Life of Lord Budhdha –

India has been the land of diversified beliefs and faith, Buddhism was initiated from Lumbini,  a sacred place close to the border of Nepal which is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama who was born in 623 B.C. in the Kingdom of Kapilavasthu.  He was born to Queen Mayadevi and King Sudhdhadhana of the Kingdom of Kapilavasthu.  

Queen Mayadevi had a dream in that a white  elephant was moving on the sky, which is considered as highly auspicious during the days of pregnancy, it was a part of their tradition to give birth to the child in the paternal homeland,   hence Queen Mayadevi decided to travel to Devadhaha while she was fully pregnant, but she had to give birth to the child in the Lumbini grove on the way to Devadhaha.   Thus, Supreme Being took the form of a human, later became the source of liberation/Nirvana for the entire clan of Sakhya/branch of Ikshvaku dynasty and the living beings on Earth.   King invited many scholars, priests; astrologers for the naming ceremony of the child, one of the astrologers prophesied that the child would discard all the princely status and will attain enlightenment. 

In the early years of childhood, Siddhdhartha was under the supervision of excellent Masters in various field of knowledge, he was a studious child, he mastered all the subjects, he has grown up into a talented and brave young man. He was extremely caring, compassionate, loving, and kind to all the people and living creatures on the Earth.  King Sudhdhadhana was anxious about the prophecy of the astrologer in his whole life, therefore he has arranged all the comforts and luxuries within the palace ,  not giving any room for  Sidhdhartha  to practice the sense of abandonment, he has arranged superior attendants to fulfill  all his requirements,  and charming young courtesan girls distract him from any sort of renunciation. There was one incident, his visit to the country people, witnessing their poor living standards, illness, sufferings, poverty and death made Sidhdhartha contemplate upon the cause for sufferings.  It ignited the spark in him for the search of absolute truth and the cause for sufferings and miseries of worldly existence.   

 At the age of 16 he was married to his first cousin princess Yasodhara.    Siddhartha Gautama and Yasdhara were same age; at the age of 29, this couple had a son Rahula, on the 7^th night after the birth of the child   Siddhartha Gauthama abandonment the material life and conducted search for enlightenment, while Yasodhara was asleep.  When Prince Siddhartha left the chamber, Yasodhara who was pretending to asleep, moved close to the window watching her husband leaving the palace once for all, she sincerely wished that her husband should achieve all the comforts in the forest life, he had chosen over the princely status.    Siddhartha renounced the princely living and went in search of the ultimate truth, the next six years he underwent extreme austerities and penances, it caused physical weakening.    During this period of time, Yasodhara who came to know that her husband is leading a supremely ascetic life, she renounced her royal comforts, she abandonment royal costume, and jewelry embraced saffron robe, and consumed meal once in a day, during these six years of rigorous penance of her husband, Yasodhara has closely followed the news of his development in asceticism.    He proceed his journey to Gaya, on the way he met a farmer who offered a bundle of Kushagrass, he sat under a Bodhi/awakening tree for 49 years and contemplated upon causes of sufferings in the material existence, on a full moon night Siddhartha gained enlightenment, this sacred place has come to know as Bodha Gaya/Buddha Gaya which is situated 150 km south of the city of Patna.  Buddha Purnima is the day commemorates the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, and enlightenment of Buddha.  

When Budhdha visited Kapilavasthu after enlightenment, Yasodhara did not go to meet him; she had a faith that if she is having any virtues, her Lord would definitely come to meet her, as expected, Budhdha met Yasodhara and praised her patience and sacrifices.  Later, Yasodhara and Rahula became devoted disciples of Budhdha.   Yasodhara attained the supreme abode at the age of 78, just two years before the Mahanirvana of Lord Budhdha.

The way to end sufferings –

Sufferings, mental and physical afflictions, the pain of separation, grief, poverty, and illnesses are the genuine cause for the interest in spiritualism, it is the ultimate truth and no one can deny it.   Spirituality is knowledge of self and God-realization, knowledge about Supreme Being who resides as a soul in living beings; we are madly driven by the sensual pleasure without the awareness of supreme consciousness which is the permanent cure for all the sufferings.  The practice of Knowledge of self is definitely not a shallow pond; it is an unfathomable ocean.  All the religious practices teach the ultimate objective, that is true enlightenment and liberation from worldly existence.  The practice of spirituality is definitely not practicing on a particular method of belief or faith which is more appealing and compatible, and practice on it and if it does not work, leave it and pick another one.  Bhagavan Krishna says in Srimadh Bhagavad Gita that practicing one’s own Dharma, though practicing it with flaws is better than following another person’s Dharma with perfection, which could bring dangerous consequences, Varnna/classes was established to follow Dharma meticulously,  four classes are established such as Bhramana, Kshathriya, Vaishya and Shudra were entrusted with certain responsibilities and duties to follow strictly.  The Brahmanas were entrusted with the duty of study of scriptures, promote the growth of Vedic way of living and sincerely follow Bhraminic rites, the performance of fire sacrifices, share knowledge on scriptures and Veda, ensure the augmentation of Vedic knowledge and protection of the same.  The Kshatriyas were entrusted with the duties of protection of Kingdom, implementation of rules and regulations for the welfare of the people of the country, protection of the country from its enemies, ensure the prevalence of peace and welfare in the country.  The Vaishyas were entrusted with the duties of production of grains in abundance; protect the country from famine, development of agriculture and animal husbandry.  The Shudhras were entrusted with the duty of serving all the three Varnnas with utmost sincerity.   Therefore following one’s own duties and responsibilities which are prescribed in the scriptures only can bring salvation from repeated births.

