Swami Krishnananda Shashtyabdapurti Mahotsava Commemoration Volume
A Souvenir released on Swami Krishnananda's 60th Birthday
A Few Experiences
by Bharat Chandra Nath
It was on 28 August 1973 that I had left my native Dhenkanal for Rishikesh with an ambition to devote a part of my daily life to the activities of Sivananda Ashram and the rest to Sanskrit studies. I met Swami Krishnananda on 1st September during his morning meeting hour. Seated in a chair, Swamiji Maharaj was busy solving the problems of devotees. His very presence filled our hearts with joy and cheer. Each and every one got a ray of new Hope and solace.
When my turn came, I expressed some of my physical troubles. Swamiji gave proper solutions to them. Then he asked, “What else can I do for you?” I said, “Swamiji, I want to a part-time appointment here”. “Why have you come here giving up your present studies?” he queried. “Swamiji I am no more interested in a dry subject like economics, and I want to study Sanskrit, staying in the Ashram” I replied most humbly. He said, “Every subject has its own importance. Your thinking is wrong. Anyway, should I write to your parents in this regard?” “No, Swamiji, I want to stand up on my own feet for which I need some engagement” I answered. “All right. You may go now. I will see” Swamiji said finally.
I left cheerfully with the hope of being appointed. Now, another question haunted my mind. There were various departments in Sivananda Ashram to work in like the Publication League, Press, Pharmacy, Hospital, and so on. Though I was capable of playing some role or the other in any of these departments, I had a special liking for the Publication League, simply because I could be in close contact with my ever-loved spiritual literature. Day and night, only one thought occupied my mind: “How nice would it be if I could only be appointed in the Publication League!" On 3rd September morning, Swami Krishnananda sent for me. Immediately I went. Swamiji said, "Now, Bharat, you are appointed in the Publication League. A few hours of work for you." I was taken aback! My joy knew no bounds.
I passed ten days in the Ashram quite happily. On 10th September afternoon, I got a sudden mental shock. To the surprise of others, I felt completely restless and impatient. I began remembering my beloved mother each second. What had actually happened was that my mother was crying for me at that very hour, which I came to know later on, and I had been telepathically affected thereby. Some Ashramites tried to console me, but in vain. I made up my mind to return home. At about 4 p.m., which was not the meeting hour, I approached Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj. Before I opened my mouth, he asked, "Are you remembering the members of your family?" "Yes, Swamiji" I answered helplessly. "Come tomorrow morning" Swamiji told lovingly. From some indications I guessed that I was going to be initiated the next morning. Brahmachari Krishnaprem Chaitanya advised me to ascertain my tutelary deity, since I might be asked to mention that before initiation. I was in a fix for the time being, since I had been a staunch devotee of Lord Siva in my childhood, though I was more inclined towards Lord Vishnu at the moment. After some hours' pondering, I decided to make Lord Vishnu my tutelary deity for the whole life. On 11th morning, I devoutly approached Swamiji. Strangely enough, Swamiji initiated me into the Vishnu Mantra even without any pre-initiation question. On the eve of my departure, he blessed me and presented me with some spiritual books and a big biscuit packet. Full of ecstasy, I bade good-bye to the holy Ashram the same afternoon.
Three years later, I paid my second visit to the Sivanandashram. On 19th November '76, I reached the Ashram. I had been suffering from ailments, both mental and physical, for about two months. Neither allopathic nor Ayurvedic treatment could cure me of my afflictions. I sought the advice of Gurudev Sri Krishnanandaji Maharaj. In the afternoon I was standing at a short distance from his quarters. Although Gurudev was present in the verandah, we were not distinctly visible to each other. He sensed someone's presence and asked, "Who is there?" My sole response was, "I am". He said, "Are you from Orissa?" I was astonished at his exact intuition. After a minute's conversation, Gurudev asked me to meet him on the morrow.
The next morning, I went to Gurudev accordingly. Among other visitors sitting around him were a lady physician and an old couple. The lady asked, "May I, Swamiji, ask one question?" "Why one? You may ask two" replied Swamiji with a humorous smile. She put some critical questions on Buddhism and was extremely happy to get satisfactory answers from Swamiji. Then, looking at the old man, who had approached Swamiji with his wife for initiation, Gurudev said, "Oh, you are from Assam". Further, Gurudev referred to the particular place and time of their earlier meeting years before. The man wondered, "Swamiji, have you remembered this negligible person after such a long interval?” Said Swamiji, “You may have forgotten me, but I have not. I recollect even my previous birth”.
Gurudev next cast his gracious glance at me. In the beginning, to test my knowledge of Sanskrit literature, he put some questions from Magha's Sisupalavadham. When I failed, he explained to the assembled gathering some important Shlokas of Sisupalavadham with reference to their spiritual significance and metres. I was simply amazed at his literary erudition. Then I related to him my ailments. He prescribed an unfailing an unfailing panacea for me. He dictated Devi Sloka and instructed me to do one Mala Japa of the Sloka daily before going to bed, and assured me of quick recovery. I got highly delighted. Now, my problem was over. I left the Ashram with Gurudev's blessings. To my utter surprise, the Japa of the Sloka granted me complete recovery in no time.
Gurudev Sri Krishnanandaji Maharaj is an abode of spiritual and intellectual wisdom. He is a great preceptor to the disciples, a doctor par excellence to the sick, an erudite guide to the researchers, a feeding mother to the hungry, a well-receiving host to the visitor guests, a skilful administrator to Sivananda Ashram, and, in a word, a soulless to one and all. Whole-heartedly he serves and loves all equally, irrespective of caste, colour, sex, nationality and religion. On the most auspicious occasion of his Diamond Jubilee, I pay my heartiest tributes to His Holiness. May his grace shower abundantly on humanity. Om Shantih.