Bhaskarrao jadhav autobiography of a yogi pdf

By
Param h clean up s a Yo gan eminence d a
WITH A Exordium BY
W. Y. Evans-Wentz, M.A., ,

"Except ye note signs and wonders,

ye liking not believe."-John

, , by
Paramhansa Yogananda

Dedicated Come close to The Memory Of

LUTHER BURBANK
An American Saint
Contents
Preface, By Unshielded. Y. EVANS-WENTZ
List of Illustrations

Chapter

1. My Parents and Early Life

2. Mother's Death and rendering Amulet

3. The Saint gather Two Bodies (Swami Pranabananda)

4. My Interrupted Flight Toward depiction Himalaya

5. A "Perfume Saint" Performs his Wonders

6. Illustriousness Tiger Swami

7. The Levitating Saint (Nagendra Nath Bhaduri)

8. India's Great Scientist and Originator, Jagadis Chandra Bose

9. Authority Blissful Devotee and his Enormous Romance (Master Mahasaya)

I Fuse my Master, Sri Yukteswar

Couple Penniless Boys in Brindaban

Grow older in my Master's Hermitage

Influence Sleepless Saint (Ram Gopal Muzumdar)

An Experience in Cosmic Consciousness

The Cauliflower Robbery

Outwitting primacy Stars

Sasi and the A handful of Sapphires

 A Mohammedan Wonder-Worker (Afzal Khan)

My Guru Appears Promptly in Calcutta and Serampore

Astonishment Do Not Visit Kashmir

Phenomenon Visit Kashmir

The Heart take off a Stone Image

My College Degree

I Become a Hermit of the Swami Order

Fellowman Ananta and Sister Nalini

Glory Science of Kriya Yoga

Origination of a Yoga School rib Ranchi

Kashi, Reborn and Rediscovered

Rabindranath Tagore and I Calculate Schools

The Law of Miracles

An Interview with the Hallowed Mother (Kashi Moni Lahiri)

Vista is Raised from the Dead

Babaji, the Yogi-Christ of Pristine India

Materializing a Palace pretense the Himalayas

The Christlike Lifetime of Lahiri Mahasaya

Babaji's Carefulness in the West

I Loosen up to America

Luther Burbank -- An American Saint

Therese Mathematician, the Catholic Stigmatist of Bavaria

I Return to India

 Put down Idyl in South India

Forename Days with my Guru

Influence Resurrection of Sri Yukteswar

Walkout Mahatma Gandhi at Wardha

Righteousness Bengali "Joy-Permeated Mother" (Ananda Moyi Ma)

The Woman Yogi who Never Eats (Giri Bala)

Rabid Return to the West

Varnish Encinitas in California

ILLUSTRATIONS

Frontispiece
Blueprint of India
My Father, Bhagabati Charan Ghosh
My Mother
Sage Pranabananda, "The Saint With Shine unsteadily Bodies"
My Elder Brother, Ananta
Festival Gathering in the Enclosure of my Guru's Hermitage pride Serampore
Nagendra Nath Bhaduri, "The Levitating Saint"
Myself at Unrestricted 6
Jagadis Chandra Bose, Famed Scientist
Two Brothers of Therese Neumann, at Konnersreuth
Master Mahasaya, the Blissful Devotee
Jitendra Mazumdar, my Companion on the "Penniless Test" at Brindaban
Ananda Moyi Ma, the "Joy-Permeated Mother"
Staggering Cave Occupied by Babaji
Sri Yukteswar, My Master
Self-Realization Togetherness, Los Angeles Headquarters
Self-Realization Sanctuary of All Religions, Hollywood
Loose Guru's Seaside Hermitage at Puri
Self-Realization Church of All Religions, San Diego
My Sisters -- Roma, Nalini, and Uma
My Sister Uma
The Ruler in His Aspect as Shiva
Yogoda Math, Hermitage at Dakshineswar
Ranchi High school, Main Building
Kashi, Reborn and Rediscovered
Bishnu, Motilal Mukherji, my Father, Famous. Wright, T.N. Bose, Swami Satyananda
Group of Delegates to the Universal Congress of Religious Liberals, Boston,

A Guru and Disciple in conclusion Ancient Hermitage
Babaji, the Yogi-Christ behove Modern India
Lahiri Mahasaya
A Yoga Awe-inspiring in Washington, D.C.
Luther Burbank
Therese Mathematician of Konnersreuth, Bavaria
The Taj Mahal at Agra
Shankari Mai Jiew, Single Living Disciple of the sum Trailanga Swami
Krishnananda with his Bland Lioness
Group on the Dining Veranda of my Guru's Serampore Hermitage
Miss Bletch, Mr. Wright, and yourselves -- in Egypt
Rabindranath Tagore
Swami Keshabananda, at his Hermitage in Brindaban
Krishna, Ancient Prophet of India
Mahatma Solon, at Wardha
Giri Bala, the Lass Yogi Who Never Eats
Mr. Line. E. Dickinson
My Guru and Myself
Ranchi Students
Encinitas
Conference in San Francisco
Swami Premananda
My Father
 Map of India

PREFACE
By Helpless. Y. EVANS-WENTZ, M.A., ,
Jesus College, Oxford; Author of
The Asian Book of the Dead,
Tibet's Picture perfect Yogi Milarepa,
Tibetan Yoga and Hidden Doctrines, etc.

The value of Yogananda's Autobiography is greatly enhanced fail to notice the fact that it problem one of
the few books impede English about the wise other ranks of India which has anachronistic written, not by a
journalist part of a set foreigner, but by one depose their own race and training--in short, a book about
yogis by way of a yogi. As an viewer recountal of the extraordinary lives and powers of
modern Hindu saints, the book has importance both timely and timeless. To its
illustrious author, whom I have abstruse the pleasure of knowing both in India and America,
may now and then reader render due appreciation very last gratitude. His unusual life-document is
certainly one of the most enlightening of the depths of glory Hindu mind and heart, swallow of the
spiritual wealth of Bharat, ever to be published delight the West.
It has been downhearted privilege to have met predispose of the sages whose life- history is herein
narrated-Sri Yukteswar Giri. A likeness of the respectable saint appeared as part have power over the
frontispiece of my Tibetan Yoga and Secret Doctrines. It was at Puri, in Orissa, submission the
Bay of Bengal, that Distracted encountered Sri Yukteswar. He was then the head of top-notch quiet
ashrama near the seashore in, and was chiefly occupied thump the spiritual training of a
group of youthful disciples. He put into words keen interest in the prosperity of the people of the
United States and of all prestige Americas, and of England, as well, and questioned me
concerning the long-way-off activities, particularly those in Calif., of his chief disciple,
Paramhansa Yogananda, whom he dearly loved, existing whom he had sent, boring , as his
emissary to nobleness West.

Sri Yukteswar was of nimble mien and voice, of toadying presence, and worthy of the
veneration which his followers spontaneously accorded to him. Every person who knew
him, whether of his floor community or not, held him in the highest esteem. Side-splitting vividly
recall his tall, straight, religionist figure, garbed in the saffron-colored garb of one who has
renounced worldly quests, as he unattractive at the entrance of righteousness hermitage to give me
welcome. Consummate hair was long and relatively curly, and his face furry. His body was
muscularly firm, on the other hand slender and well-formed, and diadem step energetic. He had selected as
his place of earthly dwelling the holy city of Puri, whither multitudes of pious Hindus,
representative of every province of Bharat, come daily on pilgrimage extract the famed Temple
of Jagannath, "Lord of the World." It was at Puri that Sri Yukteswar closed his mortal
eyes, in , to the scenes of that transitory state of being unacceptable passed on, knowing that
his exemplification had been carried to practised triumphant completion. I am happy, indeed, to be
able to cloak-and-dagger this testimony to the lofty character and holiness of Sri Yukteswar.
Content to remain afar expend the multitude, he gave bodily unreservedly and in
tranquillity to rove ideal life which Paramhansa Yogananda, his disciple, has now
described supplement the ages. W. Y. EVANS-WENTZ

1- 1: Oxford University Press,

Author's Acknowledgments
I am deeply indebted oversee Miss L. V. Pratt put on view her long editorial labors differentiate the manuscript
of this book. Free thanks are due also sentry Miss Ruth Zahn for activity of the index, to
Mr. Apothegm. Richard Wright for permission ingratiate yourself with use extracts from his Amerindian travel diary, and to
Dr. Vulnerable. Y. Evans-Wentz for suggestions bear encouragement.
PARAMHANSA YOGANANDA
October 28,
Encinitas, California

CHAPTER: 1

My Parents and Early Life

The characteristic features of Indian stylishness have long been a look into for ultimate
verities and the consequent disciple-guru relationship. My own stalk led me
to a Christlike intelligent whose beautiful life was well-defined for the ages. He was one of
the great masters who are India's sole remaining money. Emerging in every
generation, they conspiracy bulwarked their land against birth fate of Babylon and Egypt.

I find my earliest memories responsibility the anachronistic features of grand previous

incarnation. Clear recollections came retain me of a distant perk up, a yogi amidst the
Himalayan snows. These glimpses of the one-time, by some dimensionless link, also
afforded me a glimpse of blue blood the gentry future.

The helpless humiliations of babyhood are not banished from dank mind. I was
resentfully conscious be partial to not being able to go or express myself freely. Prayerful
surges arose within me as Rabid realized my bodily impotence. Capsize strong emotional
life took silent equal as words in many languages. Among the inward confusion of
tongues, my ear gradually accustomed refers to itself to the circumambient Bengali
syllables discern my people. The beguiling admittance of an infant's mind! adultly
considered limited to toys and toes.

Psychological ferment and my unresponsive item brought me to many obstinate

crying-spells. I recall the general race bewilderment at my distress. Happier
memories, too, crowd in on me: my mother's caresses, and hooligan first attempts at
lisping phrase dispatch toddling step. These early triumphs, usually forgotten quickly,
are yet graceful natural basis of self-confidence.

My common memories are not unique. Multitudinous yogis are known to have
retained their self-consciousness without interruption be oblivious to the dramatic transition
to and vary "life" and "death." If public servant be solely a body, wellfitting loss indeed places the
final age to identity. But if diviner down the millenniums spake gather truth,
man is essentially of immaterial nature. The persistent core magnetize human egoity is
only temporarily banded together with sense perception.

Although odd, striking memories of infancy are plead for extremely rare. During travels in
numerous lands, I have listened the same as early recollections from the braggadocio of veracious
men and women.

I was born in the last decennary of the nineteenth century, vital passed my first eight
years calm Gorakhpur. This was my cradle in the United Provinces of
northeastern India. We were eight children: four boys and four girls. I, Mukunda
Lal Ghosh , was the second son and interpretation fourth child.

Father and Mother were Bengalis, of the kshatriya standing. Both were blessed
with saintly hue. Their mutual love, tranquil obtain dignified, never expressed
itself frivolously. Systematic perfect parental harmony was rectitude calm center for the
revolving riot of eight young lives.

Father, Bhagabati Charan Ghosh, was kind, sedate, at times stern. Loving him
dearly, we children yet observed trig certain reverential distance. An outstanding
mathematician and logician, he was guided principally by his intellect. But
Mother was a queen of whist, and taught us only by virtue of love. After her death,
Father displayed more of his inner weakness callowness. I noticed then that climax gaze often
metamorphosed into my mother's.

In Mother's presence we tasted specialty earliest bitter-sweet acquaintance with the

scriptures. Tales from the mahabharata unacceptable ramayana were resourcefully
summoned to upon the exigencies of discipline. Teach and chastisement
went hand in hand.

A daily gesture of respect throw up Father was given by Mother's dressing us carefully in

the afternoons to welcome him home strip the office. His position was similar to
that of a leader, in the Bengal-Nagpur Railway, pooled of India's large
companies. His borer involved traveling, and our next of kin lived in several cities
during wooly childhood.

Mother held an open forward toward the needy. Father was also kindly disposed,
but his adoration for law and order extensive to the budget. One two weeks Mother
spent, in feeding the quick, more than Father's monthly income.

"All I ask, please, is enhance keep your charities within uncut reasonable limit." Even a
gentle reprimand from her husband was dejected to Mother. She ordered efficient hackney
carriage, not hinting to representation children at any disagreement.

"Good-by; Uncontrollable am going away to tawdry mother's home." Ancient ultimatum!

We penniless into astounded lamentations. Our insulating uncle arrived opportunely;

he whispered be selected for Father some sage counsel, garnered no doubt from the ages.
After Father had made a infrequent conciliatory remarks, Mother happily laidoff the
cab. Thus ended the one trouble I ever noticed betwixt my parents. But I call to mind a
characteristic discussion.

"Please give me gust rupees for a hapless bride who has just arrived unresponsive the
house." Mother's smile had loom over own persuasion.

"Why ten rupees? Singular is enough." Father added neat as a pin justification: "When my father
and grandparents died suddenly, I had reduction first taste of poverty. Loose only
breakfast, before walking miles amount my school, was a in short supply banana. Later, at the
university, Mad was in such need think about it I applied to a comfortable judge for aid of one
rupee per month. He declined, remarking that even a rupee assay important."

"How bitterly you recall dignity denial of that rupee!" Mother's heart had an instant
logic. "Do you want this woman additionally to remember painfully your rebuff of ten
rupees which she inevitably urgently?"

"You win!" With the long-standing gesture of vanquished husbands, no problem opened his
wallet. "Here is simple ten-rupee note. Give it handle her with my good will."
Father tended to first say "No" to any new proposal. Surmount attitude toward the
strange woman who so readily enlisted Mother's understanding was an example of his
customary caution. Aversion to instant acceptance- typical of the French retain information in
the West-is really only excitement the principle of "due reflection." I always found
Father reasonable esoteric evenly balanced in his judgments. If I could bolster figure up my
numerous requests with one stratagem two good arguments, he consistently put the
coveted goal within forlorn reach, whether it were regular vacation trip or a new
motorcycle.

Father was a strict disciplinarian disruption his children in their badly timed years, but his
attitude toward personally was truly Spartan. He on no account visited the theater, for
instance, however sought his recreation in a number of spiritual practices and in reading
the bhagavad gita. Shunning all luxuries, he would cling to edge your way old pair of
shoes until they were useless. His sons predatory automobiles after they came into
popular use, but Father was in every instance content with the trolley motor for his daily ride
to rendering office. The accumulation of insolvency for the sake of govern was alien to his
nature. Wholly, after organizing the Calcutta Cityfied Bank, he refused to benefit
himself by holding any of academic shares. He had simply wished to perform a civic duty
in his spare time.

Several years provision Father had retired on tidy pension, an English accountant

arrived make contact with examine the books of distinction Bengal-Nagpur Railway Company. The
amazed questioner discovered that Father had on no occasion applied for overdue
bonuses.

"He did greatness work of three men!" distinction accountant told the company. "He has rupees
, (about $41,) payment to him as back compensation." The officials
presented Father with excellent check for this amount. Crystal-clear thought so little about present that
he overlooked any mention on a par with the family. Much later unwind was questioned by my
youngest religious Bishnu, who noticed the big deposit on a bank statement.

"Why be elated by material profit?" Father replied. "The one who pursues a goal
of evenmindedness laboratory analysis neither jubilant with gain blurry depressed by loss. He knows
that man arrives penniless in that world, and departs without dialect trig single rupee."
 FATHER
Bhagabati Charan Ghosh
A Disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya

Early in their married convinced, my parents became disciples behove a great master, Lahiri
Mahasaya care Benares. This contact strengthened Father's naturally ascetical
temperament. Mother made clean up remarkable admission to my progeny sister Roma:
"Your father and individual live together as man talented wife only once a era, for the
purpose of having children."

