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Tuesday, September 21, 2010

At Kanhangad - Sept 2010

As usual, without much botheration on where, who, how, etc, I set out from my home town in a bus that was an overnight journey to reach Mangalore. On reaching, Arjun came to pick me up and dropped me at Vishwanath Uncle's place where I freshened up, had breakfast and within 30 minutes we were on our way to the Railway station to catch the 9:15 am train to Kanhangad. It was a delight to meet all of them at the station and we spoke to each other in the train till we reached Kanhangad station at 10:40 am. From there it was a 10-minutes auto ride to the ashram. Uncle had already booked 4 rooms and we quickly did unwind ourselves. I was happy to see that I got the same room No.4 that we had been in last time. By 11:30 a.m. we went into the caves. The caves here have a special quality; in the cold season it is warm inside and in the warm season it is cold inside - the pattern based on "shanmugatatva". This  time it was better as there was no much of group activities and everyone did whatever they felt like doing there individually, like - meditating in the caves, in the above Nityananda samadhi mandir, attending pujas & homams, or just simply sitting above the caves or in Swami Jnanada temple below.  Trust me, freelancing stuff is always better :) Anything and everything one did  here brought only one thing - peace with inner smiles.

As a rule here, one has to attend all ashram activities and food on time and that is what the people here are particular about. The watchman uncle is a humble soul who is seen moving everywhere in the ashram and taking care of everything there, keeping watch on all activities. I have seen him to be in glory when he talks anything about Baba but at the same time have seen him shouting if anyone does anything that goes against the  normalcy there. Last time, I had got firings from him for not taking my slippers off as I had ran up to the top of the cave with slippers on. It was a good firing but same evening he was happily sharing his experiences with Baba when he was a kid. This visit he was yelling at some lovers loitering around to find their own solace of romance ignoring the unconditional peace and bliss that physical company could never give.

The first day we spent in the ashram and evening we all went to Guruvan since some of them had to leave the next day as their planned trip was short. Evening, when we reached Guruvan (more details of all these places are in my previous article) we all met Swami Vidyananda who stayed there all alone and supervised and looked after that place.

There is a construction of Nityananda Baba's temple going on in Guruvan, which you can see on the left.  In the backdrop where there is a blue poster is where the holy cave is, in which Bade Baba did tapas. I have elaborated about this in previous article. The moment I saw Guruvan this time, I was taken away with the beauty of it because last time we came here it was raining heavily and we could not stay for more time. This time we could see everything clear and enjoy the visual treat of tall trees all around with the sound of wild birds and the sound of gushing water. I immediately missed my camera, which I could not bring as it's lens failed. I constantly told Arjun how I wish my camera was here. (How these pictures came up here is revealed further.) Soon we gathered in a room kindly given to us by Swami Vidyananda and we all sat down to meditate. We sang a few of songs before sitting there in contemplation. After about close to an hour I got up and came out while the others continued meditating.  As I came out I saw Jagdeesh standing there. We had met Jagdeesh during our last time and his mother had booked the ashram rooms for us and was known to one of the seekers with us. We started talking to each other and by then everyone finished their meditation and came out. It is difficult to get buses from Guruvan to go back. The ladies walked down the hill and soon called us to let us know that they have got an auto back to the ashram. Jagdeesh told us surprisingly that he has brought his Maruti Omni and insisted that he would drop us.

As we were getting into the car, Jagdeesh also told me that he would get his digital  camera the next day to shoot the hill and I was awed. In the car I was telling Arjun that there is nothing impossible even in the remotest place for Baba takes care of everything. I told him that not only the camera but also the timely drop without waiting anywhere that we all got back to the ashram was Baba's love. The entire trip and every moment Baba took care of us including delaying trains and buses whenever we got late reaching the station or bus stand.  Nowhere we had to wait or face any kind or difficulty during the entire trip to such a remote place.  Some things in this article may sound too exaggerating but you would only benefit to know that it is not :) We planned that we would come here next day and stay one entire day and night in Guruvan.

After returning back to ashram, I and Arjun chose to just sit above the cave at my favorite spot in front of Baba's temple overlooking the vast water filled with white lotuses and from where one could see the trains passing by. In this temple sits Baba's huge statue made of panch-loha in the abhaya mudra.  I do not know but every time I sit here I get a strange mixed feeling of being emotional and also peace and bliss. Seekers can easily feel the energy here and more intensified when you give shambhavi to Baba's statue. We both sat and chatted there for a while. The lunch time was over we could see people washing their plates down below. Ganapathiji who looked after the Bhandara service spotted us sitting up while he was washing his plate and asked us to have food. We were full as we had had some snacks while coming back to the ashram from Guruvan and we told him that we were not having lunch. He quietly went away. Then I realized that the kitchen prepares food according to the number of people present there and it would not be fair on our part to do this. I and Arjun immediately went down and asked Ganapathiji if it was okay we did not have food since we were feeling full. He said, "It is okay but we will ask of you only two things - to be present for all activities in the ashram and to be present all time for timely food." I said we would take care of that and thanked him for his smilingly meaningful reply. Last time I came here I used to see this person (Ganapathiji) in a very serious look serving food and doing seva in the ashram. This is the first time I ever saw him talking so many words. He later stopped me while passing by in the evening and asked for my contact number to which I told him I will give him written on paper. I wondered why.

