Yogi Sri Balanand Bhramachari

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Balanand Bhramachari!

Chapter - 5

Balanand after receiving Dheeksha from Bhramanand Maharaj asked his preceptor “What should I give you in return for the Dheeksha.” Bhramanand Maharaj said “ Child, preceptors are beyond desire or expectations, you could not please them with the material things, Guru Dhakshina should not be given in Riddhi, it should be given with Siddhi.  I have advised you the sacred syllables, keep contemplating upon it, you will attain various Siddhi when you attain all those Siddhi surrender them to me.  I will safeguard them, that would be your real Guru Dakshina. I would be highly pleased with this Dhakshina.”  Balanand sincerely started practicing meditation from that day onwards.  Gangonath Ashram was relentlessly served the holy men and saints with meals, and they conduct all the religious and spiritual rites meticulously.  The Ashram’s door was always kept open for the holy men and saints.

Once there were busy hours of serving meals and it was about to close, there were a few people arrived, there was not much meal was left to serve, Balanand Bhramachari did not like this, he shouted at the kitchen people, never serve little or calculated to people who come with hunger, in this way Balanandji appeased the hunger of the people.  During the time of famine, he carries his shoulder bag and goes for begging alms.  The shoulder bag of Maharaj was the dwelling place of Matha Annapurna.  People who lived in these areas partake meals in the Ashram, he performs various pastimes to cheer the people.   Bhramanandji had a close association with Gayakwad Shivaji Rao.  Once Bhramanandji was invited by Queen Yamunabai of Baroda, he arrived with Balanandji, while travelling one his devotee took Bhramanandaji to his home and received with great honor, before leaving his home he filled the shoulder bag of Bhramanandji with vegetables and grains, when Bhrmanandji arrived in the fortress Queen Yamunabai teased at him, “Today we will get whatever we want to eat,” Bhramanandji said “Maharani, kindly tell me what you want to eat?”  She said “ Maharaj, kindly give me grapes” in fact that was not the season of grapes.  Soon Bhramanandji took a bunch of grapes from his shoulder bag and handed to Maharani, then said: “ Mother, there are few grapes for you.”  The people assembled were amazed.  Maharani had a great devotion to Bhramanandji, the whole city was discussing the supernatural powers of Bhramanandji.