Chapter 37: Shriji Meets Shri Lakshmanjoo Raina, a Siiddh Saint of Kashmir

Swami Lakshmanjoo Raina

Swami Lakshmanjoo was a saint of the highest order of Kashmir. He had great influence on the entire state All the Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Europeans living there considered him venerable.

Kamala Baba, a lady devotee residing in Delhi, was a disciple of Swamiji and had great reverence for Shriji as well.

Lathmar Holi of Barsana

The festival of Holi is celebrated with much of joyous abandon in Braj. The Holi of Shri Barsana is considered the best in this region. Visitors coming from long distances consider themselves to be very fortunate on seeing the scene of Holi. Once Kamala Baba expressed her strong desire to her gurudev for seeing the Holi of Barsana-Nandgaon. When Shri Swamiji gave his assent, she begged Shriji to come to Barsana-Nandgaon on Holi. Getting his acceptance , she was very pleased. Shri Swamiji had reached Barsana from Delhi on the occasion of Holi. Taking Shri Thakurji along revered Shriji had also reached Barsana from Vrindavan. It was the coming together of two great personages, for the first time.

Kashmir

After witnessing the festival of Holi,Shri Swamiji came and rested in Delhi. On this very day the basis of a journey to Kashmir was contemplated amidst talks. Kamalaji's insistence that Shriji must come to Kashmir went on. Shri Maharajji hinted at taking the rasa mandal along, which was gladly accepted by Kamalaji. Revered Shriji and Ghanshyamji, along with the rasa mandali of Swami Shri Ramji, reached Kashmir in 1968.  Kusumji and Kamalaji were also called there a little later.  

Thakurji & Shriji in the Rasa Lila

Mohan and Vishnu used to enact the roles of Thakurji(Lord Krishna) and Shriji (Radha Rani)me at that time. Their enactment was very enthralling. No rasa mandali had ever been to Kashmir. A 'Rasa' being organised here was an extraordinary event. Lilas of the Lord's playful dalliances were enacted for twenty days at a stretch. Shri Swamiji also took great interest in the performances.

 Amrtisar

 Shriji came back to Amritsar later and stayed at the house of Shri Chamanlal and his wife Premlataji for around five to seven days. Kamalaji's family had darshan of Shriji in Amritsar. Her sister Pramilaji had great faith in Shriji. Satsang  and kirtan singing went on here.

Shriji wished to meet Swamiji again . So he went to Kashmir with Thakurji and Kusumji. On this visit he got an opportunity to sit near venerable Swamiji for two hours every day. He would sit by Swamiji's side for a couple of hours. Besides, Shriji would carry on with his writing here.  

Pahalgam,Kashmir

One fine day Thakur Ghanshyamji took Shriji to Pahalgam. On hearing an account of Shri Amarnathji from a Ramanandi saint, Shri Ghanshyamji longed to have darshan of Amarnathji.

 Amarnath, Kashmir

At Pahalgam, Shriji stayed at a Panditji's place, who was a recipient of Shri Swami ji's grace. Shri Ghanshyamji and Kusumji, ardently longed to have darshan of Shri Amarnathji and left for the pilgrimage after making makeshift arrangements. 

Sheshnag

 There was such heavy snowfall high up in the mountains that it was not possible to go beyond Sheshnag. They rested here for the night.

“Come back! Do come back!” Early morning at around 6 AM revered Shriji warned Kusumji in her drowsy state

Assuming this command to be a dream, the two of them continued to advance ahead. Nothing could be seen except a vast expanse of snow all around.

In the meantime one doesn't know from where two pathans came walking from the front and cautioned them, “ Babu! What will you do if your horse dies? If you remain alive, the pilgrimage can be undertaken again. ”

While saying these words, a pathan caught the bridle of Ghanshyamji horse and turned it around, speaking authoritatively, “Go, turn back!”

Divine protection thus arrived in the form of that Pathan Bhai in such a desolate region. Thereafter, Ghanshyamji and Kusumji reached back safely to Shri ji in Pahalagam.

Madan Gopala Resides in My Heart

At that time Shriji was singing the pada 'vastu mano mam madan gopale ' which means 'Madan Gopala resides in my heart.'

 “ I was just waiting for both of you because I had heard your voices, some time back,” he disclosed.

Staying for a day in Pahalgam they came back to Srinagar.

A Shikara on Dal Lake

One fine day Shriji went for a shikara ride on Dal Lake. Lotuses were blossoming in abundance in the lake.

 “These lotuses should be reaching Vrindavan,” Shriji exclaimed on seeing them.

Lotus Flowers Blooming in Dal Lake

Getting to know of Shriji's wish Thakurji (Ghanshyamji) called for the boatman and asked him to pluck lotuses and get them. The shikara was loaded with these lotuses and they came home with a sack full of these flowers.

Bus Ride from Srinagar to Jammu

Seeing them, Kamalaji said that the bus would refuse to take so much of weight. Shriji kept quiet and did not say a word. However, astonishingly when the luggage was loaded onto the bus nobody noticed this sack. Being a post bus it did not stop anywhere on the way. As soon as they reached Jammu, the train going to Mathura was ready to leave. All of them reached Vrindavan, the very next day.

Everyone was amazed that people ge artifacts from Kashmir, but Shriji had got lotuses, and that too in such great quantity. Kamal Kunj or the cluster of lotuses was beautifully displayed that evening. Soon after, lotuses were distributed in several temples. 

Seva Kunj, Vrindavan

 An array of lotuses was decorated in Seva Kunj as well. On one hand everyone was delighted with Shriji's arrival and on the other hand the added joy of being flooded with lotuses and wrapping them, enthralled everyone.