Saturday, February 12, 2011

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

Lord Krishna,the Supreme Being


Where have spiritual paupers like us seen God? It is certainly through divine souls like highly revered Manohar Das ji who have lifelong worked for the well-being of people so that we can identify the Supreme Being. Where can we find a saint of his calibre on earth? In reality the era of such divine men is gradually coming to an end.


Snow Clad Peaks of the Himalayas


The memory of honourable Manohar Baba is pure, dazzling white and eternal like the snow clad peaks of the Himalayas,to whom I offer millions of my salutations.


Shri Manohar Baba (right) with Albeli Sharan ji Maharaj


When  eminent saint Shri Albeli Sharan ji Maharaj, respected Bahin Sushri Shashikala Mule, respectable Vidyadhar Das ji, respected Shri Kailash Bhaiya and others insisted that I write the life-history of Baba Manohar Das ji, an ascetic of the highest order, a saint free from worldly attachments and desires, to preserved as his memoirs, I was in in a great state of uncertainty. Firstly because a destitute like me with meager knowledge does not have the capability to write anything about a divine saint like Baba Maharaj who had attained the Divine. Secondly there was a great shortage of time due to various commitments other which I had . However even after mustering immense courage I could not refuse all of them.


Shri Manohar Baba (left) with Balkrishan Das ji Maharaj


Simultaneously I felt that just like Manohar Baba had authoritatively got the memoirs 'Rasaarchan' the biography of Shri Balkishan Das ji Maharaj,

Shri Manohar Baba (right) with Ghanshyam Das Thakur ji


and 'Smriti Saurabh' the biography of of Shri Ghanshyam Das Thakurji penned by me ; in the same fashion he was giving me an order to write his life history through his very close associates.Therefore I agreed to do this extremely difficult task, with the hope of capacity and energy being granted by revered Baba himself. With the auspicious blessings of revered Baba I readied his biography in a very short time span; without any obstacle and with conscientious enthusiasm by often keeping awake till two o'clock at night.While writing I did not feel fatigued nor experienced any sort of weakness.

When I began this task centered around revered Baba my health remained fine and moreover worldly involvements reduced considerably all of a sudden, by his grace.It was virtually impossible for me to take up this endeavor in the daytime due to various reasons. Therefore the entire biography was written during the night.


Shri Manohar Baba


Many a time while writing this text I felt that revered Baba was sitting by my side on a takht or wooden bed or was standing in front of me.

Amazingly after writing the life history of revered Baba, I had very extraordinary and transcendental experiences lasting for two to three hours while meditating upon his holy nature. Often I was unable of going to sleep till four o clock in the morning because of this practice. It is not proper to give an account of all those episodes at this juncture.


The Eternal Nikunja of Lord Krishna


As a matter of chance, the day I gave respite to the memoirs of revered Baba. 29th May, 2010, was purnima and the date of his gaining entry into the eternal nikunja (abode of Krishna). Above all it was precisely 12 o' clock at midnight.

The oceanic biography of highly revered Baba Manohar Das ji is imponderable and expansive. It is extremely tough to bind it in writing. While writing his memoirs, I could gather extensive information about revered Baba from Bahen Sushri Shashikala Mule, Sushri Vijaya Mule, revered Shri Sushila Bahen ji, Sushri Darshan Bahen ji, Sushri Dr. Nisha Shubh, Sushri Narang Bahen ji, Shri Sushil Nigam (Barwani), Sushri Manju Tiwari and Pandit Rajesh Tiwari (Maheshwar) and others. And for this very reason I am extremely grateful to them.

I beg to be forgiven in case there have been any errors on my part while writing the biography.


Gopal Chaturvedi

Thursday, February 10, 2011

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

Revered Bobo (left) & Sushila Bahenji

 “How are you?” asked revered Sushila Bahenji when she came to see Baba the next morning. 

“ I am at my life's goal.” (the eternal search of the impassioned soul for union with the Divine) Baba replied with a faint smile.

