Chapter 40: Shriji Meets Great Saint Shri Radha Baba & Bhaiji

Shri Radha Baba

Shri Swami Chakradharji (later famed as Radha Baba) was a unique personage of India. He was an incarnation of Shri Radha's love for Krishna. 

Shri Radha Baba & Bhaiji

 Radha Baba had been living in Gita Vatika, Gorakpur in close proximity to Bhaiji (Shri Hanuman Prasad Podddar) since the past so many years. Bhaiji and he were like one soul and two bodies. Who would be unacquainted with his renunciation, detachment and state of supreme love?

The Radha Bhava

Because of being constantly steeped in the Radha Bhava[1]  he came to be known as Radha Baba. His conduct was tested on the touchstone of Absolute Truth. Earlier his spiritual state had been based on Brahma[2] but by the grace of Bhaiji he was passionately drawn towards Prema Bhakti the highest stage of selfless love for Krishna. Radha Baba was an unparalleled scholar of Sanskrit. Besides being adept in English he had unlimited knowledge of other languages as well. Radha Baba had access to 'Vedanta[3]' and 'Tantra Vidya' . He took active part in the revolutionary movement because  patriotic service to the country was his first objective. Consequently, he had to go to jail many times. After  living as a householder for some time he renounced everything. 

 Shri Radha Baba has been staying as a sanyasi in Gita Vatika for the past several years, and he has attained the supreme state of 'Prema Bhakti.'

Jayadal Goendaka

Shri Maharajji and Radha Baba had had no direct meeting so far. There was a great difference in the lifestyles of both these eminent personalities. In the presence of Brahmanisht[4] Saint Shri Seth Jaydayal Goendaka,  Gita Press Gorakhpur was strictly restrained by conventional norms. When someone would go and tell Shri Baba about the strange ways of lovelorn Shri ji who was constantly besotted by prema for Krishna he would become thoughtful. Once when I had gone for darshan of Baba to Gorakhpur for the first time he had  asked me a couple of questions about Shriji.

Shri Ghanshyamji

Shri Ghanshyamji had been constantly living with Shriji after the construction of Venu Vinod Kunj. It has already been mentioned that he shared a close relationship with Shri Radha Baba and Shri Poddarji since the time he used to enact the role of Lord Krishna in the Rasa Lila.

Birla Mandir, Mathura

Once during a vow of absolute silence, Shri Baba had come to Mathura with Shri Bhaiji and was staying at the Birla Mandir. Taking Shri Ghanshyamji along Shriji had gone to have darshan of Shri Baba for the very first time. Both the great personalities met each other lovingly. 

Shri Balkrishna Das ji Maharaj Meets Shri Radha Baba

The two of them kept holding hands and continued sitting for hours together. Since Shri Baba had taken kasht maun, the vow of absolute silence, nothing in particular could be talked of. Shriji became rapturous and tears constantly streamed down his cheeks. When it became tough for him to control the spiritual emotion, Shriji got up carefully and freeing his hands, came outside. Later on, he had told us that he would have fainted if he had not got up. This was their first mute meeting.

Shriji's Satsang in Venu Vinod Kunj

A few years after this incident, Shri Bhaiji's daughter Savitri Bai had  come to Shri Dham with her daughter Radha. Being in contact with Ghanshyamji, she had come to Venu Vinod Kunj to look up Shriji. Savitri Bai was very much impressed by Shriji's satsang. While leaving she insisted that Shriji pay a visit to Gorakhpur. Sensing her feelings Shriji assured her that he would come do so. Savitri Bai had found the ambiance of Venu Vinod Kunj to be loaded with feelings and affection.

Gorakhpur

Shriji wanted to visit Gorakhpur when Shri Baba's vow of silence would get over. Shri Baba broke his vow of silence after two years. Shriji made a plan to go there with Ghanshyamji and Bhaiji was informed telegraphically.  He reached Gorakhpur with Ghanshyamji as scheduled. Shri Bhai ji had sent Shri Hariji and some persons with a car to the station as per the information he had received. 

