ASTRONOMICAL DATING OF THE RAMAYANA

Astronomical Dating of the Ramayan

By Dr.P.V.Vartak

Introduction

It has been believed that there is no evidence to determine the dates of events in the Ramayanic era. Some historians of the past even refuse to acknowledge that Rama and other characters from the Ramayana even existed. However, Sage Valmiki has recorded the dates if events in detail, albeit by describing the positions of stars and planets. To decipher the astronomical encodings has not been a trivial task, and not many have attempted to do so. It should be noted that the ancient Indians had a prefect method of time measurement. They recorded the 'tithis', days according to the nakshatra on which the moon prevailed, the months, the seasons and even the different Solstices. By therefore noting a particular arrangement of the astronomical bodies, which occur once in many thousand years, the dates of the events can be calculated. Dr. P.V. Vartak has thus attempted to calculate the dates of important incidents that occured during the Ramayanic Era. The correct astronomical records goes to show that Valmiki's has chronicled an account of a true story and also, that the an advanced time measurement system was known to the Hindus (Indians) atleast 9000 years ago. Please refer to Dr. Vartak's celebrated book "Vastav Ramayan" for further reading.

Before coming to the astronomical method, it should be noted that the Mahabharat has recorded a number of facts about Ramayan (and not otherwise). The precedence of the Ramayanic era to that of the Mahabharat can therefore be inferred. An attempt to fix the dates of the events in the Mahabharat era, mainly based on internal astronomical records. The Mahabharat Era has already been dated by Dr. Vartak to 5561 B.C. [Reference: Dr. Vartak's book "Swayambhu"].

Genealogical links available from the Mahabharat and Puranas, Yuga calculations and some archaelogical findings also provide clues to the dating of the Ramayanic era. Also, literary references to the characters from the Ramayanic Era provide limits after which the Ramayan could not have occured. For example, Guru Valmiki (the author of Ramayana) is refered to in the Taittiriya Brahmana (dated to 4600 B.C) and therefore Ramayana must have before the Brahmana was composed. However, archaeological and literary methods can only provide approximate datelines and for determining the precise time of the Ramayanic events, astronomical calculations may alone be useful.

Astronomical Dating

Mahabharat states that Sage Vishwamitra started counting nakshatras from Shravana (Aadiparva A.71 and Ashwamedha A.44) and a new reference to time measurement thus initiated. According to the old tradition, the first place was assigned to the nakshatra prevelant on the Vernal Equinox. Vishwamitra modified this and started measuring from the nakshatra at the Autumnal Equinox. Sharvan was at this juncture at about 7500 B.C, which is therefore the probable period when Vishwamitra existed and also that of the Ramayanic Era.

Formerly, the year initiated with the Varsha-Rutu (season) and therefore was termed "Varsha". Ramayan shows that the flag was being hoisted to celebrate the new year on Ashwin Paurnima (Kishkindha 16/37, Ayodhya 74/36). Ayodhya 77 mentions that the flags were defaced and damaged due to heat and showers. These descriptions point to the fact that their new year started on the Summer Solstice when heat and rain simultaneously exist. The Summer Solstice fell on Ashwin Full Moon, so the Sun was diagonally opposite at Swati nakshatra. This astral configuration can be calculated to have occured around 7400 B.C.

Kishkindha 26-13 describes the commencement of the rainy season. In shloka 14, refers to Shravan as "Varshika Poorva Masa". Kishkindha 28/2 clearly shows that the rainy season began in Bhadrapada Masa. Further description "Heated by the Sun and showered by new waters, the earth is expelling vapours" (Kish.26/7) points to Bhadrapada as premonsoon. Kish.28/17 tells that there was alternate sun-shine and shadowing by the clouds. Kish.28/14 describes the on-coming rainy season. Thus Bhadrapada was the month of pre-monsoon, that is before 21st June or Summer Solstice. Naturally, months of Ashwin and Kartika formed the rainy season. It is therefore concluded that Ashwin Full Moon coincided with Summer Solstice, that year being 7400 B.C.

Rama started forest-exile in Chaitra and ended it in Chaitra. He was coronated in the same month and one month later, proceeded to Ashokavan with Seeta (Uttar 41/18) when the Shishira Rutu terminated. So it seems that Vaishakha Masa coincided with Shishira. So the Winter Solstice was at Vaishakha with the Sun at Ashwini. At present, the Winter Solstice takes place at Moola. Thus a shift of 10 nakshatras has occured since the Ramayanic Era. Precession has a rate of 960 years per nakshatra. Therefore, Ramayan must have occured 9600 years ago, which is 7600 B.C approximately.

Shri Rama's Date of Birth

Now we shall proceed with the astral route. Valmiki records the birth of Rama as Chaitra Shuddha Navami (9th), on Punarvasu Nakshatra and five plants were exalted then; Sun in Mesha upto 10 deg., Mars in Capricorn at 28 deg., Jupiter in Cancer at 5 deg., Venus in Pisces at 27 deg. and Saturn in Libra at 20 deg. (Bala Kanda.18/Shloka 8,9).

Ayodhya 4/18 states that Sun, Mars and Rahu were at Dasharatha's nakshatra. It was the month of Chaitra, so the Sun was in Revati, Ashwini or Bharani. Naturally, either Rahu and Ketu was in any one of these nakshatra (Rahu and Ketu are diagonally opposite).

The planetary positions on 16th October 5561 B.C., the date of commencement of the Mahabharat War, have been calculated and known [Dating of the Mahabharat, by Dr. P.V. Vartak]. Therefore, calculating further backwards for the astral combination noted above, the date concludes to be 4th December 7323 B.C. On this date, Saturn was at 205 deg., Jupiter at 94 deg., Mars between 283 and 298 deg., Rahu at 179 deg. and Sun at 2 degrees. 4th Dec. 7323 therefore is the date of birth of Rama, when the aforementioned 4 planets exalted. Venus is always within 47 degrees from the Sun, and might be in Pisces in an exalted state. Thus Rama's date is confirmed.

The Date of Exile

Rama completed 17 years of age (Ayodhya 20/45) and his coronation was fixed on Chaitra Shuddha 9th on Pushya day. However, he had to proceed to the forest on the same day, at the behest of Kaikeyi. At this time, Dasharatha states that Rahu, Mars and Sun were disturbing his nakshatra (Ayodhya 4/18). Calculating 17 years from Rama's birth date, the location of Mars can be determined at 303 degrees in Dhanishta nakshatra. From here, Mars casts its fourth-sight on Krittika. Rahu, after 17 years had been at 211 degrees in Vishakha, and so was in opposition to Krittika. Being Chaitra masa, the Sun was at Mesha and so it could be at Krittika. This the planetary positions agree with Valmiki's statement. Dasharatha's nakshatra appears to be Krittika.

Valmiki has beautifully described the sky (Ayodhya 41/10), when Rama left for forest exile. He states, "Crux (Trishankhu), Mars, Jupiter and Mercury have cornered the Moon. Vaishakha and Milky Way are shining in the sky". Crux is on line with Hasta (Corvus) on the southern side. On the eastern side of Hasta, there are Chitra, Swati and Vishakha. As seen earlier, Mars was at 303 deg. in Dhanishta. Calculations show that Jupiter was in Poorvashadha at 251 deg. Pushya was at the western horizon with the setting Moon. On the southern side, from the west to the east, all the other planets were situated. So poetically Valmiki describes the sketch as if the Moon was cornered by the planets. The description of the sky, 17 years after the birth-date of Rama, is perfect astronomically.

After 14 years of Rama's stay in the forest, Valmiki tells that Rohini was imprisoned (6-24-7, 6-93-60, 6-92-60), Mars marched on Rohini (6- 93-46 or 6-92-45) and mars was torturing Rohini (5-17-24 or 5-15-22, 5-19-9, 6-113 or 116-2). The bracketed seven statements show the vicinity of Mars with Rohini. Calculations reveal that 14 years later, Mars was at Ardra and was retrograde. Mars therefore moved in the reverse direction (from Ardra) to Rohini, resided at the "gate" of Rohini, thus in a way imprisoning the latter. It is to be noted that the constellation of Rohini is V-shaped. The apex of the angle points to the west and the two limbs towards east, and therefore appears like a "gate". Mars was situated in between the two limbs (or two doors) of the gate and appeared like a guard. Thus can the simile be explained.

Amavasya (No Moon Day)comes 10.883 days earlier each successive year. 25th November 7323 B.C., 9 days before Rama's birth, was a Amavasya. In 17 years, the Amavasya shifted by 185.011 days backwards. It means that 6 Amavasyas (each 29.53 days) were completed and a shift of 7.8 deg. was noticed. The original Amavasya before Rama's birth took place at 353 deg. Deducting 7.8 deg. from it, we obtain 345 deg. as the position of this Amavasya which falls in the Uttara Bhadrapada nakshatra. Naturally, the next month was Chaitra, when the coronation was arranged on Pushya day at 104 degrees. One 'tithi' contains 12 degrees. So the moon was in Pushya on 29th November 7306 B.C., when Rama proceeded to the forest. Calculations show that this day was a Thursday, so said by Seeta as well(Ayodhya 26/9).

Rama left for the forest on a Thursday, the 29th Nov. 7306 B.C. He completed the required 14 year period in the forest and returned on 5th Shuddha 9th was over, and the 5th tithi refered to must have been Chaitra Krishna 5th. Amavasya recedes by 10.883 days each successive year. So in 14 years it must have receded by 152.3 days. Deducting 5 Amavasya periods (29.53 days each), 4.7 days remain which implies that Amavasya came 4 days days earlier on 15th November 7292 B.C. Calculating backwards for 14 years from 29th November 7306 B.C, when the Amavasya was at 345 deg., the Amavasya falls at 340 deg. (receded by 4.7 days in 14 years). This is Uttara Bhadrapada, the month being Phalguna. Since the next month was Chaitra, Krishna 5th tithi happens to be 5th December 7292 B.C. when Rama entered Bharadwaja Ashram.

Hanuman's visit to Lanka

Hanuman set out to Lanka in the hopes and mission to search for the kidnapped Seeta. He reached this destination at night, roamed around a little until he located Seeta the next morning. While describing Hanuman's return in Sunder Kanda (S.56 or 57 /1/2), Valmiki states using a simile of sea to the sky:

" The Moon was attractive like a lotus, Sun like a good crane and a span from Pushya to Shravana was seen. Punarvasu appeared like a big fish, Mars like a crocodile, Airavata like an island and Swati like a swan."

Even though a poetic simile, Valmiki provides a plot of the nakshatras from the west to the east. When Hanuman started from Lanka it was early morning, because Seeta tells him to rest for a day in some hiding place (Sunder 56/3,11; 57/18). Since it was morning, the Sun was rising and appeared like a crane and the moon like a lotus. As both the moon and the sun were present simultaneously in the sky, it probably was a Paurnima (Full Moon Day) with the moon on the western horizon and sun on the eastern. The span of nakshatras streched from Pushya to Shravan, that is from 104 deg. to 281 deg. Punarvasu was also seen. Aairavat connotes an elephant, and it is possible that Scorpio was seen like an elephant showing its trunk. The span of nakshatra's from Punarvasu to Sharavan is seen early in the morning of Krishna paksha of Pushya Lunar month. Sun-rise could also be seen. Hence, most probably, Hanuman returned from Lanka of Pushya Paurnima or Pushya Vadya paksha.

Hanuman had set out for Seeta's search after Ashwin masa as he himself says in Kishkindha 53/21,22. So he must have started the campaign in Kartika masa. One month, that of Margashirsha was spent in the cave of Swayamprabha. Some more time was spent in the search upto the South sea, after which Hanuman entered Lanka, possibly on Pushya Shuddha 14th. Thus it highly probably that he returned on Pushya Paurnima or Pushya Krishna 1st.

Ravana had abducted Seeta in the season of Hemant (Aranya 16/1) and had given a period of 1 year, that is upto the next Hemant to consider marrying Ravana (Aranya 56/24, Yudh 12/19). Had Seeta not accepted this offer, Ravana would have killed her in Hemant. Hemant is composed of 2 months. Sunder 58/106 or 108 state that Seeta told Hanuman that only 2 months of her life remain, after which she will die. Seeta therefore must have conveyed this to Hanuman before Hemant began, that is, in the season of Sharad. Thus Pushya lunar month coincided with the season of Sharad.

According to the above description, Mars was near Punarvasu and Pushya. It was noted that during the (Lanka) war, Mars was at 102 deg. in Pushya. Naturally, since Mars many a time becomes stagnant, Mars would have been near Punarvasu and Pushya two months earlier.

The distance from Kishkindha (Vijayanagar to Hospet) to the centre of Lanka is about 600 miles. An army can travel about 20 miles a day, therefore accordingly, Rama's army would have taken a month to reach Lanka. Even assuming a pessimistic speed of 30 miles per day, Hanuman may have covered the distance in 20 days. Also, it is known that the army of Vaanar tribe were searching for Seeta in many directions, and therefore, may have taken 2 months to reach Lanka. This army had started searching for Seeta in mid-Kartika, and would have reached Lanka in mid-Pausha. The assumption that Hanuman returned from Lanka in the month of Pausha therefore appears to be reasonable. The Vanar army hurriedly returned to Kishkindha and could have spent 20 days in the interim and the date falls at Maagha Shuddha 5th. Rama marched to Lanka in one month and reached there on Phalguna Shuddha 5th (22nd Oct. 7292 B.C). Rama observes, "Today is Uttara Phalguni. Tommorrow when the moon will rise on Hasta, we will proceed to Lanka" (Yudh s.4). Probably on Magha Krishna 1st (2nd Oct. 7292 B.C), Rama commenced his journey and reached the shores of Lanka on Phalguna Shuddha 5th. Subsequent three days were spent before Rama could cross the sea. Phalguna Shuddha 8th ended. Thereafter, starting on the 9th, Nala built a temporary bridge (Seetu) within 5 days. On Phalgun Shuddha 14th (31st Oct. 7292 B.C), Rama's army crossed over to Lanka. On Phalgun Shuddha 15th, a full moon day, Rama positioned his army at strategic points and surveilled the territory from Mount Suvela (Yudh 38/18). Ravan also observed the approaching army from a tower, held a meeting with his ministers and deployed his army for defence. On Phalgun Krishna 1st (2nd November 7292 B.C.), Ravana arranged his troops at strategic points.

The Great War started

On Phalgun Krishna 2nd, Rama's army seiged the gates of Lanka. Angada proceeded as Rama emmisary on a peace mission to Ravana's court. However, any peace proposal was rejected by Ravana and the next day (Phal.Kr. 3rd), Rama-Ravana war commenced. The great war spanned 13 days and concluded on Phalgun Krishna Amavasya, with the death of Ravana. The very next day, Chaitra Shuddha 1st was celebrated as a Victory Day. This tradition still continues to be a New-Years's Day and is marked by hoisting flags.

End of Rama-Ravana War. Ravana killed.

15th November 7292 B.C was then Phalguna Amavasya. Valmiki states that Ravan came out for the last battle on the Amavasya day (Yudh. 93/66) and was killed. In the description of the battle, Sage Valmiki writes, "Kosala's nakshatra Vishakha is aspected by Mars" (Yudh. 103/37). The annual motion of Mars is 191.405 degrees. In 14 years, it will progress by 159.58 degrees. At the time of Rama's exile, Mars was at 303 deg. 159 deg. added to this provides Mars at 102 deg. in Pushya. From Pushya Mars could cast its fourth-sight on Vishakha. So, the calculations presented so far seem to be correct. It also shows Valimiki's minute observations and time recording capabilities. Thus the date of the last battle of the War is 15th November 7292 B.C.

 
Following are the dates of few events from the Ramayana:

   
Rama's Birth Date            4th  December 7323 B.C

   
Rama-Seeta Married           7th  April    7307 B.C

   
Rama Exiled                  29th November 7306 B.C.


Hanuman enters Lanka         1st September 7292 B.C

   
Hanuman meets Seeta          2nd September 7292 B.C.

   
Seetu (Bridge) built         26-30th Oct.  7292 B.C 
on the ocean

   
The War begins               3rd  November 7292 B.C

   
Kumbhakarna is killed        7th  November 7292 B.C.

   
Ravana is killed by Rama     15th November 7292 B.C.

   
Rama returns to Ayodhya       6th December 7272 B.C.


