Sri Anandamayi Ma -

Pranams at the lotus feet of Ma !

Ma took good care of Bholanathji who was seriously ill with smallpox, she relentlessly served her husband like a mother, he was shriveling with pain and distress, her magical touch relieved his pain, her selfless service to Bholanathji brought out immense satisfaction and relief in him.  Bholanathji shivered with severe chillness, Ma covered his fragile body with the saffron robe.  She remembered a conversation with her husband when Bholanathji was planning to take up Sanyasa, he admiringly spoke “I have considered you as my Mother, so when I take up Sanyasa, I want to get the first alms from you.” Ma compassionately asked him ‘Do you remember the Sankalpa Manthras of Sanyasa?’ he was already uttering the same; he pronounced the word ‘Ma’ like a child and attained Nirvana.  Ma fondly kept her palm on his ‘Bhramarandhri’ which is the passage of vital air, while attaining ‘Mahanirvana’.  Thus, Bholanathji attained the heavenly abode on 7^th May 1938, while the recital of sacred hymns and chants in the Kishanpur Ashram, Dehradun was in progress.   Ma’s response to the demise of Bholanathji was unique, devotees were guessed Ma would be inconsolable, on the contrary, there was no sign of grief or remorse on her face, she was serene as usual, and her response was “Do you cry over a person’s movement from one room to another in the same house? Death is inevitable in the ocean of worldly existence, in the globe of immortality there is no death or loss, therefore no one lost to me.”  Do we need any more explanations to realize the truth about divine personalities?  Bholanathji accomplished his major task of bringing the souls together contemplating upon absolute Bhramam which is the safest heaven from the miseries and sorrows of worldly existence.  In this endeavor Bholanathji was accompanied by a huge number of pious, ascetic, dedicated people in the spiritual practice and devotional services; he spread harmony, compassion, selflessness, and humanity.   It reminds me of the golden verses from Srimad Bhagavad Gita  ‘Yadha Yadha Hi Dharmasya Glanir Bhavathi Bharatha: | Abhyuththanamadharmasya Thadhathmanam Srujamyaham’.  The demise of Universal father/Lord Shiva/Bholanathji, divine personified on Earth created a large vacuum in the hearts of devotees.   This divine couple will be always around us in their subtle forms to protect and comfort us from all the afflictions, pains, sorrows, miseries, and grief of worldly existence.

Sri Anandamayi Ma –

Pranams at the lotus feet of Ma !

Bholanathji went on a pilgrimage to Gangotri and many neighboring places; he stayed in Uttarakashi, and underwent severe austerities for two years at the guidance of Ma.  She often makes a visit to Bholanathji,  Ma could realize the progress he was made in attaining a higher state of spirituality, ascetics of Uttarakashi adore Bholanathji, his two years of rigorous religious practice was accomplished with the establishment of Kali image at Uttarkashi in the presence of Ma and her followers.  While he was in Shanbhag garden, Bholanathji used to spend ten to twelve hours in the recitation of sacred names, Ma’s father who was a profound player of musical instrument was led the recital program.  It was in 1938, sacred city Haridhwar was preparing to host Kumbhamela, Ma and Bholanathji were resided in the bungalow of Dr.Pant.   In the early morning Bholanathji with a group of devotees would prepare for ‘Namasankeerthan’ they apply sandalwood paste on their forehead and adore garland around the neck, they conduct recital of holy names in the presence of Ma in the bungalow courtyard for some time, after that they proceed for ‘Nagarkeertan’ recitation of holy names of Lord in the streets, that would continue for three to four hours a day, even the passers-by would join the group in a bliss.  The famous Kumbhamela was held on 14^th April 1938,  Bholanathji was accompanied by disciples to Bhramakund, where Naga saints assembled were used to take holy bath,  suddenly these Naga saints were pulled towards Bholanathji like a magnet,  they affectionately gave bath to the supreme being they have witnessed through several years of practice of asceticism.  Ma returned to Dehradun after Kumbhamela, but Bholanathji continued to stay in the association of pious people for another ten days.  On April 24^th Bholanathji returned to Dehradun with a severe infection of smallpox, he was completely down with fever and stomach-ache.