IN QUEST OF GOD - Swami Ramdas -2

IN QUEST OF GOD

Swami Ramdas

ANANDASHRAM 

KANHANGAD

CHAPTER XII

GOD IS EVERYWHERE

THEY travelled to Kalahasti. After a day’s stay here, they left for

Jagannath Puri. It was noon. The Sadhuram and Ramdas were in the train. A

Ticket Inspector, a Christian, dressed in European fashion, stepped into the

carriage at a small station, and coming up to the Sadhus asked for tickets.

“Sadhus carry no tickets, brother, for they neither possess nor care to

possess any money,” said Ramdas in English.

The Ticket Inspector replied: “You can speak English. Educated as you

are, you cannot travel without a ticket. I have to ask you both to get down.”

The Sadhuram and he accordingly got down at the bidding of the

Inspector. “It is all Ram’s will,” assured Ramdas to his guide.

They were now on the platform and there was still some time for the

train to start. The Ticket Inspector, meanwhile, felt an inclination to hold

conversation with Ramdas who, with the Sadhuram, was waiting for the

train to depart.

“Well,” broke in the Inspector looking at Ramdas. “May I know with

what purpose you are travelling in this manner?”

“In quest of God,” was his simple reply.

“They say God is everywhere,” persisted the Inspector, “then, where

is the fun of your knocking about in search of Him, while He is at the very

place from which you started on this quest, as you say?”

“Right, brother,” replied Ramdas, “God is everywhere but he wants

to have this fact actually proved by going to all places and realising His

presence everywhere.”

“Well then,” continued the Inspector, “if you are discovering God

wherever you go, you must be seeing Him here, on this spot, where you

stand.”

“Certainly, brother,” rejoined Ramdas, “He is here at the very place

where we stand.”

“Can you tell me where He is?” asked the Inspector.

“Behold, He is here, standing in front of me!” exclaimed Ramdas

enthusiastically.

36

“Where, where?” cried the Inspector impatiently.

“Here, here!” pointed out Ramdas smiling, and patted on the broad

chest of the Inspector himself. “In the tall figure standing in front, that is,

in yourself, Ramdas clearly sees God who is everywhere.”

For a time, the Inspector looked confused. Then he broke into a

hearty fit of laughter. Opening the door of the compartment from which he

had asked the Sadhus to get down, he requested them to get in again, and

they did so, followed by him. He sat in the train with the Sadhus for some

time.

“I cannot disturb you, friends, I wish you all success in your quest of

God”. With these words he left the carriage and the train rolled onwards. O

Ram, Thy name be glorified!

CHAPTER XIII

A KIND POLICEMAN

AT noon, next day, Ram, who is the loving Parent of all, seeing that

the Sadhus were going without food, induced a ticket-clerk to ask them to

alight at a station between Bezwada and Jagannath Puri. Ramdas does not

remember the name of the station. Coming out of the station, they

proceeded towards the city and procuring some food, refreshed themselves

and, returning in the evening to the same station, spent the night there.

Next day, they had to catch the train at the same hour at which they were

made to alight the previous day. Well, there was some difficulty to

encounter, all, of course, apparent, for Ram’s ways are always mysterious.

It was agreed to by both the ticket-clerk and the station-master not to

permit these Sadhus to board the train. So, on the arrival of the train when

the Sadhus were entering the carriage, both these officers, of course, in

strict discharge of their duties, prevented them from doing so, in spite of

the entreaties of the Sadhuram. The passengers on the platform had all

occupied the carriages. The two Sadhus and the railway officers were alone

on the platform. The clerk and the station-master were keenly watching the

Sadhus lest they should slip into the train. O Ram, how wonderful Thou art!

There was still some time for the train to start. Now, a railway policeman

coming up to the Sadhus, asked them to get into a carriage. But the

Sadhuram told him that the ticket-clerk would not allow them to go. The

policeman then, going to the place where the clerk and the station-master

were standing, placed the case of the Sadhus before them saying:

“You see, these Sannyasis deserve to be allowed to get into the train.