After some more moments of communication with Bade Baba in the vicinity of the ashram, we got into our rooms. I dropped on the bed and was fast asleep and woke up at 6 a.m. next morning. After freshening up, we began with the normal activities of attending the aartis and meditation in caves and elsewhere. Mallya aunty was requested to sing a few songs which she did without any hesitation. She has a very beautiful voice as though that of a trained singer and it reflected immense devotion. Soon, it was time for us all to depart as per their plans. The families were supposed to stay back in the ashram and leave in the evening to their homes while we were to leave now to Guruvan after lunch and stay the night there and return the next morning. We soon bid each other goodbye and me, Arjun, Vishwanath Uncle and Gangadhar uncle left for guruvan packed with fruits that would be our dinner in that forest.

On reaching there, I was happy to see that as promised Jagdeesh had come with his camera and gave it to me. He had also brought along with him  his father who was 85 years old but never showed any signs of any kind of weakness. He was a vaidya (ayurveda doctor) who had knowledge of all kinds of herbs in the forests. He was a person from siddhashram (the same place from where Mohan Swami was, whom I have written earlier in this blog. Click here to read) These swamis belonged to the Siddha Samaj whose founder was  Swami Sivananda Paramahamsa in Kerala who was at the time of Bade Baba. There is a famous photograph of Baba Nityananda sitting on the lap of Swami Shivananda. I now got to know that this is the same ashram from where Swami Mohan has "graduated" from and was awed to know how everything was strangely yet beautifully connected, for I meet Swami Mohan frequently who stays about only an hour from where I stay. He had told me to visit Siddhashram whenever possible in Vadagara, Kerala and to let know if I had any problem visiting inside the ashram. Now, it struck to me that it is the ashram of Swami Shivananda Paramahamsa who was a great yogi who taught pranayama. His deeksha included various kinds of pranayama and if mastered one could attain nirvana. So, Jagdeesh's 85-year-old father was also a person linked with Siddhashram. I spoke to him in Malayalam affectionately calling him "Acha" meaning father and he shared some of his episodes with Baba Nityananda when he was a small child. He remembered Baba giving him bananas everyday as he went from school to where Baba was constructing the caves. 
Jagdeesh then told us that we could go atop the hill of Guruvan and see the sunset. It was a good idea for MritSanjeevani too and we all walked with him and his father who was leading us. On the way up, he stopped to pick herbs and medicinal plants that included roots (which he said was an antidote to any kind of poison. This man had all signs of a yogi, was calm, poised, talked very less, very active to everything around him. The way up was not very hard or long and we reached the top in about 15 minutes. It was a magnificent view from the top. It was nearing sunset and we all sat facing the sun and did MritSanjeevani sadhana as the sun was setting. After that, we asked Swamiji to sing songs and he readily sang out a Kannda and a Malayalam song sitting in the yogic posture seemingly with complete command over his breath. We then made our way down the hill and our way down Swamiji was silently listening to my conversation with his son, Jagdeesh, who was sharing how every mythological event was a symbolic expression that contained more than the drama of the story and characters that people stick on with. Everything, he said, including the Mahabharata and Ramayana were illustrated with great meanings containing the secrets of evolution but how everything remains hidden and people got serious only with the characters and stories and places.  In one instance he mentioned to me about Ramayana where Rama is the soul and Sita is nothing but the breath that gets caught by the 10-headed Ravana symbolizing the 10 indriyas (senses) and Rama fights back this from the clutches of the senses and brings back Sita (breath) under control. He also mentioned that the 18 holy steps that pilgrims cross at Ayyappa Shrine is nothing but the symbolic representation of indriyas and bhavas (I made a check on this and found that the first three steps depict “Bhoomi, Agni, Vayoo  & Akash”, 6 to 9 steps for Karmendriya, 10 to 15 for Jhanandriya, 16th for mind 17th Intelligence and 18th Jeevathma Bhava.) Climbing over each step represents the victory over these indriyas and thus enlightenment but rarely is the actual pilgrimage undertaken with these insights. All these were quite an eye-opener for me and a great learning which I wished to share here.  Soon, he drove away with his father along with the camera so that he could give the images and videos the next day which was our last day at the ashram. This visit with Swamiji was again surprising because though he stayed very close to  Guruvan, he was coming to Guruvan there after 6 years and he came to meet us! We were blessed to spend some time with him.

