Dr. Raj R.P. Varma It is really difficult to do justice by written word to the life of any great saint. As a matter of fact, his greatness defies any description. As such, the subject is beyond the limits of spoken or written word. However, in order to quench the thirst of the anxious millions, an attempt has been made, hereby, to throw some light on the salient features of the benevolent life of Shri Guru Dev.

The personal magnetism of Swamiji was the symbol of eternal peace described by the saints as the embodiment of Tapasya and spiritual enlightenment. When Swamiji was enthroned as Shankaracharya his natural grandeur was matchless. His face radiated natural softness, simplicity, purity and calmness. In everyday life, his renunciation was evident. Every word uttered by him had wonderful magnetic power which made a great and deep impression on the hearts of the listeners. Everyone who came in contact with Shri Guru Dev thought that he was the most beloved of Shri Guru Dev. This was a strange experience of everyone.

Shri Guru Dev himself gave little advice. When anyone asked a question, he used to answer in a manner which solved many psychological problems of all the persons sitting there. Every listener wondered how he got the reply to his question without putting his particular question.

In his preachings, Shri Guru Dev most often dwelt upon his own experiences and for this reason his words always carried a novelty of his own experiences and people were always anxious to hear him. This has helped us in recording the events of his life, which have proved to be the guiding source and inspiration to his lovers and devotees all over the world. In this book, an effort has been made to describe those very events, which were heard by his admirers and followers.

I belive this collection will help to give a glimpse of Swami ji’s greatness and his benign soul, which was like a flower of a matchless colour and fragrance. Besides, this book will fulfil the long felt need of his followers admirers who longed for such a book on Shri Guru Dev’s life.

It is regretted that the book could not be produced to my best satisfaction, and unfortunately, contains quite a large number of proof mistakes. I owe an apology for those errors and other short comings of this publication to my dear readers and crave for their indulgence to ignore the same.

Dr. Raj R. P. Varma

As I have been one of those who never had the good fortune and divine privilege of having a glimps of such a greaet Indian saint as Swami Brahmanandji Saraswati though he lived during my life time itself. Iam, naturally,in no way a fit person for writing the introduction to this book whose author Dr. Rajrajeshwari Prasad Varma is himself a saint in his own way, and had the good fortune of not only knowing our Guru Dev for a pretty long period but had actually been initiated in the realm of “ Dhyan-yoga" by Guru Dev himself.

One might wonder that how could I address Swami Brahmanand ji Saraswati as my Guru Dev, i.e, my spiritual teacher, when, what to say of being initiated by him. I had even never seen him. I feel, I owe an explanation for it to the readers.

I have been working journalist since the beginning of my career in 1944, and till the end of sixties my occupation kept me so busy that I never thought of God. Spiritualism had absolutely no place in my day-to-day life. In the beginning of 1967 when I get a bolt from the blue in suddenly loosing my job as editor of a daily newspaper and suffered huge financial losses, I got totally upset and began seeking solace in spiritualism. Though things began to take a favourable turn after a few years of struggle, somehow or the other, my search for peace of mind through spiritual pursuits continued. But the more eagerly I sought it, the more elusory it proved to be.

By 1974 my enthusiasm for spiritualism had got much dampened and so, naturally, when someone tried to sell T.M. ( the technique of transcendental meditation taught by Maherishi Mahesh Yogi, one of the foremost disciples of Guru Dev, through a network of initiators and meditation centres round the world ) to me, I gave a cold shoulder to it. Two years later, I suddenly found my wife Uma khare and some of my groun-up children only discussing T. M. , but actually practicing it. They suggested again and again that I also learn it, but I brushed aside the idea. My wife got much interested in T.M. that she herself became an initiator after undergoing a training for about nine months at a distant hill-station. Needless to say that she did it against my wishes. But I almost miraculous happenings began to take place in my family, particularly concerning those who had taken to the practice of T. M. I regret, I won’t be able to narrate those happenings here because of shortage of space, but they mad me inquisitive about T.M. On being repeatedly told that one can really know about T.M. only by learning and practicing it. I have up my resistance and learnt it.

