Yogi Sri Balanand Bhramachari

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Balanand Bhramachari!

Chapter - 2

One day Narmada Bai said “ If you cannot do any of the household duties, what is your plan with your life?  Are you going to be a saint?” Peethambar silently moved away from her, he kept thinking about his mother’s cynical comment, it keeps echoing in his mind, it stirred the real form of his inner mind,   instantly he felt he found his long lost path, piousness of his previous birth were awakened, soon he disappeared from the sight of his mother Narmada Bai.

One day Peethabar burnt all his clothes, he was adorned in sacred ashes all over the body and attired in loin cloth appeared before his mother.  He said “ Mother, I have become a  real saint,” his mother laughed at him, but this was not a fun costume for Peethambar, he was already made up his mind to become Sanyasin the day his mother has questioned him whether he is going to be responsible or become saint, though it was not an uncalculated comment from her, it came out as the slip of the tongue.  After this the incident, Peethambar’s  Upanayana Samskara was performed at the age of nine, three or four days after he left the home forever.  His mother’s love could not stop him.  Narmada Bai lost all her hopes, Peethambar was the only solace and future for her, that too gone.

Ma Narmada Bai arrived at the shrine of Lord Mahakal, one of the famous Jyothirlinga Kshethra and shed tears of separation from her only son Peethambar.  Narmada Bai continued meditation for forty years, her prayers and tears did not go waste.  It was a few miles away from Deoghar, there was Mount Thapovan, she stood up the hill and called out for her son till the arrival of dusk, listening to her call one Sanyasin arrived and stood close to her. His face has great effulgence, he had an unshaven face and heavy matted hair locks.  Sannyasin prostrated at the feet of  Narmada Bai,  and the Sannyasin uttered “ Ma”, she embraced the Sanyasin, “ This is my Peethambar,” mothers eyes overfilled with tears of joy.  This is the story of the child Peethambar who left his mother and accepted Sanyasa and became one of the famous Yogi Balananda Bhramachari.

Yogi Sri Balanand Bhramachari

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Balanand Bhramachari!

Chapter - 1

Sri Balanand Bhramachari was born to a pious Brahmin couple in Ujjain, his childhood name was Peethambar.  He was born in a family that strictly follows disciplines, conducts spiritual rites; they take up the position of priest in the shrine, read scriptures and perform all the religious rites.  He got admission in a  school close to his home, but his mind was not in studies, he was too naughty and engages in various amusements.  Peethambar was not like ordinary children, he had a great interest in spirituality and meditation.  He always roams around the beautiful river banks of Kshipra, he spends a lot of time  contemplating in the cave of Mahayogi Gorakhnath, he will be roaming in Mahakal Kund or Sandheepani Maharishi hermitage located in the middle of the woods, he is fearless to explore any isolated places where people scared to visit during day time, he spends several nights in the isolated places without any fear.  His mother Narmada Bai was too anxious about the behavior of this child. She was taking good care of Peethambar after the death of her husband that was happened while the child was too young.  The financial condition of the family was too grim, they had a small piece of land, but Peethambar was not aware of agriculture and has no interest in learning to do any agricultural activities.  Narmada Bai was worried about the future of Peethambar who has no interest in studies, he is not even capable of taking care of the piece of land got it as father’s property.  She had deep concern about his future and used to argue with Peethambar about all these things and often ends up in fights. 

Mahasiddha  Baba Balaknath

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Balaknath Maharaj!

Chapter - 6

There was a dreadful demon in the dense wood of Saurashtra, he assumes any form at his will, he eats alive the children whoever passes through this forest, once a child with his mother was crossing the woods, and he was taken away by the demon assuming the form of a tiger.  The mother of the child took shelter under Guruji Dhaththathreya.  Seeing the pathetic state of the mother, Balaknath said “ Guruji, kindly give me an order to save the child from the demon.  I need your blessings.” Guruji Dhaththathreya was happy at the initiative taken by Balaknath.  He arrived in the dense forest and with his Divya Drishti, he understood the demon disguised in the form of a saint and meditating.  Soon the demon appeared in his original form and produced deafening laugh at Balaknath, he could strike off the Earth and the essential elements with his appalling nature.  Balaknath and the demon entered in a vicious battle, they used various Asthra Shasthra, but the demon was not willing to withdraw, he returned with illusionary powers, the battle continued so long, finally, Balaknath killed the demon and liberated his soul.  In this way, he freed the forest from the clutches of the dreadful demon.

Mahasiddha  Baba Balaknath

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Balaknath Maharaj!

