Swami Sri Bolananda Giri Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Giri Maharaj!

Chapter – 14

The number of people increased in the Ashram.  The disciple and devotees had to face the constant trouble of monkeys in this Ashram, many a time Rotis were missing, clothes kept for drying were missing and torn.   The monkeys mishandled the boxes of rice, wheat flour, and grains and kept in the storehouse and messed it all over the floor, even the places like Ayodhya, Mathura, and Gokul also had the same trouble of monkeys.  The disciples were complaint to Guruji about the troubles of monkey habits. It was a strict order from the preceptor that ‘None of the animals or humans should mistreat or hurt in the Ashram.”  Even the devotees started complaining about the same to Maharaj, he came out in the garden and said “ Monkeys, you should be in the place where you are supposed to be, you are troubling my disciples and devotees, they are finding it difficult to perform their simple tasks, and they are not harming you because of my order, it does not mean that you are free to do all your monkey acts here, you have the right to eat the fruits of the Ashram, my disciples and devotees will feed you happily, but never torn off the clothes kept for drying, or should not touch the storehouse ingredients,  Do you all understand that?.” All the monkeys assembled before him like they were listening to the lectures of Bholanandji, devotees and disciples looked at this with amazement, there was an old monkey sitting close to Bholanandj, it responded with its tilting head as if he understood the lectures of Maharaj, rest of the monkeys were kept silent.  Bholanandji said “You have all the right to eat fruits from the Ashram; if you disturb us we have the right to scold you and chase you from here. Is that okay?” The elderly monkey shook its head and agreed to it.  The next day onwards, the Ashram was free from the troubles of monkeys.

Baba Bholanand Giri was a great saint, who does not find any difference in humans and animals.  He treated everyone with kindness and humility, he was unforgiving to his disciple and took great care of them, and he sincerely wanted them to achieve great heights in spirituality.  Prabhupada Vijaykrishna Goswamiji used to comment about Baba Bhlonand Giri “ He is a supreme Yogi”.   It was on 8^th May 1929 Bholanand Giri Maharaj attained Mahasamadhi in his Haridhwar Ashram.

Swami Sri Bolananda Giri Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Giri Maharaj!

Chapter – 13

There was a fervent devotee of Bholanand Giri Maharaj, he was  skilled in hunting, he went to a dense wood for hunting with his friends, Sundarban is a famous forest in Bengal and it is one of the most hazardous too.  He was enthusiastically conducted search for wild animals finally he was lost in the wood.  He had an encounter with a bear,  he did not carry a gun and all he was carrying was a knife, he was pretty sure that he cannot survive with this weapon so long, but he was too adventurous, he decided to fight for life, finally, he fell severely wounded and understood his death is coming closer.  Commonly all the people remember Supreme Lord at the time of troubles, he remembered his Guruji and screamed “Jai Gurudev”, soon he heard a voice instructing him “Go and fight for life, don’t leave your hopes.” He regained all the strength and fought with the bear and shoved it down the hill, he thought his feeble hands made miracles; soon he realized it was the pure blessings of Guruji otherwise he would have died by now.

Bholanand Giri Maharaj used to deliver lectures on his preceptor to his disciples; he used to discuss miraculous incidents with them.  While giving lectures, he described a hilarious incident that took place in the house of his devotee who was a wealthy Seth from Bombay.   Once he conducted a spiritual tour to Bombay, during this time he stayed in the home of a wealthy Seth.  The Sethji couple had one daughter, he was hoping for a boy child to take care of his wealth, but it did not happen.  Sethji made a request seeing the young and sturdy Swamiji, “ Swamiji, will you do me a favor, can you reside with us forever, I have an only daughter and no other child, kindly accept my daughter as your wedded wife and take care of my properties and wealth.” Bholanandji was surprised to hear from him, he did not even recognize him as a saint.  He did not understand why Sethji made a request like that.  Bholanandji asked, “ Why are you tired of taking pleasure in it, you have immense wealth, huge house and vehicles, and servants to attend your needs, are you tired of all these and no more interest in taking pleasure in it?” Sethji said, “ You are right, I am tired of all these, I have everything in this life, but I am lacking peace of mind. I am mentally worn out of various worries.  I wanted to get relieved from all these and conduct spiritual trips and engage in Keerthan and Bhajan.”  Bholanandji asked “If it was a burden for you to look after this wealth which creates constant worries, why you want to fasten me with all your worries? If I want to be a rich person, I would not take up Sanyasa, or wander around with the begging bowl. Kindly excuse me, I do not want to be a Grihastha, I am a sanyasi.”  This incident gave new inspiration to Bholanandji, he abandoned living in the houses of devotees and moved to Haridwar.  He built a hermitage, in the meantime his preceptor Gulab Giri Maharaj was attained Mahasamadhi. 

