WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.040 --> 00:00:05.200 Chapter forty two of Autobiography of Yogi. This is the 2 00:00:05.200 --> 00:00:09.320 Liberox recording. All librivas recordings are in the public domain. 3 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:14.359 For more information ought to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. 4 00:00:15.119 --> 00:00:21.920 Rabbi Timro, Autobiographer of Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda. Last Days 5 00:00:22.120 --> 00:00:25.839 with my Guru, Guruji, I am glad to find you 6 00:00:25.920 --> 00:00:29.519 alone this morning. I had just arrived at the Serampur 7 00:00:29.800 --> 00:00:35.359 Hermitage carrying a fragrant burden of fruit and roses. Shrilluctaswar 8 00:00:35.640 --> 00:00:39.880 glanced at me meekly, What is your question? Master looked 9 00:00:39.880 --> 00:00:43.159 about the room as though he were seeking escape. Guruji, 10 00:00:43.840 --> 00:00:46.759 I came to you as a high school youth. Now 11 00:00:46.799 --> 00:00:49.039 I am a grown man, even with a gray hair 12 00:00:49.159 --> 00:00:52.320 or two. Though you have showered me with silent affection 13 00:00:52.479 --> 00:00:55.679 from the first hour of this do you realize that once, 14 00:00:55.759 --> 00:00:58.920 only on the day of meeting, have you ever said 15 00:00:59.439 --> 00:01:04.280 I love you. I looked at him pleadingly. Master lowered 16 00:01:04.319 --> 00:01:09.120 his gaze. Yogananda, must I bring out into the cold 17 00:01:09.200 --> 00:01:12.599 RUMs of speech the warm sentiments best guarded by the 18 00:01:12.640 --> 00:01:16.760 wordless heart. Guruji, I know you love me, but my 19 00:01:16.879 --> 00:01:20.239 mortal ears ache to hear you say, so be it 20 00:01:20.280 --> 00:01:23.439 as you wish. During my married life, I often yearned 21 00:01:23.519 --> 00:01:26.319 for a son to train in the Yogic path. But 22 00:01:26.439 --> 00:01:30.400 then you came into my life. I was content in you. 23 00:01:30.560 --> 00:01:33.840 I have found my son. Two clear tear drops stood 24 00:01:33.920 --> 00:01:38.879 in tri Yuctaswarre's eyes, Yogananda, I love you always. Your 25 00:01:38.920 --> 00:01:41.760 answer is my passport to heaven. I felt a weight 26 00:01:41.879 --> 00:01:46.000 lift from my heart, dissolved forever at his words. Often 27 00:01:46.040 --> 00:01:49.200 had I wandered at his silence, realizing that he was 28 00:01:49.359 --> 00:01:53.519 unemotional and self contained. Yet sometimes I feared I had 29 00:01:53.560 --> 00:01:58.239 been unsuccessful and fully satisfying him. His was a strange nature, 30 00:01:58.480 --> 00:02:01.719 never utterly to be known, a nature deep and still 31 00:02:02.599 --> 00:02:07.120 unfathomable to the outer world, whose values he had long transcended. 32 00:02:07.319 --> 00:02:09.680 A few days later, when I spoke before a huge 33 00:02:09.719 --> 00:02:14.560 audience at Albert Hall and Calcutta, Shrilluctasois consented to sit 34 00:02:14.680 --> 00:02:18.319 beside me on the platform with the Maharaja of Saintoche 35 00:02:18.680 --> 00:02:21.240 and the Mayor of Calcutta. Though the Master made no 36 00:02:21.319 --> 00:02:24.439 remark to me, I glanced at him from time to 37 00:02:24.479 --> 00:02:27.840 time during my address and thought I detected a pleased 38 00:02:27.960 --> 00:02:30.800 twinkle in his eyes. Then came a talk before the 39 00:02:30.879 --> 00:02:34.719 alumni of Serampore College. As I gazed upon my old 40 00:02:34.879 --> 00:02:38.000 class mates, and as they gazed on their own, mad monk, 41 00:02:38.759 --> 00:02:43.520 tears of joy showed unashamedly. My silver tongued professor of philosophy, 42 00:02:43.719 --> 00:02:47.520 Doctor Gosal, came forward to greet me. All our past 43 00:02:47.599 --> 00:02:53.039 misunderstandings dissolved by the alchemist time. A winter solstice festival 44 00:02:53.159 --> 00:02:56.479 was celebrated at the end of December in the Serampo Hermitage. 45 00:02:56.840 --> 00:03:01.639 As always, Sriuctaswa's disciples gathered from far and near, devotional 46 00:03:01.759 --> 00:03:05.479 San Kirtan's solos in the nectar sweet voice of Christo 47 00:03:05.560 --> 00:03:10.759 d'ar a feast served by young disciples, masters, profoundly moving 48 00:03:10.879 --> 00:03:13.759 discourse under the stars in the thronged court yard of 49 00:03:13.800 --> 00:03:18.879 the Ashram. Memories, memories, joyous festivals of years long past 50 00:03:19.759 --> 00:03:23.560 to night. However, there was to be a new feature. Yogananda, 51 00:03:23.639 --> 00:03:27.599 please address the assemblage in English. Master's eyes were twinkling 52 00:03:28.240 --> 00:03:31.639 as he made this doubly unusual request. Was he thinking 53 00:03:31.639 --> 00:03:35.159 of the shipboard predicament that had preceded my first lecture 54 00:03:35.199 --> 00:03:37.960 