On Bhadra Shukla Purnima, 3 September, 2009, a Friday, [samvat 2066] revered Manohar Baba drank some milk between ten-thirty to quarter to eleven in the night, on Devi ji's coaxing him. He talked with loving tenderness to everyone around. Then his condition began deteriorating critically at roughly eleven o'clock. When his pulse rate was checked it was not normal.That is why he was given oxygen which gave him some relief. Thence he was made to lie down. On an indication from him, he was made to turn his side at about eleven-thirty in the night.


The Rasa Panchadhyayi


Soon after, at 15 minutes past 12 in the night when Lord Krishna would come to Manohar Baba to hear the 'Ras Panchadhyayi' as a daily regimen; the body of Baba slackened suddenly and leaving his material body, Baba became engrossed in the rasa of Shri Radha-Krishna's lila.

Baba, Krishna's Lovable Sakhi, Gained Entry into the Raas Mandal


Or we can say that this lovable sakhi gained entry into the raas mandal (the very foundation of a religion of union is that the individual, partial and manifest self or sakhi must be joined with the universal, whole and un-manifest Self that is Lord Krishna) along with her Thakur.


Shri Radha-Krishna


Actually speaking Shri Radha-Krishna, the sacred couple, took Baba at that point of time when he used to read the 'Ras Panchadhyayi' (a quintet of chapters in the Bhagavat Putrana on the theme of Krishna's relationship with the gopis)religiously at night. The scene was extremely divine and it seemed as if all the gods had come to take Baba along with them.


Nature Weeping At Manohar Baba's Departure


That is precisely when it began to rain heavily for fifteen minutes, endorsing the fact that nature was also sharing our sorrow and offering its salutation to Baba by weeping.

With Baba's leaving this material world, his entire parikar (inner circle) was grief-stricken and lamented his departure. Pandemonium broke lose as everyone wept hysterically with tears streaming down their cheeks. It became difficult to control Dr. Chandresh Gupta who was constantly giving medication to Baba for the past four months.

Soon enough, the Shri Hari Naam Sankirtan was begun for Baba and it went on continuously till his funeral rites. Most of the people belonging to Baba's circle arrived at Venu Vinod Kunj in the night itself.



Shri Yamuna


The dust of Vraja was got from Yamuna ji and a bed of this Vraj raj was made in front of highly revered Shri Maharaj ji's room. And revered Manohar Baba was lain down on the spread. His earthly body was looking very divine even after Baba had abandoned his human form. His physical body which had been ailing for the past four months with no intake of food for a month, was still glowing. Just like Bhisham Pitamah who lay on a bed of arrows Baba's face had a unique radiance; a divinity which was soaked in religious bliss.

At 8 o' clock the next morning Baba's mundane body was bathed with Yamuna's water as per the rites endorsed in the shastras (scriptures). Soon after it was smeared with Vraj raj (dust of Vraja) and sandalwood. 

 Jasmine & Mogra Garlands


He was adorned with countless garlands of roses, jasmine and mogra flowers(double jasmine) right from nine till eleven o'clock in the morning.

Those serving in almost all the main temples of Vrindavan, decked Baba with colourful chunris, blossoms, saffron, sandalwood, attar and gulal. Several devout saints, luminaries and dignitaries paid homage to Baba with their flowing tears. Remembering Baba all the people were weeping inconsolably. And during that time there was not a single person one who was not teary-eyed.

Manohar Baba who could not bear anyone's grief-pain and was easily moved emotionally, had taken a vow of silence today and he was accepting everyone's tribute.


The Hari Naam Sankirtan


The bhaktas and followers of Baba had surrounded him from all four sides and were chanting the Hari Naam Sankirtan in a loud voice. Revered Baba's doli or palanquin and not his bier was being decorated. This palanquin was lifted on 4th September, 2009 at eleven o' clock in the morning.


The Vanshi Vata

The final journey of revered Baba amidst chanting of Hari Naam Sankirtan and passing through the town's main roads reached the banks of the Yamuna in front of Vanshi Vat.


Rose Petals


The bhaktas and devotees of Baba showered roses on him with such abundance that most of the paths plus lanes of Vrindavan were carpeted with rose petals. As per the norms of Hinduism, women and children are prohibited from going to the cremation ground. But Baba's last rites proved to be an exception because not only females but even children who were eight to ten years of age were present. And why shouldn't they have gone since he was their most lovable Baba.