We came back to the room that was besides where the young Swami Vidyananda stayed in the forest. I missed taking his snap for by now the camera was gone with Jagdeesh. In the veranda of the small house, we sat talking with the young swami. I asked him how was he living there all alone and about fear. He said he was there since he was 9 years old and hailed from Hubli. He had distanced himself away from his physical family almost at a very young age, when he joined Siddashram at the age of 6 and at the age of 9 he was in Guruvan. He was now 44 but looked just 26-28!! He said there was nothing to fear when Baba was always there. It is inspiring to see him move around hurriedly in that place barefooted, waking up at 4 a.m. and doing abhishekham for the idol of Baba in the temple there and offering flowers to the local deity and the eight stone lingas, and this he did throughout all seasons of the year. He even said that he stepped on naag snakes in the dark five times but never did one bite him. He says snakes even move on the roof of his room in search rats and sometimes fall down in the room while chasing these rats. After a little talks with him, he retired at exactly 9:30 pm which he said was his sleeping time. We then sat for sometime in meditation and then were sitting out in the verandah of the rooms. I was very keen to go and meditate near the caves but uncle simply wouldn't allow. A little disturbed, I sat out of the house with my iPod listening to the blissful music in the enchanting environment of a cool jungle night. We all tossed to sleep at around 11 p.m.

Next morning woke up at around 7 a.m. and ran to the Nityananda temple to to bow to him where Swami Vidyanand was doing aarti. After the aarti he turned around and asked me with a smile in Malayalam, "Have you had bath?" I smiled sheepishly and ran away from there straight to have a bath in Paapanashini Ganga. This water is very clear and full of prana. When Bade Baba came here for penance, there was no water around and thus he struck a rock from where water sprouted and he gave it's name. I drank lots of it and this is the only place I have drunk water apart from boiled and cooled water from home or mineral water. You never feel the need to worry here about anything in any manner :) After the bath, since I was desperate to meditate near the cave, I attended the aarti at the temple and ran up to sit near the caves where I finally felt contended and meditated there for some time.  After meditation, I was honored to have black tea that was lovingly prepared and offered by Swamiji. Thanking him for everything, we left from there at 8:30  a.m. since I had some homams scheduled at 9 a.m. back in the ashram. Just five minutes to 9 a.m. we reached the ashram room and within minutes I was up at the Nitayananda temple for the homam. After that it was a quick breakfast and we talked with each other for sometime and spend time packing since we had to leave the same evening by the 3:50 pm train to Mangalore. I was just not in the slightest mood to leave and dragged myself around with the pinch of leaving.

Before leaving for Kanhangad, I had written to Gopalkrishna Shenoyji, as last time, if I need to meet any other person there during this visit to which he had replied that meeting only three souls were enough - Bade Baba, Swami Jnananda, and Padiyar Swami (in samadhi). I obviously knew about Bade baba and Swami Jnananda (Bade Baba's disciple who was assigned by Baba to look after the Kanhangad ashram) but never had seen anything about Padiyar Swami there. I had asked this to the watchman uncle there about Padiyar swami and he told me that it was out of the ashram and needed to go about a kilometer from there. For the first two days I had this desire to go there but never found time and the this day, that is the third day, I had completely forgotten about it.

We had lunch and sat in the temple for a while. This day I had not gone into the caves and thought I should and brought my asana but somehow got involved in talking to the group. It was 1 p.m. and then something strange happened. Ganapathiji (who I mentioned earlier did seva in the kitchen) walked up to me and said, "Come, let's go." I jumped up from my seat and did not want to question him anything. I remembered that he had asked my contact number and said I will give it to him. He said, "That is okay,  but now we will go to one place" It looked like he did not want to tell where we were going. I got a little inquisitive and replied, "Sure, but where?" Looking at my inner doubt he replied, "Kushal Nagar" I was dumb-folded and awestruck and suddenly remembered that I had forgotten about visiting Padiyar Swami and Kushal Nagar is where his samadhi is!! Not thinking any further I was overjoyed and ran to the room to put on my footwear and we all walked along with him. I did not question him anything but was delighted all the way that I was going where I was supposed to go. I knew for sure that this was the reason I got entangled in that discussion and could not go into the caves. If I would, I would have have missed Ganapathiji and then we would later left the ashram without going to Padiyar Swami!

On the way Ganapathiji showed us the round table of stone built by Bade Baba in 1931 and called it the ''Round Table Conference." He would sit at his table and speak of various world issues, relating first the views of other world leaders and then those of Gandhi. Now, at this very time there happened to be an international conference taking place in London. Skeptics amoung the Master's listeners who checked the newspaper accounts of the ''real'' Round Table Conference were amazed to find that they coincided exactly with Nityananda's words. After sitting here on the round table for a while, we moved a few steps from here and we were in the compound of Padiyar Swami's house and we first visited his samadhi which was in the vicinity of the compound itself.

Then we walked into the house and it was then I realized that Ganapathiji lived here! He was taking care of this house. I cannot mention in words the peace and tranquility one can instantly sense the moment one steps in. The vibrations are high here. Padiyar Swami met Bade Baba when he was 14 years old and stayed for many years with Baba in Ganeshpuri serving him. Once Swami Muktananda approached Baba requesting that Padiyar Swami be initiated into sanyas to which Baba replied, "Where is the need for a born sanyasi to be initiated?" Just before Baba's  mahasamadhi, he instructed Padiyar Swami to live in this house saying "Everything will come to you, no need for pranayama, meditation, asanas,  or anything of the kind. Do only SUVICHAR (good thoughts) and stay there doing little service to the people." Padiyar Swami stayed here since then in obedience to his Guru's order and everything happened as Baba promised him.  Padiyar Swami always mentioned the words of Bade Baba and these words were printed on many of Swami's photos in the house "You must not leave the feet of a guru. Your mind should not flicker like the reflection of the sun in the shaking water."