in English? I told the story to my audience of 55 00:03:38.039 --> 00:03:41.719 brother disciples ending with a fervent tribute to our Guru. 56 00:03:42.120 --> 00:03:44.800 His only present guidance was with me, not alone on 57 00:03:44.840 --> 00:03:49.199 the ocean steamer, I concluded, but daily throughout my fifteen 58 00:03:49.319 --> 00:03:53.479 years in the vast and hospitable land of America. After 59 00:03:53.520 --> 00:03:57.400 the guests had departed, Shiyyuctasis called me to the same 60 00:03:57.439 --> 00:04:01.240 bedroom were once only after a fest of my early years, 61 00:04:01.599 --> 00:04:04.000 I had been permitted to sleep on his wooden bed 62 00:04:04.319 --> 00:04:07.479 to night. My Guru was sitting there quietly, a semi 63 00:04:07.560 --> 00:04:10.639 circle of disciples at his feet. He smiled as I 64 00:04:10.719 --> 00:04:14.719 quickly entered the room. Yugananda, are you leaving now for Kalkatta? 65 00:04:15.439 --> 00:04:19.040 Please return here tomorrow. I have certain things to tell 66 00:04:19.079 --> 00:04:22.600 you the next afternoon. Of the few simple words of blessing, 67 00:04:23.040 --> 00:04:26.439 Shri Yukta Swa bestowed on me the further monastic title 68 00:04:26.519 --> 00:04:31.399 of Paramahansa. It now formerly supersedes your former title of Swami, 69 00:04:31.959 --> 00:04:35.120 he said, as I knelt before him with a silent chuckle. 70 00:04:35.160 --> 00:04:38.519 I thought of the struggle which my American students would 71 00:04:38.600 --> 00:04:42.800 undergo over the pronunciation of Paramahansaji. My task on earth 72 00:04:42.839 --> 00:04:46.680 is now finished. You must carry on, Master, spoke quietly, 73 00:04:47.000 --> 00:04:51.199 his eyes calm and gentle. My heart was palpitating in fear. 74 00:04:51.680 --> 00:04:55.000 Please send some one to take charge of our Ashraminpuri. 75 00:04:55.199 --> 00:04:59.759 Shriyutta Swa went on, I leave everything in your hands. 76 00:05:00.399 --> 00:05:03.000 You will be able to successfully sail the boat of 77 00:05:03.000 --> 00:05:06.920 your life and that of the organization to the divine shores. 78 00:05:07.319 --> 00:05:10.639 In tears, I was embracing his feet. He rose and 79 00:05:10.680 --> 00:05:15.199 blessed me endearingly. The following day I summoned from Ranchi 80 00:05:15.279 --> 00:05:19.120 a disciple swamis Sebananda, and sent him to Puri to 81 00:05:19.160 --> 00:05:22.680 assume the hermitage duties. Later, my Guru discussed with me 82 00:05:22.839 --> 00:05:26.279 the legal details of settling his estate. He was anxious 83 00:05:26.319 --> 00:05:29.680 to prevent the possibility of litigation my relatives after his 84 00:05:29.839 --> 00:05:33.600 death for possession of his two hermitages and other properties 85 00:05:33.759 --> 00:05:37.079 which he wished to be deeded over solely for charitable purposes. 86 00:05:37.519 --> 00:05:40.959 Arrangements were recently made for Master to visit Kittopour, but 87 00:05:41.040 --> 00:05:45.959 he fell to go. Amulaya Babu, a brother disciple, made 88 00:05:45.959 --> 00:05:49.000 this remark to me one afternoon. I felt a cold 89 00:05:49.120 --> 00:05:53.800 wave of premonition. To my pressing inquiries, Shouldiuctasi only replied, 90 00:05:54.120 --> 00:05:57.279 I shall go to Kiopour. No more for a moment. 91 00:05:57.439 --> 00:06:02.199 Master trembled like a frightened child, attachment to bodily residence, 92 00:06:02.319 --> 00:06:06.519 springing up of its own nature. I arising from immemorial roots, 93 00:06:06.800 --> 00:06:10.759 past experiences of death, Patanjali wrote, is present in slight 94 00:06:10.839 --> 00:06:14.720 degree even in great saints in some of his discourses 95 00:06:14.720 --> 00:06:17.839 on death. My Guru had been wont to add just 96 00:06:17.959 --> 00:06:21.680 as a long caged bird hesitates to leave its accustomed 97 00:06:21.680 --> 00:06:25.279 home when the door is opened, Kuruji, I entreated him 98 00:06:25.279 --> 00:06:29.120 with a sob don't say that, Never utter those words 99 00:06:29.160 --> 00:06:33.000 to me. Triuctu Swaz's face relaxed in a peaceful smile. 100 00:06:33.399 --> 00:06:37.120 Though nearing his eighty first birthday, he looked well and strong, 101 00:06:37.600 --> 00:06:40.680 basking day by day in the sunshine of my Guru's love. 102 00:06:41.399 --> 00:06:45.439 Unspoken but keenly felt. I banished from my conscious mind 103 00:06:45.519 --> 00:06:49.199 the various hints he had given of his approaching passing. Sir, 104 00:06:49.759 --> 00:06:53.519 the Kumbamela is convening this month in Allahabad. I showed 105 00:06:53.560 --> 00:06:56.759 Master the mela dates in a Bengali almanac. Do you 106 00:06:56.800 --> 00:07:00.480 really want to go? Not sensing Sri Yukta swasra reluctance 107 00:07:00.560 --> 00:07:03.040 to have me leave him, I went on, once you 108 00:07:03.120 --> 00:07:06.639 beheld the blessed sight of Babijee at an Allahabad Kumba. 