References

Dr.P.V.Vartak, Vastav Ramayan in Marathi, Vedvidnyana Mandal, Pune

source : http://www.hindunet.org/hindu_history/ancient/ramayan/rama_vartak.html

****************************************

SHANKARANYA PURI

                                      Shankaranya Puri

Nitai dancing in Ratha Yatra of Lord Jagannatha

Vishwarup Becomes Nitai

Adapted from Srila Nityananda Das'
Prema-vilasa 7.18-49

Sachi Thakurani was the wife of  Jagannatha Mishra. Sachi and her husband  were very proud of their attractive elder son, Vishwarup, who was a great scholar. Sachi's father lived at Belpukur Belpukhuria. His elder son was Yogeswar Pandit, his next son was Ratnagarbha Pandit, and then his daughter Sachi Devi.
The son of Yogeswar Pandit was Lokanath Pandit, who possessed all good qualities. He was Vishwarup's schoolmate and constant companion. After some time, Vishwarup also became great friends with Adwaita
Acharya. They used to spend their time together discussing various scriptures. Within a short while, both Vishwarup and Lokanath became accomplished scholars. However, Vishwarup had no interest in material life, and very soon he decided to renounce the world and become an ascetic. Despite the pleading of his bereaved parents, Vishwarup gave up his sikha and brahmana thread and accepted the danda, kaupina, and the saffron colored dress of a sannydsT and was renamed Shankaranya Puri. Pandita Lokanatha became his disciple and accompanied Vishwarup as his assistant in their travels to various tirthas.

source : http://archive.org/stream/KkBindu001-234/bindu171_djvu.txt

******************************************************

H.H.NAMACHARYA SRIMAD SRI BAYABABA ( DISCIPLE OF RAMDAS BABAJI MAHARAJ )

       H.H.NAMACHARYA SRIMAD  SRI  BAYABABA 

Sri Srimad 108 Sachinandan Das Baba
(BAYA   BABA)

Pushpa Samadhi of Nama Sidhdha Sri Sri Baya Baba at Ramanreti , Vrindavan

My Baba Sri SrimadBaba Sachinandan Das Baba( Baya Baba ): A Remembrance by Asoka Ma - Disciple of Baya Baba

To explain the relationship of the Guru and the disciple is one of personal experience. To attempt to describe the sampradaya he belonged to one must be familiar with Gaudiya Vaishnavas of Bengal. Nimai and Nitai need no introduction who tried to flood the earth with Divine Love of Prema Viksham Dehi.Nimai became a sannyasi at 24 and with mother Sachhi's instruction stayed at Jagannath, Puri so that she could get news of him. Now Orissa is blessed also later when the milita tanu or the combination of Nitai and Nimai who came together in the body of Bada Babaji Mahashaya or Radharaman Charandas Dev. When he danced his way to Orissa with the Nagar Sankirtan the trees danced. His disciple, Ram Das or Babaji Mahashaya of Pathbadi Ashram followed him. Prabhupada came to the west but India was not deprived of this great opportunity of Hari Naama in Kali Yuga. My Baba Sri Srimad 108 Namcharya Sidhdha Sachinanadan Das Babaji ( Baya Baba as popularly know in whole orissa, Bengal and Vrindavan) born as Bansidhar only son of rich landlord parents in a princely state showed all the signs of Mahabhava even as he was born but kept it so skillfully hidden that now only after so many years I can understand. He was born on a heap of cowdung when he was in the womb only 7 months. He did not take water or drink milk until the grandmother in great worry got the priest of the Krishna Temple to get Tulsi water. A monkey took him away to a tree top and would only return after much cajolling with fruits etc, He was so sick that his parents offered him to the Lord Jagannath. I met him when I was 9 and the bond was instantaneous. He was this silent Yogi in his late fifties and yet Naama Sankirtana was his constant companion. He had already or was in the process of establishing Akhanda Naama Sankirtana at Vrindavan, and all over Orissa. Silent with Bhagavata or Bharater Sadhak ( saints of India ) being read before him while the sweet sounds of the Holy Name

"Bhaja Nitai Gour Radhe Shyam - Japa Hare Krishna Hare Ram"

 in the background. This is my childhood memory. There was a peace which passed all understanding in his presence. There was joy - there was prasaad 4 hot meals a day for rich and poor alike as he had also Annapurna Siddhi. Many saints recognised him like Chidananda Saraswati of Sivananda Ashram but with his power of humility and love he conquered all so as not to reveal his presence so much.

My Baba was named Sachinandana Das by his Guru Ram Das upon his initiation. Later on he would be known as Baya Baba or the Mad Baba although he looked far from being mad. He graduated from prestigious Ravenshaw College, Cuttack, Orissa but even while a student went to look after the sick and poor.

He got married at the age of 18 and left home and his vast properties the age of 20. He came back later to establish the Sada Bhuja Gouranga or the 6 handed Gouranga in a temple and presented the murti to his wife belonging to the former grihasta ashrama as a son who is immortal-in every respect. The penance during the Murti Sthapana which he made at Calcutta was severe. The sculptor mixed some metal in the statue that he was not asked to do and went blind. My Baba had to visit him at the hospital and after he owned he got his sight back. Orissa never saw after the Pancha Sakhas the renaissance of Bhakti like this whether it was Cuttack, Puri, Bhubneswar, Sambalpur, Jajpur Jagatsinghpur, Anandapur, Kendrapara, Balikuda or Maalanchala where akhanda naamasankirtana and akhanda deepam was lighted. It still goes on to this day. He did severe saadhana at Maalanchala in a small cave like room and it is said that snakes guarded that room or were nearby .He was given the first anna or food by an old woman like Buddha was given who called him Baya and the name stuck. He also started the Akhanda Naama Pratistha at Vrindaban - Ramana Reti .

The first time my mother heard Hari Naama Sankirtana when she was worshipping at the Mangala Mandir sweet memories of her childhood filled her being. Her maternal uncle had left home to be a Vaishnava and he was the disciple of Radharaman Dev ( Bodo Baba ) . When my mother was small and in her father's house Nanda Kaka as he was called came with Ram Das (My Guru's Guru) to visit his sister. Now sweets and fruits were served in Thalis and Hari Naama Sankirtana would be in the background.My mother knew nothing of this divine connection which was attracting her soul to this sweet sound. She came home to ask my grandfather whether they would enquire where that sankirtana is being held. It was found out that it was in the house of Sri Bansidhara Patra who was working with my father. So I went with my grandfather to find out more. My Baba was wearing all white and sleeping facing the wall of their house in a verandah. I waited impatiently for him to wake up and tell us the meaning of what was making my mother so nostalgic. He did not get up and I told my grandfather - "Lets Go" little knowing that I had not waited for Baba to wake up who would be my Guru one day. He came on a beautiful afternoon with Naama Sankirtana. What a joy for us children. My father an industrialist who had very little time on his hands could not wait for this mystery guest any longer and was just leaving when Baba entered. They came face to face. Little did my father know that day that this person will soon be everything in his life. Every year Asta Prahari and Nava Ratri celebrations went on since that year. Summer Holidays was spent this way. What made me so happy is the fact that many strangers came to our house to meet Baba. Not understanding who or what God was, just good food relatives visiting - parents busy and joy pervading the air, thousands eating inside and outside the house was enough to make one's head spin. I was 9 years old but understood something important was happening around this man whom everyone reveres. I watched him - followed him - listened to him and thus started my spiritual training without my knowledge For the next 7 years every year Astaprahari and Navaratra was performed at our house during summer holidays. That required preparations like whitewashing the house inside and outside and cleaning it so that Vaishnavas and devotees can come. Cooking was done on a large scale because the number of people who dropped by to see Baba could never be predicted and as in India hot and fresh meals were provided those days by those who could afford it - festivities and activities went on which was more exciting than any wedding preparation. Baba who was the person responsible for all this appeared to be so humble, silent and totally devoid of any sense of ego that the children understood his love rightaway. My brothers would be dressed as mini vaishnavas and made to go around the mandap. They were small like me. It came very natural to me that I should take care of every small detail that is remotely concerned with Baba so I was always hovering around him. It must have looked and sounded comical to the elders that I would phone the doctor if he so much as sneezed or had fever. Little did I know that the grace of God takes many forms to draw souls to it's lap. It was after the first year that I fell deathly ill. It was rheumatic fever and our family physician did not know this right away. I was crippled and in bed for 6 months because the doctor thought that my heart would be affected. I had met My Baba and I cannot tell you that my faith in him was complete for I did not know him but he came just in time for it was pure hell to be sick like that and the only thing that kept me going is his prasad of tulsi and bel leaves. When I went back to school in the new year after 6 months no friend of mine believed that I had been deathly sick. I would suffer this every 5 years and be crippled and in bed everytime but academically never missed a year or suffered. I was trusting more and more on some power that was beyond myself by suffering a lot. Each time I would bounce back and do well. My love for Baba grew not as a Guru for I knew not what that meant but as a loving third parent who somehow was helping me but I did not know how as yet. He encouraged to enquire first hand the truth from the scriptures. I was going to missionary schools and had studied the bible but my eyes opened the day he asked me to read the book "Imitation Of Christ" by Thomas A Kempis. Thats when I decided that he was beyond the limitations of belonging to any faith that was not the whole truth In simple words Baba expounded Great Truths. He took simple words out of a Varnabodha written by Bhaktakabi Madhusudan and said that anything written by a devotee was sweet and full of meaning. Ghara Pachha Bara Gachha meant there was this huge tree behind a house. For Baba house meant this body and the tree was the tree of life or wish fulfilling tree called the Kalpataru Vriksha which can grant to man anything he so desires so to be careful so as to what he desires.. Arana Mahisi Rahichhi Anai - Mahisira Paase Na Jao Danei - meant a wild buffallo is looking or staring at us let us not go near the buffallo. The true meaning is that the 6 enemies of Man like desire anger pride jealousy greed and attachment is the wild buffallo and so man should not go near that. Bhala Mana Dhana Jana - Meant that a pure and simple mind is the cause for wealth and progeny. He said repeatedly one does not become a good person by doing good deeds - a good person whatever he does the result will turn out good. His most popular english proverbs that I have heard are: 1. Silence is Golden. 2. A simple mind and a pure heart are the two wings to the kingdom of heaven. 3. Virtue is vice itself when misplayed. He always said this in Oriya. Emti bhabare katha kahuthiba kehi na kahibe jhut boli. Emti bhavare basi rahi thiba kehi na kahibe uth boli. Emti bhavare chali jauthiba kehi na kahibe jhunt boli. It meant speak words that no one can call a lie. Sit in a place where no one will ask you to leave. Walk so that you never will stumble and fall. He did not speak at all when I met him in 1959 but rather wrote on the ground and people could follow him. His silence of thirty years or more left his mark on him so that later also he spoke measured words of love and that too only about God. He looked heavenward for any questions put forth as if he is praying to a power that He is aware of and he is just as ordinary - like a servant of servants. Daser Das.

 What Radha meant to Krishna the Bhagavataars sing - but how Radha must have hidden her affection for Krishna I know because I have seen first hand from My Baba how he hid his real love for God under the garb of a vaishnava silently listening to Bhagavat or the Akhanda Hari Naama Sankirtana in the background. He distributed Paan. Everyone thought it was ordinary paan or tambula till a rasika bhakta found out that only Shreemati or Radharani used to feed Krishna with tambula or Paan. I was astonished because I could not fathom My Baba's love as Radharani he saw the entire creation as Shree Krishna. Jaya Shree Radhe Radhe!!! Like I have said before when he was born he did not open his mouth to drink anything till Tulasi water was brought from a temple and fed to him by his grandmother. Other devotees must correct me if they know a better version of this story. This reminds me of Radha's birth when she did not open her eyes till Krishna was brought over by Yasodha and then she opens her eyes to see Him for the first time. Jay Shree Krishna!!!Radharani the daughter of Vrishbhanu was called Bhanulali in affection. She by her pure selfless love taught us the right way to love God. We cannot approach the brilliance of Shree Krishna but through Gururupa sakhi ie Radharani one could aspire to know Him one day even love Him one day. Jiva or the individual soul is feminine by nature and the only Purussottam is ShreeKrishna. That was Meera's reply to Jiva Goswami. Through hard Sadhana our saints of India have easily handed out to us the result of their penance ie love for God. What kind of selfless love is this. is this any less than Radharani's love for Shree Krishna ? Therefore on this Radhashtami day I choose to remember all the episodes of my childhood which reviewed now reminds me of Radharani's love. Giving of prasaad to each and everyone. Giving of Tulsi and Tambula. Bowing to everyone before they could approach him. Hiding the Bhava or Mahabhava so deftly that no one even guessed. Keeping the holy name always all around him and passing away on Hari Das's remembrance day. So much love so well hidden that no one guessed who he was and what he had come to deliver. Every summer vacation Baba came to our house. Asthaprahari Navaratra etc was duly performed. Akhanda Hari Nama Sankirtana meant Baba was somewhere in the vicinity. So you all can imagine the joy the name of God instilled in our hearts although we were unaware of that significance as yet. I am sure even now if we ever here Uddanda Kirtana the souls of my siblings will dance with joy. Hearts pounding we waited for Baba to arrive when the sound of Kirtan filled the air. I have mentioned the activities that preceded his arrival. Once he arrived and the Nama Mandapa set up etc. I sat straight in front of him. He took my Grandfather's Room which was very near the gate. My father's father NandaKishore having given his son Nabakishore to his younger brother Govinda lived like a guest in his own son's house.  But it was for him that My Baba came as it was proved later on. So many people came that my love for people must have started at that point of my life. All my family members somewhere in that huge house hidden away and here I was enjoying every second in the presence of something or someone that my soul recognised although my physical eyes did not.

                                                     (Bhaja) Nitai Gour Radhe Shyam
                                                       (Japa ) Hare Krishna Hare Ram

That was the akhanda kirtan. Radharaman Dev ( Bodo Babaji ) in his moments of ecstasy started this which his disciple Ramdas continued and Baba being the right disciple continued. If one prays to Nitai Gour then by their grace one could hope to approach Radhe Shyam. The means was the Mahamantra Hare Krishna Hare Ram. We deserved it or not God's Grace came pouring down on us. We met many many vaishnavas. Although we did not know who or what is God - who is a Vaishnava - why so many people thronged to meet My Baba some unknown joy seized our souls. Good food as prasaad maybe - people maybe but I think it was much above all of that. We were still children so we could have a glimpse of this eternal joy before all too soon we became adults. Baba was late fifties did not look like a traditional Vaishnava but we had no clue what a traditional Vaishnava is supposed to look like. He still had dark hair and a beard. My brother Ranjit Mohanty who tries anything from pottery to photography took his first picture at our house. Hope someone will preserve and post that picture. He loved us children. Must have seen through our past karmas but that did not stop him from loving us unconditionally. My brothers became his mini vaishnavas. This impact still has not left all of them. Although householders Baya Baba never left their hearts for he permanently resides there. One of my brothers Sujit Mohanty told me the other day "How can one love any one else after having loved once ? " It seems Baba had told him this One evening Baba came with his akhanda harinaama sankirtan to our house. He came upstairs to my father's room and sat there holding my third brother's (Munna) hand. We were all surprised. I always prided myself as being the best behaved etc. and Munna constantly teased me so what was Baba doing holding his hands ? Now Munna constantly questioned everything and everyone but he never questioned Baba. Although later on when Baba asked him to finish his matriculation he told all of us, "Baba does not know english maybe that's why he asked me to appear for matriculation for he does not know about Senior Cambridge etc ". As events would unfold Munna did appear for Matriculation and he often remembers Baba's words Baba also asked him to view the world as Baba then judgement for another will not enter one's heart. Like this Baba did spend time with my four brothers and the effect is seentill today for they cannotforget those times nor someone who for them was the very personification of unconditional love. My two elder sisters were shy and did not come to see Baba when people were around. Baba later on would visit their individual homes and continue the leela which he started at out parent's home. As for me I cannot remember if I thought that life was anything else except wait for those summer holidays when I knew with a certainty that My Baba will come. I would watch people fanning him because it was hot in summer and when Baba went to sleep in my grandfather's room they would still continue to fan him. I watched and imitated their action. When Baba asked me where did I learn how to do Seva I promptly replied by watching Benga Mausi and he seemed very pleased with my reply. I heard him tell others she did not say that I did it but said that she learnt from watching others. My eldest brother being creative never sat still for a second but he would always watch me being near Baba and would remark something to the effect that it was a great thing that I was doing. Never understood his quiet depth till recently when I understand that he all along understood Baba very well. When he went to study at Delhi Baba told him this which translated into english means "Babu there is colour everywhere just dont let it touch you". Before joining service he was told "Babu do your work in a way that thorns don't pierce your feet". Baba often remarked to our father that this son will look after all family members. So not knowing what the future held for us which is always a blessing in disguise we happily spent our childhood years near a great saint of no less stature than the great Masters and the Rishis and Munis of India.He was silent pointing the way that the Holy Name was effective only in the dark age of Kali where nothing else neither penance nor yoga will help one much as the body is highly dependant on food. Annamaya Sarira. Harer Nama Harer Nama Harer Namaive Kevalam Kalau Nastaive Nastaiva Nastaiva Gatiranyatha.