Sri Anandamayi Ma -

Pranams at the lotus feet of Ma !

Ma took good care of Bholanathji who was seriously ill with smallpox, she relentlessly served her husband like a mother, he was shriveling with pain and distress, her magical touch relieved his pain, her selfless service to Bholanathji brought out immense satisfaction and relief in him.  Bholanathji shivered with severe chillness, Ma covered his fragile body with the saffron robe.  She remembered a conversation with her husband when Bholanathji was planning to take up Sanyasa, he admiringly spoke “I have considered you as my Mother, so when I take up Sanyasa, I want to get the first alms from you.” Ma compassionately asked him ‘Do you remember the Sankalpa Manthras of Sanyasa?’ he was already uttering the same; he pronounced the word ‘Ma’ like a child and attained Nirvana.  Ma fondly kept her palm on his ‘Bhramarandhri’ which is the passage of vital air, while attaining ‘Mahanirvana’.  Thus, Bholanathji attained the heavenly abode on 7^th May 1938, while the recital of sacred hymns and chants in the Kishanpur Ashram, Dehradun was in progress.   Ma’s response to the demise of Bholanathji was unique, devotees were guessed Ma would be inconsolable, on the contrary, there was no sign of grief or remorse on her face, she was serene as usual, and her response was “Do you cry over a person’s movement from one room to another in the same house? Death is inevitable in the ocean of worldly existence, in the globe of immortality there is no death or loss, therefore no one lost to me.”  Do we need any more explanations to realize the truth about divine personalities?  Bholanathji accomplished his major task of bringing the souls together contemplating upon absolute Bhramam which is the safest heaven from the miseries and sorrows of worldly existence.  In this endeavor Bholanathji was accompanied by a huge number of pious, ascetic, dedicated people in the spiritual practice and devotional services; he spread harmony, compassion, selflessness, and humanity.   It reminds me of the golden verses from Srimad Bhagavad Gita  ‘Yadha Yadha Hi Dharmasya Glanir Bhavathi Bharatha: | Abhyuththanamadharmasya Thadhathmanam Srujamyaham’.  The demise of Universal father/Lord Shiva/Bholanathji, divine personified on Earth created a large vacuum in the hearts of devotees.   This divine couple will be always around us in their subtle forms to protect and comfort us from all the afflictions, pains, sorrows, miseries, and grief of worldly existence.

Sri Anandamayi Ma –

Pranams at the lotus feet of Ma !

Bholanathji went on a pilgrimage to Gangotri and many neighboring places; he stayed in Uttarakashi, and underwent severe austerities for two years at the guidance of Ma.  She often makes a visit to Bholanathji,  Ma could realize the progress he was made in attaining a higher state of spirituality, ascetics of Uttarakashi adore Bholanathji, his two years of rigorous religious practice was accomplished with the establishment of Kali image at Uttarkashi in the presence of Ma and her followers.  While he was in Shanbhag garden, Bholanathji used to spend ten to twelve hours in the recitation of sacred names, Ma’s father who was a profound player of musical instrument was led the recital program.  It was in 1938, sacred city Haridhwar was preparing to host Kumbhamela, Ma and Bholanathji were resided in the bungalow of Dr.Pant.   In the early morning Bholanathji with a group of devotees would prepare for ‘Namasankeerthan’ they apply sandalwood paste on their forehead and adore garland around the neck, they conduct recital of holy names in the presence of Ma in the bungalow courtyard for some time, after that they proceed for ‘Nagarkeertan’ recitation of holy names of Lord in the streets, that would continue for three to four hours a day, even the passers-by would join the group in a bliss.  The famous Kumbhamela was held on 14^th April 1938,  Bholanathji was accompanied by disciples to Bhramakund, where Naga saints assembled were used to take holy bath,  suddenly these Naga saints were pulled towards Bholanathji like a magnet,  they affectionately gave bath to the supreme being they have witnessed through several years of practice of asceticism.  Ma returned to Dehradun after Kumbhamela, but Bholanathji continued to stay in the association of pious people for another ten days.  On April 24^th Bholanathji returned to Dehradun with a severe infection of smallpox, he was completely down with fever and stomach-ache.

Sri Anandamayi Ma –

Pranams at the lotus feet of Ma!

