Sant Kanhopathra

Pranams at the lotus feet of Sant Kanhopathra!

Chapter – 1

Sant Kanhopathra was a Marathi poet who lived during the 15^th century; she was a staunch a devotee of Lord Panduranga.  She has written several verses known an Abhang sung in praise of the glories of Lord Panduranaga.  Kanhopathra's birthplace was Mangalweda, there was not much information about her father.  She was born to Shyamabai who was a courtesan by profession.   The little girl Kanhopathra was introduced to music and dance at a small age, with the hope that she might become one of the finest dancers and earn more money in the future.  She was innocently picked up all those art forms taught to her with serenity and love for Lord Panduranga.  Kanhopathra's devotion to Lord Vittobha was intense, her profession as a singer did not bring much respect or security in the society, she believed that Lord Vittobha is the only protector.   Kanhopathra had to follow the same profession as a singer as she was born to the daughter of a rich courtesan Shyamabai.  She was supremely gorgeous with an attractive appearance.  The rich and respected men of Mangalweda used to throng in her place to listen to her melodious voice.  As she was born in the family courtesan, Kanopathra had to go through the humiliation and vulgar comments of the men used to visit her house, it often hurt her pride.  As years passed, Kanhopathra thoroughly understood which are the sinful act and pious deed.    Shyamabai dearly wanted to send her daughter married off to a respectable family, so that she will be protected from the wicked eyes of the rich men in the village.  Kanhopathra lived in a palatial house and served by a number of maids.  Shyamabai wanted her daughter to get all those comforts throughout her life and most importantly respect from society.  Those days, courtesans were considered as mistresses of rich men,  always be in the association of high-class men of the society, they were considered as low, and have no respect in the society, men crowds in her place for physical comforts.  The children born to these courtesans were treated as illegitimate, boys find their ways out of the family, girls remain within the family and continue the traditions of a courtesan.  These courtesans inherit huge wealth and extravagant lifestyles, but their personal life in the society was of little importance, they were refused to marry in a respectable family and live a life of ordinary people.   Usually, a girl from the family of a courtesan won’t be accepted as a daughter-in-law in any of the respected families, they were not treated with respect in society.

Mahavathar Babaji –The Master of Kriyayoga

Pranams at the lotus feet of Babaji!

Chapter – 3

An incident happened in the life of Sant Ramgopal was mentioned in the  ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’.  Once Lahiri Mahashay was giving lectures on scriptures in his house.  Sant Ramgopal was present in the audience; he was advised to go to the Ganga ghat in that night.  Sant Ramgopal was a little surprised and followed the order of his preceptor.  He witnessed a brilliant ray that appeared from nowhere and turned out it was Mahayogi Babaji.

Sant/Saints are who immerses in supreme bliss, never bother about material comforts or worldly affairs.  Siddhas are those who have attained the highest of knowledge in a supreme field, like astrology, Yoga, Vedashasthra, Dhanurvidhya, and supernatural powers with their extreme Tapasya.  There are two types of incarnations, one is supreme Lord incarnate  on the Earth in the form of human and performs the specific tasks, and  it is called ‘Avathar’, there is another type of ‘Avathar’ of supreme Lord who reflects his virtues on the pious soul.  These incarnations are for a limited period to perform the specific task on the Earth after the completion of the tasks they return to their abode.  The Siddhapurushas are those who have attained the highest of the spiritual state, lives for thousands and thousands of years, without the consciousness of worldly matters.  Mahavathar is the supreme title,   one who has abandoned the sense of birth, all the worldly bondage and reached above the highest of the consciousness.

Mahavathar Babaji – The Master of Kriyayoga

Pranams at the lotus feet of Babaji!

