As Translated from: Smt.Ratan Fojdar’s write-up in Abhinandan Granth
Param-Vidushi and poetess Smt. Ratan Fojdar Behen having received the sharan(shelter) of Sadgurudev since 40 years is associated with the seva(service) of Guruji. She also remained in the seva of Gurudev during His foreign tour and has published the detailed Jeevan-Charitra of Shri Swamiji Maharaj by the name of “Yogeshwar Guru Gangeshwar” in three parts. Based on this book, Ratanbehen has written a condensed Jeevani of Shri Sadgurudev. Hopefully, the people who get happiness by reading the condensed universal charitra of Shri Gurudev will gain substantially.
Anant Shri Vibhushit Param Pujya Ved-murti, Sadgurudev Swami Shri Gangeshwaranandji Maharaj is from those divine Vibhutis whom we call Eashwar’s Kala-Avtaar based on Shrimad Bhagwad Gita’s sentence “Yadya Dwibhutimat Satvam”.
Sadgurudev Maharaj is a unique Saint who has obtained Deeksha in the Udaseen Sampradaya of Sanatan-Sant-Parampara. Based on available words, the pravartan of this Sampradaya was done by Bhagwan Vishnu in the form of a Swan Avataar (Paramhans) and the Updesh of this Darshan was given to Shri Sanatkumar, Brahma’s Manasputra(son born out of mind).Muniraj Shri Sanatkumar gave the Updesh to Devarshi Shrautmuni Shri Narad who in turn promoted this Updesh amongst his disciples. Acharya Shri Chandra Bhagwan became an Avataar in the middle of the 16th century in the Shishya-Parampara of Narad-muni. ShriChandra Bhagwan is the son of Adhi-Dharma-Guru of Sikh Bandhus, Shri Nanakdev and is at the level of 165th generation from Shri SanatKumar. These Acharya-Charan have saved again the Udaseen Sampradaya , which was almost lost in time. Paramhans Udaseen-Sant-Shiromani Shri Ramanandji Maharaj who was at the level of 16th generation of ShriChandra Bhagwan’s Shishya-Parampara and whose position is also said to be 181st from the Mool-Purush. Our Aradhya Gurudev Shri Gangeshwaranandji Maharaj, is the disciple of Shri Ramanandji.
Swamiji’s Birth and Early Years
With the boon of Shri Ramanandji, our Sadgurudev came into this world on Paush Shukla 7, Tuesday, Samvat 1938 as a son of Shraut Karma-nishthh Pandit Shri Ramdutt’s wife Smt. Sarladevi in a village in Punjab. At the auspicious time Shrotriya Vidwans did the Jaat-Karma Sanskar and on the 11th day as per the Naam-Karan Vidhi, kept the name of the child as Chandreshwar. Hardly had the child completed one year when suddenly one day, a unique Sant Yogi became the guest of Panditji and after looking at the hand of the child, said, “He has a Brahma-Rekha, hence he will be a great Brahma-Rishi, great Tapaswi, Tejaswi, Bhagwad-Bhakt and Akshay Bhandar of Lakshmi and Saraswati. He will have a uniform sight for all beings and like Brahma will be the saviour of the Vedas. He is an avatar of some Maharshi. After saying this, the Saint disappeared. Panditji himself was a great-learned person and he also felt the same way after looking at Chandreshwar’s horoscope, and he then bcame involved in the upbringing of the child. But the child was hardly 2 or 3 years old when His mother who was affected by a non-curable disease passed away and the entire burden of his upbringing fell on Panditji. As soon as the child entered his 5th year, he knew by heart a few elementary books in Sanskrit.
Pandit Ramduttji also got the Yagyopaveet Sanskaar of the child done in an auspicious mahurat. On the occasion of putting on the Yagyopaveet by Chandreshwar, suddenly the Kul-Guru Swami Ramanandji Maharaj came and gave many Amogh blessings, inspiring him towards Bhagwad-Bhakti, to read the BhagwadGita and Vishnu-Sahasranam and gave him the Updesh of doing Jap of 12-letterMantra. Panditji also gave him the inspiration to do daily Sandhya 3 times a day, Gayatri Jap whereby the divine Sanskars accumulated in the previous birth automatically sprang up and he became a great devotee of Bhagwan in his childhood itself.
Many childhood incidents of the child Chandreshwar are famous with which this child’s divine avatar is proved. Pandit Ramduttji also accepted Him as a divine avatar and due to attachment considered Him as his son only and seeing his Bhagwad-Bhakti, used to tell Him regularly about special references of Shrimad Bhagwat and the divine leelas of Shri Krishna, Garg-Samhita and stories of Harivansh.
Krishna Darshan
Listening to the childhood leelas of Shri Krishna and the springing up of sanskaras of the previous birth; once, Chandreshwar thought of doing baal-hathh before his father of going to Vrindavan whence Ramduttji set out for Vrindavan along with his Krishna-premi son. In those days, tirth-yatra by foot was considered more important and they resumed journey by foot before the boundary of Braj-mandal started. One day, on the way, they halted at the ashram of Shri Santram Baba Fal-aahari. This Baba was a Sidh Yogi. That Maharshi who could see the past, present and future with his Yog-bal, visualized the past and future of Chandreshwar and knowing that this Baal-Yogi had taken re-birth for lok-kalyan, and with the help of special yog-bal, requested both Father and Son to stay back, which they could not avert. One day, finding a suitable time when there was no one else around, the Sidh-Saint told Chandreshwar, “With Yog-bal, I have known everything, the purpose for which you are going there, will be fulfilled here only; Bhagwan Shri Krishna will give you the darshan here only and you need not go to Vrindavan. Now I am going into meditation and I will meet you after 4 days; remain alert here; keep your mind in the smaran of Bhagwan only.” Having said this, the Sant Yogishwar went inside his cottage and Chandreshwar spent 3 days without taking any food, by showing no interest in food due to stomach-ache, in the expectation of the darshan of Shri Krishna. Father was worried and the son was immersed in the bhaav of Krishna-Bhakti and was experiencing the divine Anand. On the 3rd day in the night, an event happened. The night was going to end, when suddenly as if a divine electrical current passed, and in a moment and existing inside his Man-Mandir, Jyotirmay Bhagwat-roop took a form in front of Him. Looking at his deity in form in front of Him, Chandreshwar seemed to enter into a Samadhi, then in a strange voice, he heard the Amrit-Vachan of Prabhu, “ Vattsa! With your previous birth’s accumulated Tapo-Bal, speciality of Bhakti and at the request of my Ananya Bhakt Sant-Yogi, I have appeared before you, Varam Bruhi (Ask a boon)”.
