Haridwar Kumbha Mela ☀*1974☼ Baba Sripadji, Sri Anandamayi Ma, Sadhus and Friends

                                 

                                          .¸¸.•*`*•.✽(¯`••´¯)
                                                           .*•.¸.•*★•.¸¸.•*`*• ☆
                                                   Haridwar Khumbh Mela 1974
                

                                           Maji at Kumbha Mela Haridwar 1974

 

Baba Sripadji

                                                           Babaji with Sant Dasji

L to R:  Vishnu Das, 'Russi Radha' (Prof. Natalya Sazanova), Bhanu Bhai,
Sri Radha Mohan and Asim Krishna Das beside the Ganga at the Kumbha Mela  1974

                                                                   

                                             Swami Vishnu Dasji of Maharashtra

                                            Baba Sripadji with That mystical smile!
                                                     
                                              ☀*Haridwar Kumbha Mela 1974☼

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Sri Radha Dasi's Letter

                                                                                                          Vrindavan,
                                                                                                          15 Dec. 1979
                                                                 "Shri Hari"

My dear Radheshwari,
                                                             Jai Sri Radhey!

            Thank you for your letter which came some days ago now. Ellen continues to be sick - though recovering slowly - and Baba comes and goes with his urgent works. So I am kept busy and don't get round to reply to all the letters that come as soon as I should. No other reason that I didn't write sooner.

            I'm sorry if you misunderstood me and thought that I was testing you in any way. No, I asked you the question seriously- as a serious inquiry from a serious sadhaka. I had been noticing over the last couple of years that so many of those who were with us before also in search of That seem to have thrown away the quest and settled for mediocrity instead. Up to the time I wrote you last I had again heard about another couple of friends falling away. So my mind was very occupied with this situation and I was wanting to understand the reason, to find some explanation why those who had seemed so sincere, so dedicated, could yet change their minds. Perhaps because of my deep feeling, my words might have sounded to direct to you, but believe me, they were as much directed to myself if not more so. In fact when I wrote you, I told Ellen who was sitting here that I had just written a letter to myself.  After that, I even had second thoughts about posting it!

          Anyway, concerning my enquiry which I think was also called for since who knows that the next to go may not be myself, I came to certain conclusions.  Firstly, that it's very hard to give up the desire for sense gratification; in most cases of my friends, I think this has been the basic reason. Secondly, in some who even seemed a little more advanced in their inquiry of Truth and sadhana, it has been due to a basic error in judgement that they have felt the need for no further sadhana.  And that error arises from their having caught a glimpse of the universality of the soul.  However, instead of the jivatma identifying itself with the Paramatma, they have identified with the lower aspect of their nature and thus been deceived into thinking that the free reign of the desires is the highest reality.  that is why I kept thinking about Krishna's dissertation on various aspects of sadhana even after Arjuna had enjoyed the divine vision.  It seemed to me that there is a very important idea behind this; that the vision in itself is not enough unless we can incorporate it in our consciousness in the right way.  Sadhana prepares the mind and intelligence for this.  Again I remember the story of Indra and Virochana ( I think that was the name of the demon chief) who went to Brahma to enquire the highest Truth.  He told them 'Brahmasmi' was the highest. Virochana was content to look in the mirror and to understand that what he found reflected there was the Supreme Brahman; and Indra too would have been content with this answer had his wife not sent him again and again back to Brahma to do sadhana and to learn, after long, long years and repeated failures that Brahman is not the body, not the mind, not the intellect, but something even more than consciousness itself though it may be reflected through the purified consciousness.  It means, as the Sufis say, "Go still further!"

      You said, why should I be worried about falling into a material life?  Now you might understand. Since I have seen it happen so many times in the last year or so, I am always aware that I might be the next to deceive myself if I don't understand the causes clearly. Of course, I always feel there is a certain amount of Grace with me but I believe if I also don't make some effort to deserve this grace, rather to be worthy of it, it might be withdrawn from me any time.  Then certainly, there is no chance of experiencing that Ocean of Bliss.. 

        As far as the ego goes,you said you would, for one, be sorry to see it go.  Actually I don't think it really disintegrates until death and even then, if we look at reality at the perspective of its always manifesting itself, we must accept reincarnation.  This means that even in death the ego does not disintegrate but continues to exist in subtle form until it remanifests itself in an appropriate body.  So there is not much chance of my losing the ego so soon it seems!  Still, from what I have learned through the words of the saints, the ego must be reconstituted.  The ego of a saint is not the same as that of an ordinary man.  And I am sure that until that time when we are truly reborn as devotees through the sacrifices of love, all our worship is not really worth much.  I sincerely feel that it is only when the ego has been totally transformed that true worship begins.  Until then, we are just imitating the outward forms of worship - not altogether useless in itself since it is by this means that we should be purified; but still, not altogether meaningful either.