109 00:07:07.040 --> 00:07:09.959 Perhaps this time I shall be fortunate enough to see him. 110 00:07:10.360 --> 00:07:12.800 I do not think you will meet him there. My 111 00:07:12.920 --> 00:07:16.680 Guru then fell into silence, not wishing to obstruct my plans. 112 00:07:17.160 --> 00:07:19.439 When I set out for a Lahabad the following day 113 00:07:19.480 --> 00:07:23.079 of the small group, Master blessed me quietly in his 114 00:07:23.279 --> 00:07:27.040 usual manner. Apparently I was remaining oblivious to the implications 115 00:07:27.040 --> 00:07:30.680 in sriut t Swa's attitude, because the Lord wished to 116 00:07:30.720 --> 00:07:34.680 spare me the experience of being forced helplessly to witness 117 00:07:34.720 --> 00:07:37.800 my Guru's passing. It has always happened in my life 118 00:07:37.959 --> 00:07:40.240 that at the death of those dearly beloved by me, 119 00:07:40.800 --> 00:07:44.600 God has compassionately arranged that I be distant from the scene. 120 00:07:44.959 --> 00:07:49.079 Our party reached the Kumbameila on January twenty third, nineteen 121 00:07:49.120 --> 00:07:53.160 thirty six. The surging crowd of nearly two million persons 122 00:07:53.560 --> 00:07:57.879 was an impressive sight, even an overwhelming one. The peculiar 123 00:07:57.959 --> 00:08:01.160 genius of the Indian people is the reverence innate in 124 00:08:01.360 --> 00:08:04.480 even the lowliest peasant for the worth of the spirit 125 00:08:04.920 --> 00:08:07.800 and for the monks and sadus who have forsaken worldly 126 00:08:07.920 --> 00:08:12.879 ties to seek diviner anchorage. Impostors and hypocrites there are, indeed, 127 00:08:13.279 --> 00:08:15.879 but India respects all for the sake of the few 128 00:08:16.120 --> 00:08:20.560 who loomin the whole land with supernal blessings. Westerners, who 129 00:08:20.600 --> 00:08:23.920 were viewing the vast spectacle had a unique opportunity to 130 00:08:23.959 --> 00:08:27.199 feel the pulse of the land, the spiritual ardor to 131 00:08:27.240 --> 00:08:31.120 which India owes her quenchless vitality before the blows of time. 132 00:08:31.519 --> 00:08:34.799 The first day was spent by a group in sheers staring. 133 00:08:35.080 --> 00:08:38.519 Here were countless bathers dipping in the holy river for 134 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:42.279 remission of sins. There we saw some rituals of worship. 135 00:08:42.720 --> 00:08:46.200 Yonder were devotional offerings being strewn at the dusty feet 136 00:08:46.240 --> 00:08:48.679 of saints, a turn of our heads, and a line 137 00:08:48.720 --> 00:08:52.559 of elephants, caparisoned horses and slow paced thraje put on 138 00:08:52.639 --> 00:08:56.120 our camels far by, or a quaint religious parade of 139 00:08:56.240 --> 00:08:59.840 naked sadus waving scepters of gold and silver, or f 140 00:09:00.080 --> 00:09:04.480 lags and streamers of silken velvet. Anchorites wearing only loincloths 141 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:07.639 sat quietly in little groups, their bodies smeared with the 142 00:09:07.679 --> 00:09:11.080 ashes that protect them. From the heat and cold. The 143 00:09:11.159 --> 00:09:14.759 spiritual eye was vividly represented on their foreheads by a 144 00:09:14.759 --> 00:09:18.919 single spot of sandalward paste. Shaven headed swamis appeared by 145 00:09:18.919 --> 00:09:22.840 the thousands, oka robed and carrying their bamboo staff and 146 00:09:22.879 --> 00:09:27.279 begging bowl. Their faces beamed with the renunciate's peace as 147 00:09:27.320 --> 00:09:31.039 they walked about or held philosophical discussions with the disciples. 148 00:09:31.480 --> 00:09:34.159 Here and there, under the trees, around huge piles of 149 00:09:34.240 --> 00:09:38.480 burning logs, were picturesque saddus, their hair braided and massed 150 00:09:38.480 --> 00:09:41.679 in coils on top of their heads. Some wore beards 151 00:09:41.720 --> 00:09:44.639 several feet in length, curled and tied in a knot. 152 00:09:44.960 --> 00:09:48.879 They meditated quietly or extended their hands in blessing to 153 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:55.480 the passing throng beggars, maharajas on elephants, women in multicolored saris, 154 00:09:56.120 --> 00:09:59.840 their bangles and anklets, tinkling fakirs with thin arms held 155 00:09:59.840 --> 00:10:05.799 gri grotusquely aloft ramachari's carrying meditation, elbow props, humble sages 156 00:10:06.039 --> 00:10:09.039 whose solemnity hidden in a bliss high above the din. 157 00:10:09.080 --> 00:10:12.120 We heard the ceaseless summons of the temple bells. On 158 00:10:12.240 --> 00:10:15.720 our second Malor day, My companions and I entered various 159 00:10:15.799 --> 00:10:21.039 ushrams and temporary huts, offering pronams to saintly personages. We 160 