With the Prabhu’s Amrit-Vachan, the voice of that Baal-Yogi was articulated with the words of an aged Tapaswi. He said “Dayamaya(Kind) Prabho! I am looking at your Divine Appearance which is difficult for great Rishis and Munis; this itself is a boon for me; I should always be adhikari of these darshans; besides these darshans what do I have to see or left to be attained? I don’t have any desire”. With the satisfaction of this desire-less Bhakti of Chandreshwar, that same divine voice came forth from that Tejomay Prakash in the form of Shri Krishna, “Dear Vattsa! My darshan does not become fruit-less, you will always be in my presence; automatically you will get all the Siddhis and Vidya-Vibhutis and doing Lok-Kalyan only, in the end you will become Brahmleen.” With this clear sound that Jyotirmay Form merged in Chandreshwar and he went into a deep sleep.
Loss of Eyesight
In the morning, only when his father woke him up, Chandreshwar came into consciousness. At the same time, Sant Yogiraj got up from his Samadhi and came there and for a few days he taught the child to do Yoga Sadhana there itself. Yogiraj thought all the work is complete and gave permission to father and son to go to Vrindavan but something else was to happen. The next day itself, Chandreshwar had a high fever and the anger of Badi Mata (chicken pox) also did the kripa on him. The child Bhakt alongwith Bhagwat-darshan accepted this unlimited Kripa of Bhagwati, but with the severe attack of chechak (chicken pox), Chandreshwar lost his eyesight forever and He was filled up with the Aatma-Jyoti. As if this was Prabhu’s indication that having been accomplished with Prabhu’s inner Jyoti, that child should not be caught up in the worldly dazzling outer things due to Moha-Bhram(attachment and confusion). Panditji, who was worried about his beloved son’s condition, was made to understand the truth by Yogiraj Shrisandtdev about the Krishna-darshan who told him “ Now this child’s worldly sight’s place has been taken by divine sight. Now he is accomplished with Divya-Drishti(divine sight). One whose normal eyes have seen the Bhagwad-darshan, for him nothing else remains to be seen. You understand this Chandreshwar accomplished with Divya-Drishti (divine sight) as Acharya-charan of Sanat Kumar and others who are Bhakti-Gyan-TapoNishth Brahma-putra. Thus giving solace; after a few days, when the child became completely well, he sent them to Vrindavan, where Chandreshwar stayed and did the Shravan, Manan and Adhyayan (Hearing, Thinking and studying) of Shrimad Bhagwat-katha from the Vidwans. The Father and Son went to Haridwar on the occasion of Kumbh for bathing in Ganges and after coming back and again, reaching in the seva of Shri Ramanandji Maharaj, Chandreshwar obtained from Him the Sidhi of Gayatri and Panch-Dev Upasna.
After a few days, with a lot of persuasion and requests brought his Father’s charan to agree and having got the permission, came back with Swamiji to Haridwar where he did the study of the scriptures and with Swamiji’s auspicious command and after with-standing a lot of inconvenience for a long time in the Himgiri cave, He also obtained the Bhagwad-Archana Yoga.
Religious Education
Till now the divine-eyed Chandreshwar Sharma had become a youth of 22 years and had Hurned his face away from worldly pleasures and with Tap-Anushthan had become radiant and had become a complete Adhikari of Guru-Kripa. Hence after two years in Vikram Samvat 1960 in Haridwar, on the pure occasion of Purna-Kumbha, Shri Ramanandji Maharaj according to Sampradaya-Vidhan initiated Him in the Audas-deeksha-pradan. From then onwards, Chandreshwar Sharma began to be addressed as Shri Gangeshwar or the Deeksha name of Shri Gangeshwaranand Swami.
With Bhagwat-Kripa, all the Shastras had sprung up in Swami Gangeshwaranandji’s inner space but to follow the Lok-Maryada; Shri Ramanandji Maharaj sent Him for studying Ved-Vedang-Darshans etc. to Kashi and made all the arrangements there. After the study of the Shastras, His Guruji made a commitment for the upliftment of Vedic Dharma and giving Him a command to be involved in the Lok-Kalyan bade him farewell from there. Going to Kashi, Shri Gangeshwaranandji following the Shishya-Parampara, having learnt well the entire Sanskrit-Vangmaya of the Shastras from Mahamandleshwar Vamacharan Bhattacharya, Shri HariNarayan Tiwari, Mahamandleshwar Ambadas Shastri and Mahamandleshwar DeviPrasad Kavichakravarti and all Vidwans well-versed in the Shastras, won in several Shastra-arths with unusual Pratibha whereby our Sadgurudev was not only a Bhagwad-Bhakt but appeared before everyone as a unique erudite scholar and a great Vidwan, which everyone believed as a Daivi-Chamatkar.
During this study-time, Swami Gangeshwaranandji Maharaj passed Punjab’s Shastri Exam and also cleared higher exams of Ved-Darshan-Vyakaran etc. Besides these Shastras, Shri Swamiji also learned from his Guruji’s voice and studied Chandra Bhashya and other Granths related to Udasin Sampradaya. This way by going deep into the meanings of Shastras and an attachment for Bhagwad-Bhakti, on the occasion of His pravachans, by listening to words full of Ritambhara Pragya, all those who listened started going into the ecstasy of the Aatma and they started giving him a special place. This way on account of the unique wealth of Shastras, Bhagwad-Bhakti and strong Tapasya and Yoga-Sadhana, all the Sidhis and Vibhutis were present at the feet of ShriSadgurudev Maharaj; whereby lot of people came and took blessings for removing difficulties and considered their life as accomplished.
Ved Prachar and Lok Kalyan
Shri Swami Maharaj, to convert His Deeksha-Guru Shri Ramanandji Maharaj’s command into action considered this as a good opportunity and for Ved-Prachar and Lok-Kalyan actively, formed and organized a Sant-Mandali and took that along with Him and started moving all over the country and at various places attracted the attention of people towards Lok-Kalyan.
Once while doing a pravachan in Punjab, a youth by the name of “Sadhuram” was so impressed by His learned important speech, that he had a strong desire to become His disciple and in 1922 A.D. he took the deeksha of Udaseen Sampradaya from Him. That same accomplished youth became “Swami Sarvanand”, who was Swami Gangeshwaranandji’s famous great Vidwan main disciple. He followed his Guru-Charan to accumulate Tap, Yash and Knowledge. It is a great sorrow that his worldly body is no more. But it is satisfying that Swami Sarvanandji’s main disciple Swami Govindandanandji Vedantacharya is filling up His gap and was present day and night in the seva of Shri SadGurudev and does not allow us to feel the loss and is co-ordinating all the activities in a nicely organized way. In every tour in India and abroad Swamiji accompanied Guruji.
Swamiji Gangeshwaranandji has done a lot of activities with the bhaavna of Lok-Kalyan. Main activities for Lok-Kalyan are construction of School, High School, Goshala, Dharmashala, Running of Teaching Institutions, Devalaya, Library, Dispensary, with openings in an organized way, Sthapna of Vedic Anusandhan-Sansthan and Construction of various Ashram-Sansthans and writing of Vedic and religious Granths and publishing. On the occasion of Kumbh-mela organizing was done for staying in Shivirs and Food for Sadhus, Learned and Bhagwad-Bhakts. Also the credit goes to Swamiji for the construction of the famous Lakshmi-Narayan temple in Durgyana and creating a small canal for filling up a lake with water.
