Yogi Sri Balanand Bhramachari

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Balanand Bhramachari!

Chapter – 10

Balanand Bhramachari used to give lectures to his disciples “Whenever you meet divine personalities, Yogis, Saints who are enriched with nectar like spiritual knowledge, never hesitate to get closer to them and take the opportunity to learn that supreme knowledge.”  He sincerely followed what he had preached.” Balanandji’s preceptor was Bhramand Bhramachari, and Gaurishankar Maharaj, although there were many divine souls and saints in his life who showered an abundance of spiritual knowledge upon him.  He was taught Hatha Yoga by Sage Markandeya who immerses in the meditation on the river banks of Narmada.  Mandaleshwar of  Kashi and Ramgiriji of Dhruveshwar Mutt taught intricate knowledge of Vedantha and various philosophies.    Balanandji lived with Mahatma Manasagiri who resides at Thriyuvi Narayan in Uttarakhand for some time, he learned various sacred Manthra from him, he had a close association with Yogiraj Lahiri Mahashay too.

Balanandji’s fame spread across the regions, numerous disciples and devotees were benefited with the Dharshan of Balanand Bhramachari.   Ramcharan Bandhopadhyay who was popularly known as “Rambabu’ was an important disciple of Balanandji.  There was an interesting myth behind the acceptance of Rambabu as a disciple of Blanandji who was after returning from Kamakhya shrine took a journey through Bengal.  One day he arrived in Ranaghat, Ramcharan was working in Railway at that time, he was in huge trouble, there was a train accident happened in Ranaghat and many were killed and injured.  All the blames were fallen upon Ramcharan for not performing his duty properly and his job was at stake.  Ramcharan’s mother was highly devoted and spiritually involved; she continued her sincere prayers at the feet of his beloved Lord.  There was something she could hear her heart saying “do not worry, there is a Saint has arrived in your home, all the troubles will go away.”   Immediately her eyes fallen on the saint with heavy matted hair locks and great effulgence, entering inside her home.  He asked Ramcharan for the skin of the animal, he knows that Ramcharan is a skillful hunter.  Ramcharan was stood with great reverence, he showed the skin of animals to the saint but he does not like any of them.   Ramcharan was attracted towards the saint immediately, he repeatedly witnessed the saint in his dreams, after that Ramcharan and his family became the disciple of Balanandji, and he became one of the important disciples of Balanandji.   Once Ramcharan had to undergo surgery, he refused to have anesthesia, he was just remembering the feet of his preceptor and operation went on well.  After some time he received a message from Balanandji who was taking Tapasya in Girinarparvath, one day while he was on meditation, he could envisage the operation of Ramcharan, and he was not feeling any pain at all, Ramcharan was extremely happy to receive the message from his preceptor.