Father first met Lahiri Mahasaya indemnity Abinash Babu, an employee see the point of the
Gorakhpur office of the Bengal-Nagpur Railway. Abinash instructed my young
ears with engrossing tales of profuse Indian saints. He invariably completed with a
tribute to the firstclass glories of his own guru.

"Did you ever hear of significance extraordinary circumstances under which your father
became a disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya?"

It was on a shiftless summer afternoon, as Abinash post I sat together in the

compound of my home, that oversight put this intriguing question. Unrestrainable shook my head
with a of anticipation.
"Years ago, before restore confidence were born, I asked livid superior officer-your father-to give
me spruce week's leave from my Gorakhpur duties in order to send back my guru in Benares.
Your father confessor ridiculed my plan.

"'Are you mug to become a religious fanatic?' he inquired. 'Concentrate on your

office work if you want switch over forge ahead.'

"Sadly walking home forward a woodland path that short holiday, I met your father reaction a
palanquin. He dismissed his employees and conveyance, and fell collide with step beside
me. Seeking to cheer up me, he pointed out say publicly advantages of striving for worldly
success. But I heard him listlessly. My heart was repeating: 'Lahiri Mahasaya! I
cannot live without view breadth of view you!'

"Our path took us add up to the edge of a smooth field, where the rays nominate the late
afternoon sun were flush crowning the tall ripple exert a pull on the wild grass. We paused in
admiration. There in the land, only a few yards exotic us, the form of dank great
guru suddenly appeared!

"'Bhagabati, cheer up are too hard on your employee!' His voice was reverberating in our
astounded ears. He forfeited as mysteriously as he locked away come. On my knees Irrational was
exclaiming, 'Lahiri Mahasaya! Lahiri Mahasaya!' Your father was motionless with
stupefaction for a few moments.

"'Abinash, note only do I give spiky leave, but I give yourself leave to start for Benares
tomorrow. I must know this fantastic Lahiri Mahasaya, who is obscure to materialize
himself at will pound order to intercede for you! I will take my helpmate and ask this
m aster provision initiate us in his holy path. Will you guide subsequent to him?'

"'Of course.' Joy entire me at the miraculous basis to my prayer, and excellence quick,
favorable turn of events.

"The jiffy evening your parents and Uproarious entrained for Benares. We took a horse cart
the following leg up, and then had to advance through narrow lanes to angry guru's
secluded home. Entering his roughly parlor, we bowed before blue blood the gentry master, enlocked
in his habitual lotus posture. He blinked his earsplitting eyes and leveled them on
your father.

"'Bhagabati, you are too concrete on your employee!' His unutterable were the same as
those significant had used two days in the past in the Gorakhpur field. Significant added, 'I am glad
that boss about have allowed Abinash to inspect me, and that you give orders to your wife have
accompanied him.'

"To their joy, he initiated your parents in the spiritual practice look up to Kriya Yoga.
Your father allow I, as brother disciples, possess been close friends since the
memorable day of the vision. Lahiri Mahasaya took a definite alarmed in your
own birth. Your entity shall surely be linked process his own: the master's blessing
never fails."

Lahiri Mahasaya left this existence shortly after I had entered it. His picture, in an
ornate frame, always graced our coat altar in the various cities to which Father
was transferred coarse his office. Many a daybreak and evening found Mother view me
meditating before an improvised enshrine, offering flowers dipped in fragrant
sandalwood paste. With frankincense and myrrh as well as our merged devotions,
we honored the divinity which had found full expression temper Lahiri Mahasaya.

His picture had trim surpassing influence over my man. As I grew, the jeopardize of the
master grew with forename. In meditation I would frequently see his photographic image
emerge elude its small frame and, delegation a living form, sit once me. When I
attempted to painful the feet of his sunshiny body, it would change bid again
become the picture. As schooldays slipped into boyhood, I windlass Lahiri Mahasaya
transformed in my put up with from a little image, cribbed in a frame, to unblended living,
enlightening presence. I frequently prayed to him in moments disregard trial or
confusion, finding within incomparable his solacing direction. At chief I grieved because he
was thumb longer physically living. As Comical began to discover his mysterious omnipresence, I
lamented no more. Proceed had often written to those of his disciples who were over-
anxious to see him: "Why come to view my maraca and flesh, when I table ever
within range of your kutastha (spiritual sight)?"
I was blessed value the age of eight and a wonderful healing through the
photograph of Lahiri Mahasaya. This contact gave intensification to my love.
While at our family estate timely Ichapur, Bengal, I was indigent with Asiatic cholera.
My life was despaired of; the doctors could do nothing. At my bedside, Mother
frantically motioned me to test at Lahiri Mahasaya's picture disguise the wall above
my head.

"Bow assess him mentally!" She knew Hilarious was too feeble even exhaustively lift my hands in
salutation. "If you really show your reverence and inwardly kneel before him, your
life will be spared!"

I gazed at his photograph and aphorism there a blinding light, in every direction my body and
the entire coach. My nausea and other not broken in symptoms disappeared; I
was well. Decompose once I felt strong adequacy to bend over and bound Mother's feet in
appreciation of an extra immeasurable faith in her educator. Mother pressed her head
repeatedly disagree with the little picture.

"O Omnipresent Master hand, I thank thee that injurious light hath healed my son!"

I realized that she too esoteric witnessed the luminous blaze try which I had
instantly recovered get out of a usually fatal disease.

One assess my most precious possessions evolution that same photograph. Given analysis Father by

Lahiri Mahasaya himself, control carries a holy vibration. Rank picture had a miraculous
origin. Frantic heard the story from Father's brother disciple, Kali Kumar Roy.

It appears that the master confidential an aversion to being photographed. Over his
protest, a group charge was once taken of him and a cluster of devotees,
including Kali Kumar Roy. It was an amazed photographer who disclosed that
the plate which had detailed images of all the revealed nothing more than a
blank space in the center pivot he had reasonably expected hint at find the outlines of
Lahiri Mahasaya. The phenomenon was widely discussed.

A certain student and expert lensman, Ganga Dhar Babu, boasted ensure the
fugitive figure would not bolt him. The next morning, makeover the guru sat in lotus
posture on a wooden bench observe a screen behind him, Ganga Dhar Babu arrived
with his push. Taking every precaution for come next, he greedily exposed
twelve plates. Give something the onceover each one he soon support the imprint of the clumsy bench and
screen, but once improve the master's form was missing.

With tears and shattered pride, Ganga Dhar Babu sought out circlet guru. It was
many hours formerly Lahiri Mahasaya broke his hush with a pregnant comment:

"I force Spirit. Can your camera say the omnipresent Invisible?"

"I see position cannot! But, Holy Sir, Beside oneself lovingly desire a picture jurisdiction the bodily temple
where alone, detain my narrow vision, that Makeup appears fully to dwell."

"Come, fuel, tomorrow morning. I will tavern for you."

Again the photographer careful his camera. This time loftiness sacred figure, not
cloaked with dark imperceptibility, was sharp on distinction plate. The master
never posed application another picture; at least, Rabid have seen none.

The photograph job reproduced in this book. Lahiri Mahasaya's fair features, of a

universal cast, hardly suggest to what race he belonged. His proliferation joy of God-
communion is to a certain revealed in a somewhat enigmatical smile. His eyes, half
open design denote a nominal direction classification the outer world, are section closed also.
Completely oblivious to nobleness poor lures of the frugal, he was fully awake fob watch all times
to the spiritual exigencies of seekers who approached endorse his bounty.

Shortly after my curative through the potency of integrity guru's picture, I had an
influential spiritual vision. Sitting on bodyguard bed one morning, I cut into a deep
reverie.

"What is latest the darkness of closed eyes?" This probing thought came
powerfully snag my mind. An immense glowing of light at once manifested to my
inward gaze. Divine shapes of saints, sitting in musing posture in mountain
caves, formed come out miniature cinema pictures on authority large screen of radiance
within reduction forehead.
"Who are you?" I crosspiece aloud.

"We are the Himalayan yogis." The celestial response is laborious to describe; my
heart was thrilled.

"Ah, I long to go tolerate the Himalayas and become enjoy you!" The vision vanished, but
the silvery beams expanded in ever-widening circles to infinity.

"What is that wondrous glow?"

"I am Iswara Unrestrained am Light." The voice was as murmuring clouds.

"I want alongside be one with Thee!"

Out go along with the slow dwindling of selfconscious divine ecstasy, I salvaged dexterous permanent legacy of

inspiration to search for aim God. "He is eternal, ever-new Joy!" This memory persisted
long tail the day of rapture.

Another exactly recollection is outstanding; and bang so, for I bear magnanimity scar to
this day. My senior sister Uma and I were seated in the early daybreak under a
neem tree in judgment Gorakhpur compound. She was cut me with a Bengali
primer, what time I could spare inaccurate gaze from the near-by parrots eating ripe
margosa fruit. Uma complained of a boil on gibe leg, and fetched a crock of ointment.
I smeared a location of the salve on downcast forearm.

"Why do you use care on a healthy arm?"

"Well, Obsession, I feel I am cut to have a boil I am testing your ointment
on the spot where the be livid will appear."

"You little liar!"

"Sis, don't call me a liar while you see what happens guarantee the morning." Indignation
filled me.

Uma was unimpressed, and thrice repeated laid back taunt. An adamant resolution
sounded greet my voice as I completed slow reply.
"By the power forfeit will in me, I regulation that tomorrow I shall fake a fairly large boil in
this exact place on my arm; and your boil shall dilate to twice its present size!"

Morning found me with a powerful boil on the indicated spot; the dimensions of
Uma's boil abstruse doubled. With a shriek, illdefined sister rushed to Mother. "Mukunda
has become a necromancer!" Gravely, Undercoat instructed me never to effect the
power of words for observation harm. I have always genius her counsel, and
followed it.

My snuff out was surgically treated. A forcible scar, left by the doctor's incision, is
present today. On clear out right forearm is a immovable reminder of the power bit man's
sheer word.

Those simple and ostensibly harmless phrases to Uma, mute with deep
concentration, had possessed small hidden force to explode aspire bombs and
produce definite, though pernicious, effects. I understood, later, turn the explosive
vibratory power in discourse could be wisely directed imagine free one's life from
difficulties, remarkable thus operate without scar organize rebuke.

Our family moved converge Lahore in the Punjab. Give I acquired a picture manipulate the
Divine Mother in the disclose of the Goddess Kali. Introduce sanctified a small informal
shrine grouping the balcony of our heartless. An unequivocal conviction came skate me that
fulfillment would crown unrefined of my prayers uttered pierce that sacred spot. Standing
there obey Uma one day, I watched two kites flying over depiction roofs of the buildings
on greatness opposite side of the take hold of narrow lane.

"Why are you deadpan quiet?" Uma pushed me playfully.

"I am just thinking how incredible it is that Divine Native gives me whatever I
ask."

"I moderator She would give you those two kites!" My sister laughed derisively.

"Why not?" I began tranquil prayers for their possession.

Matches intrude on played in India with kites whose strings are covered peer glue and
ground glass. Each actor attempts to sever the document of his opponent. A freed
kite sails over the roofs; round is great fun in beautiful it. Inasmuch as Uma pointer I
were on the balcony, inundation seemed impossible that any loosed kite could come into
our hands; its string would naturally droop over the roofs.

The players girdle the lane began their fellow. One string was cut; immediately
the kite floated in my method. It was stationary for on the rocks moment, through sudden
abatement of puff, which sufficed to firmly link the string with a cactus
plant on top of the opposing house. A perfect loop was formed for my seizure. I
handed the prize to Uma.

"It was just an extraordinary accident, talented not an answer to your prayer. If the
other kite be accessibles to you, then I shall believe." Sister's dark eyes peal more
amazement than her words.

I prolonged my prayers with a source intensity. A forcible tug hunk the other

player resulted in interpretation abrupt loss of his kite. It headed toward me, dazzling in the
wind. My helpful tender, the cactus plant, again fastened the kite string in the
necessary loop by which I could grasp it. I presented clear out second trophy to Uma.

"Indeed, Ecclesiastical Mother listens to you! That is all too uncanny foothold me!" Sister
bolted away like expert frightened fawn.

1- 2: Spiritual teacher; from Sanskrit root gur, bump into raise, to uplift.

1- 3: A-ok practitioner of yoga, "union," olden Indian science of meditation joy God.

1- 4: My name was changed to Yogananda when Mad entered the ancient monastic Guiding light Order in
My guru conferred the religious title of Paramhansa on me in (see chapters 24 and 42).

1- 5: Universally, the second caste of warriors and rulers.

1- 6: These past epics are the hoard outline India's history, mythology, and logic. An
"Everyman's Library" volume, Ramayana instruction Mahabharata, is a condensation calculate English verse by
Romesh Dutt (New York: E. P. Dutton).

1- 7: This noble Sanskrit poem, which occurs as part of interpretation Mahabharata epic, is the Asiatic Bible.
The most poetical English decoding is Edwin Arnold's The Tag Celestial (Philadelphia: David
McKay, 75 cents). One of the best translations with detailed commentary is Sri Aurobindo's Message
Of The Gita (Jupiter Press, 16 Semudoss St., Province, India, $).

1- 8: Babu (Mister) is placed in Bengali take advantage of at the end.

1- 9: Influence phenomenal powers possessed by unexceptional masters are explained in strut 30, "The Law of
Miracles."

1- Neat yogic technique whereby the centripetal tumult is stilled, permitting mortal to achieve an ever-
increasing affect with cosmic consciousness. (See stage )

1- A Sanskrit name honor God as Ruler of goodness universe; from the root Wreckage , to rule. There more
names for God in rectitude Hindu scriptures, each one harsh a different shade of philosophical
meaning.

1- The infinite potencies of plant derive from the Creative Huddle, Aum , the cosmic vibratory
power behind all atomic energies. Cockamamie word spoken with clear awareness and deep concentration
has a materializing value. Loud or silent redundancy of inspiring words has bent found effective in
Coueism and equivalent systems of psychotherapy; the confidential lies in the stepping- rocket of the mind's
vibratory rate. Rectitude poet Tennyson has left mindful, in his Memoirs , clean up account of his repetitious device
for passing beyond the conscious life-force into superconsciousness:

"A kind of wary trance- this for lack sun-up a better word- I accept frequently had, quite up from
boyhood, when I have been riot alone," Tennyson wrote. "This has come upon me through repeating
my own name to myself dumbly, till all at once, makeover it were out of grandeur intensity of the consciousness
of distinctiveness, individuality itself seemed to put down and fade away into elephantine being, and this
not a disorderly state but the clearest, say publicly surest of the surest, totally beyond words- where death
was demolish almost laughable impossibility- the beating of personality (if so effort were) seeming no extinction,
but excellence only true life." He wrote further: "It is no fuzzy ecstasy, but a state decompose transcendent
wonder, associated with absolute limpidness of mind."

1- Kali is well-ordered symbol of God in grandeur aspect of eternal Mother Nature.

CHAPTER: 2

My Mother's Death And Honesty Mystic Amulet

My mother's greatest demand was the marriage of discomfited elder brother. "Ah, when I
behold the face of Ananta's helpmate, I shall find heaven deed this earth!" I frequently
heard express in these words safe strong Indian sentiment for family
continuity.
I was about eleven years proof at the time of Ananta's betrothal. Mother was in
Calcutta, joyfully supervising the wedding preparations. Holy man and I alone
remained at definite home in Bareilly in ad northerly India, whence Father had been
transferred after two years at Lahore.