It is strange that Swamiji Maharaj did not ask for any contributions or daan according to his pratigya but any activity for Lok-Kalyan had not stopped for want of funds. For fulfilling your noble aims, several wealthy disciples undertook themselves to organize funds for the completion of those activities. The influence of Guruji’s Bhagwad-Bhakti and Tap-Sidhi was such that by your mere indication, several Sansthas were established and well-organised Trusts were made for providing all facilities.
Service to the Nation
Although our SadGurudev Bhagwan had been away from all political and social problems, but still on account of His unflinching Nation-Bhakti , exceptional Pratibha, unique wisdom, wonderful memory and simple living and madhur inter-action, Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri and Smt. Indira Gandhi and other leaders had looked upon Him with great Faith and respect and all had met Him and taken His blessings.
There are several examples of service of the country like helping in several ways for solving the problem of Rehabilitation of Refugees after the partition of Bharat, leadership and economic support at the time of China, Pakistan wars, economically and lovingly helping the soldiers posted on the front-line and unity among Hindus and Sikh-Bandhus with wonderful expertise, and several other national activities.
Ved Prachar and Ved Sthapnas
It is note-worthy to mention publishing of several Granths for the activities of Lok-Kalyan by Swamiji Maharaj. Guruji’s Granths have been published as Gangeshwar-Granthmala in 36 books. Amongst these the publication of Bhagwan-Ved comprising of all 4 Ved-Samhitas in a large bound compilation in large letters in a pure form. This type of publication of Vedas has been done for the first time in the world. Having done this noteworthy activity in the direction of promotion of the Vedas as per the Aagya of His Gurudev, Shri Gangeshwarandji Maharaj has done an unparalleled work by gifting Bhagwan Ved without any price to the world’s various Universities, Libraries, Devalayas and various educational institutions and famous – Maths, Mandirs(temples) and Dharamsabhas(religious organizations). Wherever Ved-Sthapna is done, that place is called Ved-Mandir.
There are approximately 500 Ved-Mandirs established in India. Swamiji also did the Sthapna of Ved-Mandirs abroad in Nepal and Southeast Asia in Bangkok, Hong Kong, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bhanduk, and Bali Island. Not only this, Swamiji has also done the Ved-Sthapna in Nairobi, London, Switzerland, Rome, Lagos, New York, Washington. (USA), Chicago, Georgetown and other places. Swamiji had to go to USA several times for Ved-Sthapna. There, Swamiji had done the opening ceremony of a Vishnu-Mandir. Swamiji has started a parampara of Chatur-Ved-parayan along with Shrimad Bhagwat-Sapthah Parayan along with the sthapna of Ved-Bhagwan for promoting the Vedas; and Bhakts are getting Abhisht-Sidhi.
Shri Sadgurudev has taken in his hands the work of the meaning of the language of Ved-Samhitas and got it completed as it is very important to understand the real meaning of Ved-Mantras Pathh as per the sayings of the Shastras. Sam-hita along with the meaning in Hindi has already been published. Most unusual work done by Swamiji is wherever the Ved-Bhasyakars have given the Yagya, Scientific or political meaning of Ved-Mantras; He has given Adhyatmik (related to Aatma) meaning along with that of Bhagwan Shri Krishna. Thus meaning of a few chapters of Shukla Yajur Veda have been published and Kuntaap-Sukt of Atharva-Veda whose Bhashya had not been done by earlier Bhashyakaars was also published in the same style.
Along with this new Bhashya-writing, Shri Swamiji Maharaj’s Drishti went to those several Atharva-Veda Kaands whose Bhashya had not been written by Saayanacharya and were lying like that only. It is a surprise that no Acharya after Saayana had the courage to write the Bhashya (translation) of those Kaands. But Swamiji has also got this shortcoming completed by staying for a few years at Mount Abu at “Avinashi Dham”. For this Swamiji had the special co-operation of Mahamandaleshwar NawalKishore Kankar besides that of Dr. Gautam Patel and Shri Natwar Yagyik. Kankarji stayed in Delhi and Vrindavan and co-operated with Swamiji. Along with this Saayan-Bhashya, Atharv-Vedas 5th, 12th, 14th and 16th and 20th Kaands were published in Jaipur and 13th in Delhi and 10th was published in Kaashi.
Swamiji’s Centenary and Beyond
When Swamiji entered his 100th year, then for 11 days the Centenary celebrations were done with great pomp and splendour, where many Jagatgurus, Mahamandaleshwars, learned people and politicians took part. Such organizing was unparalleled in Bombay..
His hearing started decreasing in the 105th year but even then, He always worked hard for the prachar-prasar (promotion) in his advanced age. In His 104th year, Swamiji went to America for the fourth time and in His 105th year Swamiji did the Sthapna of a new Ashram at Khar in Mumbai. In this way, with Guru-Anugraha and Tap-Yoga Swamiji who had a pratyaksha darshan of Shri Krishna with this worldly body, Himself a Divya-Swarup(Divine Form) spent his entire life in the activities of Lok-Kalyan(welfare of the people) and Ved-Udhar(upliftment of Vedas) and everyday used to get up in the morning at 4 am and got involved in activities of Ved-Udhar. His disciples wished Him a long life like Brahma.
Guru Gangeshwaranandji Maharaj became “Brahmaleen” in Mumbai at the Jaslok Hospital on February 14, 1992 at the age of 111 years.
With love, Swamiji used to say “Keera pathar mein Ghar Kare, Kya Hum Dil-e-Dilbar mein na ghar karein”. Even an insect makes a home for itself inside a stone, can we not make a place for ourselves in the heart of Shri Krishna whose heart is made of makhan(butter).
Swamiji used to say like Shri Krishna I will live for 125 years. It is now November 2006. For the last 14 years Swamiji has lived in our hearts and will continue to do so as long as we are alive. Thereafter we will live in His heart (like He mentioned about Keera above as He Himself was like Shri Krishna).
Swamiji’s mortal body was taken in a plane from Mumbai to Delhi and then to Haridwar where the body was lowered into the Ganga. Guruji was Shri-Krishna – a Kala-avtaar.
It is indeed difficult to chronicle the life of this great VIBHUTI—-A very special word with a lot of different interpretations
The most often associated one is the ash we collect from the sacred fire. It also means MANIFESTATION OF DIVINE POWERS or the OPULENCE WITH WHICH GOD CONTROLS EVERYTHING. The 10th chapter in the Bhagwad Geeta is called the VIBHUTI YOGA, where BHAGVAN has enumerated His DIVINE BEING in the various Manifestations in the world for He says that “He is the Om in all the Vedas, sound in space and manhood in men, fragrance in the earth, etc”
Here we speak of ShrichandraBhagwan also as a VIBHUTI for He is indeed the incarnation of BHAGWAN SHANKAR. In the treatise JAGADGURU SHRICHANDRACHARYA, the writer Shri Sitaram Chaturvedi has written about His Godliness and the events of His Life. This book is the source of information about His birth or the AVATARAN day as BHADRAPAD SHUKLA NAVMI in Vikram Samvat 1551 (Shukla is the period of the moon waxing and Navmi will be 7 days before Poornima and Vikram Samvat is the Hindu calendar which is 57 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar that we use).
