← The Gospel of Swami RamdasHis talks, as recorded by Swami Satchidananda

1953-11-21

Chapter 35

Mohol, November 21, 1953

310. Rush for darshan, why?

As it was very chill in the morning, Papa did not come out until there was bright sunshine. He was sitting on his cot in the veranda where there were screens on the sides.

Papa was taking coffee prepared by Mataji who was standing near him. There was a great rush of devotees.

Papa (to Mataji): Why are these people after Ramdas? What has he got in him? He simply eats, drinks and sleeps. What else does he do? What do these people see in him? What do they come for?

Mataji: They have come only to see the one who eats, drinks and sleeps.

Papa: It seems some people were saying that Ramdas is famous not because of any merit that he now has but because of the fame he earned here during his sadhana days. Did you hear it? Do you think so many would have run after Ramdas, who is now in white clothes, if this were his first visit to Sholapur district?

Mataji: You talk as if people are not mad after you now when you go to new places. You are simply pulling our legs.

When Papa finished coffee and got up, the napkin that was spread on Papa's lap fell down on the floor which was far from being neat or tidy. When it fell down, Papa knew that Mataji would not like it. He looked at her and laughed. Mataji also laughed as if she thought him careless. Papa laughed still more and said: "This naughty child is a great burden to you, is he not?" She too joined him in the laughter. What else could she do?

311. Gandhiji's experiments in brahmacharya

Samtani, a Sindhi devotee who came to see Papa, mentioned in the course of the conversation that while in Delhi he had seen Papa's letter to Sevakram on Gandhiji's experiment in brahmacharya, and wondered why Gandhiji, at that age, found it necessary to experiment that way. Papa replied that Gandhiji was unique in every way and an ordinary man would find it difficult to understand him.

7 p.m. Papa was called in to take milk. Mataji was getting things ready. Prof. Krishna Rao also came in.

Krishna Rao: Papa, Samtani was talking about Gandhiji's experiment in brahmacharya. Though he might have found it necessary, does it not seem to be socially objectionable?

Papa: Gandhiji found the experiment necessary. This was purely a question of his personal and private life.

Krishna Rao: Should they have published it?

Papa: What is the harm in publishing it? Let the people know that there are heroes who have completely conquered lust. Of course, the public criticise whatever is done. If saints keep away from women, people may ask why they should avoid women when they are well established in brahmacharya. If saints move freely in the world, then also they ask why they do so. Either way, the criticism is there. It is hard for a common man to understand the state of one who is entirely free of lust. Sri Ramakrishna was another great example.

312. Homage by village folk

11 p.m. Papa was in bed. It was very late when he returned from the temple after the kirtan and pravachan there. Papa was tired due to the day's crowded programme. S and Krishna Rao were massaging him.

Papa: We are having a lot of fun here, are we not? Govinda Rao, our host, has taken on a heavy responsibility. People from the villages are flowing in a regular stream from the morning. The love and devotion of these people is simply wonderful. You see how they come, place their heads at Ramdas’ feet and sit quietly or go away. No questioning, no discussions, unlike the townsfolk who go on questioning endlessly. Whenever they come, they want to offer something to Ramdas; some give a rupee, a few annas or even a copper. Others give him, so lovingly, a dried date or some sweets. Whatever it is, they are sure to bring some offering with them.

Nanjunda Sastri: One old mother comes and embraces Papa every time. It is a very fine sight.

Papa: (laughing) What can Ramdas do? He is her child after all.

S: When did the mother embrace Papa? I did not see her.

Sastri: She came this morning.

S: When she comes again, I would like to see her and film her if possible.

Papa: Ramdas is feeling sleepy. You may also go to bed.

November 22, 1953

313. Nama Japa Yajna

The main purpose of Papa's visit to Mohol was to attend the celebration connected with the completion of fourteen crores of Japa (Ram Nam vocal repetition). In fact they had exceeded the target, and had done eighteen crores.