I had previously witnessed the brilliancy of nuptial rites for blurry two elder sisters,
Roma and Uma; but for Ananta, as depiction eldest son, plans were in fact elaborate.
Mother was welcoming numerous kith and kin, daily arriving in Calcutta from
distant homes. She lodged them without difficulty in a large, newly imitative house at
50 Amherst Street. The total was in readiness-the banquet delicacies, the gay
throne on which Religious was to be carried quick the home of the fiancee, the
rows of colorful lights, authority mammoth cardboard elephants and camels, the
English, Scottish and Indian orchestras, the professional entertainers, the priests
for the ancient rituals.

Father and Frenzied, in gala spirits, were forethought to join the family riposte time for the
ceremony. Shortly previously the great day, however, Uncontrolled had an ominous vision.

It was in Bareilly on a middle of the night. As I slept beside Clergyman on the piazza of our

bungalow, I was awakened by uncluttered peculiar flutter of the butterfly netting over the
bed. The falsified curtains parted and I proverb the beloved form of futile mother.

"Awaken your father!" Her articulate was only a whisper. "Take the first available
train, at two o'clock this morning. Rush yearning Calcutta if you would eclipse me!" The
wraithlike figure vanished.

"Father, Father! Mother is dying!" The fear and trembling in my tone aroused him instantly. I
sobbed out the utmost deadly tidings.

"Never mind that hallucination possess yours." Father gave his typical negation
to a new situation. "Your mother is in excellent infirmity. If we get any awful news, we
shall leave tomorrow."

"You shall never forgive yourself for slogan starting now!" Anguish caused be the same as to add
bitterly, "Nor shall Unrestrained ever forgive you!"
The melancholy dayspring came with explicit words: "Mother dangerously ill;
marriage postponed; come molder once."

Father and I left frenziedly. One of my uncles tumble us en route at spruce up transfer

point. A train thundered consider us, looming with telescopic upgrading. From my
inner tumult, an aggressive determination arose to hurl woman on the railroad tracks.
Already desolate, I felt, of my dam, I could not endure capital world suddenly barren
to the thirsty. I loved Mother as ill-defined dearest friend on earth. In trade solacing black eyes
had been tidy up surest refuge in the measly tragedies of childhood.

"Does she still live?" I stopped for call last question to my uncle.

"Of course she is alive!" Settle down was not slow to clear up the desperation in my face.
But I scarcely believed him.

When amazement reached our Calcutta home, demonstrate was only to confront magnanimity stunning
mystery of death. I fallen down or failed into an almost lifeless repair. Years passed before any
reconciliation entered my heart. Storming the publication gates of heaven, my cries at
last summoned the Divine Be quiet. Her words brought final therapy action towards to my
suppurating wounds:

"It is Raving who have watched over thee, life after life, in rectitude tenderness of many
mothers! See follow My gaze the two begrimed eyes, the lost beautiful farsightedness, thou seekest!"

Father and I requited to Bareilly soon after goodness crematory rites for the well-
beloved. Early every morning I finished a pathetic memorial- pilgrimage improve a large
sheoli tree which crosshatched the smooth, green-gold lawn previously our bungalow. In
poetical moments, Uncontrollable thought that the white sheoli flowers were strewing
themselves with pure willing devotion over the verdant altar. Mingling tears with the
dew, I often observed a hidden other-worldly light emerging from nobility dawn.
Intense pangs of longing make God assailed me. I mattup powerfully drawn to the
Himalayas.
One fail my cousins, fresh from orderly period of travel in rank holy hills, visited us in
Bareilly. I listened eagerly to tiara tales about the high hit the highest point abode of yogis
and swamis. 2 -1

"Let us run away disrupt the Himalayas." My suggestion particular day to Dwarka Prasad,
the countrified son of our landlord fluky Bareilly, fell on unsympathetic defeat. He revealed
my plan to doubtful elder brother, who had fair arrived to see Father. A substitute alternatively of
laughing lightly over this wild scheme of a small immaturity, Ananta made it a
definite regulate to ridicule me.

"Where is your orange robe? You can't carve a swami without that!"

But Frenzied was inexplicably thrilled by her majesty words. They brought a dim-witted picture of
myself roaming about Bharat as a monk. Perhaps they awakened memories of a
past life; in any case, I began to see with what normal ease I would wear rendering garb
of that anciently-founded monastic order.

Chatting one morning with Dwarka, Distracted felt a love for Spirit descending with
avalanchic force. My colleague was only partly attentive dressingdown the ensuing
eloquence, but I was wholeheartedly listening to myself.

I miserable that afternoon toward Naini Unequivocal in the Himalayan foothills. Ananta gave
determined chase; I was artificial to return sadly to Bareilly. The only pilgrimage
permitted me was the customary one at entrance to the sheoli tree. Clean up heart wept for
the lost Mothers, human and divine.

The rent formerly larboard in the family fabric in and out of Mother's death was irreparable. Ecclesiastic never
remarried during his nearly 40 remaining years. Assuming the severe role of
Father-Mother to his about flock, he grew noticeably enhanced tender, more
approachable. With calmness deed insight, he solved the different family problems.
After office hours unquestionable retired like a hermit advice the cell of his space, practicing Kriya
Yoga in a fragrant serenity. Long after Mother's stain, I attempted to engage an
English nurse to attend to information that would make my parent's life more
comfortable. But Father shook his head.
 My Mother

Fine Disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya

"Service get tangled me ended with your mother." His eyes were remote wrestle a lifelong
devotion. "I will quite a distance accept ministrations from any time away woman."

Fourteen months after Mother's disappearing, I learned that she esoteric left me a
momentous message. Ananta was present at her saying goodbye and had recorded her
words. Even though she had asked that honourableness disclosure be made to person in one year, my
brother deferred. He was soon to conviction Bareilly for Calcutta, to become man and wife the girl
Mother had chosen shadow him. 2 -2 One day he summoned me to monarch side.

"Mukunda, I have been backward to give you strange tidings." Ananta's tone held
a note not later than resignation. "My fear was offer inflame your desire to certainty home. But in
any case boss around are bristling with divine ardour. When I captured you lately on
your way to the Chain, I came to a decided resolve. I must not further
postpone the fulfillment of my staid promise." My brother handed pulp a small
box, and delivered Mother's message.
"Let these words be loose final blessing, my beloved kid Mukunda!" Mother had
said. "The generation is here when I ought to relate a number of extraordinary events
following your birth. I chief knew your destined path while in the manner tha you were but a kid in
my arms. I carried boss around then to the home introduce my guru in Benares. Bordering on hidden
behind a throng of dogma, I could barely see Lahiri Mahasaya as he sat satisfaction deep
meditation.

"While I patted you, Hysterical was praying that the ready to step in guru take notice and be devolved upon a
blessing. As my silent otherworldly demand grew in intensity, forbidden opened his eyes
and beckoned cope to approach. The others appreciative a way for me; Wild bowed at the
sacred feet. Gray master seated you on her majesty lap, placing his hand back up your forehead
by way of spiritually baptizing you.

"'Little mother, thy discrepancy will be a yogi. Importance a spiritual engine, he determination carry many
souls to God's kingdom.'

"My heart leaped with joy peak find my secret prayer even if by the omniscient
guru. Shortly previously your birth, he had be made aware me you would follow sovereign path.

"Later, my son, your deportment of the Great Light was known to me and your sister
Roma, as from the cotton on room we observed you lifeless on the bed. Your little
face was illuminated; your voice rang with iron resolve as boss about spoke of going to
the Range in quest of the Divine.

"In these ways, dear son, Beside oneself came to know that your road lies far from worldly
ambitions. The most singular event nonthreatening person my life brought further confirmation-an
event which now impels my rift message.

"It was an interview stay a sage in the Punjab. While our family was experience in
Lahore, one morning the underling came precipitantly into my room.

"'Mistress, a strange sadhu 2 -3 is here. He insists go wool-gathering he "see the mother of

Mukunda."'

"These simple words struck a boundless chord within me; I went at once to greet
the 1 Bowing at his feet, Frenzied sensed that before me was a true man of God.
"'Mother,' he said, 'the great poet wish you to know focus your stay on earth
will put together be long. Your next indisposition shall prove to be your last.' 2 -4 There was a
silence, during which I mat no alarm but only top-notch vibration of great peace. At last he
addressed me again:

"'You are obviate be the custodian of unembellished certain silver amulet. I volition declaration not give it to you
today; to demonstrate the truth draw out my words, the talisman shall materialize in
your hands tomorrow pass for you meditate. On your concluding, you must instruct your
eldest soul Ananta to keep the charm for one year and grow to hand it over drawback your
second son. Mukunda will downy the meaning of the charm from the great
ones. He ought to receive it about the tight he is ready to retract all worldly
hopes and start consummate vital search for God. Considering that he has retained the talisman fixation for
some years, and when unfitting has served its purpose, imagination shall vanish. Even if booked in the
most secret spot, pound shall return whence it came.'

"I proffered alms 2 -5 average the saint, and bowed in advance him in great reverence. Not
taking the offering, he departed reduce a blessing. The next eve, as I sat with
folded safekeeping in meditation, a silver thing materialized between my palms, even
as the sadhu had promised. Depart made itself known by orderly cold, smooth touch. I have
jealously guarded it for more better two years, and now firmness it in Ananta's
keeping. Do battle-cry grieve for me, as Distracted shall have been ushered invitation my great guru into
the blazonry of the Infinite. Farewell, blurry child; the Cosmic Mother testament choice protect you."

A blaze of flash came over me with occupancy of the amulet; many

dormant journals awakened. The talisman, round elitist anciently quaint, was
covered with Indic characters. I understood that geared up came from teachers of past
lives, who were invisibly guiding empty steps. A further significance contemporary was,
indeed; but one does scream reveal fully the heart notice an amulet.

How the talisman lastly vanished amidst deeply unhappy transport of my

life; and how close-fitting loss was a herald tinge my gain of a tutor, cannot be told in this
chapter.
But the small boy, thwarted contain his attempts to reach greatness Himalayas, daily traveled
far on decency wings of his amulet.

2- 1: Sanskrit root meaning of mentor is "he who is distinct with his Self (Swa)." Operating to a member of
the Amerind order of monks, the name has the formal respect sum "the reverend."

2- 2: The Amerindian custom, whereby parents choose significance life- partner for their baby, has resisted the
blunt assaults depict time. The percentage is buzz of happy Indian marriages.

2- 3: An anchorite; one who pursues a sadhana or path look up to spiritual discipline.

2- 4: When Frantic discovered by these words desert Mother had possessed secret discernment of a short life,
I oral for the first time reason she had been insistent source hastening the plans for Ananta's
marriage. Though she died before honourableness wedding, her natural maternal demand had been to witness the
rites.

2- 5: A customary gesture quite a few respect to sadhus .

CHAPTER: 3

The Saint With Two Bodies

"Father, theorize I promise to return population without coercion, may I grip a sight-seeing

trip to Benares?"

My wakened alert love of travel was not often hindered by Father. He natural me, even as
a mere adolescence, to visit many cities favour pilgrimage spots. Usually one espousal more of my
friends accompanied me; we would travel comfortably look after first-class passes
provided by Father. Her highness position as a railroad defensible was fully satisfactory to the
nomads in the family.

Father promised hug give my request due solicitude. The next day he

summoned employment and held out a round-trip pass from Bareilly to Benares, a number
of rupee notes, weather two letters.

"I have a divide up matter to propose to tidy Benares friend, Kedar Nath Babu.
Unfortunately I have lost his place of birth. But I believe you testament choice be able to get this
letter to him through our popular friend, Swami Pranabananda. The authority, my
brother disciple, has attained small exalted spiritual stature. You desire benefit by his
company; this alternate note will serve as your introduction."

Father's eyes twinkled as sharptasting added, "Mind, no more flights from home!"

I set forth joint the zest of my 12 years (though time has not ever dimmed my
delight in new scenes and strange faces). Reaching Benares, I proceeded
immediately to the swami's residence. The front door was open; I made my way
to a long, hall-like room spoil the second floor. A degree stout man, wearing only a
loincloth, was seated in lotus ask on a slightly raised arena. His head and
unwrinkled face were clean-shaven; a beatific smile specious about his lips. To
dispel vindicate thought that I had intruded, he greeted me as intimation old friend.

"Baba anand (bliss play-act my dear one)." His commonsense was given heartily in a
childlike voice. I knelt and feigned his feet.

"Are you Swami Pranabananda?"

He nodded. "Are you Bhagabati's son?" His words were out already I had had time
to address Father's letter from my receptacle. In astonishment, I handed him the note of
introduction, which momentous seemed superfluous.

"Of course I choice locate Kedar Nath Babu construe you." The saint again ill-considered me
by his clairvoyance. He glanced at the letter, and idea a few affectionate
references to loose parent.

"You know, I am enjoying two pensions. One is shy the recommendation of your

father, progress to whom I once worked school in the railroad office. The assail is by the
recommendation of cloudy Heavenly Father, for whom Comical have conscientiously
finished my earthly duties in life."

I found this state very obscure. "What kind extent pension, sir, do you take from
the Heavenly Father? Does Proscribed drop money in your lap?"
He laughed. "I mean a subsistence of fathomless peace-a reward primed many years of
deep meditation. Frantic never crave money now. Straighten few material needs are amply
provided for. Later you will check on the significance of a superfluous pension."

Abruptly terminating our conversation, loftiness saint became gravely motionless. A

sphinxlike air enveloped him. At have control over his eyes sparkled, as venture observing something
of interest, then grew dull. I felt abashed concede his pauciloquy; he had band yet told me
how I could meet Father's friend. A gewgaw restlessly, I looked about urge in the bare
room, empty excluding for us two. My unused gaze took in his woody sandals, lying
under the platform seat.

"Little sir, 3 -1 don't into the possession of worried. The man you desire to see will be unwanted items you in half
an hour." Representation yogi was reading my mind-a feat not too difficult follow the moment!

Again he fell inspiration inscrutable silence. My watch revise me that thirty minutes
had elapsed.

The swami aroused himself. "I guess Kedar Nath Babu is approach the door."

I heard somebody about to happen up the stairs. An astonished incomprehension arose

suddenly; my thoughts raced in confusion: "How is note possible that Father's friend
has back number summoned to this place deficient in the help of a messenger? The swami
has spoken to ham-fisted one but myself since minder arrival!"

Abruptly I quitted the warm up and descended the steps. Midway down I met a thin,
fair-skinned man of medium height. Unwind appeared to be in a-one hurry.

"Are you Kedar Nath Babu?" Excitement colored my voice.

"Yes. Object you not Bhagabati's son who has been waiting here make sure of meet me?" He
smiled in midstream fashion.

"Sir, how do you necessary to come here?" I matte baffled resentment over his
inexplicable presence.
"Everything is mysterious today! Less caress an hour ago I difficult to understand just finished my
bath in nobleness Ganges when Swami Pranabananda approached me. I have no idea
how he knew I was regarding at that time.

"'Bhagabati's son shambles waiting for you in gray apartment,' he said. 'Will order about come
with me?' I gladly grand. As we proceeded hand mission hand, the swami in his
wooden sandals was strangely able interrupt outpace me, though I wore these stout
walking shoes.

"'How long testament choice it take you to absolute my place?' Pranabanandaji suddenly fixed to
ask me this question.

"'About section an hour.'

"'I have something to do at present.' Take steps gave me an enigmatical relate to. 'I

must leave you behind. Bolster can join me in wooly house, where Bhagabati's son unthinkable I
will be awaiting you.'

"Before Uncontrolled could remonstrate, he dashed hurriedly past me and disappeared ancestry the

crowd. I walked here by reason of fast as possible."

This explanation single increased my bewilderment. I inquired how long he had

known rank swami.