        Anyway, perhaps I should not burden you with all these thoughts though it would seem to me that it is the exchange of such views that is the true reason for having any friends on this path.  In a way, I have even come to see that friendship too is a kind of illusion since we all ultimately have to face death alone and even our friends cannot protect us then. Still, it is a sweet illusion and even sometimes too, a great solace, a great awakening, and even the great sacrifice on Love's alter.

        My pranams to Santji and Swamiji if he is there too.
...

                                                                                       With all love in Him as ever,
                                                                                                   Radha Dasi
       

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The Divine 'Hariali Tij' *ღ☆¸.•°*♥

             Sri Shyamsunder and Sri Radhaji seated on the holy swing, 'Jhula'!

    The blissful mysterious, sacred rainy month of Sravan is observed in the incessent pouring forth of nectarean showers, filling the waters of Sri Jamunaji to overflowing ~ like the shower of Divine Grace!
     Ah, the bountiful clouds roaming in the vast heavens murmur their secret rejoicing in the resplendent beauty of the lush green groves amidst which Sri Radha & Sri Krishna are seated in a swing attended by their Sakhis.  The climax of this bhav merges in that occasion called 'Hariali Tij' when everywhere seems clothed in an immense and wonderful green robe, enhancing the enchanting sight of the Divine Couple swinging in the clustered retreats.
    On this day of 'Hariali Tij', Sri Bankey Bihari in the mood of enjoying this blissful month of showers bestows His gracious 'darshan' upon His devotees from His swing in the superbly decorated shrine.  His swinging into the heart of His devotees resembles the infinite eternity, beginningless, endless.  All thoughts leave the mind but that one which seeks to become His playmate on His swing.  In this way He transcends one across the limitations of the phenomenal world perception, beyond the three-fold veil of waking, dreaming and deep sleep states to behold His blissful swing, revolutionizing the life to its complete dedication to His sweet Divine will.
    In these days, the Ras Lila reaches its climax to the accompaniment of the songs composed by the saints and sung in the same harmony of the swing.
    And at present, as the life of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhuji unfolds day by day before the crowd of ardent devotees, the resounding cry of "Hari bol!" is pervading the hearts of all with the sublime ecstasy of Lord Gauranga.  Observing the ecstatic dance showers the fervour of Sri Chaitanya's consciousness, merging one in the bliss of his divine mood. The life of Mahaprabhuji increases the devotion to Sri Krishna who, accompanied by Sri Radha, has incarnated in this form as Sri Chaitanya.  From time to time to establish God-consciousness, He Himself incarnates on this earth, and the perennial inspiration of His Divine incarnations ceaselessly beckons the world unto His eternal Divinity.


From the letters of Baba Sripadji
Vrindavan,
August 1974

 

 

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First Time Seeing Baba Sripadji

    Sripadji had said he would come and there was a lot of anticipation of that
coming. In these days of July 1971 my first visit I would simply sleep on a mat 
and Swamiji would stay upon his wooden bed. There was an Akhanda Jyot,
a small oil lamp, which was always lit inside his kutia. After lying down at
night to sleep the first time I vaguely woke-up, I saw Swamiji in that glowing
light sitting up in blissful meditation. I quickly sat up also to meditate, not to
miss an opportunity in this saint's presence. And it was so good!! When again
I opened my eyes I saw him lying flat on his back. I immediately lied down to
rest. This would happen four or five times a night  and my night sleep became
very subtle. I was extremely happy to have all these moments of silent
meditation with Swamiji. On about the 4th night suddenly Swamiji rose up
and in three steps was out of the kutia chanting Om! Om! I sat up and
waited, in the dim light I saw it was 5:00 am! After 10 mins. or so Swamiji
returned with a very beautiful and radiantly silent young sadhu. Swamiji said
that Balyogiji Sripad had been meditating outside for 2 and a half hours! I
vividly remember first seeing his feet, then he also sat on the floor in an even
more intense, vibrant silence. Yet there was so much communication! I never
had such an experience of energy and light before!! Swamiji was aglow
making tea.  But I was so ecstatic that tears ran down my cheeks! Words
all disappeared from the mind that seemed itself dizzily enchanted. Fully
charmed by the One totally in the Sublime Bhava of Sri Radha Krishna!! 
This state was always the case for me whenever I was in his company!