Since early childhood the training started whether I was qualified or not. Grace descends without condition. In various ways My Baba pointed to the Self as being all in all. He would point to the chair leg and his own leg and say that that will burn and so will this. He would say things like no one loves Baba and when feeling very important I would remark that they love themselves he would look at me and say but do they really love themselves? If they really love themselves then they would love Baba. Impermanence and the transient nature of relationships was pointed out to me in more ways than one. That the effulgent SELF was all in all was being conveyed. I cannot tell you if he was a sufi or a muslim or a hindu or a christian as sometimes I felt he was much above caste creed or religion although dutifully the Akhanda Kirtan went on all around him. I could look back now and ascertain that his religion was about LOVE. The first time I ever met My Baba I had my first niece on my lap. Since then every year there would be a child in my arms as both my sisters were married and their children became all in all to me. Baba used to say finish all your desires Now. I never understood what he meant by that till many years later when I was childless and it did not bother me because the words of My Guru would often ring in my ears. Although if I looked at a calender of Baby Krishna in Yosodha's arms he would give me his special look and say it will happen and smile. My husband would present me with a Balgopal on our anniversary many years later. I was always with My Baba and I would follow him like a shadow when he was in our house he would often look at his disciple Vinod Baba and say "Vinoda she is like Suki" Vinod Baba being his personal attendant, he started looking after me too like giving me his adharamrit and lovely prasaad. My Baba asked me to tie a rakhi on his hand one day. I feel very sad now when I meet Vinod Baba as if his life has departed along with Baba or so it seems to me. For Vinod Baba always heralded the advent of Baba into our home. His smiling face would declare that Baba is not far behind and that he has come to make arrangements for his arrival. My mother once asked me to get blessings for my four brothers so that they surrender at His lotus feet. I was the emissary of my parents as they saw me always with him. It was 4 am in the morning at Murlidhar Patra's house. I asked Baba. He laughed and remarked, "So your mother feels that her daughters have fully surrendered and now she wants her sons to surrender." But I think a mother's heart and a Guru's blessing worked fine at the Brahma Muhurta for my brothers became very close to My baba and their faith is something to be admired.

Some of the visitors who came to see Baba were always satisfied with their answers. I remember two young german girls came to see him with one saint called Mintu Maharaj. They posed him a question which was what is the best way to reach the Kingdon of Heaven. He answered simply by this age old saying "A simple mind and a pure heart are the two wings to the Kingdom of Heaven". Answer coming from his lips had the desired effect and they went away pretty happy with their answer. Another person from ISKON probably looking for a genuine Krishna follower came to see him. He was american and he listened to Baba intensely for a few days and then asked his question as to how best to practice sadhana. Baba replied this:


                          "Harer Namaiva Harer Namaiva Harer Namiava Kevalam
                               Kalau Nastaiva Nastaiva Nastaiva Gatir anyathaa..."

God knows what he derived from this answer he was in a trance and he ran out and hugged a tree in the ashram as if everything had Krishna Consciousness in it and left the ashram soon after. The akhanda kirtan in the background went on 24 hours and not even for a second was Baba's attention anywhere else. If this is Samadhi of some sorts then Baba was constantly in Samadhi for even when the tune went off key or he sensed someone had dozed he would send someone to the Naama Mandap to find out the cause even in the middle of the night. That gave me clue that he rarely slept if at all. Bhagavat was read almost every evening and Bharater Sadhak a bengali book about the Saints Of India was read by his close associate Kunjabihari every afternoon at the Kendrapara Ashram. Apart from that Ashram he had to look after many other Ashrams all over Orissa like Cuttack, Puri, Bhubneswar, Balikuda, Maala, Phorada and the one at Vrindavan. Akhanda Kirtan continues in all these ashrams even to this day. Seeing Baba all in white, with white hair and beard looking after the day to day affairs so meticulously one would be almost fooled into thinking what is so extraordinary going on here ? So many people are coming to meet him - what are they getting here that they don't get anywhere else ? For one they got unconditional love and they were taken care of by rest prasaad etc. But it was Baba's peaceful magnetic presence that was drawing crowds from near and far. All kinds too, some noble some not so noble but who is judging ? All got his pranaam and his loving care.

Kings and Statesmen as well as common man all received uniform love from this great soul who had pierced the veil of ignorance, to let the shining Divine Light and Love to be perceived and felt by one and all. Sitting near him even small children were not fidgety as if aware that a benevolent source of energy was near them. He received people by bowing down his head. Then he distributed prepared betels and charan tulsi as prasaad. Charan Tulsi is Tulsi and Chandan offered to God and kept to distribute to people. It was his only offering to all ailments. Like Brother Andre the miracle man of Montreal distributing oil in the name of St.Joseph and Uddi being distributed by Shirdi Sai Baba, Baba's disciples swore by this charan tulsi. Any one who was there during prasaad time at lunch or dinner got hot meals whether they came from near or far. This was remarkable for so many people to be fed like that. Some say that Mother Annapurna herself had blessed Baba. People came offering Baba prepared betels in boxes and usually garlanded him with flowers woven by their hands. Next moment some lucky person was garlanded by Baba. The care that he took of each and everyone to their satisfaction was extraordinary. Like the moon in the sky belonged to everyone, He was everybody's Baba, in fact I feel shy to call him My Baba. But that is the title of the book that I will write one day he said on a glorious morning at Kendrapara. So I easily slip into addressing him as that. Like asking Kalpataru every one came and demanded whatever they wanted and whether they got what they wanted or not the love of the people for Baba was growing day by day. First I thought my father is rich so thats why so many people are coming here to our house. How foolish I was for everywhere I went to be with Baba the people came from far and near to be with him. He managed to ask every one's welfare and although he was very careful to appear most ordinary sometimes words slipped which proved beyond a doubt he was Antaryami. He once asked me about a picture Of Yasodha pulling Kahna's ears and how frightened Krishna looks in his bedroom at our house. I jumped because after hanging that picture Baba had not visited our house - how did he know ? Children are simple and still very close to God so that is the best time to sow the seeds of spirituality. I always conversed with someone called God by many without understanding who or what God was. I had asked God to please come down and tell both my sisters that I am right and that should stop their scolding me. Once in my absence he told both my sisters you both are nice but mandi is best. That proved to my childlike mind beyond doubt that God had indeed listened to me and come down in the form of Baba. If I am wrong in remembering this I will ask my eldest sister for I lost my other sister much more spiritually advanced than anyone I know. She taught me that spirituality is all within and never to be flaunted. Now I know that I am nothing compared to all my siblings and their love for my Baba.

Going to a Baptist school I started reading the Bible and really liked Jesus. The story of Jesus telling someone, "Go thy way woman thy sins are forgiven thee" touched my heart very much. I told myself I wish I lived during the time of Jesus and lo and behold one fine day Baba repeats the simple assurance that my sins were forgiven. I was convinced of the presence of Divinity.

On September 13th early morning repeating the name of Madhusudan, My Baba while sitting left quietly his body. Not one for pomp glory or funfare he left this world quietly. Once I remember asking him lets go to America and he said why are you so eager to distribute the wealth you have. I guess he knew my nature that I cannot enjoy anything alone. Because I never left his side when he took ill he used to tell me when the real time comes you will be far away. The Cuttack Ashram where he had predicted this is the place of his Samadhi for he chose to leave his body there although he had many places where he could have been. That was an honour for the people of Cuttack although few realise who they had in their midst, for Baba never advertised. Nama Sankirtan was his only advertisement as if he was saying he was practicing it and if you wish to follow that it is your freedom to do so. That was his only silent indication to the world of how to exist in this Kali Yuga. Having no idea that I will not be seeing him anymore and looking forward to my first visit to India I was sleeping peacefully when My Baba gave me the last chance to do Sevaa in my dream. I dreamt that lots of water is pouring out of his body and the faster I wipe it with a towel the faster he was perspiring. However I was not daunted by my task and my energy was concentrated in wiping his body so that he is not uncomfortable. What causeless mercy for a fallen soul like me. It was 3 years 3 months and 3 days to be exact that I had been away from him and restlessly awaiting in Canada to go back and see him. I went back but his physical form was gone. Neena and Munna will write about their experiencs on that day which was very powerful for them indeed. If they do not wish to share I will understand! Jaya Guru Shree Guru.

What will I describe those years filled with joy that I spent with my Guru. The strangest thing is there was much sorrow also but somehow the sorrow was not felt for HIS PRESENCE made it alright somehow. This huge blanket of protection that came saw us through many painful incidents or life events. HIS unconditional love made us strong to face future events. We did not know who or what is a Guru. He never explained in so many words. His silent action spoke volumes. Later on looking back at those years I am sure my siblings will agree with me when I say that one cannot have enough of LOVE and He came exactly to give us that more of LOVE. We were still in a joint family structure and there was no dearth of affection from the larger family. A Guru's Love extends beyond the physical mental and intellectual and eradicating all the vaasanas or desires can take one directly to SATCHITANANDA which is our Swaroopa. He told once to my brother Muna you love Baba so much why can't you see the whole world as Baba. He told me always to read even when I am 80 years old for that way I will get to decide what is right or wrong instead of being confused by many who try to impose their thoughts. I asked him shall I ask someone to explain to me the Sankrit words in Gopala Sahasra Nama and he replied no the Shastras will be kind and have mercy and the meaning shall dawn on me. He never preached just silently pointed the way like Ramana Maharshi by examples. One day someone was switching the lights on and he said if the correct switch is not pressed no matter how many switches you turn on the LIGHT will not be on. He was silent most of the time unless people asked him questions and that too the answers were always to awaken the person. I complained one day that I am going to the University in a rickshaw. A rickshaw is a carriage pulled or cycled by a person. That was so painful for me that I thought it warranted to be reported to My Guru. I thought because I am used to cars all my life My Baba will sympathise with me and do the needful to correct the situation. He dismissed it but by telling me something so useful that it can help each and every on of us. BE SAD ONLY WHEN YOU FORGET GOD. THAT IS REAL SORROW. Material things will come and go whats the use of being sad about it ? When I used to visit him along with my younger brother Tuna to complain about my mother's poor health or my father's business he said many things but what stood out was this, ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL. He seemed so unconcerened about physical and material aspects, without ever hurting the sentiments of young hearts he tried to point towards the INFINITE. If you have EXPERIENCE speak he said. Anyone can read and speak but the words spoken from experience has greater impact .


He came to our house in 1959 for Astaprahari and stayed for Navaratra and for 2 whole months. Once he had come with Kirtana in 1958 but he did not remain long. Since 1959 to 1965 he used to come to Bansidhar Patras house then our house for the entire summer holidays and those days were the most fun filled days of my life. Akhanda Kirtana and Amruta Prasada and so many people 24/7.

He came with Kirtana to our house once in 1972 when I had chicken pox and could not go to meet HIM at Dr Kesav Sahoo's house. All day I was crying with pain both physical and mental reading the Kalyan (Gita Press) all the time where it said if the longing is intense God has to come. Then my aunt came with a garland and tulsi but my crying only increased at the sight of his gifts but no Baba. Suddenly I heard Kirtan in the evening and I ran to the terrace forgetting that I cannot leave the house. Thought, if I could only get a glimpse of My Baba. BUT car TURNED and came towards our house and Baba came up and sat in HIS ROOM. Happily I sat at His Feet forgetting that I have chicken pox. He looks into my eyes and says in HINDI "AB DIL KHUSH HAI?" My small brain can only comprehend that as I was reading Kalyan and talking to God all day Guru chose to talk to me in that language. He was there for us in our darkest hours and infact He is always with us.

Baba never liked self preaching or individual name and fame so we have been very silent about how he led us towards light and how we looked towards HIM in our darkest hours. To tell you the truth after coming abroad and meeting the people from the different parts of India I have realised that in Orissa our parents or our teachers are mostly responsible for our spiritual training for eg. my mother used to ask me to read Oriya Bhagavata 1 chapter every day before her. We both benefitted as we both got satsang. Through practice of rituals through the generations without understanding the deep rooted meaning behind fasting or worship the women folk of Orissa passed on the tradition. If there is no backing of the learning of the Shastras at schools and home how can one proceed towards the light? This is where the role of the Guru comes. He has researched and experienced the search and has had self realisation and now He can pass on this light to us common folks and householders who are so busy looking after their material affairs that there is no time to look after our spiritual welfare.

Baba had not only the best Guru Parampara of the Gaudiya Vaishnavas from Shree Nityananda and Gouranga Mahaprabhu to Shree Radha Raman Dev and Shree Ram Das but he also met many masters and did deep and long sadhana to validate the proclamation that Harer Nama Harer Nama Harer Namaiva Kevalam Kalau Nastaiva Nastaiva Nastaiva Gatir anyatha. He lived his life in silence and taught by example of his life by listening to Bhaja Nitai Gaura Radhe Shyam Japa Hare Krishna Hare Ram 24 hours and established Akhanda Kirtan in many places. His Guru Parampara was from Bengal but he loved Lord Jagannatha he was proud to be an Oriya and was very much like the Pancha Sakhas of Orissa Balarama Jagannatha Yasovanta Ananta and Achyuta and signed Dasanudasa Baya. He was much above caste creed race religion ranks and loved all as the Divine.

Acknowledgement: Asoka Ma gave us the permission of reproducing her article published on Spirit Dharma Forum

source : http://www.nitaisundar.com/site/Baya%20Baba.html

******************************************************

SIDHDHA SRIPAD 108 RAMDAS BABAJI MAHARAJ (DISCIPLE OF SRISRI RADHARAMANA CHARAN DAS MAHARAJ) & (GURU MAHARAJ OF NAMACHARYA BAYABABA)

SIDHDHA   SRIPAD   108  RAM   DAS   BABAJI   MAHARAJ

Sripad 108 Ram Das Babaji Mahasaya

Born : 4th April 1887 (Tues day)

Passed Away : 3rd Dec. 1953 (Thurs day) 


Brief Biography of Sidhdha Sripad 108 Ram Das Babaji Maharaja:

The history of mankind and civilization is like a flowing stream. When a stream gathers moss, it slowly and gradually, tends to lose its speed. When mankind is tortured and disintegrated by evil forces, like violence and hatred, by oppression of negative systems and exercise of ruthless power, the progression of civilization ceases and stands on the threshold of decadence. At these critical junctures, some MEN appear just to make all understand that the ultimate destiny if mankind is to become more humane. They save society from death by practicing sheer love for humanity, by repairing the framework of belief on humanity and by preaching and teaching unconditional surrender to the SUPREME conscience. Thus the stagnant stream is revived from its inertia and it starts flowing with full potentiality. These men are men extraordinary, such a man extraordinary was Sripad Ram Das Babaji Mahasaya.

       His social welfare consciousness, superior mentality, sympathetic attitude, treatment of all beings with reverence, non-discrimination of all beings with reverence, non discrimination of lesser mortals, liberal humanity, unbiased and unmaliced thoughts and thinking, his utmost devotion not only amazes us but keep us dumbfounded too. It was evident from his demeanour that he perceived the entity of Nityananda in all worldly beings and vice versa.

In order to cleanse this world with his profound love, compassion and tears SriPad Ramdas Babaji Mahasaya appeared in this world on 22nd day of Chaitra 1283 B.S ( 4th April, 1877 Tuesday). He was born in the village of Kumarpur, dist. Faridpur, presently in Bangladesh. His father was Durga Charan Gupta and Mother Satyabhama Devi. That his greatness was preordained, was evident at the time of his birth. Pervading the natural laws of birth he was born with his feet first, a clear indication of future things to happen. Named Radhika Tanjan Gupta by his parents, he was fond music and a sharp memory.