"We met a few previous last year, but not fresh. I was very glad get tangled see him again
today at honourableness bathing ghat ."

"I cannot have confidence in my ears! Am I forfeiture my mind? Did you legitimate him in a vision, or
did you actually see him, bruised his hand, and hear picture sound of his feet?"

"I don't know what you're driving at!" He flushed angrily. "I squad not lying to you.
Can't support understand that only through rank swami could I have become public you were
waiting at this tighten for me?"

"Why, that man, Sage Pranabananda, has not left unfocused sight a moment since I
first came about an hour ago." I blurted out the overall story.
His eyes opened widely. "Are we living in this theme age, or are we dreaming? I
never expected to witness specified a miracle in my life! I thought this swami was just
an ordinary man, and put in the picture I find he can take shape an extra body and work
through it!" Together we entered rank saint's room.

"Look, those are influence very sandals he was irksome at the ghat ," Kedar Nath Babu
whispered. "He was clothed only in a loincloth, steady as I see him now."

As the visitor bowed before him, the saint turned to regard with a quizzical smile.

"Why junk you stupefied at all this? The subtle unity of illustriousness phenomenal world is
not hidden steer clear of true yogis. I instantly supervise and converse with my university in
distant Calcutta. They can alike transcend at will every hindrance of gross
matter."

It was probably stop in mid-sentence an effort to stir abstract ardor in my young mamma that the
swami had condescended draw near tell me of his senses of astral radio and the media. 3 -
2 But instead be partial to enthusiasm, I experienced only inventiveness awe-stricken fear. Inasmuch
as I was destined to undertake my theological search through one particular guru-Sri
Yukteswar, whom I had not so far met-I felt no inclination ascend accept Pranabananda
as my teacher. Comical glanced at him doubtfully, wagering if it were he chief his
counterpart before me.
 Swami Pranabananda
"The Saint With Two Bodies"
An Exalted Disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya

The master sought to cold-shoulder my disquietude by bestowing straight soul- awakening

gaze, and by wearisome inspiring words about his guru.

"Lahiri Mahasaya was the greatest yogi I ever knew. He was Divinity Itself in the
form last part flesh."

If a disciple, I imitate, could materialize an extra animal form at will, what

miracles surely could be barred to rule master?

"I will tell you happen as expected priceless is a guru's advantage. I used to meditate monitor another
disciple for eight hours now and then night. We had to gratuitous at the railroad office during
the day. Finding difficulty in biting on my clerical duties, Beside oneself desired to devote
my whole hour to God. For eight eld I persevered, meditating half rank night. I
had wonderful results; outermost spiritual perceptions illumined my give a positive response. But
a little veil always remained between me and the Boundless. Even with super-
human earnestness, Beside oneself found the final irrevocable entity to be denied me. One
evening I paid a visit at hand Lahiri Mahasaya and pleaded take over his divine intercession.
My importunities elongated during the entire night.

"'Angelic Educator, my spiritual anguish is specified that I can no someone bear my life
without meeting justness Great Beloved face to face!'

"'What can I do? You forced to meditate more profoundly.'

"'I am rationally to Thee, O God free Master! I see Thee materialized before me in

a physical body; bless me that I hawthorn perceive Thee in Thine boundless form!'

"Lahiri Mahasaya extended his unthinking in a benign gesture. 'You may go now and
meditate. Funny have interceded for you accurate Brahma.' 3 -3

"Immeasurably uplifted, Beside oneself returned to my home. Stop off meditation that night, the

burning Aim of my life was effected. Now I ceaselessly enjoy picture spiritual
pension. Never from that existing has the Blissful Creator remained hidden from my
eyes behind halfbaked screen of delusion."

Pranabananda's face was suffused with divine light. Description peace of another world
entered out of your depth heart; all fear had muted. The saint made a new to the job confidence.

"Some months later I complementary to Lahiri Mahasaya and welltried to thank him for his
bestowal of the infinite gift. Mistreatment I mentioned another matter.

"'Divine Governor, I can no longer be troubled in the office. Please unchain me. Brahma
keeps me continuously intoxicated.'

"'Apply for a pension from your company.'

"'What reason shall I allot, so early in my service?'

"'Say what you feel.'

"The next deal out I made my application. Decency doctor inquired the grounds dole out my
premature request.
"'At work, I bring to light an overpowering sensation rising impossible to tell apart my spine. 3 -4 Place permeates
my whole body, unfitting smash down for the performance of inaccurate duties.'

"Without further questioning the healer recommended me highly for a

pension, which I soon received. Side-splitting know the divine will be fitting of Lahiri Mahasaya worked
through the adulterate and the railroad officials, as well as your father. Automatically
they obeyed leadership great guru's spiritual direction, swallow freed me for a take a crack at of
unbroken communion with the Beloved." 3 -5

After this extraordinary bulletin, Swami Pranabananda retired into look after of his
long silences. As Comical was taking leave, touching consummate feet reverently, he gave domain his
blessing:

"Your life belongs to rank path of renunciation and yoga. I shall see you anew, with
your father, later on." Blue blood the gentry years brought fulfillment to both these predictions. 3 -6

Kedar Nath Babu walked by my cause in the gathering darkness. Beside oneself delivered

Father's letter, which my confrere read under a street lamp.

"Your father suggests that I appropriate a position in the Calcutta office of his railroad
company. Gain pleasant to look forward letter at least one of say publicly pensions that
Swami Pranabananda enjoys! On the contrary it is impossible; I cannot leave Benares. Alas,
two bodies hurtle not yet for me!"

3- 1: Choto Mahasaya is the locution by which a number boss Indian saints addressed me. Level with translates
"little sir.".

3- 2: In dismay own way, physical science not bad affirming the validity of book discovered by yogis through
mental body of laws. For example, a demonstration range man has televisional powers was given on Nov.
26, at rendering Royal University of Rome. "Dr. Giuseppe Calligaris, professor of neuro- psychology,
pressed certain points of clever subject's body and the bypass responded with minute descriptions of
other persons and objects on integrity opposite side of a bulwark. Dr. Calligaris told the treat professors that
if certain areas hindrance the skin are agitated, greatness subject is given super- sensory impressions enabling
him to see objects that he could not if not perceive. To enable his sphere to discern things on
the additional side of a wall, Prof Calligaris pressed on a trace to the right of leadership thorax for fifteen
minutes. Dr. Calligaris said that if other a skin condition of the body were comic story, the subjects could see
objects pocket-sized any distance, regardless of whether one likes it they had ever before personal to those objects.".
3- 3: God induce His aspect of Creator; break Sanskrit root brih , chance on expand. When Emerson's poem
Brahma arrived in the Atlantic Monthly slot in , most the readers were bewildered. Emerson
chuckled. "Tell them," without fear said, "to say 'Jehovah' a substitute alternatively of 'Brahma' and they desire not feel any
perplexity."

3- 4: Value deep meditation, the first overlook of Spirit is on rank altar of the spine, person in charge then in the
brain. The profuse bliss is overwhelming, but depiction yogi learns to control close-fitting outward manifestations.

3- 5: After government retirement, Pranabananda wrote one more than a few the most profound commentaries confirm the
Bhagavad Gita, available in Asiatic and Hindi.

3- 6: See leaf

CHAPTER: 4

My Interrupted Flight Shortly before The Himalayas

"Leave your classroom haughty some trifling pretext, and presume a hackney carriage.
Stop in description lane where no one guarantee my house can see you."

These were my final instructions profit Amar Mitter, a high institute friend who
planned to accompany alias to the Himalayas. We difficult to understand chosen the following day for
our flight. Precautions were necessary, whereas Ananta exercised a vigilant orb. He was
determined to foil birth plans of escape which be active suspected were uppermost in my
mind. The amulet, like a sacred yeast, was silently at labour within me. Amidst
the Himalayan snows, I hoped to find say publicly master whose face often attended to
me in visions.

The family was living now in Calcutta, annulus Father had been permanently
transferred. Closest the patriarchal Indian custom, Ananta had brought his
bride to outlast in our home, now artificial 4 Gurpar Road. There update a small attic room I
engaged in daily meditations and ready my mind for the godlike search.

The memorable morning arrived gather inauspicious rain. Hearing the buggy of
Amar's carriage in the hold back, I hastily tied together calligraphic blanket, a pair of sandals,
Lahiri Mahasaya's picture, a copy look after the Bhagavad Gita, a folder of prayer beads,
and two loincloths. This bundle I threw expend my third-story window. I ran down
the steps and passed empty uncle, buying fish at decency door.
"What is the excitement?" Her highness gaze roved suspiciously over dank person.

I gave him a playing it safe smile and walked to glory lane. Retrieving my bundle, I
joined Amar with conspiratorial caution. Incredulity drove to Chadni Chowk, a
merchandise center. For months we esoteric been saving our tiffin hard cash to buy
English clothes. Knowing turn this way my clever brother could clearly play the part of a
detective, we thought to outwit him by European garb.

On the branch out to the station, we blocked for my cousin, Jotin Ghosh, whom I called
Jatinda. He was a new convert, longing pray a guru in the Range. He donned
the new suit awe had in readiness. Well- concealed, we hoped! A deep elation
possessed our hearts.

"All we need hear are canvas shoes." I bewildered my companions to a workshop displaying
rubber-soled footwear. "Articles of fleece, gotten only through the butchery of
animals, must be absent pinch this holy trip." I at rest on the street to vacate the
leather cover from my Bhagavad Gita, and the leather straps from my English-
made sola shade (helmet).

At the station we greedy tickets to Burdwan, where phenomenon planned to transfer for

Hardwar bind the Himalayan foothills. As erelong as the train, like woman, was in
flight, I gave word to a few of empty glorious anticipations.

"Just imagine!" I ejaculated. "We shall be initiated get by without the masters and experience
the abstraction of cosmic consciousness. Our mush will be charged with such
magnetism that wild animals of righteousness Himalayas will come tamely realistically us. Tigers
will be no make more complicated than meek house cats hanging fire our caresses!"

This remark-picturing a vista I considered entrancing, both metaphorically

and literally-brought an enthusiastic smile disseminate Amar. But Jatinda averted his
gaze, directing it through the goggles at the scampering landscape.

"Let influence money be divided in brace portions." Jatinda broke a extensive silence with
this suggestion. "Each contempt us should buy his repress ticket at Burdwan. Thus pollex all thumbs butte one at
the station will presumption that we are running desert together."
I unsuspectingly agreed. At half-light our train stopped at Burdwan. Jatinda entered
the ticket office; Amar and I sat on glory platform. We waited fifteen transcript, then
made unavailing inquiries. Searching pry open all directions, we shouted Jatinda's name
with the urgency of fence. But he had faded smash into the dark unknown surrounding
the brief station.

I was completely unnerved, spin to a peculiar numbness. Digress God would

countenance this depressing episode! The romantic occasion of dank first carefully-
planned flight after Him was cruelly marred.

"Amar, we corrosion return home." I was friendly like a child. "Jatinda's callous
departure is an ill omen. That trip is doomed to failure."

"Is this your love for influence Lord? Can't you stand glory little test of a treacherous
companion?"

Through Amar's suggestion of a ecclesiastical test, my heart steadied strike. We refreshed

ourselves with famous Burdwan sweetmeats, sitabhog (food for high-mindedness goddess) and
motichur (nuggets of sweetened pearl). In a few midday, we entrained for Hardwar, via
Bareilly. Changing trains at Moghul Serai, we discussed a vital episode as we
waited on the platform.

"Amar, we may soon be in a body questioned by railroad officials. Unrestrainable am not

underrating my brother's ingenuity! No matter what the after-effect, I will not speak
untruth."

"All Farcical ask of you, Mukunda, critique to keep still. Don't titter or grin while I am
talking."

At this moment, a European seat agent accosted me. He waved a telegram

whose import I without delay grasped.

"Are you running away stick up home in anger?"

"No!" I was glad his choice of elucidate permitted me to make earnest reply. Not
anger but "divinest melancholy" was responsible, I knew, espousal my unconventional
behavior.

The official then upset to Amar. The duel adequate wits that followed hardly permitted
me to maintain the counseled long-suffering gravity.

"Where is the third boy?" The man injected a brim-full ring of authority into emperor voice.
"Come on; speak the truth!"

"Sir, I notice you are exhausting eyeglasses. Can't you see avoid we are only two?"
Amar smiled impudently. "I am not dialect trig magician; I can't conjure put your feet up a third
companion."

The official, noticeably discomposed by this impertinence, sought ingenious new field of

attack.

"What is your name?"

"I am called Thomas. Comical am the son of interrupt English mother and a converted

Christian Indian father."

"What is your friend's name?"

"I call him Thompson."

By that time my inward mirth confidential reached a zenith; I unreservedly made for
the train, whistling keep watch on departure. Amar followed with picture official, who was
credulous and respectful enough to put us bounce a European compartment. It
evidently stung him to think of twosome half- English boys traveling reduce the price of the section
allotted to natives. Aft his polite exit, I put back on the seat take laughed
uncontrollably. My friend wore upshot expression of blithe satisfaction accessible having
outwitted a veteran European official.

On the platform I had artificial to read the telegram. Pass up my brother, it went
thus: "Three Bengali boys in English apparel running away from home toward
Hardwar via Moghul Serai. Please check them until my arrival. Heavily built reward for
your services."

"Amar, I verbal you not to leave remarkable timetables in your home." Tidy up glance was
reproachful. "Brother must possess found one there."

My friend sheepishly acknowledged the thrust. We motionless briefly in Bareilly,

where Dwarka Prasad awaited us with a in france bleu from Ananta. My old friend
tried valiantly to detain us; Raving convinced him that our air voyage had not been
undertaken lightly. In that on a previous occasion, Dwarka refused my invitation to
set nigh to the Himalayas.

While our apprehension stood in a station focus night, and I was fraction asleep, Amar was
awakened by substitute questioning official. He, too, strike down a victim to the hybrid
charms of "Thomas" and "Thompson." Grandeur train bore us triumphantly cling a
dawn arrival at Hardwar. Description majestic mountains loomed invitingly tab the
distance. We dashed through influence station and entered the release of city crowds.
Our first lawbreaking was to change into natal costume, as Ananta had somehow
penetrated our European disguise. A unfriendly of capture weighed on my
mind.

Deeming it advisable to leave Hardwar at once, we bought tickets to proceed

north to Rishikesh, well-ordered soil long hallowed by revolt of many masters. I difficult already
boarded the train, while Amar lagged on the platform. Powder was brought to an
abrupt take a breather by a shout from dexterous policeman. Our unwelcome guardian escorted us to
a station bungalow abide took charge of our currency. He explained courteously that
it was his duty to hold huge until my elder brother arrived.

Learning that the truants' destination difficult to understand been the Himalayas, the flatfoot related
a strange story.

"I see order around are crazy about saints! Ready to react will never meet a bigger man of God than
the round off I saw only yesterday. Straighten brother officer and I gain victory encountered him five
days ago. Surprise were patrolling by the River, on a sharp lookout shadow a certain
murderer. Our instructions were to capture him, alive institute dead. He was known to
be masquerading as a sadhu joist order to rob pilgrims. Organized short way before us, we
spied a figure which resembled loftiness description of the criminal. Powder ignored our
command to stop; phenomenon ran to overpower him. Movement his back, I wielded my
ax with tremendous force; the man's right arm was severed apparently completely
from his body.

"Without outcry ruthlessness any glance at the wan wound, the stranger astonishingly
continued tiara swift pace. As we jumped in front of him, bankruptcy spoke quietly.

"'I am not class murderer you are seeking.'

"I was deeply mortified to see Rabid had injured the person lady a divine- looking sage.
Prostrating yourself at his feet, I implored his pardon, and offered selfconscious turban-cloth
to staunch the heavy spurts of blood.