Swami Sri Bolananda Giri Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Giri Maharaj!

Chapter – 12

It was Kumbhamela in Prayag, there were Dhashanami saints assembled in the Ganga Ghat which was packed with a huge crowd of saints, holy men, ascetics, and devotees.  Suddenly the crowd of Sanyasis had a big argument about Prabhupada Vijaykrishna Goswamiji.  Dhashanami saints do not want Prabhupada Vijayakrishna Goswamiji who was a Grihasthi Sanyasi, arrived with his wife to construct a tent in their area,  Bholanandji came to know about this argument, he rushed to the site to clear the dispute and said “ What are you doing here? Goswamiji is a great Sanyasi, although he is a Grihastha, he had attained highest of the state in spirituality, in fact, many of you could not even imagine.  If he wants he can perform Rudra Thandav on this land.”  The saints assembled became quite after listening to Bholanandji.  He went to meet Goswamiji and said: “ My Ashutosh, don’t get angry, these are children practicing asceticism, kindly forgive them.” Goswamiji said “ Maharaj, I have done that already. Kindly take your seat.”  Later Prabhupada Vijay Krishna Goswami said to his devotees, “ Our Bholanand Giri Swamiji is a unique saint of this Yuga  if he wants he can destroy this Universe with his Thapobal.”

Bholanandji was a great Yogi, who always strived hard to bring harmony and peace among the ascetics, he was well known for humility, simplicity, kindness. He was one of the Dhashanami Sanyasi of Giri sect, a system of monastic tradition associated with Adhvaitha Vedanta Tradition.   Thridandi Sanyasin are Vaishnav Sanyasin and Ekadandi worship Lord Shiva and wear sacred thread across the chest, Ekadandi Sannyasins do not wear the sacred thread, and people from any caste or religion can seek Sanyasashram according to Dhashanami Sampradaya which was established by Sri Adi Shankaracharya.

Bholanandji had a great liking to saint Gambheernath from Nath Sampradaya, during the period of Kumbhamela, he said “ My tent is for Gambheernath and Goswami, after that all my disciple can occupy the place.”  These two saints are Yugapurushas, not possible to understand their glorious myths for ordinary people.

Swami Sri Bolananda Giri Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Giri Maharaj!

Chapter – 11

There was a devoted disciple  Achalnath Mithra from Kolkata, he was a famous attorney in the city of Kolkata.  He had a desire to host Babaji in his house during the occasion of Puja, Guruji arrived to fulfill the desire of his disciple.  There was a huge crowd of people from Kolkata and nearby places, Bholanandji give lectures on a regular basis, he had to return to Haridwar on Dusshera.  Achalnath Mithra got arranged the vehicle for Bholaandji to Haridwar, and the entire luggage was loaded in the cart.  At that moment, Mohini Mohan Chakraborty, one of the disciples of Bholanandji arrived there.  He had a desire to invite Bholanandji to visit his home once so that his family will remain blessed. He used to attend Guruji’s lecture on a regular basis, he wanted to request Guruji to visit his house so long, but he could not get an opportunity, and he was too timid to ask anything, seeing Guruji’s return Mohini Mohan Chakraborty could not control his emotions, he sincerely prayed in his heart “You know my desire, why are you ignoring me? Won’t you fulfill my desire? Am I so lowly creature to you?” while looking at him, he left to Haridwar.  Chakraborthy’s desire was kept hidden in his heart, he returned home disappointed, His wife asked him “Where were you? Gurudev came here and gone. You did not get a chance to meet him.” Chakraborty shrieked with joy “ What? Gurudev visited our home? When?” she said “ Yes, a few minutes back. He blessed me and returned to his vehicle.  He did not stay too long.  He must be leaving to somewhere.”  He was extremely happy to notice his Antharyami Gurudev fulfilled his desire.  His eyes were soaked in tears.

Swami Sri Bolananda Giri Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Giri Maharaj!