That being the day of celebration many devotees had come even the previous night and were staying on. At 8.30 a.m., Prof. Krishna Rao's car, decorated with garlands, stood at the gate to take Papa in procession through the streets of Mohol. Papa stepped into the car and Veeraraghavan drove it. Country band led the way and a large number of men, women and children followed at the rear singing Ram Nam. It took about an hour and a half for the procession to pass through all the main streets of the place and when it reached the mandir a large crowd had already gathered there. Alighting from the car, Papa went inside the mandir and sat on the asan provided for him. Then commenced the maha pooja.

Govinda Rao Sarolkar and his son Prabhakar did the pooja of Papa's holy feet and at the end offered him consolidated account showing a total of eighteen crores of japa done by the devotees. Other devotees also performed pada-pooja one after the other, which lasted for an hour. Papa returned to his residence at 11 a.m.

There were elaborate arrangements for feeding a large number of people at the mandir. It was reported later that about one thousand five hundred people were fed. Though it was a big gathering, things went off smoothly. There was no complaint or friction of any kind.

In the evening was the women's programme. There was a pravachan in Marathi by Smt Kashibai, which Papa liked and appreciated very much.

314. Sefl-realisation

All the devotees were anxious that Papa should speak a few words. Papa agreed to do so between 8.30 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. A large crowd had gathered before 8.30 p.m. and the mandir compound was crammed to its capacity.

The substance of what Papa spoke in Hindi is as follows:

"Beloved embodiments of the Divine, – Ramdas beholds you as such. Ramdas will speak a few words about God-realisation. God-realisation is the goal of life. It grants you the knowledge that everything is God. This is para-bhakti or the vision of God. God is not different from you. All of you are the very forms of God.

"God is described as purusha and prakriti. As prakriti He appears as all forms. Purusha is the static Brahman – the basis on which prakriti plays this universal game or lila.

"So when we realise that all the different forms we see are of the Supreme One, the so-called difference of sex – male and female – is realised to be false. Whatever form we see is the form of prakriti. One gets this grand vision only after jnana – the realisation of Atman.

"The Upanishads declare that God reveals Himself in that person whom He chooses. Till then God wears the mask of ignorance. You are all verily forms of the Divine and there is nothing for you to attain. You have only to remove the veil that you have put on pretending that you are different from God. You have to realise that you are He. Sadhana is done by His grace alone when He wills to remove the veil. As you are all votaries of the Divine name, it should be taken that divine grace is on you all.

"By the sadhana of repetition of God's name in order to remember Him, you get immediate result which is bliss. You should repeat the Name in a state of surrender to the Divine. Then alone you get the joy of the Name. Ramdas can assure you that ‘namasmaran’ is the easiest sadhana. It can take one to the peak of spiritual realisation. Different kinds of Sadhana have been prescribed, but the best of them all is the repetition of the Divine name. Take the Name with all love and devotion and see for yourself how it grants you the highest bliss and peace. The simple name ‘Ram’ of two letters is so powerful that it confers on you the highest beatitude."

Papa then related some of his own experiences, how he was initiated into Ram Mantra, how he had first the vision of Lord Krishna, how he had darshan of Sri Ramana Maharshi, and how he got the universal vision after twenty days' continuous repetition of Ram Nam in the cave at Arunachala which brought him Divine bliss in the ocean of which he still continued to swim.

Extolling the glory of Ram Nam, he referred to the likhit japa yajna started at the instance of Mataji in connection with the silver jubilee of her renunciation.

He expressed his joy at the success of the devotees of Sholapur district in completing eighteen crores of japa as against their target of fourteen.

Concluding, Papa asked everybody to take seriously to the repetition of Ram Nam. By that they could free themselves from the bondage of ignorance and live ever in eternal bliss and peace.

Krishna Rao, Veeraraghavan, Govinda Rao and his sister Kamala, left for their places in the evening. Many devotees who had come the day before also left, only a few remaining behind.

