Yogi Sri Balanand Bhramachari

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Balanand Bhramachari!

Chapter – 10

Balanand Bhramachari used to give lectures to his disciples “Whenever you meet divine personalities, Yogis, Saints who are enriched with nectar like spiritual knowledge, never hesitate to get closer to them and take the opportunity to learn that supreme knowledge.”  He sincerely followed what he had preached.” Balanandji’s preceptor was Bhramand Bhramachari, and Gaurishankar Maharaj, although there were many divine souls and saints in his life who showered an abundance of spiritual knowledge upon him.  He was taught Hatha Yoga by Sage Markandeya who immerses in the meditation on the river banks of Narmada.  Mandaleshwar of  Kashi and Ramgiriji of Dhruveshwar Mutt taught intricate knowledge of Vedantha and various philosophies.    Balanandji lived with Mahatma Manasagiri who resides at Thriyuvi Narayan in Uttarakhand for some time, he learned various sacred Manthra from him, he had a close association with Yogiraj Lahiri Mahashay too.

Balanandji’s fame spread across the regions, numerous disciples and devotees were benefited with the Dharshan of Balanand Bhramachari.   Ramcharan Bandhopadhyay who was popularly known as “Rambabu’ was an important disciple of Balanandji.  There was an interesting myth behind the acceptance of Rambabu as a disciple of Blanandji who was after returning from Kamakhya shrine took a journey through Bengal.  One day he arrived in Ranaghat, Ramcharan was working in Railway at that time, he was in huge trouble, there was a train accident happened in Ranaghat and many were killed and injured.  All the blames were fallen upon Ramcharan for not performing his duty properly and his job was at stake.  Ramcharan’s mother was highly devoted and spiritually involved; she continued her sincere prayers at the feet of his beloved Lord.  There was something she could hear her heart saying “do not worry, there is a Saint has arrived in your home, all the troubles will go away.”   Immediately her eyes fallen on the saint with heavy matted hair locks and great effulgence, entering inside her home.  He asked Ramcharan for the skin of the animal, he knows that Ramcharan is a skillful hunter.  Ramcharan was stood with great reverence, he showed the skin of animals to the saint but he does not like any of them.   Ramcharan was attracted towards the saint immediately, he repeatedly witnessed the saint in his dreams, after that Ramcharan and his family became the disciple of Balanandji, and he became one of the important disciples of Balanandji.   Once Ramcharan had to undergo surgery, he refused to have anesthesia, he was just remembering the feet of his preceptor and operation went on well.  After some time he received a message from Balanandji who was taking Tapasya in Girinarparvath, one day while he was on meditation, he could envisage the operation of Ramcharan, and he was not feeling any pain at all, Ramcharan was extremely happy to receive the message from his preceptor.

Yogi Sri Balanand Bhramachari

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Balanand Bhramachari!

Chapter – 9

Balanandji arrived in Tharakeshwar after returning from Kamakhya, while traveling through the district of Hubli, he remembered a very old shrine of Lord Shiva located in Jaleshwar, he traveled through the woods and arrived in Jaleshwar at night.   He took ablutions in the temple pond and arrived at the sanctum where the Linga was located, and immersed in meditation.  He had a unique experience here, he was feeling that he is sinking deep into the four walls of the shrine, he was going through mixed emotions and trepidation, soon he could hear a divine voice “ You contemplate upon Panchamundi throne and recite Aghoramanthra,” he followed the divine instruction.  He continued recitation all night and came out of the shrine in the morning.

Once, Balanandji was traveling in the woods of Uttarakhand,  he met a divine personality and had discussions, Balanandji’s disciple Hemanand Bandhopadhyay described the incident beautifully.  There was a region called Kangra in Himachal Pradesh, Balanandji lived with a prominent Swamiji Gomathi for some time.    One day they were seated in a place, at that moment a noble-soul arrived here and had the Dharshan of these saints, they three had a discussion for some time and the saint returned.  These two saints heard a loud voice “ Jai Gurudev, Jai Gurudev”, so they came out their Ashram and witnessed a miraculous incident. The saint who visited them a few minutes ago was clapping his hands vigorously, he was loudly pronouncing ‘Jai Gurudev, Jai Gurudev,”  his feet were not on the ground, he was slowly elevated from the ground and raised towards hills and mountains and disappeared in the highest peaks.  Later Balanandji felt very disappointed for not having a proper introduction to each other.  Balanandji asked Gomathi Swamiji about the whereabouts of the saint arrived to meet them, even Swamiji was not aware of this Yogi, but he could not get any proper replay other than he had seen this Yogi once or twice moving through the sky, he must be residing up in the hill and there is no specific idea of why he is taking a visit to the foot of the hills. He must have attained the supernatural power with Yogic practices.  Even Balanandji attained various Siddhi with his rigorous Yogic practices and meditation.

Yogi Sri Balanand Bhramachari

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Balanand Bhramachari!