Revered Devi ji, Maharaj ji & Manohar Baba


So much so that revered Devi ji also saw the burning pyre of Baba with extreme pain. Usually the burning of a dead body is absolutely fearsome and compassionate but the scene when Baba's funeral rites were being performed was extremely divine and transcendental. Honourable Shri Vidyadhar Das ji gave mukhagni (put fire into the mouth when the funeral pyre was lit) to Baba amidst well-known saints and distinctive luminaries of the spiritual world.


Shri Albeli Sharan ji

Meanwhile Rasacharya svami Shri Shriram Sharma, Rasacharya svami Shri Fateh Krishna Sharma, Baba Shri Albeli Sharan ji and others recited the padas written by renowned rasik saints. In this manner everyone's highly revered Manohar Baba who had taken birth in the soil of Narmada merged with the soil of Yamuna.


Shri Nara & Narayana


The word 'seva' or attending to the needs of a person is very simple when spoken but is extremely tough to follow But the one who does serve lovingly certainly attains both Nara and Narayana. Sushri Shashikala Mule, the niece of highly respected Manohar Baba, Sushri Vijaya Mule, Dr.Chandresh Gupta,Engineer Shri Brajesh Mishra, Avdesh Mishra, Dr. Amar Singh Rathore, Pandit Rajesh Tiwari, Shri Vrindavan Das ji, Child Rajesh, Shri Khare Dampati, Shri Vidyadhar ji, Anand Shukla, Kunjbihari and other close ones served him with dedicated devotion.

However much we may praise these virtuous souls for their unfaltering service, would not be sufficient. Moreover all members of the parikar (Baba's inner circle of devotees) being present off and on, considered that they were greatly fortunate to get an opportunity of attending to the needs of Baba.(Pages 393-394 of 'Smriti Kaumudi,' the memoirs of Shri Manohar Baba)

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

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

The Lustrous Face of Manohar Baba

The lustre of Manohar Baba's face was intact even in such a critical condition. Divinity was dripping from his eyes. Whosoever he would look at by casting a glance became elated. Sitting in the courtyard for roughly an hour,  

 Supreme Lover Krishna

kept smiling at the delightful thought of meeting Lord Krishna, his supreme lover (Dark-hued Krishna is conceptualised as the ardent but often faithless lover of the love-struck soul.) He was absorbed and ecstatic inwardly and it was painful for him to step out of this state of religious rapture.

Meanwhile it was time for the evening sankirtan when padas (verses of devotional poetry) were sung daily. Honourable Shri Anand Shukla sang the verses which were dear to Baba in a very melodious voice. And hearing them Manohar Baba was carried away emotionally.

On 2nd September, 2009 the entire courtyard of Venu Vinod Kunj was thronging with visitors who had come for Baba's darshan. And no one had any intention of budging from there.


Manohar Baba, the Svarupa of Balkrishan Das ji Maharaj (seated)


To all his loving devotees Baba seemed the svarupa  of highly revered Shri Maharaj ji. It appeared as if revered Balkrishan Das ji Maharaj and Baba were in essence a single entity.

At around 11 o' clock in the afternoon when Venu Vinod Kunj was very crowded, Baba asked why so many people were gathered there. 

Revered Devi ji answered, “Baba! It is time for the bhoga to be distributed that is why everyone has come to take the prasad .” 

 “ It is fine. Make sure that the prasad is quickly given to everyone and take me out of the room as well,e” requested Baba.


Manohar Baba Sitting in the Courtyard of Venu Vinod Kunj


Subsequently Baba was made to sit in a chair amidst everyone in the courtyard. With great difficulty Baba would open his eyes and cast a glance on everyone, and then he would close his eyes and smile. Actually speaking he was greatly joyous on watching his lovable followers being fed.

When everyone had got prasad Baba asked that his mouth be rinsed and his hands washed. 

“ Baba you have not had a morsel of food so why are you getting your hands washed?” the devotees asked in amazement.