Chapter – 2

Nagaraj conducted a mission in search of Sage Agasthya, he was not aware of anything other than meditation and Yoga.  He took a vow either to meet Sage Agasthya or sacrifice life,  he undertook extreme Tapasya to fulfill the desire to meet the Sage Agasthya, without meal he continued penance for several days, eventually, it took a toll on his health, his body refused to tolerate the harsh practices, and ultimately he collapsed.  He realized that it was the end of his life, there appeared Sage Agasthya with extreme compassion.  Sage Agasthya served him with water and meal, he received Deeksha from Sage Agasthya and undertook several years of practice and meditation.  It was the new beginning in the life of Nagaraj,  he meticulously practiced Kundalini Yoga, Pranayama, and Kriya Yoga which was taught by Sage Agasthya, with the intense practice he has broken the chain of Mrithyu/death and attained immortality.  He is known as the custodian of Siddha traditions.  It is mentioned in the book of Yogi Paramahamsa Yogananda that he gives Dharshan to the true aspirants of Yoga and Saints who have achieved a higher state of spirituality, he guides them through the path of Kriya Yoga.  The shrine of Badrikashram and closest hills, Shangari La/Gyanganj/Siddhashram, Mount Himalaya, Tibet, Kanchanjunga, and Shambala are the places of Karma Bhoomi of Yogis, Siddhas, and saints.  Therefore it is the responsibility of visitors and aspirants who undertake a trip to these sacred places and hills should observe extreme austerities, and make sure not to pollute the atmospheres which are the field of Karmabhoomi of these holy men.  These are the sacred places on Earth where Yogis and Siddhapurushas are undertaking several years of penance for the welfare of the Universe.  Thus these lands have got the highest of the spiritual ambiance which cannot be imagined by the ordinary souls, this information is available in the scriptures elaborately.  These Siddhpurushas are ageless, living for several years conducting intense meditation and practice, learning scriptures, etc..

Mahavathar Babaji – The Master of Kriyayoga

Pranams at the lotus feet of Babaji!

Chapter - 1

Sri Paramahamsa Yogananda in his ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’ mentioned a brief introduction of Mahavathar Babaji who is the Master of Kriyayoga.  There was no elaborate information of Mahayogi Babaji, it was believed that he was born in Parangipettai in Tamil Nadu.  He is ageless and has the appearance of youth, living in the hills closest to Badrikashram, still gives Dharshan to committed and highly devoted spiritual seekers.  He has a fair complexion, crimson-colored long hairs stretched up to shoulders, wide and sparklings eyes, strong physique,  and broad shoulders.  He undertakes Samadhi/meditation most of the time, he is the preceptor of Shankaracharya, Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashay, Yuktheshwar Maharaj and Paramahamsa Yoganand who have witnessed him during the Kumbhamela.  During childhood, Babaji was known as Nagaraj in his village,  once, he ate the fruit kept at home, without receiving permission from his mother for that he had to undergo severe punishment from her.  This incident hurt him deeply and it was one of the reasons he abandoned the interest in material life.   Later, he was abducted and sent to Kolkata to work as a slave under a wealthy man.  The person who bought Nagaraj as a slave was very kind. The wealthy man found the child is different and was released to live according to his wish.  Soon Nagaraj joined with the group of saints and holy men and learned their lifestyles, lived a life of Yogi, undertook several hours of meditation, learning scriptures, etc..  He visited various religious places with the groups of saints, learned scriptures, and undertook rigorous meditation.  During this period, he met Saint Gokarna, eventually, he attained Deeksha from him.  He had attained the highest spiritual state with his intense practices and meditation.  His preceptor Gokarna was highly pleased with the achievement of Nagaraj and advised him to meet Maharishi Agasthya.

Maharaj Narsih Mehta!

Pranams at the lotus feet of Maharaj Narsih Mehta!