His Parents were Nanakdev and Devi Shri Sulakshana. His father was the first Sikh Guru and we find a language similar to the Sukhmani and Guru Granth Sahib in the MAATRA SHASTRA (a very important text written by Him for the Udaseen Saints). The place of birth was TAALVANDI in Punjab. At the time of birth, He had matted locks, ash on His body and a mark of a Trishul on His forehead.
At the age of 14, He took Deeksha from Avinashi Muni in the Udaseen Sampradaya. For 150 years, He performed various leelas and then disappeared in Vikram Samvat 1700 in the village of CHAMBA near the River Ravi and it is believed that His mortal body did not die and that He still lives and is thus a CHIRANJEEVI –one who always lives. (Hanuman is also known as a Chiranjeevi)
People believe that sometimes He shows up and gives special Darshan to worthy saints and mahatmas in the caves and forests of the HIMALAYAS. BrahmKetu was a very close and a dear disciple of Shrichandra to whom He left behind certain instructions just before his disappearance.
The following are his guidelines to be a true UDASEEN
1.Do not be immersed in the vaasanas or the attractions of the world and bring a bad name to the high ideals of sacrifice.
2. Continue making efforts for the progress and salvation of the Atma.
3. Enlighten yourself and also show the light to those who are engrossed in the world.
4. The main DHARMA of an UDASEEN is to follow the footsteps of Guru AVINASHI MUNI and to try and fulfill His aims.
5. To protect Dharma and to give up pride and indulge in NISHKAAM SEVA (Service where there is no expectation). Full effort should be made towards yoga or the union with the LORD.
Acharya Shrichandra was DIVINE. Chhatrapati Shivaji’s Guru; Samarth Raamdas, when he was 18 years old, had the occasion to meet Him and be blessed by Him in a village called Takli .
This important historical fact is chronicled in the books : SHROUT MUNI CHARITRAAMRIT , SHRICHANDRA DIGVIJAY and UDASEEN MUNI PARICHAY. Guru Samarth Ramdas was called Narayan in those days and was highly inclined towards penance and renunciation. Acharya Shrichandra instructed him to travel to all the pilgrimage centers and see the plight of those places. He asked him to groom a KSHATRIYA disciple who could improve the condition of these pilgrimage centers and thus protect Sanatan Dharma. Shivaji was the the Kshatriya disciple that he groomed.
In Vikram Samvat 1626, Veer Rana Pratap (of Bappa Raval’s Lineage) had the darshan of Shrichandra on the insistence of his minister Bahma Shah. In those days Acharya stayed in the ancient ashram of Hareet Muni at Udaipur. Acharya had predicted the downfall of the Mughals and praised the valour of Rana Pratap and also his predecessors.
Acharya Shrichandra was a farsighted and industrious saint whose life was indeed very remarkable. As there was a threat to Dharma from the North West region,
Acharya sent His disciples to Punjab, Sindh and the Arabian Gulf. He also had a dharamshala built in Afghanistan and at the time of writing this book in 1965, our author Ratan Bahen had mentioned the name of Swami Shankaranandji to be the Mahant there.
One story about Him is regarding the SHRICHANDRA CHINAR. Once, to impress King Yakub of Kashmir, Acharya picked up a burning log and buried it in the ground. Within no time the same log turned into a tree with greenery and fresh young leaves. This tree later became known as the SHRICHANDRA CHINAR and our Gurudev would often visit that spot when they were visiting Kashmir.
There is another anecdote about Him
In Kandhaar, Kamran killed a deer whose life was restored by Shrichandra. Kamran was highly impressed with the divine powers of Shrichandra Bhagwan and decided to correct his ways, but due to the impressions of his past life, he disobeyed his Guru and became blind.
Shrichandra Bhagwan spread his fame and glory to Dhatta, Kashmir, Kabul, Kandhaar and Peshawar. Such great people do not restrict their life to a few people but spread their blessings to people at large. Their descent on earth is for a specific reason and once that is accomplished, they disappear. The single most important contribution that Shrichandra Bhagwan made was “Maatra Shastra” a book for the Udaseen Saints and for the benefit of Sanatan Dharma.
The stories about Shrichandra Bhagwan are numerous and all these prove that when one loses faith in one’s own religion, people like Him descend on the earth and perform miracles to restore the faith and thus fear of the people slowly diminishes.
During the time of Shrichandra Bhagwan, the peaceful Indians were terrorized by the atrocities of the Mughals. Acharya would often visit the strife torn places to console the people and raise their morale. He would often visit Punjab, Sindh and the Arabian Gulf, places where conflict would erupt more often.
Once, He called for a conference of learned Mahatmas to find out the problems people were facing to protect Dharma. He advised them not to revert to severe measures which were against dharma but rather to educate and win the hearts of the people by the age old teachings and traditions as prescribed in the scriptures.
Shrichandra Bhagwan was a Guru to the whole world and thus He is called a JAGADGURU.
The Meaning of GURU in 5 sentences.
1.The one who helps his devotee cross the ocean of life.
2.The one who whispers the NECTAR-LIKE Guru Mantra in the disciple’s ear.
3. The one who dispels ignorance from the root.
4.The one who explains the principle of BRA’HMAAN* to his disciple.
5.The one who knows BRA’HMAAN* so that he can give the knowledge to his disciple.
In the lineage of the Balhas, Swami Ramanandji is 14th in line. He was born near Ludhiana (Punjab) in Nathumajra village on the banks of the river Sutlej, in Samvat 1903 Phalgun Shukla paksh Trayodashi. His father’s name was Saraswat Brahmin Param Tapasvi Gopaldev and his mother was Sadhvi Smt. Dayadevi. His father had named him Vasudev Sharma. Both His parents left for their heavenly abode while Swamiji was still very young. He was brought up by relatives and due to his exceptional memory; He soon acquired knowledge in Sanskrit and Hindi. He recited Sanskrit Shlokas in a very melodious and clear voice due to the impressions of his previous lifetime (samskaras).
He lived a life of a recluse and spent His time in Sadhana. There was a dwelling of Mahatma Gopiramji near his village in Rajghat and He would often go there to listen to satsangs. Mahatma could sense the keenness of the young boy and realized the greatness that needed to be tapped. He groomed Him with love and care and soon Swamiji were able to recite the whole Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta in 45 minutes and the Shrimad Bhagwat in 24 hours.