As regards tickets, they cannot be expected to carry money since money is

not their quest, as in the case of worldly people.”

These words did not convince the railway officers. They replied

rightly of course:

“It is against rules to permit anybody to travel in the train without a

ticket. So, it is useless on your part to plead for them. Moreover, you forget

the fact that your suggestion is against the very spirit of your duty as a

policeman in the service of the railway company.”

This reply annoyed the policeman considerably. He felt strongly that

these Sadhus must, somehow, be allowed to travel by the train.

It was now nearly time for the train to start. The kind policeman was

very uneasy. His eyes flared up and there was a glint of a desperate look in

them. He swiftly moved towards the train and opening the door of the

carriage, beckoned the Sadhus to enter, which they did as told. It was all

the work of a moment. But this was observed by the ticket-clerk from a

distance, and he ran up to the place at once.

“On what authority did you permit the Sadhus to enter the train?”

questioned the clerk in an angry tone.

The policeman, who was tall and stalwart, placed himself in front of

the closed door of the carriage, his back leaning against it.

“Look here, brother,” he replied in a cool but firm voice, “in a

matter of this kind, there is no higher authority than the dictates of one’s

own conscience, which are rightly considered as the promptings of God

Himself.”

“This action of yours shall be reported to the higher authorities and

you will answer for it!” warned the ticket-clerk.

“Certainly, friend,” replied the policeman, “as a result of your

report, even if I be dismissed from the service, I am fully prepared to face

all consequences. But neither you nor anybody on earth, shall prevent the

Sadhus from travelling by this train.”

The clerk was sorely perplexed at the attitude of the policeman, and

was looking for the station-master, who was then busy giving the signal for

the departure of the train since the time was up. The whistle went and the

train rolled on. The clerk was simply staring at the carriage occupied by the

Sadhus, quite helpless. O Ram! What can poor Ramdas, Thy slave,

understand by this incident? Why, when Thy omnipotent hands are at work,

nothing can stop or obstruct Thee. O kind and loving Protector of the

universe! Thy one touch can change in a moment the entire face of the

universe! The very policeman, who is stationed on the railway platform, to

prevent passengers from breaking the rules of the company, deliberately

breaks all such rules himself, and seats two Sadhus in the train, knowing full

well that they held no tickets, and this too, in face of bitter opposition and

at the risk of losing his job! O Ram, it is now beyond any doubt that Thou art

seated in the hearts of all, inducing the whole universe to act and move in

strict accordance with Thy sovereign will. Ram! Thou art indeed the true

lover of Thy devotees. Thy slave cannot find words to express Thy greatness

and Thy love! O tears, flow on! And this is the only way Ramdas can express

his feelings.

CHAPTER XIV

JAGANNATH PURI

THE train rode on. Jagannath Puri was reached in the evening. The

night was spent on the verandah of a Dharmashala. The cold here was also

very great. Next morning, both went up to a large tank, outside the city,

and finishing bath and ablutions directed their steps to the famous temple

of Jagannath, the beautiful white dome of which was visible high up in the

sky from any place in that pious city. Now the Sadhuram and Ramdas found

themselves at the great door of the temple. But how to gain entrance? The

doorway was completely blocked up by the rushing crowd of pilgrims. There

was a good deal of elbowing, pushing and kicking in the thick and struggling

mass of humanity. Looking on this state of things Ramdas, with hands joined

in salutation, spoke thus:

“O Ram! How can Thy poor slave gain access in this rush of men and

obtain Thy Darshan? There appears to be no chance for him - a weak and

helpless fakir.”