Chapter - 5

Sage Dhaththathreya and his disciples arrived in the dense wood of Saurashtra and they were surprised to hear the reverberating voices of Panchakshara.  Sage Dhaththathreya could locate the place of origin of sounds of Panchakshara and child with the power of his Manthra.  Soon disciples were sent to bring the child to the preceptor.  They located the place where Balak was immersed in meditation,  they introduced themselves as the disciples of Guruji Dhaththathreya.  They invited the Balak to meet Guruji, Balak said “ It is my fortune to meet Guruji Dhaththathreya,” Balak and the disciples arrived before Guruji Dhaththathreya, where Guruji was imparting knowledge on Bramham under the shade of a tree “ The whole Universe and its living beings are soaked in the Maya, all the creatures on the Prithvi Lok are drenched in illusion and worldly bondage,  only Sannyasin, and  Vairagin are free from the chain of worldly bondage.”  Balak prostrated before illustrious Guruji Dhaththathreya, and said “ Balak, you are welcome to my hermitage, take your seat,”  Balak asked “ Gurudev, kindly tell me why did you bring me here?” Guruji Dhaththathreya said “I want you a virtuous and devoted child as my disciple. I have decided, tomorrow early morning, during an auspicious hour I will conduct the rites for observing you as my disciple.” Balak felt extremely fortunate in the association of illustrious Guru.  As instructed by Guruji, there was a fire sacrifice performed followed with the recitation of Vedic chants and Balaknath were formally initiated to Sanyasa and accepted as a disciple of Guru Dhaththathreya.

Mahasiddha  Baba Balaknath

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Balaknath Maharaj!

Chapter - 4

Baba Balaknath was born to pious Bhramin couple Vishnu Rao and Lakshmi Ben.  This poor Bhramin couple was yearning for a child for long, they were instructed by a divine voice to conduct the Japa of Panchakshara and worship of Lord Shiva.    This couple underwent intense meditation upon the Panchakshari Mantra, Lord Shiva was pleased with the devotion of these couples and offered the boon.  Lakshmi Ben said “ Prabho, we  are yearning for a child who has the divine appearance and effulgence of you.” Lord Shiva blessed the couple and advised them to have patience; they will have a virtuous offspring who would bring fame to his parents.   In due course of time, Lakshmi  Ben gave birth to a child and he was named as “Dev”, the couple was overjoyed at the birth of the child.  Once there arrived a saint in the house of this couple, seeing the child he prophesized that the child is an incarnation of Supreme Lord, he is not an ordinary child and this child was born to remove the sufferings and sorrows of people in this world.   He also predicted that the child would take up spirituality at a young age.  His parents were shocked to hear the prophecy. 

It was after twelve years, his parents revealed their desire to perform Dev’s marriage so that his mother would get some help from the little bride in performing household duties, but child Yogi was not interested in worldly matters and he replied “I am not born to get married, my life is for the service to humanity and worship of Lord Shiva.”  His father was infuriated at the reply of his son, he  decided to perform his marriage at the earliest, he warned the boy to be prepared to get married tomorrow, and his mother also sincerely supported the advice of his father.    It was in the midnight, Balaknath was already prepared his mind to leave his parents forever, he prostrated before them who were fallen asleep and prayed “Kindly forgive me; I could not perform any of the duties as your son.”  He left home seeking the eternal truth.

 Balaknath’s parents conducted a thorough search in the entire village but they could not find their son, they were all tired of mental exhaustion.  This little boy sincerely prayed to Lord “ Bhagavan, kindly give enough strength to my parents to withstand the pain of separation.”  His father felt extremely guilty and asked his wife to forgive him for compelling the child for marriage; he accused himself as the culprit for all the miseries in the family.   

Mahasiddha  Baba Balaknath

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Balaknath Maharaj!

Chapter - 3

There was an interesting myth behind Baba Balaknath served Matha Rathna in the Kali era, Baba voluntarily took up the cow-grazing for Matha Rathna.  It was during the Dwapara Yuga, Baba Balaknath took birth as Mahakakula.  Once Mahakaula on his way to Mount Kailash to attain the blessings of Lord Shiva and conduct meditation practices, he met an old lady who asked her “ Child, where are going through these rough roads ?”  Mahakaula said, “ Matha, I want to obtain the blessings from Lord Shiva, therefore I want to conduct Tapasya in Mount Kailash.” The old lady said “Child, it is not easy to please Lord Shiva; hence you take up your Tapasya near Manasarovar where you could meet Matha Parvathi who used to visit this pond for her daily rituals.  You settle down the foot of the mountain and conduct your Tapasya near Manasarovar.  Whenever Matha Parvathi arrives, you approach her with your plea to get the blessings of Lord Mahadeva, definitely, you will achieve the blessings of Lord.  Matha Parvathi may give you several boons, but never forget to ask for what you want.” In this way, Mahakaula stood under the foothill on the river banks of Manasarovar for twelve years and conducted Tapasya, and sincerely followed the advice of old lady.  Finally, he achieved the blessings from Lord to remain eminent Siddha and young always.  The old lady was taken birth as Rathna in Kali era, and Mahakaula as Baba Balaknath who wants to pay off the debts owed to Matha Rathna in his previous birth.

