Taraknath Temple

THE Bengalee Sadhu was standing simply staring at the spectacle. At last, coming to himself, he suggested they might go out of the room, as other spots had also to be visited. Most reluctantly, Ramdas got up and came out of that heavenly place. Next, the Sadhu guided him – and he was in a state of complete dreaminess at the time – to a garden behind the room, and pointed to a cluster of five trees called Panchavati, around which a circular platform of earth and stones was raised.

“Here, the Paramahamsa used to sit frequently and offer Upadesh to his disciples,” explained the Sadhu.

Then he led the way to a small hut wherein, he said, the Saint used to sit in Samadhi or deep meditation of his favourite ideal – Mother Kali. O Ramdas, thy eyes are indeed blessed by these sights; flow on tears, warm with the glow of supreme happiness. Now, the Bengalee Sadhu proposed to take him on a visit to a young Sannyasi - a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. Agreeing, he was escorted and led away from the temple site for about a mile, where two Sannyasis were found busy worshipping in front of the pictures of the Paramahamsa and Kali, placed in a small Mandir. Ramdas and the Sadhu, on prostrating before the Sannyasis, were invited to sit inside the temple. The Puja over, they were given some Prasad, on partaking of which they sought permission to depart. Coming back to the Kali temple, the Bengalee Sannyasi led the two Sadhus to the banks of the Ganges where the steamboat jetty was situated. From this place the Sannyasi pointed out the place called Belur Math, on the other side of the Ganges. He procured tickets for Ramdas and the Sadhuram and conducted them to the steamboat, which they duly boarded. But before leaving, he suggested that when travelling onwards by rail they might make a halt at a shrine called Taraknath or Tarakeshwar, a place worth visiting. This suggestion was kept in mind since it came from Ram Himself whose kindness was felt at every step of this most marvellous and memorable pilgrimage.

In due course both the Sadhus landed on the opposite side of the Ganges. A walk of about two furlongs brought them to a small temple where there resided a number of young men belonging to different parts of India. One of them took the Sadhus inside the temple in which a painting of the Paramahamsa was placed for daily worship. On enquiry, it was found that the temple was erected over the ashes of Sri Ramakrishna. Then the Sadhus visited the beautiful Samadhis raised over the remains of Swami Vivekananda and the Holy Mother (wife of Sri Ramakrishna). Ramdas, wishing to spend a night at the Math, expressed his desire to the friends of the place, but was told that as there was no accommodation it was not possible to accede to his request. It was all the wish of Ram who does everything for good.

Thence they proceeded to the nearest railway station and got into a train going west, and one morning, they found themselves at the Tarakeshwar station where they alighted. They proceeded straight to the famous temple of Taraknath, in which it is said a Shivaling had its spontaneous birth breaking up the roots of a palmyrah tree – hence the name Taraknath. After bath and Darshan, the Sadhus went out to the city. Making enquiries, they learnt that some liberal Rajah was feeding 40 to 50 Sadhus every day with a sumptuous dinner. Coming to the place they waited, along with many others, outside the Dharmashala.

About 11 o’clock, an old friend, the manager of the Kshetra, called in the Sadhus counting the number required, and let them in, one by one. On a long verandah, in two rows, facing each other, all the Sadhus sat down and leafy plates were placed before them. When the food was being served, a new Sadhu, of middle age, came in and demanded food. The manager of the Kshetra at first refused to take him as the number to be fed was complete. But at the mention of the fact by the Sadhu that he had not had meals for two days past, he was also offered a leaf and he sat down at a place which happened to be just opposite to Ramdas. The dinner consisted of wheat Purees pretty thick and about 16" in diameter, some Bhajee or curry, and sweets. At first, each was served with two Purees and sweets, etc. The Purees having been prepared out of mill-made mixed wheat-flour, were flexible like rubber. Ramdas was wanting in teeth – in all he had not half a dozen in his mouth. Even those who had the full complement had to struggle hard with the Purees before they could be thrust down the throat. Ramdas’ case was hence unique.

Now the Sadhu, the latest arrival for the dinner, sitting in front, was observed to have finished his share in less than two minutes. He was served again with four Purees which also disappeared in a trice. Again four more, and they met with the same fate! The Sadhu was looking up for more! At this juncture, the old friend ordered the cook to fetch out the whole stock of Purees from the kitchen. Then he approached the Sadhu and said:

“Maharaj, you may take as many as you like,” and he served one, two, three, four and so on and on until he counted twenty.

Still the Sadhu would not stop. Four more and the friend stopped, assuring the Sadhu that he shall have some more after finishing those already served. At this stage, the attention of all Sadhus was directed towards this voracious eater. All commenced to watch his eating process. But, for himself the Sadhu was calm and determined. Puree after Puree disappeared. It mattered not for him what was going on around him. At every four or five Purees he was drinking water out of a big brass pot he had by his side. Most of the Sadhus present there could not eat more than four each. The record with some did not exceed six Purees. But the phenomenal Sadhu had been served in all 34 Purees. He was also served more Bhajee or curry and sweets. He ate them all, with one potful of water into the bargain.

The affair is narrated here, not out of any disrespect to the Sadhu, but to apprise the reader of the case of a man who had a tremendous appetite, showing forth the wonderful Maya of Ram. After 2 days’ stay at the shrine, Ramdas and the Sadhuram left the station and came to Gaya, where they obtained Darshan in the temple and had a bath in the holy river Phalguni. The next day they started, and reached the famous shrine of the North – Kashi (Benares).