315. Anxious to serve

10 p.m. Papa sat up on his bed after the massage was over. Mataji and S on either side were gently pressing his arms. Papa looked tired.

Papa: This body is moving about now because it is looked after carefully. Ramdas is not going to drop this body in the near future. It has to do a lot of work yet.

Mataji: Don't give up the body, Papa.

Papa: There is joy in service. So Ramdas will keep this body for the service of Ram for a long time.

S: That is why Papa drew Mataji to him for taking care of his body.

(She joined Papa just after Papa's sadhana days.)

Mataji: No, Papa. If it were not me, someboldy else would have looked after Papa.

November 23, 1953

316. Pada-poojas, the order of the day

From early morning devotees from distant villages poured in groups. One group performed pada-pooja, spent about fifteen minutes with Papa and left. Then another group, then another and yet another. This went on for over three hours. Papa was to go to the temple for the morning bhajan at 8.30, but was not able to till 9.30 though many were waiting for him at the temple.

At 11 o'clock or so Papa came back from the mandir and again the pada-poojas started. They were not over even when it was nearing twelve. Papa had to stop then, as he had to have his shave and bath. Immediately after bath and meal, pada-poojas again went on until he retired for rest. When he got up, there was yet a larger crowd waiting and again there were numerous pada-poojas. The previous day, darshan was the order of the day while that day it was pada-pooja. It was nearly 7.30 p.m. when the crowd dispersed. Then came a group of officers – the local supply officer, magistrate and a few others, who asked a few questions. Papa talked to them for some time and then they left.

317. Love sweetens food

From the time Papa and party arrived there on the 19th, Mataji had been busy supervising the kitchen. Prof. Krishna Rao's mother and wife and Satyanarayana Rao’s wife worked hard in the kitchen. Krishna Rao's mother, though old, was extremely active and hard working. She was very much devoted to Papa and Mataji and took great pleasure in serving them whenever they visited Hyderabad. When she got an opportunity to accompany Papa to Mohol, she took it as a godsend. After partaking of the food prepared by her at Mohol, Papa used to say that he had not tasted such delicious food before. Mataji's remark about it was that the food tasted so fine, as Krishna Rao's mother had poured into it all her love while cooking. The old mother was very happy and felt blessed by her stay at Mohol and seva to Papa. (She passed away a few days later.)

318. Mataji's scrupulous cleanliness

There were not less than twentyfive to thirty people partaking of food, tiffin and so forth every time. Sometimes, the number was more. With scrupulous care Mataji saw to proper feeding and conveniences of the devotees who stayed with Papa. The house became a miniature ashram and things went on in the same style as in Anandashram. Mataji had to attend to all this in addition to her usual work of serving Papa, and so was busy everyday from early morning till bedtime.

Every time a vessel was used, Mataji washed it with soap and water, wiped it with a dry towel and kept it on a plate, properly covered. If a spoon or cup fell on the ground, and S smiled at her, she would say: "I will clean it again and keep it, as it only shows Papa is testing my patience. In me yet remains that cleanliness fad. It is like oil kept in a leather vessel. However well you may clean the vessel, a trace of oil always remains."

Making fun of Mataji, Papa remarked: "She has now relaxed to a great extent. That is due to contact with us."

S: Papa, the most surprising thing is that she has gone a step farther than we.

Papa: How is that? What did she do?

S: When we were travelling from Hyderabad to Sholapur, we all took food in the Railway compartment. I went into the bathroom and washed my hand but did not wash my mouth. Mataji washed her hand and also mouth in the bathroom. So far she has not been entering the bathroom. See how much she has improved in our company!

319. Mataji's generosity

Mataji (to S): Have you got two hundred rupees in the purse after reserving the necessary amount for our tickets?

S: Yes, there is sufficient money.

Mataji: I want to get some sarees of the local variety.

S: To whom are you going to give them?

Mataji: To a devotee's wife and daughters. A few yards of shirting also for the boys.

S: How many children has he?