Shri Hanuman Prasad Poddar (Bhaiji)

Soon after, Shriji met Bhaiji.

He touched one of his feet when Bhaiji stopped him.“ What you just did was not right,”

” How was it not right ? I have been deprived of touching the other foot,” Shriji responded.

After talking for fifteen minutes, Bhaiji sent him to Shri Radha Baba with Shri  Krishnachandra Agrawal.

Sitting in the verandah of his hut, Shri Radha Baba was talking to someone when Shri Maharajji reached Gita Vatika. An attendant ran and informed Shri Baba of Shriji's arrival.

 Shriji Meets Shri Radha Baba in Gorakhpur

Getting up eagerly Radha Baba said, “ He has shown great grace! He had done  a great favour unto us!” and spread out the blanket for Shriji to sit on.

After prostrating and greeting him, Shriji sat on the floor instead of the blanket. Loving talk ensued for some time. Arrangements for Shriji's stay had been made at the ascertained place.

The regular spiritual discourse of Bhaiji which would go on in the evening had been discontinued for some time due to his ill heartlh.

“Shri Maharajji has particularly come to hear you speak on the Divine ,”Ghanshyamji told Bhaiji

 “ In that case I am certainly going to say something,” Shri Bhaiji instantly replied.

Bhaiji Begins His Spiritual Discourse

When Shriji reached there in the evening he saw that Bhaiji had got down from his bed and was sitting on the floor with everyone despite his ill health. Shriji was pained to see this scene. He requested Bhaiji to sit on the bed and say something.

' All right! If you agree to sit on the chair for the sake of my happiness, I shall sit on the bed,” responded Bhaiji.

Taking his ailing health into consideration Shriji had to agree to this suggestion of his.

A question concerning Shri Haridasji's death was lodged in Shriji's mind. Dying in an unconscious state, how could he have remembered God in spite of being a devotee of the highest order?

So be it! At the scheduled time Bhaiji's discourse started with this shloka:

The Padma Purana

yadi vatadidoshen madbhakto ma hi vismaret  |

ahan smarami madbhaktan nayami parman gatim  ||

(Patalkhand, Padma Purana)

'If my devotee forgets Me at his last moment due to the onset of defective cardinal humours like wind etc., I Myself remember him and bestow param gati , supreme salvation on him.'

Thus due to his antaryamitva[5] or intuitive power to read others' thoughts, Bhaiji could give an answer to Shriji's question. Even after the spiritual discourse he continued talking to Shriji. When two lovers converse it is unique because their hearts are overwhlemed with prema[6]. The people who were watching this emotional scene were truly fortunate. Coming to the hut, Shriji had later said that Bhaiji had a tremendous power of antaryamitva or insight and that is why he could instantly solve his mental dilemma.

Gita Vatika, Gorakhpur

Shriji stayed at Gita Vatika for seven days. He would daily go for Shri Bhaiji's satsang in the evening and even get  time to sit with Shri Baba.

Shri Krishna Has Arrived From Braj

One fine day Shriji and Shri Radha Baba were sitting among some loving devotees, when Shri Baba pointed towards Shriji and began exclaiming loudly, “Look! Lord Krishna Himself has come from Braj Dham. Efface the statement that He does not leave Vrindavan. Look! Has he come or not?”

 “He has showered us with his grace! He has showered us with his grace” Shri Baba was ecstatic for very long and kept repeating this sentence.

The two saints who forever lived in the world of their inner spiritual selves, alone knew of their mutual experiences. Others could only intellectually reflect over them. However, the meeting and that joy was indescribable. When two oceans of love surge forth and meet each other, face to face, the beauteous form of Lord Krishna is certainly dallying between them.