00:10:21.159 --> 00:10:23.519 received the blessing of the leader of the Giddy branch 161 00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:27.159 of the Swami order, a thin, ascetical monk with eyes 162 00:10:27.200 --> 00:10:30.399 of smiling fire. Our next visit took us to a 163 00:10:30.399 --> 00:10:33.559 hermitage whose guru had observed for the past nine years 164 00:10:34.080 --> 00:10:37.159 the vows of silence and a strict fruterarian diet on 165 00:10:37.240 --> 00:10:39.919 the central dyas. On the ashram hall sat a blind 166 00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:45.000 Sadu Pragholochakshu, profoundly learned in the Shastras and highly revered 167 00:10:45.039 --> 00:10:48.519 by all sects. After I had given a brief discourse 168 00:10:48.559 --> 00:10:52.039 in Hindian Vedanta, our group left the peaceful hermitage to 169 00:10:52.080 --> 00:10:56.559 greet a nearby Swami Krishnananda, a handsome monk with rosy 170 00:10:56.679 --> 00:11:00.720 cheeks and impressive shoulders, reclining near him as a tame lioness, 171 00:11:01.320 --> 00:11:04.879 succumbing to the monk's spiritual charm, not I am sure 172 00:11:04.919 --> 00:11:08.399 to his powerful physique. The jungle animal refuses all meat 173 00:11:08.440 --> 00:11:11.240 in favor of rice and milk. The Swamis taught the 174 00:11:11.279 --> 00:11:15.200 tawny headed beasts to utter rn in a deep, attractive 175 00:11:15.360 --> 00:11:19.720 growl a cat devotee. Our next encounter, an interview with 176 00:11:19.759 --> 00:11:23.279 a learned young Sadu, is well described by mister Wright's 177 00:11:23.320 --> 00:11:26.559 sparkling travel diary. We rode in the ford, across the 178 00:11:26.720 --> 00:11:31.320 very low gunges on a creaking pontum bridge, crawling snake light, 179 00:11:31.399 --> 00:11:35.039 through the crowds, and over narrow, twisting lanes, passing the 180 00:11:35.080 --> 00:11:37.639 site on the river bank, which Yugananda Jee pointed out 181 00:11:37.679 --> 00:11:40.120 to me as the meeting place of Babajee and Shri 182 00:11:40.200 --> 00:11:43.399 Yukta Swajee. Alighting from the car a short time later, 183 00:11:43.799 --> 00:11:46.600 we walked some distance through the thickening smoke of the 184 00:11:46.600 --> 00:11:49.639 Sadu's fires and owe the slippery sands to reach a 185 00:11:49.679 --> 00:11:53.080 cluster of tiny, very modest mud and straw huts. We 186 00:11:53.159 --> 00:11:56.360 halted in front of one of these insignificant temporary dwellings 187 00:11:56.559 --> 00:12:00.960 with a pygmy doorless entrance, the shelter of Cutty, a 188 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:05.720 young wondering Sodow noted for his exceptional intelligence. There he 189 00:12:05.879 --> 00:12:09.080 sat cross legged on a pile of straw, his only 190 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:13.000 covering and incidently his only possession being an oqua cloth 191 00:12:13.320 --> 00:12:16.720 draped over his shoulders. Truly a divine face smiled at 192 00:12:16.799 --> 00:12:19.120 us after we had crawled on all fours into the 193 00:12:19.200 --> 00:12:22.480 hut and pronomned at the feet of this enlightened soul. 194 00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:26.240 While the kerosene lantern at the entrance flickered weird dancing 195 00:12:26.320 --> 00:12:30.039 shadows on the thatched walls. His face, especially his eyes 196 00:12:30.080 --> 00:12:33.360 and perfect teeth, beamed and glistened. Although I was puzzled 197 00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:36.799 by the Hindi, his expressions were very revealing. He was 198 00:12:36.840 --> 00:12:41.639 full of enthusiasm, love, spiritual glory. No one could be 199 00:12:41.720 --> 00:12:45.360 mistaken as to his greatness. Imagine the happy life of 200 00:12:45.399 --> 00:12:49.360 one unattached the material world, free of the clothing problem, 201 00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:53.639 free of food craving, never begging, never touching cooked food 202 00:12:54.039 --> 00:12:58.440 except on alternate days, never carrying a begging bowl, Free 203 00:12:58.440 --> 00:13:03.840 of all money entanglements, never handling money, never storing things away, 204 00:13:04.679 --> 00:13:09.799 always trusting in God. Free of transportation warriors, never riding 205 00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:12.480 in vehicles, but always walking on the banks of the 206 00:13:12.559 --> 00:13:16.080 sacred rivers, never remaining in one place longer than a week, 207 00:13:16.600 --> 00:13:20.120 in order to avoid any growth of attachment. Such a 208 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:24.440 modest soul, unusually learned in the Vedas and possessing an 209 00:13:24.440 --> 00:13:28.759 Aimee degree and the title of Shastri Master of scriptures 210 00:13:28.840 --> 00:13:32.600 from Benara's university. A sublime feeling pervaded me as I 211 00:13:32.679 --> 00:13:34.960 sat at his feet. It all seemed to be an 212 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:38.399 answer to my desire to see the real, the ancient India, 213 00:13:38.720 --> 00:13:41.360 For he is a true representative of this land of 214 00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:46.799 spiritual giants. I questioned Karapatri about his wandering life. Don't 215 00:13:46.799 --> 00:13:50.279 you have any extra clothes for winter? No? This is enough. 