Tapasvi Mahatma Sundardasji Vaidya also lived in the same ashram and at the instructions of Mahatma Gopiramji, Vasudev received his deeksha in the Udaseen Lineage at the age of 11 and was given the name Swami Ramanand.
Swamiji served His Guru with great devotion and thus He was the recipient of his blessings. In Kashi, he studied all the different subjects at the behest of His Guru. He became a great Pandit of all shastras. Seeing the plight of the Hindu tradition, Swamiji decided to take up the mantle to revive Sanatan Dharma. He traveled all over India and initiated many others to help in this task. He established Libraries, Schools and Religious centres. He was in need of worthy disciples and sure enough, He met Chandreshwar and made Him the great Saint we know as Swami Gangeshwaranandji today.
After completing the worldly duties, He took Samadhi by sitting in Padamasana (a yogic pose where one has to sit cross-legged in a lock form) on Tuesday Maghshirsha, Krishna Paksh, Ekadashi day in Samvat 2000 in the early hour of 6 a.m. He chanted OM and merged with the source He came from. We owe extreme gratitude to Him for the path He has laid for all of us.
Every year at Holi time, there is an Assembly in Vrindavan to pay homage to Our Dada-Guru where many learned saints and Mahants collect.
Hari Om.
(Translated and compiled by Lata (Geeta Nichlani)
From the Book: OUR MAHARAJSHRI– AN INTRODUCTION.
By Late Seth Balchand M. Pamnani.
The source of this write-up is BHAGWAT -BHAKTI SADHANA MARG, a book written and published by our late grandfather Seth Balchand Menghraj Pamnani. This rare gem of a book was in the custody of my brother Mahesh. I have dived into it and am reproducing Swamiji’s biography as written in the book.Lata (Geeta Nichlani.) ———————————————————————————- Swami Sarvanandji was born on Thursday, 13 April 1905 coinciding with the month of Vaisakh on RAMNAVMI day. Swamiji left for HIS heavenly abode on Sunday, 30 July 1961 during the early morning Brahm Muhurat at 3:45am. Seth Balchand’s association with Swami Gangeshwaranandji was first established in the year 1926 when Swamiji had visited Sindh with his group of saints. Swami Sarvanandji in those days was still studying under the able guidance of Swami Gangeshwaranandji and in a short time He Himself became a Master of all shastras. Both Swamijis visited Sukkhur, Gwalior, Delhi and Bombay and in 1936 headed the AKHANDANAND ASHRAM in Ahmedabad at the behest of our Guruji. Swamiji showed his prowess of the scriptures during His Satsangs at the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar. The literary as well as the masses applauded His wisdom. Swamiji then visited Mussouri near Haridwar and Patiala. Shri Dayaliramji a respectable citizen and a principal of the high school there was very impressed by Him and took the responsibility of taking Swamiji to different cities to spread Sanatan Dharma. As Swamiji spent long hours travelling and giving lectures, His health soon started failing. Swami Gangeshwaranandji called Him back from Haridwar to Patiala. By this time His fever was controlled. On the invitation of Tapasvi Purandasji, they traveled to Chhipad and then to Bhatinda. The famous philanthropist Seth Narayandas was a great devotee of Swamiji but since he had no heir to carry forward the good work started by him, Swamiji blessed him with two sons Rajkumar and Pawankumar. After a few days stay in Bhatinda and due to the intense summer, they proceeded to Rawalpindi and stayed at the RAMVANA. At the insistence of Swami Gangeshwaranandji, Swami Sarvanandji held a series of lectures on the SHANTI PURVA (this is where Bheesham Pitamaha was lying down on the arrows). As soon as the Chaturmaas (the 4 months of monsoon) was over, they visited Gujranwala, Fatehganj, Lahore and Amritsar and the people there were blessed with their grace and words of wisdom. Swami Gangeshwaranandji was convinced that Swami Sarvanandji could be a worthy disciple to undertake all His responsibilities. From then on, He independently visited Jamnagar, Saurashtra, Bhavnagar, Devgarh and Variya, and proved that He had both VIDYA BAL and YOGBAL. Swami Sarvanandji was very attached to Swami Gangeshwaranandji Maharaj and did not want to stay away from Him.They would meet often in between their visits to various cities. In 1941, He was sent to Jamnagar, Bhavnagar and Kathiawad. The population was curious now to see Swami Gangeshwaranandji Maharaj after hearing and seeing His disciple. In 1942 was the Prayag Kumbh Mela and they halted at Mount Abu on the way. There was a grand gathering organized to spread Dharma. From Prayag they proceeded to Lahore, and Karachi. From 1942 to 1947, they toured Sindh, Shikarpur, Sukkhur, Hyderabad (Sindh) Quetta, Multan, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Lahore, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Delhi, Indore, Ujjain, Ratlam, Surat, Baroda, Bombay, Madras, Nagpur, Mysore, Bangalore, Salem, Coimbatore, Madurai and Rameshwaram to spread the message of the vedas. Both Swamijis arrived in Karachi by air at the invitation of Seth Balchand for the marriage of his son Shri Jaikishandas in 1947. The marriage had to be postponed due to partition. Swamiji were well aware of the impending problems of partition and alerted the Hindu community regarding safeguarding their wealth and belongings. They soon left for Jamnagar for the Chaturmaas fast (mandatory for all saints during the monsoon season). At the inspiration of Swamiji, the Jamnagar Maharaja and the public donated a sum of Rs. 5 lakhs. They took it upon themselves to rehabilitate the refugees and settled some of them from Orva Port to Beram Gaon. The hours were long and Swamiji hardly slept an hour or two every night in such difficult times. In 1948, they arrived in Gwalior to attend the marriage that was earlier postponed. The people of Delhi took the opportunity to invite Swamiji to enlighten the people there with their Satsangs. The noted names are Rai Sahab Rudamal, Seth Gulraj Marawari, Valaytilal Kohli, Dewanchand Bhatia, Ishwardas Sethi and Kishinchand Wadhwa. On the ghats of Kudusia, the Geeta Gyan was started from 1948 to 1960 — for thirteen long years, the sermons and lectures were held all over India. Swamiji with his great oratory powers were able to make non-believers into believers of the Lord. In February 1960, the Tulsi Nivas Satsang Hall was established with the total support of Bombay disciples. The first series of satsangs was on the Bhagwat Geeta and the people of Bombay were very impressed with the recitation and explanation given by Swami Sarvanandji. In order to make Delhi the spiritual capital as well, a plot was purchased in Karol Bagh to build an ashram at the insistence of the disciples in Delhi. On 28th April 1960, the foundation stone ceremony of the ashram was held. Swamiji was also the Organizer and active member of the All India Sadhu Samaj and the President of All India Udaseen Parishad. The immense load of work for the noble cause of Sanatan Dharma and the frequent traveling took its toll on Swamiji’s health and they developed