Chapter – 7

In this poem, Sri Narsih Mehta describes the splendor of Lord Vishnu /Sri Hari who is the essence of the universe and its people, he has numerous glorious incarnations, he is supreme Lord embodied as human, he symbolizes fire, brilliance, greatest philosophies, sound, Veda, Vedanta and he remains as Nirguna Bhramam as well.  He symbolizes wind, Earth, and water,  he is the protector of Earth as well.  He represents the wish-fulfilling tree/Kalpavruksha in the abode of heaven, he represents soul and Lord Shiva, he has numerous incarnations as pastimes.  He is the essence of Veda, he has Shruthi and Smrithi as magnificent golden earrings,  the gold remains the same though it is made of various patterns of ornaments.  He is an absolute truth who is worshiped in various methods,  he represents mind, intellect, actions etc…devotees worship him with the recitation of sacred chants, Nama Sankeerthan, and self- less service to Lord and his devotees.  He is the cause and effect, like seeds of the tree, in actual he is the seed and tree as well.  Therefore Bhaktharaj Narsih Mehta says, worship the Supreme Lord with sincere love and devotion to envision him.

Akhila Bhramanda Ma Ek Tu Srihari  Jujhave Rupe Ananthabhase |Dheha Ma Deva  Tu Thej Ma Ththva Tu Shunya Ma Shabdha Tu Vedavase ||

Pavan Tu Pani Tu Bhumi Tu Bhudhara  Vriksha Thai Phuli Rahyo Akashe | Vividha  Rachana Kari Aneka Rasalevane  Shiva Thaki Jiva  Thayu Te Ja Ashe ||

Veda To Em Vade  Shruthi Smrithi Saj De  Kanaka Kundal Vishe Bhedanhoye |Ghat Ghadiya Pachhi Nam Rup Jujhava Ante To Hemanu Hema Hoye ||

Granth Gadbad Kari Vat  Nava Kari Kharl Jehane Je Game Tene Puje | Man Vachan Karmathiu Ap  Mani Lahe  Sathya Chhe Ej Man Em Sujhe ||

Vriksha Ma Bij Tu Bij Ma Vriksha Tu Jou Patantaro E Ja  Pase |Bhane  Narasaiyo E Man  Tani Shodhana Preeth Karu Premathi Pragatha Yashe ||

Maharaj Narsih Mehta!

Pranams at the lotus feet of Maharaj Narsih Mehta!

Chapter – 6

It was in the year  1488 Maharaj Narsi Mehta attained the lotus feet of Lord Krishna in Saurashtra.  During his lifetime,  Narsi Mehta wrote several verses praising the glories of Lord Krishna in Gujarati, ‘Vaishnava Jana To’ is one among the marvelous poem that holds the essence of righteousness.  His poems are very simple and seductively beautiful.  Bhaktharaj Narsi Mehta taught the highest of the moral values to the people.  Through the following verses, he instructed the devotee of Lord Vishnu to help people who are in real need, and alleviate their sorrows, shower abundance of kindness, but never perform any of the above with the ego or swollen pride.  He taught us to respect everyone, do not hurt or humiliate anyone, never commit sin by the mind, words or action, perform an abundance of charities and keep the mind serene and calm.  He emphasizes the concept ‘Oneness in All’, Paramathma resides as a soul in all living beings, follow strict moral values, always treats the woman with great respect and dignity, do not lie or be a false witness, never try to abduct the wealth of others.  He advises us to follow austerities and firm devotion to overcome Maya/illusion and excessive desire, always contemplate upon Lord Rama and recite his sacred chants which are capable to purify the soul, abandon the impurities like Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Madha, Ashcharya, etc.. and contemplate upon the supreme Lord Rama, that could liberate the soul from repeated births.

“Vaishnava Jana To  TeneKahiye Je Peed Parayi Jane Re| Para Dukhe Upakara Kare To Ye Mana Abhimana Na Ane  Re| Vaishnava Jana To TeneKahiye Je Peed Parayi Jane Re ||

Sakala Loka  Ma Sahune Vande Ninda Na  Kare Keni Re| Vacha Kacha Mana Nishchala Rakhe Dhana  Dhana Janani Teni Re| Vaishnava Jana To  TeneKahiye Je Peed Parayi Jane Re ||