Scarcely were these words uttered, when, from the crowd at the

entrance, out came a tall Brahmin and approaching him, took him by the

hand, led him to the door and using all his strength he pressed himself

through the thick crowd, and making a passage, conducted the bewildered

Ramdas along with him. It all appeared like a dream! Ramdas had now

become unconscious of his body and plunged into communion with the

Almighty Ram. In about five minutes, he was standing before the big idol of

Jagannath. The Brahmin still holding him by the hand, Ramdas laid his head

at the feet of this idol.

This over, the Brahmin took him for a round of the temple. ‘O Ram!

What words can convey Thy kindness to Thy slave! All glory to Thee!’ All

along, while going round, he was immersed in a strange ecstasy, tears

flowing down profusely from his eyes. What joy indescribable! Oh! One

moment of that existence outweighs all the pleasures of the world. A few

minutes later, he and the Brahmin guide were out again at the very place

wherefrom he had been fetched. Here procuring some Prasad, i.e., boiled

rice, the Brahmin put it into the mouth of Ramdas.

“Now my work is over,” said he and was going inside the temple

leaving him; but before he did so, Ramdas was somehow impelled to put

him a question:

“Brother, how was it you were so kind to a wandering Sadhu whom

you took into the temple for Darshan?”

“Jagannath alone can answer your question,” replied the Brahmin.

“No sooner did I see you, than a strange and sudden desire seized me to

take you in and get you the Darshan of Jagannath. Why I did all this I cannot

explain - it was all the work of God.” Certainly Ram’s work!

CHAPTER XV

CHRIST, A MESSENGER OF GOD

THE same evening, the Sadhuram led the way to the railway station

where they boarded a train. The train travelled onward north, carrying the

two Sadhus until it reached the station before the great Howrah station. It is

the rule of the railway company at this station to collect tickets from all

passengers. Accordingly, an Anglo-Indian friend, a ticket collector, entered

the carriage and demanded of the Sadhus their tickets. The Sadhus had, of

course, to confess that they possessed no tickets. At this the strict ticket

collector asked the Sadhus to alight since, he said, it was against rules to

travel by train without tickets. This order was promptly obeyed by both the

Sadhus. It was all Ram’s wish. The time was about 8 o’clock in the night,

and the station was a small one. They were made to stand near the gate

until the train departed, when the attention of the Anglo-Indian friend was

drawn to the Sadhus again. Coming to them, he ordered them to sit down.

At once the Sadhus sat down.

“No, not there,” said the friend and pointed his finger a few yards to

his left. The Sadhus instantly got up and, going to the place indicated, sat

there.

“Not there, not there,” cried again the Christian friend, who seemed

to possess a sense of humour. “This side,” and pointing to his right, said,

“get up, quick, and sit here.”

The Sadhus did as they were bid and occupied the new place pointed

out to them. Again, for the third time, a command came from the friend for

a move to another place, which was also immediately obeyed. Both the

Sadhus were moving about in perfect agreement. When they sat down at the

last mentioned place indicated by the Anglo-Indian friend, the Sadhuram

grumbling remarked to Ramdas:

“Swami, this is a strange man dealing with us. His only intention

seems to be to tease us.”

“No, brother, you mistake the kindness of this friend,” replied

Ramdas. “We had been so long sitting in the train and, as a result, our legs

had become benumbed. To remove the stiffness and to induce brisker

circulation of blood, the kind friend makes us walk this side and that, and

asks us to sit and stand. It is all for good. Ram be praised for His goodness

and love.”

This reply did not seem to satisfy the Sadhuram who said: “Your

philosophy is very hard for a poor Sadhu like myself to properly

understand.”

During this conversation, the Christian friend had disappeared. Now,

he returned with a bull’s eye lantern and holding it straight towards the

Sadhus, made the light fall first on the faces of the Sadhus, one after the

other, and then, all over them and around them. By the help of the light he

made the discovery of the bag and brass pot of the Sadhuram and a small

bundle of books and a tiny aluminium pot of Ramdas.

“Now, I will have this,” saying thus, the friend took the brass pot of

the Sadhuram and placed it beside him at which action the poor Sadhuram

turned quite pale.