Mahasiddha  Baba Balaknath

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Balaknath Maharaj!

Chapter - 2

Balaknath arrived in a village seeking for alms, he approached a widow who has no one to take care of her, she was managing her livelihood with a few of her cows, Balaknath said “ Matha, I don’t want any alms from you, let me take the opportunity to serve you, and will remain as a Yogi, you have addressed me as your son, it is my responsibility to take care of your cows and helping you in your chores. You need not pay anything for this service.” The widow said “ Son, I am a childless woman, God has sent you as my son. You can live with me and take care of my cows at one condition; you should not let my cows destroy the agricultural field of the peasants.”  On that day onwards they both started living together, Balaknath take care of the cows and grazing etc.. She will provide regular meals for him.  Balaknath does not require  consuming meal for his survival, he spends hours and hours in meditation, whenever he gets out of the meditation he keeps the meals provided inside the hollow of the tree and the buttermilk pour on the ground,  this widow would bring meals dutifully and keep in front of Balaknath and leaves,  this practice continued for several days.  He wanders fearlessly through the forest of wild animals.  One morning few of the prominent members of the village arrived at the door of the widow and said “ Rathna, your cows made a huge loss to the peasant in our village, your boy will be produced before the village assembly and we will impose punishment upon him. You have to repay all the debts due to the peasants for the loss of  the produce, ”  The villagers blamed Balaknath for his carelessness in his work, Rathna tried her best to protect Balaknath from their harsh words, they said “ A Sanyasin cannot take care of cows, you will lose the possession of your house to repay the debt.” Rathna pleaded the men to go with her to inquire child about this matter.   Rathna said “Child, what did you do? These men putting blame on me for the loss in their fields, I have fed you twelve years, and you have given me the fruit of it. While you were practicing meditation the cows destroyed the agricultural field, now I have to sell my house and repay the debt.”  Balaknath remembered the conditions he put forward while accepting the chores of Rathna that he will leave her work if she put blame on him. Balaknath said “The cow did not destroy the agricultural field, and these people have no right to punish me without committing any crime, I will pay off all your debts if the cows destroyed their field.  Therefore ask them to check their agricultural field and come back to me.”  The peasants poured out harsh words on him and returned to check their field.  Balaknath kept one person with him to clear their suspicion that he would run away from the place.  When the peasants came to check their field, they were amazed at the sight, it was all fresh and green as ever, they got confused, and could not trust their eyes, they believed that something miraculous happened in their field.  The peasants came rushing to Balaknath and fallen at his feet saying “Kindly forgive us, we have made a mistake.  Our agricultural field is fresh and green as ever”.  Rathna was baffled and asked the reason to the peasants; they said that nothing has happened to their agricultural field, it was fresh and green as ever.  Balaknath blessed the peasants of the village, and said to Rathna “ Matha, you have mentioned the food you have fed me on all these days, I will show you the buttermilk and Roti you have given to me.” saying so he thrust his sword on the Earth, soon the buttermilk gushed out like watercourse, he took Rathna to show  the Roti she had given him all these days.  Rathna was shocked to see a heap of Rotis on the hollow of the tree.  Rathna said “Son, kindly forgives me, I could not understand your divinity, I have treated you as an ordinary child and considered myself as a mother of you, Son, I have poured harsh words on you after hearing the complaints of peasants.  You are Baba Balaknath, kindly forgive me.”  Balaknath said “ Matha, do not worry, I shall always remain as your son.  But I cannot serve you anymore. Our relationship will remain as son and mother forever.  Kindly give me permission to precede my spiritual journey.”  Rathna said, “Child, you can do your spiritual practice in this village, kindly do not leave me or my cows, we both cannot live without you.”  Balaknath said “ Then, I shall remain in this village, but do not bring any meals now onwards. I will take care of your cows, I shall take them for grazing in the morning and leave them back at the time of dusk.”