Since his birth he was initiated into the sacred task of serving others, especially the sick and infirm. While in this task he became oblivious of his own self. Balai Methua – a sweeper, a man of lower caste had contracted small pox – a deadly infectious disease at that time. But Radhika’s untiring nursing helped him to recover.   In 1297 B.S ( 1891) he appeared in minor school examination and passed in the first division. An incident of that time needs special mention. At the age of eight he became acquainted with PRABHU JAGATBANDHU SUNDAR. In 1298 B.S ( 1892) with the overt instigation of then District Magistrate of Faridpur Mr. Herbert and Reverend Midi’s untiring efforts many of wild tribal people including santhals were to be converted into Christians.Upon hearing this BANDHUSUNDAR was much perturbed and confided with his dear Radhika. Their united efforts culminated in a 1 ½  mile long Sankirtan procession at the end of which the santhals and untouchables, neglected and despicable were all given shelter under Vaishnavism, which gave the hitherto unknown a new identity.For this action Radhika was given a dressing down to his home.

                          (Bhaja) Nitai Gour RadheyShyam

                          (Japa) Hare Krishna Hare Ram

Forced by circumstances he had to stay in Barishal for some time. During this period he visited Pabna with BANDHUSUNDAR and came into contact with Dinabandhu Das Babaji,Haran Fakir, Buro Shiv. It was Dinabandhu Das who christened young Radhika Ranjan to RAMDAS. Since then BANDHUSUNDAR used to address him as RAMI, RAMA and RAMDAS. Overwhelming Pabna with his Nagar Sankirtan he returned to his father's house in Faridpur. In 1300 B.S.( February, 1894) after taking permission from his mother he visited Nabadwip with BANDHUSUNDAR, a few days before Falguni purnima. He stayed at the Harisabha ( Natua Gour Temple ). Again he had the good fortune of coming into direct contact with Sri Nathuranath Padaratna, Sri Shitikantha Baachaspati, Sri Vijay Krishna Goswami, Sri Premananda Bharati, Sri Sachchidananda Swami , Sri Krishnananda Swami, Sri Haribolananda Thakur et el.

In 1301 B.S ( July 1894 ) a few days before Jhulan, under the guidance of BANDHUSUNDAR, RAMDAS arrived in Vrindavan with a single piece of cloth, Sri Naam mala, Karataal and Narottam Thakur's PRARTHANA. He was escorted from the station to old Sri Govinda Temple by dignified and venerable old lady. The following letter was written to BABAJI MAHASAYA prior to his departure to Vrindavan by BANDHUSUNDAR.

Sri Sri Prabhu JagatBandhuSundar

" Dear RAMDAS

You will go to Vrindavan alone. A "BAIRAGI" travels alone. He does not wait, does not request and does not confront any body. He always perceives the plain simple truth. Out of Lord's bountiful divinity, six are outstanding. Of which "BAIRAGYA" is the Jewel in the crown. You have taken refuge in that "BAIRAGYA". Always be fearless and impartial. Try to beg for food from door to door as does a bee from flower to flower. Do not beg bulk at one place. Proceed first to the Old temple of Sri Govinda Jew. When the time comes you will know everything and meet me.

Yours

'Bandhu' "

Next morning he met Sri Sachchidananda Swami - a disciple of Sri Vijay Krishna Gowami and started staying with him. BANDHUSUNDAR arrived on the Saptami of Saradiya Maha Puja. Through trials and tribulations, service and dedication, devotion and discipline, dissection of the inner self BANDHUSUNDAR helped RAMDAS to cross the bridge between this world and the transcendental. RAMDAS's wake up time was 3 A.M in the morning. Within one hour, after finishing his daily chores, he started "Naammaya Nagar Sankirtan", which was followed by bath and meditation. Meditation was followed by drinking a glass of juice of the Sephali flower with some cow dung. Pouring through sacred books till 10 A.M he went begging for daily prasad.

  After finishing meal he again sat down to meditate which culminated in "PAATH" in the eveing. At 6 P.M he used to leave for darshan. Upon returning he bathed and started his Japa - silent prayer on rosery till he fulfilled his requisite number. Rest at 12 p.m. that too, leaning against a wall in the seating posture, not laying down. In the words of Babaji Maharaja "An affirmative sound after 12 p.m. from BANDHUSUNDAR indicating him to go to sleep. Another sound at 3 a.m., which meant it was time to get up and start again" Any lapse of this routine was met with strict remonstration. This regime brings light of twp aspects. One, uninterrupted and continued "Bhajan", which is the word of Sri Rupa Goswami is 'AbyarthaKalatbya' and two, unconditional and total surrender. During this time he met Sri Premananda Goswami of Sringar Bat, Raghunandan Goswami of Purana Sahar, Sidhdha Mahatma Sidhdha Balaram Das Baba of suryakunda, Sidhdha Nityananda Das Baba, Srimat Madhusudan Goswamiji - Sevait of of Sri Radharam Temple. He learnt to play Mridanga - percussion instrument under the tutelage of Ramanandasji of Lalita Kunda. He stayed for 9 months in Vrindavan. For thre months he accompanied BANDHUSUNDAR and rest six month was spent in meeting Sri VIJAYA KRISHNA GOSWAMI a second time, Sri Aswini Kr. Dutta who penned "Bhakti Yoga" and Hari Sundar Bhnuiya. During this time Babaji Mahasaya's father and mother came to Vrindavna, and while they were returning to Kashi  they took RAMDAS along with them. Upon hearing this BANDHUSUNDAR was so apprehensive that RAMDAS may join his family, he fasted for several days. Of course, RAMDAS came early from Kashi to Vrindavan. Under instruction from BANDHUSUNDAR, RAMDAS arrived at Calcutta in 1302 B.S ( May 1895). BANDHUSUNDAR has already informed his associates in Calcutta that he was bringing an excellent sapling of "Hari Naam" well nourished by the air and water of Vrindavan. It had become all proof, meaning the sapling Could weather the severest tests.

In the meantime RAMDAS was initiated into Mahamantra by Srimat Bhairab Chandra Goswami of Singur. RAMDAS was warned by his GURU - " Be careful - in the path of Salvation you will come across three persons - Vanity, Pride and Malice. Keep away from them. He left for Navadwip on foot via Panihati. In Nabadwip he met SRI RADHARAMAN CHARANDAS DEV ( BARA BABAJI MAHASAYA) with the help and mediation of Sri Nabadwip chandra das. RAMDAS enchanted everybody with his Naam Sankirtan in Nabadwip. He then accompanied Sri Radharaman to Calcutta, which was reeling under the epidemic of plague. All medical efforts to stem the plague were proving futile. On reaching Calcutta they found that the only solution was NAAM SANKIRTAN and RAMDAS with SRI RADHARAMAN DEV took the streets of Calcutta with thousands of devotees. This onslaught proved too much for the epidemic and it gradually subsided. People were not only saved and relieved but indiscriminately they took refuge in Sankirtan.

                          (Bhaja) Nitai Gour RadheyShyam

                          (Japa) Hare Krishna Hare Ram

Babaji Mahasaya at his younger age

In the meantime he went to Faridpur and received the permission from BANDHUSUNDAR to get MANTRADIKSHA from Sri RADHARAMAN DEV and stay with him. RAMDAS's life was first moulded by BANDHUSUNDAR, then he was initiated in Mahamantra by Srimat Bhairab Chandra Goswami and finally he got MANTRADIKSHA from Sri RADHARAMAN Dev. His life now was full of its bim as he finally found the shelter which he was looking for long. On seeing RADHARAMAN DEV , word of BANDHUSUNDAR comes into his mind which , "He is the highest Human,who feeds others first before feeding himself". He found in RADHARAMAN that human being who is always looking for absoulte well being of common people, bringing them unto the fold of NITAI GAUR RADHEY SHYAM. RAMDAS accompanied SRI RADHARAMAN Dev to Panihati Dand Mahotsav and Ratha Yatra in puri. RAMDAS now become a shadow of SRI RADHARAMAN DEV till the day he breathed last. To RAMDAS, the order , encouragement and the desire of Sri RADHARAMAN became the constitution and more sacred than the sacred text. Sri Radharaman Dev has chosen the right soul and prepared and nourished him for the salvation and deliverence of human race.His life became the beacon of light and a mere glance of his daily life will give us a clear picture of Mahaprabhu's preachings. The legendary BABAJI MAHASAYA was personification of Sri GAURANGA's "SIKSHA ASTAKA".

In keeping with his motto of life the "Radharaman Sevasram" was established in 1318 B.S (1912). After visiting the Ashram, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose himself wrote " Today on visiting Radharaman Sevasram of Nabadwip, I am much delighted. I have gained much satisfaction on seeing it personally. This social welfare is indeed very pious. Those who have vowed to do this social service and those who patronize this institution are indeed blessed. I pray to God for the development of this institution." Yours , Sri Subhas Chandra Bose. Nabadwip - 13/6/1928. While in Cuttack, Netaji used to call upon BABAJI MAHASAYA quite often. Babaji's advice to him was " In order to be good leader one has to be a good servant" He also told Netaji to regularly pay homage to his father and mother and to keep a strict vigil on abstinence.

When the world is busy with self proclaim, BABAJI MAHASAYA's humility at times becomes difficult to comprehend. At that time the Head of the department of Bengali Language and Literature of Calcutta University was Tagore Professor, Rai Bahadur Khagendra Nath Mitra. He expressed his desire to felicitate BABAJI MAHASAYA at the Calcutta University Institute Hall and all the necessary preparations were over. But BABAJI MAHASAYA refused. He called his learned disciples and said "Even though you want to dress me up as God, I categorically refuse to do so". He did not attend the occasion inspite of requests from personalities like poet Kalidas Roy, Kumud Ranjan Mullick, renowned journalist Sri Hemendra Prasad Ghosh, Sri Narendra Deb, Dr. Srikumar Bandyapadhyaya, Litterateur Annadasankar Roy ( His mother and father was disciple of BABAJI MAHASAYA), Sri Kalidas Nag, Prof. Dr. RadhaGovinda Nath ( famous Gaudiya Vaishanava scholar and devotee) and Sri HareKrishna Mukhopadhyaya. He abhorred honour and glory as laid down by the associates of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. In his character virtuous men found Loknath's abhorance of reputation, Sri Rupa's ability to reclaim extint places of pilgrimage, Raghunath Bhatta's Bhagwat life, Sri Jiva's firm self belief, Gopal Bhatta's ability to serve without questioning and above all Sri Raghunath Das Goswami Pada's faithful adherence, enlightened austere practices and austute self dedication. Chote Lala of Sri Vrindaban had rightly said that the six Goswami's have been truely reflected in RAMDADA.

He found no pleasure in building new Maths and Temples. To him, reclamation of extinct and long forgotten places of pilgrimage was more important. This list is long and as follows:

1)Madhaitala - In Katwa in the district of Burdwan. The SADHAN PEETH ( Place of Sadhana ) and burial place of Madhai of JAGAI MADHAI fame.2)Sri Pathbari - In Baranagore. The Habitat of Sri Raghunath Bhagawat Acharya , a close associate of MAHAPRABHU.

3) The Tomb of Sri Haridas Thakur, Puri - In Puri Dham the place where Haridas Thakur was buried. 4) Aantisara - Sripat of Sri Ananta Acharya, a close associate of Sri Chaitanya. 5) Sri Radhakanta Math - Alias Jhanjhoitha Math in Puri Dham. Narattam Thakur's BHAJAN PEETH in Puri. 6) Kunja Math - The able governance of this old and dilapidated temple by BABAJI MAHASAYA. 7) Sri Radha Raman Bag ( Samaj Bari ) - Nabadwip 8) Nitai Gauranga Math - Bangali Sahi Cuttack 9) Sri Krishna Chaitanya Sanatan Siksha Sanga - Varansi 10) Jatan Bar - Varansi 11) Govind Kunda Asram - Sri Vrindaban Dham ( Chaitanya Tila ) 12) Aitota Math - Puri 13) Old Jagannatha Math - On the bank of river Ganges in Chandannagore ( Hoogly, West Bengal) 14) Akaihat Temple and Nupur Kund - Sri Pat of Kala Krishna Das Thakur. One of the venerable Twelve close associates of MAHAPRABHU. 15) Bisramtali Math and RajuTali Math ( Birbhum, West Bengal). 16) Kirnahar - Sri Pat of Chandidas , the great Vaishnava Poet, 17) Nityananda Asram - Bankura ( West Bengal) 18) Nitai Gaur Ashram - Chandrokona; Midnapore ( West Bengal) 19) Nrisingha Temple - Nabadwip Nadiya ( West Bengal)

                  (Bhaja) Nitai Gour RadheyShyam

                  (Japa) Hare Krishna Hare Ram

Babaji Mahasaya at his younger age

Other than these he had instituted few Maths and Seva Centres in Orissa. They include Sri Sri Nityananda Asram of Raghunathpur and Jagatsinghpur, Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga Math in Kapileswar where Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu stayed for day and a temple in Talcher.

Sri Radharaman Charan Das Dev had ordered BABAJI MAHASAYA to concentrate in Calcutta and spread the Naam from Calcutta.. The whole world would aware of it. Keeping this in mind BABAJI MAHASAYA concentrated in bringing back to life the long forgotten Lilas of Mahaprabhu and his associates through soul wrenching Kirtans. People came to know many unknown facts and they were awe struck. It was difficult to believe but Lilas took a concrete shape through his Kirtan. A few of the Kirtan are given below

1)Meeting of the people from Gaud Mandal ( Bengal) with Mahaprabhu, 2) The Jhali Samarpan at the residence of Mahaprabhu at Gambhira by Raghav & Sridhar Pandit. 3) The cleansing of Gundicha temple one day before of Rathyatra. 4) The bath at Indradyumna Lake and Prasad distribution at Aitota. 5) Sankirtan preceding the Rath/chariot of Jagannath. 6) Utsav of Tota Gopinath with rice ( 6 see and 1 poa ) brought from Gaud Mondol ( Bengal) by Sri Sri Nityananda Prabhu. 7) The merging of Mahaprabhu into the entity of Sri Radha and performing Kirtan before the gates of Gundicha Temple. 8) Lamentation before Jagannatha. 9) Haridas Niryan Kirtan – from the passing away of Haridas Thakur till his Utsav. 10) The advent of Mahaprabhu at Panihati, Baranagar, Ramkeli, Antisara, Chatra Bhog, Kumarhatta ( Chaitanya Doba) 11) Vrindaban Parikrama by Mahaprabhu on the night of RAASPURNIMA. 12) DandoMohatsav by Sri Nityananda Mahaprabhu at Panihati.

Starting from Khardah – SriKhanda, Budhuri, Kheturi, Bankura, large areas of Orissa, nearly the whole of North India, Madras, Gujrat, Bombay, Patna, Dumka, Munger, Assam BABAJI MAHASAYA traveled with the sole intention of giving the people around him the Divine taste of Naam Sankirtan. He traversed India from Himalaya to Kanyakumarika. In 1318 B.S ( Sept 1911 ) during the month of Bhadra, Babaji Mahasaya went to Madras and upto Rameswaram ( Setu Bandha ) with one hundred of disciples for one month. In 1321 ( October 1914) he started the “Gour Aagamanotsav” at Panihati – signifying the advent of Mahaprabhu at Panihati.

 In 1339 ( 1932-1933) BABAJI MAHASAYA was in Munger to attend a conference of Vaishnavas. The conference started on 12 Poush, Thursday ( 29th Dec, 1932 ) BABAJI MAHASAYA was here on invitation from Maharaja Raghunanadan Prasad Singh. Also present was Krishnaprema Maharaj, originally from Scotland. Prior to his DIKSHA he was known as Ronal H. Nixon, M.A (Oxford). In India he came in contact with Sri Jnanendra Nath Chakraborty, Vice Chancellor of Allahabad University and his wife Jasoda Mai. It was from Jasoda Mai that he got DIKSHA and direction of the path to Bhakti. On 29th Dec 1932 at around 12 noon, Sri Krishnapremaji delivered a lecture on “SIKSHA-ASTAKA” in the presence of about 10,000 devotees. The next day he called upon BABAJI MAHASAYA for darshan. Mahatma Gauranga Das Babaji ( Disciple of Babaji MAHASAYA and DIKSHA GURUDEV of Sri O.B.L Kapoor ) , who was at the side of BABAJI MAHASAYA remarked “This is my BABA MAHARAJ”. Instantly Krishnapremaji fell at  BABAJI MAHASAYA’s feet- his face was flushed red for some time.