Ma was reverentially greeted as ‘Manush Kali’, she was divine personified on Earth to eradicate the sufferings and grief of the distressed, she urged the distraught people to contemplate upon the supreme being, who is supreme bliss resides as a soul in human beings,  one prominent astrologer exclaimed that he never had an opportunity to read a palm, like hers with the Chatu Sagari Yog, still he remembers an occasion of reading the palm of a Yogi who lived on the banks of Lake Manasarovar for more than 350 years, he has undergone strict Yogic practices for several years to attain that state, Ma does not require to undertake those extreme austerities, she herself embodied as ‘Bhramavidhya’.  Bholanathji was a great companion and a devoted disciple of Ma was deeply anxious when Ma undergoes transcendental state which is beyond description, sometimes she immerses in a state of bliss for hours and hours which made Bholanathji continue his devotional service to a greater the extent to bring her back to the state of normalcy, he was an exceptional soul with deep devotion and compassion to Ma, he continued his service as a disciple as well as the guardian of Ma till he breathed last.   Ma was a spiritual preceptor and a devoted wife to Bholanathji.  At the instructions of Ma, Bholanathji continued rigorous spiritual practices in Siddheshvari Kali temple as well as in Tharapeet, later the couple left Dhaka and settled in Dheradun which was the favorite place of Sadhana of Bholanathji.  The divine personified on Earth may refuse to be in the center of attraction for long; they often chose a place of solitude and continue with their spiritual practices, they need not attain anything material, they are beyond material existence, all they look for the elevation of soul from the worldly existence.  Ma and Bholanathji have renounced soul; hence they did not find any difference in leaving one place to another, they are void of worldly bondage, newly settled land of Dheradun was completely a strange place for them and the languages are unknown to them, but they continued their spiritual practices and intense meditation at ease.

Sri Anandamayi Ma –

Pranams at the lotus feet of Ma !

The third phase of the marriage of this divine couple was Bholanathji, the guardian of Ma was transformed into a disciple of Ma, and he was completely devoted to her, though it was a different kind of an idea for ordinary people to envisage that man of the family follows the orders of woman.  Bholanthji was a man beyond the ego or impurities of the mind.  He sincerely carried out each and every instruction and guidance of Ma, he devotedly followed her orders to achieve the heights of spirituality, and sometimes he laughed out the command of his dear Master with extreme affection that state of mind is impossible to achieve for an ordinary soul.  Bholanathji had achieved the highest of the status in spirituality, many times Ma had revealed the truth that he himself is Lord Shiva.  During this period of time, Bholanathji’s tenure of the job was got over, he was planning to conduct the search for another job, but Ma discouraged him and asked him to wait for another three days.  Within three days, a messenger from Nawab of Shabhagh Garden Estate of Dhaka city handed a letter of the job offer, soon after that the couple moved to Shabhagh garden, Bholanathji was taken in-charge of his duty.  While working in Shabhagh garden, Bholanathji was exceptionally skilled in striking balance between official and personal life, he assisted Ma in her various spiritual and devotional practices, though it was conducted as a private affair in the initial days, later it was caught the attention of numerous people from the various parts of Dhaka.  Bholanathji was all alone making arrangements for Ma’s devotional services, in that huge crowd of visitors appeared highly devoted father-daughter duo.  It was Gurupriyadidi who caught the special attention of the divine the couple, soon Gurupriyadhidi has become a constant companion and care-taker of Ma, leaving Bholanathji with considerable time in the practice of spirituality, he meticulously followed all the prescribed rites, Bhaiji assisted Bholanathji with all the arrangements for the devotional service of Ma.   For the first time, Bholanathji organized Mathri Puja on a large scale; later years it has become a golden opportunity for ordinary people like us to achieve the grace of Universal Mother.

Sri Anandamayi Ma –

Pranams at the lotus feet of Ma !

Immediately after marriage, Sri Ramanimohan Chakravarthi had to return to his workplace, leaving Ma in the custodian of his elder brother and his wife in Sripur, Dhaka.  Soon after Bholanathji lost his job, he did not want to become a burden to his   elder brother, so he continued in search of a suitable placement, it took him four years to find an appropriate one, he had to go through a various struggle during this period, it made him grow detached to the worldly matters, he was preparing himself to join the state of Bholahood/state of renunciation, he completely burned down his ego and fleeting material happiness to become a suitable companion of Ma.  Every incident in our life take place with the specific reason, we often fail to understand the object, we may lament over the situation or blame others for the failures or miss happenings, we often forget to understand the greatest cause behind every incident in our lives.  In the meantime, Ma was playing the role of an ideal housewife, without leaving her real form of bliss.   This divine couple had spent blissful thirty years of togetherness; it was completely different from an ordinary married couple.  The first phase of  their union begins when Ma got married at the age of 12 years and ten months, Bholanathji was highly pleased her watching growing, he was attracted to her virtues like simplicity, truthfulness, obedience, childlike innocence and hard working.  The second phase of their marriage, Bholanathji was amazed to watch her immersed in devotional services, constantly engaged in Kriyas and plunge into a transcendental state, which resulted in various changes in her physical appearance and a divine aura surrounded by her.  Bholanathji hold Ma with deep concern when she loses her consciousness, eventually, he got transformed by the divine touch of her, when others were wrongly predicted her state of health, Bholanathji was the one who was well aware of her state of consciousness refused to seek any medical help.