Himalayan Journey

THE friends in Jhansi provided Ramdas with all the necessaries for the journey to the Himalayas, and the day for departure came. Many came as far as the railway station to bid farewell to humble Ramdas and Ramkinker. Both parties parted after mutual exchange of good wishes. In due time Hardwar was reached. Hardwar, as the name suggests, is the gateway to the great shrines of the Himalayas. Here the pilgrims stayed for two days. It is most delightful to visit the bank of the Ganga, where congregate Sannyasins, Sannyasinis, Sadhus, Bhaktas, Brahmins, pious mothers – all busy with baths, ablutions, Sandhya, prayers and worship. O Ram, Thou art clearly manifest at this holy place!

Now the journey on the Himalayas commenced. Up and up, Ramdas and Ramkinker mounted and reached the place called Rishikesh. Rishikesh is a very beautiful place. The scenes on the banks of the holy Ganga are simply charming. Here the lofty peaks of mountains are dimly visible at a distance, covered over with white mist, kissing as they do the rolling waves of clouds that hang above them. A nearer gaze presents to the eye high gigantic rocks with dense forests, a mixture of green, yellow and red hues of leaves, foliage and blossoms. A still nearer view shows the crystal water of the holy Ganga that flows in all calmness and majesty, disclosing in her bosom huge pieces of rocks which her rushing torrent had pulled down in days of yore, and made round and smooth. O Ram, Thou art sublime!

On one side of the great river are seen a number of small thatched huts, neat and clean – Ashrams of Sannyasis. Ramkinker took Ramdas into one of these huts. The interior of the hut was fitted with the simplest furniture – a bamboo cot, two posts of which formed the pillars of the hut itself, on which was spread a deer-skin, and a Kambal or blanket lying in folds at the foot of it. A venerable old Sannyasi was squatting upon the deer-skin. On a peg was hanging his Kamandal made of a black shell. Except a small piece of cloth and a spare Kaupin which were drying in the sun outside, he had no other clothing. On the sandy floor of the hut was a bamboo-mat, and in a corner were two black stones, one big and the other small, for crushing almonds and such other hard eatables having shells to break. There was a calm and peaceful look upon the countenance of the Saint. He welcomed Ramkinker and Ramdas with a cheerful smile, and they seated themselves on the mat after prostrating at the feet of the Mahatma. He offered some cardamoms to the guests and had a simple and child-like talk with them about Saints who would be found in the thick forests on the opposite bank of the Ganges, unexplored by ordinary man, where for a number of years they might be performing Tapasya.

His beautiful advice to Ramdas was to remain as long as possible for his Sadhana in solitude, than which there is no better means for control of the mind. He was kind, affable, engaging and good. O Ram, it was Thyself in all Thy glory that Ramdas met under that simple roof. One thing more, this Saint was very fond of birds. He would not miss to share his food with them everyday. They would wait for their share on the trees outside the hut. He talked very lovingly of them. After coming out Ramkinker and Ramdas wandered on the bank of Mother Ganga, where they saw a number of Sannyasis clad in orange robes, their faces beaming with a cheerful light. They had all come out for their usual morning bath in the holy waters. Ramdas, during his stay in Rishikesh, had occupied the mud-platform around a banyan tree on the bank of the river close to the hut of a Mahatma. This Saint was also very kind to Ramdas. His hobby was to feed cows and monkeys who would always be crowding round his hut. In order to feed them he would go a-begging in the bazaar and secure foodstuffs and grass. He was finding a peculiar pleasure in childishly dancing with monkeys, running after them, making strange noises, all in glee and sport. His face was bright and his greenish eyes would twinkle always with a watery tenderness. Under the same tree there was also a blind Sadhu who had a good voice, which he made right use of by singing the glory of Ram.

Three days were spent here in all peace and happiness. Ramkinker was kind enough to attend to Ramdas’ food. There are two big Annakshetras in Rishikesh which daily furnish food to all the Sannyasis. Of these Kshetras, one was started by a great Mahatma by name Kalikamblibaba who is now in Mahasamadhi. On these mountains and among Sadhus his blessed name is on the lips of all. With his influence he has induced the wealthy merchants of Bombay and other places to open at every 10 to 15 miles on the hills a Dharmashala in which Sadavart or food-stuffs are distributed free to all Sadhu-pilgrims who hold Chits with which they are provided at Rishikesh. Ramkinker secured these Chits for Ramdas at Rishikesh.