Ganapathiji said that we could go in whichever room we pleased and sit wherever we wanted. The first room had the chair of Padiyar swamiji and photos of Nityananda baba everwhere. To the left was a room which was used by Ganapathiji that connected to the kitchen. The central room had a sofa and chairs and had a huge table that displayed many photographs and idols of Nitananda Baba. This was the room I preferred sitting and meditating and it was such a beautiful communication here! This room led to two other rooms, the bedroom which was divinely magnificent of Swamiji's energies. It contained a bed, clock, 4-5 walking canes, and the other things that he regularly used. The other room was the pooja room filled with Nityananda Baba's photos and idols and every photo of his carried a Ganesh photo or idol. On the wall hung a photo of a yogi from Kashi who looked to be in his 50's. Ganapathiji told us that he lives without eating or drinking and that Bade Baba had told he would remain for 124 years! One of us tried to close a wide open window to which Ganapathiji said that there was no need to close it. When told that snakes could come in he said, "They come and go, it is no problem. Let it remain open." He then showed us through the window about a few feet ahead a huge snake burrow.

We spoke for sometime sitting on the floor of the entrance room. We were highly honored when Ganapathiji made us tea and served us. It felt as though we were invited by Padiyar Swami there and was treating us like a guest. It was 3 p.m. when we took leave of him. While leaving Ganapathiji gave us some apples that was on Swamiji's chair and had been offered by some visitor. When we refused, he said, "Swamiji never kept anything, he gave to others what was offered to him". While exiting the beautiful home, when I was alone with Ganapathiji, I asked him why did he approach me and invite me here? He just smiled. On repeated questioned he repeatedly smiled. Seeing no answer from him I told him that it was my desire to come here since I reached Kanhangad and had forgotten completely about it when he came and asked me. He replied, "Anyone who desires for him (Padiyar Swami) will come here. He is very powerful and still lives here." He then continued, "I'll introduce you to a person Murli in Belgaum (where I stay) and he will take you to a place." When I asked him which place he only smiled. Not wanting to allow any logic into all this, I thanked him profusely for everything and we left from there back to ashram.

Our train was at 3:50 p.m. but I did not have the slightest wish to leave. I was thinking it would be better if we would have gone by the 5:30 train. As soon as we reached the room, Arjun told me that he wished if we would leave by the 5:30 train and I was delighted. We both sipping our tea in the Bhandara asked both uncles that they could leave and we would be coming by next train. They refused and said they would also wait and come with us. I wanted to spend some more time with Baba. But I soon realized that Baba made me wait because I had forgotten another thing. The pictures of Guruvan and videos were in Jagdeesh's camera and he was supposed to give it today. As I took my asana and was walking towards the caves Jagdeesh brought me the CD of the images. I would have missed this if I had gone by the 3:50 train. Thanking him I went into the caves and meditated there for a while. From there I went above and sat there also for a while. By this time it was 5 p.m. and we all left the ashram bidding goodbye to the wonderful people there. There was no auto available and we had to walk for some distance. By the time we took an auto it was already 5:30 p.m. and we did not want to miss this train.  When we reached the station there was a long queue and we had a doubt whether it would be possible to get this train. But as it had to happen, the train was 20 minutes late and we comfortably got out tickets and boarded the train. In one hour we were back in Mangalore. It was 7 p.m. and like last time, I was confident that I would get a ticket back home. I booked the 8 p.m. bus and Uncle Vishwanath insistingly took me to his home inspite of telling him that there is only 40 mins for my bus to come. There he and aunty who lovingly prepared for me, made me eat supper along with a cup of oats. I looked at the watch. It was only 5 mins to 8 p.m. and I was still eating! I said to Baba that uncle wont understand and does not listen at all and I got a reply. "Eat and relish it with no hurry." I relaxed immediately and finished the plate. By the time we left it was 8 p.m. and Uncle drove me for a while in his car through the traffic and signals. Again, we reached late but the bus also came late. It came after we had the time to speak for a few minutes there. Soon I was into my seat moving out of Mangalore. I reached home next morning 8 a.m.

Thanking all my friends in this visit and Gopalkrishna Shenoyji for his guidance and all people we met during this short but beautiful stay and travel.

Thank you for joining in this virtual trip :) My intention here was to share the entire travel that will convey a lot of messages and learning in some way or the other for I have known that this is the way Baba works. If possible do go there once and meditate and connect to all divine beings there.

In gratitude to you divine souls and Bade Baba...

To read all Kanhangad experiences click here.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

At Kanhangad - July 2010

Blessed to have a 3-day visit to Kanhangad, Kerala, with 6 other seekers from July 2 to July 4, 2010. It was a divine trip.