Sama Dhrishti Ne  Trishna Tyagi Parasthri Jene Mata Re| Jihva Thaki Asathya Na Bole Paradhana Nava Jhale Hatha Re| Vaishnava Jana To  TeneKahiye Je Peed Parayi Jane Re||

Moha Maya Vyape Nahi  Jene Dridavairagya  Jena Manama Re | Ramanama Shu Tali Re Lagi Sakala Thiratha Tena Tanama Re | Vaishnava Jana To  TeneKahiye Je Peed Parayi Jane Re||

Vanalobi Ne  Kapata Rahitha Chhe Kama Krodha Nivarya Re | Bhane  Narasaiyo Tenu Darasana Karata  Kula Ekotera Tarya Re | Vaishnava Jana To  TeneKahiye Je Peed Parayi Jane Re||

Maharaj Narsih Mehta!

Pranams at the lotus feet of Maharaj Narsih Mehta!

Chapter – 5

There are several miraculous incidents happened in the life of Narsi Mehta.  It was the day of performance of ancestral rite,  Narsi Mehta found there was no Ghee in the house.  He went to the market to get Ghee, none was willing to give him ghee without money.  One merchant asked him to sing praising the glory of Lord Krishna, then he would consider giving Ghee.  Narsi Mehta beautifully sang praising his favorite Lord, did not notice the track of time.  It was in the afternoon he realized that it was already late to perform the homage to ancestors.  He returned home waveringly, his wife has received him with great respect.  It was Lord Krishna who performed the ancestral rite on behalf of Narsi Mehta and served thousands of Bhramins with a sumptuous meal.  Manekbai did not recognize Lord Krishna who was disguised in the form of Narsi Mehta and performed the rite, when they came to know that it was Lord Krishna who performed the rite, husband and wife shed tears of gratitude.

It is an undeniable fact that even the Saints and holy men have to bear their own Prabdhakarma, a grave incident happened in the life of Narsi Mehta.  It was his wife Manekbai and son Shyamal Das's death has transformed him completely.  Sarangdhar was not believed in the devotion of  Narsi Mehta, he felt that it was the luck that favors Narsih in all his life. Sarangdhar tried several times to disgrace Narsih was gone in vain and in return, he had to face humiliation.  Narsihji was kind and considerate, he saved the life of Sarangdhar several times, but nothing melted the wicked heart of him.  Sarangdhar filed a complaint against Narasih to the King, that Narsi is not a real Saint, he is pretending himself as the messenger of Lord, he has not learned scriptures, he is fooling the people of the village and he is morally wrong.   Sarangdhar also produced a few of the Brahmins as the witness against Narsihji.  Eventually, an order was released to produce Narsih before the King and questioned about his devotion and faith on Lord Krishna, listening to the speech of Narsi Mehta the King was awe-struck, he was highly impressed with the devotion and wisdom of Narsi Mehta.  The King wanted to prove Narsi Mehta is a staunch devotee of Lord Krishna, he is not an ordinary person.  King ordered for a  garland and asked Narsi Mehta to adore the idol of Lord Krishna and keep the sanctum locked and returned the key.  The king’s orders were followed, if Narsi Mehta is a saintly person the garland would be present on his neck by the next day, otherwise Narsih should undergo punishment.  Sarangdhar was extremely happy at the decision of the King, thinking that Narsih would undergo death punishment.  It was in the early hours of dawn, Narsi Mehta passionately sung before his beloved Lord.  As everyone was watching, the heavy lock in the shrine was broken, the doors wide opened, radiant light from the sanctum surged towards Narsi Mehta and the garland fell on his neck.  That radiant light was the form of Lord Krishna who saved his staunch devotee from the trouble.  The people assembled were stunned and cheered,  a divine voice was followed “ Vathsa, in your previous birth you were Emperor Muchukundha, who was the son of Mandhatha,  I have given Dharshan in the hills of Girinar, at that moment you have asked for Bhakti instead of Mukthi.  Therefore you had to take birth again and go through all the miseries and grief of an ordinary man.  You have another five years to be on the Earth to spread the self-less devotion.”