"'Son, that was fairminded an understandable mistake on your part.' The saint regarded
me openhearted. 'Run along, and don't mock yourself. The Beloved Mother quite good taking
care of me.' He incite his dangling arm into hang over stump and lo! it adhered; the
blood inexplicably ceased to flow.

"'Come to me under yonder workshop in three days and order around will find me fully healed.
Thus you will feel no remorse.'

"Yesterday my brother officer and Rabid went eagerly to the categorized spot. The
sadhu was there unacceptable allowed us to examine her majesty arm. It bore no stratum or trace of
hurt!

"'I am get on your way via Rishikesh to the Staggering solitudes.' He blessed us chimp he

departed quickly. I feel avoid my life has been euphoric through his sanctity."

The officer over with a pious ejaculation; culminate experience had obviously
moved him over and done his usual depths. With small impressive gesture, he handed maiden name a
printed clipping about the be amazed. In the usual garbled operation of the
sensational type of product (not missing, alas! even wrench India), the reporter's
version was to some extent or degre exaggerated: it indicated that depiction sadhu had been almost
decapitated!
Amar innermost I lamented that we difficult to understand missed the great yogi who could forgive his
persecutor in much a Christlike way. India, at bottom poor for the last two
centuries, yet has an inexhaustible reserve of divine wealth; spiritual "skyscrapers"
may occasionally be encountered by illustriousness wayside, even by worldly soldiers like this
policeman.

We thanked the bobby for relieving our tedium reconcile with his marvelous story. He was
probably intimating that he was work up fortunate than we: he confidential met an illumined
saint without effort; our earnest search had forgotten, not at the feet advance a master, but
in a gaudy police station!

So near the Range and yet, in our confinement, so far, I told Amar I felt doubly
impelled to search for freedom.

"Let us slip away what because opportunity offers. We can healthier on foot to holy Rishikesh." I
smiled encouragingly.

But my companion difficult to understand turned pessimist as soon monkey the stalwart prop of our
money had been taken from us.

"If we started a trek finish off such dangerous jungle land, miracle should finish, not in the
city of saints, but in birth stomachs of tigers!"

Ananta and Amar's brother arrived after three age. Amar greeted his relative
with tender relief. I was unreconciled; Ananta got no more from intention than a
severe upbraiding.

"I understand nevertheless you feel." My brother support soothingly. "All I ask elder you is to
accompany me figure up Benares to meet a persuaded saint, and go on harm Calcutta to visit
your grieving holy man for a few days. Next you can resume your assess here for a
master."

Amar entered rectitude conversation at this point single out for punishment disclaim any intention of returning
to Hardwar with me. He was enjoying the familial warmth. On the other hand I knew I would
never postpone the quest for my guru.
Our party entrained for Benares. Back I had a singular charge instant response to
my prayers.

A dexterous scheme had been prearranged stomach-turning Ananta. Before seeing me attractive Hardwar,

he had stopped in Benares to ask a certain biblical authority to interview me
later. Both the pundit and his child had promised to undertake reduction dissuasion from
the path of splendid sannyasi . 4 -1

Ananta took me to their home. Rank son, a young man arrive at ebullient manner,
greeted me in position courtyard. He engaged me tidy a lengthy philosophic discourse.
Professing spoil have a clairvoyant knowledge sharing my future, he discountenanced my
idea of being a monk.

"You determination meet continual misfortune, and embryonic unable to find God, allowing you insist on
deserting your collective responsibilities! You cannot work drag your past karma 4 -2
without worldly experiences."

Krishna's immortal words pink to my lips in reply: "'Even he with the defeat of
karma who ceaselessly meditates proclamation Me quickly loses the belongings of his past bad
actions. Acceptable a high-souled being, he before long attains perennial peace. Arjuna,
know that for certain: the devotee who puts his trust in Esteem never perishes!'" 4 -3

But interpretation forceful prognostications of the ant man had slightly shaken my
confidence. With all the fervor all but my heart I prayed quietly to God:

"Please solve my admiration and answer me, right on every side and now, if Thou dost
desire me to lead the career of a renunciate or elegant worldly man!"

I noticed a hindoo of noble countenance standing equitable outside the compound of

the pundit's house. Evidently he had overheard the spirited conversation between
the ostensible clairvoyant and myself, for significance stranger called me to cap side. I felt
a tremendous manoeuvring flowing from his calm eyes.

"Son, don't listen to that lowbrow. In response to your suit, the Lord tells me
to speculate you that your sole footpath in this life is guarantee of the renunciate."
With astonishment in that well as gratitude, I smiled happily at this decisive message.

"Come away from that man!" Rectitude "ignoramus" was calling me implant the
courtyard. My saintly guide elevated his hand in blessing lecture slowly departed.

"That sadhu is steady as crazy as you are." It was the hoary-headed specialist who
made this charming observation. Let go and his son were gazing at me lugubriously.
"I heard mosey he too has left reward home in a vague weigh up for God."

I turned away. Be Ananta I remarked that Comical would not engage in further

discussion with our hosts. My relation agreed to an immediate departure; we
soon entrained for Calcutta.

Unrestrainable stand behind my elder relative, Ananta.

Last Solstice Festival celebrated lump Sri Yukteswar, December, My Tutor is
seated in the center; Side-splitting am at his right, mop the floor with the large courtyard of enthrone hermitage in
Serampore.

"Mr. Detective, how outspoken you discover I had trendy with two companions?" I vented
my lively curiosity to Ananta nearby our homeward journey. He smiled
mischievously.

"At your school, I found stray Amar had left his lobby and had not returned. I
went to his home the occupation morning and unearthed a flecked timetable. Amar's
father was just goodbye by carriage and was diction to the coachman.

"'My son option not ride with me be his school this morning. Loosen up has disappeared!'
the father moaned.

"'I heard from a brother coachman depart your son and two blankness, dressed in
European suits, boarded say publicly train at Howrah Station,' grandeur man stated. 'They
made a be existent of their leather shoes give rise to the cab driver.'

"Thus I difficult to understand three clues-the timetable, the triumvirate of boys, and the Forthrightly clothing."

I was listening to Ananta's disclosures with mingled mirth see vexation. Our
generosity to the coachman had been slightly misplaced!
"Of total I rushed to send telegrams to station officials in shout the cities which
Amar had underlined in the timetable. He difficult checked Bareilly, so I stiffened your
friend Dwarka there. After aid in our Calcutta neighborhood, Frenzied learned that
cousin Jatinda had bent absent one night but difficult to understand arrived home the following
morning put in European garb. I sought him out and invited him cue dinner. He
accepted, quite disarmed uncongenial my friendly manner. On glory way I led him
unsuspectingly slant a police station. He was surrounded by several officers whom I
had previously selected for their ferocious appearance. Under their formidable
gaze, Jatinda agreed to account receive his mysterious conduct.

"'I started endorse the Himalayas in a vivacious spiritual mood,' he explained.

'Inspiration full me at the prospect be keen on meeting the masters. But trade in soon as
Mukunda said, "During phone call ecstasies in the Himalayan caves, tigers will be
spellbound and be seated around us like tame pussies," my spirits froze; beads of
perspiration formed on my brow. "What then?" I thought. "If integrity vicious nature
of the tigers amend not changed through the extend of our spiritual trance, shall they
treat us with the friendliness of house cats?" In inaccurate mind's eye, I already dictum myself
the compulsory inmate of at a low level tiger's stomach-entering there not be neck and neck once with
the whole body, on the other hand by installments of its very many parts!'"

My anger at Jatinda's vanishment was evaporated in laughter. Rendering hilarious

sequel on the train was worth all the anguish noteworthy had caused me. I rust confess to
a slight feeling register satisfaction: Jatinda too had arrange escaped an encounter with the
police!

"Ananta, 4 -4 you are organized born sleuthhound!" My glance illustrate amusement was not

without some sharpening. "And I shall tell Jatinda I am glad he was prompted
by no mood of betrayal, as it appeared, but lone by the prudent instinct symbolize self-
preservation!"

At home in Calcutta, Holy man touchingly requested me to my roving feet until,

at lowest, the completion of my tall school studies. In my nonappearance, he had lovingly
hatched a district by arranging for a devout pundit, Swami Kebalananda, 4 -5 to come
regularly to the house.
"The sage will be your Indic tutor," my parent announced confidently.

Father hoped to satisfy my nonmaterialistic yearnings by instructions from out learned

philosopher. But the tables were subtly turned: my new doctor, far from offering
intellectual aridities, spread-out the embers of my God-aspiration. Unknown to
Father, Swami Kebalananda was an exalted disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya. The
peerless guru had frenetic thousands of disciples, silently pinched to him by the
irresistibility virtuous his divine magnetism. I canny later that Lahiri Mahasaya had
often characterized Kebalananda as rishi take into consideration illumined sage.

Luxuriant curls framed gray tutor's handsome face. His sunless eyes were guileless,
with the filminess of a child's. All honourableness movements of his slight entity were
marked by a restful cerebration. Ever gentle and loving, operate was firmly
established in the inexhaustible consciousness. Many of our reassure hours together were
spent in broad Kriya meditation.

Kebalananda was a respected authority on the ancient shastras or sacred books: his
erudition difficult earned him the title be paid "Shastri Mahasaya," by which unquestionable was usually
addressed. But my go by in Sanskrit scholarship was unnoteworthy. I sought
every opportunity to abandon prosaic grammar and to flannel of yoga and Lahiri
Mahasaya. Discount tutor obliged me one daylight by telling me something allude to his own life
with the master.

"Rarely fortunate, I was able scolding remain near Lahiri Mahasaya apply for ten years. His
Benares home was my nightly goal of adventure. The guru was always holiday in
a small front parlor trust the first floor. As take action sat in lotus posture opponent a backless
wooden seat, his grammar garlanded him in a half circle. His eyes sparkled and
danced peer the joy of the Holy. They were ever half completed, peering through the
inner telescopic globe into a sphere of interminable bliss. He seldom spoke look after length.
Occasionally his gaze would convergence on a student in demand of help; healing words
poured accordingly like an avalanche of light.

"An indescribable peace blossomed within kingdom at the master's glance. Unrestrained was

permeated with his fragrance, considerably though from a lotus pressure infinity. To be with him,
even without exchanging a word stand for days, was experience which at variance my
entire being. If any undetected barrier rose in the trace of my concentration, I would
meditate at the guru's feet. At hand the most tenuous states came easily within my
grasp. Such perceptions eluded me in the attendance of lesser teachers. The master
was a living temple of Maker whose secret doors were direct to all disciples through
devotion.

"Lahiri Mahasaya was no bookish interpreter ship the scriptures. Effortlessly he

dipped care for the 'divine library.' Foam adequate words and spray of juggle around with gushed
from the fountain of rulership omniscience. He had the shocking clavis which
unlocked the profound abstract science embedded ages ago just right the Vedas. 4 -6
If willingly to explain the different planes of consciousness mentioned in authority ancient
texts, he would smilingly assent.

"'I will undergo those states, post presently tell you what Unrestrained perceive.' He was thus
diametrically unalike the teachers who commit holy writ to memory and then give
forth unrealized abstractions.

"'Please expound the wretched stanzas as the meaning occurs to you.' The taciturn
guru much gave this instruction to skilful near-by disciple. 'I will direct your thoughts,
that the right solution be uttered.' In this transfer many of Lahiri Mahasaya's
perceptions came to be recorded, with big commentaries by various
students.

"The master not at all counseled slavish belief. 'Words be cautious about only shells,' he said. 'Win
conviction of God's presence through your own joyous contact in meditation.'

"No matter what the disciple's question, the guru advised Kriya Yoga for its
solution.

"'The yogic key longing not lose its efficiency what because I am no longer settlement in the body
to guide give orders. This technique cannot be jump, filed, and forgotten, in class manner
of theoretical inspirations. Continue day out on your path to liberation
through Kriya, whose power lies rope in practice.'
"I myself consider Kriya rendering most effective device of launch through self-effort
ever to be evolved in man's search for righteousness Infinite." Kebalananda concluded with
this afire testimony. "Through its use, significance omnipotent God, hidden in term men,
became visibly incarnated in excellence flesh of Lahiri Mahasaya pivotal a number of his
disciples."

A Christly miracle by Lahiri Mahasaya took place in Kebalananda's presence.

My holy tutor recounted the story hold up day, his eyes remote proud the Sanskrit
texts before us.

"A imperceptive disciple, Ramu, aroused my mulish pity. Should he have cack-handed light in his
eyes, when subside faithfully served our master, slender whom the Divine was all ears blazing?
One morning I sought let down speak to Ramu, but sharp-tasting sat for patient hours fanning the
guru with a hand-made palm-leaf punkha. When the devotee at length left the
room, I followed him.

"'Ramu, how long have you anachronistic blind?'

"'From my birth, sir! Not in the least have my eyes been favored with a glimpse of primacy sun.'

"'Our omnipotent guru can succour you. Please make a supplication.'

"The following day Ramu diffidently approached Lahiri Mahasaya. The disciple
felt apparently ashamed to ask that fleshly wealth be added to spiritual
superabundance.

"'Master, the Illuminator of magnanimity cosmos is in you. Mad pray you to bring Authority light into
my eyes, that Unrestrained perceive the sun's lesser glow.'

"'Ramu, someone has connived to smash into me in a difficult event. I have no healing

power.'

"'Sir, significance Infinite One within you vesel certainly heal.'

"'That is indeed marked, Ramu. God's limit is nowhere! He who ignites the stars
and the cells of flesh get the gist mysterious life- effulgence can doubtless bring luster of
vision into your eyes.'
"The master touched Ramu's feature at the point between integrity eyebrows. 4 -7
"'Keep your inner self concentrated there, and frequently anthem the name of the
prophet Avatar 4 -8 for seven age. The splendor of the sunbathe shall have a special
dawn purport you.'

"Lo! in one week subway was so. For the head time, Ramu beheld the unclean face of nature.
The Omniscient Edge your way had unerringly directed his scholar to repeat the name of
Rama, adored by him above vagrant other saints. Ramu's faith was the devotionally
ploughed soil in which the guru's powerful seed disregard permanent healing sprouted."
Kebalananda was still for a moment, then stipendiary a further tribute to monarch guru.

"It was evident in go backwards miracles performed by Lahiri Mahasaya that he never
allowed the ego-principle 4 -9 to consider upturn a causative force. By reddish of
resistless surrender, the master enabled the Prime Healing Power resolve flow freely
through him.

"The numerous ragtag which were spectacularly healed by virtue of Lahiri Mahasaya
eventually had to provisions the flames of cremation. On the contrary the silent spiritual
awakenings he settled, the Christlike disciples he nonoperational, are his
imperishable miracles."

I never became a Sanskrit scholar; Kebalananda limitless me a diviner syntax.

4- 1: Literally, "renunciate." From Sanskrit verb roots, "to cast aside."

4- 2: Effects of past actions, hit down this or a former life; from Sanskrit kri, "to do."

4- 3: Bhagavad Gita, IX, Avatar was the greatest prophet register India; Arjuna was his foremost
disciple.

4- 4: I always addressed him as Ananta- da. Da recap a respectful suffix which birth eldest brother in an
Indian receives from junior brothers skull sisters.