The initiation took place in front of a picture of Guru Dev and I was told that I should consider neither my initiator nor Maharishi Mahesh Yogi as my spiritual teacher but the Guru Dev himself. It was a thrilling experience and the very first day my turbulent mind experienced such a serene calm that when I got up after practicing T.M. for the first time, I bowed my head to the lotus feet of Guru Dev and since that day have regarded him us my spiritual teacher and guide.

As you know, the journalists are very inquisitive, by nature as well as training. So, I was soon all out in search of such books that could throw light on the life of Guru Dev, my teache, about whom I knew almost nothing after years of efforts. I could lay hand on only one such book, but it failed to satisfy my inquisitivness. And then, when one fine morning I came to now that Dr. Varma a direct disciple of Guru Dev-has come to Jaipur and will be staying in thin town for a few years to get the statues of Guru Dev and other saints of the Holy Tradition manufactured I decided to meet him as often as possible and learn from him about the life and teachings of my great teacher.

Since then I have had the privilege of a number of meetings with Dr. Varma , and whenever I asked him to tell us some thing about our Guru dev, I found in him an enthusiastic talker. He would go on talking about Guru Dev for hours at a stretch, never showing the least sign of fatigue, though he is running his eightees. He carries with him a store-house of reminiscences and, with his unassuming nature and unraffled calmness on his face, is always willing to share with one and all whatever he knows about or has learnt from, our Guru Dev. This book is the result of his inner urge to share his experiences with others. While listening to his reminiscences about our Guru Dev. I always felt that the he should pen it down for the benefit of all the seekers of truth, and my joy knew no founds when I learnt that he has actually done it. And, when he asked me to write a short introduction to this book, I considered it to be a privilege and favour that I never deserved.

This book is in the form of a biography and contains only some selected reminiscences of the author. Though the volume of the book is very short and it has been produced in great haste, without proper editing and correction of proof mistakes, the efforts of the author are highly commendable for it is through this book that the readers will, for the first time, be able to know about the life and teachings of one of the greatest saints. It’s an inspiring book which, I am sure, be of great help to all the seekers of truth and, particularly, those who have taken of the practice of the meditation.

Swamiji (Shri Guru Dev) was born on 21st december, 1870 (Thursday), Vikram Samvat 1928, Marg Shirsh Shukla Dasmi, at Surhurpur, district Faizabad in uttar Pradesh (india) in a renowned and rich Saryupani Brahmin family. At that time nobody knew that the child born with a silver spoon in his mouth will be a great renouncer of worldly life and will adorn the Throne of great Jagatguru Shri Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath in the Himalayas.

Shri Guru Dev’s early life was very mysterious and noble, In his childhood, he became conscious of the transitoriness of worldly life and things. In his everyday life he was fond of loneliness and non-attachment to physical word. He was often seen in a serious mood and meditation. There were no signs of childish mirth and he had no liking for delicious dishes. Costly and attractive clothes did not attract him. He had no interested in playthings of children. He was always in thoughtful mood. The seriousness of his everyday work and his mysterious ways of conversation surprised his family members. He was a profound thinker, of firm mind and unshakable decisive nature, even at his early age. He was very dear to his grandfather and as such as was much attached to him. He was with him almost throughout the day. Shri Guru Dev also had great love for his grandfather, who died after attaining the age of 100 yeas when Shri Guru Dev was only 7 years of age. Though his family members tried their utmost to hide the disposal of the dead body from the child but at last Shri Guru Dev saw the corpse of his grandfather being taken away and he also heard the persons repeating the eternal words " Ram Nam Sat Hae " i.e. " only the Name Of Ram is True “. This event caused two uppermost deep impressions on the mind of the little child, viz :

First Impression—His grandfather will be seen no more.

Second Impression–God is Supreme.

At the tender age pf seven years he realized that like his grandfather, all his relatives and he himself will pass away one day. As time passed on, Swamiji (Shri Guru Dev) began to think more and more about ‘RAMA’ and its meanings. By and by, he was convinced that the name of God is the only substantial and eternal things in this world. At the age of eight his parents, as is usual among the Brahmins, decided to perform the Sacred Thread Ceremony and thereafter sent the boy of studies to Banaras, (VARANSI) the seat of learning. Which may perhaps help boy to his grandfather.

