Chapter 30: Kusumji's Arrival in Shri Vrindavan Dham

Shri Vrindavan Dham

Shri Deviji's sister and brother-in-law, Brahma and Harprasadji had come to Shri Dham in 1950. On returning home they gave news that the cousin sisters Deviji and Krishnaji were residing in Vrindavan, and talked about Shriji to Deviji's father. He had got no information about the two cousins till date.

Shri Deviji (left) with Shriji & Baba

He was hanging on to the only thread of hope-the letter which Shri Deviji had left while renouncing the world, in which she had written : We will be able to meet after seven years.'

In the meantime Shri Deviji's heartbroken mother had died due to illness caused by  sorrow. One of her brothers had also passed away, leaving his parents wailing in grief and two of her elder sisters had been married. Now only Kusum and Shashi, two of Deviji's younger sisters and her brother Shiv Kumar lived at home. Being elder,  Kusumji deftly carried out the responsibility of taking care of her sister and brother, helping her father, besides pursuing her studies in this trying situation. Her father loved Kusum as a son and had full faith in her. So be it! 

 Shri Balkrishna Das ji Maharaj (Shriji)

When he got news of the two cousins, exactly seven years after Deviji had renounced the world, he came to Shri Dham alone. Having darshan of Shriji he stayed on for a few days and went back. A few months later, Shri Deviji's father came with the whole family, including Kusumji, to Vrindavan. Kusumji had already imbibed the family's spiritual attributes. How could she possibly remain untouched by the religious ambiance and the unfailing influence of Shriji's satsang or holy company.

Shikarpur, Bulandshahr

In 1952, Shri Deviji's father took Shriji and all of us to his residence in Shikarpur. Shriji's satsang went on there for  fifteen days. The whole family was very impressed but the satsang had a great impact on Kusumji. An attraction to the  path of religious devotion and special reverence for Shriji, rose in her inner being. Her heart took a turn. Staying there for fifteen days we came back  to Shri Dham with Kusumji and her father.  

Kusumji got to experience the divine ambiance of the Ganga Mandir here and the affectionate doting love of Shriji and his parikar (inner circle of associates).She was much impressed by Shri Deviji's life of spiritual practice and an ardent longing to spend her life and live in Vrindavan was awakened in her.

The Mahamantra

A saint's grace folded Kusumji in it's embrace. Shriji told her to chant the 'Mahamantra' one lakh times, as a daily routine. He made her sit in front of him and taught her how to pronounce God's Name and count beads of the holy string.

Furthermore,Shriji showed her his real svarupa or identity through a splendid perception in the Ganga Mandir and obliged her.

A Sakhi Standing Near Shri Radha-Krishna

 Kusumji saw that near the steps of a pond surrounded by an arbour overgrown with creepers, a sakhi was standing near Supreme Lover Krishna and His Beloved Shri Radha. Many sakhis were stepping out of the arbour.

The instant Kusumji wondered , ' Who could Maharajji be among them?' The sakhi standing closest to Shri Radha-Krishna smiled and Maharajji 's face was reflected in her face.

After this divine incident her decision to surrender at the feet of Shriji took no time.

When Kusumji told her father of her resolve to take to religious devotion and reside in Vrindavan in an unmarried state, he was stunned. But what could he do? She continued visiting her house off and on to console him. On the occasion of her sister's and brother's marriages she went home and took the entire responsibility on herself,  getting all the work done successfully.  

 

Shri Vrindavan Dham

Thereafter, she came to settle permanently  in Shri Vrindavan Dham. Her family members revealed later that the day she had finally left home her father had wept so bitterly that his wailing could melt a stone. He had not cried in this fashion even on his son's death.

Revered Maharajji  would always console Kusumji's father, “ She is certainly your daughter whether she lives here or there.  Why are you disappointed? This daughter of yours will serve you.”

In this manner Kusumji settled in Shri Dham and always remained the supreme recipient of Shriji's grace and affection.

Sacred Tulsi Plant

Once Kusumji was counting beads of the sacred string as she sat near the sacred tulsi plant in the Ganga Mandir.

Shriji speedily passed by as he said, “By counting the beads and chanting the Name of God near the basil plant, Lord Krishna definitely comes.”

 Lord Krishna Seen in Blue-hued Light

All of a sudden, a blue-hued light flashed near her, in the midst of which she had the vision of Lord Krishna. Her body trembled in ecstasy.

Shriji thus bathed Kusumji with his grace. She always got the chance of attending to his needs and being in his proximity.