high blood pressure. With the able treatment of Dr Behl, Swamiji?s health was soon restored and He was back again in active Karmas. On 30 June 1960 while in Mount Abu, Swamiji was advised by Ayurvedacharya Shri Ramdasji and Hakim Motiram to take rest and retire from active participation of various responsibilities. After a 10-day stay there, Swamiji arrived in Bombay at Warden Road on 16 July 1960. On July 27th there was a group Recitation of the Bhagwat Geeta at Tulsi Nivas as well as Satyanarayan Katha.On the 28th and 29th too there were several lectures/pravachans and on the night of 30th July at about 10:25 pm, their blood pressure shot up very high and He was unable to even say what he wanted to. All the people gathered there and Swamiji were able to speak just five words. The five words were: Swami Gangeshwaranandji had to counsel all the devotees not to be unhappy, as this Great Saint had merged with Brahm after being a tireless worker, while He was here amongst all of us. The last message was loaded with meaning. Himalaya – By saying the word Himalaya Swamiji meant that as the great saints do their sadhana in the Himalayas, all of you devotees should always be engrossed in the Lord’s name. Gaoon (cow) – was in the context of the Cow Slaughter movement Swamiji was actively involved in for many years. His last wish was that this work be continued till such time the slaughtering of cows is banned in India, as we consider the cow sacred and the symbol of all the 33 crores devtas. In the year 1957, Swamiji had even met the then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to appeal against cow slaughter at Prayag during the Kumbh Mela. Shankar – The word meant that I am going to Shiv Dham (the abode of Shankar) and am going to merge with Him. The land of India is really blessed as time and again great people descend here to show the right path to all and uplift the miseries they are having. Shankar Swarup JagadGuru Acharya Shrichandraji Maharaj had sent Swami Saravandji amongst us as the Dharma Sevak. His qualities were many and the number of telegrams recieved was enormous. Swamiji’s mortal remains were taken to Delhi by air and at the airport, several disciples had already gathered to pay their homage. Swamiji’s remains were merged in the Ganga at the Neel Dhara Ghat in Haridwar amongst chanting of Ved Mantras and kirtans at 11 am in the morning. There was later an assembly to pay homage to this Shivroopi saint at Haridwar and later at all the ashrams namely, Ved Mandir in Ahmedabad, Menghraj Bhavan in Bombay, Shrout Muni Nivas in Vrindavan, Udaseen Sanskrit Vidyalaya in Varanasi, Gangeshwar Dham in Delhi, Ram Dham in Amritsar and Om Prakash Bungalow in Nasik. Bhagwat Saptah, Ramayan and Geeta Readings were rendered in Swamiji’s memory. The date was 30th JULY I still remember as a small girl witnessing all this at our home in Warden Road. That was the first time we saw or heard of someone PASS away. It is very rightly said PASS away and not Gone away because those who PASS away are sure to PASS BY AGAIN. SHREERAM. |
Swami Govindanandji Maharaj is the closest follower, helper, and main Disciple of Sadaguru Swami Shri Gangeshwaranandji Maharaj, Maha mandaleshwar Ved-darshanacharya.
– By Late Shri Shyamsunder Rohera
After the passing away of Vedaratna Vedalankar Swami Shri Sarvanandji Maharaj, Swami Govindanandji is successfully shouldering the sole responsibility of the whole Mandali of Pujya Gurudev. He has great love and staunch devotion towards the revered feet of Gurudev. He has always obeyed Swamiji without fail and spared no pain in fulfilling all the functions organized at his behest.
In the year 1931, Swami Govindanandji Maharaj went to Kumbh parva at Haridwar along with his parents. He met numerous saints and Mahants there. He met Pujya Maharaj Shri in the year 1942 at Chetandeva Kutiya at Haridwar. Pujya Gurudev was giving religious discourses daily at that time by which Swami Govindanandji was very much impressed.
He prayed to Gurudev whole-heartedly, “Kindly offer me your refuge and give me Sanyasa Diksha.” Pujya Gurudev decreed, “Better if you take Diksha from Chhote Maharaj Swami Sarvanandji. I am Dada Guru.” Then Chhote Maharaj gave him Udasin Sampradaya Diksha according to Scriptural rites, ordained him to sanyasa, and showed him certain rites for Japa etc. He started reciting Japa with concentration of mind.
Gurudev ordered Govindanandji Maharaj to complete Japa-anusthan with proper rites at Hrishikesh in the year 1943. He went to Hrishikesh, moved in the old woods and continued Japa for one year. There he had the darshan of Pujya Gurudev and LORD in his heart. In the year 1944, Pujya Maharaj Shri ordered him to go for study. From 1944 to 1953, constantly for nine years, he stayed at Kashi and studied Vedanta Darshan, Sanskrit literature and the Vedas with great concentration. Then, later in 1953, he joined the mandali of Gurudev with his kind permission and continues there even today.
He accepted the responsibility of publication from the year 1962. The first part of the speeches of Gurudev was published in the first volume of ” GURU GANGESHWAR GRANTHAMALA”.
Numerous public charitable and religious trusts were formed by Pujya Gurudev. Swami Govindanandji is the honourable trustee and secretary of many of these Trusts and tries His best to execute them well. He also looks after the various ASHRAMS established by Gurudev.
He is the most beloved disciple of Gurudev and wins over the minds of all by his modesty and industry. He never feels fatigue while arranging numerous functions at various Ashrams for the benefit of the common man at large and for the spreading of religious knowledge. He is always keen and is constantly at work to carry out the mission of Pujya Gurudev and by his tireless efforts ,the activities of the mandal have proliferated day by day.
People had an occasion to realize his power of organization when he successfully arranged VEDA Parayanas and Shrimad Bhagwad Saptaha of Saint SHRI DONGREJI Maharaj on the eve of the Birth Centenary Celebration of Pujya Gurudev. He is a very good orator and explains in a very lucid language the abstruse points of scriptures in his lectures. He is, in fact, a real successful executor of all the activities of Pujya Gurudev.
Under the good guidance of Swami Govindanandji, all the Ashrams are working properly. Whatever may be the function, ceremony, or Utsava in any Ashram, Swami Govindanandji was there with his whole being. His enthusiasm has no limits and he never tires. Under his inspiring guidance, activites of all Ashrams are increasing year after year.
Gurudev had tremendous faith in Shree Govindanandji and Swami Govindanandji Maharaj is a fountain source of all the activities of “UDASEEN SAMPRADAYA” at present.
We have a Guru-Shishya parampara, and after Guru Gangeshwaranandji Maharaj became Brahmaleen on February 14, 1992, Swami Govindanandji Maharaj took over His seat. Swami Govindanandji Maharaj is in charge of all the Ashrams and Trusts and continues in the grand tradition of His Dada- Guru, Guru Gangeshwaranandji Maharaj.