The boy was brought home. Every member of the family was joyful. But the boy all the time talked of Gyan and Vairagya (Supreme knowledge and Renunciation to all the elders and the aged in the family. All of them considered his talk to be a whim of his childhood and did not pay any attention to it.

He repeatedly requested them not to entangle him in a family life, but they all tried their utmost to get him round to lead a family life. Even though they all knew very well that the boy was adopting the most pious course beneficial not only to himself but to the whole family, rather to the whole world, they tried to dissuade him on account of their love for him. Imagining the hardships of the life of a recluse, and renouncing the world they feared much more. They tried their best to change the boy’s views but all in vain they very well knew the no achievement is possible, Worldly or Divine, without realizing the Absolute and the knowledge of Supreme Wisdom.

After all, they called the aged, learned and experienced Guru of the family to get the thoughts of the boy changed. The learned Guru had full confidence that he would be successful. But, howsoever, intellectually the Guru argued with higher standard of intelligence. When the Guru failed to convince the boy, the Guru began to instruct the boy emotionally pointing out the family traditions, “ My dear boy, you are the only son of your beloved parents and all their future hopes and desires are entered on your carrier alone. Do not renounce and render them help. Less in this old age. To serve them, is your supreme and pious duty. Their remaining life will be chaotic and painful. You are too young to retire to jungle and take to hard penances. If at all you have decided to take Sanyas and practice Yoga or Vairagya, even then your age does not suit it. First you have to look to your responsibilities concerning your family, lead family life, gain enough worldly experience and when suitable occasion comes take Sanyas and do the needful. Whil raw in experience nothing could be achieved."

Once, in Uttarkashi a renowned preacher of Indian Philosophy had come and all the Sadhus and Mahatmas were invited to hear him. The young Brahmachari, Brahm Chaitanya (our reversed Guru Dev) never used to go anywhere out of the Ashram of his Sad Guru. The other Brahmacharies and Aspirants residing in the Ashram wanted to hear the discourse of this preacher and accordingly, they requested their Sad Guru to grant them permission. All of them were allowed to go, after locking the gate of the Ashram from outside and enter the Ashram on their return, unlocking the gate. All of them went to hear the preacher after locking the gate. At this moment, the young Brahmachari thought to himself.

“It would be a share waste of time to attend a theoretical unproductive discourse. Moreover, it would be direct disrespect to you Guru Dev who is a great Spiritual Guide. Knower of Truth, Glorious Tapasvi and Siddha Yogi, whose kind guidance will enlighten me to self realization. Where and why to go leaving His Lotus Feet at which I have dedicated my Self ? What benefit one could gain by hearing discourse from a preacher who has bookish knowledge only ? Nothing could compensate the great insult to Shri Sad Guru who has been locked inside the Ashram and all have come out- a shame-ful action".

Every step onward strengthened this thought of the Bal Tapasvi. At last he finally decided, “If they to, let them to, but I will not go and will return to the Ashram. But for this action and to get the key from the elderly Brahmachari there must be some reason to accomplish the end in view."

So he politely spoke to the senior Brahmachari, “As many highly learned Pundits of Uttar Kashi would attend the discourse of the preacher while I won’t be able to grasp anything from the speech, so my presence there would be of no avail. Please let me have the key of the gate. I shall go back to the Ashram."

He took the key and was going back. On the way, he noticed that two Dandi Sanyasies were also going towards Shri Guru Ashram. He hurriedly reached the gate and opened if for them. He escorted them to his room, offered seats to them and enquired if they had taken Bhiksha (FOOD). They replied that for Bhiksha, they had come there and after that they would go to hear the discourse. He then prepared Halwa (Indian sweet preparation with wheat flour, sugar ate Halwa and went to attend the discourse. After this Brahmachari Brahm Chaitanya sat down to meditate.

In the evening, after the discourse was over, all the persons came back in the Ashram along with the two Dandi Sanyasies, who later met Shri Guru Dev. Shri Guru Dev enquired from them if they had taken Bhiksha. They replied, “Yes, Maharaj ji, we had taken Halwa here in the Ashram and then we had gone to attend the discourse".