Next, the friend pulled his bag towards him and, opening it,

examined its contents but, finding nothing worth taking, handed it back.

“Next, what have you got?” he asked, his attention now directed

towards Ramdas.

Meanwhile, Ramdas had placed his pot and the parcel of books in

front of the Christian friend.

“Brother,” answered Ramdas “these two articles are yours. You are

quite welcome to have them since Ramdas never owned them as his at any

time; they belong to anyone who demands them.”

“This small pot is not wanted,” he remarked, “the brass one is more

suitable. Now what is this you have in this parcel?”

On uncovering it his sight fell upon the pocket-sized New Testament

on the very top of the packet. Pulling it out he looked on the title in gilt

letters - “New Testament”. He questioned Ramdas:

“What have you to do with this book?”

“Everything, brother,” replied Ramdas.

“Do you believe in Christ?” asked he.

“Why not? Christ is also a messenger of God, come for the salvation

of mankind.”

This reply at once touched the heart of the friend. Coming close to

Ramdas, he said:

“Master, kindly pardon your servant who gave you a good deal of

trouble without knowing you.”

Saying thus, he led both inside the station and offering two chairs

made them sit on them. The brass pot was, of course, returned to the

Sadhuram which brought colour and light back to his sorrowful face. O!

Christ be praised. The Anglo-Indian friend became very kind and offered to

get them tea, etc., all of which Ramdas declined with thanks.

“Look here, Master, another train is due in about half an hour. On her

arrival, I shall see that both of you are comfortably seated in it, and then

you can proceed to Howrah. Again, your servant regrets very much the

treatment meted out to you and sues for your pardon.”

‘O Ram, O Christ, Thou hast a strange way of testing Thy humble

slave. O Ram, Thou art a mystery, but Thou art Love - kindness itself. He

who trusts Thee, O Ram, is sure of Thy entire support. This is all one can

know of Thee and that is sufficient. To understand Thy ways is not only

impossible but also unnecessary for Thy humble devotees. To bask in the

sunshine of Thy infinite love is in itself the highest happiness. The child asks

for the love of the mother and gets it and is satisfied. Where is then room to

ask for anything more than this?’

In due time the train arrived, and the Christian friend, according to

his promise, secured comfortable seats for the Sadhus in a compartment.

The train started and reached Howrah station at about 10 p.m.

CHAPTER XVI

CALCUTTA AND DAKSHINESHWAR

BOTH the Sadhus launched out in the darkness and coming upon the

banks of the Ganges crossed the huge bridge over it. The cold was very

great. Reaching the other side, and turning to the left, they descended

some steps and came to a place, where a portion of a temple, close to the

Ganges, is used by the Brahmins to attend spiritually upon the pilgrims after

bath in the sacred river. Here, the Sadhus found a plank on which they

rested for the night. Next day, early morning, they mounted up and

proceeded to Calcutta. Making enquiries about the temple of Kali they were

directed towards Kalighat about seven miles from the place. In due course,

they reached Kalighat and went straight up to the temple and stood in front

of the big image of Kali in black stone - a large red tongue lolling out of Her

widened mouth.

“O Mother of the Universe,” prayed Ramdas, “bless Thy weak and

helpless child - may Thy humble slave look upon all womankind as mothers,

representing Thy divine form.” Here again Ramdas experienced a feeling of

inexpressible joy and complete resignation to the divine will. Tears flowed

profusely from his eyes. It was all due to the Mother’s grace. The Sadhus

stayed in the Dharmashala at this place for two days.