Chapter – 8

During Narmada Parikrama, Balanandji had witnessed many miracles of Ma Narmada.  Many a time, her Abhayahastha protected him from death.  Once Balanandji arrived in Kamakhya Theerth, he had Dharshan of Ma Kamakhya and spent several days in the hills situated close to this shrine and engaged in spiritual practices.  He visited various sacred shrines close to this place, he had an attack of small-pox, he was severely ill and became too weak.  He was completely immersed in the meditation, at this moment a divine girl child appeared before him and said “ Babaji, you don’t worry, you will not die, you have to leave this place immediately.” Saying so, the girl child disappeared from his sight.  Balanandji had fallen in deep sleep.  The next day when he opened his eyes, he was all fine but too tired to walk around.  He managed to arrive near a well, the people assembled were poured water on Balanandji, and it gave relief from his trouble of small-pox.  He was too hungry, but he was not in a position to consume the meal, one pious man cooked Kichadi for Balanandji, he consumed the meal and felt better. 

Yogi Sri Balanand Bhramachari

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Balanand Bhramachari!

Chapter – 7

Balanandji was attended by the physician of the village, he responded well to the treatment, he stayed with the gentleman and after that, he left for Narmada Parikrama.  During this Parikrama, he had divine experiences with Matha Narmada, it multiplied the qualities of spiritual life.  One evening Balanandji with many disciples entered the wood located on the river bank Narmada, eventually, the darkness spread all over the wood, all the saints were tired of hunger and thirst.  Balanandji saw an old female cowherd under the tree, he told her that they are going to spend that night under the shelter of this treed and requested her to help him to get some food from the nearby village so that he could serve meals to the saints.  The female cowherd said “Son, you do not worry, your hunger and thirst will get over with the milk of my cows, you all stand with a vessel to hold the milk, and my cow’s milk is abundant to feed you all. I can fill the milk in all your vessels.”  She served all the saints with the milk, and all were satisfied.  Soon the female cowherd with her cow disappeared in the dense wood. All the saints were surprised to find her sudden disappearance from the view, later they have realized that the female cowherd was not an ordinary woman, it was Ma Narmada.

Yogi Sri Balanand Bhramachari

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Balanand Bhramachari!

Chapter -6

Balanandji after staying seven or eight months in the Gangoji Ashram, he started for the auspicious Narmada Parikrama,  during his journey he met with Gaurishanker Maharaj, who takes Narmada Parikrama on every yearly basis, his Yoga Siddhi was well known for all.  They together conducted the Parikrama, he could witness the blessings of  Riddi and Siddhi during this trip.  He had a close association with Bhramanand Maharaj, he took great care of Balanand when he came to know that he is the disciple of Bhramanandji.  He spent nearly seven or eight years with Gaurishankar Maharaj, during this period he learned knowledge in various Shasthras from him.  After this, he conducted a spiritual tour to various sacred places, in the meantime, he makes a regular visit to Bhramandji, and it was continued until the Mahasiddhi of Bhramanand Maharaj.

Once he was taking Parikrama of Narmada, he reached in Mandala, there was a pious saint with him, and they had necessities like one pair of clothes and prayer beads and shoulder bag. During those days there were notorious thieves who lived in this area. Therefore the Police Commissioner took a personal visit to this place and settled in the wood, he saw two saints near his bungalow, he asked his men to catch them and produce before him.  Their shoulder bags were thoroughly checked and found a knife and sword; Police commissioner got angry and assumed them as thieves who were missing so long.  Balanandji said “Sir, We are holy men, we do not stay in a single place for long, and we keep moving place to place and visit sacred lands.   We do not carry any meals or even cook, whatever we get as alms we consume or use these weapons to take out rooted vegetables to prepare meals, and we do not stay in a place for long, this sword we will use for building shelter wherever we feel like to settle for a day or two.” But nothing was gone into the ears of Commissioner; they continued an investigation of these saints. They found some spirituous substances, it annoyed the Commissioner. He blamed the saints are thieves and influences people with these spirituous substances.  Finally, the verdict arrived that the two saints will spend three years in prison.  Balanandji said spirituous substances are not poison, it is an inevitable part in saintly people’s life.  It is used as a medicinal herb as the saints have to travel a long way by foot, it helps them to remove their exhaustion and cure illness.   He asked to show him that it is consumable; Balanandji immediately swallowed the whole spirituous substances.  The two saints came out of the Bungalow of the commissioner, Balanandji was feeling anxious and sick of consuming the whole spirituous substances, he was feeling terribly ill, his eyes were becoming dark, and he realized that his death is nearer.  He requested the fellow saint to leave his mortal coil in the waters of Narmada.  Soon Balanandji felt the presence of Ma Narmada in the ray of light; some miracle happened Balanandji regained his consciousness, at that very moment young son of Commissioner died.   The son of Commissioner was just got back from hunting, while taking a cup of tea he was feeling anxious and vomited, before the arrival of the doctor his death happened.  One respected person in the society arrived after hearing the death of the son of Commissioner, on his way to Bungalow, he saw two saints, one was terribly ill fallen unconscious on the ground, the other saint narrated all that happened and concluded after consuming the spirituous substances at the order of commissioner the saint collapsed.  The gentleman met the commissioner and said “You have not done the right thing, you have unnecessarily punished a renounced soul, therefore bring the doctor to attend him and release them immediately.”