Shri Maharaj Shri (our Guru Dev) while living in Uttarkashi, with his Sad Guru Dev, deligently completed his deep study of the Vedas and the practice of Yoga. At the age of 25 years, being Atmnishth (self-contained) descended the Himalayas along with Shri Sad Guru Dev. For some days they stayed in Kajlivan, a jungle near Rishikesh. This Kajlivan is a dense and solitary jungle wherein fierce wild animals live. In such a fierce jungle, If any Mahatma could stay for some time, his reputation spread far and wide, in the villages and naturally people in crowds rushed up for his Darshan (to see him).

Amongst the visitors a Brahman used to supply 1/2 litre milk to Maharaj Shri every day and in the night Maharaj Shri used to give warm milk to Sad Guru Dev.

One day, when the Brahman started with milk from his home, his wife said, “Today, we have less milk and so very little milk will be left for the children." But he brought the milk as usual and didn’t listen to his wife. Maharaj Shri like the previous nights, offered milk to his Sad Guru Dev. On looking at the milk, Guru Dev said, “There is pain mixed today in this milk, so I will not take it. Return this milk to the man and stop taking milk from him." Maharaj Shri did the same.

After about two weeks, the Brahman’s son died and among the villagers a rumour prevailed that Sad Guru Dev’s displeasure is the cause of the child’s death. Maharaj Shri heard this rumour and brought it to the notice of Guru Dev.

Hearing this Guru Dev said, “When they take the dead-body for cremation, tell them not to burnit but they should call me before its disposal." When the dead-body was brought to the crematiojn ground, they kept it there and Guru Dev also reached there.

Sad Guru Dev asked the people there to get the funeral cloth removed from the dead-body. When the cloth was removed Sad Guru Dev touching the head of the dead-body with his feed said, “Why do you sleep so much ?"

It was the time of ‘Kumbha’ at Prayag (Allahabad) Mahatmas, Sadhus and Sanyasis from all over India had assembled there. Maharaj Shri also reached Prayag, which Shri Sad Guru Dev as well graced the occasion. Maharaj Shri, at such an auspicious occasion, prayed to Shri Sad Guru Dev, “Bhagwan, if you think me worthy, please initiate me as a Sanyasi." Shri Sad Guru Dev considering him deserving in all respects joyously consented. At the pious spot, the confluence of three rivers, the holy Ganges, the Yamuna and the Saraswati (invisible), the rites of Sanyas were performed. A grand religious feast was arranged and all Brahmacharies. Sadhus and Dandi Swamies were honoured by offering cloths etc.

By initiating Maharaj Shri at the age of 36, Shri Sad Guru Dev gave him Dand, Kamandal and Kaupin and named him “Shri Swami Brahmanand Saraswati Maharaj".

All the Sadhus, Mahatmas and religious people then became anxious to have his Darshan and Blessings. But Maharaj Shri, as he often liked, used to live in lonely jungles. If his devotees could know of his stay in a particular jungle, they rushed there for his Darshan. On holy occasion, if he happened to go to Holy places like Kashi and Ayodhya, people gathered round him in great numbers to hear his most precious and inspiring words.

Dandi Swami (Sanyasi), a recluse of the highest order, has to follow a particular code and rules, which are very hard to observe in his life time. In fact, in the eyes of a Sanyasi there is no world as such and he has nothing to do with it. That is why he likes seclusion. As for his Bhiksha (meals), he is allowed once a day, i.e. at noon time, to go to three houses, at the most, of three different families. If he gets Bhiksha at the first house well and good, otherwise he tries second and third house. In case no Bhiksha could be available that day, he has to pass 24 hours without it. Dandi Sanyasi, by rule, has to stay in a village or a town for a couple of days only, but in Monsoon season when the heavy rains are continuous for weeks together, he can stay at one place for two months called “Chaturmasa". Thus there are so many restrictions and hard rules for him to follow strictly.

In 1930, Kumbha Mela was to be held in Prayag. The Kumbha mela is a very great religious congregation held once in 12 years at Prayag and at three other Holy places in different years in India. The Mela lasts for one full month and people from all over India come to take bath in the Holy Triveni, the confluence of the Yamuna, the Holy Ganges and the Saraswati.

So the devotees of Maharaj Shri at Prayag had arranged in advance for his stay during the Mela period in a spacious building situated in Daraganj area, which belonged to one of his devotees of Prayag and he was awaiting the arrival of Maharaj Shri.

