Swami Sri Bolananda Giri Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Giri Maharaj!

Chapter – 3

Days went on and on, in due course of time Nanda Devi gave birth to a child, and the child was named as Bhola Das, keeping in mind the blessings of Lord Mahadeva.  She gave birth to the third son, and the child was named Shankar Das.  Bhola Das’s sacred thread ceremony was conducted with elaborate rituals, after few days of Upanayana, Bhola Das went missing like his elder brother.  They have conducted a rigorous search but it went in vain.  Once again, the house of Das family went in despair and distress.  After this incident, Nanda Devi gave birth to a fourth child, and the child was named Sundar Das.  Nanda Devi used to recollect the dream in that Lord Mahadeva predicted the future of her children, she was aware of the fact that one day Shankar Das would take up his spiritual journey leaving the family behind and it became true.  Finally, Sundar Das remained at home.  Bhrama Das was quite sure that this child will not leave the family and parents.  They found immense pleasure in the association of Sundar Das, they showered all their love for the three children on him.

Several days passed, Nanda Devi slowly came out of the pain of separation from her three elder sons.  Whenever the thought rushes about the children who left home, she would shed tears in silence.  Sundar Das immersed in the service of elderly parents.  Once Sundar Das and Bhrams Das were out of the house for family work, Nanda Devi was working in the back yard.  She could hear some voice at the door “Jai Shankar” Nanda Devi though it must be some saint begging for alms.  She arrived at the door and saw a saint in a saffron robe.  The saint touched the feet of Nanda Devi, she was shocked and withdrawn herself from the doorsteps, she said in a wavering voice “ You are an ascetic, I am a Grihastha, you are not supposed to touch my feet.  Why did you make me a sinner,” The saint said, “ Ma, I considered you as my mother, that is why I have touched your feet, kindly bless me.”  Nanda Devi said “ You are holy man, you should bless me.  Kindly wait here. I will bring some alms for you.”  Nanda Devi returned with alms, but she could not see the Saint.  She searched for him on the main pathways of the village but she could not find him.  She had various flashing thought, there was no Sanyasin left home without receiving alms, and none tried to touch her feet, “was that my Rathan?” she tried to recollect the facial appearance of the Sannyasin, she realized that it was her son Bhola Das.  She became inconsolable, fallen unconscious at the door.