 “Haven't I told you to get them washed!” Baba persisted.

It appeared that he had relished the meal and was satisfied on having his close ones fed. Although he had given up having cereals for the past so many days. A little later,  on revered Devi ji's constant insistence,  Baba went to his room and drank some milk.

At night revered Devi ji coaxed Baba, “Kindly narrate some good legend to us. A faint smile spread across Baba's face. He recited that shloka which Bhisham Pitamah lying on the bed of arrows had chanted while adulating the beauty of Lord Krishna sitting in front of him:

Tribhuvan kaman tamaal varanh ravikar gaurvraambar dadhaane |
vapuralkakulaavritaannaabaj vijayasakhe ratirastu menvadhya ||
(Shrimad Bhagavat 1.9.32)

Bhisham Pitamah Adulating Lord Krishna


Actually speaking Baba was meditating upon Lord Krishna's madhur lilas or playful dalliance which become Him most of all. He was completely steeped in relishing the rasa of dark-hued Krishna's divine play. Baba wanted to explain through this shloka that his state was identical to that of Bhisham Pitamah who lay on a bed of arrows and was absorbed in reflecting upon Lord Krishna.


Dark-Hued Krishna


Manohar Baba's physical suffering was so intense that it was no less than lying on a spread of arrows but dark-hued Krishna, the reservoir of religious rapture, fluttered radiantly in front of him.


Manohar Baba with Shri Albeli Sharan ji


There is another example which showcases Baba's absorption in the ecstasy of Krishna. At 11 o'clock in the morning of 2nd September, Baba Albeli Sharan ji took the Mahant of Thakur Gorelal ji's Kunj to Venu Vinod Kunj for seeing Baba. Mahant ji sat on a chair supported by Baba's wooden bed. 

“ Why did you come in such scorching sun,” Baba asked soon after.

 “Baba we have come to have your darshan.”Mahant ji replied.

 Sitting in a joyously serious posture, Baba continued smiling. 

 “Baba! You must be in your parikar (inner circle of devotees)?” Cleverly Mahant ji managed to ask.

Instantly on hearing this remark Baba became thoughtful and an ecstatic lustre lit up his face. 

 “ Where is the doubt in this fact?” he responded.

Lord Krishna's Romantic Dalliance


At this statement Mahant ji and Baba Albeli Sharan ji were delighted to know that Baba was steeped in the realm of Lord Krishna's romantic dalliance.

Another incidence happened on 3rd September when Baba Albeli Sharan ji came to look up Baba. After sitting outside for a very long time he got up and respectfully bowing before Baba from the door itself, walked out. Dr.Chandresh had made Baba sit up and was taking out the oxygen tube from his nose, at that point of time. Baba said, “Go and call Albeli.” Dr. Chandresh went and got Baba Albeli Sharan ji. Thereafter leaning against the wooden bed, Baba Albeli Sharan sat down. Dr. Chandresh informed, “ Baba has come! Why did you call him?”

Manohar Baba replied, “ How come I asked for him! It was for darshan.” With folded hands Baba Albeli Sharan ji was astonished at Baba's saintly implicit belief in the Divine. Soon after, looking into Baba Albeli Sharan ji's eyes, Baba exulted, “One should not step out of this spiritual realm because the mundane world is full of grief.” He repeated this sentence twice.

The Realm of Lord Krishna's Nikunja


Hearing this remark Baba Albeli Sharan ji was content that Baba had reached the heights of elation and ecstasy in the nikunja of Krishna.

When he was staying in the room upstairs Baba once woke up all of a sudden from his sleep. At that point of time Pundit Rajesh Tiwari of Maheshwar was attending to his needs. On an indication from Baba he made him get up and sit. Soon after Baba enthused, “ Astonishing, astonishing! This electricity is amazing. The fan is striking.This oxygen machine is astonishing and these 31 hours are truly astonishing.”