216 00:13:50.960 --> 00:13:54.320 Do you carry any books? No? I teach from my 217 00:13:54.399 --> 00:13:57.360 memory those people who wish to hear me, What else 218 00:13:57.399 --> 00:14:00.759 do you do? I rum by the gungges At these 219 00:14:00.840 --> 00:14:04.799 quiet words, I was overpowered by yearning for the simplicity 220 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:08.399 of his life. I remembered America and all the responsibilities 221 00:14:08.440 --> 00:14:12.320 that lay on my shoulders. No, Yogananda, I thought, sadly, 222 00:14:12.360 --> 00:14:15.440 for a moment in this life, rubbing by the Ganges 223 00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:18.039 is not for you. After the sid who had told 224 00:14:18.039 --> 00:14:20.759 me a few of his spiritual realizations, I shot an 225 00:14:20.799 --> 00:14:25.279 abrupt question, are you giving these descriptions from scriptural law 226 00:14:25.720 --> 00:14:29.919 or from inward experience? Half from book learning? He answered 227 00:14:29.960 --> 00:14:33.960 with a straightforward smile, and half from experience. We sat 228 00:14:34.039 --> 00:14:37.519 happily awhile in meditative silence. After we had left his 229 00:14:37.600 --> 00:14:40.639 sacred presence. I said to mister Wright, he is a 230 00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:44.120 king sitting on a throne of gordon straw. We had 231 00:14:44.159 --> 00:14:46.480 our dinner that night on the mail of grounds under 232 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:50.480 the stars, eating from leaf plates pinned together with sticks. 233 00:14:50.919 --> 00:14:54.000 Dish washings in India are reduced to a minimum two 234 00:14:54.039 --> 00:14:57.480 more days of the fascinating Cumba. Then northwest along the 235 00:14:57.559 --> 00:15:00.559 Jumna banks to Agra. Once again I I gazed at 236 00:15:00.559 --> 00:15:03.600 the taj Mahal in memory the tender stood by my 237 00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:06.799 side or by the dream in marble. Then on to 238 00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:11.399 the Brinda Barashram of Swami Koshebananda. My object in seeking 239 00:15:11.399 --> 00:15:15.039 out Koshebananda was connected with his book. I had never 240 00:15:15.080 --> 00:15:17.840 forgotten Shri yet to Swa's request that I write the 241 00:15:17.840 --> 00:15:21.279 life of Lahei Mahassia. During my stay in India, I 242 00:15:21.440 --> 00:15:25.440 was taking every opportunity of contacting direct disciples and relatives 243 00:15:25.480 --> 00:15:29.960 of the Yogavatar, recording their conversations in voluminous notes. I 244 00:15:30.080 --> 00:15:35.080 verified facts and dates, and collected photographs or letters and documents. 245 00:15:35.440 --> 00:15:39.639 My Laheri Mahassia portfolio began to swell. I realized with 246 00:15:39.759 --> 00:15:43.600 dismay that ahead of me lay arduous labors and authorship. 247 00:15:43.919 --> 00:15:46.360 I prayed that I might be equal to my role 248 00:15:46.440 --> 00:15:50.120 as biographer of the colossal Guru. Several of his disciples 249 00:15:50.159 --> 00:15:53.519 feared that in a written account their master might be belittled 250 00:15:53.480 --> 00:15:57.879 or misinterpreted. One can hardly do justice in cold words 251 00:15:57.919 --> 00:16:01.759 to the life of a divine incarnation, Punchanon Butacharia had 252 00:16:01.759 --> 00:16:06.000 once remarked to me. Other close disciples were similarly satisfied 253 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:09.120 to keep the Jogo vittar hidden in their hearts as 254 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:13.720 the deathless Preceptor. Nevertheless, mindful of Lahari ma Hussia's prediction 255 00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:17.120 about his biography, I spared no effort to secure and 256 00:16:17.159 --> 00:16:21.639 substantiate the facts of his outward life. Swamy Kaschebanin agreeted 257 00:16:21.639 --> 00:16:25.799 our party warmly at Brindeban in his Katayani pythe Ashrum, 258 00:16:26.200 --> 00:16:29.840 an imposing brick building with massive black pillars, sat in 259 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:32.919 a beautiful garden. He ushered us at once into a 260 00:16:32.960 --> 00:16:37.320 sitting room adorned with an enlargement of Lahii ma Hussaia's picture. 