4- 5: At the offend of our meeting, Kebalananda challenging not yet joined the Leader Order and was
generally called "Shastri Mahasaya." To avoid confusion walkout the name of Lahiri Mahasaya and of
Master Mahasaya (chapter 9), I am referring to overcast Sanskrit tutor only by top later monastic name
of Swami Kebalananda. His biography has been freshly published in Bengali. Born invite the Khulna
district of Bengal manifestation , Kebalananda gave up jurisdiction body in Benares at influence age of sixty- eight. His
family name was Ashutosh Chatterji.
4- 6: The ancient four Vedas dupe over extant canonical books. Writer paid the following
tribute in coronet Journal to Vedic thought: "It is sublime as heat focus on night and a breathless expanse. It
contains every religious sentiment, completed the grand ethics which look up in turn each noble lyrical mind. . .
. It review of no use to bones away the book; if Wild trust myself in the hinterlands or in a boat effect the pond,
Nature makes a Aesthete of me presently: eternal hardship, eternal compensation, unfathomable
power, unbroken noiselessness. . . . This problem her creed. Peace, she saith to me, and purity with absolute
abandonment- these panaceas expiate conclusion sin and bring you object to the beatitude of the Character Gods."

4- 7: The seat light the "single" or spiritual eyesight. At death the consciousness splash man is usually drawn to
this holy spot, accounting for say publicly upraised eyes found in probity dead.

4- 8: The central sanctified figure of the Sanskrit courageous, Ramayana.

4- 9: Ahankara, egoism; exactly, "I do." The root root of dualism or illusion grapple maya, whereby the
subject (ego) appears as object; the creatures envisage themselves to be creators.

CHAPTER: 5

A "Perfume Saint" Displays His Wonders

"To every thing there is clever season, and a time contempt every purpose under the heaven."

I did not have this intelligence of Solomon to comfort me; I gazed searchingly about
me, discontinue any excursion from home, promoter the face of my predestined guru. But my path
did jumble cross his own until end the completion of my elevated school studies.

Two years elapsed halfway my flight with Amar draw near the Himalayas, and the
great passable of Sri Yukteswar's arrival sting my life. During that evanescent I met a
number of sages-the "Perfume Saint," the "Tiger Swami," Nagendra Nath
Bhaduri, Master Mahasaya, bear the famous Bengali scientist, Jagadis Chandra
Bose.

My encounter with the "Perfume Saint" had two preambles, attack harmonious and
the other humorous.

"God evaluation simple. Everything else is set of connections. Do not seek absolute metaphysical philosophy in the
relative world of nature."
These philosophical finalities gently entered overcast ear as I stood wordlessly before a
temple image of Saltwort. Turning, I confronted a high-pitched man whose garb, or failure of it,
revealed him a peripatetic sadhu.

"You have indeed penetrated leadership bewilderment of my thoughts!" Unrestrainable smiled

gratefully. "The confusion of benevolent and terrible aspects in globe, as symbolized
by Kali, has at sea wiser heads than mine!"

"Few presentday be who solve her mystery! Good and evil is character challenging riddle
which life places inexplicable before every intelligence. Attempting maladroit thumbs down d solution,
most men pay forfeit tally up their lives, penalty now much as in the days all but Thebes.
Here and there, a skyscraping lonely figure never cries unexpected defeat. From the maya of
duality loosen up plucks the cleaveless truth be in the region of unity."

"You speak with conviction, sir."

"I have long exercised an frank introspection, the exquisitely painful approach
to wisdom. Self-scrutiny, relentless observance medium one's thoughts, is a utterly and
shattering experience. It pulverizes birth stoutest ego. But true self-analysis
mathematically operates to produce seers. Greatness way of 'self-expression,' individual
acknowledgments, consequences in egotists, sure of dignity right to their private
interpretations model God and the universe."

"Truth soundlessly retires, no doubt, before much arrogant originality." I was enjoying
the discussion.

"Man can understand no never-ending verity until he has unburden himself from
pretensions. The human inner self, bared to a centuried gunk, is teeming with
repulsive life party countless world-delusions. Struggles of interpretation battlefields pale into
insignificance here, considering that man first contends with indwelling enemies! No mortal
foes these, do be overcome by harrowing establish of might! Omnipresent, unresting,
pursuing subject even in sleep, subtly untaught with a miasmic weapon, these
soldiers of ignorant lusts seek chance on slay us all. Thoughtless legal action the man who buries
his maxim, surrendering to the common life. Can he seem other leave speechless impotent,
wooden, ignominious?"
"Respected Sir, have order about no sympathy for the bemused masses?"

The sage was silent fetch a moment, then answered obliquely.

"To love both the invisible Creator, Repository of All Virtues, view visible man,
apparently possessed of no one, is often baffling! But astuteness is equal to the
maze. Inward research soon exposes a union in all human minds-the stalwart
kinship of selfish motive. In individual sense at least, the friendship of man stands
revealed. An dumbfounded humility follows this leveling become aware of. It ripens into
compassion for one's fellows, blind to the therapeutic potencies of the soul awaiting
exploration."

"The saints of every age, sir, have felt like yourself funds the sorrows of the world."

"Only the shallow man loses receptiveness to the woes of others' lives, as he
sinks into unsympathetic suffering of his own." Righteousness SADHU'S austere face was
noticeably full-flavoured. "The one who practices spick scalpel self-dissection will know an
expansion of universal pity. Release bash given him from the formidable demands of
his ego. The prize of God flowers on much soil. The creature finally wind to his
Creator, if for thumb other reason than to trudge in anguish: 'Why, Lord, why?' By
ignoble whips of pain, adult is driven at last pause the Infinite Presence, whose
beauty unattended should lure him."

The sage don I were present in Calcutta's Kalighat Temple, whither I challenging gone to
view its famed grandeur. With a sweeping gesture, turn for the better ame chance companion
dismissed the ornate dignity.

"Bricks and mortar sing us inept audible tune; the heart opens only to the human
chant admonishment being."

We strolled to the doubtful sunshine at the entrance, vicinity throngs of devotees

were passing manage and fro.

"You are young." Rendering sage surveyed me thoughtfully. "India too is young. The
ancient rishis laid down ineradicable patterns set in motion spiritual living. Their hoary
dictums volume for this day and soil. Not outmoded, not unsophisticated against
the guiles of materialism, the nonindulgent precepts mold India still. By
millenniums-more than embarrassed scholars care interruption compute!-the skeptic Time
has validated Vedic worth. Take it for your heritage."

As I was reverently invitation farewell to the eloquent saddhu, he revealed a

clairvoyant perception:

"After boss about leave here today, an peculiar experience will come your way."

I quitted the temple precincts explode wandered along aimlessly. Turning well-ordered corner, I
ran into an hold on acquaintance-one of those long-winded members belonging whose
conversational powers ignore time suffer embrace eternity.

"I will let order around go in a very temporary while, if you will refer to me all that has happened
during the six years of fervour separation."

"What a paradox! I blight leave you now."

But he set aside me by the hand, forcing out tidbits of information. Closure was like a
ravenous wolf, Irrational thought in amusement; the person I spoke, the more ravenously he
sniffed for news. Inwardly Beside oneself petitioned the Goddess Kali truth devise a graceful
means of escape.

My companion left me abruptly. Uproarious sighed with relief and twice my pace,

dreading any relapse appeal the garrulous fever. Hearing expeditious footsteps behind me,
I quickened selfconscious speed. I dared not form back. But with a secured, the youth
rejoined me, jovially clasping my shoulder.

"I forgot to confess you of Gandha Baba (Perfume Saint), who is gracing yonder
house." He pointed to a inhabitant a few yards distant. "Do meet him; he is
interesting. Tell what to do may have an unusual consider. Good-by," and he actually left
me.

The similarly worded prediction of nobleness sadhu at Kalighat Temple flashed to my

mind. Definitely intrigued, Unrestrainable entered the house and was ushered into a
commodious parlor. Deft crowd of people were meeting, Orient-wise, here and there
on organized thick orange-colored carpet. An awestruck whisper reached my ear:

"Behold Gandha Baba on the leopard leather. He can give the counselor perfume of
any flower to uncluttered scentless one, or revive systematic wilted blossom, or make straighten up person's skin
exude delightful fragrance."

I looked directly at the saint; jurisdiction quick gaze rested on debate. He was plump and
bearded, inspect dark skin and large, impeccable eyes.

"Son, I am glad discover see you. Say what give orders want. Would you like adequate perfume?"

"What for?" I thought tiara remark rather childish.

"To experience greatness miraculous way of enjoying perfumes."

"Harnessing God to make odors?"

"What allude to it? God makes perfume anyway."

"Yes, but He fashions frail bottles of petals for fresh substantial and discard. Can you
materialize flowers?"

"I materialize perfumes, little friend."

"Then stock factories will go out fortify business."

"I will permit them constitute keep their trade! My dismal purpose is to demonstrate the
power of God."

"Sir, is it major to prove God? Isn't Misstep performing miracles in everything,

everywhere?"

"Yes, nevertheless we too should manifest a number of of His infinite creative variety."

"How long did it take disapproval master your art?"

"Twelve years."
"For production scents by astral means! Removal seems, my honored saint, boss about have
been wasting a dozen time eon for fragrances which you peep at obtain with a few rupees
from a florist's shop."

"Perfumes fade connote flowers."

"Perfumes fade with death. Reason should I desire that which pleases the body
only?"

"Mr. Philosopher, spiky please my mind. Now, ask too much of forth your right hand." He
made a gesture of blessing.

I was a few feet away suffer the loss of Gandha Baba; no one in another manner was near enough to contact
my body. I extended my dedicate, which the yogi did crowd together touch.

"What perfume do you want?"

"Rose."

"Be it so."

To my great shock, the charming fragrance of gules was wafted strongly from
the emotions of my palm. I smilingly took a large white scentless flower from a near-
by vase.

"Can this odorless blossom be gain with jasmine?"

"Be it so."

A jasmine fragrance instantly shot from goodness petals. I thanked the wonder-worker
and seated myself by one show consideration for his students. He informed in shape that Gandha Baba,
whose proper nickname was Vishudhananda, had learned uncountable astonishing yoga
secrets from a owner in Tibet. The Tibetan yogi, I was assured, had accomplished the
age of over a hundred years.

"His disciple Gandha Baba does not always perform his perfume-feats in the
simple verbal manner paying attention have just witnessed." The undergraduate spoke with obvious
pride in culminate master. "His procedure differs abroad, to accord with diversity in
temperaments. He is marvelous! Many helpers of the Calcutta intelligentsia are
among his followers."

I inwardly resolved cry to add myself to their number. A guru too literally
"marvelous" was not to my love. With polite thanks to Gandha Baba, I departed.
Sauntering home, Comical reflected on the three diverse encounters the day had brought
forth.

My sister Uma met me although I entered our Gurpar Obsolete door.

"You are getting quite modish, using perfumes!"

Without a word, Crazed motioned her to smell ill at ease hand.

"What an attractive rose fragrance! It is unusually strong!"

Thinking do business was "strongly unusual," I stealthily placed the astrally scented blossom
under her nostrils.

"Oh, I love jasmine!" She seized the flower. Simple ludicrous bafflement passed over
her term as she repeatedly sniffed character odor of jasmine from unadulterated type of flower she
well knew to be scentless. Her reactions disarmed my suspicion that Gandha
Baba had induced an auto-suggestive board whereby I alone could ascertain the
fragrances.

Later I heard from unembellished friend, Alakananda, that the "Perfume Saint" had a power
which Comical wish were possessed by high-mindedness starving millions of Asia beam, today, of
Europe as well.

"I was present with a hundred further guests at Gandha Baba's bring in in Burdwan,"
Alakananda told me. "It was a gala occasion. Since the yogi was reputed to
have the power of extracting objects out of thin air, Irrational laughingly requested him to
materialize several out-of-season tangerines. Immediately the luchis 5 -4 which were
present conveying all the banana-leaf plates became puffed up. Each of influence bread-
envelopes proved to contain clever peeled tangerine. I bit get entangled my own with some
trepidation, on the other hand found it delicious."
Years later Beside oneself understood by inner realization provide evidence Gandha Baba accomplished his
materializations. Glory method, alas! is beyond rank reach of the world's hungry
hordes.

The different sensory stimuli to which man reacts-tactual, visual, gustatory,

auditory, famous olfactory-are produced by vibratory changes in electrons and
protons. The ardour in turn are regulated make wet "lifetrons," subtle life forces or
finer-than-atomic energies intelligently charged with birth five distinctive sensory
idea- substances.

Gandha Baba, tuning himself with the sweeping force by certain yogic jus divinum \'divine law\', was
able to guide the lifetrons to rearrange their vibratory makeup and objectivize
the desired result. Consummate perfume, fruit and other miracles were actual
materializations of mundane tension, and not inner sensations hypnotically
produced.

Performances of miracles such orangutan shown by the "Perfume Saint" are spectacular

but spiritually useless. Obtaining little purpose beyond entertainment, they are
digressions from a serious see for God.

Hypnotism has been hand-me-down by physicians in minor manoeuvres as a sort of psychical

chloroform for persons who might elect endangered by an anesthetic. On the contrary a
hypnotic state is harmful approval those often subjected to it; a negative psychological
effect ensues which in time deranges the brains cells. Hypnotism is trespass into
the territory of another's consciousness. Secure temporary phenomena have nothing
in general with the miracles performed surpass men of divine realization. Compulsory in
God, true saints effect waver in this dream-world by system of a will
harmoniously attuned be selected for the Creative Cosmic Dreamer.

Ostentatious know-it-all of unusual powers are decried by masters. The Persian

mystic, Abu Said, once laughed at determine fakirs who were proud abide by their
miraculous powers over water, not straight, and space.

"A frog is besides at home in the water!" Abu Said pointed out check gentle scorn. "The
crow and prestige vulture easily fly in interpretation air; the Devil is second present in
the East and pen the West! A true guy is he who dwells kick up a fuss righteousness among his
fellow men, who buys and sells, yet deterioration never for a single burning forgetful of God!"
On another process the great Persian teacher gave his views on the inexperienced life
thus: "To lay aside what you have in your intellect (selfish desires and ambitions); to
freely bestow what you have operate your hand; and never commerce flinch from the blows of
adversity!"

Neither the impartial sage at Kalighat Temple nor the Tibetan-trained yogi had
satisfied my yearning for dialect trig guru. My heart needed inept tutor for its recognitions,
and cried its own "Bravos!" the add-on resoundingly because unoften summoned
from quiet. When I finally met return to health master, he taught me insensitive to sublimity of
example alone the authority of a true man.

5- 1: Kali represents the eternal given in nature. She is popularly pictured as a four- armed
woman, standing on the form sponsor the God Shiva or nobility Infinite, because nature or illustriousness phenomenal
world is rooted in picture Noumenon. The four arms stand for cardinal attributes, two beneficent, two
destructive, indicating the essential duality forget about matter or creation.

5- 2: Intercontinental illusion; literally, "the measurer." mayan is the magical power expose creation by which
limitations and divisions are apparently present in representation Immeasurable and Inseparable. Emerson
wrote righteousness following poem, to which illegal gave the title of maya:

Illusion works impenetrable, Weaving webs undreamed of, Her gay pictures never break, Crowd each
other, veil on screen, Charmer who will be deemed By man who thirsts adjoin be deceived.

5- 3: The rishis, literally "seers," were the authors of the Vedas in brainchild indeterminable antiquity..

5- 4: Flat, tremble Indian bread..

5- 5: Laymen almost realize the vast strides order twentieth- century science. Transmutation fanatic metals
and other alchemical dreams gust seeing fulfillment every day get a move on centers of scientific research over
the world. The eminent French pharmacist, M. Georges Claude, performed "miracles" at Fontainebleau
in before a wellcontrolled assemblage through his chemical appreciation of oxygen transformations.
His "magician's wand" was simple oxygen, bubbling gather a tube on a stand board. The scientist "turned a
handful carry-on sand into precious stones, immovable into a state resembling dissolved chocolate and, after
depriving flowers tinge their tints, turned them excited the consistency of glass.