Maharaj Shri decided not to go to Prayag, but to stay at a place some 12 miles away on the bank of the Ganges, in a small room adjoining the Temple of Kaurweshwar Mahadev (Lord Shiva). At the same time, he thought that one of his devotees had already arranged for a big house for his stay, which should be used or else he might feel that his services were not accepted. So Maharaj Shri got some of his disciples, the Dandi Sanyasies, accommodated in that house for the time, the Kumbha Mela lasted.

The devotee thinking that maharaj Shri had not come to Prayag to stay in his house felt disappointed, but when he was informed that Maharaj Shri had accommodated his disciples, the Dandi Sanyasies, in his house, he was satisfied.

However, it so happened that a rich friend of the devotee was in Calcutta. He wrote to his friend, the devotee, in Prayag that his children and relatives in Calcutta wished to stay in Prayag during Kumbha Mela and earnestly reguested him to allot his house of Daraganj to his children for their stay there. The devotee thinking that as Maharaj Shri was not staying in the house, the Dandi Sanyasies could be shifted to some other place.

On 27^th August 1940, in the morning I had gone to the market. While returning, on the way I saw two men, who were talking together that a Siddha Yogi Mahatma had come in our city. The other man asked him, “What is his name?" The former said, “I do not know his name." The later asked. “Where is he staying?" The former replied, “Some where in Wright Town."

When I heard their talk, I got interested to know more about the Siddha Yogi Mahatma. I enquired from them the location of the house in Wright Town. One of them said, “I have heard only this much,"

This was a sort of message from Maharaj Shri of his coming to Jabalpur. Just then, I resolved to have his Darshan, the same day. I thought so because such Siddha Yogi Mahatmas were very rare to be seen.

At 3 P.M I locked my Studio and started to find Maharaj Shri in Wright Town. The sun was shining brightly and there was no trace of any cloud on the sky, I was going at abnormal speed.

Then all of a sudden a call was heard from behind “Varma Ji Varma Ji." I stopped, turned back and saw a man waving his hand for me. I went to him. He said “Your friend Shanker Prasad a Tantrik wants you."

(The Highest Religious Seat Of The North In The Himalayas)
INSTALLATION ON THE THRONE OF JYOTIRMATH

Jyotishpeeth was established by His Divinity the first Shankaracharya, but for the last 160 years, it was silent. In 1908, in a great religious congregation many Indian Kings resolved that Jyotishpeeth be renovated as soon as it was possible and the same was passed unopposed.

Since then in every great religious gathering of Bharat Dharma Mandal. (All India Religious Board of Directors) renovation of the Jyogishpeeth was discussed and the question was to find out the fittest personality worthy of installation.

According to the Constitution of Jyotirmath framed by Adi Shankaracharya, the most suitable Acharya to be installed on the religious. Throne of Jyotishpeeth must have the following qualifications :– The Acharya should have thorough knowledge of Vedic Wisdom and he should be a Dandi Sanyasi and a Bal Brahmachari. He should possess Spiritual Power and Knowledge. Moreover, he should be Yogi and Siddha Mahatma.

So then, the learned Mahatmas of Bharat Dharma Mahamandal and the most efficient Acharyas of North India were in search of such a befitting Acharya for installation. In no time, all agreed and found the ablest and the most qualified Acharya in Maharaj Shri.

But none dared to approach him with the resolution of renovation of the silent Jyotishpeeth because of his high austerity and renunciation. His principle had always been to avoid public contact and to spend his whole time in his prayers and meditation.

Shortly after this, in 1942 the times for famous religious and festive Kumbha Mela (a very big religious fair held once in 12 years in Allahabad, Prayag) came nearer.

In this Grand Kumbha Mela, a huge religious congregation of gentry, Yogies, Rishies, Maharishies, Sanyasies, Rajas, Maharajas, Heads of religious institutions, Mandleshwars of all the ten Akharas of Sanyasies gathered at Allahabad, on the confluence of the Holy Ganges and the Yamuna, a vast sandy land.

On this auspicious grand Kumbha time, Maharaj Shri left Jabalpur for Prayag Kumbh, to lead the religious gathering of the gentry and the Sant Mahatmas from all over India.

