis of the Supreme Being's indications it appeared to Baba that he would take leave of this world very soon.

Shri Balkrishan Das ji Maharaj


Precisely then he put a pinch of highly revered Shri Maharaj ji's prasadi sugar ( remnants of the sugar which have been offered to an idol; the entire parikar of Maharaj ji used to always keep these granules of sugar with themselves) in his mouth. It was a matter of great astonishment that his unbearable pain disappeared in a moment's time before the sugar could completely dissolve on his tongue.


Shri Manohar Baba


In another miraculous incident Manohar Baba was reading the 'Ras Panchadhayi' (a quintet of chapters in the Bhagavata Purana on the theme of Krishna's relationship with the gopis) in Venu Vinod Kunj at midnight. 


A Black-coloured Snake

That is when a small poisonous black-coloured snake slithered out. However Baba was not at all perplexed and instantly covered it with a basket like utensil. The very next morning he left it at Yamuna ji. Such a fearless person was Baba.(pages 383-384 of 'Smriti Kaumudi,' the memoirs of Manohar Baba)

Monday, January 24, 2011

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

The Maha Mantra is a Prayer to Hare or Radha, Asking Her to Engage us in Lord Krishna's Service
Baba got such immense affection, respect and honour in Barwani that he had no inkling when, where and how his entire day was spent. Showing the path to young men singing film song and gazals in Barwani, he stimulated them to chant the 'Maha Mantra' (asking mother Hare or Radha , the Godhead in female form, to engage us in Lord Krishna's service);

The Hari Naam Sankirtan


 so that the torch of reciting Lord Hari's name kindled by highly revered Shri Maharaj ji was constantly ablaze.

Shri Vrindavan

Simultaneously their lives transformed by advancing on the path of spirituality. Several of these youths' heart-felt desires were fulfilled and they had many miraculous experiences after the sankirtan got over. This faction of youths was so deeply impressed by Baba that they began coming to Vrindavan for his darshan, later on.

When the continuous sankirtan of Hari Naam's 'Mahamantra' was going on in Barwani, Manohar Baba also went to Maheshwar, his home town. There he was given a grand welcome by the showering of flowers and his arti being done. 


Lit Diyas at House Entrance

All the residents of his colony lit lamps at the entrances of their own houses as if they were celebrating the festival of Diwali on Baba's homecoming.


Shri Manohar Baba Entering Maheshwar After Several Years


The members of Baba's family decked their doorways with garlands of flowers and made rangoli or painted decorative patterns at the entrance. Shyam Mule and Dilip Mule, his nephews spread carpets on the path and lovingly got their Kulbhushan Baba to their house. Sprinkling water at the main door to ward off the evil eye, both their wives made Baba ceremonially enter the house.

With Baba's arrival the denizens of Maheshwar were very pleased. Delighted at this show of affection, Baba went to ask about the well being of all neighbours living near his house.


Baba Praying to Shri Narsingh Bhagvan, his Family Deity


On going home, first of all he respectfully bowed before Shri Narsingh Bhagwan, his family deity. Alongside he did darshan of that miraculous shivling which he used to serve and worship everyday by offering 108 bilav patras (leaf of the wood apple tree as offered to Shiva), before coming to Vrindavan.

Thereafter Manohar Baba returned to Vrindavan. Three to four times he ventured from Vrindavan to Barwani, to take part in the 501 days akhand sankirtan of Hari Naam. He stayed on for a month and sometimes for one and a half months. 

When the residents of Barwani would stop Baba from going to Vrindavan because of their immense love, he would respond spontaneously, “Have faith in the fact that I am here itself.” 


Barwani

And this statement of his was literally true. Several of his bhaktas were conscious of his constant presence in Barwani.

Many of his devotees had divine experiences which appear astonishing. During the akhand sankirtan an arrangement for tea and refreshments to be served to everyone after midnight, had been made. One fine night, the milk which had been kept aside for tea had soured. Therefore the procedure of making tea got shelved. By an amazing act of fate a devotee who was asleep, woke up all of a sudden and thought of going to the sankirtan site for making tea. When he reached Ram Mandir, the bhakta saw that the milk had got spoiled. In such a condition that person instantly arranged to get milk from elsewhere. Soon after he prepared tea and made everyone drink it.


When Manohar Baba went to Barwani for participating in the concluding ceremony of the continuous Hari Naam sankirtan he was given a splendid welcome. 

An Arti Thali 

A young girl had been decked fully and holding a thali of arti, she was made to stand for receiving him. As soon as Baba saw her, he reached the heights of elation and ecstasy. Walking along with a tottering gait, he was teary-eyed. Seeing his unsteady steps, people gave him their support and taking him to the dais, made him sit down. Later on he had revealed to his intimate adherents that a spark is enough to stimulate us spiritually.

\
Lord Krishna's Divine Play


The Lord's lila or divine play is going on constantly all around. If a sadhaka remains within the periphery of chintan of meditating upon Him, spiritual evolution can take place from the most trivial of things. Soon enough, the mind does not remain in one's control.

Under the supervision of Manohar Baba a grand majestic procession was taken out in Barwani on the sankirtan's conclusion. Persons of all castes and religious sects enthusiastically took part in this ceremonial ending. People were eager to take Baba who was journeying in the procession, to their respective homes and business establishments. Manohar Baba managed to go to the houses and work places of several people, and gave them his blessings. Surprisingly Baba sat for seven hours at a stretch in a motor car and directed the procession. Wherever it went, flowers were showered, arti was done and alongside light refreshments were served as well.

In the bhandara held in the concluding ceremony of the akhand Harinam Sankirtan, more than six thousand people were given food-prasad from 12 to 2:30 in the afternoon, the time specified by Manohar Baba. The denizens of Barwani remember this historical event with great pride, even as of today.

If we look at the entire life span of Manohar Baba we gather that he had transcendental and miraculous experiences from time to time. Some astonishing incidents which I know of are given below:


Lord Krishna Dancing in Perfect Rhythm


There is an event centred around the daily sankirtan which was held in the evenings in Venu Vinod Kunj, as a regimen During the sankirtan Baba saw Shri Krishna dancing with sweet rhythmic movements in perfect harmony to the music, but he could not believe his eyes. All of a sudden a thought cropped up in his mind that he would consider this happening as true only if some person confirmed this scene.


Shri Balkrishan Das ji Maharaj


'Precisely then, highly revered Shri Maharaj ji who was in his room said, “Yes indeed! Shri Krishna has come to the kirtan and is dancing himself.”

 Hearing this statement, Baba was ecstatic and the elation of this incident affected him for several days.(pages 381-382 of 'Smriti Kaumudi,'the memoirs of Shri Manohar Baba)