Sangeet Madhava

One fine day Shriji sang the following verse to Shri Baba from ' Sangeet Madhava[7]':

'var seemant rasamrit-sarnni dritsindoor-surekham  |

shrivrisbhanu-kulambudhi-sambhav-subhagsudhakar-lekham  ||

                                               smartu mana mum nirvadhi radham  |

madhupati-roopgunn-shravannodit-sahaj manobhav-badhaam  ||

suruchir kavari virajit komal-parimal malli sumalam  |

madochal khanjan khelan ganjan lochan kamal vishalam  ||

mad kariraj virajdanuttam-chalit lalit gati bhangeem  |

ati sukumar kanak nav-champak gaur madhur madhurangam  ||

manni-keyoor lalit valyavali, manndit –mridubhujvallim  |

pratipadamadbhut roop chamatkriti mohan yuvati matallim  ||

mridu-mridu haas lalit mukhmandal krit sashibimb vidambam  |

kinkinni jal khachit prithu sunder navrasrashi nitambam  ||

chitrit kanchulika sthagitodbhatt kuch hatak ghat shobham  |

safurdarunnadhar swadu sudharas-krit-harimanas lobham  ||

sunder chibuk virajit mohan mechak-bindu vilasam  |

saknak-ratnkhachit prithu mauktik ruchi ruchirojjval-nasam  ||

ujjwal rag rasamrit-sagar sar tanu sukhrupam  |

nipatit madhav mugdh manomrig nabhi sudharsakupam  ||

noopurhar-manohar kundal-kritruchimrunndukoolam  |

pathi-pathi madanmadakul gokulchandra-kalit padmoolam  ||

rasik saraswati-geet mahadbhut radha roop-rahasyam  |

vrindavanras-lalas-mansamidmupgayam vasayam  ||

 Blissful Moon Shri Radha

' O my heart, remember Radha interminably! That good vermilion marked hair-parting of Shri Radha is a relishing channel of nectar. Born in the oceanic family of Shri Vrishbhanu, Shri Radha is the happy moon displaying that beam. Her self- esteem has been annulled by listening to the natural qualities of Madhupati (Lord Krishna.)

Her braid is garlanded with fragrant jasmine flowers. Her big, besotted eyes appear like frolicsome wagtails. Her gait matches that of a majestic elephant's walk. Every limb of hers is golden and sweet, white like a fresh, soft 'champaka' flower. Her delicate arms are ornamented with various jewelled bracelets. Shri Radha is such a grand young woman that she entices with her miraculous beauty and body.
 

Shri Radha Enchants Lord Krishna

The charm of the sweet smiling face of Shri Radha disregards the glowing halo of the full moon Such is Shri Radha that a pleasing melodious girdle, studded with tinkling bells, is fastened around her waist. Her golden peaked nipples are covered with a painted bodice. Shri Radha's tremulous lips are so luscious that they have ensnared the heart of Lord Krishna. A dainty black dot is enshrined on the charming chin of Shri Radha. Her nose shines with the glow of a thick gold and diamond studded pearl decorating it.

The navel of Shri Radha is a pleasant ocean full of the nectar of love which has turned Madhava's heart into a deer. Shri Radha has put on a red robe whose splendour has been magnified with garlands, earrings and anklets. 

 

 Dark-hued Krishna Holding Shri Radha's Feet

 Impelled by Eros, the god of love, Gokulchandra Krishna has held the feet of Shri Radha on several pathways.

Mystical Beauty of Shri Radha

Thus the great secret of Shri Radha’s ineffable beauty has been sung by luscious Saraswati. Those who ardent long to relish Vrindavana must sing the glories of Shri Radha's mystical beauty.'

Baba Reached the Heights of Elation & Ecstasy

On listening to this pada[8] venerable Baba reached the heights of elation and ecstasy. Shri Baba had also called Shri Chimanlalji Goswami to listen to the devotional verse.