Mataji: Six. I want to give them, unnoticed by others, because they do not like my giving anything to these children. They are in a very bad condition and are also teased by others. When I see these children, I remember the case of Jnaneshwar Maharaj's father. When he became a housholder, after being a sannyasi for some time, he and his wife were despised by the people.

320. Papa's unsparing service

Papa was extremely busy all the day in the midst of devotees, submitting to their worship and attending programmes in the mandir. One devotee, seeing how Papa was not given even a few minutes' rest, espressed his desire that Papa should rest. Papa replied: "If the wick has to burn bright, you cannot spare oil. If one has to serve, one cannot find rest. One wears one's life out in service" and gave a beatific smile.

November 24, 1953

321. Mataji's concern for the distressed

Papa had gone for bhajan at the mandir. Mataji and S were alone in the room.

S: Have you kept this woollen shawl for the devotee?

Mataji: Yes, I wanted to send it through his daughter. Where is she? Has she gone away?

Mataji then came out to see if that girl was there, but found she had left. Coming back, she said, "Nobody likes those children here. When I asked that man who was waiting outside if that girl had gone, he replied with great contempt. It is good the devotee and his family are going away today to their village. I am happy to hear that. Otherwise, if they stay here after we leave, these people may even search their belongings and say they are stolen from here."

An old man and a young boy were busy in the morning and evening hours, carrying water from a distant well. When Mataji and S were talking in the room, the boy came with a big pot of water. He was very cheerful. Seeing him happy and cheerful, S remarked: "See, though this boy is working so hard, he seems to be joyous all the time."

Mataji: They are all working here with great joy. I wanted to give something to this boy. We have a lot of wheat flour. But our host objected to my giving anything to him. I did not want to hurt his feelings and so kept quiet, but only requested him to permit the man who was cleaning vessels to take something. He agreed to that. I told his son later that they should not harbour any ill-feeling towards the workers. What is the use of taking Ram Nam all these years, if they cannot love poor servants and cannot even tolerate our giving anything to them? K comes and quietly advises me not to give any food and other things to local people but give only to Janibai.

S: Who is Janibai and why is K so particular about her?

Mataji: She is known to him well. K was asking some devotees, who prayed for prasad, why they should ask for prasad when they had not brought anything. He himself did not bring anything though he is a well-to-do man.

S: If they love and treat all alike, Papa will not have to come here at all.

Mataji: I do not expect that they should extend their love to all alike all of a sudden. Let them do as much as it lies in their power. It is very bad to give to some and refuse to some others. I do not mean that one will be able to give indefinitely. I won't be able to do so myself. Suppose a thousand people come here, do you think I shall be able or even Papa will be able to feed them? But we do as much as we can without making any distinction. If they cannot give, let them at least enjoy seeing others give, instead of feeling sorry for it.

S: Whether they are able to give or not, they must have the mind to give.

Mataji: Yes, that is right. External action is unimportant because everybody is subject to limitations.

322. Mataji's poorvashram relations

After the evening programme, Papa and Mataji visited the house of Govindarao Sarolkar, where pada-pooja was performed in the midst of a large crowd. Papa did not go to the mandir for the night programme but wanted to rest by 10 p.m.

Mataji and S were in the room busy packing. Papa was outside in the veranda talking to the Collector of the district and his mother who had come for darshan. Mataji went for a few minutes to the kitchen to give them some prasad. Returning from there she sat again for packing. In a few minutes the Collector's mother came in to take her leave of Mataji. After she had left, Mataji remarled: "When I saw her I remembered Doctor's (Dr Ramarao Kalle's) mother (Mataji’s mother-in-law in poorvashram). Their features are similar but she is fairer. She loved me very much and could not control her sorrow whenever she saw me. Of course, Doctor and his wife loved me more.”

S: Has she anything against you now?

Mataji: Nothing at all.

S: When did you see her last?

Mataji: Twenty-three years ago. That was the last time when I saw them all.