Meeting Maharaj #3

[Guest guest]

Mornings began abruptly in our hotel room. It would seem like raucous

traffic would mingle with what

I call Indian Morning Music, the loud expectorations of our fellow hotel

mates. That would get us up and going.

My friend Rick and I had discussed taking a side trip to Sri Ramanasrama

in Tiruvanamalai. I had only 17 days in India and wondered what the

correct thing to do. We visit the AAA ( actually it must have another

name in India) to get some travel information.

Then off to Satsang. Although I do not remember the exact chronology, I

do remember that early in my visit Maharaj received a package and was

very intent on opeing it to find out its contents. I turned out to be

incense, which he promptly began to light. I remember being abit

critical of Maharaj. But that felt absurd.

Meanwhile the guru disciple play between Barbara and Maharaj continued.

He was inviting her to take initiation (which would be a mantra

initiation.) She considered it.

Maharaj told a story . He said there had been a Siddha who had many

powers. This siddha lived a few blocks away. One day Maharaj received an

invitation from the Siddha saying " I am dying, come now and receive the

transmission of all my powers. " Maharaj said something to the effect

that because he had met his Guru, he would not bother to travel the few

blocks to receive this transmission..

Maharaj answered my questions and I felt that I had good rapport with

him. At the end of the session as I was going down the stairs he turned

to me and intensely said " You are not going to roam about are you? "

I took this as an order, not a question and resolved to spend my entire

visit at Maharaj's feet. I felt that he was pointing me to stay put, and

with the opportunity of living Satsang beneath the photo of Ramana, I

felt like I was visiting with the Maharshi as well.

Maharaj had several Guru Bais. This means those who are fellow disciples

of the same guru. In Maharaj's lineage, Siddharameshwar had more than

one enlightened disciple. There was a Guru Bai, named Bainath Maharaj,

who was also fully enlightened. He spoke fluent English but did not

translate for Maharaj nor did he hold Satsang of his own. When he would

show up at Satsang, Maharaj would show him the greatest defference. They

had an obviously deep connection. I often wondered why Bai Nath didn't

teach, but then again, Nisargadatta did enough for both.

To be continued.