Swami Sri Bolananda Giri Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Giri Maharaj!

Chapter – 14

The number of people increased in the Ashram.  The disciple and devotees had to face the constant trouble of monkeys in this Ashram, many a time Rotis were missing, clothes kept for drying were missing and torn.   The monkeys mishandled the boxes of rice, wheat flour, and grains and kept in the storehouse and messed it all over the floor, even the places like Ayodhya, Mathura, and Gokul also had the same trouble of monkeys.  The disciples were complaint to Guruji about the troubles of monkey habits. It was a strict order from the preceptor that ‘None of the animals or humans should mistreat or hurt in the Ashram.”  Even the devotees started complaining about the same to Maharaj, he came out in the garden and said “ Monkeys, you should be in the place where you are supposed to be, you are troubling my disciples and devotees, they are finding it difficult to perform their simple tasks, and they are not harming you because of my order, it does not mean that you are free to do all your monkey acts here, you have the right to eat the fruits of the Ashram, my disciples and devotees will feed you happily, but never torn off the clothes kept for drying, or should not touch the storehouse ingredients,  Do you all understand that?.” All the monkeys assembled before him like they were listening to the lectures of Bholanandji, devotees and disciples looked at this with amazement, there was an old monkey sitting close to Bholanandj, it responded with its tilting head as if he understood the lectures of Maharaj, rest of the monkeys were kept silent.  Bholanandji said “You have all the right to eat fruits from the Ashram; if you disturb us we have the right to scold you and chase you from here. Is that okay?” The elderly monkey shook its head and agreed to it.  The next day onwards, the Ashram was free from the troubles of monkeys.

Baba Bholanand Giri was a great saint, who does not find any difference in humans and animals.  He treated everyone with kindness and humility, he was unforgiving to his disciple and took great care of them, and he sincerely wanted them to achieve great heights in spirituality.  Prabhupada Vijaykrishna Goswamiji used to comment about Baba Bhlonand Giri “ He is a supreme Yogi”.   It was on 8^th May 1929 Bholanand Giri Maharaj attained Mahasamadhi in his Haridhwar Ashram.

Swami Sri Bolananda Giri Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Giri Maharaj!

Chapter – 13

There was a fervent devotee of Bholanand Giri Maharaj, he was  skilled in hunting, he went to a dense wood for hunting with his friends, Sundarban is a famous forest in Bengal and it is one of the most hazardous too.  He was enthusiastically conducted search for wild animals finally he was lost in the wood.  He had an encounter with a bear,  he did not carry a gun and all he was carrying was a knife, he was pretty sure that he cannot survive with this weapon so long, but he was too adventurous, he decided to fight for life, finally, he fell severely wounded and understood his death is coming closer.  Commonly all the people remember Supreme Lord at the time of troubles, he remembered his Guruji and screamed “Jai Gurudev”, soon he heard a voice instructing him “Go and fight for life, don’t leave your hopes.” He regained all the strength and fought with the bear and shoved it down the hill, he thought his feeble hands made miracles; soon he realized it was the pure blessings of Guruji otherwise he would have died by now.

Bholanand Giri Maharaj used to deliver lectures on his preceptor to his disciples; he used to discuss miraculous incidents with them.  While giving lectures, he described a hilarious incident that took place in the house of his devotee who was a wealthy Seth from Bombay.   Once he conducted a spiritual tour to Bombay, during this time he stayed in the home of a wealthy Seth.  The Sethji couple had one daughter, he was hoping for a boy child to take care of his wealth, but it did not happen.  Sethji made a request seeing the young and sturdy Swamiji, “ Swamiji, will you do me a favor, can you reside with us forever, I have an only daughter and no other child, kindly accept my daughter as your wedded wife and take care of my properties and wealth.” Bholanandji was surprised to hear from him, he did not even recognize him as a saint.  He did not understand why Sethji made a request like that.  Bholanandji asked, “ Why are you tired of taking pleasure in it, you have immense wealth, huge house and vehicles, and servants to attend your needs, are you tired of all these and no more interest in taking pleasure in it?” Sethji said, “ You are right, I am tired of all these, I have everything in this life, but I am lacking peace of mind. I am mentally worn out of various worries.  I wanted to get relieved from all these and conduct spiritual trips and engage in Keerthan and Bhajan.”  Bholanandji asked “If it was a burden for you to look after this wealth which creates constant worries, why you want to fasten me with all your worries? If I want to be a rich person, I would not take up Sanyasa, or wander around with the begging bowl. Kindly excuse me, I do not want to be a Grihastha, I am a sanyasi.”  This incident gave new inspiration to Bholanandji, he abandoned living in the houses of devotees and moved to Haridwar.  He built a hermitage, in the meantime his preceptor Gulab Giri Maharaj was attained Mahasamadhi. 

Swami Sri Bolananda Giri Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Giri Maharaj!