261 00:16:37.720 --> 00:16:40.480 The Swami was approaching the age of ninety, but his 262 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:44.000 muscular body radiated its strength and health. With long hair 263 00:16:44.039 --> 00:16:47.559 and a snow white beard, eyes twinkling with joy, he 264 00:16:47.679 --> 00:16:51.320 was a veritable patriarchal embodiment. I informed him that I 265 00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:54.240 wanted to mention his name and my book on Indian masters. 266 00:16:54.600 --> 00:16:58.480 Please tell me about your earlier life, I smiled entreatingly. 267 00:16:59.240 --> 00:17:03.840 Great Yogas often uncommunicative, Kashebanander made a gesture of humility. 268 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:08.039 There is little of external moment. Practically, my whole life 269 00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:11.799 has been spent in the Himalayan solitudes, traveling on foot 270 00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:14.559 from one quart cave to another. For a while, I 271 00:17:14.599 --> 00:17:19.160 maintained a small ashramat side Hardwar, Surrounded on all sides 272 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:22.640 by a grove of tall trees. It was a peaceful spot, 273 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:27.319 little visited by travelers owing to the ubiquitous presence of cobras. 274 00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:31.799 Kshevanander chuckled. Later, a ganji's flood washed away the hermitage 275 00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:35.160 and cobras alike. My disciples then helped me to build 276 00:17:35.160 --> 00:17:38.720 this Brindaban Ashram. One of our party asked the swami 277 00:17:38.839 --> 00:17:42.759 how he had protected himself against the Himalayan tigers. Kshebanander 278 00:17:42.839 --> 00:17:46.400 shook his head. In those high spiritual altitudes, he said, 279 00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:50.000 wild beasts seldom molest the Yogis. Once in the jungle, 280 00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:54.799 I encountered a tiger face to face at my sudden ejaculation, 281 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:58.640 the animal was transfixed, as though turned to stone again. 282 00:17:58.720 --> 00:18:02.480 The swami chakled is made occasionally. I left my seclusion 283 00:18:02.519 --> 00:18:05.400 to visit my guru imbarares. He is to joke with 284 00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:09.079 me over my ceaseless travels in the Himalayan wilderness. You 285 00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:11.680 have the mark of a wanderlust in your foot, he 286 00:18:11.759 --> 00:18:14.839 told me once. I am glad that the sacred Himalayas 287 00:18:14.839 --> 00:18:18.640 are extensive enough to engross you many times. Kashabanander went on, 288 00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:22.880 both before and after his passing, Lahidi Mahasayah has appeared 289 00:18:22.920 --> 00:18:27.960 bodily before me. For him, no Himalayan heightis inaccessible. Two 290 00:18:28.039 --> 00:18:31.119 hours later, he led us to a dining patio. I 291 00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:36.359 sighed in silent dismay another fifteen coarse meal, less than 292 00:18:36.359 --> 00:18:39.799 the ear of Indian hospitality, and I had gained fifty pounds. 293 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:42.400 Yet it would have been considered the height of rudeness 294 00:18:42.400 --> 00:18:45.119 to refuse any of the dishes carefully prepared for the 295 00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:49.119 endless banquets in my honor in India, nowhere else alas 296 00:18:49.559 --> 00:18:53.839 a wild padded swami is considered a delightful sight. After dinner, 297 00:18:53.920 --> 00:18:57.839 Kashabananda led me to a secluded nook. Your arrival is 298 00:18:58.000 --> 00:19:01.359 not unexpected, he said, I have a message for you. 299 00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:04.319 I was surprised no one had known of my plant 300 00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:07.359 to visit Kashabananda. While roaming last year in the northern 301 00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:11.799 Himalayas near Badrina Ran, the Swami continued, I lost my 302 00:19:11.920 --> 00:19:15.559 way shelter appeared in a spacious cave which was empty, 303 00:19:16.160 --> 00:19:18.440 though the embers of a fire glowed in a hole 304 00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:21.680 in the rocky floor. Wandering about the occupant of this 