Chapter 7: Paying Homage to The Guru ( Usha Bahenji's Birth Anniversary: 30th July, 2026)

 Lord Shiva, the Adi Guru

Understanding and enlightenment make us close to God. Assisting us in the attainment of Shri Krishna, Lord Shiva grants means and fruition of union with the Divine.Shiva was content in serving the lotus feet of Krishna when the Supreme Lover insisted that He ask for a boon.

Delightedly, Krishna exulted,"Oh Shiv! There is no one more dear to me than you. The unaware sinner who scorns you is tormented in hell as long as the moon and sun reign." 

Lord Shiva, 'The Auspicious One', works for our well being, is the refuge of loving tenderness, is splendidly generous, bestows religious devotion to Krishna, is the guru of deities and is Maha Yogeshwar.Shiva, the supreme Vaishnava, is often venerated as the Adi Guru, the first Guru, who resides in the spiritual mentors of this mundane world.

Supreme Lover Krishna's  Rasa Lila

Shiva underwent a metamorphosis because He ardently longed to have a glimpse of Krishna's Rasa. Abandoning His masculine identity, He assumed a female form as a beautiful young maiden by the grace of the Braja balas. Easily pleased Lord Shankar had the good fortune of being the guru of revered Bahenji. He manifested for her and made a spectral revelation.

Lord Shiva is Adi Dakshinamurthy

It was not a common occurrence to send Sakhaji, a close sakhi of Shri Radha-Krishna's parikar (inner circle of devotees) to narrate their divine play to Bobo. Handsome Krishna is easily attainable and it does not seem essential to have a guru as tradition demands. However, we need a spiritual guide to express and experience the pivotal concept of madhurya, the sweetness of Krishna. Immortal Shiva freed from the cycle of birth-death, is worth paying homage to as a mentor.

Guru Purnima, the Day of the Full Moon

The incident dates to the time when Bobo had come to Vrindavan. After a bath in the Yamuna she was heading homewards, accompanied by Sushila Bahenji, Vijay and others. It was Guru Purnima (the day of full moon in the month of Ashadh of the Hindu calendar). 

The Yugal Ghat, Vrindavan

While walking in the fields opposite  to the Yugal Ghat she thought, "Today is Guru Purnima and everyone says one can not attain salvation without a mentor -then who is my guru," and instantly the great Vaishnava, Lord Shankar with His wife Parvati and son Ganesha were clearly visible in the sky, slightly higher than the temple's platform.

Lord Shiva with Ma Parvati & Ganesha

Mother Parvati was clad in a red sari and adorned in the best of finery. Child Ganesha was also present with his spirited antics. Lord Shankar was resplendent with matted yellow hair which shone like heated gold.The holy Ganges and crescent moon rested on His head. A beautiful blue hue was apparent in His throat. 

Garlanded with a serpent, He assured her in a deep sweet voice," I am your Guru."

She reverentially bowed before Him, there itself. With His radiant trishul He repeatedly touched Bobo's forehead and blessed her. Ecstatic at this turn of events, she returned home silently. Consequently she remained the recipient of His grace throughout her life span.

Shri Radha, the Godhead in Female Form

Sometimes there was talk of the Yugal Mantra with Usha ji. The Chintamani Mantra was sacrosanct for her and every moment she would chant the Maha Mantra; a prayer to Radha, the Godhead in female form. Basically the mantra is asking mother Hara, that is Radha to please engage us in Krishna's service. Expressing and experiencing her love for Radha-Krishna was paramount for Usha ji and there was no restraint of japa and dhyan. Whether it was in the pleasure of belonging or the pathos of longing, participating in the innocent lilas of Krishna or being charmed by His flute she  reflected the madhurya of Krishna in equal measure.

Bhaktimati Usha Bahenji, Fondly Known as Bobo

Bobo ji never opposed the conventional norm of mantra deeksha but she didn't give the Yugal Mantra to others for chanting except for a chosen few . Even on being much elder in age and dignity she was simply addressed and known by all as Bobo or Bahenji. Moved by her loving tenderness, disciples felt so close to her that they regarded her as their elder sister or Bobo. She was their true Guru, revered sister and the much respected teacher. As far as bhava was concerned she was their friend or sakhi and a loving mother. Summing up we can say that she was the very essence of their being.

Those great saints who are eternally steeped in the love of Radha-Krishna are not conscious of wearing a tilak, kanthi, a conch shell and discus mark on their shoulder joint. It is not as if they are violating religious restraints in a land of highly restrictive social conventions but this happens instinctively.