Pundit Rajesh Tiwari quizzed, “ What is so astonishing about these thirty-six hours?” Soon enough Baba responded, “ Your Baba's battle in this material world is to last for another 31 hours.” This statement of his proved to be literally true after 31 hours had lapsed.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Saraswati Puja: 8th February, 2011

Saraswati Puja

Ma Saraswati is the goddes of academics and arts. Everyone prays to her for guidance and knowledge for which the Saraswati Vandana Mantra is recited by her devotees on Sarawati Puja and every morning. Mantra is an incantation and Vandana means a song dedicated to the goddess, begging her to remove our mental apathy.


The Saraswati Vandana Mantra:


Yaa Kundendu tushaara haara-dhavalaa,Yaa shubhra-vastra'avritaa |

Yaa veena-vara-danda-manditakara,Yaa shweta padma'asana ||

Yaa brahma'achyuta shankara prabhritibhir Devai-sadaa Vanditaa |

Saa Maam Paatu Saraswati Bhagavatee Nihshesha jaadyaa-pahaa ||


Goddess Saraswati

The one who is fair like the jasmine blossom, the moon and a garland of tushar flowers, and the one who is decked in radiant white clothes.

She whose hands are adorned by the most excellent veena, and the one who is seated on the pristine white lotus.

The one whose glories are constantly sung by Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh and other primary gods.

O Mother Bhagwati Saraswati get rid of my sluggish mental inertness.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

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

One fine day while dozing off in the courtyard of Venu Vinod Kunj Manorma Bahen ji saw Manohar Baba lying down on a wooden bed in his room.


Thakur Venu Vinod Bihari ji


Thakur Venu Vinod Bihari ji was standing at the head of his bed and gazing fixedly at him. On waking up she was very disturbed and ran up. 


When she asked Baba the reason for Thakur ji's looking at him so intently, he smiled faintly and replied, “I have been called upon to appear before the Divine.The body is at the final stage of its journey in the material world.”

Once Rasacharya Svami Shri Kunj Bihari Sharma, the eldest son of Rasacharya Svami Shri Ram ji Sharma, asked, “How are you feeling, Baba?”



The Realm of Lord Krishna Abounds in Religious Rapture


With great difficulty Manohar Baba answered, “I am feeling a sort of vacuum.” 

That is when Shri Kunj Bihari stated, “ Baba, the spiritual world abounds in religious rapture.” 

On this remark the ailing face of Baba was instantly  lit with an unprecedented lustre. 


The Divine Realm of Shri Radha-Krishna

“The divine realm is filled to the brim with the heights of elation and ecstasy. Where can it go?” he exulted soon after.

Baba's condition deteriorated considerably on 31st August,2009. His body stopped taking in oxygen.


Revered Devi ji


Seeing this miserable condition of Baba, revered Devi ji was extremely worried. She was incapable of repeatedly going to the first floor to look up Baba. Therefore on her insistence Manohar Baba agreed to stay in a room on the ground floor.

Soon after the room of revered Manorma Bahen ji was vacated and arrangements were made for Baba to stay in that room. Baba had used this room earlier for quite some time. Rasacharya Svami Shri Kunj Bihari ji Sharma picked up Baba in his lap and got him down from the upper storey. First of all Baba was made to sit with a chair's support before the bed of highly revered Shri Maharaj ji, in his room.



Shri Manohar Baba


 “ Baba,have you actually got a call from the Divine? Kindly wait," Revered Devi ji asked him.

“Yes, just for three days. Do not stop me now. Merely a span of three days are left for my departure. Hence no one should insist in any way for me to eat well nor should any person get my medical investigations done. At present I do not want to take any medication which makes me lose my consciousness,“instantly Baba responded

The entire parikar (inner circle of devotees) had surrounded Baba and was sitting in rapt attention.



Shri Balkrishan Das ji Maharaj


Baba was looking fixedly at the portrait of highly revered Shri Maharaj ji. Thereafter Baba talked some matters with revered Devi ji and Kusum Bahen ji in isolation. Soon after Baba was brought and made to sit in front of Thakur ji in the temple of Thakur Venu Vinod Bihari ji. The instant he affectionately gazed at Thakur ji, tears began streaming down his cheeks constantly. After this episode he was brought to his new room and made to lie down.