Swami Govindanandji has made Swami Bhaskaranandji Maharaj his successor and the recent 125 years celebration of Guru Gangeshwaranandji Maharaj was ably organized and successfully completed by Swami Bhaskaranandji Maharaj under the able guidance of Swami Govindanandji Maharaj when Shri Morari Bapu was invited and did the Ram Katha (at the Cross Maidan at Churchgate, Mumbai) with insights and bringing out the gems hidden in Ramayana.
To highlight the lifetime achievements of Guruji-the Saint of India – a Yugpurush, and keeping His pious memories alive, a magnificent memorial, GURU GANGESHWAR SMARAK BHAWAN has been constructed at Vrindavan (Mathura), Uttar Pradesh.
On this auspicious, occasion, among other activities, Shrimad Bhagwat Saptah was organized. One of the world famous exponents of Bhagwat, Pujya Shri Rameshbhai Ojha “Bhaishri” conducted the Bhagwat Katha and distributed the nectar of the Gods. Along with this, there was a recitation of 108 Bhagwats by learned scholars for 108 yajmans; close disciples of Swami Gangeshwaranandji Maharaj. In addition, Ras Leelas, Yagyas and other programmes were also conducted for this occasion. Vedantacharya Mahamandaleshwar Shri Swami Govindanandji Maharaj Udasin presided over all the functions.
We wish a long life to Swami Govindanandji Maharaj on the occasion of his birthday to-day ,which is also the Raksha-Bandhan day.
A small translation from the book entitled YOGESHWAR GURU GANGESHWAR which is written in hindi by Ratan bahan
Good people”SANT JAN” are the true wealth of a nation. For the benefit of the world whenever Dharma and its ideals have to be brought forth to the people the lord takes the form of a saint.
When such a saint is born He brings along others who will help in HIS life’s mission.
For a lay man ignorant of the cosmic plan such great saints seem to take birth and then die, but in actually such great souls are immortal and one such is our dear GURUDEV
Once on earth they live a pure and Sattvik life to lead the people on the path of truth.The divine Karmas carried out by them are not apparent to the ordinary human being .Such great people have always been born on this earth and shall be born in all ages.
This is a promise the LORD gave us in the Bhagwat Geeta.Such great people empathies with the sorrow and problems of people and descend here on earth when and where desired.
Sanatan Dharma is the only path that proclaims the doctrine of AVATAAR .
THE PARAMPARA OF SANATAN DHARMA
In the sequence of Avataars from Sanat kumar to SriChandra Acharyaji 165 vibhutis (divine portions) have descended on this earth.
They have restored maintained and resurrected the Sanatan dharma –the Aryan tradition and the importance of good conduct.
From the lineage of SriChandraji 16th in the sequence are the Guru of our dear Guruji Swami Ramanandji(and thus Swami Gangeshwarandji are the a 17th in line in the Udaseen Parampara)
The word Udaseen means who is not affected by the world although staying in the world like a lotus stays untainted in the dirty lake.
IDEAL PARENTS
It was Vikram Samvat Pausha ShuklaSaptami in the Hindu year 1938 which according to the English calendar coincides with the year 1881 27th December.
He was born in the Star of Uttarabhadra Nakshatra in the Meen rashi in a small village in the land of 5 rivers PUNJAB.
Pandit Ramduttji and his wife Smt Sarladevi were a very pious couple who were not bestowed with a child for a long time .Although a house holder Panditji’s life was spent as an ascetic.He spent all his time in the study of the scriptures,the chanting of the Gayatri Mantra and in the service of saints.All Atithis(those who visit without an appointment_or_tithi)were welcome in his house and his wife Sarladevi walked in the footsteps of her husband.
There was wealth, abundance of food ,conveyances, gardens and lands and hence Panditji had not to toil hard for his daily living.This invaluable lifetime was thus spent in the field of devotion and in the study of scriptures. With all other worldly endowments there was one wealth that was not with them and that was a PUTR RATNA.
Smt Sarla devi remained disturbed when she heard that there was no Gati (progress in the cycle of birth and death) unless a jeeva brings forth a worthy progeny to continue his lineage.
Pandit Ramdutt paid his debts to various devis and devtas and atithis but was unable to pay the debt to his ancestors—the PITRS.
Due to this shortcoming in his life Panditji remained a UDASEEN although a householder
BLESSINGS OF SWAMI RAMANANDJI
Panditji and his wife went for a holy dip to Haridwar in the hindu calendar year 1936 English –1879
Swami Ramanandji was famous for His celestial powers and so the couple sought His blessings. It was not difficult for Swamiji to know through His divya shakti that this couple were ADHIKARIS(worthy) for His blessings.
The couple poured out their heart to Swamiji and were soon put to ease by the kind words of Swami Ramanandji.
Panditji expressed his desire for a progeny in the language of the Vedas by quoting from the Rig Veda a hymn where it says—“Rishis desired a learned and wise son who would be bestowed with gold in his ears(good skills of SHRAVANA)and a Gem in his throat(good oratory skills)Rishis were ever keen to produce sons who would be brave ,studious, a sacrificer and someone who would be worthy to carry the torch forward .
Such a son born then became the responsibility of the Rishis who would protect him.
Swamiji immediately understood the connotations of the quote and consoled Panditji with a promise of a son .They were asked to perform certain Upasanas and swamiji bid them farewell with a SHREEPHAL in the lap of Smt Sarladevi.
BIRTH OF POOJYA GURUDEV
The couple did the prescribed penances and upasanas and Smt Sarla devi was Blessed with a son –our GURUDEV.
Panditji was overjoyed and saw that it indeed was Bhagwan Shankar who had taken birth as his son.
He distributed sweets and gifts to Brahmins and on the 11th day the child was named CHANDRESHWAR.
THE PREDICTIONS FOR GURUJI
Pandit Laxmandasji was a learned astrologer and also a dear friend of Pandit Ramduttji.
On preprations of the chart there was both joy and remorse on his face. The disappointment was because the birth chart did not promise any worldly joys of a householder .The ecstasy on the astrologer’s face was because in front of him was a chart that spoke a thousand words. Chandreshwar’s chart promised that this child would achieve world wide fame and thus bless the lineage of His ancestors. He was destined to be a MAHA VIBHUTI –whose fame would stay in the world for years to come.
He was to be a Brahmachari and even before the undertaking of scriptural studies and penances , would be blessed with GOD REALIZATION.
Such predictions astonished Panditji.
PROGRESS OF CHILD & DEMISE OF MOTHER
The child Chandreshwar progressed in infancy just as the moon progresses during the Shukla Paksh Period.People were magnetized to His brilliance, quietitude and the beautiful briallance on His face.Sarla devi called Him CHAND—the moon sent to her by the gods.
At the tender age of 2 or 3 He lost his mother. This was perhaps the Lord’s divine scheme to make the child detached from a young age itself .He was brought up by his grandmother thereafter.
BAL LILAS
The Bal lilas of Great men are also meant for the welfare of man kind.
From a young age the young Chandreshwar was fond of solitude and would often wander into the jungle.