Since then, I had this longing to go to Kanhangad, where Bade Baba had spent a considerable amount of time doing his sadhana. Almost a year passed and I suddenly began having the craving to go to this place.  I was getting stuck somewhere in my sadhana and I constantly remembered Bade Baba. While I was in the peak thoughts of Bade Baba regularly for a few days and thinking about Kanhangad, I suddenly received a mail from a stranger (who is no more a stranger:) Arjun) He is a seeker from Mangalore and he wrote - "I do not know why I am writing to you, but I felt strongly to do so after reading your blogs. We are a group of seekers planning to go to Kanhangad. Would you be interested to join us?" My heart knew no joy of this synchronicity and soon I was talking to Arjun and planning for the dates. I thank all the dear seekers who arranged it to the dates I wished to have to adjust my work routines.

I was soon in a bus to Mangalore. In the journey I thought to myself how I longed to go there and how I did not know how to go there since I have never been there before. I was always waiting for company and here I get it all. As soon as I arrive, I call up Arjun not to come to pick me (he was supposed to) and that I would directly take an auto to Vishwanath Uncle's house. This is where I was supposed to freshen up after I arrive there. I had never met this gentleman before and I was very very surprised to see him at the gates welcoming the auto right into his house. From the moment I got down I was receiving his unconditional love that emitted in all his actions and trials from trying to pick up my luggage to trying to pay the auto bills. He is a well-do-do businessman but yet such simplicity and humility! He took me right to his room and insisted that I take his room only and made me very comfortable excitedly running around the room and making quick arrangements. I had forgotten my towel and asked Uncle if I could buy one and if the shops around were open. He immediately brought me a dozen towels from nowhere and I picked one. I thought he must be around 55 to 60 years old but later I learnt he is 72! He does regular pranayam and his family is devoted to Swami Shivananda Paramahamsa from Kerala and also Baba Nityananda and Baba Shivananda Avadhoot.

Soon, I freshened up and all other seekers from Mangalore were there in the room. We chatted for a while Uncle and Aunty lovingly filled "us " with 5 chapathis each, coconut water, bananas and tea. Yeah, I know what you are thinking... :) There was only love in every action of his. The family is a blessed one and even his pet dog - Taquila (I know it's an unique name ;) but she was really intoxicated with so much of love and met everyone we all knew each other since ages. So, the 7 seekers were Uncle Vishwanath (72), Uncle Gangadhar (71), Uncle Yogesh (in 50's), Arjun (25), Jay Prakash (28), Abhay (20) and myself (x) ...lol.. ok... 35...

We set out soon on the Kerala highway to Kannur in Uncle's car and soon we were speeding across God's own paradise - Kerala. After a 2-hour drive we reached Kanhangad. TOn the left is the image of the huge rock over which is the temple of Bhagawan Nitayananda. The huge rock has 46 caves that was carved out of that one single rock by Bade Baba. Bade Baba planned and designed every bit of this masterpiece by himself without any instruments or blueprints. The huge rock has 3 entrances in the east and 3 in the west that prevents total darkness in the caves from morning to evening. Baba even symbolized this to be the brain and it's six passages. Baba paid workers enough wages to carry out the work from mysterious sources that failed to answer questioning minds including Mr. Gawne, the British tax officer.

Uncle Vishwanath had already got the rooms booked for us. After a quick change we went into the caves and explored it all with our cell torches. Though the caves were plastered well, it did give a natural sense of a cave. We spent some time searching for a cave according to one's preference. Each cave was big enough to fit in a person and some caves were hollow that could fit in many people at a time. We meditated here often every day and it was the best place to meditate far from the noises and monotonous tasks of everyday world. Honestly, the caves were dark in many places and gave a eerie look since we were never habituated to a cave, but as soon as one closed his eyes and was absorbed within nothing mattered. What you see in the photograph is well-lit but the caves are very lowly lit with natural light and also are now equipped with electric lights for conveyance. I later found bats flying in these caves one morning but knew that they never harmed anyone.

One can easily connect here with absolute disappearance of thoughts. Bade baba had spent more than 25 years in this place and had predicted that a day will come when sages will come here for their sadhana before the Golden Yuga. It is said that one is blessed to meditate in these holy caves. The radiations of Baba's divine presence is still here with so much of peace and serenity. The first whole day we spent in meditating in the caves, attending pooja in Swami Janananda samadhi mandir, Swami Nityananda Samadhi mandir, moving around in the vicinity of the ashram, meeting other babas, resting, chatting and discussing spiritual things and experiences in our rooms. The most blissful places I found in the ashram was the samadhi mandir on top of the caves and also the beautiful place in front of this mandir which carried sooooooooooo much of divine energy. One could stay absorbed forever in this place. Just opposite to the mandir was a flat surface perched up above the rocks where one could sit overlooking the railway track and open fields with water filled in it. Frogs croaked and birds chirped around in the fields there. I often sat and looked at the trains passing feeling the love of Baba, the love he had for trains. He often took examples of trains to explain the prana and sushumna. He cited many examples with trains to make things clear. I went into flashback of how things would have looked to Baba in those days, visualizing the steam engine passing by on a broad gauge and jungle everywhere around. There were so many things that reminded me about Baba's touch on the things that he made with his own hands there.

