strange experiences

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Story of immaculate birth of Sri Ramakrishna

 

In the year 1835, Khudiram, Sri Ramakrishna's father, went on the holy

pilgrimage to Gaya. Gaya is famous for the rites that are performed for

the redemption of the spirits of one's forefathers. Khudiram was almost

sixty years of age that time. Gaya is believed to be abode of Vishnu,

the caretaker of the universe. His one incarnation is Rama, and other

Sri Krishna.

 

Sometime in the month of March or April 1835 Khudiram reached Gaya after

paying his obeisance to Vishwanath of Varanasi en route. Khudiram stayed

for nearly one month at Gaya, and performed all the rites and ceremonies

according to the scriptural injunctions. He experienced tranquility of

mind and heart, unspeakable peace and satisfaction of having performed

obsequies in honor of his ancestors. He was free from all anxieties now,

and was grateful to the Lord for having made it possible for an unworthy

man like him to accomplish all this.

 

In such a state of mind, in the last days of his stay, that night

Khudiram had the most unusual dream. He saw himself in the holy temple,

in the act of offering worship to his forefathers at the divine feet of

Gadadhar, Lord Vishnu - the 'mace holder'. He also saw his ancestors in

luminous celestial bodies. Overwhelmed with divine emotions on seeing

the Lord, Khudiram could not stop the tears flowing from his eyes. He

bowed at the holy feet of the Lord. The next moment the temple was

filled with divine luminosity as never seen before by him. Lord Vishnu

was seated in a beautiful celestial throne in posture of graceful deity.

 

The Lord beckoned Khudiram near him, and said in sweet voice: 'Khudiram,

your extraordinary devotion has made me very happy. I bless you. I shall

be born as your son and be the object of your loving care'. On hearing

these words, strange even for a dream, Khudiram's joy knew no bounds.

But the very next moment the thought struck him how, being so poor, he

could possibly feed and give proper shelter to such an exalted Being.

This made Khudiram exceedingly sad and in voice choked with emotion, he

said, 'No, no! O Lord, I am not worthy of such a blessing. Is it not

enough that you have blessed me by graciously revealing yourself to me?

How can this poor man render proper services to God Almighty in my small

hut!'

 

Hearing these words full of pathos, the Lord said, 'Do not fear,

Khudiram. I shall relish whatever you give me to eat. Let my desire be

fulfilled.'

 

With flood of conflicting emotions of joy and anxiety Khudiram lost his

consciousness, and soon his dream ended. For quite some time after

waking up Khudiram did not know where he was. Then he remembered the

dream and left Gaya thinking about the future.

 

Strange Experiences of Chandradevi (mother of Sri Ramakrishna)

 

Continued next mail...

 

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