“ A bottle of attar is kept at a certain place in my room on the upper floor. Applying this attar on revered Thakur ji and Shri Maharaj ji, you should get the prasadi (remnants) attar and give it to me," Baba told Sushri Vijaya Mule his niece.

The news of revered Manohar Baba's condition deteriorating considerably spread like a wild forest fire to far off places. Since the past so many days Shri Shyam Mule and Shri Dilip Mule were attending to the needs of Baba along with their families. 

Indore

All  bhaktas-devotees of Baba living in Barwani, Indore, Khargaon, Bhopal, Lonara, Lucknow, Delhi, Maheshar, Gurgaon and other various regions, began heading for Vrindavan in whatever state they were and whichever means of transport they got. Everyone was ardently praying to God that their lovable Manohar Baba should recover as soon as possible.

Baba faced great difficultly in breathing. Sitting next to him for long and talking to him was strictly forbidden. Even so he met everyone, recognising them and accepting their respectful greetings. Several siddh saints, luminaries and associates of Vrindavan and its neighbouring regions were coming to have Baba's darshan. Right from the morning till late at night flocks of visitors thronged Venu Vinod Kunj to catch a glimpse of Manohar Baba.


Lord Krishna's Abode


Once again revered Devi ji coaxed Baba, “All the people are coming for your darshan and there are many of them who are on the way. Stay back for some more days.”

 Baba firmly replied, “Devi ji don't be adamant. Do not stop me, as of now. I have taken permission from Maharaj ji (for gaining entry into Lord Krishna's abode)”

While conversing with revered Devi ji he even recited this couple which Baba was very fond of:

Nazar se nazar milee, mulaakaat ho gayee |
Aankhon hee aankhon mein unse baat ho gayee ||

Very briefly revered Manohar Baba would ask about the well-being of those people who called upon him. Simultaneously he would smile faintly and say 'Naryana-Narayan' to the person who wanted to take his leave and go back home.



Manohar Baba Sitting in the Courtyard of Venu Vinod Kunj


When the afternoon had passed Baba wished to come out of his room and sit in the courtyard. Consequently he was made to sit in a chair outside his room. Several members of his family were sitting near him.


 Lord Krishna's Lila


Baba was smiling ecstatically and with eyes closed he was relishing the lilas or divine play of Lord Krishna. Off and on he would open his eyes with great effort and casting a glance on everyone shut his eyes again. Revered Devi ji was very distressed to see Baba's feeble condition. She was repeatedly wiping the tears streaming down her cheeks with her dhoti.

Observing Baba's physical suffering, the entire parikar was fervently praying to Thakur Venu Vinod Bihari and revered Shri Maharaj ji that they should reduce Baba's painful anguish and make him absolutely healthy.

Vinaya Patrika: Surya Stuti

Surya Stuti

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The Sun God


Diina-dayaalu divaakara devaa | kara muni,manuja,suraasura sevaa ||1||

hima-tama-kari-kehari karamaalii | dahana dosha-dukha-durita rujaalii ||2||

koka-kokanada-loka-prakaasi | teja prataapa-ruupa-rasa-raasii ||3||

saarathi-pa:ngu, dibya ratha-gaamii | hari sa:nakara-bidhi-muurati svaamii ||4||

beda-puraana praga.ta jasa jaagai | tulasii raama-bhagati bara maangai ||5||


O Sun God, compassionate to the poor ! All the sages, human beings, gods and demons do your seva or attend to your needs. You are the lion, lord of the jungle, who destroys the elephants of darkness and frost; always wearing a necklace of sunbeams; who reduces our vices, griefs, evil deeds and diseases to ashes.You are the one delighting the Brahminy duck (cakva) by making it unite with its mate who has been separated at night, the one who makes lotuses bloom and the one who lights up all the lokas (cosmological regions).


You are the reservoir of brilliance, glory, beauty and joy. You traverse on a divine chariot and Aruna your charioteer also personified as the redness that accompanies the sunlight at dawn and dusk, is maimed. O Lord ! You are actually the visible form of Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma. Your glories sung in the Vedas and Puranas are dazzling. Tulsidas Das asks you to grant him the boon of religious devotion for Shri Ram.