Retracing their steps back to Calcutta, the Sadhus again arrived at

the banks of the Ganges. As prompted by Ram, Ramdas then proposed to go

to Dakshineshwar, and accordingly they boarded a steamboat - a kind friend

having furnished them with tickets - which carried them on the breast of the

Ganges, on the banks of which they alighted, a long distance away from

Calcutta. This was 10 o’clock in the night. The night was dark. With some

friends on the road they inquired for the way leading to Dakshineshwar, and

as directed they walked on from lane to lane, and then through fields losing

their way at places for want of a guide. It was all Ram’s work who was

testing his devotees. However, by His grace, the Sadhus reached at last the

entrance to the famous temple at midnight. They found the big massive

front door shut at which they knocked. The door opened and a voice in a

high key demanded.

“Who is there?”

“Two wandering Sadhus come for the Darshan of Kali,” replied

Ramdas.

“That is all right, you cannot come in now, you may do so tomorrow

morning.”

So saying the friend was about to close the door in the face of the

Sadhus, but both of them quietly got in, in spite of his remonstrances, and

he was found later to be the night-watchman. Both the Sadhus walked into

the large square of the temple, fully resolved not to turn back until they

obtained the Darshan of Kali. The kind watchman who got wild at first

softened, and told the pilgrims that they could get the Darshan of Kali, but

they must not think of staying in the temple for the night, as it was against

rules to do so.

“That is Kali’s affair - none of ours to think of at present, “ replied

Ramdas.

They walked to the place whence a light was proceeding, and found

themselves standing in front of the image of Kali. A thrill of joy coursed

through Ramdas’ frame at the sight of the figure of Kali - the beau ideal of

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa - that well-known Saint of Dakshineshwar.

While they were standing with folded hands before the idol, a friend issued

out of the temple and finding the Sadhus, gave them some of Kali’s Prasad

to eat. Ramdas then questioned if it was the wish of Mother Kali to grant

them refuge for the night in the temple. The Pujari - this kind friend was

such - hesitated and said:

“According to the rules of the temple, no outsiders are allowed to

sleep during nights inside the temple precincts. However, since it is nearly

midnight now, it would be hard indeed to send you out in the darkness and

cold.”

‘O Ram! No rules, no regulations are binding upon Thy Bhaktas. To

utter Thy glorious name means to be at once free from all bonds, all ties, all

rules and all fetters.’ Then the kind Pujari friend led the Sadhus to an open

Dharmashala on the banks of the Ganges. He again provided them with some

eatables and pressed them to eat. Ram’s kindness knows no bounds. In the

place occupied by the Sadhus sleep was out of question. Not only was the

cold very severe due to the chill breeze blowing from the river but also

quite a host of mosquitoes commenced attacking the Sadhus in grim

earnest.

“This is a terrible state of things,” cried out the Sadhuram. “In

Tirupati, there was only cold which was comparatively tolerable, but here,

it is coupled with the sharp stings of mosquitoes.”

“It is all right, friend,” replied Ramdas. “Ram’s kindness cannot be

sufficiently praised. He has found a most efficient method to keep Ramdas

awake to enable him to perform Rambhajan without sleep encroaching upon

it in the least.”

“Well, well,” was all that the Sadhu said who was now busy driving

away the winged guests by waving to and fro the piece of cloth with which

he covered his body. The Sadhu spent a very disturbed night, complaining,

fretting and grumbling while Ramdas was struggling to bear it all by

absorbing his mind in the meditation of Ram, who in a short time made him

unconscious of his body, in which state he remained most of the night.

The day was just breaking when the Sadhuram got up and asked

Ramdas to follow him out of the place. He did not know where to go. But

one thing, he wanted to be away from the place at the earliest opportunity.

The Sadhus had not proceeded half a furlong from the temple when they

met the Pujari, who had been so hospitable to them the previous night,

coming up in front of them.

“Where are you going so early?” hailed the kind-hearted friend. “You

should not go away unless you take the midday meal, the Prasad of Kali.

Pray, get back to the temple.”

This invitation had to be accepted, and both returned to the temple.

Ram’s ways are mysterious indeed!

“Wash yourselves and your clothes in the Ganges,” suggested the

Pujari. “In due time, you will be invited for dinner.”

