The walking Lord of Varanasi – Sri Thrailanga Swamiji

Pranams at the lotus feet of Swamiji!

Once Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa arrived in sacred Kashi, he felt some magnetic pull towards a divine soul, he conducted the search for that noble soul with few of his people.  It was extremely hot in Kashi, and he proceeded from Dhashashvamedha Ghat to northern areas, they have crossed many Ghats, they have to stop in between because of the extreme heat.   Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa was walking barefoot, rest of his followers were wearing footwear, there was Madhuranath Biswas who was son in law of Rani Rasmoni who was the founder of famous Dhakshineshvar Kali Temple in Kolkata.   Suddenly they have noticed a naked saint hurried towards them, he was spreading both the hands-on sideways, as if he was rushing towards to meet his long lost friend.   He embraced Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa as if two friends are meeting after several years.  Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa’s followers understood that this naked saint must be divine personified, otherwise, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa will not take up a journey in the extreme heat.  Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa said ‘Oh! dear fellows, why are you staring at us, prostrate before this Yogi, he is Lord Vishwanatha of Kashi, feel fortunate to have Dharshan of this noble-soul, prostrate before him and make your life fruitful.  My journey to Kashi has become rewarding now.”  These two saints remained in silence for a long time as if they are conversing in silence.  While returning Ramakrishna Paramahansa told Biswas Babu " I have met a flawless saint for the first time in life, what a beautiful physical feature, a sincere servant of Kali will not find any difficulties, she will protect him always.’ Biswas Babu was surprised to hear that Swamiji as a devotee of Ma Kali, they have not even visited the hermitage of Thrailangaswamiji, he was shocked how did Paramahansa know that Thrailanga Swamiji is a devotee of Ma Kali, Paramahansa replied that he had seen all the divine symbols of the devotee of Ma Kali in Swamiji’s body, he realized the spiritual powers of Swamiji in the embrace.  There was no Yogi in the last three hundred years like Thrailangaswamiji, he has no awareness of his body, everyone was finding to difficult to walk with foot-wear in the heat.  After this incident, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa often visited Thrailangaswamiji in his hermitage, they immerse in endless conversation about their spiritual practices, but the people assembled were not in a position to understand anything.  One day a miraculous event happened, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa was walking with his followers, all them were holding vessels, Ramakrishna Paramahansa said ‘Today I will feed my Lord Vishwanatha with Kheer/sweet soup. Let me see my Baba how much consume.’ Thrailangaswamiji smiled at the words of  Ramakrishna Paramahansa and he began to feed Thrailangaswamiji, he had nearly 20 big vessels of Kheer with no difficulties at one stretch and it is impossible for an ordinary person.  People who were watching this event were amazed.  Swamiji never refuse any meal offered with love and compassion, sometimes he won’t consume meal for a week, sometimes he drinks water and chew bale leaves.

The walking Lord of Varanasi – Sri Thrailanga Swamiji

Pranams at the lotus feet of Swamiji!