Shriji wished to return to Shri Dham after eight days. He sent Ghanshyamji to seek Bhaiji's permission for taking leave.

 “He is leaving so soon! Owing to his presence the satsang was going on so spiritedly,” hearing this entreaty Shri Bhaiji exclaimed in astonishment

Shri Bhaiji was dejected. He wished that Shri Maharajji would stay on for a few more days but Shriji had to leave for Shri Dham because of Janmashtami.

Bhaiji Was Very Sick

This was the first and final meeting of Shriji with Shri Bhaiji in 1970. Gradually Bhaiji's illness was assuming a terrifying fatal form. Owing to his being extremely unwell, meeting him was strictly prohibited. His parikarjan had this faint hope that probably Shri Radha Baba would check his departure, but when Shri Bhaiji himself had obtained Baba's permission to leave this mundane world, it was kind of certain that the sun was about to set soon. Therefore, the ban which had been imposed on meeting Shri Bhaiji was lifted. Everyone was given the liberty to have his last darshan. As soon as this news reached Vrindavan, Ghanshyamji, Mangalji, Sitaramji and I reached Gorakhpur with several other devotees to have Shri Bhaiji's last darshan.

Shri Radha-Krishna in Golok

About fifteen days later, that is on 22nd March1971, Chaitra Krishna Dwadashi, Shri Bhaiji left for Golok, where Shri Radha-Krishna forever dwell. Ghanshyamji and I were at Gita Vatika at that time whereas Shriji was in Vrindavan with his close associates.

 Shriji saw this vision early in the morning at 5 AM:

Shri Radha is Walking on a Rosy Path

'There is a rosy charming region. Embellished with rose-hued flowers, Shri Radha is walking on that path. She has been decked and adorned in a pinkish hue. 

Sakhis Are Holding Fly Whisks

Eight sakhis holding the chhatra-chanvar or royal umbrella and fly whisks are walking alongside. Dressed in the same clothing and adornment, following her, someone is being brought along in the same grand style and with the same respect. Shri Maharajji is astonished. He begins wondering, who could it be, who is being taken behind Shri Radha with the same grandeur as Her! The young woman  turns around and looks at Shri Maharajji at that very moment.

The Young Woman is Shri Bhaiji

 ” Oh! This is Shri Bhaiji,” recognizing her instantly Shriji exclaims.

” I am afraid Shri Bhaiji may have passed away,” Shriji narrated his personal experience to the parikar next morning.

News of Shri Bhaiji's departure for Golok[9] arrived from Gorakhpur by phone at that very moment. Everyone was stupefied.

Bhaiji Was Steeped in The Radha Bhava

” Shri Bhaiji was steeped in the Radha Bhava[10]” Shri Maharajji exclaimed in an ecstatic voice

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[1]     Radha Bhava: Centred on the divine love of Radha and Krishna  the worshipper is required to assume the nature, nuance and psychological state of Radha in her loving devotion to Krishna, this state is called Radha bhava or the Mahabhava.

[2]     Brahman: the impersonal Ultimate Being, the all pervading Spirit of the universe

[3]     Vedanta: a monistic philosophy and theology based on the Upanisads

[4]     Brahmanisht: God realized

[5]     Antaryamitva:  is to enter the ectoplasmic or endoplasmic structure of others and thereby to know their pain and pleasures, their hopes, aspirations and longings and to guide them properly. It is somewhat like transmigration of the soul

[6]     Prema: selfless love

[7]     'Sangita Madhava': a body of  devotional songs addressed to Krishna, written by Govinda Das, a Bengali Vaishnava poet.

[8]     Pada: verse of devotional poetry

[9]     Gaulak: where Shri Radha-Krishna forever dwell

[10]    Radha Bhava :  Centred on the divine love of Radha and Krishna  the worshipper  assumes the nature, nuance and psychological state of Radha in her loving devotion to Krishna, this state is called Radha bhava or the Mahabhava