Swami Sri Bolananda Giri Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Giri Maharaj!

Chapter – 4

Bhola Das returned to his preceptor and said “ Gurudev, I have followed your order,”  The preceptor asked “ Did your mother or anyone recognize you or not? Bhola Das said, “ No, Gurudev, none recognized me.”  The preceptor Gulab Giri said “ Narayan Giri, you can take care of the Ashram like old days, I will keep giving you instruction at the right time.” Bhola Das’s Sanyasashram name was Narayan Giri, he replied, “As you wish Gurudev.”

Narayan Giri took care of all the responsibilities of Ashram which had several cows, buffalos and lands.  The disciples at the Ashram had to look after the daily chores of Ashram, feeding cows and buffalos, and take them for grazing and milking them, bring woods from the forest for cooking meals, preparing meals for all the disciples and devotees, maintaining the shrine and Ashram pristine and if the preceptor find any fault in these work he will not tolerate, severe punishments were imposed for the mistakes. 

In olden days, the education was provided in ‘Gurukul’ where the children were sent to the hermitage of the preceptor, they have to perform various tasks like learn discipline, lessons on scriptures, the performance of religious rites, working in the Ashram and bring necessities like wood, and vegetables, bringing waters from the river, milking cows, preparing meals, begging alms, worship Lord and assisting others in daily chores of Ashram and work on agricultural land. They have to take part in meditation, Yoga, worship of Lord and serve the preceptor whenever he requires.  The child has to undergo strict discipline, follow rules and regulations, serve the preceptor and learn the lessons on Veda and scriptures.  These responsibilities were imposed upon the children to increase their mental strength and physical stamina so that they can take spiritual practices at a higher level and achieve the greatest results.  This was the method adopted by the preceptors who prepare his disciple to an eligible candidate for attaining the greatest heights in spiritual life.  Some children will succeed in their journey, others may run off from the Hermitage during this process.  The preceptors make the children work so hard, so that their inner impurities will get washed off, and they will realize the importance of being responsible and spiritually learned.   There will be hardly any time left for relaxation for the children, if any fault in the work, the preceptor will get annoyed.  If a disciple does not understand the likes and dislikes of his preceptor, he cannot achieve any success in spiritual life.  The life in Gurukul was like shoveling gold bars into the blazing fire to make an exquisite piece of jewel. The preceptor stands as a ladder and a good support system with his disciple throughout the journey of spirituality.  A child named Bhola Das from a small village of Bengal arrived in the Ashram and achieved the status of great Yogi Narayan Giri with his hard work and perseverance.