On one such occasion he went to the forest and slept off under a tree. A peacock spread its wings and held it like an umbrella to the sleeping child. Panditji came in search of the child and was astonished to see this sight. It felt as if Lord Krishna HIMSELF lay there under the tree with the peacock feathers as his umbrella. By the age of 5 years the young child had memorized all that his father had taught Him. Since He was not an ordinary child His grasp and memory was astonishing.
Shastras have prescribed various Samskaras for a human being and thread ceremony is an important Samskara especially for the Brahmins, Kshatryas and the Vaishyas.
Those eager to devote their life to the Lord have to perform this at the age of 8 years but as Chandreshwar was an exceptional child his father thought of performing the thread ceremony early to expedite his progress.One more reason was that Ramduutji saw a good occasion to call Swami Ramanadji to see the special child and to shower His blessings on Him.Sarladevi had always envisioned handing over her child to Swamiji saying that as He was Swamiji’s gift to them .Tera tujh Ko arpan Kya laage Mera!!!!!!
Destiny intervened and she was unable to accomplish the task herself.
After the Gayatri Upadesh Panditji offered young Chandreshwar at his holy feet.
Swamiji endearingly picked up the child and ran his hand all over his body and smelt his head too. This ancient tradition of learned Gurus was done when they wanted to bless someone with a specific reason.
On His departure young Chandreshwar was instructed to chant the Geeta .Vishnu Sahashra naam and the repitition of the 12 syllable mantra of OM NAMO BHAGWATE VASUDEV VAYA Chandreshwar bid Him farewell with the customary Shastang Pranam ordained for males where 8 parts of the body touch the mother Earth.
A TRUE DREAM
It was Shiv Ratri and Panditji had kept a Nirjala Fast All night long there was Rudra Abhishek to please the Lord lovingly called Ashutosh(the one who is quickly pleased)Chandreshwar Plucked a lotus and offered it to the Lord and proclaimed that like His father he too would carry out all austerities on Shiv Rati hence forth.
Chandreshwar’s voice was very conspicuous in the group chanting of the Rudrabhishek which pleased the father who was also proud of his son’s reverence and capabilities.
During the course of the night panditji went for a short nap and that is when he had this dream. He saw that in place of the Shivling stood his own son and Lord Krishna stood beside Him.He was astonished but his son pacified him by saying that Lord Vishnu is in the heart of Shankar and vice versa .Both are the same Hari and Har are not different.
This dream confirmed the exceptional powers of his son.
SHASTRA SHRAVAN
Panditji’s daily routine was self study ,Jaap, austerities and havan. After this he would daily relate Krishna Leelas to his son. Through the medium of story telling he explained the mysteries embedded in the scripture like Srimad Bhaagwat, Bhagwat Geeta, Harivansh and the Mahabharat.
These stories created an adoration for Krishna in the young child and this made Panditji decide to take his son to Vrindavan to do the darshan of Banke Bihariji.He consulted his astrologer friend and after determining a good mahurat started off on the journey.
IN THE ASHRAM OF SANT RAM
Father and son proceeded to Vrindavan and on the way stopped at the ashram of an aged Tapasvi, a Phalhari baba called SantRam.
Panditji had earlier made several visits here and on baba’s insistence they stayed for a week now.
There was a daily influx of saints, yogis and tapasvis to the ashram who were taken great care of by Babaji.
All this Nishkaam seva left an imprint on the mind of Chandreshwar.
He as a young child attended to all the duties of the ashram like cleaning and seva in the cow shed.
At night paad seva (pressing the feet)of Babaji.
A week went past fast and now it was month since they had arrived.Chandreshwar was now eager to proceed to Vrindavan and so Panditji shared the mysterious events surrounding the birth and childhood of his son and the promise of the birth chart and of Swami Ramanandji.
Babaji now had more love for Chandreshwar so he explained the importance of sant seva and that where the saints reside the Lord too resides there. Without the blessings of saints there is no way to reach the Lord.
Once during meditation Babaji intuited the previous birth Of Chandreshwar and came to know the purpose of His birth now.Babaji beckoned Chandreshwar and asked Him to be vigilant for 4 nights as the Lord would surely give Him His Divine Darshan .He also explained that there was no need to rush to Vrindavan as the Lord himself would come to see Him.The young boy was instructed to be vigilant and be ready to greet the Lord and not to insult Him in anyway and to have milk, flowers and fruit ready to greet his ISHTA DEVTA.
THE BLESSINGS OF LORD KRISHNA
Through the technique of shaktipat(a method by which a Guru or a Saint can directly pass on His power to a worthy disciple by merely touching him)
Babaji’s promise made Chandreshwar quiet and introverted and His father had no idea about all this.
Chandreshwar camped outside Babaji’s room and also stayed away from food for 2 days and nights.
During the Brahm Muhurat and the hour (prahar) of Ramji approximately at 4 am on the day of Hari Prabodini Ekadashi our BELOVED GURUJI HAD THE DARSHAN OF LORD KRISHNA .The young Chandreshwar could not handle this divine grace and stood frozen in a Samadhi.Seeing this the ever loving Lord reduced His effulgence and touched Chandreshwar with his hands saying “Child this is the result of your tapasya of many births and also due to the insistence and intervention of my disciple Phalhari Baba.
Now ask me for a boon, child!!!!”
Chandreshwar was overjoyed and quickly did the prescribed seva with flowers fruit and milk.
He said”Lord many Rishi Munis are not blessed with your darshan and I a small child has had the supreme grace for which I am very happy and also extremely satisfied so I have no further wish or boon to ask for”.
The Lord was happy to hear such mature words from the child and said “Child, My darshan never goes without blessing the Adhikari and even though you yourself have not expressed any desire ,may all your Sankalps henceforth fructify and may my divine powers be with you always and also may you uplift the masses and attain worldwide fame. At the end of your journey may you merge in my divine light.”
Chandreshwar saw this LIGHT come forth from the Lord which entered His body through His forehead and the Vigrah (embodiment) of Lord Krishna disappeared. The young child was totally immersed in the divine love and fell asleep .The next day He got up and hid all the pooja items and when Babaji got out from His samaadhi He saw the glow on Chandreshwar’s face and accepted the silent thanks of the child.
This secret was kept from others and after this event father and son proceeded to Vrindavan.
SHRI 108 BABA NAND DAS JI MAHARAJ
SHRI 108 BABA GURUDAS JI MAHARAJ
SHRI 108 BABA BHAGWANDAS JI
SHRI 108 BABA BHAKT RAM JI
SHRI 108 SWAMI SHYAMDASJIMAHARAJ
SHRI 108 SWAMI GOPIRAM JI
SHRI 108 SWAMI SUNDERDASJI MAHARAJ
SHRI 108 SWAMI RAMANANDJI MAHARAJ
Ved Darshanacharya MahaMandaleshwar Brahmaleen 108 Swami Gangeshwaranandji Maharaj.
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