After spending couple of days in a divine association of BABAJI MAHARAJA, at the time of departure Krishnapremaji fell at BABAJI MAHASAYA’s feet like a felled tree. BABAJI MAHASAYA did an encore. He then told all around him that, much could not be expected from the people of our country. People would believe foreigners. One must be born in a foreign land. This is HIS wish, otherwise how could such things happen? Then he asked his companion –“What do you imbibe from him?”. BABAJI MAHASAYA himself replied “Seeing him one enjoys the all encompassing mercy of Sri Nitaichand and one is reminded of Mahaprabhu’s Saying – “ Prithibite Jato Achey Nagaradi Gram | Sarbotro prachar hobey more nam”.

   The Year 1340 B.S ( 1933 – 1934 ) saw the foundation of Sri Gouranga Grantha Mandir at Sri Path Bari on 15th Jasistha – Monday ( 29th May 1933 ) – 9:30 AM by Nityanada Vamsha Prabhupada Srimat Atul Krishna Goswami Prabhuji. Previously Maitra Mahasaya of Baharampur had donated around one thousand five hundred handwritten ancient manuscripts. Now Sri Amulya Dhan Roy Bhatta of Panihati, disciple of Sri Radharaman Dev donated his life long priceless collections. They included more than two thousand ancient manuscripts, pictures, momentos of great men, soil and water of various Tirthas, idols, ancient terracotta & sculptures, handwritings of  Vidyapati, Chandidas, Sri Gouranga and Sri Nityananda Mahaprabhu, manuscripts of texts written by great saints including Sri Rupa Goswamiji, articles of daily use of great saints, ancient legal documents, Farmans and Hebanamas issued by Mughal empire to Sri Jiva Goswami and Sri Raghunath Das Goswami, etc. Till today they have been put up for exhibition to the common man. It was indeed Herculean effort on the part of BABAJI MAHASAYA. Now it is for the next generation to conserve these sacred documents

In spite of all these, the year 1340 B.S ( 1933 - 1934 ) saw BABAJI MAHASAYA performing Sankirtan and Naam Yagna at one hundred and eight places in North India, East Bengal, Orissa , Howrah and Calcutta. This year also saw BABAJI MAHASAYA singing ANNAKUTA KIRTAN at Sri Path Bari on 4 th Kartik - Friday ( 20th October, 1933 ) from 9 a.m to 11 a.m. In Vrindavan he sang Kirtan at the Bhajan Kutir of Sidhdha RamkrishnaDas Pandit Babaji Maharaj and Sidhdha Prankrishnadas baba of Kalidaha. In order to attend the Virahautsav ( disappearance festival) of Sidhdha Madhava Das Babaji, BABAJI MAHASAYA could not go to Srikhanda. The Suchaka Kirtan of Narahari Thakur was performed at Kanpur Kunja in Vrindaban. On 10 th Dec, 1933 BABAJI MAHASAYA rendered the Swapna Vilasa Kirtan at Nidhuvan - unique and unheard before. Strangely, the day before he was bed ridden with colic pain. Pandit Ramkrishna das baba gave the opinion that very few had entry into the realm of BABAJI MAHASAYA's kirtan.

Inspite of his illness in 1352 B.S ( 1945 - 1946 ) BABAJi MAHASAYA tried his level best to perform his duties. BABAJI MAHASAYA was in Srikhanda when on 18th November, 1946) Sakhi Rakurani ( Lalita Sakhi Dasi) of Radharaman Bag, Nabadwip left for her heavenly abode. It was so sudden that even a man of BABAJI MAHASAYA's stature could not foresee. He had remarked to his disciples that his whole life's liberation had become topsy turvy. The first Viraha Mahotsav of Sakhi Thakurani was held on 5th December, 1946. BABAJI MAHASAYA started perfoming his normal responsibilities towards Vaishnava Society, but it was becoming evident that the loss of Sakhi Thakurani was becoming increasingly difficult to bear. The loneliness took him to places deep in his thoughts.

In this was the years 1355 ( 1948 - 1949 ), 1356 ( 1949 - 1950), 1357( 1950-1951) , 1358 ( 1951 - 1952) & 1359 ( 1952 - 1953 ) B.S passed away. The year 1360 was the 100th year of auspicious Advent of Sri

                                                                                                         (Bhaja) Nitai Gour RadheyShyam

                                                                                                          (Japa) Hare Krishna Hare Ram

Babaji Mahasaya at his younger age

Sri Radharaman Dev. The Suchaka Kirtan of Narahari Thakur was solemnized at Pathbari on 3rd Dec, 1953 thurs day. The loss of separation and eagerness to meet was so aptly depicted in the Kirtan that no wards could describe it. His mixed feelings were thus. When you held my hand in the form of Sri Guru, I have nothing more to expect. Naam and Naamdaata are not separate. Tie me up in your bonds of love. I have come to be tied by you.There is no distinction between Naam, Naami & Naamdaataa. That day BABAJI MAHASAYA was uncontrollable as he continued to gift gems of his wisdom to all present. The atmosphere was electric, and he ended the suchaka by emphasizing that Naam & Naamdaata are one and inseparable, hence we should chant Naam with utmost sincerity.

Duing this Kirtan amongst others was present Dr. Nalini Ranjan Sengupta - a Cardiologist of repute along with Dr. Santosh Kr. Das. He remarked to BABAJI MAHASAYA "you will amongst us for atleast ten years". But his words proved to be futile as in the span of one day our respected revered and beloved BABAJI MAHASAYA left us for his heavenly abode to meet his dearest Sri Gurudev. That day was 4th December, 1953 friday. BABAJI MAHASAYA had ended the day like any other day and went to his bed after aompletion of his daily Bhajan. At about 2:30 a.m at night he woke up and sar on his bed and called for his attendant. He told him " No more this time - Didi is calling me ( Nitya Lila Prabistha Lalita Sakhi Ma ) - I have to go. Call every body and bring my Thakur here." He got down from his bed and went to the toilet. After finishing his daily chores he returned and paid homage to all the photographs in his room. The he sat on a chair and said " All is gone ! All is gone ! All of you chant Naam". Then in a deep-throated voice he uttered "BANDHU-SUNDAR ! BANDHUSUNDAR ! RADHARAMAN ! RADHARAMAN ! ". He said "Let me sit on the floor". After doing so, he started chanting -

                                                       "(Bhaja) Nitai Gour Radhe Shyam |

                                                          (Japa) Hare Krishna Hare Ram ||"

All around him joined in chanting. Tears started flowing in form of stream from his eyes. In the meantime the photographs worshipped daily by BABAJI MAHASAYA of His Sri Gurudev and Nitai - Gour were brought from Sri Mandir. BABAJI MAHASAYA gazed at them in reverie. Then in a booming voice, as if essence of his whole life's quest and its divine answer, aprang out from his within and burst into "Jay Nityananda Ram" that shook the entired Pathbari. Chanting Sri Naam continued. BABAJI MAHASAYA too was chanting Sri Naam. Then gradually his eyes closed and everything became motionless, as if tired boy, after his day, all done, entered into the realm of SRINAAM. As if Sri BABAJI MAHASAYA took his final refuge in Sri NAAM. A pall of gloom descended on the ascetic and social world. He was laid down at Sri Pathbari in his Bhajan Kutir.

Acknowledgement : 1) Charit Madhuri: Bengali Biography of Babaji Mahasaya published by Srimad 108 Madhusudan Das Babaji Maharaja, Mahant of Sri Pathbari Asram

2) His Divine Grace : English Biography of Babaji Mahasaya published by Srimad 108 Jivsaran Das Babaji Maharaja. Mahanta of Sri Sri Nityananda Janmasthan , Ekachakra Birbhum. West Bengal

Source : http://www.nitaisundar.com/site/Main.html?pagename=Baya%20Baba.html

*****************************************************

SRI SRI RADHARAMAN CHARAN DAS DEV ( DISCIPLE OF GURUDEVA SRI SHANKARANYA PURI )

            Sri Sri Radharaman Charan Das Dev

Sri Sri Radharaman Charan Das Dev:

Born : 13th April 1853 (Thurs day)

Brief Biography of Sri Sri Radharaman Charan Das Dev:

Sri Srimad Radharaman Charan Das Deva, popularly known as 'Barha Baba', which means 'Baba the great.' He was so called, because he was truely great - great in heart, great in love, great in power to do things, which our men of reason and science would not believe even if they see .

            He sincerely followed the teachings of Shri Chaitanya and revived many of the activities or Lila of Shri Chitanya Mahaprabhu, which people has already forgotten by then. He was a living embodiment of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s universal religion of love. He carried Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s message of love from place to place, door to door and person to person, singing and dancing, laughing and weeping in raprurous ecstasies like Mahaprabhu Himself. He told us how all our sufferings could be easily removed and we could attain the highest goal of life-the attainment of the lotus feet of the lord and his loving service only through Sankirtan or the congregational chanting of His name  ‘Bhaja Nitai Gour Radhe Shyam, Japa Hare Krishna Hare Ram.’ Since we, the jives of kali, would not easily believe him, he mercifully took it upon Himself to demonstrate to us the inconceivable power of the Divine Name by curing diseases, melting stones, making the tree dance and animas behave like devote Vaishnavas, and even by bringing the dead back to life through the chanting of the Name ‘Bhaja Nitai Gour Radhe Shyam, Japa Hare Krishna Hare Ram.’ He taught both by example and by precept the religion of pure Bhakti.He stands out prominently before us as the very embodiment of truth.

RadhaRaman Dev was an exceptional character amongst the saints. Inspite of possessing all the virtues that are associated traditionally with Sadhus, he had in him something more which made him outstanding. Like a flowing stream his spontaneous love for all living beings, specially the poor, downtrodden, the outcaste, the sinner, the unwanted, the untouchable knew no bounds. He firmly believed the presence of LORD NITYANANDA in every living being and accordingly poured his love from the core of his heart on them. His love was not limited to the idol of NITAICHAND on the thorne. This virtue has been exemplified on numerous occasions in his life when we see his compassion for Ram Behara - a street begger of Bhubaneswar, Dyuti Singh a leper of Kendrapara, a drunk person of Balasore or the cheat Gunasindhu and so many others. He never said no to anybody. Everybody had a place in his heart. A turbulent river brooks no resistance. It will overflow any obstacle in its path and on its journey, its ensures that both its banks are endowed with nature's bounty. It will not stop until it reaches its ultimate goal of embracing the unending sea. Such was the life of Radharaman Dev. Who soever come into contact with him, flowed along with him till that person reached the desired destination. He had no peer when it came to liberating society from quagmire of stagnation.

                                                     (Bhaja) Nitai Gour RadheyShyam

                                                     (Japa) Hare Krishna Hare Ram

Childhood and early life

He was born in the village of Mahiskhola in the sub-division of Narail in the district of Jessore,presently in Bangladesh on 13th April, 1853, Thursday. He was born into a respectable and well to do family. His father was Mohan Chandra and Mother Kanak Sundari. He was named RAICHARAN at the time of his birth. His close relatives used to call him Charan and later when he was initiated he took up the name of Charan Das. During the time of birth he refused to suck mother breast. Six days passed, and the baby went without any milk. All the relatives and villagers despaired of his life. The Ojhas and Kavirajas were called in but they could not do anything. On the sixth day one devotee name Rajani Bhattacharya came and advised them to offer worship to the LORD, and give him prasada to drink, as the new born must be a great devotee ofd LORD, but would not take anything but what had been offered to LORD. They did as per the advice of the devotee, LORD was worshipped and offered milk. Surprisingly when the offered milk prasada was given to the new born, the milk was readily taken by him, and he began to suck the mother's breast after it was bathed in the charanamrita - the spiritualised water from off the feet of GOD in the form of HIS Image, worshipped with the spirit of love and devotion.

On attaining the proper age RAICHARAN got married. His father-in-law's village was Ghorakhali. On seeing that his father-in-law's village had no scope for proper education he established a charitable educational institute whose entire expenses were borne by him. A big pond was digged to provide water for villagers and a portion of his house was converted into a free guest house and a charitable medical centre. When in service, he was promoted to the rank of Superintendant of Sata Pargana. However, this self-centred family life held no meaning for him and shortly he left his familial lifehood.

Miraculous Initiation

Following his family GURU's instruction he went to Bhavanipur, which was famous for Shakta faith at that time, and performed purascharan for the cause of his heart's longing , there he received the sight of Sri Krishna's potency, Yogamaya Goddess Kali, who appeared before him and instructed to go Ayodhya, near the banks of Saraju river to find his would be GURUDEVA SRI SHANKARANYA PURI, who was from Sriman Nityanada Prabhu family descendant earlier known as Yogendra Goswami of Kharadaha. Mother Kali further told that SHANKARANYA PURI was not ordinary man but had the spirit of Sriman Nityananda himself, and she would informed him the same about RAICHARAN's forthcoming journey. Without wasting anymore time he went direct to Ayodhya, on the banks of Saraju he found his divine MASTER. As Goddess Kali described his Gurudeva before, he found him exactly same as a tall man with long arms reaching down to the knees, long drawn eyes stretching up to the ears , within a poor cottage hemmed in by tall trees around. On reaching that place Raicharan heard from one disciple , that MASTER is waiting for his arrival as while sitting in meditation THE MASTER saw RAICHARAN's performing puracharana alongside with DIVINE MOTHERS's direction and thus MOTHER forced MASTER to break his vow not to take anymore disciple. MASTER ordered Raicharan to take bath from Holy Saraju river and to be equiped with tilaka and the kanthi mala. Then the MASTER raised Raicharan and made him sit in front of him, after which he bent forward and breathed the mantras into his ears. The MASTER himself would not find it in his heart to let him go after the mantras were imparted to him. He held him on and wept over him, their chests flooded over with tears of love - trembling in every limb.It was long till the MASTER gently dissociated himself from the disciple, who was lying still and motionless, apparently in an unconcious state while his Godbrother was chanting fervently aloud the Mahamantra:

                                       "Here Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare hare,

                                         Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare"

Meeting with Navadwip Das - Formation of Twin Soul

After the Initiation as per MASTER's advice took the road with only source of sustanance being SANKIRTANA and devotion and travelled extensively and finally reached Sri Dham Nawadwip, land of Sri Gouranga. Here he become familiar among the locals as Rajen Babu. Meanwhile there came a young man named Navadwip Chandra Das with his family, on a flying visit to sacred place for pilgrimage. He heard the name of Rajen Babu and felt an irresistible impulse to see him at his place. No sooner did Navadwip set his foot on the floor of the room, than he felt himself carried away. Both of them saw each other and felt like a old family friend and they embraced each other soon entered into the state of ecstacy, started shedding tears and stood motionless for sometime.

Navadwip returned at nightfall to his family part and made them distinctly understand that he was not willing to go back his house. His relatives were taken aback. They tried to dissuade him from his purpose, but all in vain. He conceded only so far as to accompany them home, but only to come back after a week and stay on with Rajen Babu, there in sacred city of Navadwip.

Visit to Sri Khestra Puri and famed as Barha Babaji

They started from Navadwip one fine morning towards Sridham Puri with Sri Name dancing on their lips. Raicharan was leading the team, as the team was marching towards Puri, he danced in Sankirtan - the tall figure with hand uplifted, one foot fixed perpendicularly on the other - and thus he ran miles. They soon had large following on their heels. New band came and joined them. The children came and danced with them followed by men leaving their regular work. On the way they touched Kalna - Gouridas Pandits house and later Sakshi Gopal in the vicinity of Puri. Atlast they came to Neelachal, the abode of the Lord.

They entered JAGAMOHANA, the hall of Puri Temple where visitors take their stand to have a look at the Lord. On seeing THE LORD JAGANNATHA they lost their conciouness of material world and started dancing with loud Sakirtan, thousands of voices joined in the Sankirtan and thousands other stood looking on and listening to the divine melody. It remembered the era of our beloved Gourasundar's four hundred years ago.

Now after paying the homage to the "Stirless Jagannatha" - the Deity of the Lord of the words in the temple - the went to see "Stirring Jagannatha" - the Lord Incarnate in the person of Sri Chaitanya , in GAMBHIRA. He was welcomed by then sevait of GAMBHIRA Sri Haribhajan Das Babaji.There he went to the small room where Lord of KaliYuga spent HIS most exhaulted pastimes and saw the Kantha used by Lord and while touching it with his hand he burst into tears.

From there they went to see other places where Lord and his associates performed various Lila pastimes. They went to historic home to Sri Vasudev Sarvabhauma and the Sidhdha Bakul. His dynamic and radical approach, total surrender to Lord made him a popular figure amongst the literate community. He came to be known as "Barha Babaji".