Shri Radha-Krishna

Bhaktimati Usha Bahenji used to always warn devotees of being enamoured by worldly fame. Ushaji opined that one should adopt a simple lifestyle and conventional norms which assist us in the attainment of Priya-Priyatam, the Supreme Lover and His Beloved.

The traditional order of her guru lineage is given below:

Shri Krishna

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Lord Shankar

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Shri Ushaji

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|Shri Sushilaji |Darshan |Uma |Vijay |Other Devotees

Chapter 6: Synopsis of Ushaji's Family (Bhaktimati Usha Bahenji's Birth Anniversary: 30th July, 2026)

 Affection for Krishna

Undisputedly, where there is presence of constant affection, spirituality, good education, closeness and the family is steeped in religious devotion, stripped of worldly desires, the household is considered excellent.

Muzaffarnagar

Muzaffarnagar is a famed district in the western part of Uttar Pradesh. Kairana, its tehsil is situated on the banks of the Yamuna. Shri Vishnu Swarup Bhatnagar was a resident here and owned plenty of land. He was employed as a tehsildar or sub-collector of revenue in the British Sarkar and had a transferable job.

Forman Christian College, Lahore

Vishnu Swarup had several children but those who survived were a daughter residing in Hyderabad (Andhra) with her son-and a son Manmohan Swarup, the father of Usha Bahenji on whom the biography is written. Manmohan Swarup did post graduation from Forman Christian College of Lahore, the current education centre and came to reside in Ambala. He got married to the daughter of Manmohan ji, a wealthy man of Sikandarabad (Bulandshahr.) She was also a spiritualist.

Ishq e haqiqi

Manmohan Swarup had three daughters and four sons. Ushaji was the eldest and thus had several responsibilities. Her father invariably failed to deal with practicalities. Fond of creating poetry and delighted on writing verses, he wrote in Hindi as well as Urdu but Urdu poems were his forte. His compositions reflect the Urdu poets' 'Ishq e haqiqi' or love of God along with the shayars' complaints, laments, moaning and appeals.

Bhakti reigned in the life of Shyama, themother of Ushaji. Along with the household she did her routine seva and puja of Thakurji to perfection. An ideal housewife,everyone could sense her loving tenderness.

All brothers and sisters shared a loving relationship. Once the financial condition of the house was constrained and all the chores had to be done personally, even the scouring of utensils. Ushaji was always short of time and her hands were allergic to washing pots and pans. Shri Shakti Mohan, eldest of the brothers but younger to Bahenji, came to know of this predicament and offered to scrub them and she could just wash the lot. Her heart melted at this sudden show of immense concern.

Rashtrapati Bhavan, Delhi

The second brother Shrish Mohan had interest in poetry and was an articulate orator. Composing poems, recitinbbg and discussing them came easily to him. He was residing in Delhi with his family and shared a friendly bond with Ushaji.

The third and fourth brothers did not get married. Shyam Sundar,the third brother taught for some time in college and at home as well. He had a sense of self-dependence,  right from the start. The education centre soon transformed into a pivot of spirituality, laying the foundation of an ideal way of life. He had gathered in-depth knowledge of Hindi literature from an early age.

Spirituality's perspective was nurtured in the closeness and direction of revered Bahen ji. Several seekers found an answer to their longing for union with the divine. Transforming from 'Sadashiv College' to ' Sadashiv Satsang Shali', it is a refuge for hungering devotees till date.

The youngest brother, Shruti Mohan was employed in several important government jobs. While working he had a heart attack and died at an early age.

The Yugal Sarkar of Usha Bahenji

Uma, the elder sister and Utma, the younger one, are staying with their small families in Delhi and Hissar respectively. The service both of them have rendered to Bahen ji, who was steeped in a spiritual way of life, attending to her physical needs, personal necessities and mentally, is beyond comparison. They distinctively contributed to the singing of padas and kirtans and helped out in Thakur seva intermittently.

The entire highly educated and ideal family was influenced by affection and dignity along with observing a proper decorum.

Chapter 5: Ushaji's Education (Bhaktimati Usha Bahenji's Birth Anniversary:30th July,2026)

Krishna Bhakti

Intelligence is an inborn mental faculty. It can be acquired but is primarily granted by God. The creeper of Usaji Bahenji's life blossomed on the ground of bhakti and she was brought up under it's perspective. Steeped in that bhava, her persona was distinctly empowered and unfolded before everyone with the passage of time.