Yogi Sri Balanand Bhramachari

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Balanand Bhramachari!

Chapter - 5

Balanand after receiving Dheeksha from Bhramanand Maharaj asked his preceptor “What should I give you in return for the Dheeksha.” Bhramanand Maharaj said “ Child, preceptors are beyond desire or expectations, you could not please them with the material things, Guru Dhakshina should not be given in Riddhi, it should be given with Siddhi.  I have advised you the sacred syllables, keep contemplating upon it, you will attain various Siddhi when you attain all those Siddhi surrender them to me.  I will safeguard them, that would be your real Guru Dakshina. I would be highly pleased with this Dhakshina.”  Balanand sincerely started practicing meditation from that day onwards.  Gangonath Ashram was relentlessly served the holy men and saints with meals, and they conduct all the religious and spiritual rites meticulously.  The Ashram’s door was always kept open for the holy men and saints.

Once there were busy hours of serving meals and it was about to close, there were a few people arrived, there was not much meal was left to serve, Balanand Bhramachari did not like this, he shouted at the kitchen people, never serve little or calculated to people who come with hunger, in this way Balanandji appeased the hunger of the people.  During the time of famine, he carries his shoulder bag and goes for begging alms.  The shoulder bag of Maharaj was the dwelling place of Matha Annapurna.  People who lived in these areas partake meals in the Ashram, he performs various pastimes to cheer the people.   Bhramanandji had a close association with Gayakwad Shivaji Rao.  Once Bhramanandji was invited by Queen Yamunabai of Baroda, he arrived with Balanandji, while travelling one his devotee took Bhramanandaji to his home and received with great honor, before leaving his home he filled the shoulder bag of Bhramanandji with vegetables and grains, when Bhrmanandji arrived in the fortress Queen Yamunabai teased at him, “Today we will get whatever we want to eat,” Bhramanandji said “Maharani, kindly tell me what you want to eat?”  She said “ Maharaj, kindly give me grapes” in fact that was not the season of grapes.  Soon Bhramanandji took a bunch of grapes from his shoulder bag and handed to Maharani, then said: “ Mother, there are few grapes for you.”  The people assembled were amazed.  Maharani had a great devotion to Bhramanandji, the whole city was discussing the supernatural powers of Bhramanandji. 

Yogi Sri Balanand Bhramachari

Pranams at the lotus feet of Baba Balanand Bhramachari!

Chapter - 4

In the year 1920  Peethambar was initiated to Sanyasa and came to know as Balanand Bhramachari. At the age of nine, he discarded the material world and freed from illusions and conducted the search for the eternal truth.  He was not aware of the fact that how did he going to accomplish his desire, he was too gloomy those days, on his way he met a person,  he was watching Peethambar who was adorned with golden earrings, bangles, for the Upanayana ceremony and his mother felt it is auspicious on his body.  The person who has an eye on the jewels adorned by Peethambar, he approached Peethambar and said “ Son, if you wear these precious ornaments on your body, thieves may follow you and harm you, therefore it is not advisable to walk alone wearing these ornaments, keep these things in my custody, I will give you back when you ask for it.” The child immediately removed all the ornaments and gave to that person, on the way he met a saint and kept talking with him, the saint was performing Narmada Parikrama, he was walking with the saint on the river bank of Narmada and arrived at the hermitage of Bhramananda Bhramachari, there was a shrine of Gangonathji installed in a tall Linga, close to this Linga a hermitage was built by Bhramanand Maharaj, there was an earthen lamp keeps burning all the time.  Peethambar sat close to Bhramanand Maharaj, it stirred his divinity, he requested Bhramanandaji “ Maharaj, kindly accept me as your disciple, I shall take refuge at your feet.”  Yogeeshvar Bhramanand Maharaj could read his past and present of Peethambar. 

On the day of Shravani Purnima, Peethambar attained Dheeksha from Yogeeshvar Bhramanand Maharaj.  During this period of time, Peethambar used to go for begging alms in the nearby villages, on the day of his Sanyasa Dheeksha a grand meal was served to all the holy men and saints who take Narmada Parikrama on that day.  Peethambar was anxious to feed numerous saints because he had not enough grains to serve all the saints.  Bhramanand Maharaj realized the qualms of Peethambar, and said with a smile “ Son, please check my shoulder bag, you know something, it is the dwelling place of Riddhi and Siddhi in my shoulder bag.” It was true that his shoulder bag had tremendous divine power.  Everyone believed that it was the miracle performed by this shoulder bag of Bhramanandji, he could serve numerous saints and holy men in all his life.  Peethambar had great charisma; he had great effulgence which easily attracts the holy men.  He was a humble and noble soul, this divine child has become renowned Yogi Balanand Bhramachari.