Humbleness and title of Imitation Chaitanya

One day in Puri while passing through royal road Bhagavan Das Babaji, the Mahanta of Narayana Chata, summoned Barha Babaji and his associates to partake of the Mahaprasada, which was being distributed freely on the occasion of festivity going on that place. They readily acquiesced, for the Mahaprasada was a Divine Thing, and a Vaishnava must never refuse to accept the offer of Mahaprasada, which he should regard regard with veneration due to the Lord. But were so ill-clad and so humble in their ways and manners that they were naturally taken for street beggars, and asked to sit on the public road. They were supplied with a single leaf, which was to serve them as a plate to take prasada from, while they were four, who were asked to sit for prasada. The leaf was torn in the middle, and they were sitting on the dusty road. To protect Mahaprasada coming out to road and thus preventing the honour of Mahaprasada, Navadwip Das the dearest of Barha Babaji, spread out his outer garment ( Barbaas of Vairagis ) and put the torn leaf on it, so that the prasad might not come out and get mixed up with the dust of the road. Mahanta ( keeper of religious convent ) came, prasada in hand saw what they had done, and exclaimed, " You rogues ! You can not give yourselves a dinner and you turn Vaishnavas to cast a slur on Vaishnavism. What have you doen?" Barha Babaji said smilingly,"Yes, sir, you are right. We are not Vaishnavas, and can never hope to be Vaishnavas. Bless us, great one and pray we may be allowed to be servants of Vaishnavas like your honored self. If your Lordship would give prasada to us all, give it here on my leaf and we shall take it all together." The mahatma was very angry, he was softened to hear these sweet words and lavishly poured the prasada on the leaf. They took it with great delight and they were satisfied. Another man would have protested against the unjust allegation made by the mahanta, but Barja Babaji did not ; because he had no vanity or the pride, which would have persuaded others to try to prove that they were much better than the ordinary hunger-sticken beggarly Vasishnavas, that mar the glory great religion they pretend to profess for the purpose of gainning their worldly ends.

                                                        (Bhaja) Nitai Gour RadheyShyam

                                                        (Japa) Hare Krishna Hare Ram


     
Another day, they finished their ablution in Narendra Sarovara, and were going to the temple of Jagannatha singing and dancing on their way, when they met a sannyasi at the head of a procession party, walking with silver slippers under silver umbrella, who seemed to be a saint of note in the sacred city. They enquired and came to know he is famous Bhutnath Swami, who was in charge of Jagannatha Vallabha at that time. They made obeisance to the saint, and the latter raised rasied his hands and blessed them on the way. They had gone but a few paces, when the sannyasi summoned them back to his presence, and this time when they came back and bowed again, the saint himself and bowed saying Namo Narayana in return and said, "Mahatma, may I ask you where you are putting up?" "Father," said Barha Babaji, "we have no fixed place for our residence, but at present we are staying at the out-house of Ganesh Mahanti." "Well, well," said the sannyasi,"You are no ordinary man. I felt transcendental joy as I looked upon you. I think you are intimate of Sri Krishna Chaitanya, the son of Jagannatha Misra. In fact, from what I can gather from your looks and doings, I think you are an exact copy of Sri Chaitanya in your life and conduct. You are an 'Imitation Chaitanya'I would say.But you see, you have renounced the world, you should not go and stay with worldly man. Why not come and atsy at my place? Occupy a room at Jagannatha Vallava and sing the Name of Lord to your heart's content"."As you bid us, mahatma, so it shall be done", said Barha Babaji and went away. On the third day they came and put up at the Jagannatha Vallbha, which gave much pleasure to Bhutnath Swami, who was very favourable disposed towards them. "A jewel alone knows what a jewel is like" says the Bengali proverb, and it is so true. So , Swami Bhutnath looked into the heart of Barha Babaji and knowing his greatness, desired near acquaintance and closer frindship with him at his own place at the Jagannatha Vallabha at Puri.

On the Way to Bengal

After spending wonderful pastimes at Sri Khestra Puri Barha Babaji decided to go to Bengal. He started on foot with only few people with him. On the way he stopped for a night for darshan of Sakshi Gopal and next day he started for Bhubaneswar.

On the way he met Raman Behera, a poor cowherd. He was so poor , that is was very difficult for him to make even two square meals a day for himself and his wife. With his misfortune he lost his only son and the local villagers had no sympathy for him,as he was arrogant and irreligious besides being a destitute. But when he saw Barha Babaji and his party passing thruogh the village, singing aloud the Name of the Lord and dancing with tears flowing from their eyes, a mysterious change came upon him. He stood before the road of Barha Babaji and asked him in folded hand to stop over his house and have their meals at his place. Barha Babaji agreed and Ram Behara went running to his wife and asked her to prepare food for everybody. The poor lady looked at him daedly, as she had no provisions at all that day, but she said nothing and went out to borrow the provisions from the neighbours. By understanding the situation Barha Babaji felt great pain and his heart melted. He said to Ram Behara not to worry much about their meals , if Sriman Mahaprabhu is willing, HE would arrange a great feast at Ram Beharas door, where entire village would participate. In saying so Barha Babaji and his party started hert-rendering and soul-stirring Sankirtan, which attracted the villagers and they poured in from different direction and joined the Sankirtan. After Sankirtan when the villagers leading by an old Brahmin invited Barha Babaji at their home for meals, Barha gently refused by saying he is guest of Ram Behera for that day. Then the villagers suggested to allow them to bring the provisions from their own home to contribute in the feast, which was agreed by all. Babaji Mahasaya asked his disciple to cook the food and offered that to Lord. On witnessing charismatic palytime of Barha Babaji ,Ram Behara fell at the feet of Barha Babaji and asked for initiation to save him from the bondage of Maya. Without wasting any moment Barha Babaji embraced him with tearful eyes and whispered Diksha Mantra into his ear. Every body began to dance with joy by shouting "Jay Nitai". Later the whole familiy of Ram Behara took the shelter of Barha Babaji. When the food was ready , the bhoga was offered to the Lord, Barha Babaji asked the Villagers to take prasadsa, but the villagers requested and insisted Barha Babaji and his company to take prasada first, which they had to comply. After them villagers sat to eat prasada without any cast distinction among Brahmins and non-Brahmins. By the bondage of love of Barha Babaji everybody forgot about their solcial status and cast differences. They were eating shouting by "Nityananda Ki Jay!" and "Barha Babaji Mahasaya Ki Jay". It was surprising to all that though food was prepared for only forty people, but as many as one hundred and twenty five people ate to their full satisfaction. Next morning Barha Babaji advised Ram Behara that in this age of Kali only Sri Name posses all the power to free the jiva from the bondage of Maya. However one should chant the Name of Lord without making any offences. Baba gave this percepts to Ram Behara and through him to the people of the Village. After Barha Babaji's departure Ram Behara remain no more the old Ram Behara, but now he became illuminated one with wisdom and earned the respect from all over his village. Ram Behara had become spiritual guide of the people of the village. In this way Barha Babaji mahasaya converted him from a sinner to saint.

Sannyasa Initiation and Meeting with Chaitanya Das

Though till now he had become famous as Barha Babaji in Sri Khestra Puri and other parts of Bengal and Orissa , for people of Navadwip he was still their old Rajen Babu. But the time had come now, when it became necessary for him to cast away the mantle of Rajen Babu and choose the garb of a Babaji or Vaishnava sannyasi. He took vaishnava sannyasa from famous Sidhdha Sri GaurHari Das Babaji of Navadwip, an aged Vaishnava of about eighty-five and disciple of famous Sidhdha Vaishnava Sarbabhum Sri Jagannatha Das Babaji. Jagannatha Das Babaji gave him the name Sri Radharaman Charan Das. He was happy to have a disciple like and showered all his affection upon him till end of their days in this world.

One day Sri Radharaman Charan Das Babaji had gone to the temple of Mahaprabhu at Sri Navadwip Dham, he saw a young handsome boy of about twnety years old, weeping before Mahaprabhu and saying , " You have brought me out of home, out of hell to take me to the kingdom of Prema, but where is that great Mahapurusha, whom you showed me in dream? Who would take me to that kingdom where you live eternally. " When he turned around he saw Barha Babaji standing behind. He was stunned for a while and fell at his feet at the very next moment. Barha Babaji lifted him up and gave him his loving embrace. The boy started telling about his own story as how he was in great distree about searching for the aim of life. And how Mahprabhu appeared him in dream and instructed him to go to Navadip at Mahaprabhu Temple next day to find his guru. The boy narrated even that Mahaprabhu indicated the external appearance of his would be GuruDeva and that he was known in Navadwip as Rajen Babu. Braha Babaji said to that boy," Are you Chaitanya das of Kacharh district?, Mahaprabhu is extremely kind to you" indicating thereby that Mahaprabhu had alreay bidding him about his initiation and he immediately have him the mantra.


The Festival Of Dogs

Sri Sri Radharaman Charan Das Dev and The Great Dog Festival

One day when Barha Babaji was returning from Mahaprabhu's temple at Navadwip performing kirtan with his party, a bitch came and joined the procession on the way. The sankirtan party stopped at places and sang and then proceeded with redoubled vigour, singing the sankirtan with maddening peals. Every time the party stopped the bitch would pause till the party passed by and then she would roll and toss on the ground just as a devotee would do to bless his soul. She went on doing this and she started staying with them at their place. They called her Bhakti Ma ( Mother Devotion ), as she was no ordinary dogs, who always kept company with the devotee. Days went on in this fashion, and one day Bhakti Ma was taken ill. It was aparent after somedays that she had decided to leave his mortal coil.So a big Sankritan was held and she passed away with Lord's name with her ear and her body was thrown into the sacred stream of the Ganges.

A regular chira Mahatsova was duly performed, as for any devotee, on fourth day of her demise. Barha Babaji thought of offering entertainment service to the Vaishnava for blessing departed soul of Bhakti Ma. The entertainment was properly carried out, and Barha Babaji said some of her kin must be fed to complete the ceremony in the proper way. All his attendants were dumb struck in hearing this strange proposal, as it was beyond anyone’s imagination. But Navadwip Das Babaji has full faith on Barha Babaji, He asked for the further instruction from Barha Babaji.

 Barha Babaji advised him to go with folded hands from street to street of Navadwipa and whenever come across with any dogs, invite him for the dinner in memory of late lamented Bhakti Ma. Navadwip Das Babaji asked for Barha Babaji's blessings , afterwards he went and took a round in the city, acting upto the bidding of his master. Next morning preparation were going on for the proposed entertainment and Vaishnavas were summoned to join the festival, when news arrived some of the leading Vaisgnava came to think that their prestige would be at stake if they would go and join a festival, where dogs were some of the invited guests. Barha Babaji went personally to the Barha Akhra ( Assembly of Vaishnava at Navadwip Dham ) to settle the affair, but to no purpose. Some of them were inexorable, but the festival were held inspite of their stout resistance, and thousand others came to witness the strange performance. Some of these guests had a shrewd suspicion that it would end in a farce after all, for evidently it was something impossible. Others had great confidence in the Babaji and thought he could make any impossible possible when he had a mind to do it. Then came RadheyShyam Baba and all stood up and prostrated themself before this wonderful personage. He was affectionately disposed towards babaji Mahasaya, and he began to take him to task for setting his hands to a task which could not on the face of it be accomplished at all. He also expressed that he would be sorely aggrieved if the proposed entertainment of dogs would prove a failure, for he could not brook to hear Babaji Mahasaya belittled by anybody, although Babaji Mahasaya himself might not take it to heart and laugh it away.

Babaji Mahasaya argued that God - they all agree to affirm - was omnipresent, present in dogs as well as in men, and so appeals made to God in the dogs must necessarily have the same effect as those made to God inherent to men. He prayed them to remember that God came out of the pillar and manifested himself as Narasinha, when Prahlada appealed to Him. He concluded by saying that it was their want of faith in Lord that made them suspect the practicability of the whole thing. The day wore on and the assembly were just hoping to see their skeptical prophecies fulfilled fullfilled. But to everbody's surprise the dogs actually began to appear, one by one. Barha Babaji prostrated himself before his canine guests, and duly received them as he showed them to their seats on the royal road at Borhal Ghat. There was great sensation amongst the people, and they gazed on one another in dumb surprise. They news spread all over Navadwipa, and thousands other came to witness the strange performance. Dogs came in crowds, some fity to sixty of them appeared, and to everyone surprise they sat down quietly side by side as the men does in entertainment hall. Babaji Mahasaya with eyes redenned with emotions humbly beseeched his God in dogs to issue orders for the dinner to serve.At this, all the dogs looked upto him at once, and he knew what they said, after which he instructed his men to supply his guests with the plantain-leaves, and serve them up with all the items of the entertainment rolled into a mass for their acceptance. The dogs were severally served with boluses on their leaf plate , but Dogs did not touch the edible matter served before them. When Babaji Mahasaya spoke in broken voice and with tears in eyes, requesting them to begin, at that time suddenly a black dog came and sniffed at the leaves after which the dogs fell to their leaves. From all direction devotees on seeing this astonishing incidents started crying with loud "HariBol" and "Ulu ! Ulu" were heard and roars of applause echoed and re-echoed in all quarters of Navadwip town. Dogs finished the partaking of prasada without any sound maintaining the social custom observed by Vaishnava and they were offered water at the end. They were no ordinary dogs but great Vaishnavas as understood by their behaviour. At the end Babaji Mahasaya again folded his hands and prostrated himslef before them, asking them if they were satisfied and begging for their pardon for any shortcomings from his part. The dog-Vaishnava then left the scene one by one as they came and Babaji Mahasaya in a paroxysm of transcendental joy rolled and tossed on the blessed leaves from one side to another again and again. RadheyShyam Baba embraced him heartily as he blessed his darling with tearful eyes. Babaji Mahasaya gather the Mahaprasada all in lump, offered it to the departed spirit of Bhakti Ma and then partook of it in high glee with his attendants in ashram.

It was about ten o'clock in the night, when it was perceived that a plateful of prasada was lying unnoticed, on hearing this Babaji Mahasay asked his men to keep it intact for some reason not clear at that time. At night after while Babaji Mahasaya saw a red dog lying at the door of his room , when the dog saw him , got up atonce and stare at him with meanigful eyes. Babaji Maharaja instructed Chaitanya das to serve the preserved prasada to this new guest. When Navadwip das came to know about the dog, he came out and saw the dog and exclaimed that verily it was the same dog he met first of all and the same whom he requested to convey the message to each and everyone of the kinsfolk and bring them all to the scene of occurance They all came to understand why that particular guest was so late, for he had to go about and send them up, before he himself could come to take his share of entertainment.

Sankirtan in Krishnanagar : Amazing Hariloot and Amazing footprint on stone

One day on the rquest of Devendranath Chakraborty better known at Navadwip as "Jay Nitai" requested Bodo Babaji to go to Krishnanagar for Samkirtan. Bodo Babaji heartily agreed on that. On the way they met local police inspector and requested them to take rest at garden house of one devotee and have prasada there. Soon news spread at the town of Krishnanagar that a Mahapurusha had come and staying at garden house. People started coming to him for darshan. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon Babaji Mahasaya set out with his party dancing and singing the Name of Lord as usual. They reach near the Krishnanagar College, which was just closed for the day while teachers and students were coming out of the college. They heard the irresistible sound of Sankirtana and saw an attractive tall Babaji leading the mass. Adhar Babau , professor of the college and Vrajalal Babu , then teacher of the collegiate school found the invitation unstoppable and joined the sankirtan party and began to sing and dance. Numerous people quickly gather leaving there usual job and joined the party, thus a gala Samkirtan party appeared at the street of Krishnanagar which was not witnessed before. Babaji Mahasaya was so lost in ecstatic joy and emotion that he occasionally felt like losing outer consciousness and falling senseless on the ground, but he cpntrolled himself by shouting "Nitai ! Nitai!". Others also caught his emotion and were so transported that they sang and danced like those who had drunk deep of the cup of divine drink.The procession marched on and on and as it marched it swelled in numbers. Slowly night came in and Babaji Mahasaya stopped sankirtan and returned to the garden to taken rest.