                                     'Vibhor, Vichitr, Vimohit Sri Krishna!'

                                                         Sri Sripad Babaji
                                                       Mussoorie July1971

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.¸¸.•*Sri Yugal Ashtakam*•.¸¸. .¸¸.•*♥*•.¸¸.☼.¸¸.•*♥*•.¸¸.

                        .¸¸.•*♥*Shree Yugal Ashtakam*♥*•.¸¸.

Krshna Premamayi Radha, Radha Premamayo Hari!
Mam Jeevane Nidhne Nityam! Sri Radha Krshnau Gatirmam!

      Krshnasya Dravinam Radha, Radhaya Dravinam Hari!
      Mam Jeevane Nidhne Nityam! Sri Radha Krshnau Gatirmam!

Krshna Pranamayi Radha, Radha Pranamayo Hari!
Mam Jeevane Nidhne Nityam! Sri Radha Krshnau Gatirmam!

      Krshna Dravymayee Radha, Radha Dravymayo Hari!
      Mam Jeevane Nidhne Nityam! Sri Radha Krshnau Gatirmam!

Krshna Gruhastitha Radha, Radha Gruhastithau Hari!
Mam Jeevane Nidhne Nityam! Sri Radha Krshnau Gatirmam!

      Krshna Chitt Stitha Radha, Radha Chitt Stithau Hari!
      Mam Jeevane Nidhne Nityam! Sri Radha Krishnau Gatirmam!

Neelambar Dhara Radha, Pitambar Dharo Hari!
Mam Jeevane Nidhne Nityam! Sri Radha Krshnau Gatirmam!

      Vrindavaneshwari Radha, Krshno Vrindavaneshwarah!
     Mam Jeevane Nidhne Nityam! Sri Radha Krshno Gatirmam!  

                            .¸¸.•*♥*•.¸¸.☼.¸¸.•*♥*•.¸¸.

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Baba Sripadji and I ~*~

At the Lotus Feet of the Master   .•*•. ♥                                          

 Shyama Gori, Nitya Kishori, Pritam Jori, Sri Radhe
Rasika Rasilo, Chaila Chabilo Guna Garbillo Sri Krishna

I will not come back
Oh mighty Excellence Thakurji
Whenever I meet you face to face
you prove my helplessness
                    
The ancient tales tell the story of your sweetness
The invitation to accept it
The compassionate relationship that heals wounds

What is the logic
That makes your every decision supreme
And my every prayer a helpless question

Have you seen the silvery  Himalayas
Making gestures of affection
Laughing at the life of the mundane world

Merging into that ambrosia I cannot invite you
You always prefer the river bank from where
You can cross over with Grace when the time comes

 You were so moody in Your  Excellence
When you believed to challenge the depths to surrender
You make your unseen beckoning hands

In this inner pondering whenever I  lost my consciousness
Sometimes I am so close to you to whom I might say Friend or Celestial
Ah! it is that state of merging

I could have returned to that wealth and affection the mundane world
But by the Grace of Your Transcendent Lila I am submerged
Slowly but surely It has bound me O long before


राधे●राधेराधे●राधेराधे●राधेराधे●राधेराधे●राधेराधे●राधेराधे●राधेराधे●राधेराधे●राधेराधे●राधेराधे●राधे
Poem in a letter from Baba
Sri Vrindavan 1971

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Sravana Utsava ~ The Festival of the Rainy Season ♥ जय श्री राधे कृष्ण! ♥

The most wonderful Season of all seems to always come after the most difficult one. And it is this that makes Sravana Mas, the season of the fabulous Monsoons, so delicious and the most ecstatic event of the year!! After what seems so trying, the unbearable heat, finally we look forward to the rains, like the peacocks who start singing and actually dancing when they see the huge, heavy, dark rain clouds rolling in on the warm winds!!
No wonder it is a season like no other, with its lovers rushing out into the rains with shouts of joy, dancing!! It is the time of Sravana Utsava, the festival of the Rainy Season. And it is lushly celebrated in Vrindavan, in all of Vraj, and throughout all of India with song, dance, and swinging in the rain! The whole month of the rains, lovers of Sri Radha Krishna come to Vrindavan to celebrate. All the Ras Lila groups show up and perform their
Raslilas, the live plays of Sri Radha and Krsna enacted, to the delight of everyone that has come to this holy land. Many saints and Gurus come specially here with their devotees for this time of the beautiful Sravana Utsava.

"Sri Krishna prema mayi Radha, Radha prema mayo Hari!
Jivane nidhane Nityam! Sri Radha Krishno ghatirma mam!"

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