Chapter – 12

It was Kumbhamela in Prayag, there were Dhashanami saints assembled in the Ganga Ghat which was packed with a huge crowd of saints, holy men, ascetics, and devotees.  Suddenly the crowd of Sanyasis had a big argument about Prabhupada Vijaykrishna Goswamiji.  Dhashanami saints do not want Prabhupada Vijayakrishna Goswamiji who was a Grihasthi Sanyasi, arrived with his wife to construct a tent in their area,  Bholanandji came to know about this argument, he rushed to the site to clear the dispute and said “ What are you doing here? Goswamiji is a great Sanyasi, although he is a Grihastha, he had attained highest of the state in spirituality, in fact, many of you could not even imagine.  If he wants he can perform Rudra Thandav on this land.”  The saints assembled became quite after listening to Bholanandji.  He went to meet Goswamiji and said: “ My Ashutosh, don’t get angry, these are children practicing asceticism, kindly forgive them.” Goswamiji said “ Maharaj, I have done that already. Kindly take your seat.”  Later Prabhupada Vijay Krishna Goswami said to his devotees, “ Our Bholanand Giri Swamiji is a unique saint of this Yuga  if he wants he can destroy this Universe with his Thapobal.”

Bholanandji was a great Yogi, who always strived hard to bring harmony and peace among the ascetics, he was well known for humility, simplicity, kindness. He was one of the Dhashanami Sanyasi of Giri sect, a system of monastic tradition associated with Adhvaitha Vedanta Tradition.   Thridandi Sanyasin are Vaishnav Sanyasin and Ekadandi worship Lord Shiva and wear sacred thread across the chest, Ekadandi Sannyasins do not wear the sacred thread, and people from any caste or religion can seek Sanyasashram according to Dhashanami Sampradaya which was established by Sri Adi Shankaracharya.

Bholanandji had a great liking to saint Gambheernath from Nath Sampradaya, during the period of Kumbhamela, he said “ My tent is for Gambheernath and Goswami, after that all my disciple can occupy the place.”  These two saints are Yugapurushas, not possible to understand their glorious myths for ordinary people.

Swami Sri Bolananda Giri Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Giri Maharaj!

Chapter – 11

There was a devoted disciple  Achalnath Mithra from Kolkata, he was a famous attorney in the city of Kolkata.  He had a desire to host Babaji in his house during the occasion of Puja, Guruji arrived to fulfill the desire of his disciple.  There was a huge crowd of people from Kolkata and nearby places, Bholanandji give lectures on a regular basis, he had to return to Haridwar on Dusshera.  Achalnath Mithra got arranged the vehicle for Bholaandji to Haridwar, and the entire luggage was loaded in the cart.  At that moment, Mohini Mohan Chakraborty, one of the disciples of Bholanandji arrived there.  He had a desire to invite Bholanandji to visit his home once so that his family will remain blessed. He used to attend Guruji’s lecture on a regular basis, he wanted to request Guruji to visit his house so long, but he could not get an opportunity, and he was too timid to ask anything, seeing Guruji’s return Mohini Mohan Chakraborty could not control his emotions, he sincerely prayed in his heart “You know my desire, why are you ignoring me? Won’t you fulfill my desire? Am I so lowly creature to you?” while looking at him, he left to Haridwar.  Chakraborthy’s desire was kept hidden in his heart, he returned home disappointed, His wife asked him “Where were you? Gurudev came here and gone. You did not get a chance to meet him.” Chakraborty shrieked with joy “ What? Gurudev visited our home? When?” she said “ Yes, a few minutes back. He blessed me and returned to his vehicle.  He did not stay too long.  He must be leaving to somewhere.”  He was extremely happy to notice his Antharyami Gurudev fulfilled his desire.  His eyes were soaked in tears.

Swami Sri Bolananda Giri Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Giri Maharaj!

Chapter – 10

Sri Amarnath Rai who was lived in Srihut district, Assam was a fervent devotee of Swami Bhoalanda Giri, his only son became ill, his health was deteriorating after several months of treatment, his entire family felt miserable.  Soon he received a message from Bholanandji to conduct Namasankeerthan and charities; there was nothing much written in the message other than these two sentences.  On the same night after the recitation of Nama, his son put his hands around his father’s neck and said “Father, I am feeling better now.”  The child was unconscious in the whole day till afternoon became alright by night, his father got shocked, he could not believe, with tears overflowing he hugged his son.  His son said “Father, why are you crying? I am alright now, a few minutes back Guruji Maharaj came, he sprinkled water on me from his Kamandalu, I am feeling good now. ” Amarnath Rai asked “ Guruji Maharaj came? When and where?” Amarnath Rai shocked, his son said “ He came a few minutes back, there was one more Baba with him,” at that moment the people assembled were confused and could not believe anything, he asked, “Did you recall the appearance of Guru Maharaj, could you describe please ?” His son said “He had long stature, medium built body, his head was covered with a turban, Kamandalu on hand and radiant body,” Amarnath Rai realized the boy was giving the right description of Guruji.  The boy said “Don’t you believe my words? He sprinkled water on me from his Kamandalu, see my hands and face, you can see the drops of water” People assembled were looked at the child in awe.  Amarnath Rai sincerely prayed to Guruji with all his heart.