Next morning local sub-registrar Jogesh Babu invited him and his party to take prasada before starting Nagar-Samkirtan again, which Bodo Babaji accepted. When Yogesh Babu went back and told his mother and sister to prepare Bhoga for Lord as one Mahapurusha would come with his party to partake prasada. On hearing the news his sister exclaimed,"Ma, I saw in a dream this morning that a tall Mahapurusha came to me and said,'Didi ! ( sister) I am very hungry, please give me something to eat.' I gave him the asana to sit and then my sleep was broken." At about 12 o'clock Babaji Mahasaya came singing and dancing along with his party. As soon as Kirtan was over he said to Yogesh Babu's sister,"Didi, I am very hungry.Give me something to eat. Where is Ma?". She was stunned and went to her mother and told,"Ma, my dream has come true. The Mahapurusha I saw in the dream was exactly like him and he asked me for something to eat in exactly in the same train. Surely he must be a Mahapurusha". Very soon bhoga was offered to deity and served to Babaji Mahasaya and his party. Then they went to Nagar-Sankirtan in the afternoon after taking little rest. By this time he was very famous at Krishnanagar and most of important person of the town came and joined in sankirtana. They all danced and clapped their hands in a state of spiritual frenzy evoked by the sight of Babaji Mahasaya dancing and singing.

Days rolled on like this and every day sankirtan procession went round Krishnanagara and every day people were carried away by the ecstacy of spiritual energy.At one place a local devotee Bhuvan Mohan Babu came in contact of the procession and tbrought some batasa ( A dry sweet prepared from Sugar) in shal-patra ( leaf of timber plant ) and gave it to Babaji Mahasaya for HariLoot. Baba took shal patra in his hand and began to sing the song usually sung at the time of Hariloot. Baba held the shal-patra plate in his left hand and he was dancing with his right hand lifted upwards. He occasionaly scattered batashas with his right hand and shouted 'Haribol!' People fell upon the batashas, collected and ate them.There were many people standing outside, because coutryard was packed to every inch. They were sorry for not geting chance for participation in Hariloot. For them Babaji came out and began to scattered batashas all around. Loot accompanied by the dance and kirtan went on for an hour, during which everybody was transported into ecsatcy.But the crowd were surprised to see that although Babaji Mahasaya was freely and repeatedly thrwing a handful of batashas, the shal-patra plate in his hand always remained full up to the brim. Suddenly Baba became aware of this and threw away the plate for fear of fame.

The Amaging Foot-Prints

Next day morning on request of Jogesh Babu Bodo Babaji went to his house for performing kirtan. He went with his associates singing and dancing and on reaching his house after taking rest they sat down for prasada. While they were eating, Jogesh Babu's sister said ,"Baba people say that you are a mahapurusha, but I have not yet seen anything extraordinary in you." Babji Mahasaya replied," I am an ordinary person. There is nothing extraordinary in me. But if you want to see something extraordinary, pray to Gaura-Nitai. If they want they can show you something.". In the afternoon many people started coming to the house of Jogesh Babu. Sankirtan began at about 4 p.m. Babaji Mahasaya was dancing and singing, describing the sankirtan scene of Lord Gauranga dancing in ecstacy in the midst of his devotees. He was stressing the point that the Name of the Lord was the only way and Nityananda the only guide to that beatific realization, when suddenly he cried:

"Lo ! there is Nitai entranced, behold,

Men high and low caught in His loving hold!"
He said this and was lost to the world. Tears streamed forth, hair stood on end and trembling like a plant caught in a blast, he fell in a trance upon the ground. His followers surrounded him and sang the Name of Lord till at last he regained consciouness and cried in husky voice:

                                             "Bhaja Nitai-Gaura, Pabe Radhe-Shyam,

                                                   Japa Hare krishna- Hare Ram."

All others repeated in the same strain, and so on, till it was about ten o'clock in the night when the party divided itself and as a dual throng, singing the kirtan by halves, one group singing, "Bhaja Nitai-Gaura Pabe Radhe-Shyama,' the other singing 'Japa Hare Krishna Hare Rama'. Suddenly everybody saw Babaji Maharaja was standing by leaning against the wall with eyes half-closed and a radiant smile upon his face, bathed in tears, swinging from side to side in a transport of delight and raising the forefinger of his right hand, as pinting out something on high nearby. Delicious scents came floating in the air they knew not from where, and supernatural joys were felt by those who took part in sankirtan.

Sri Sri Radharaman Charan Das Dev

It was about the midnight when the sankirtan was brought to a close, and the devotees came upto the spot where our Babaji stood to bow down to him and take the dust of his feet. There they found to their amazement, a pair of foot-prints clearly stamped upon the marble slab on the floor and a pool of water formed of tears and sweat collected in the depression marked on the slab. This circumstances naturally created a sensation among the people of the neighbourhood and they came in crowds to ascertain the truth and pay the homage to the saint. Babaji Mahasaya tried to make light of the affair. But Devendra Babu came and said, " Dada it is true, the footprints are there. I have seen them in my own eyes." Babaji Mahasaya replied,"May be, but I do not know. But this must be due to the lila of Nitai or the Sakti of Sri Name. It is not fair to attribute it to any particular person."

But this does not always happen when the Name of the Lord sung. The fact is that just as a piece of glass reflects lights if it is pure and transparent and the more transparent and powerful it is, the more light it reflects, in the same way, a man with pure heart who is spiritually advanced, reflects the power of Name, the more advance he is the more the power of the Name is reflected through him. In this way Babaji Maharaja did not only leave his foot-prints on the floor of Yogesh Babu's house, he left indelible prints of his image as a great saint on the hearts of the people of Krishnanagar. Now to by the fear of attaining fame and name Babaji Maharaja deceided to leave Krishnanagara. By his associates opinion he decided to go Diknagar without letting the fact to know by the people of Krishnanagara . Next day they started by dancing and singing:

                                                  "Bhaja Nitai-Gaura, Radhey Shyam

                                                       Japa Hare Krishna Hare Ram."


The Dancing Tree

When Babaji Mahashaya reached Diknagara he heard men complaining about an unhappy event, which had recently occurred in the locality. There was old banyan tree, and some Mohammedans had taken it their head to chop off some of its branches for some reason or another. The Hindus regarded the tree as sacred, they were sorely aggrieved at the unsympathetic attitude their Muslim brethren.

Next morning, Babaji Mahashaya set out with his train, is his wont, dancing and singing the Name of the Lord. villagers came in crowds and joined them on the way, he led them straight to the banyan tree. There he marked mischief that was done, passed round and round and prostrated himself before the tree, and then marched asinging to the Mohammedan quarter of the town. He went his way, as perfectly familiar with the lanes and by-lanes of the entire neighborhood, and they soon found themselves in the residence of Haradhan Mandal, a Mohammedan gentleman, who enjoyed local reputation and had considerable influence over Muslims of the place. The villagers of course feared a row, they thought of desisting the sankirtan-party from venturing into the quarter, but they could do nothing. There they , in the appeared, the band of singers like trained soldiers surrounded him on all sides and went on singing and dancing, oblivious of the world and anything else besides.
Suddenly, Babaji Mahashaya addressed himself to Haradhan and roared:

"Say, 'Nitai-Gaura Radha-Shyama!
Haradhan repeated, "Say, 'Nitai-Gaura Radha-Shyarria!"
Babaji said again, "Say, 'Hare Krishna Hare Rama!"'

Haradhan again repeated, "Say, 'Hare Krishna Hare Rama and so on for some fifteen minutes, Haradhan repeating whar Babaji suggested, till tears streamed down the cheeks and the flowing beard of Mandal Sahib, and he began to dance—hands with the rosary of pebbles raised on high, and wooden sandals under his feet; and when Babaji Mahashaya came forward and clasped him to his chest, he was overpower with joy and came down reeling to the ground beneath. The sankirtan closed round, and Babaji breathed into his ears and he trembled and rolled on the ground; and then, blanched with dust, he began to dance with renewed vigour in the midst of sankirtan. Off went his sandals he knew not where, the rosary slipped between his fingers he did not perceive, He fixed his eyes on the Babaji, muttered in broken accents, and went on with his dance; and when our Babaji left the scene and made for the Banyan tree, he made one of the party , followed him, hardly knowing what he was doing and he was going and why.


So they came back to the banyan, and went dancing and round and round the banyan tree; when lo! what is this !The very branches of the tree seemed to dance in tune e sankirtan beneath. Can this be true?—They could scarcely believe their eyes. They cleared their looks and looked again but only to see what they saw before. The branches were indeed dancing—the branches just above the sankirtan below-- At first they thought there might have been some birds flapping their wings and moving the branches. But they had soon to give up this idea, for they noticed with surprise that the branches danced only where the sankirtan was going on , and that other branches danced while the former ones stopped as the sankirtan moved round and round. Rumour flew apace, and men and women came in crowds to witness the strange performance. The sankirtan continued till eleven o’clock in the morning, after which, when Babaji Mahashaya was about to retire, Haradhan requested him with tears in his eyes to be permitted to stay with him. Babaji consoled him saying that he need not fear, for the grace of God was upon him, only he should see that the tree might not defiled again in time to come. He gave the banyan the name of the 'Wish-tree,' and said that whoever would offer milk, Ganges-water and chirag' in the evening at the feet of tree, should have the fulfilment of his desires. Haradhan pledged himself and his family to the sacred vow, whereupon Babaji embraced him heartily, and bidding him good-bye, returned with his sankirtan back to his lodgings.

But things like this cannot be readily swallowed by men of the present age, and there came censors and the connoisseurs - the educated and scientifically inclined men of the neighbourhood, who still doubted the testimony of the eyewitnesses on the scene. They had their honest doubts, and it was well that it was so, for these 'honest doubts' act as the cement of conviction, when careful experiment removes these doubts and reveals the truth.

It was not long before Babaji Mahashaya heard all this, and he wished to show them that truth like gold shines brighter when put to the proof. Personal aspersions he would never mind—we have already seen so much of him in the earlier pages—but when any one of the verities (we haw mentioned before) was called in question, he would at once take up the challenge and prove it to the hilt that such doubts only arise out of the ignorance of the higher laws, that work inspite of the arrogant and adverse allegations of the short sighted coxcombs and bigoted scientists.

Said the Babaji in solemn accents, "I say, gentlemen. Name of the Lord is Omnipotent; it is such a trifling thing to be accomplished by His Name—this dancing of the stock and stones. Come and see, if you still have doubts, join the sankirtan, and you shall have ample opportunity of verifying the truth once again."

Next morning Babaji Mahashaya set out with sankirtan-party, and those who were skeptically inclined companied him to the scene of occurrence. It was about past nine in the morning when they reached the banyan, and the men found to their astonishment that the tree danced again as the Lord's Name was sung beneath the branches. They saw it, and yet they would not believe. One of them stepped forward and asked the Babaji if he had any objections to somebody climbing the tree for ascertaining the truth. He said he had none, provided no non-Brahmin should undertake take the task. Two Brahmin boys were according summoned to get up on the tree, with instructions to ransack the branches and see if there was any bird or monkey or any other animal that might have been swinging the branches that seemed to dance to the tune of the sankirtan. But, they could find nothing, and so it was finally established beyond the shadow of a doubt, and universally accepted as a truth—this dancing of the branches of the tree. They naturally attributed the power of the saint—more so, when they looked at our muslim friend Haradhan Mandal, the leader of the Mohammedans regarded with fear by their Hindu neighbours – this Mandal, who was come again and singing with tearful along with the others in the sankirtan-party.

The same thing was repeated for seven consecutive days, the branches danced whenever the Babaji sang with his party under the banyan tree.

Later Babaji Maharaja explained that the being in the tree was a saint, who came to be born as a tree for some serious offense committed in a previous life, and as such danced like a saint and a devotee when the Name of the Lord was heard. He then asked all present thence-forward to regard all beings with the love and respect due to them.

Nabadwip's Death and Revival

In Gurap Baba Mahasay danced and sang before the deities of Radha-Vallabha in the temple in the morning and evening.  The next morning he wanted to leave, but unfortunately all his companions were taken ill with malaria.  The Goswami of the temple who had already requested him to stay on in the temple for a few days came and said, "Now you see, Radha-Vallabha wants to enjoy your company for some time more.  How can you leave when everybody is ill?"  So all of them had to stay on.

Towards the evening there came an astrologer and he began to read everyone's hand.  When he saw the hand of Nabadwip Das Babaji he was taken aback.  He kept gazing at him for some time.  Everyone thought that there was something extrordinary in his hand that may be very auspicious or very inauspicious.  They wanted him to declare what it was.  He said, "I shall let you know about it in private."  But Babaji Mahasaya said, "Why in private?  In this world good and evil go together, and everything happens by the will of the Lord, so there is no harm if you say it before the person whom it concerns."

The astrologer said, "I do not know what I should say.  As far as I can see, the life term of this young man has come to an end.  If there were any means by which he could be saved I would have suggest it.  But his death is so sure that it cannot be prevented by any means.

Nabadwip Das laughed and said, "I knew this already.  The astrologer who made my horoscope at the time of my birth was most competent.  He had predicted from my horoscope that I would die within the first half of the month of Pausha in the year 1895.  He also predicted the disease from which I would die.

The astrologer said, "As far as I can see you should die of fever and cough."

Nabadwip said, "Yes that astrologer also said the same.  But there is nothing to worry about this.  To me it would be a matter of the greatest pleasure if I die in such good company."

But it was a matter of the greatest concern for all others because Nabadwip Das was their life and soul.  They could hardly live without him.  They believed that Babaji Mahasay could save him, but he looked so indifferent.  When they asked him about Nabadwip's fate, he said, "What do I know?  Nitai Chand knows what he wants to do.  Whatever he does is always for our good.  You need not get agitated.  Chant Harinam.

Nabadwip's condition worsened.  Both fever and cough went on increasing, till one day he became so weak he was not able to speak.  Babaji Mahasay asked everyone to surround him and perform kirtan.  Nabadwip looked at Babaji Mahasay for the last time and somehow folded his hands to bid him farewell.  Babaji's eyes became wet.  He shouted, "Jay Nitai! Jay Nitai!"  The next moment Nabadwip breathed his last.

But Nabadwip was not only the life and soul of every member of the party of Babaji Maharaj, he was also the most beloved one of Babaji himself.  How could he let him go.  He asked his companions to take him out of the room.  They took him out.  Babaji Mahasaya lifted him up and clasped him with both of his arms.  Nabadwip's head lay motionless on Babaji's left shoulder and his eyes were turned upwards.  All others wept as they sang kirtan around him.  The kirtan went on and after some time Nabadwip Das opened his eyes and looked all around.  Then Babaji Mahasay let him off and began to dance and say, "Bol Nityananda Bol!  Nityananda Bol!"  Others also shoulted, "Bol Nityananda Bol!  Nityananda Bol!”  Nabadwip Das began to dance in ecstasy.  Dance and kirtan went on and there was no end to everyone's happiness.  When the kirtan was over, Babaji Mahasaya said to Nabadwip, "This time Nitai has given you a new lease on life.  Go and roll in the dust where His kirtan was performed."  Nabadwp Das smiled and said, "I know you can kill or revive at your will."  He then began to roll in the dust.  Rolling, he went and sat at the feet of Babaji Mahasaya after making obeisance to him.  Others also made obeisance to him and sat at his feet.

Gokul, a member of the party, asked, "Baba!  Is it possible to save a man after his term of life is over."  Baba Mahasaya said, "Why not?  When people run short of money and have nothing to eat, don't they borrow?"

"Money can be borrowed, but is it possible to borrow life?"  Gokul asked again.

Baba said, "Everything is possible for Nitai.  Leave aside the revival of a man who is dead, Nitai can make even a doll live and speak like men."

Ratha-Yatra and the Demise of Chaitanya Das

Today is Ratha-Yatra and Babaji Mahashaya is singing and dancing with his party before the gigantic wood car in ecstasy.  When the ratha (chariot) reached Rajbari suddenly something transpired in his mind and he quietly slipped out of the sankirtan procession.  He entered the Ramachandi Lane and sat in the verandah of the house of Gopal Prasada Dutta, the head clerk of the local post-office.  He looked very sad and grave - so sad and grave that people who passed through the lane could not muster courage to ask him what worried him.

The cause of his anxiety was that the condition of his dear disciple Chaitanya Das, who had been iill for some time, had suddenly worsened.  He was going to breathe his last and Babaji Mahashaya had come to know about it.

Chaitanya Das was living in a nearby house and Navadwip Das had appointed Jai Gopal Das, a young boy, to look after him.  Jai Gopal was serving him with all his heart and soul.  Chaitany Das was  atotally dedicated soul.  His devotion was that of madhurya-bhava.  He had the conceit and sentiments of a gopi engaged in the service of Sri Radha.  His devotion towards the guru was exemplary.  He knew nothing except the guru.  Whether he was asleep or awake, whether eating, drinking, talking or meditating, the subject of his thought and speech was always the guru.