As suggested by him, both descended a number of steps leading to

the sacred river in which they bathed and also washed their clothes. Coming

up to the temple courtyard, they spread the wet clothes in the sun for

drying and sat there warming themselves from the same source of heat. The

following thoughts then crossed Ramdas’ mind:

‘O Ram, Thou hast brought Thy unworthy slave to this temple,

because of the greatness of the Saint Sri Ramakrishna, who flourished here

at one time and whose teachings have spread all over the world. Somehow,

Thou hast prevented Thy slave from leaving the place in the morning. After

the midday meal he has to bid farewell to the place. But before doing so,

would it not be well, O Ram, to acquaint Thy slave with the spot where the

great Saint lived and performed his austerities and meditation?’

Scarcely five minutes had passed since these thoughts were working

in his mind, when a young and tall Sannyasi dressed in a coat reaching

nearly to his feet and his forehead smeared with stripes of Chandan, i.e.,

sandal paste, walked up to where Ramdas was sitting, and sat beside him.

After an exchange of salutes, he spoke:

“Brother, have you not heard of the great Saint of Dakshineshwar, Sri

Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, who lived here some years ago?”

“Yes, friend, Ram has brought his Das here for that very reason,”

replied Ramdas who was then wondering at the inscrutable ways of Ram.

“Well then,” said the Bengalee Sadhu, for he was a Bengalee, “come

along with me, I shall show you all the places connected with his life here.”

‘O Ram, in what words shall Thy poor untutored slave measure the

depths of the fountain of Thy love for Thy Das? No sooner does he speak out

his wish than it is fulfilled!’ The Bengalee Sadhu led the humble Ramdas

(the Sadhuram did not accompany him) into a room forming a part of the

rows of buildings that surrounded the square yard of the temple. The room

was locked! The kind Sadhu called for the key and opening the door, let in

Ramdas. Oh, the joy of it all! Inside was found a cot on which there were a

bed and two cushions used by Sri Ramakrishna, preserved in his memory.

Ramdas, approaching them, reverently laid his head on them by turns. By

this time he was beginning to feel the electric influence of the very air

inside that room. Thrill after thrill of joy passed through him. He then laid

himself flat on the floor of the room and began to roll all over the place,

feeling all the while, an inexpressible ecstasy of bliss. O Ram, the floor was

blessed by the tread of the sacred feet of that holy man. About half an hour

passed thus and he was still rolling on the floor, his face beaming with a

strange light of infinite joy.

CHAPTER XVII

TARAKNATH TEMPLE

THE Bengalee Sadhu was standing simply staring at the spectacle. At

last, coming to himself, he suggested they might go out of the room, as

other spots had also to be visited. Most reluctantly, Ramdas got up and

came out of that heavenly place. Next, the Sadhu guided him - and he was

in a state of complete dreaminess at the time - to a garden behind the

room, and pointed to a cluster of five trees called Panchavati, around which

a circular platform of earth and stones was raised.

“Here, the Paramahamsa used to sit frequently and offer Upadesh to

his disciples,” explained the Sadhu.

Then he led the way to a small hut wherein, he said, the Saint used

to sit in Samadhi or deep meditation of his favourite ideal - Mother Kali. O

Ramdas, thy eyes are indeed blessed by these sights; flow on tears, warm

with the glow of supreme happiness. Now, the Bengalee Sadhu proposed to

take him on a visit to a young Sannyasi - a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna.

Agreeing, he was escorted and led away from the temple site for about a

mile, where two Sannyasis were found busy worshipping in front of the

pictures of the Paramahamsa and Kali, placed in a small Mandir. Ramdas

and the Sadhu, on prostrating before the Sannyasis, were invited to sit

inside the temple. The Puja over, they were given some Prasad, on

partaking of which they sought permission to depart. Coming back to the

Kali temple, the Bengalee Sannyasi led the two Sadhus to the banks of the

Ganges where the steamboat jetty was situated. From this place the

Sannyasi pointed out the place called Belur Math, on the other side of the

Ganges. He procured tickets for Ramdas and the Sadhuram and conducted

them to the steamboat, which they duly boarded. But before leaving, he

suggested that when travelling onwards by rail they might make a halt at a

shrine called Taraknath or Tarakeshwar, a place worth visiting. This

suggestion was kept in mind since it came from Ram Himself whose kindness

was felt at every step of this most marvellous and memorable pilgrimage.