Chapter – 10

Sri Amarnath Rai who was lived in Srihut district, Assam was a fervent devotee of Swami Bhoalanda Giri, his only son became ill, his health was deteriorating after several months of treatment, his entire family felt miserable.  Soon he received a message from Bholanandji to conduct Namasankeerthan and charities; there was nothing much written in the message other than these two sentences.  On the same night after the recitation of Nama, his son put his hands around his father’s neck and said “Father, I am feeling better now.”  The child was unconscious in the whole day till afternoon became alright by night, his father got shocked, he could not believe, with tears overflowing he hugged his son.  His son said “Father, why are you crying? I am alright now, a few minutes back Guruji Maharaj came, he sprinkled water on me from his Kamandalu, I am feeling good now. ” Amarnath Rai asked “ Guruji Maharaj came? When and where?” Amarnath Rai shocked, his son said “ He came a few minutes back, there was one more Baba with him,” at that moment the people assembled were confused and could not believe anything, he asked, “Did you recall the appearance of Guru Maharaj, could you describe please ?” His son said “He had long stature, medium built body, his head was covered with a turban, Kamandalu on hand and radiant body,” Amarnath Rai realized the boy was giving the right description of Guruji.  The boy said “Don’t you believe my words? He sprinkled water on me from his Kamandalu, see my hands and face, you can see the drops of water” People assembled were looked at the child in awe.  Amarnath Rai sincerely prayed to Guruji with all his heart.

A few days after that incident, Bholanandji, while he was in the Ashram in Haridwar, received a message from Amarnath Rai.  Bholanandji smiled and called his disciple “  I have received a message from Amarnath Rai from Srihut, he mentioned in his letter that I have visited his home in Srihut, Assam and cured his sick child.  You all know that I did not make any visit for the past few months; it is the pastimes of the Supreme Lord.  It is definite that if we pray sincerely with dedication and faith, he will shower his grace on all occasions. This is the reason I am telling you all to conduct meditation sincerely with intense devotion and faith, contemplate upon the Supreme Lord.  We do not know after how many births we have attained the birth of a human, human life is like a dewdrop, past and future is not with us, the present is with us, therefore always contemplate upon Paramathma,”

Swami Sri Bolananda Giri Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Giri Maharaj!

Chapter – 9

The famous Mathematician Somesh Chandra and his wife had shared a unique relationship; these couples were too affectionate with each other.  He lost his wife; in her absence, he slowly cultivated the sense of abandonment towards everything.  He spends a good part of his life in the veneration of Lord and recitation of Namasankeerthan.  He approached many preceptors seeking for Dheeksha, unfortunately, he could not make it real.  This Mathematician put forward a condition that he will choose a preceptor who can give Dheeksha to him and his deceased wife, honestly, this condition made the preceptors to keep him away.  It is believed that after death, the soul immerses with the five essential elements.  The Preceptors questioned him “how is it possible to recall the soul and give Dheeksha, which is already immersed in the five elements.    We are not a superhuman who can bring the dead person alive.”  But the Mathematician was not willing to accept any of these explanations; he continued his journey to several places in search of a preceptor who is willing to follow his condition.  Finally, he arrived at the hermitage of  Bholanandji and narrated his story, Bholanandji smiled and said “Don’t’ worry, everything will work the way you want.  I will give Dheeksha to both of you.” The mathematician could not believe his words; he was in a state of bliss.  He felt “ At last, I have made it, I have found my Guru.”  The mathematician had a doubt, “ How did I know my wife received Dheeksha or not. Is it possible for her to appear as an ordinary human being?”  Bholanandji said “Definitely, she will appear before you and sit with you to receive Dheeksha. You can see her before your eyes, but you have to promise me that you will not touch her.”  The mathematician readily agreed for the conditions of Bholanandji, an auspicious day has chosen to give Dheeksha to Mathematician and his wife, three seats were arranged and one for preceptor and another two for Mathematician and his deceased wife. The mathematician took his seat, and Bholanandji next to him, and Dheeksha rituals began.  

Mathematician looked at his left and startled,  he saw his wife seated next to him, and she had the same appearance, usual attire, and smile.  They looked at each other with intense love; soon he remembered the words of his preceptor not to touch her.  He controlled his senses, Bholanandji whispered Beejamanthra in his ears and later to his wife, they both prostrated before Bholanandji, soon his wife disappeared from the sight.  The mathematician was so thrilled and happy to see his wish was fulfilled after so long.  He shed tears of joy at the feet of Bholanandji.