A few days after that incident, Bholanandji, while he was in the Ashram in Haridwar, received a message from Amarnath Rai.  Bholanandji smiled and called his disciple “  I have received a message from Amarnath Rai from Srihut, he mentioned in his letter that I have visited his home in Srihut, Assam and cured his sick child.  You all know that I did not make any visit for the past few months; it is the pastimes of the Supreme Lord.  It is definite that if we pray sincerely with dedication and faith, he will shower his grace on all occasions. This is the reason I am telling you all to conduct meditation sincerely with intense devotion and faith, contemplate upon the Supreme Lord.  We do not know after how many births we have attained the birth of a human, human life is like a dewdrop, past and future is not with us, the present is with us, therefore always contemplate upon Paramathma,”

Swami Sri Bolananda Giri Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Giri Maharaj!

Chapter – 9

The famous Mathematician Somesh Chandra and his wife had shared a unique relationship; these couples were too affectionate with each other.  He lost his wife; in her absence, he slowly cultivated the sense of abandonment towards everything.  He spends a good part of his life in the veneration of Lord and recitation of Namasankeerthan.  He approached many preceptors seeking for Dheeksha, unfortunately, he could not make it real.  This Mathematician put forward a condition that he will choose a preceptor who can give Dheeksha to him and his deceased wife, honestly, this condition made the preceptors to keep him away.  It is believed that after death, the soul immerses with the five essential elements.  The Preceptors questioned him “how is it possible to recall the soul and give Dheeksha, which is already immersed in the five elements.    We are not a superhuman who can bring the dead person alive.”  But the Mathematician was not willing to accept any of these explanations; he continued his journey to several places in search of a preceptor who is willing to follow his condition.  Finally, he arrived at the hermitage of  Bholanandji and narrated his story, Bholanandji smiled and said “Don’t’ worry, everything will work the way you want.  I will give Dheeksha to both of you.” The mathematician could not believe his words; he was in a state of bliss.  He felt “ At last, I have made it, I have found my Guru.”  The mathematician had a doubt, “ How did I know my wife received Dheeksha or not. Is it possible for her to appear as an ordinary human being?”  Bholanandji said “Definitely, she will appear before you and sit with you to receive Dheeksha. You can see her before your eyes, but you have to promise me that you will not touch her.”  The mathematician readily agreed for the conditions of Bholanandji, an auspicious day has chosen to give Dheeksha to Mathematician and his wife, three seats were arranged and one for preceptor and another two for Mathematician and his deceased wife. The mathematician took his seat, and Bholanandji next to him, and Dheeksha rituals began.  

Mathematician looked at his left and startled,  he saw his wife seated next to him, and she had the same appearance, usual attire, and smile.  They looked at each other with intense love; soon he remembered the words of his preceptor not to touch her.  He controlled his senses, Bholanandji whispered Beejamanthra in his ears and later to his wife, they both prostrated before Bholanandji, soon his wife disappeared from the sight.  The mathematician was so thrilled and happy to see his wish was fulfilled after so long.  He shed tears of joy at the feet of Bholanandji.

Swami Sri Bolananda Giri Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Giri Maharaj!

Chapter – 8

Once Mahamahopadhyay Gopinath Kaviraj enquired Bholanandji about the significance and secrets of Ajapa Japa,  Bholanandji replied “ The primary organs of the respiratory system are lungs, which function to take in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide,  Ajapa Japa Sadhana is the process of uniting  breathe with the sounds of Pranava Manthra.  The process of breathing begins the moment child comes out its mother’ womb and removed its umbilical code from its mother, the process of breathing continues from here till the individual declared as dead, while the child in the womb of its mother, it breathes with the help of umbilical code and consume liquids through it, the development in a child takes place with the breath of its mother.  When the child comes out of the mother’s womb, it will instantly persuade by illusion, the duration from birth to death is the journey of life.   The Ajapa Sadhana is the technique utilizing the breath as the prime source and blends it with the Pranava Manthra.  There are not many restrictions or physical exercises are involved in this practice of Ajapa Japa Sadhana and the fruit of this Sadhana depends on the commitment and devotion to it.”

A disciple cannot achieve the respect of his preceptor without the intense and devoted practice of Tapasya and meditation practices.  This intense practice of Tapasya removes impurities; it increases mental strength and physical stamina as well.  A Grihasthi has to follow all the Dharmic rites to obtain purity of mind and intellect, he has to perform all the spiritual and religious rites; he has to produce virtuous offspring to attain Moksha.  In the same manner, a preceptor and a disciple will have the relationship of father and son, a preceptor guides his disciple meticulously, ultimately it is the responsibility of the disciple to put great effort in the form of extreme penances, the vow of celibacy, and meditation for achieving spiritual heights.  Bholanandji was too strict to his disciple and was too kind to his devotees.