At Allahabad, most reverential reception was gives to Maharaj Shri. A grand procession took. Him on an elephant from his Camp to Kumbha Mela Ground with shouts of applause all through the way. The Chiefs of All India Sadhu Associations and the Mahants of ten Akharas of Sanyasies went to his Camp and requested him earnestly. “Prabhu, your Revered self is our Supreme Religious Authority and weare always at your command. Kindly entrust us with some task."

Bhagwan Shri Shankaracharya said, “According to your Guru’s guidance, you should practice Yoga and raise yourselves by renunciation and austerity to gain spiritual power ; and let discipline and unity be your characteristics. Orders would be given as and when occasions come. Of course, you are all spiritually mighty army of Jagad Guru Shankaracharya’s Peeth."

Since His installation Maharaj Shri was named Jagad Guru Bhagwan Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath or Jyotipeethadhishwar of Badrika Ashram (Himalayas). He had relaxed His hard & fast rules of Dandi Sanyasi, so His Darshan now became easy to a common person, but His decorum and austerity remained unaffected.

To teach Sanatan Dharma ( Eternal Vedic religion or religion of humanity Maharaj Shri traveled through various States like Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Central State, Bihar, Begal & Northern States, where he attracted persons by His Darshan and valuable self convincing discourses.

Effectually, in two years time, commendation of Jyotishpeeth increase so much that religious people felt proud of it due to the ideal management of His Divinity Jyotishpeethadhishwar Maharaj Shri.

Some facts of the rapid revival of the Jyotishpeeth, are given below :–

1. In the pious personality of Maharaj Shri, a peaceful and magnetic fascinated the very heart of the audience. Whosoever happened to be hold. Him once, was desirious to have His Darshan again and again. Every beholder after His Darshan, was influenced by His Divinity and began to experience that he was the most beloved of Maharaj Shri.
2. The words of Maharaj Shri were simple, sweet and far-reaching, carrying the real essence of the subject, which is not found elsewhere. Beside this, His peculiar method was such that during His discourses, problems of the listeners were automatically solved without any question. His discourses based on His self experiences were very much effective and interesting. So the audience used to listen to Him with keen interest and great delight.
3. His individual self was evidently great and even in His absence His miraculous power was fairly experienced by His Devotees. When ever His disciple remembered Him in his difficulty, his trouble vanished that very moment. Hundreds of disciples told tales of the same, when their difficulties were over. Several staunch atheists by the Divine influence of Maharaj Shri became religious minded and believers in God and they proved to be good devotee of Him. They offered camphor flame and incense twice daily to the photo of Shri Guru Dev in their homes as a mark of respect to him.

After saying for a month at Prayag, Maharaj Shri left for Varanasi enroute to Calcutta, where the Silver Jubilee of the all India Philosophical Association was to be celebrated.

Many renowned philosophers of India and abroad assembled to commemorate the Jubilee. Maharaj Shri presided and delivered his presidential address covering Indian Philosophy in very simple but heart-touching words.

The renowned philosophers of the world were fascinated when they heard Him. Some of them were desirous to meet Him in privacy.

The next day at about 10 O’clock in the night, respected philosopher of India, late Shri Arvpalli Radhakrishnan with two eminent philosophers from abroad, Dr. Kanger and Dr. Shilp arrived in the Ashram of Shri Shankaracharya.

Maharaj Shri was relaxing on the open terrace in the third storey in Moon lit night. Near Him Brahmachari devotee was enjoying Bliss in deep meditation. The Dwarpal (gate keeper) came and said; “Bhagwan, with Dr. Radhakrishnan two philosophers from England and America have arrived for darshan of Maharaj Shri." The gate keeper stood awaiting the order of Maharaj Shri.

After a few moments Maharaj Shri said, “Well. Let them come in."

All the three philosophers came in, bowed down at Maharaj Shri’s feet and set down on a carpet before Him.

After introduction Dr. Radhakrishan prayed to Maharishi Shri and said" Dr. Kanger wants to hear some thing on Vedant, Philosophy. He wants some help from Maharaj Shri for self realization."

Maharaj Shri began, “Vedant itself is self evident. It is Light, which needs no other light to be illuminated."