Swami Sri Bolananda Giri Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Giri Maharaj!

Chapter – 8

Once Mahamahopadhyay Gopinath Kaviraj enquired Bholanandji about the significance and secrets of Ajapa Japa,  Bholanandji replied “ The primary organs of the respiratory system are lungs, which function to take in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide,  Ajapa Japa Sadhana is the process of uniting  breathe with the sounds of Pranava Manthra.  The process of breathing begins the moment child comes out its mother’ womb and removed its umbilical code from its mother, the process of breathing continues from here till the individual declared as dead, while the child in the womb of its mother, it breathes with the help of umbilical code and consume liquids through it, the development in a child takes place with the breath of its mother.  When the child comes out of the mother’s womb, it will instantly persuade by illusion, the duration from birth to death is the journey of life.   The Ajapa Sadhana is the technique utilizing the breath as the prime source and blends it with the Pranava Manthra.  There are not many restrictions or physical exercises are involved in this practice of Ajapa Japa Sadhana and the fruit of this Sadhana depends on the commitment and devotion to it.”

A disciple cannot achieve the respect of his preceptor without the intense and devoted practice of Tapasya and meditation practices.  This intense practice of Tapasya removes impurities; it increases mental strength and physical stamina as well.  A Grihasthi has to follow all the Dharmic rites to obtain purity of mind and intellect, he has to perform all the spiritual and religious rites; he has to produce virtuous offspring to attain Moksha.  In the same manner, a preceptor and a disciple will have the relationship of father and son, a preceptor guides his disciple meticulously, ultimately it is the responsibility of the disciple to put great effort in the form of extreme penances, the vow of celibacy, and meditation for achieving spiritual heights.  Bholanandji was too strict to his disciple and was too kind to his devotees.

Swami Sri Bolananda Giri Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Giri Maharaj!

Chapter – 7

Bholanandji with his disciple arrived in the hermitage which was located in Prasthana, Kurukshetra. He narrated all that happened in the Himalaya during the Tapasya to his preceptor.  Gurudev was extremely happy at his advancement, he said “ I have given all that own by me, you are flawless now, my blessings are always with you.  You can build your own hermitage, you do not need my help anymore, and you are well capable to conduct your spiritual practices at your will.”  He continued Tapasya in Himalaya for several years and later he arrived in Lalthara in Haridhwar.  He liked this place for meditation and practices, soon his fame spread all over this place, his devotees and disciples grew in large numbers.  He had adopted the same practices and disciplinary methods of his preceptor.  He taught the disciple to work in agricultural fields, daily chores in the Ashram, cleaning, and maintenance, cooking meals for the Ashram people and devotees, engages in the practice of Yoga and meditation, daily rites, etc...  He used to impose strict punishments on the disciple who commit any fault or laziness at work.  When he becomes cool down, he calls for the disciple and showers an abundance of love.

Swami Sri Bolananda Giri Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Giri Maharaj!

Chapter – 6

Once Bholanandji was sitting in Padmasana and conducting meditation, there appeared a bear and pounced upon him from the back, Bholanandji courageously fought with it, finally, he took the bear and thrown down the hill, he said “There you go I am going my own way.” and came out severely wounded.  He continued to explore the dense wood for Tapasya, soon he found difficulty in finding rooted vegetables or any meals, he continued Tapasya, without a meal, eventually, his body shown the sign of deterioration,  he was consuming leaves and water that all he could get in the wild forest.  In the summer, the watercourse also stopped, he came out a long way for fetching the water, and due to exhaustion, he was fallen unconscious in the water.  When he opened his eyes, saw a tribal man taking care of him, he had consumed a lot of water due to this his lungs were blocked.  The tribal man said “I do not know how you ended up in the water when I saw your body was floating on the water; I thought it is a lifeless body, but I realized the heartbeat, so I brought you here. Kindly treat this home like yours, you can relax here.”  With the help of the tribal man, Bholanandji got recovered from this incident.  Later, he gave Dheeksha to the tribal man, for his humility and kindness.  This tribal man was the first disciple of Bholananda Giri Swamiji.

Swami Sri Bolananda Giri Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Giri Maharaj!

