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

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