Dr. Kanger said respectfully, “Those means of realization which are narrated in Vedant Shastras (Books on Philosophy) can not be called in vain."

Maharaj Shri continued, “Those means are there, not to illuminate the Absolute, but their object is to vanish ignorance. Means destroy ignorance; they do not illuminate the Absolute. That which is self illuminated needs no other light to illumine it. For instance the Sun is self illuminated body: it needs no other light to illumine it. Before sunrise, Dawn comes, but the Dawn only vanishes the darkness of night. It does not enlighten the Sun. The Sun is self illuminated. All the means narrated in Vedant Shastras are simply to get rid of ignorance. They never enlighten the Absolute, the Atma. The Atma, the Absolute is self Light and viewer of all."

Hearing the essential exhortation, Dr. Radhakrishnan was over joyed and gave out, “How explicitly Maharaj Shri has solved such a difficult question. “Later, they begged pardon for troubling Maharaj Shri and reverentially bowed down and left.

March 6, 1952 was fixed to leave Prayag for Lucknow. The news spread among the citizen of Allahabad within minutes. In the noon time Maharaj Shri had to take the journey but the gentry began to gather in crowds in Brahm Niwas from 8 O’clock in the morning to have His Darshan. Brahm Niwas was overcrowded with devotees and the general public, before noon.

When Maharaj Shri came out of His apartment to under take the journey, the gentry in General men, women and children with the devotee could not tolerate His separation and started weeping. Nobody knew that this was His last Journey.

Maharaj Shri satisfied the audience with His kind grace asked the devotee driver of the car to start sooner as He gates in. The car was started, but there was no room to move on, because of the thick crowd inside and outside Brahm Niwas.

The tearful eyes of the emotional devotees and the people present there melted the benevolent heart of Maharaj Shri. With great difficulty, His car could move ahead.

With acclamation of the weeping crowd, His journey commenced. On the way side, the awaiting gentry was standing for the darshan of Maharaj Shri. At places, thousands of men and women were present with puja articles and were sounding counches and bells to worship His Lotus feet.

Citizens of Lucknow, in hundreds, in cars, jeeps and buses were awaiting the arrival of Maharaj Shri from 4 P.M. seven miles ahead of Lucknow.

Maharaj Shri arrived at 5.30 P.M. on the spot. After the puja of His Lotus feet and flame offering, Ved Pathi Pandits in a Jeep car, reciting Vedic Mantras, proceeded ahead of Bhagwan Shankarachary’s car and the cars and buses of other citizens followed, A grand reception was accorded to Maharaj Shri at Lucknow.

At Lucknow the routine in the Ashram was followed as usual. The gentry was much awakned by Maharaj Shri’s arrival.

The sincere devotion of the citizens at His Lotus feet cannot be described in words. The devotees there planned to celebrate Shri Shankaracharya Week so that the gentry may derive the utmost benefit from the nectarine discourses of Maharaj Shri.

On Saturday , March 22,1952 Shankaracharyaya Week commenced. The first day at 4 A.M. the devotees from other localities of the city arranged morning rallies through the roads and streets with orange flags. They vibrated the whole atmosphere by sounding counches and bells, singing sacred songs and hymns and acclamations of Bhagwan Shri Jyotis Peethadhishwar and Sanatan Dharam.

The citizens coming out of their houses, welcomed them with louder acclamations and joined them. Several devotees in jeep cars with loudspeakers and orange coloured flags started on main roads for morning rallies in the city. The citizens experienced the greatness of His Divinity Guru Dev, Maharaj shri.

Due to old age and exertion, His Divinity Maharaj Shri felt lassitude. His health ran down and Doctors were taking care of Him.

On May 20, 1953, at about One O’clock, in the afternoon, His Holiness Maharaj Shri was examined by a renowned Doctor, Shri Vidhan Chandra Roy of Calcutta, who said that there was nothing wrong in His health, the heart was normal and the general condition was satisfactory and requested Maharaj Shri to take rest.

Maharaj Shri reposed for about 10 minutes and then sat on the bed and said to Mahesh Brahamchari (now Maharishi Mahesh Yogi) that His time was over and that he would go.