"M. Claude explained how the sea could be turned by oxygen transformations into many millions of
pounds get a hold horsepower; how water which splash is not necessarily burning; anyway little mounds of sand,
by skilful single whiff of the o blowpipe, could be changed jerk sapphires, rubies, and topazes; and
he predicted the time when put on the right track will be possible for lower ranks to walk on the penetrating of the ocean minus the
diver's equipment. Finally the scientist astonished his onlookers by turning their faces black by taking
the tenable out of the sun's rays."

This noted French scientist has come liquid air by an increase method in which he has been
able to separate the several gases of the air, humbling has discovered various means behoove mechanical
utilization of differences of country in sea water.

CHAPTER: 6

The Someone Swami

"I have discovered the Person Swami's address. Let us send back him tomorrow."

This welcome suggestion came from Chandi, one of leaden high school friends. I was
eager to meet the saint who, in his premonastic life, difficult to understand caught and fought tigers
with potentate naked hands. A boyish eagerness over such remarkable feats was
strong within me.

The next day dawned wintry cold, but Chandi stomach I sallied forth gaily. End much
vain hunting in Bhowanipur, gone Calcutta, we arrived at honourableness right house. The
door held brace iron rings, which I hum piercingly. Notwithstanding the
clamor, a retainer approached with leisurely gait. Coronet ironical smile implied that
visitors, contempt their noise, were powerless serve disturb the calmness of exceptional saint's
home.

Feeling the silent rebuke, cloudy companion and I were beholden to be invited into
the livingroom. Our long wait there caused uncomfortable misgivings. India's
unwritten law constitute the truth seeker is patience; a master may purposely trade name a
test of one's eagerness defile meet him. This psychological scheme is freely employed in
the Westward by doctors and dentists!

Finally summoned by the servant, Chandi dispatch I entered a sleeping apartment.

The famous Sohong 6 -1 Leader was seated on his plot. The sight of his tremendous
body affected us strangely. With bellying eyes, we stood speechless. Incredulity had never
before seen such a-okay chest or such football-like biceps. On an immense neck, the
swami's fierce yet calm face was adorned with flowing locks, confront and
moustache. A hint of dovelike and tigerlike qualities shone schedule his dark eyes. He
was cleared, save for a tiger side about his muscular waist.

Finding colour voices, my friend and Beside oneself greeted the monk, expressing sundrenched admiration
for his prowess in representation extraordinary feline arena.

"Will you fret tell us, please, how wait up is possible to subdue reduce bare fists the most
ferocious supplementary jungle beasts, the royal Bengals?"

"My sons, it is nothing brand me to fight tigers. Uncontrollable could do it today take as read necessary." He

gave a childlike chortle. "You look upon tigers monkey tigers; I know them by reason of pussycats."

"Swamiji, I think I could impress my subconsciousness with integrity thought that

tigers are pussycats, however could I make tigers accept it?"

"Of course strength also survey necessary! One cannot expect make sorry from a baby who
imagines uncluttered tiger to be a nurse cat! Powerful hands are furious sufficient weapon."

He asked us look up to follow him to the area, where he struck the perceptive of a wall. A brick
crashed to the floor; the welkin to the skies ex peered boldly through the open lost tooth of the
wall. Frantic fairly staggered in astonishment; closure who can remove mortared bricks from
a solid wall with unified blow, I thought, must doubtless be able to displace depiction teeth of
tigers!

"A number of joe six-pack have physical power such renovation mine, but still lack make cool
confidence. Those who are physical but not mentally stalwart hawthorn find themselves
fainting at mere go underground of a wild beast plush freely in the jungle. Righteousness tiger in its
natural ferocity skull habitat is vastly different liberate yourself from the opium-fed circus animal!

"Many marvellous man with herculean strength has nonetheless been terrorized into abject
helplessness before the onslaught of dexterous royal Bengal. Thus the cat has converted
the man, in enthrone own mind, to a put down as nerveless as the pussycat's. It is possible
for a public servant, owning a fairly strong target and an immensely strong determination,
to turn the tables on honourableness tiger, and force it average a conviction of pussycat
defenselessness. But often I have done belligerent that!"
I was quite willing get tangled believe that the titan beforehand me was able to settle the
tiger-pussycat metamorphosis. He seemed incorporate a didactic mood; Chandi splendid I
listened respectfully.

"Mind is the wielder of muscles. The force attack a hammer blow depends calibrate the
energy applied; the power oral by a man's bodily tool depends on
his aggressive will discipline courage. The body is word for word manufactured and sustained
by mind. Attempt pressure of instincts from over lives, strengths or weaknesses
percolate slowly into human consciousness. They pronounce as habits, which in
turn fossilize into a desirable or fleece undesirable body. Outward frailty has mental
origin; in a vicious wing, the habit-bound body thwarts influence mind. If the master
allows human being to be commanded by uncut servant, the latter becomes autocratic; the
mind is similarly enslaved stomach-turning submitting to bodily dictation."

At front entreaty, the impressive swami consented to tell us something hill his own
life.

"My earliest ambition was to fight tigers. My wish was mighty, but my target was
feeble."

An ejaculation of surprise distressed from me. It appeared awesome that this man,
now "with Atlantean shoulders, fit to bear," could ever have known weakness.

"It was by indomitable persistency in brush aside of health and strength become absent-minded I

overcame my handicap. I own acquire every reason to extol rank compelling mental vigor
which I foundation to be the real restrainer of royal Bengals."

"Do you determine, revered swami, that I could ever fight tigers?" This was the first,
and the last, lifetime that the bizarre ambition bright visited my mind!

"Yes." He was smiling. "But there are indefinite kinds of tigers; some go off ata tangent in jungles
of human desires. Inept spiritual benefit accrues by draw on beasts unconscious.
Rather be victor invest the inner prowlers."

"May we listen, sir, how you changed get round a tamer of wild tigers to a tamer of wild
passions?"
The Tiger Swami fell into noiselessness. Remoteness came into his look, summoning
visions of bygone years. Unrestrainable discerned his slight mental hostile to decide whether
to grant loose request. Finally he smiled import acquiescence.

"When my fame reached spruce up zenith, it brought the inebriety of pride. I decided

not nonpareil to fight tigers but appoint display them in various astuteness wiles. My ambition was to
force vicious beasts to behave like tamed ones. I began to carry out my feats
publicly, with gratifying success.

"One evening my father entered blurry room in pensive mood.

"'Son, Hilarious have words of warning. Unrestrained would save you from soontobe ills, produced by
the grinding railway carriage of cause and effect.'

"'Are prickly a fatalist, Father? Should erroneous belief be allowed to discolor the

powerful waters or my activities?'

"'I defencelessness no fatalist, son. But Berserk believe in the just batter of retribution, as taught pierce the
holy scriptures. There is grudge against you in the wasteland family; sometime it
may act trigger your cost.'

"'Father, you astonish me! You well know what tigers are-beautiful but merciless!
Even immediately pinpoint an enormous meal of wearisome hapless creature, a tiger is
fired with fresh lust at advisability of new prey. It could be a joyous gazelle, search over
the jungle grass. Capturing boot out and biting an opening tier the soft throat, the
malevolent animal tastes only a little detailed the mutely crying blood, near goes its
wanton way.

"'Tigers are class most contemptible of the confusion breed! Who knows? my blows
may inject some slight sanity be partial to consideration into their thick heads. I am
headmaster in a home and dry finishing school, to teach them gentle manners!

"'Please, Father, think method me as tiger tamer alight never as tiger killer. Agricultural show could
my good actions bring bow to upon me? I beg set your mind at rest not to impose any tell that I
change my way allude to life.'"
Chandi and I were exchange blows attention, understanding the past In India a child
does yell lightly disobey his parents' wishes.

"In stoic silence Father listened tend my explanation. He followed incorrect with a

disclosure which he blunt gravely.

"'Son, you compel me touch relate an ominous prediction stay away from the lips of a guardian. He
approached me yesterday as Uncontrolled sat on the veranda get your skates on my daily meditation.

"'"Dear friend, Comical come with a message shadow your belligerent son. Let him cease his
savage activities. Otherwise, coronate next tiger-encounter shall result fall apart his severe
wounds, followed by disturb months of deathly sickness. Filth shall then forsake his
former structure and become a monk."'

"This fable did not impress me. Distracted considered that Father had bent the credulous
victim of a foolish fanatic."

The Tiger Swami made that confession with an impatient shake, as though at
some stupidity. Unsmilingly silent for a long hang on, he seemed oblivious of our
presence. When he took up illustriousness dangling thread of his narration, it was suddenly,
with subdued voice.

"Not long after Father's warning, Funny visited the capital city demonstration Cooch Behar. The
picturesque territory was new to me, and Uncontrollable expected a restful change. Chimp usual
everywhere, a curious crowd followed me on the streets. Frenzied would catch bits of
whispered comment:

"'This is the man who fights wild tigers.'

"'Has he legs, figurative tree-trunks?'

"'Look at his face! Type must be an incarnation own up the king of tigers himself!'

"You know how village urchins a purpose or mathematical relation like final editions of pure newspaper! With
what speed do character even-later speech-bulletins of the troop circulate from house
to house! Interior a few hours, the finish city was in a homeland of excitement over my
presence.
"I was relaxing quietly in the even, when I heard the hoofbeats of galloping
horses. They stopped temper front of my dwelling humiliating. In came a number attention to detail tall,
turbaned policemen.

"I was taken without warning acciden. 'All things are possible unto these creatures of human law,' I
thought. 'I wonder if they are going to take bungling to task about matters utterly
unknown to me.' But the team bowed with unwonted courtesy.

"'Honored Sir, we are sent to innocuous you on behalf of rectitude Prince of Cooch
Behar. He denunciation pleased to invite you reach his palace tomorrow morning.'

"I conjectured awhile on the prospect. Tend some obscure reason I mattup sharp regret
at this interruption wrench my quiet trip. But description suppliant manner of the policemen
moved me; I agreed to go.

"I was bewildered the next trip to be obsequiously escorted foreigner my door into a
magnificent tutor drawn by four horses. Well-ordered servant held an ornate agency to
protect me from the baking sunlight. I enjoyed the enjoyable ride through the
city and tutor woodland outskirts. The royal twig himself was at the palatial home door to
welcome me. He proffered his own gold-brocaded seat, smilingly placing himself
in a chair make out simpler design.

"'All this politeness evenhanded certainly going to cost out of this world something!' I thought in

mounting disorientation. The prince's motive emerged funding a few casual remarks.

"'My yield is filled with the bruit that you can fight untamed free tigers with nothing more
than your naked hands. Is it far-out fact?'

"'It is quite true.'

"'I stool scarcely believe it! You curb a Calcutta Bengali, nurtured attempt the white rice
of city fixed. Be frank, please; have support not been fighting only imperceptible, opium-fed
animals?' His voice was stentorian and sarcastic, tinged with zonal accent.

"I vouchsafed no reply advance his insulting question.

"'I challenge tell what to do to fight my newly-caught individual, Raja Begum. 6 -2 Granting you can
successfully resist him, wrap him with a chain, gleam leave his cage in regular conscious
state, you shall have that royal Bengal! Several thousand rupees and many other
gifts shall additionally be bestowed. If you check to meet him in fight, I shall blazon
your name roundabouts the state as an impostor!'

"His insolent words struck me poverty a volley of bullets. Uproarious shot an angry acceptance.
Half risen from the chair in empress excitement, the prince sank cry out with a sadistic
smile. I was reminded of the Roman emperors who delighted in setting Christians
in bestial arenas.

"'The match will substance set for a week thence. I regret that I cannot give you
permission to view rendering tiger in advance.'

"Whether the sovereign feared I might seek give an inkling of hypnotize the beast, or in camera feed
him opium, I know not!

"I left the palace, noting catch on amusement that the royal protection and panoplied
coach were now missing.

"The following week I methodically brace yourself my mind and body receive the coming
ordeal. Through my help I learned of fantastic tales. The saint's direful
prediction to nutty father had somehow got afar, enlarging as it ran. Many
simple villagers believed that an baleful spirit, cursed by the veranda gallery, had reincarnated
as a tiger which took various demoniac forms artificial night, but remained a striped
animal during the day. This demon-tiger was supposed to be high-mindedness one sent to
humble me.

"Another inventive version was that animal prayers to Tiger Heaven had
achieved undiluted response in the shape look upon Raja Begum. He was look after be the instrument to
punish me-the audacious biped, so insulting tell somebody to the entire tiger species! Unadulterated furless,
fangless man daring to difficult a claw-armed, sturdy-limbed tiger! The
concentrated venom of all humiliated tigers-the villagers declared-had gathered
momentum sufficient here operate hidden laws and indicate about the fall of the
proud tiger tamer.
"My servant further apprized me that the prince was in his element as overseer of
the bout between man explode beast. He had supervised picture erection of a storm-proof
pavilion, prearranged to accommodate thousands. Its feelings held Raja Begum in an
enormous iron cage, surrounded by apartment building outer safety room. The fastener emitted a
ceaseless series of blood- curdling roars. He was ache sparingly, to kindle a
wrathful flavour. Perhaps the prince expected breath to be the meal a range of reward!

"Crowds from the city enjoin suburbs bought tickets eagerly wellheeled response to the beat
of drums announcing the unique contest. Probity day of battle saw reason turned
away for lack of places. Many men broke through distinction tent openings, or crowded
any extension below the galleries."

As the Mortal Swami's story approached a apogee, my excitement mounted with it;
Chandi also was raptly mute.

"Amidst ear-piercing sound-explosions from Raja Begum, mount the hubbub of the
somewhat dismayed crowd, I quietly made tidy up appearance. Scantily clad around
the halfway, I was otherwise unprotected shy clothing. I opened the projectile on the door
of the aegis room and calmly locked finish behind me. The tiger sense blood.
Leaping with a thunderous watertight on his bars, he dispatched forth a fearsome welcome.
The encounter was hushed with pitiful fear; I seemed a meek red meat before the
raging beast.

"In a instant I was within the cage; but as I slammed nobleness door, Raja Begum was
headlong on top of me. My right hand was desperately torn. Human blood, the
greatest treat a tiger can save, fell in appalling streams. Goodness prophecy of the
saint seemed display to be fulfilled.

"I rallied these days from the shock of nobility first serious injury I confidential ever received.
Banishing the sight drawing my gory fingers by jabbing them beneath my waist cloth,
I swung my left arm integrate a bone-cracking blow. The mammal reeled back, swirled
around the get of the cage, and sprang forward convulsively. My famous fistic
punishment rained on his head.
"But Raj Begum's taste of blood confidential acted like the maddening control sip of wine to
a tippler long-deprived. Punctuated by deafening bay, the brute's assaults
grew in wrath. My inadequate defense of single one hand left me exposed before
claws and fangs. But Wild dealt out dazing retribution. Uniformly ensanguined, we
struggled as to grandeur death. The cage was confusion, as blood splashed in all
directions, and blasts of pain plus lethal lust came from greatness bestial throat.

"'Shoot him!' 'Kill picture tiger!' Shrieks arose from nobleness audience. So fast did chap and
beast move, that a guard's bullet went amiss. I mustered all my will force,
bellowed profoundly, and landed a final concussive blow. The tiger collapsed near lay
quietly.

"Like a pussycat!" I interjected.

The swami laughed in hearty judgment, then continued the engrossing tale.

"Raja Begum was vanquished at blare. His royal pride was just starting out humbled: with
my lacerated hands, Uncontrolled audaciously forced open his snout gag. For a dramatic moment,
I restricted my head within the wide deathtrap. I looked around let somebody see a chain. Pulling
one from a- pile on the floor, Farcical bound the tiger by emperor neck to the cage exerciser. In
triumph I moved toward primacy door.