Vijaykrishna Goswami a twice-born before his Deeksha immersed in the practice of God-realization, he wanted to meet a divine personality who has achieved the highest state in spirituality, he visited various places in all over India, and finally arrived in Kashi.   He immediately understood there was only one prominent personality Thrailanga Swamiji who could guide him in search of spiritual seeking, he was worshiped as Walking Lord  Vishwanatha of Varanasi,  he remains silent most of the time, sometimes he answers the doubt of his devotees.   Vijayakrishna Goswami arrived to meet Thrailanga Swamiji, he was surprised to see Thrailangaswamiji’s enthusiasm, he heard of Swamiji that sometimes he undertakes meditation or dive into the waters of Ganga.   Goswamiji took Dharshan of Thrailangaswamiji two-three times, once he asked ‘Maharaj, have you seen God?’ Swamiji explained if I say yes I did it, you may burden with various question, you are capable to envision Lord, therefore you can do it and it is possible only with the help of a preceptor.” Goswamiji asked ‘Which preceptor? The guru who teaches the spirituality or initiate to Sanyasa? Or some other preceptor?’ Swamiji continued ‘ You should understand the significance of Guru, a preceptor is a supreme soul, a preceptor is a mother and father as well, a preceptor can save from the anger of deity, that is why we call Guru is Bhrama, Guru is Vishnu, Guru is supreme Lord Maheshwara, Guru is absolute Bhramam,  he is the only one can take us to the absolute Bhramam, therefore we always should worship preceptor.  There are two types of preceptor one is Shiksha Guru and another one is Dheeksha Guru. Unless and until we receive the wisdom of the Universe and its living beings, we can’t attain knowledge, without this knowledge it is impossible to attain Mukthi.   The preceptor is the source of Mukthi.’  In this way Thrailangaswamiji engages in conversation with Goswamiji, it is usual to engage in conversation like this with a suitable discipline, but Swamiji’s plans were different, they share the intricate knowledge of Brahmam which was lacking in Goswamiji.   Swamiji never entertains these kinds of lectures with ordinary people.  One day, Goswamiji came to meet Swamiji, and they both went for a walk, he was surprised at this, while walking on the shores of Ganga, they reached at Varunasangam near Adhikeshav shrine.   Swamiji asked Goswamiji to take a dip in Ganga, he said ‘I will give you Dheeksha today’.  Goswamiji stunned at the words of Swamiji.  Goswamiji asked why did he choose to give Dheeksha, Swamiji said it was his wish, then Goswamiji said he is not willing to take up Dheeksha from Swamiji.   Goswamiji said he don’t want to take Dheeksha from a person who passes urine on the Shivlinga. Thrailangaswamiji said ‘ I will definitely give you Dheeksha, that is why I have taken you here, I have to follow the instruction of supreme spirit, therefore go and follow my orders.” Goswamiji was stubborn to follow the order, therefore Swamiji dragged him into waters and dipped him, Goswamiji was screaming for help, but no one was there to help him. After that Swamiji meticulously followed the Dheeksha procedures and Kriyas were followed, at the end Goswamiji was transformed into all new person as if raised from a dream he reverentially has fallen flat on the feet of Swamiji. Swamiji continued ‘ It is not your final Dheeksha, you will receive Dheeksha and Beejakshara Manthra from  your Guru when the time comes, at that moment you can have Dharshan of your favorite Lord.”  It was the query he was made to Swamiji in his first meeting.  He was advised to have patience until he meets his preceptor.

The walking Lord of Varanasi – Sri Thrailanga Swamiji

Pranams at the lotus feet of Swamiji!

There was a woman named Ambalika, she believed Swamiji as Lord Vishwanatha, every morning she takes a dip in holy Ganga and visit Swamiji with a handful of flowers and fruits, she had a daughter named Shankari, she also follows her mother in the worship of Baba, soon she also became a staunch devotee of Swamiji.   Once the whole Kashi was afflicted with the chicken pox and Shankari was also fallen severely ill, seeing the critical situation of daughter Ambalika became inconsolable, taking bath and consuming the meal has become difficult, suddenly Shankari stopped talking, Ambalika understood that Shankari cannot be saved, she sat at the head side of her daughter and started weeping, Shankari said ‘Ma, why are you weeping?’ Ambalika said ‘ I am not in a position to see your troubles and  unbearable pains, why we are lacking mercy of Lord Vishwanatha and Swamiji? I am unfortunate to have the blessings of Swamiji,” Shankari said ‘No Ma, see Swamiji is standing close to you, look at him.’ Ambalika was shocked and looked around in search of Swamiji, she did not see Swamiji, she thought it was Shankari’s illusion, Ambalika kept asking about Swamiji, Shankri took the hands of her mother and put it on the feet of Swamiji, at that moment, she could visualize Thrailanga Swamiji, he replied ‘ Don’t worry my child, your daughter will be fine very soon, it is not her Mrithyuyog/time for death,’ After few days Shankari became perfectly hail and healthy.  There was an idol of Lord Ramachandra in the house of Ambalika, Shankari used to worship that idol and play with it as if her childhood playmate. One day she thought why should I worship a wooden idol, she decided to worship Thrailangaswamiji as her mother does, that was the moment her mother was not at home, she had gone to have a bath and worship of Swamiji.  Shankari took a vessel of Ganga water and decided to go Thrailangaswamiji’s hermitage, she looked at the wooden idol of Ramachandra but it was disappeared, where she could see Swamiji sitting on the place of the idol, ‘Child, you can do my worship, I am here for you.’ While doing worship she became attained transcendental state, she got out of the Samadhi and found that idol of Ramachandra in its place, she thought it was her illusion, she came to the hermitage of Thrailangaswamiji, and saw he was in a transcendental state, she was surprised to see the garland she was adorned Swamiji while worship at home was still on his neck, Swamiji got out of the Samadhi, Shankari asked ‘Baba, who adorned you with this garland,’ Baba smiled at her said ‘It was you did it’ small Shankari who was eight years of age was astonished, she adorned it while Swamiji was at home, how come the same garland in the neck of Swamiji, she kept on thinking about it.  One day Swamiji was leaving to Ganga for bathing, he saw Shankari and asked her to follow him, he made to sit her on the Ghat and he dived in the waters of Ganga, he took Shankari in hand and asked her to take bath, Shankari said she is not familiar with swimming, Swamiji said to travel on her back, he carried Shankari on his upper back and dived into the waters, soon Shankari realized they were sitting in a house near Gangaghat, he asked Shankari ‘ Child, where are we sitting now?’ she said ‘ it seems new building’ there was a girl child standing before her of the same age, Shankari asked ‘Baba, who is this girl?’ Thrailangaswamiji said it is ‘ It is Supreme Goddess Sri Bhagavathi, child prostrate before her.’ She followed Swamiji, she asked ‘ Baba, where is mother Ganga?’ Swamiji said ‘check with your hands, you will find it’ Shankari realized water all around her, later she realized that she was sitting on the shore of Ganga and Babaji was taking a dip in Ganga. Shankari asked Baba’ Baba, where were we?’ Swamiji said you are a sinless child that is the reason you could reach that supreme state.