Maharaj Shri imparted some instructions to Mahesh before taking eternal Samadhi. His Holiness said, “Due to continous engagements in preaching and the management of the Jyotispeeth one thing still remoins to be completed and that is to give a technique to family people, in general so that by sitting and meditating for a few minutes in the morning and evening every day, they might enjoy peace and happiness in their lives you have to do this remaining work, I have given you every thing. A son has to complete his father’s remaining work after him, So also a disciple completes his Guru’s remaining work after."

Maharaj Shri also directed Mahesh ji, how His body Is to be disposed off after. He had left it and the due Rites to be performed, thereafter.

With these directions His Divinity Shri Guru Dev, at 1.15 p.m. San Padmasan, closed His eyes and became Brahmleen, i.e. emerged in the Absolute. By Yogic way. He left the perishable body which is a structure of five Elements the earth, water, fire, Sky and Air.

Soon after this, Maharishi ji as per instructions of His Divinity Shri Guru Dev, informed by trunk Telephone to Dandi Sanyasies in Brahm Niwas Ashram, Kashi that Shri Guru Dev had taken Samadhi and His pious body was being brought to Kashi by Delhi Express Train for Jal Samadhi (immersion in the Holy Ganges and they had to make necessary arrangements of it. This sorrowful news spread in Calcutta like wild fire. The citizens in multitude ran to have Darshan, the last glimpse of Maharaj Shri and offered their Shradhanjali (respectful homage) to him.

The Ashram telephone was continuously engaged as the people wanted to confirm the sad news and the future programme. The All India Radio also announced the sad news that His body was being taken to Varansi for performing the last religious rites according to Yogic, Tradition.

All over India, people were very sad. The devotees in great number from all places, far and near, in whatever condition they were, started to reach Kashi for the last Darshan of Maharaj Shri and to after their Shradhanjali at His Lotus feet.

On the night of May 20, 1953 the Thousands of people reached the Brahm Niwas Ashram, Kashi.

1. (SAYINGS of Shri Guru Dev, “ Vedanta Incarnate", His Divinity Swaim Brahmanand Saraswati Maharaj, the illustrious Jagadguru Shankracharya, Jyotirmath, Badrikashram Himalayas). Having become a devotee of God one can never remain unhappy anywhere. This is our experience.
2. The “JIVA" is going on doing its work from several births. Its tendency to work exists since times immemorial. Therefore, if the work is just started with little co-operation of the mind, it shall continue to go on just like the Wagon moving a long way off, it is just jerked and pushed by Engine.
3. It is necessary to bifurcate the work of the mind as main and secondary. Thinking of God should be considered as main and giving a little co-operating to carry on VYAVAHARA worldly activities as secondary.
4. Apply your body and wealth mainly, and your mind secondarily, to run the VYAVAHARA.
5. When the mind is mainly engaged in thinking of God, you shall receive His grace. God is All-powerfull (Sarva Shaktiman). Even a little of His Grace is capable of bestowing on the JIVA all that is good in its entirety.
6. The declaration of Lord that is proved by the Vedic Scriptures is this : “WHOSOEVER THINKS OF ME WITH ONEPOINTED DEVOTION, I SHALL CONDUCT HIS NECESSARY VYAVAHARA (Worldly activities) ALSO". The experience of the Bhaktas also goes to prove this declaration of the Lord.
7. Accumulate “ARTHA" (wealth); but I such a way that it is not against “PARMARTHA" (ultimate good). That which hinders “PARMARTHA" and results in accumulation of Sin is not ‘Artha’ but ‘ Anartha’ (negation of wealth).
8. As is the cloth so is the price. For carrying on the short-lived activities of ‘VYAVAHARA’, employ your short-lived body and wealth. Mind is a permanent thing which remains with you always. Even in the other world. It will continue to stay with you. Therefore, connect it with a permanent thing. God, being the eternal existence both in animate and inanimate things, is the only permanent thing of the highest order. Connect your mind with Him.
9. If the mind is satisfied with wealth, wife or children, why does it go elsewhere ? Because, it cannot stick on to anything. From this it is clear it is not satisfied, with anything of this mundane world. It runs after things taking them to be good and desirable but after a short while it leaves them.
10. Nobody wants your mind in the world and mind also is not satisfied with anything of the world.
11. The mind is not fit for the world nor or the world for the mind.