In due course both the Sadhus landed on the opposite side of the

Ganges. A walk of about two furlongs brought them to a small temple where

there resided a number of young men belonging to different parts of India.

One of them took the Sadhus inside the temple in which a painting of the

Paramahamsa was placed for daily worship. On enquiry, it was found that

the temple was erected over the ashes of Sri Ramakrishna. Then the Sadhus

visited the beautiful Samadhis raised over the remains of Swami

Vivekananda and the Holy Mother (wife of Sri Ramakrishna). Ramdas,

wishing to spend a night at the Math, expressed his desire to the friends of

the place, but was told that as there was no accommodation it was not

possible to accede to his request. It was all the wish of Ram who does

everything for good.

Thence they proceeded to the nearest railway station and got into a

train going west, and one morning, they found themselves at the

Tarakeshwar station where they alighted. They proceeded straight to the

famous temple of Taraknath, in which it is said a Shivaling had its

spontaneous birth breaking up the roots of a palmyrah tree - hence the

name Taraknath. After bath and Darshan, the Sadhus went out to the city.

Making enquiries, they learnt that some liberal Rajah was feeding 40 to 50

Sadhus every day with a sumptuous dinner. Coming to the place they

waited, along with many others, outside the Dharmashala.

About 11 o’ clock, an old friend, the manager of the Kshetra, called

in the Sadhus counting the number required, and let them in, one by one.

On a long verandah, in two rows, facing each other, all the Sadhus sat down

and leafy plates were placed before them. When the food was being served,

a new Sadhu, of middle age, came in and demanded food. The manager of

the Kshetra at first refused to take him as the number to be fed was

complete. But at the mention of the fact by the Sadhu that he had not had

meals for two days past, he was also offered a leaf and he sat down at a

place which happened to be just opposite to Ramdas. The dinner consisted

of wheat Purees pretty thick and about 16" in diameter, some Bhajee or

curry, and sweets. At first, each was served with two Purees and sweets,

etc. The Purees having been prepared out of mill-made mixed wheat-flour,

were flexible like rubber. Ramdas was wanting in teeth - in all he had not

half a dozen in his mouth. Even those who had the full complement had to

struggle hard with the Purees before they could be thrust down the throat.

Ramdas’ case was hence unique.

Now the Sadhu, the latest arrival for the dinner, sitting in front, was

observed to have finished his share in less than two minutes. He was served

again with four Purees which also disappeared in a trice. Again four more,

and they met with the same fate! The Sadhu was looking up for more! At

this juncture, the old friend ordered the cook to fetch out the whole stock

of Purees from the kitchen. Then he approached the Sadhu and said:

“Maharaj, you may take as many as you like,” and he served one,

two, three, four and so on and on until he counted twenty.

Still the Sadhu would not stop. Four more and the friend stopped,

assuring the Sadhu that he shall have some more after finishing those

already served. At this stage, the attention of all Sadhus was directed

towards this voracious eater. All commenced to watch his eating process.

But, for himself the Sadhu was calm and determined. Puree after Puree

disappeared. It mattered not for him what was going on around him. At

every four or five Purees he was drinking water out of a big brass pot he had

by his side. Most of the Sadhus present there could not eat more than four

each. The record with some did not exceed six Purees. But the phenomenal

Sadhu had been served in all 34 Purees. He was also served more Bhajee or

curry and sweets. He ate them all, with one potful of water into the

bargain.