You can see the exact angle and view that I am mentioning about in this video.

The kitchen where Annaprasadam (food) was served also seemed to show Baba's grace in the food. Though the food was simple with simple rice and sambar with pickles, it tasted real good and one ate more than usual. Sometimes food was followed with payasam (Kheer made of milk and wheat or rice) Mornings we had idlis and sambar with tea. Everytime I went to wash my plate and glass at the tap outside, the railway track caught my attention and all those areas vibrated with Baba's presence. A sevak by name Sadananda who lived there since Baba was there and was now old, often shared his experiences with Baba and told stories about how he stopped trains . He narrated one incident where Baba wanted to go somewhere in train immediately though the railway station is about two kilometers from the ashram. To everyone's surprise the train stopped next to the ashram for some reason and Baba quietly walked and alighted the train. There are countless stories of Baba's leelas that I cannot mention here due to huge space and time it would require. 

The next day we plan to go to Guruvan, a few kilometers from here. This is the place where Baba was found as a child. Baba came back here and in his early years and did penance in this dense jungle in the cave. A swami guided us to the fresh water that flowed as a stream known as "Paapanashini Ganga" where seekers take holy bath. This  stream of water was created by Baba as there was no water in this area. He struck a rock and there was a gush of water and ever this this stream has been flowing there. Everything around was thick and tall trees. The photo above is the small entrance of the cave where Baba did penance and the one below shows the immediate opening of the cave.

The swami explained to us that this cave has a wide entrance but it narrowed down to a narrow entrance into the real abode of the place of so many siddhas. We went into the low-lying cave and found it was filled with water and we could move only a few meters. One could wonder how one can enter beyond through such a small passage. The swami told us that there are siddhas even today who are in deep penance in these caves and it is inaccessible by the common man. I was aware by the teachings of our Shivanand Baba that such saints are in dimensions higher than us and are vibrating at such high frequency that they are invisible to our 3D eyes. I was constantly aware that we might be passing right through them or they might be passing right through us.

Nityananda Baba had mentioned earlier that many siddhas had earlier come to live in guruvan and had taken mahasamadhi there. So, he created a circle of eight stone lingas symbolizing the ashta siddhis. I am just awed at the precision at anything that Bade Baba did, that too in the middle of nowhere, in total wilderness. It very aptly signifies the power that he held within him for creating anything out of creation itself and from the extraordinary experiences he gives to seekers to solidify their faith in the the divine and the powers lying within human beings. Baba always used to mention that it is God who does everything and it is his wish.

We then came back, had food and rested for a while in our rooms, often spending time in cheer and laughter. Then in the evening, we all left to have some evening snacks in a veg hotel in the city. On the way back Uncle Vishwanath asked if we would like to go to the Anand ashram and on our interest steered towards it.

I had never heard about this ashram but it is a famous ashram of Swami Ramdas who was lovingly called as Papa and his disciple Mother Krishnabai. As we entered we heard divine songs of Ayappa sung by devotees. It was a very pleasant atmosphere as we entered where Papa stayed before his samadhi. We were greeted by an elder seeker who took us into the place where Papa's remains were in the room inside the green door and explained briefly about Papa and mother. 

Here are the words of Papa, "God is ever the friend and protector of his devotees for the self-realisation.  First of all what is needed is an intense and fiery aspiration to realise the self. Next comes the contact of a saint to initiate you on the path and implicit faith in the teachings and guidance of the Guru, followed by earnest and intense Sadhana.  When you have intense aspiration, God will see to it that you are taken to a saint who will thereafter guide you. Till then, pray to the Lord for such a contact, keep chanting the holy name of God as much as possible ,any name that appeals to you. Read the lives and writings of saints regularly." 

We then came back and sat for sometime and joined in the singing. I must say the place was very vibrating high and very peaceful. I felt like spending more time there but then we had to leave. We then took leave of the person and left the home as the divine singing and chorus with music continued to creep out of the hall giving us company till we reached for our car.

Then we returned back to our rooms, had food and spent some time in our rooms doing japa and healing and then chatted spiritual things till sleep.

Next morning, the morning of Sunday 4th July, was the last day of our stay and we got ready and meditated for sometime in the caves, then at noon attended the pooja at the Nityananda samadhi temple and had food. We had planned to leave early after lunch as we planned of visiting a few other places before we reached Mangalore.
Finally, all packed and set, I met few of them and thanked them, had a final glimpse of all the places and sending out love to Bade Baba, we all left at 2 pm. We drove to Kasargod and stopped at the Bekkal Beach for some detoxification :) We spent some time in the salty waters of the Indian Occean allowing mother nature to pull away the negativity through our feet. While doing so we saw the Bekal fort, which can be seen in the beach photo and decided to go there. Hardly a kilometer from here, we drove to the fort that spread over 40 acres which was more than 300 years old and built by Ikkeri Dynasty, which was later occupried by Hyder Ali and Tippu Sultan.

