How the Day Unravelled
29th August 2008
Om Namo Narayanaya.
Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya
I would like to share with you the most precious joyous moments we all have been experiencing since last night and this morning. Really Guru Maharaj has spread this joy and peace all around, now that he is absolutely free being out of this cage of flesh and bones of bodily suffering, discomfort, pain etc. which he underwent all these years, and has become all-pervading,
Last night we all got this news at the Night Satsang, where the continuous chanting of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra was going on since last two days, that he had ultimately shed his mortal coil around 8.10 p.m. Announcements were made, His Instructions given for the last rituals was read out and then the chanting of Bhagavad Gita, Vishnu Sahasranaam and Kirtans of Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram, Mahamantra of Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Om Namo Narayanaya, Om Namah Sivaya was continuously going on. All were awaiting the arrival of Swamiji Maharaj’s worn-out body, which had exerted itself completely, in the service of Sri Gurudev’s Mission like a piece sandalwood being rubbed against a stone continuously to give fragrance to all, throughout his life, not caring or bothering for his own comforts and needs.
At 12.45 a.m. We heard the vehicles coming. By the time Swamiji Maharaj was brought inside the Holy Samadhi Mandir, it was around 1.00 a.m. He was seated on a big chair, in cross-legged position, all wrapped up in clothes and flowers and only his face was visible, which was shining with radiance and absolutely in peace, in deep Samadhi. He was made to sit in the same place where he always gave his Morning Talks. There was an atmosphere of peace and the whole place was charged with devotion by the continuous chanting of the Kirtans in a silent way, without loud-speakers. The Samadhi Hall was full with all Sannyasis, Brahmacharies, inmates of the Ashram and other visitors who started pouring in. All were standing in a queue and each one offered flowers and garlands, clothes etc. and prostrated before him in a very systematic way. It was like an experience of the Holy Sivaratri function going on in the Samadhi Mandir. Swamiji Maharaj’s face looked like the Lingam, which was radiant and peaceful like that of Lord Siva.
Around 3.00 a.m. Swamiji Maharaj was taken in front of Sri Gurudev’s Samadhi and the chair on which he was seated, was decorated with flowers etc. like a palanquin. Two long logs of wood were tied at the bottom of the chair to enable devotees to carry this on their shoulders from all the four sides. Then the loud chanting of Kirtans with cymbals, drums etc. were started.
At 3.30 a.m. this palanquin with Swamiji Maharaj was brought out from the main entrance of the Samadhi Mandir, and the parikrama was done, being taken round the Bhajan Hall, Vishwanath Mandir, Annapurna, along the motorable road and taken to the Vishwanath Ghat, with the chanting of kirtans etc.
At Sri Vishwanath Ghat, abhishek with gangajal and milk was done with the chanting of the Mantras as desired Revered Swamiji Maharaj in his Directives to the Trustees and the Authorities of the Sivananda Ashram” concerning how the rituals are to be carried out after his departure from the body on 21st November 2000.
…. “The body shall be disposed of the same day of my departure of it, provided this is not late evening at sunset or after sunset. In which case, it should be disposed of early dawn just before sunrise. This is in order that people could have their bath after sunrise, immediately after the disposal is finished
…. “By proper arrangement the mortal body will be shifted by suitable road transport to the bank of the river decided upon and with minimal spiritual rituals, the body should be taken to the midstream and bestowed Jal-Samadhi. The entire rite from start to finish should be done within three hours of the arrival of the dead body at the river-bank site. Chanting of Gurudev’s name, chanting of Mahamantra, chanting of Astakshari Mantra 9 times, chanting the Mrityunjaya Mantra 5 times and culminating with the chanting of Pranava (OM) a minimum of 16 times will be the only chanting permitted upon this final moment. The name Chidananda will not be articulately uttered by anyone present.”…..
Around 5.00 a.m. he was put in the gunny bags decorated with flowers etc. and kept on the boat, which was also decorated with flowers. There were two boats, one carrying Swamiji Maharaj and some selected Senior Swamijis and the other with the Video Cameras, photographers etc. And the boats started moving. Ganga Ma was overjoyed. She was rushing and dancing with joy, wanting to take her beloved son in her arms, to her bosom and put him on her lap. She would not allow the boats to go further. Usually the boats cross the Sivananda Jhula (Ram Jhula) and go near the Kala Pathar (black stone) and then consign the body to the Holy Ganges. But she had no patience to wait till then. She rushed forward and asked for the consignment. The boats would not go further because of the forceful currents. Hence they had to accede to Her demands and consign the body even before the Sivananda Jhula (Ram Jhula) and turn back.
All the Gods were rejoicing since last three days, pouring their grace through heavy rains and blowing their trumpets and drums etc. through thunder and lightning awaiting their beloved child. Since last three days we have been having very heavy rains with thunder and lightning and even now as I am typing this (it is around 3.00 p.m. now), it is raining very heavily outside since last two hours. But the weather became very clear from last night till this morning. Even the weather was so cooperative in seeing that nobody was inconvenienced.
In this way our Beloved Guru Maharaj has merely withdrawn his physical darshan from our gaze and has come much more closer to us. We haven’t lost him – now he is always with us, all the time, everywhere. We must be happy for the time he was here amongst us, training us, holding our hand and showing us the path and now we have to tread on this path sincerely as shown by Sri Gurudev and by him and meet the Lord and him in our hearts.
With love and best wishes. Om Tat Sat.
Yours in the Lord,
Swami Brahmanishtananda