305 00:19:21.799 --> 00:19:25.559 lonely retreat, I sat near the fire, my gaze fixed 306 00:19:25.640 --> 00:19:29.079 on the sunlit entrance to the cave. Kieshebananda. I am 307 00:19:29.119 --> 00:19:32.559 glad you are here. These words came from behind me. 308 00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:36.799 I turned startled and was dazzled to behold Barbiji, the 309 00:19:36.839 --> 00:19:39.960 Great Guru, had materialized himself in a recess of the cave. 310 00:19:40.319 --> 00:19:43.759 Overjoyed to see him again after many years, I prostrated 311 00:19:43.759 --> 00:19:47.319 myself at his holy feet. I called you here, Barbaji 312 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:50.039 went on, that is why you lost your way and 313 00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:52.759 were led to my temporary abode in this cave. It 314 00:19:52.839 --> 00:19:55.519 is a long time since our last meeting. I am 315 00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:58.799 pleased to greet you once more. The deathless master blessed 316 00:19:58.839 --> 00:20:02.519 me with some words of spirtual help, then added, I 317 00:20:02.599 --> 00:20:05.119 give you a message for Yogananda. He will pay you 318 00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:08.599 a visit on his return to India. Many matters connected 319 00:20:08.640 --> 00:20:11.480 with his Guru and with the surviving disciples of Lahidi 320 00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:15.279 will keep Yogananda fully occupied. Tell him then that I 321 00:20:15.319 --> 00:20:18.240 won't see him this time, as he is eagerly hoping, 322 00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:21.400 but I shall see him on some other occasion. I 323 00:20:21.559 --> 00:20:25.359 was deeply touched to receive from Kushabananda's lips this consoling 324 00:20:25.400 --> 00:20:28.680 promise from Babajee. A certain hurt in my heart vanished. 325 00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:32.559 I grieved no longer that, even as Shri Utretois had hinted, 326 00:20:32.599 --> 00:20:36.559 Babaji did not appear at the Kumbamela. Spending one night, 327 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:39.559 as guests of the Ashrama party set out the following 328 00:20:39.599 --> 00:20:43.599 afternoon for Kolkatta. Riding over a bridge of the Jumna River, 329 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:47.160 we enjoyed a magnificent view of the skyline of Brindaban. 330 00:20:47.680 --> 00:20:49.680 Just as the sun set fire to the sky, A 331 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:53.359 veritable furnace of vulcan in color reflected below us in 332 00:20:53.400 --> 00:20:56.920 the still waters. The Jumna beach is hallowed by memories 333 00:20:56.960 --> 00:21:00.440 of the chad Shri Krishna. Here he engaged with innocent 334 00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:05.240 sweetness in his Leela's plays with the gopis maids, exemplifying 335 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:09.279 the supernal love which ever exists between a divine incarnation 336 00:21:09.359 --> 00:21:12.279 of his devotees. The life of Lord Krishna has been 337 00:21:12.359 --> 00:21:18.079 misunderstood by many Western commentators. Scriptural allegorias baffle to literal minds. 338 00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:21.759 A hilarious blunder by a translator will illustrate this point. 339 00:21:22.160 --> 00:21:26.839 The story concerns an inspired medieval saint, the cobbler Ravidas, 340 00:21:27.240 --> 00:21:30.599 who sang, in the simple terms of his own trade, 341 00:21:30.599 --> 00:21:34.519 of the spiritual glory hidden in all mankind. Under the 342 00:21:34.640 --> 00:21:39.119 vast vault of blue lives the divinity clothed in hide, 343 00:21:39.319 --> 00:21:42.160 One turns aside to hide a smile on hearing the 344 00:21:42.200 --> 00:21:46.359 pedestrian interpretation given to Ravidas's poem by a Western writer. 345 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:49.319 He afterwards built a heart set up in it an 346 00:21:49.440 --> 00:21:52.359 idol which he made from a hide, and applied himself 347 00:21:52.400 --> 00:21:55.519 to its worship. Ravidas was a brother disciple of the 348 00:21:55.559 --> 00:21:59.559 Greek Kabir. One of Ravidas's exalted jellas was the Rani 349 00:21:59.559 --> 00:22:02.960 of Chitu. She invited a large number of Brahmins to 350 00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:06.039 a feast in honor of her teacher. But they refused 351 00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:09.279 to eat with a lowly cobbler. As they sat down 352 00:22:09.359 --> 00:22:13.599 in dignified aloofness to eat their own uncontaminated meal. Lo 353 00:22:14.400 --> 00:22:17.839 each Brahmin founded