This fort was built for defense purposes, monitoring and observing the enemies, and storing ammunition. It has many underground passages and an observation tower in the center of the fort that gives a magnificent all round view around the fort. The viewsfrom any point around the fort was breathtaking. I wondered about the activities in the fort during the days it was occupied.

From here, we then move towards Ananthapura, the place is well known for the temple of Lord Anantha Padmanabha. There are two specialties of this place - one, the idols of Lord Anantha Padmanabha, Goddesses Sridevi & Bhudevi . The main eye raising fact about these idols are that they are not made of stone/wood/metal, but are made of a mixture of more than 60 extracts from herbs/plants & other natural materials. The temple is built in the middle of a small pond & there is no external source of water to the pond except rain.

Moreover the main attraction to this place is of the fact that there is a mysterious crocodile here 68 years old. It is said that a crocodile was shot by a British and soon after emerged another crocodile out of nowhere and is still alive there.  This mysterious crocodile does not harm anyone and is a pure vegetarian. It does not harm even the frogs and fishes in the water and only feeds on the prasad given by the priests. Even on the other side it is said to bask near the edge of the water while cattle and other animals fearlessly drink water. The belief is that if the crocodile gives darshan to seekers their wishes are fulfilled. This story seemed very exciting to me and I looked forward to go here. When we went in the temple caretakers explained everything to us and told us that it was mandatory as per tradition for men to go in the Shakti temple topless. I refused to believe this in my mind but then if I had to go in I had to take it that way and I did not want to miss going into the temple of Maa. Soon I joined others in that ritualistic way and had darshan. I must say that the vibes were very powerful and gentle. I just could not take off my eyes from the idols of Lord Anantha Padmanabha, Goddesses Sridevi and  Bhudevi. Though my knowledge about them remains poor, I felt very strong connection to them and thus prayed and contemplated for a while there.

Then, we were told by the priests that the crocodile had just left from around the temple and gone to the other side. He called out to the crocodile many times "Babiya, babiya..." there was no response. Finally, he told us that he could see its tail and it is resting with it's head on the other side and that a glimpse may be possible from the other side for which we had to walk around the whole place to reach another side where the water was stagnant. (pic on the right). We went there and the priest joined us and made all effort to call Babiya out but it never showed any signs. Finally, the priest spotted it lying low on the ground in the waters and we all went into the water with the priest standing very close to it and calling it. It could be seen in the bottom and strangely there was no fear at all being there. Suddenly, Gangadhar uncle suggested me to give Sanjeevani to it and without thinking even an extra thought  I immediately invoked Sanjeevani and sent love to the crocodile. Surprisingly in a few minutes the priest exclaimed it to come up. We all, standing in the waters very close to Babiya had a glimpse of Babiya's two eyes that fixed itself on us and it remained there for sometime. The photo you see below here of the crocodile is not the one we took but what I got from the internet of the same crocodile in the same place, since we could not capture any snaps. 
But before Uncle Gangadhar could see it, it went down and again the priest tried to call it but in vain. Then, the priest went away asking us to come later and try. Again, all of us thought we should send Sanjeevani and we all sat on the rocks and sent Sanjeevani to it for 5 minutes or so. I tried searching for it  in the same place and suddenly I saw it emerge up and excitedly called Uncle to come over. This time he had a clear view while it looked at us with large eyes and its visible snout, and after a few moments, it sank down. Even when I write this I feel so much of love for Babiya. Today, morning also in sadhana I was remembering it. I do not know anything much in logic about this crocodile or this place but I know for sure there is something very mysterious in here.

I could not understand much about the other small temples around that remained closed named as "Mashisurmardini" but we bowed to it all. Thanking the very courteous priests and caretakers here we left the place recollecting  the unconditional love that flowed from the caretakers here with no trace of arrogance or ego at all. I thought to myself it could certainly be the high energies that they are surrounded with.

We reached Mangalore at about 8:30 p.m. and bid goodbye as one by one each reached their home. Finally, came to Uncle Vishwanath's house where I freshened up and got ready to catch my bus back to Belgaum. We played a while with the lovely dog at Uncle's place and bid everyone goodbye. Uncle dropped me at the private bus stand where I was able to get a seat in the same bus that I had come to Mangalore in Ganesh Travels. Uncle went ahead to drop Abhay to his home and I got into the bus recollecting every moment of the wonderful trip. I thank Uncle Vishwanath for being so courteous and loving to all of us and giving us a great "treat"! Sorry Uncle for not getting an opportunity to hug you :)

A big thank you to Bade Baba and all beautiful souls.

Om Namo Bhagavate Nityanandaya

Here is a special recreated aarti for Bade Baba.

To download audio/video click here


To read all Kanhangad experiences 
click here.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Guru Ashtakam



Guru Ashtakam was written by Shri Adi Shankaracharya and tells about the necessity of the Guru and attaching our mind to the Lotus Feet of the Guru. Also, given are extracts from a lecture of Swami Vivekananda on the need of a spiritual Guru.