Shri Hanuman

We have mentioned earlier that Munno had gathered initial knowledge of Hindi and English from her mother, Shyamaji. A maulvi (teacher esp of Arabic or Persian) who was a friend of her father would come to teach her Urdu. She became well-versed in this language as well. Being an avid reader, she browsed through several literary works and evaluated them in the process. Many a time when the maulvi saheb arrived and she was not interested in studying for some particular reason; she entreated Hanuman ji and remembered the divine play of handsome Krishna to relieve her of this task.

Being sharp-witted, Munno imbibed the context of the text very fast. I have heard that merely by reading a book she could retain its essence. Later on she began studying in the coaching centre run by Jagdish Chandra Josh, in his own inimitable style. Boys were mostly enrolled as students here. The principal,Mr.Josh considered her his daughter and was like a family member. Invariably she stood first in the class.

Her short height and innocence,an innate virtue, made her the recipient of the students'  and teachers' affection. In the absence of a teacher in the class when a fellow- student played mischief she would inevitably save him from the consequent reprimand. Often there were some naughty elements present in the class. 

Once a boy named Anwar wrote 'I love you,' on a piece of paper and handed it to her. 

She was delighted and showing it to her principal exulted innocently,' Master Saheb,have a look! Anwar Bhaiya loves me." The principal scolded the boy and hence she wept, heading home.

Her father was well-educated and famed as an upholder of justice. Patiently he explained that her mother, brother and he loved her deeply but never wrote it down to prove their point. The boy was lying that he was fond of her, which the teacher very well knew of and thus he was beaten. She grasped this fact and went to study the next day.

Lord Krishna Epitomises Truth

Her father was a very truthful person which definitely influenced the young girl. Once she held an artefact in her hand and on being questioned somehow affirmed that she had made it. He pointed out that truth is the ideal of mankind. Ever since, she never spoke of anything other than the truth. "I detest lies!" she would often opine. God is the epitome of truth as He unveils the best and worst of acts.

Time passed by and once again the seasons changed according to their sequence. The naivety of childhood transformed into curiosity seeking answers and an ardent longing began to seek its tangible form. Essential issues forayed into her life and she turned earnestly thoughtful.

Munno's interest in studies escalated. She entered the senior classes of school and was very particular about punctuality. A conscientious student,Munno had the competence to answer a question the instant it was asked by her teacher. Having a lean physique,she often leapt from one terrace to another and jumped down from there. The feat was a symbol of her indomitable courage. She played cricket and carom. Adored by both teachers and class-fellows, the growing up girl completed her school education.

Munno Loved Reading the Shastras & Puranas

Being under age Munno could not give her tenth grade examination and appeared for one in Hindi Lterature instead. She gained in-depth knowledge of Hindi, English, Urdu and Sanskrit. Browsing through several religious scriptures, periodicals-magazines, novels and plays, she even read shastras-puranas, epic poems, 'Kalyan', 'Kalptaru', 'Maya', entertaining stories and 'The Illustrated Weekly'. Her desire was to sit in a large room full of books and continue reading.

Munno Imbibed the Bhagwad Gita

At the other end Munno imbibed all the Shastras, Puranas, Bhagwad Gita, Upanishadas and the celebrated Shrimad Bhagwat and they became an intrinsic part of her life.

Lahore

There was a gradual change in the circumstances at home. Her father faced financial constraint in running the house and applied for a post in an insurance company. A senior company official had to visit Ambala for some reason and he considered talking to Manmohan ji in this context. On dropping in he met Munno and was astonished to note the fluent English conversation of this short young girl. She revealed that correct rendition of the language had been imbibed from her father. The Bengali official was highly impressed. In a few days time Manmohan ji was appointed as an adjudicator in the company based in Lahore because of her.

University of Punjab

Along with graduation Munno gave the Acharya Examination in Hindi and passed with flying colours. At the other front she appeared for M. A. in Punjab University and stood second. Merely getting a certificate was not her aim. Studying conscientiously,she garnered in-depth knowledge of the subject.

Ushaji had an inherent expertise to fabricate new designs. She had an artistic disposition with a distinct skill in the art of painting. Beauty was her innate virtue, apparent in her demeanour and loving tenderness which invariably drew people to her. Above all, her absorption in Lord Krishna's lila or divine play and her array of accomplishments revolved around Radhe-Krishna or the Beloved and the Supreme Lover. She had absolute mastery over the art of singing and could set music to the toughest of padas. After coming to Braj she became well-versed in the Braj dialect as well.