A Yogi belongs to Ramakrishna Order

[Guest guest]

Before mentioning what I know about him, I have to mention that this yogi

has taken a promise from me that I shall not reveal about his name under

any circumstances. How ever, from my heart I know that a few people belong

to this list have witnessed him. I promised him that I will not reveal his

name, today morning I saw him in the morning hours. I thought this is the

time that I should tell my fellow seeker belong to Ramakrishna Mission

about my experience with this yogi.

 

During the days that I spent in Hyderabad. Every Sunday I used to attend

lectures of Swamy Ranganathananda at Ramakrishna Mutt. It is a big

auditorium and many scholars do visit and listen to the lectures of

Swamiji. I seldom missed Swamiji's lectures as long as I was there in

Hyderabad.

 

One Sunday, I was sitting at a corner chair in the auditorium. Swamiji has

not yet come on to the dais. 10 minutes more time is left for the lecture

to start. I saw this person, who is frail, approaching me from rear

entrance. He directly came to me and smiled at me. I reciprocated and

offered seat next to me. He sat and closed his eyes. I could see him

meditating, he was not at all interested in looking around for the people

who are coming and sitting for the lectures. I am curious in watching

faces where ever I go... I could figure it out that he is completely in a

different world. Swamiji came and gave his lecture. The lecture was over.

He opened his eyes, smiled at me and went off... There was no single word

between us. After that, I occasionally used to see him. Some how, it

happens that he comes and sits next to me. Though I wanted to know more

about him, I was averse to any such move... Curiosity is good but some

times it might land you in unnecessary headaches. Apprehension is bliss,

non apprehension is also bliss, but misapprehension is terrible. Half of

the world quarrels only because of misapprehension and misunderstanding.

 

I moved away to Bombay on a new employment. Evening after office hours I

used to drive straight to Ramakrishna Mutt (Khar) Library. After attending

the prayer I used to go to the library, which is opposite to Great

Paramahamsa's mandir, adjacent to Mission Hospital. That library had been

my greatest companion during my four years stay at Bombay. Reading various

books and taking notes, is how I used to spend my leisure time in Bombay.

One day, I came to know that Swamy Ranganathanandaji is going to visit the

Mutt. I am delighted to know the news, felt very privileged to have again

the darshan of such a great scholar. I visited next day the ashram in the

evening 7PM. Everybody was having the padanamaskar of Swamiji. Swamiji

was discussing some thing with the local mission organizers. I felt

somebody is watching me very closely, I looked hither and thither...there I

saw him again....

 

I saw the person who used to attend the lectures of Swamy Ranganathananda

regularly at Hyderabad Mutth. He was standing in the crowd along with us.

Observing me intently, the moment I looked at him, he smiled at me. He

came close and stood near to me. I got my chance to do the padanamaskar to

Swamiji. The que came closer to Swamiji. I touched Swamy

Ranganathanandaji's feet. He looked in to my eyes and smiled. Many times

I felt that swamiji is a serious person. Anyway, I felt very happy to see

the

pleasant gesture of Swamiji. I moved

away. I came out of the Mutt, I saw that person again.

 

Since, I now know that he is a person who belong to Mission, I said

"namastE". He nodded his head. I asked his name. He *did* not reply, as

if telling the name is not necessary. He directly called on my name and

said "Madhava! I want to see when you are performing the abhisekha and

agnikarya, can you allow me?" he asked.

 

In Bombay I regularly used to perform "agnikarya" (offering havis to the

sacred fire early in the morning) after that abhisheka to Lord Siva. I am

surprised that he knew my name, equally surprised that I perform these

rituals in the morning. Especially, telling people about my spiritual

practices and allowing them to visit my home, is some thing I seldom

entertain. Of course, this was a special person. I asked him to come early

in the morning and I gave him my address. I used to live in ParsiColony

near Dadar Railway station.

 

Next day morning, by the time I woke-up, it was 4AM. I felt quite cold,

shivering... Normally I take the cold water head bath, that day my mind

has refused to accept the cold water bath, in stead I wanted to have the

Hot water bath. I am still feeling terribly cold. Then I heard the knock

on the door. I went and opened the door, he was standing there. I invited

him in to the home and offered a chair to him. I told him that I haven't

yet taken my bath. He smiled and said "go ahead, I shall wait". I went in

to the toilet. The water was so terribly cold, by touching the water I

started shivering again. I switched on the instant water heater. My tough

luck it didn't work. My mind, as if it never listened to me, has refused

to even prepare for a usual/regular cold water bath! I lit the Gas stove

and put water vessel on the stove. He came in to the kitchen and asked why

is it taking so long. I told him that I need hot water. He asked me, how

long it is going to take to heat up the water. I told it should take 20

minutes. He looked at me and said "I don't have that much time..." I felt

very sorry. I apologized for making him wait and went straight in to the

bathroom, fully prepared for a terrible cold water bath. I was above to

start the Namakam (I take bath while chanting namakam). He knocked the

door. I opened it. He asked me "do you need hot water?"...

 

I replied "Normally I don't, but today my mind is refusing to take cold

water. Any way, I shall take cold water only"

 

"That won't be necessary, you will spoil your health. Get the bucket and

come over here", he demanded.

 

I am surprised why he is asking the water bucket. Any way, I brought the

bucket outside the room. He put his right hand in to the bucket and closed

his eyes. Then, it happened... I felt as if a hot breeze passing through

me... I felt as if I saw him glow like a very hot iron ball for a split

second... I am terrified. But it was all over in a second. He was normal

again, looked at me and smiled and asked me to take the bath. I looked at

the water, it was beyond boiling temperature. Now, I know that I have just

witnessed the power of Yoga. A yoga that has disappeared from the

humankind because of the negligence and too much rationalization of the

thought process! I was awestruck.

 

I went and took my bath, came out and performed my regular ritual. Later,

we discussed at length on various topics of vedanta. I offered to drop him

at the ashram in my Car, he declined saying that he is not going to Mutth

now. I asked him which Mutth he belongs. He said he belongs to the entire

Ramakrishna Order! I requested his address, he again declined saying that

won't be necessary. He told me that we have something in common, a mutual

exchange was called for, that is why he visited me. I see him now and then

before my meditation hours. And I promised him that I won't reveal his

name, he told me that he could write about him when called for... Though I

did not realize the importance of it while I was in Bombay, I know now...

Hari Om! tat sat...

 

Om namO bhagavatE rAmakrisNAya tE namaH!