his side the form of Ravidas. This 354 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:21.920 mass vision accomplished a widespread spiritual revival in Chuttur. In 355 00:22:21.960 --> 00:22:25.559 a few days, our little group reached Calcutta. Eager to 356 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:28.880 see Sri Yuktaswar. I was disappointed to hear that he 357 00:22:28.880 --> 00:22:31.960 had left Serampur and was now in Puri, about three 358 00:22:32.039 --> 00:22:35.240 hundred miles to the south. Come to the Puri ashram 359 00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:38.880 at once. This telegram was sent on March eighth by 360 00:22:38.880 --> 00:22:43.000 a brother disciple to Utal Chandra roy Chadhri, one of 361 00:22:43.079 --> 00:22:47.200 Master's cellas in Kolkata. News of the message reached my ears. 362 00:22:47.680 --> 00:22:51.359 Anguished at its implications, I dropped my knees and implored 363 00:22:51.400 --> 00:22:54.279 God that my Guru's life be spared. As I was 364 00:22:54.319 --> 00:22:57.839 about to leave father's home for the train, a divine 365 00:22:57.920 --> 00:23:01.039 voice spoke within. Do not go to Puria to night. 366 00:23:01.440 --> 00:23:06.200 Thy prayer cannot be granted, Lord, I said, grief stricken, 367 00:23:06.640 --> 00:23:09.079 thou dost not wish to engage with me in a 368 00:23:09.119 --> 00:23:11.440 tug of war at Puri, where thou wilt have to 369 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:15.000 deny my incessant prayers for Master's life? Must he then 370 00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:18.880 depart for higher duties at thy behest? In obedience to 371 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:22.119 the inward command, I did not leave that night for Puri. 372 00:23:22.440 --> 00:23:25.119 The following evening, I set out for the train. On 373 00:23:25.160 --> 00:23:29.079 the way at seven o'clock, a black astral cloud suddenly 374 00:23:29.119 --> 00:23:32.920 covered the sky. Later, while the train roared toward Puri, 375 00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:36.200 a vision of Sri Yukta Swar appeared before me. He 376 00:23:36.319 --> 00:23:39.279 was sitting very grave of countenance, with a light on 377 00:23:39.400 --> 00:23:44.119 each side. Is it all over? I lifted my arms beseechingly. 378 00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:48.880 He nodded, then slowly vanished. As I stood on the 379 00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:52.920 Puri train platform the following morning, still hoping against hope, 380 00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:56.119 an unknown man approached me. Have you heard that your 381 00:23:56.119 --> 00:23:59.720 master has gone? He left me without another word. I 382 00:23:59.799 --> 00:24:02.400 never discovered who he was, nor how he had known 383 00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:06.400 where to find me. Stunned, I swayed against the platform wall, 384 00:24:07.160 --> 00:24:10.079 realizing that in diverse ways my Guru was trying to 385 00:24:10.119 --> 00:24:14.279 convey to me the devastating news. Seething with rebellion, my 386 00:24:14.400 --> 00:24:17.200 soul was like a volcano by the time I reached 387 00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:20.960 the poor hermitage, I was nearing collapse. The inner voice 388 00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:26.039 was tenderly repeating, collect yourself, be calm. I entered the 389 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:30.839 ushrum room, where Master's body, unimaginably lifelike, was sitting in 390 00:24:30.839 --> 00:24:34.839 the lotus posture, a picture of health and loveliness. A 391 00:24:34.880 --> 00:24:38.039 short time before his passing, my Gudo had been slightly 392 00:24:38.079 --> 00:24:41.000 ill with fever, but before the day of his ascension 393 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:44.680 into the infinite, his body had become completely well. No 394 00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:47.400 matter how often I looked at his dear form, I 395 00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:51.079 could not realize that its life had departed. His skin 396 00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:54.640 was smooth and soft. In his face was a beatific 397 00:24:54.720 --> 00:24:58.720 expression of tranquility. He had consciously relinquished his body at 398 00:24:58.720 --> 00:25:03.480 the hour of mystic's the line of Bengal is gone. 399 00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:07.359 I cried. In a days I conducted the solemn rites. 400 00:25:07.400 --> 00:25:11.519 On March tenth, Shriyukta Swa was buried with the ancient 401 00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:14.920