At this moment when Jai Gopal saw that Chaitanya Das was fast drawing towards death, he stood aghast and did not know what to do.  Chaitanya Das said to him, "Jai Gopal, there is no cause at all for anxiety.  You somehow manage to bring Gurudeva here.  If you do that, then alone shall I think that you are my true friend.  I want to die while looking at Sri Gurudeva.  There is only one thing that I can give you in return for this service.  That is the aprakrita gopi bhava, so difficult to achieve even by the rishis, but which gurudeva has kindly bestowed upon me.  I heartily give the same to you.

"You have it, and even while you serve the Lord in this world enjoy the highest bliss of the transcendental world."

Now Nabadwip Das is going all around in search of Babaji Mahashaya.  When he came to Chaitanya Das he was very much alarmed to see his condition.  Jai Gopal told him that he was too anxious to see Gurudeva before he died, therefore he again set out in search of Babaji Mahashaya.  He found him sitting in the verandah of Gopal Prasad Dutta in a pensive mood, completely oblivious to himself and his surroundings.  Nabadwip Das said to him, "Chaitanya Das is dying.  He wants to have your darshan before he passes away."  There was no response from Babaji Mahashaya, not even a sign to show that he heard what Nabadwip Das had said.  Nabadwip Das returned and sent Jai Gopal to Babaji Mahashaya.  Jai Gopal was but a boy, and he could hardly muster courage to go before Babaji Mahashaya, going to speak to him was out of the question.

But one does not know what shakti Nabadwip Das gave him.  He went and stood before Babaji Mahashaya and said commandingly, "What kind of Mahapurush are you?  Your disciple is dying and wants to have your darshan before he dies.  But you are sitting here like one absolutely indifferent and unconcerned.  Come, don't waste time."

Babaji Mahashaya went and stood behind the bed of Chaitanya Das.  Nabadwip Das said, "Chaitanya, Dada has come."  Chaitanya beckoned with his eyes so that he might come and stand before him.  Babaji Mahashaya moved towards his feet.  Chaitanya Das observed him from head to feet, then fixed his eyes upon his face.  Then Nabadwip Das lifted Babaji Mahashaya's right foot and placed it on Chaitanya's chest.  Tears came out of the eyes of Chaitanya Das as if to bid farewell to Babaji Mahashaya.

Babaji Mahashaya was so far standing motionless and speechless, but now his heart broke and tears streamed out of his eyes.  He said, with his throat choked with emotion, "O Chaitanya!  You are leaving me to go where peace and happiness reign supreme.  What can I say, except that I take upon myself all your sins, past and present, so that you may go with a pure heart and attain the desired end -- the loving service of the twin Lords of your heart according to your bhava."

Meanwhile, the ratha of Jagannath came up to Kundaibentsahi and stopped there.  Babaji Mahashaya's dear disciple Ramadas had so far been singing and dancing before the ratha, but now suddenly he felt an attraction and came running with the kirtan party to Chaitanya Das.  They were astonished to see a wonderful scene -- a scene that was touching and delectable, inspiring and elevating.  Chaitanya's eyes are fixed on the face of Babaji Mahashaya and he is drowned in the ocean of bliss at the touch of his lotus feet.  There is a smile on his face and horripolation all over his body.  He is not able to contain his happiness due to the realization of the supreme end of life.  They were all inspired to sing aloud:

Ha! Nitai-Gaura Radhe Shyam
Ha! Hare Krishna Hare Ram

            They sang with tears constantly streaming out of their eyes.  All of a sudden they saw that the entire body of Chaitanya Das trembled as leaves tremble in the breeze.  His eyes widened, he seemed to see something new in Babaji Mahashaya.  He looked at him with exultation and astonishment, and with this he breathed his last.  Shall we call this the end of life or the attainment of a life much more happy and peaceful?

            Kirtan continued for half an hour.  During kirtan Chaitanya's face became more radiant.  Nabadwip Das removed the cloth from Chaitanya's chest, and found two papers under it, one containing Guru-vandan and the other containg a hundred thousand names of Gurudeva which showed his utter dedication to the feet of the Guru.  Babaji Mahashaya said mournfully with tears in his eyes and throat choked with emotion, "Nitai Chand had kindly given me the company of such a pure and dedicated soul.  I do not know why he has now deprived me of it."

The body of Chaitanya Das was taken to the seashore with the kirtan procession.  Babaji Mahashaya himself washed it with the water of the sea, dressed it with his own kaupin and bahirvas and then clasped it and danced like one maddened in love.  The face of Chaitanya Das rested on his shoulder and his arms were flung around his neck.  Baba continued the dance for a long time.  Who can stop him from this?  People who saw this were reminded of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu dancing with the dead body of Thakur Haridas lifted in his arms.

After some time when Babaji Mahashaya came to himself Govinda Das took the body of Chaitanya Das from him and laid it on the pyre of sandalwood.  Fire was set to the pyre and everyone circumambulated the burning pyre, dancing and singing;

Ha!  Nitai Gaur Radhe Shyam
Ha!  Hare Krishna Hare Ram

 First person account of witnessing lila of Babaji Mahasaya, by Sri Panchanan Mukhopadhyaya

My name is Panchanan Mukhopadhyaya. My maternal grandfather's name is Sri Prasanna Kumara Bandopadyaya. He lives in village Satgachiya, situated between Ambika Kalana and Guptipara in Hugly District. I lived with him. My maternal grandmother's two brothers Sri Gaura Mohana Goswami and Sri Vipina Bihari Goswami also lived in Satgachiya. They were the sevaits of the famous Temple of Madana Gopal in Satgachiya. Vipina Bihari Goswami had a large number of disciples. He passed most of his time in sankirtan. Once he had gone to the Ashram of Bhagavan Das Babaji Mahashaya in Kalna. There he met Barha Babaji Mahashaya and Jai Nitai (Sri Devendranath Chakravarti) for the first time. He brought them both to Satgachiya. Baba Mahashaya lost no time in winning the affection of each and every member of our family. He called my maternal grandmother "Masi" (maternal aunt), my maternal grandfather "Mausa," my mother "Didi" (sister) and Vipina Dada, the maternal uncle of my mother, "Mama" (maternal uncle). At that time Baba Mahashaya wore dhoti, kurta and chador. There was no sign of vairagya in him and he was called Rajendra Babu. But even then my grandfather and Vipina Dada did not fail to recognize the mahapurusha in him. He stayed with us for three or four days and left.

Next time he came with the great Navadwip Dada, who was like his second self. It was only through him that we could catch hold of him. Navadwip Dada was simple like a child and loving like an angel. His dance and kirtan could easily melt the hearts of the hardest of sinners.

This time Babaji Mahashaya lived in Satgachiya for about a month. Everyday he performed kirtan in the Temple of Madana Gopal. Most of the people in the village were Shaktas (worshippers of goddess Durga). They had scant regard for the Vaishnavas. But the kirtan of Baba Mahashaya brought about a change of heart in them. They felt like being transported into a land of joy and peace, they had never experienced before.

Navadwip Dada frequently came to our newly built house, to which we had now shifted. Once my mother fell seriously ill. My grandfather and grandmother knew from her horoscope that she was not going to survive. Her condition worsened rapidly. She became senseless and began to breathe her last. At that time came Navadwip Dada dancing and singing Harinama. Everyone stood up and began to sing Harinama with him. Kirtan went on for sometime. The sound of khol-karatal made my mother open her eyes. She went to Navadwip Dada slowly rolling over the ground and caught hold of his feet with both of her hands.

After sometime Navadwip Dada went singing to Vipina Dada's house. He said to him that he had gone to see Suchita Didi, because she was destined to die that day. Shortly after Navadwip Dada had left our house my mother began to sweat profusely. She said, "It appears that the heat in my body is subsiding and I am feeling better." She sat up. The doctor attending upon her said that she was out of danger. The ladies who had come to see her from the neighbourhood began to say to each other, "Prasanna Kumara's daughter was almost dead, but a Babaji came from somewhere and saved her. He was no ordinary Babaji, but a mahapurusha." After ten months and ten days my mother gave birth to a daughter. She looked healthy and handsome. But when she grew it was discovered that she could neither stand nor move even an inch. She was like an inert object. She became a cause of great anxiety to my mother.

The third time, when Babaji Mahashaya, Jai Nitai and Navadwip Dada came to Satgachiya, they also came to our house. My mother said, "I am worried, because you have come and I do not find anything ready, which I can give you to eat."

Baba Mahashaya: "Masi, you have soaked rice in water and ground it, and Hari has brought orange juice from Sylahat. Why not mix the two and make sugar-plums?"

Mother: Baba, how did you come to know about it all? Tell me who you are?

Babaji: I am your child Masi and none else.

Both my grandfather and grandmother now understood that Baba Mahashaya was not an ordinary person.

My grandfather said, "Baba! Have mercy on us. We are great sinners."

Baba Mahashaya said, "Mausaji and Masiji! How can I be merciful to you? You are both like god and goddess. You should kindly bless me."

My grandfather and grandmother were Shaktas, but they had rosaries. Baba Mahashaya taught them how to do japa and Majan. They began to practise sadhana on the lines indicated by him.

The day Baba Mahashaya came to our place, the dignitaries of the village like Sri Bhagavati Charan

Mukhopadhyaya, Sri Sharda Charan Mukhopadhyaya and Sri Gauramohana Goswami came to him and said, "Rajendra Babu! You always eulogize Gaura-Nitai. We would like to see Them. Can you not make us see Them today?"

Baba Mahashaya said, "How can a poor creature like me make you see Them? But if They wish, They can certainly appear to you." As usual he started kirtan. The village-folks began to come. Even the women and the children felt attracted. They all came and joined the kirtan. An unprecedented current of devotion ensued. It appeared that the flood-gate of prema-bhakti had opened and everyone was swept away in the current.
In the midst of kirtan Baba Mahashaya held Bhagavati Charan Mukhopadhyaya and Sharda Charan Mukhopadhyaya by the hand and began to dance. As soon as he held their hands they also began to dance, as if under a spell. Bhagavati Babu had a heavy body. He could not even walk freely. Everyone was surprised to see him dancing. After sometime Baba Mahashaya shouted "Hare Krishna!" and left them. But they continued to dance as long as the kirtan lasted. Slowly, the whole atmosphere was charged with a divine presence. Those who had desired to see Mahaprabhu, actually saw Him. In deep gratitude they began to weep and roll at the feet of Babaji Mahashaya. The brother-in-law of Kunjalal Goswami began to shout, "I am blest, I am blest! I had a glimpse of Vrindavan-lila!" Everyone else began to speak of the darshan of some kind of lila. Some were lying in ecstatic state and their teeth were clinched. Even women and children were lying in that state. My mother was sitting in a corner with my sister in her lap. Baba Mahashaya came dancing near her, shouted "Hare Krishna! " and jolted my sister with both of his hands. Then he held her by the hand and began to make her dance. She continued to dance for some­time. Everyone was surprised to see a girl dancing, who could not even stand. Even today she can walk and dance as everyone can see. After that mahasankirtan many people were sold out to Babaji Mahashaya for ever. Vipina Bihari Dada and Madhu Dada renounced the world and began to live with him.

After a month Babaji Mahashaya went to Puri. Within a year after that my father, grandfather and grandmother died. There was no end to the anxiety of my mother. She did not know how to bring up her minor son and daughter.

As soon as Babaji Mahashaya got the news he sent Navadwip Dada to inquire about our welfare. After sometime he came himself to Satgachiya to see us. Both, mother and I, burst into tears to see him. He took me in his lap. I began to weep more bitterly. He caressed me and said, "Nothing to fear my child. You are mine and I am yours." Then turning to my mother he said, "Why worry so long I am there. You need not be anxious about your minor children. I shall even beg for them, though you know Who supports whom. It is the Lord, Who supports everyone. Remember Him and depend on Him. The world is transitory. Here people come and go. No one lives eternally with anyone, except the Lord. The Lord is so sweet and loving. Human life is precious. It is meant for His bhajan. Do His bhajan and you will be at peace." We felt considerably relieved.

I was only a child when my father died. But Baba Mahashaya gave me so much affection that I never felt I was fatherless. He fulfilled all my needs. He tolerated my imper­tinence, my obduracy, my anger and all like a good father. He was for me my guardian, my guru, my God and everything. Even today I can say that I know of no god, except him.

After sometime I was laid down with malaria. It persisted for a year. At the end the doctor of the missionary hospital in Kalna lost all hope of my life and declared that I was completely in the hands of God. I became so weak that I could hardly sit. One day I felt that I was going to die. The same day Baba Mahashaya was to go to Navadwip from Calcutta by steamer. Raghunandana Goswami was also with him. Something happened to the steamer, which compelled them to get down at Guptipara, where by chance they met Kunja Mama and Vipina Dada. They brought him to Satgachiya. He stayed with Kunja Mama. While on the steamer he had asked Harijala "How is Panchu?" Harijala had replied, "He has been ill for a long time. God alone knows whether he will survive or not." Therefore, immediately after reaching Satgachiya he sent for me and my mother. Kunja Mama's home was close to mine. My mother took me there in her lap. As soon as Baba Mahashaya saw me he took me in his lap and said, "How are you my child?"
I said: I have been suffering from malaria for a year. It appears that I will not survive.
Babaji: Do not fear. I will take you to Puri for change of climate and you will be allright.
I said: What made you come here unexpectedly at night?
Babaji: I heard about your illness. Therefore I came here, otherwise I would have reached Navadwip this morning.

Most merciful Babaji Mahashaya postponed his visit to Navadwip and got down at Satgachiya for the sake of this poor soul, who had neither bhakti, nor any other quality to attract his attention. This is a notable example of his causeless mercy, which rained uniformly upon all fallen souls like me.
Baba Mahashaya blessed me and left for Navadwip. I began to recover. But since he had desired that I should go to Puri, my mother took me there. We stayed there for two months. When I had fully recovered, I became impatient to go to Navadwip. We went there. Baba Mahashaya arranged for our stay in a room near his Gurudeva's Ashram in Baralghat, where he was staying.On the anniversary of the appearance of Nityananda Prabhu he installed the Thakura brought from Satgachiya in the newly purchased Radharamana Bagh in Navadwip. The next day he shifted to Radharamana Bagh from the Ashram of Gurudeva. That day he sat there like a kalpataru, to give everyone what he wanted. He asked a man to blow the horn. Crowds of people began to come on hearing the horn. He gave, each one of them what he wanted. He asked me to distribute cloth. I began to distribute cloth freely. I was surprised to see that howsoever much I distributed the stock of cloth remained undiminished. I asked Baba Mahashaya how that happened. He replied, "It is Nitai's bhandar (godown). Howsoever much you distribute it would never be empty. You go on distributing freely."

One day I was applying oil on the head of Babaji Mahashaya, when a Goswami came from Srikhanda for his darshan. He said, "Where did you get this boy from?" Baba Mahashaya replied, "He is my own. I want to marry him." I said with a start, "I will not marry." He said, "Why? Is it not possible to do bhajan in household? A man who is really inclined towards bhajan can always do it. whether he is a householder or not. One who is not so inclined cannot do it in any circumstance. But as far as you are concerned, is bhajan necessary?" Obviously he implied that since I belonged to him, my material and spiritual responsibility was his. Then, turning to Goswamiji he said, "He comes of a highly respected Brahmin family. I desire that you marry him and build a house for him in Navadwip. I want that he should live near me, because I love him."
His desire could not remain unfulfilled. Today I am married and I live in Navadwip. My living in Navadwip Dham would not have been possible, if lie were not so mercifully disposed towards me.

That year, cholera epidemic broke out in Navadwip. Baba Mahashaya asked my mother to go home and leave me with him in Radharamana Bagh. My mother said, "I came here thirty months ago with Panchu. What will people say if I go alone? He is my only son. I will take him with me. He will return soon."
Baba Mahashaya did not want that I should go. He said angrily, "He is your son, not mine. Alright, take him."At the time of my departure when I went to take leave of him, he embraced me and said with tears, "You are going away.Go, we shall not meet again." I did not know that what he said would actually come true. When I returned I did not find him, but his samadhi. I fell senseless on the ground. The shock was too much for me.

source : http://www.nitaisundar.com/site/Main.html?pagename=Baya%20Baba.html

******************************************************