The walking Lord of Varanasi – Sri Thrailanga Swamiji

Pranams at the lotus feet of Swamiji!

 It was in 1810 King of Ujjain arrived in Kashi and stayed as a guest of King of Kashi, while these two kings were traveling on a ferry, they could see a saint floating on the waters of Panchaganga Ghat.  King of Ujjain was surprised to see this Yogi, King of Kashi explained the miracles of Thrailangaswamiji, he also added that he is the Lord Vishwanatha of Kashi, he has various supernatural powers.   King of Ujjain was so impressed with the various miracles of Swamiji and requested if Swamiji could be seated with them on the ferry, he could have to get more acquaintance with the Swamiji, the ferry was moved near to Swamiji, before that Swamiji took a flight and landed on the ferry, people on the ferry were stunned, both the Kings reverentially greeted Swamiji and engaged in conversation.  Ujjain King spoke “ Swamiji, we all are here under the instruction of the supreme spirit to perform our duties and responsibilities, taking part in happiness as well as miseries, sorrows, and grief, after that we are going back to the supreme spirit, Is there any life after death?’ Swamiji replied, all those created by the supreme spirit merge with him at the end, therefore it is certain all the originated from the supreme spirit should merge with him only, Yogis realizes the truth that soul and the supreme soul is the same, King of Kashi could not understand anything of Swamiji’s speech, he was not at all interested in the speech of Swamiji.   Suddenly Swamiji took the sword from King of Kashi and threw it in the water, King was so infuriated, even the King of Ujjain felt  Swamiji is too rude,  Swamiji told the King of Kashi that he will get his sword as soon as they reach on the river bank, Swamiji got out of the ferry, King of Kashi told Swamiji to don’t move from the place while his men conduct search for his sword, King was thinking that if he did not get his sword, he will imprison this ascetic and put an end to his rudeness, Swamiji who was knower of all understood the state of mind of King of Kashi, Swamiji put his hand in the water and took two swords and handed to King and asked to search his own sword, but King failed to choose his own, Swamiji asked  why he is so upset about a thing which does not belong to him at all, if he was familiar with his sword he would have picked up the right one, Swamiji picked the right sword and handed to King of Kashi and threw the remaining one and left the ferry.  The two Kings were rushed behind Swamiji and prostrated before him, King of Kashi said “ Maharaj, kindly forgive me, I have committed mistake.  Kindly forgive me otherwise, I will not live in peace, you are a compassionate and noble soul, you have to forgive this sinner.”  Swamiji was an Ashuthoshi too pleased with the humbleness of the Kings, he advised him not to insult any noble saint in the future, because the rage of an ascetic could bring inauspiciousness and advised not to mistreat any ascetic, and all are different from each other.   After saying this he dived into the waters while watching he disappeared from the sight.  These two Kings waited for Swamiji’s return for long, but Swamiji did not come back. 

The walking Lord of Varanasi – Sri Thrailanga Swamiji

Pranams at the lotus feet of Swamiji!