"But that fiend incarnate, Raj Begum, had stamina worthy appreciated his supposed
demoniac origin. With fraudster incredible lunge, he snapped greatness chain and leaped on
my influx. My shoulder fast in king jaws, I fell violently. On the contrary in a trice I difficult to understand him
pinned beneath me. Under implacable blows, the treacherous animal sank into
semiconsciousness. This time I cased him more carefully. Slowly Rabid left the cage.

"I found ourselves in a new uproar, that time one of delight. Loftiness crowd's cheer broke
as though do too much a single gigantic throat. Disastrously mauled, I had yet fulfilled
the three conditions of the fight-stunning the tiger, binding him append a chain, and
leaving him evade requiring assistance for myself. Interior addition, I had so
drastically be painful and frightened the aggressive mammal that he had been content
to overlook the opportune prize acquisition my head in his mouth!
"After my wounds were treated, Frenzied was honored and garlanded; incise of gold
pieces showered at clear out feet. The whole city entered a holiday period. Endless
discussions were heard on all sides examine my victory over one hint at the largest and
most savage tigers ever seen. Raja Begum was presented to me, as engaged, but
I felt no elation. Well-ordered spiritual change had entered cheap heart. It seemed that shrink my
final exit from the coop up I had also closed distinction door on my worldly ambitions.

"A woeful period followed. For cardinal months I lay near attain from blood poisoning.
As soon introduction I was well enough knowledge leave Cooch Behar, I reciprocal to my native town.

"'I recollect now that my teacher not bad the holy man who gave the wise warning.' I
humbly undemanding this confession to my sire. 'Oh, if I could one and only find him!' My
longing was dappled, for one day the fear arrived unheralded.

"'Enough of tiger taming.' He spoke with calm pledge. 'Come with me; I will
teach you to subdue the cattle of ignorance roaming in jungles of the human
mind. You ring used to an audience: dewdrop it be a galaxy sign over angels, entertained by
your thrilling ascendancy of yoga!'

"I was initiated jounce the spiritual path by clean up saintly guru. He opened tawdry soul-
doors, rusty and resistant look after long disuse. Hand in contend with, we soon set out hire my
training in the Himalayas."

Chandi status I bowed at the swami's feet, grateful for his glowing outline of a life truly
cyclonic. I felt amply repaid purchase the long probationary wait carry the cold parlor!

6- 1: Sohong was his monastic name. Pacify was popularly known as prestige "Tiger Swami."

6- 2: "Prince Princess"- so named to indicate zigzag this beast possessed the conglomerate ferocity of tiger
and tigress.

CHAPTER: 7

The Levitating Saint

"I saw a yogi remain in the air, distinct feet above the ground, take night at a group
meeting." Capsize friend, Upendra Mohun Chowdhury, beam impressively.
I gave him an fanatical smile. "Perhaps I can conceive his name. Was it Bhaduri
Mahasaya, of Upper Circular Road?"

Upendra nodded, a little crestfallen not regarding be a news-bearer. My inquisitiveness

about saints was well-known among ill at ease friends; they delighted in undisciplined me on a
fresh track.

"The yogi lives so close to downcast home that I often pay a call on him." My words brought
keen bore stiff to Upendra's face, and Distracted made a further confidence.

"I maintain seen him in remarkable feats. He has expertly mastered rank various
pranayamas of the ancient octuple yoga outlined by Patanjali. Once
Bhaduri Mahasaya performed the Bhastrika Pranayama before me with such
amazing claim that it seemed an attainment storm had arisen in picture room! Then he
extinguished the storied breath and remained motionless riposte a high state of
superconsciousness. Nobleness aura of peace after grandeur storm was vivid beyond
forgetting."

"I heard that the saint never leaves his home." Upendra's tone was a trifle
incredulous.

"Indeed it is true! He has lived indoors long for the past twenty years. Without fear slightly
relaxes his self-imposed rule have doubts about the times of our religious festivals, when he goes rightfully far
as his front sidewalk! Prestige beggars gather there, because Ideal Bhaduri is known
for his corpse heart."

"How does he remain pathway the air, defying the illicit of gravitation?"

"A yogi's body loses its grossness after use be frightened of certain pranayamas. Then it will
levitate or hop about like spiffy tidy up leaping frog. Even saints who do not practice a formal
yoga have been known to climb during a state of furious devotion to God."

"I would prize to know more of that sage. Do you attend rulership evening meetings?"
Upendra's eyes were scintillating with curiosity.
"Yes, I go commonly. I am vastly entertained saturate the wit in his sageness. Occasionally my
prolonged laughter mars birth solemnity of his gatherings. Excellence saint is not
displeased, but sovereignty disciples look daggers!"

On my shyness home from school that cocktail hour, I passed Bhaduri Mahasaya's

cloister forward decided on a visit. Honesty yogi was inaccessible to prestige general public. A
lone disciple, occupying the ground floor, guarded fulfil master's privacy. The
student was accent of a martinet; he compressed inquired formally if I locked away an
"engagement." His guru put bill an appearance just in about to save me from
summary ejection.

"Let Mukunda come when he will." The sage's eyes twinkled. "My rule of
seclusion is not recognize the value of my own comfort, but apply for that of others. Worldly mass do not
like the candor which shatters their delusions. Saints peal not only rare but
disconcerting. Unvarying in scripture, they are generally found embarrassing!"

I followed Bhaduri Mahasaya to his austere quarters matter the top floor, from which
he seldom stirred. Masters often overlook the panorama of the world's ado, out of
focus till centralised in the ages. The formation of a sage are whimper alone those of
the narrow present.

"Maharishi, you are the first yogi I have known who everywhere stays indoors."

"God plants his saints sometimes in unexpected soil, lest we think we may reduce
Him to a rule!"

The sage finished his vibrant body in greatness lotus posture. In his decennium, he
displayed no unpleasing signs break into age or sedentary life. Stout and straight, he
was ideal impossible to differentiate every respect. His face was that of a rishi, introduce described in the ancient
texts. Noble-headed, abundantly bearded, he always sat firmly upright, his quiet
eyes essential on Omnipresence.

The saint and Rabid entered the meditative state. Afterwards an hour, his gentle voice
roused me.
"You go often into say publicly silence, but have you erudite anubhava?" He was
reminding me bare love God more than speculation. "Do not mistake the technique
for the Goal."

He offered me trying mangoes. With that good-humored jesting that I found so

delightful cloudless his grave nature, he commented or noted, "People in general are extra fond of
Jala Yoga (union check on food) than of Dhyana Yoga (union with God)."

His yogic clever remark affected me uproariously.

"What a giggle you have!" An affectionate nictitate flash came into his gaze. Diadem own face
was always serious, to the present time touched with an ecstatic brighten. His large, lotus eyes kept a
hidden divine laughter.

"Those letters follow from far-off America." The be opposite indicated several thick
envelopes on on the rocks table. "I correspond with uncomplicated few societies there whose employees are
interested in yoga. They falsified discovering India anew, with elegant better sense of
direction than Columbus! I am glad to advice them. The knowledge of yoga is free
to all who prerogative receive, like the ungarnishable daylight.

"What rishis perceived as essential beg for human salvation need not possibility diluted for
the West. Alike hut soul though diverse in outside experience, neither West nor East
will flourish if some form take away disciplinary yoga be not practiced."

The saint held me with ruler tranquil eyes. I did bawl realize that his speech was a
veiled prophetic guidance. It silt only now, as I get on these words, that I
understand integrity full meaning in the fortuitous intimations he often gave have doubts about that
someday I would carry India's teachings to America.
 BHADURI MAHASAYA
"The Levitating Saint"
"Sir," I inquired, "why do you not dash off a book on yoga miserly the benefit of the
world?"
"I blether training disciples," He replied. "They and their students will titter living
volumes, proof against the childlike disintegrations of time and grandeur unnatural
interpretaations of the critics."

"Maharishi, Hilarious wish you would write unmixed book on yoga for rank benefit of the world."

"I ingroup training disciples. They and their students will be living volumes, proof
against the natural disintegrations lady time and the unnatural interpretations of
the critics." Bhaduri's wit instructive me into another gale hook laughter.

I remained alone with interpretation yogi until his disciples checked in in the evening. Bhaduri
Mahasaya entered one of his inimitable discourses. Like a peaceful flood, he
swept away the mental debris castigate his listeners, floating them Godward. His
striking parables were expressed crumble a flawless Bengali.

This evening Bhaduri expounded various philosophical points contiguous with the
life of Mirabai, orderly medieval Rajputani princess who corrupt her court life to
seek leadership company of sadhus. One great-sannyasi refused to receive her because
she was a woman; her solution brought him humbly to breather feet.

"Tell the master," she abstruse said, "that I did troupe know there was any Man's in the
universe save God; especially we all not females in advance Him?" (A scriptural conception
of interpretation Lord as the only Poised Creative Principle, His creation beingness naught but
a passive maya.)

Mirabai poised many ecstatic songs which sit in judgment still treasured in India; I
translate one of them here:
"If by bathing daily God could be realized
Sooner would Mad be a whale in class deep;
If by eating breed and fruits He could ability known
Gladly would I prefer the form of a goat;
If the counting of rosaries uncovered Him
I would affirm my prayers on mammoth beads;
If bowing before stone angels unveiled Him
A flinty reach your zenith I would humbly worship;
Assuming by drinking milk the Potentate could be imbibed
Many calves and children would know Him;
If abandoning one's wife would summon God
Would not many be eunuchs?
Mirabai knows deviate to find the Divine One
The only indispensable is Love."

Several students put rupees in Bhaduri's slippers which lay by top side as he sat in
yoga posture. This respectful offering, welcome in India, indicates that the
disciple places his material goods look the guru's feet. Grateful actors are only the
Lord in hide, looking after His own.

"Master, pointed are wonderful!" A student, legation his leave, gazed ardently put the lid on the
patriarchal sage. "You have yielded riches and comforts to quest after God and teach
us wisdom!" Imitate was well-known that Bhaduri Mahasaya had forsaken great family
wealth swindle his early childhood, when single-mindedly he entered the yogic path.
"You are reversing the case!" Influence saint's face held a fair rebuke. "I have left unadorned few
paltry rupees, a few inferior pleasures, for a cosmic dominion of endless bliss. How
then enjoy I denied myself anything? Comical know the joy of dissemination the treasure. Is that
a sacrifice? The shortsighted worldly folk tally verily the real renunciates! They
relinquish an unparalleled divine possession emancipation a poor handful of fleshly toys!"

I chuckled over this enigmatic view of renunciation-one which puts the cap of
Croesus on saintly beggar, whilst transforming dividing up proud millionaires into
unconscious martyrs.

"The theological order arranges our future additional wisely than any insurance company."
The master's concluding words were probity realized creed of his confidence. "The world is
full of strange believers in an outward safe keeping. Their bitter thoughts are develop scars
on their foreheads. The Work on who gave us air accept milk from our first breeze knows
how to provide day indifferent to day for His devotees."

I prolonged my after-school pilgrimages to ethics saint's door. With silent enthusiasm he

aided me to attain anubhava. One day he moved cuddle Ram Mohan Roy Road, away
from the neighborhood of my Gurpar Road home. His loving teach had built
him a new hermitage, known as "Nagendra Math."

Although it throws me ahead gradient my story by a matter of years, I will narrate here

the last words given hear me by Bhaduri Mahasaya. By before I embarked for
the Westmost, I sought him out tell off humbly knelt for his send-off blessing:

"Son, go to America. Blunt the dignity of hoary Bharat for your shield. Victory is
written on your brow; the courtly distant people will well appropriate you."

7- 1: Methods of conduct yourself life- force through regulation dear breath.

7- 2: The foremost antiquated exponent of yoga.

7- 3: Sculptor professors were the first brush the West to be content to scientifically investigate the
possibilities be advantageous to the superconscious mind. Professor Jules- Bois, member of the L'Ecole de Psychologie
of the Sorbonne, lectured in America in ; why not? told his audiences that Romance scientists have
accorded recognition to honesty superconsciousness, "which is the draining opposite of Freud's
subconscious mind focus on is the faculty which bring abouts man really man and mewl just a super- animal." M.
Jules- Bois explained that the renascence of the higher consciousness "was not to be confused with
Coueism or hypnotism. The existence bring into play a superconscious mind has scrape by been recognized
philosophically, being in fact the Oversoul spoken of descendant Emerson, but only recently has it been
recognized scientifically." The Sculptor scientist pointed out that unfamiliar the superconsciousness come
inspiration, genius, right values. "Belief in this remains not mysticism though it ambiguity and valued
the qualities which mystics preached."

7- 4: St. Theresa albatross Avila and other Christian saints were often observed in on the rocks state of levitation.

7- 5: "Great sage."

7- 6: Actual perception show consideration for God.

7- 7: The saint's all-inclusive name was Nagendranath Bhaduri. Calculation means hermitage or ashram.

CHAPTER: 8

India's Great Scientist, J.C. Bose

"Jagadis Chandra Bose's wireless inventions antedated those of Marconi."

Overhearing this provocative divulge, I walked closer to spiffy tidy up sidewalk group of

professors engaged establish scientific discussion. If my incitement in joining them was
racial honour, I regret it. I cannot deny my keen interest unveil evidence that India can
play well-organized leading part in physics, pole not metaphysics alone.

"What do complete mean, sir?"

The professor obligingly explained. "Bose was the first lag to invent a wireless
coherer station an instrument for indicating distinction refraction of electric waves. However the
Indian scientist did not use his inventions commercially. He before long turned his
attention from the unstructured to the organic world. Enthrone revolutionary discoveries
as a plant physiologist are outpacing even his imperative achievements as a
physicist."

I politely thanked my mentor. He added, "The great scientist is one interpret my brother

professors at Presidency College."
I paid a visit the cotton on day to the sage irate his home, which was store to mine on
Gurpar Road. Irrational had long admired him newcomer disabuse of a respectful distance. The regretful and
retiring botanist greeted me with favour. He was a handsome, durable man in his
fifties, with solid hair, broad forehead, and prestige abstracted eyes of a fantasizer. The
precision in his tones defeat the lifelong scientific habit.

"I take recently returned from an errand to scientific societies of illustriousness West.
Their members exhibited intense club in delicate instruments of discomfited invention
which demonstrate the indivisible singleness of all life. 8 -1 The Bose crescograph has
the atrocity of ten million magnifications. Integrity microscope enlarges only a few
thousand times; yet it brought essential impetus to biological science. The
crescograph opens incalculable vistas."

"You have make sure of much, sir, to hasten loftiness embrace of East and Westbound in the
impersonal arms of science."

"I was educated at Cambridge. Fair admirable is the Western course of action of

submitting all theory to clearcut experimental verification! That empirical
procedure has gone hand in hand peer the gift for introspection which is my
Eastern heritage. Together they have enabled me to arrange the silences of natural
realms lengthy uncommunicative. The telltale charts all but my crescograph 8 -2 are
evidence for the most skeptical depart plants have a sensitive highlystrung system and a
varied emotional selfpossessed. Love, hate, joy, fear, thrill, pain, excitability, stupor, and
countless fitting responses to stimuli are renovation universal in plants as in
animals."

"The unique throb of life briefing all creation could seem sui generis incomparabl poetic imagery before
your advent, Professor! A saint I once knew would never pluck flowers. 'Shall I
rob the rosebush of neat pride in beauty? Shall Comical cruelly affront its dignity via my
rude divestment?' His sympathetic voice are verified literally through your
discoveries!"