A very beautiful video with a beautiful melody of Guru Ashtakam

SHAREERAM SUROOPAM THATHA VAA KALATRAM,
YASASCHARU CHITRAM DHANAM MERU TULYAM,
MANASCHE NA LAGNAM GURO RANGHRI PADME,
TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM..........1
Body is handsome, wife is attractive, fame spread far and wide, wealth enormous and stable like Mount Meru; but of what consequence are all these, if the mind is not riveted in devotion to the lotus feet of Guru? Really of what use is all this, what use, what use?

KALATRAM DHANAM PUTRA POUTRAADI SARVAM,
GRUHAM BHAANDAVAA SARVA METTADHI JAATAM,
MANASCHE NA LAGNAM GURO RANGHRI PADME,
TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM..........2
Wife, wealth, son, grandson, and the like, house, relations, even if all these are there fate is certain, of what consequence is one's life if his mind is not devoted to the feet of Guru? Ascertain, what use is any possession, person or object? Of what use, of what use, of what use indeed?

SHADANGAADHI VEDO MUKHE SHASTRA VIDHYAA,
KAVITVA AADHI GADHYAM, SUPADHYAM KAROTI,
MANASCHE NA LAGNAM GURO RANGHRI PADME,
TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM..........3

All the Vedas are mastered and ever present on the lips; likewise, knowledge of all the sciences is well gained. The ability to write prose or verse is also present. Even then, of what ultimate benefit is all this, if one's mind does not devoutly rest on the feet of Guru? By whose grace along can one's soul be liberated? Of what use, of what use, of what use indeed?

VIDHESESHU MAANYAHA, SWADHESESHU DHANYAHA,
SADHAACHAARA VRUTTESHU MATTO NA CHA ANYAHA,
MANASCHE NA LAGNAM GURO RANGHRI PADME,
TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM..........4

I am honoured well even in far off places, held in high esteem in my own locality; in good conduct and noble deeds there is no one to excel me. If one has occasion to think like this, of what avail is it if the mind is not steeped in devotion and humility towards the feet of the Guru from whom alone can flow wisdom and immortality?

KSHAMAA MANDALE BHUPA BHUPAALA BRINDIHI,
SADA SEVITAM YASYA PAADAARAVINDAM,
MANASCHE NA LAGNAM GURO RANGHRI PADME,
TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM..........5

Your feet may be worshipped constantly even by the great kings and emperors of the world for reason of your greatness and scholarship; but of what real consequence is that if the mind is not graced by the blessing of unflinching devotion to the Guru, by whose loving 'touch' alone can redemption and peace be realized?

YASHO ME GATTAM DHIKSHU DHAANA PRATAAPAATH
JAGADVASTU SARVAM KARE YATPRASAADAATH
MANASCHE NA LAGNAM GURO RANGHRI PADME,
TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM..........6

Of what avail if one has enough merits to think my fame has already spread in several places due to my unique generosity and a result, all things of the world stand within my easy reach? For, the virtue and quality that count ultimately is only one's unflinching loyalty and devotion towards the Guru whose blessings are the ultimate factor for realization of Truth by a devoted seeker.

NA BHOGE, NA YOGHE, NA VAA VAAJIRAAJAA,
NA KAANTAA MUKHE NAIVA VITTESHU CHITTAM,
MANASCHE NA LAGNAM GURO RANGHRI PADME,
TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM..........7

The mind may have turned away from external delights through dispassion and from attainments like Yogic concentration, possessions like horses and the like, the enchanting face of the beloved, in short, the entire wealth of the earth; yet it will be of no real merit if the mind is not absorbed in piety and devotion to the feet of Guru. Bereft of this devotion, of what benefit is anything, of what benefit, of what benefit?

ARANYE NA VAA SVASYA GEHE NA KAARYE
NA DEHE MANO VARTATE ME TVANARGYE
MANASCHE NA LAGNAM GURO RANGHRI PADME,
TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM, TATAH KIM..........8

The mind may have lost its charm to live in forests, and likewise in the house; may have lost all desire to achieve whatever; even the concern for the body's welfare may have been outlived; the most invaluable treasure of the world may not hold any allurement. Even then, of what avail are all these if the supreme devotion to the Guru is not held by the aspirant? Determine, of what use? of what use?

Phalasruti:
GURORASHTAKAM YAH PATETU PUNYADEHEE
YATIR BHUPATIR BHRAHMACHAARI CHA GEHI
LABHED VAANCITAARTHAM PADAM BRAHMA SANJNAM
MANASCHE NA LAGNAM GURO RANGHRI PADME

Result of reading:
Whoever reads, studies and recites this Ashtaka on Guru and remains devoted and attentive to the sayings of the Guru, he, no matter if he is a holy person, ascetic, king, neophyte, or householder, attains his coveted object, namely the supreme abode of Brahman, the unassailable seat of immortality.

Kanhangad Ashram Details

SWAMI NITYANANDA ASHRAM PUBLIC TRUST (Regd.) KANHANGAD - 671315 KASARGOD DIST, KERALA Phone: 0467-2208986              0467-325196...