Chapter – 5

Once Gulab Giri Maharaj shouted at Bholanand “ Get out of my hermitage, go out wearing a loincloth, you are no longer belongs to this Mutt,” He sincerely followed the order of Guruji and came out of the hermitage and stood under a tree, it was one icy cold night, he had nothing other than a loincloth on his body, an icy wind was piercing through his skin, he sincerely prayed “ Gurudev, this body is yours, I cannot leave your shelter, I do not want to go anywhere,  do as you wish.  I will not leave your feet until I leave this world.”

The next morning Guruji came out of the hermitage and saw his favorite disciple Bholanand standing under a tree, holding both the hands together close to the body, Gulab Giri Maharaj asked “ Why are you standing here? No prayer or meditation? Go to the shrine and make arrangements for the worship.” Bholanandji was well aware of his Gurudev's nature, he prostrated before Guruji and entered inside the Ashram.

One day Gurudev called Bholanand and said “ Vathsa,  you have to conduct penance for a few days, and you will be accompanied by three Bhramacharis, you come back after finishing the practice, I will let you know what to do next.”  Bholanandji and three Brahmachari's arrived in Himalaya,  found a cave on a beautiful mountain peak, they have chosen it as their Karmabhoomi, there was a river close to this place, this mountain peak was surrounded by dense forest in all four sides.  They have cleaned the cave and engaged in meditation, they constructed bone fire in the night to protect themselves from the wild animals and they conducted the recitation of Manthra.  One night, the fire went off in the middle of the night, they saw a bear with its tongue hanging out, it was standing on the entry point of the cave, its eyes were sparkling.  Bholanandji advised the Bhramacharis not to get scared, sit on their place and keep reciting the Manthra, pray to the preceptor he will protect.  One of the Brahmachari Prakashchandra was too nervous; suddenly he rose from the seat to hide in a safe place.   The bear pounced upon the Bhramachari and dragged him to the woods.  Bholanandji said “If he had firm faith and recited Manthra, remembering the preceptor, he would have been saved from the bear, a preceptor never leaves his disciple in troubles, and he always protects them.  Therefore Prakashchandra is responsible for his  death.”

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.

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.

Swami Sri Bolananda Giri Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Giri Maharaj!

Chapter – 2

One day Nanda Devi was in deep sleep, she saw a dream in that Lord of Lords standing before her and said “Daughter, why are you so distressed? Your son is in search of spirituality, he went to search for the ultimate truth, he will not come back, and he has embraced Sanyasa.  He is conducting Tapasya, it would bring welfare to your family as well. You want a son right? I will give you a boon, you will become the mother of three virtuous offspring, but these three children would become great Yogis.  The youngest one will be with you. You will be respected and honored in the whole world for becoming the mother of great Yogis.  Your children will remove the sufferings and miseries of worldly existence.” Lord Mahadev disappeared from her sight.  Nanda Devi opened her eyes, she was shocked and raised from her bed, and she saw her husband was in deep sleep.  There was the chirping of birds in the early hours of dawn,  Nanda Devi wakes him up and narrated her dream.  He said “dreams in the early hours of dawn would become true, hope we will have the fortune to become parents of virtuous offspring.  You continue your prayers and worship. Lord Mahadeva will not leave us in distress.”

Swami Sri Bolananda Giri Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Giri Maharaj!

Chapter – 1

Smt. Nanda Devi and her husband Bhrama Das had no offspring after several years of marriage.  The elderly women of the village advised Nanda Devi to conduct fasting, worship Peepal tree, conduct veneration of Lord Mahadev, and perform charity to saints and holy men.   Nanda Devi sincerely followed the advice of elderly people and conducted the veneration of Lord of Lords Mahadeva.   In due course of time Nandadevi conceived a child and the child was named as Rathan Das, it was the traditional practice in their household to address the firstborn in the name of paternal grandfather.  Rathan Das was brought up in a happy and loving atmosphere.  This child has grown up to an adult, soon the boy went missing.  Nanda Devi and Bhrama Das shattered at the missing of their only child Rathan Das, they were tormented at his separation, and they lost peace and happiness.   They were tortured by his thoughts without knowing the whereabouts of the child.  They were constantly worried at the thought of “Where did he go? How did he manage to get meals? Where did he sleep?”.  When Rathan Das was at home, he never asks for a meal, it was his mother dutifully feed him on time.  The parents were spent their days in tears and distress.   She sincerely prayed to Lord Mahadev to bring her son back to their life otherwise they would give up their life in grief.  The parents were inconsolable at the separation of their son.