The affair is narrated here, not out of any disrespect to the Sadhu,

but to apprise the reader of the case of a man who had a tremendous

appetite, showing forth the wonderful Maya of Ram. After 2 days’ stay at

the shrine, Ramdas and the Sadhuram left the station and came to Gaya,

where they obtained Darshan in the temple and had a bath in the holy river

Phalguni. The next day they started, and reached the famous shrine of the

North - Kashi (Benares).

CHAPTER XVIII

KASHI

THE city of Kashi is a city of magnificent temples, the domes and

turrets of which, when viewed from a height, lend a charm to the scene on

the banks of the holy river Ganges. The whole of India rightly recognises

that Kashi is one of the most important shrines of Hindustan. Everyday,

pilgrims by thousands are pouring into the place from all parts of India. As

Ram took Ramdas on this pilgrimage in winter, the cold was very great here,

and the Sadhuram and he had not sufficient clothing, and sleeping as they

were in an open place on the bank of the river, the cold was felt very

acutely - especially by the Sadhuram. The Sadhuram was getting impatient

everyday. His main object of travelling in the North seemed to have been

fulfilled after visiting Kashi. Now he wanted to return to South India. Ram’s

will. Nothing happens in this world but subject to His divine will. Ram’s

ways are inscrutable.

Next day, the train carried the Sadhuram and Ramdas to Ayodhya,

the place where Sri Ramachandra lived and reigned. It was night when the

pilgrims reached the place. They rested for the night in the open passengershed

outside the station. The cold was intense. The Sadhuram suggested

that both should lie down back to back, the backs touching each other. This

device was adopted in order to exchange one another’s heat of the body for

mutual warmth. Really an original idea! Thus passed the night. Early next

day, both proceeded to the city and then to the Sarayu river. Washing the

hands and feet, the Sadhuram suggested that no bath need be taken as the

cold was very great. So, returning from the holy river, they visited various

Mandirs of Sri Ramachandra and Hanumanji, secured food at a Kshetra and

that very night caught a train going down towards Bombay.

Now, the Sadhuram had once and for all decided to close the

northern India pilgrimage and hence the journey towards Bombay. ‘O Ram,

Thy will is supreme. Although Ramdas has yet to visit more shrines of north

India it is beyond Thy humble slave to know the reason for Thy taking him to

Bombay. Every move Thou givest to the situation of Thy Das is considered by

him to be for the best.’ The train travelled taking the Sadhus south and

south. Station after station was passed. At a small station, while the

Sadhuram was dozing, some passenger who had not perhaps any pot with

him, took away, while alighting, the brass pot of the Sadhuram who woke up

and discovered his loss after the train had left that station. He began to fret

over the loss a great deal - in fact he wept bitterly over it like a child.

The next station was Jhansi which was duly reached. Here the ticket

inspection was very strict. So the ticket-clerk pulled down these Sadhus as

well as many others from other carriages, and led them all near the gate,

leading out of the station. There were in all about ten Sadhus. The ticketclerk

made all of them stand in a line on one side of the entrance or exit - it

was both. The passengers were now going out of the station and the clerk

was collecting tickets at the gate, his back turned against the Sadhus, who

were made to stand only at arm’s length from the clerk. The first in the line

of the Sadhus was a young Sannyasi with a Jatah or tuft of matted hair.

Whenever the ticket-clerk had a momentary respite from the collection of

tickets, he would turn round and clutching the Jatah of the young Sadhu,

who was nearest to him, shake his head violently. The next moment he had

to attend to ticket collection. When the stream of passengers thinned and

there was some break, he would again handle the head of the Sadhu and

give it a shake or inflict blows upon it with his fist. While this was going on,

by a look at the face of the Sadhu, who was next to him in the line, Ramdas

made out that there was a happy smile on the face of the young Sadhu.

 

Om Tat Sat
                                                        
(Continued)  

(My humble salutations to the lotus feet of H H Swami Ramadas ji  for the collection)