Once many English officials and women were arrived in Panchaganga Ghat and noticed a naked saint wandering shamelessly, they were infuriated and filed a complaint against naked Swamiji, new officer arrested Swamiji, the news of Swamiji’s arrest spread across the city like a forest fire and people were worried and expected something terrible going to happen this time.   English officer decided to keep an eye on Swamiji, therefore he took the job of supervision of Swamiji, within a few minutes of his arrest, they could see Swamiji walking on the courtyard freely, English officer shouted at his assistants for their irresponsibility, assistants pleaded him that it was not their mistake  Swamiji  out of the cell, asked the officer to check the prison which was locked with two heavy locks, they explained their pathetic  situation whenever they get hold of Swamiji he disappears with magical powers, the officer checked the cell it was full of water with an absurd smell, he asked the assistants but Swamiji replied that he want to pass urine in the night, so he did it, that is too little, later came out of the cell and wanted to roam around in the open air, it was not the fault of his assistants, English officer was not willing to believe any of these, so ordered to arrest Swamiji again, after sometime Swamiji appeared before him stark naked, Swamiji spoke ‘ A Western nonbeliever know nothing about Indian ascetics? You cannot keep me locked, because you have no power to do that, in future never miss-behave like this to a holy saint, otherwise you cannot save yourself from his anger.” Before listening to the whole speech of Swamiji, English Officer fell unconscious, the whole court was in chaos, Swamiji has vanished long back.  Once again an order was passed no one should disturb Thrailanga Swamiji and his spiritual practices; he is free to walk unclothed all over the place.

The walking Lord of Varanasi – Sri Thrailanga Swamiji

Pranams at the lotus feet of Swamiji!

 During those days Kashi was ruled by King of Kashi, while India was under the regime of British rule.  Swamiji was always moved around without clothes, it disturbed the locals so they compliant to police,   English men questioned him and informed him that Swamiji is not allowed to roam around without clothes, it is a crime to walk around naked, therefore they requested Swamiji to cover with clothes, but he did not pay any attention to their words, the judge got infuriated and ordered to arrest Swamiji, suddenly Swamiji disappeared from their sight.  The whole court was stunned at this, they continued search for Swamiji.  There was a pious Bengali officer in the court informed the officer that it is very normal among the ascetics to roam around undressed, and Thrailanga Swamiji is not an ordinary person to talk about, he is Yogeshvara, he has no difference of a home or prison, he is void of impurities like fear, hatred, pride, jealous, desire, anger, lust, etc… he said Swamiji has no difference of sandalwood paste or secretion, after this conversation they could see Thrailangaswamiji in the courtroom.  English officer did not believe the Bengali officer, Indians will always have a soft corner for their people, and moreover English man’s pride was not willing to accept the holiness of Swamiji, he asked Swamiji to eat his meal, it was the meat of a cow, English officer was very sure about the fact that ascetics will not consume meat, and that to cow meat is unthinkable for them.  Swamiji replied that he can consume his meal, before that the English personnel should eat Swamiji’s meal, English man thought it must be fruit or milk which is the usual meal of ascetic, but Swamiji collected a handful of his urine and told him it is his today’s meal, and asked him to consume it, English officer was shocked and remained pale, Swamiji without any hesitation consumed his urine.  Finally, he realized the divine powers of Swamiji and asked him to release and Swamiji is allowed to roam around Kashi as the way he wants, no one should put any ban or complaints on Swamiji. 

The walking Lord of Varanasi – Sri Thrailanga Swamiji

Pranams at the lotus feet of Swamiji!

Swamiji’s fame spread all over Kashi, people started crowding to visit Swamiji, there were several people who were suffering from various illnesses, and he blessed them all and kept giving sacred ashes.  Later, he moved to Dhashashwamedh Ghat due to the huge crowd of people, here to people crowded to get blessings of Swamiji, they offered numerous things, but Swamiji was really fed up of the crowd, decided to keep the vow of silence and immerses in deep meditation, all the contributions were offered to needy people.  But one person was not willing to back out, he used to visit Swamiji on a regular basis and find Swamiji observing the vow of silence, later he was frustrated to see this, he wants to take revenge on Swamiji, he brought one bucket of slaked lime mix water and kept before Swamiji, he told Swamiji that he brought milk from home and requested him to drink it.  Swamiji who is omniscient, drank the whole bucket liquid of slaked lime, the person who was watching before him with an evil pleasure, that night he started to roll on the ground with miserable pain, next morning he rushed to Swamiji and fallen at his feet, Swamiji put his hand on the forehead of the person, he slowly regained his normal state, he was ashamed of his deceitful act.  Swamiji moved Panchaganga Ghat and stayed near Bindhumadhav shrine, after that he did not leave Panchaganga Ghat in his whole life and many of his miracles were performed in Panchaganga Ghat.