Chapter 23: Introduction to Several Sadhus-Shri Bengali Swamiji

Pollen Draws Black Bees

Pollen draws black bees,partridges become alert when the moon rises, lotuses bloom with sunrise, and sead waves rise on the night of purnima. The fragrance of budding flowers is transported by the breeze to desirous beings. Bobo's life precisely followed this pattern.

Soon enough the word of Ushaji's love for Krishna spread around.Association with visitors led to exchange of perspectives and discussions on spirituality.We are going to present a concise version of some eminent personages below.

Andhra Wale Swamiji

Several ascetics were drawn due to Bobo's loving tenderness. In this context she was introduced to a saint from Bengal, who was also known as the Swami clad in white. Along with him Andhra Wale Swamiji also arrived. He would always suggest to her father,"Why not get sankirtan done early in the morning instead of indulging in casual conversation." Being a devotee of the dark god, her father agreed instantly.

Bengali Swamiji

He followed the regime of dropping in once or twice in a year. Having a melodious voice he sang sanskrit shlokas,

'Gita Govinda'

eight verses of the 'Gita Govinda' and padas of Krishna's lilas sung in common daily and festive use. While ailing she often forgot about her illness on listening to him," Listening to his padas in between my hectic schedule of checking the school's copies or writing a book my fatigue is dispelled. Relishing the rasa of Radha-Krishna with this energy,I become spirited enough to bear worldly pressure."

Reminiscences of the blue-hued god who dwells in Vrindavan and His sakhis would tug at her. Several times visible perceptions of Him caressed her ardent longing. At times the desire to flee to Vrindavan was so overwhelming that she would undergo a radical transformation, intoxicated by divine madness. Assuming to be in Vrindavan, she was lost in the proximity of Radha-Krishna.

Shri Bal Krishan Dasji Maharaj

 

Shri Bal Krishna Das ji Maharaj

Shri Bal Krishna Dasji, disciple of Shri Awadh Dasji, a renowned saint of Braj, would often stay at her place while commuting from Vrindavan. He was a Gaudiya Mahatma who devoutly chanted God's name, had the Vrindavan mindset and was a renunciant.

He was so touched by Bobo's loving tenderness and spirituality that he invariably visited her. He often revealed,"The joyous abandon of narrating the lilas of Krishna with Bahenji in Ambala, is beyond description. One does not want to be deprived of the bhakti wave prevalent at her residence."

Shri Sudamaji

During this time span she was introduced to Pandit Kamal Nayanji who was a denizen of Ambala City and loved Braj.

The Sakha Bhava

Known as Sudamaji, he identified with the sakha bhava, when the devotee relates to God as a friend. Pandit Kamal Nayan was very cheerful, held a string of beads, and mystically visualized the madhurya of Krishna in the world around him. Impressed by the religious devotion of Bobo he would come to see her, narrating Krishna's playful dalliances and listening to them. On observing her idealistic lifestyle, devotion and yugal seva he acclaimed her to be an intimate sakhi of the handsome god.

Pandit Jai Bhagwanji and Shri Swaroopji

Bobo's life was absorbed in religious devotion and outsiders began to view her with great reverence. Pandit Jai Bhagwanji and Swaroopji, residents of Ambala City, and devotees of Krishna, came to know of Shri Thakurji's grace on her. With a desire to meet her they came to Ambala Cantonment. Bobo's father happened to be sitting at the entrance.

Asking how she was related to him, they sat next to him," We have heard that she has intense love for Krishna's feet and has had darshan of the dark god.We want to see her." 

 Her father was sceptical about fame hindering Ushaji's spiritual evolution," Usha is my daughter and certainly adulates Krishna's feet. But someone has misled you by affirming that she has visibly seen Krishna."

He called out and Munno playfully arrived. The newcomers greeted her. Pandit Jai Bhagwan had revealed later," I was stunned to see the aura of her face and the sweetness of her voice. She was truly an icon of humility.Definitely only a bhakta who has been blessed by Krishna can posess these attributes." Ascertaining they shall come back again, the two of them left.

At this front her father clarified," Look Munno! I warded off your followers because repute can prove to be a deterrent at times." Delighted she replied," What is there in me worthy of prestige? You did very well." Self-assured and dignified, Ushaji revelled in the beauty, the saundarya of Krishna, the colour of the condensed sky and the dalliance of His sweet love.

 Jyotisar, Kurukshetra

Once a programme to visit Jyotisar in Kurukshetra where Krishna revealed the nature of time and duty to Arjuna was made. Several people were accompanying her and Pandit Jai Narayan had reached Jyotisar earlier to receive them. He had paternal affection and held Ushaji in high esteem. They tried to get down from the tonga as soon as the cantering of the horse stopped.

Panditji saw them from a distance and jumped with glee. On the way he made them read a couplet he had written on a wall with coal. It read," May some knowledgeable person write near Krishna's alley that those who savour worldly pleasures should not take this route." His eyes were teary and voice trembling.

Shri Seva Dasji

She met another dignitary, Sukh Chain Chopra the son of Kashmir's minister of state. Later hebecame renowned as Colonel Chopra in the Indian National Army.The British Sarkar had issued a warrant.Hence going underground he was working as a freedom fighter and went to Malaya and Singapore.After independence he returned to India as Seva Dasji,having taken deeksha from Ramana Maharshi. Raving about her he always said,"The relishing of rasa or blissful experience by chanting god's name in Ushaji's company and the joy of narrating Krishna's divine play- can only be experienced."

Goswami Binduji Maharaj

 

Goswami Binduji Maharaj

Devotees of Ram and lovers of the 'Ramayana' would certainly be knowing of Pandit Shri Ayodha Prasadji, a resident of Ayodhya.A dedicated devotee of Lord Ram and an authority on the 'Ram Charit Manas' he was famed as Shri Binduji Maharaj.Majestic looking and fair-complexioned, he had such an amazing voice that the environs resonated wherever he sang spiritual legends. He has the honour of writing the text 'Mohan Mohini and his noble ideas are expressed therein.

He was a friend of Bobo's father and often visited their house.The Sanatan Dharmis would often call him for the temple's festivals. While playing antakshari based on the Ram Charit Manas he was dumbfounded on seeing only one competitor from the surging crowd, articulately pronouncing the chaupais (quatrians) in an unbroken stream. 

" How could you manage to imbibe such vast knowledge and aptitude at this young age?"he asked Bahenji.

Janmashtami

Bahenji was invariably one of the luminaries invited to participate in antakshari, sermons, kavya sammelans, urdu mushairas, Krishna Janmashtami, Ram Naumi and the Sabha's yearly gatherings.

Being her father's friend, Binduji considered her to be his daughter. Once he had taken her along to Kashmir due to her failing health.

Revered Bobo had an innate divine energy. She could take you into a void by the profundity of her inner meditation.(The writer has also experienced this state because of his arrogance.) Binduji Maharaj was anxious about the outcome of some event. He could not sleep and his head ached. Bobo instinctively went there and ran her hand on his back maternal affection. He had tears streaming down his cheeks and revealed," Ushaji! My father was a very hot-tempered person. On making a mess he once beat me mercilessly and my mother thought I would not survive. I have felt the same affection now which I had experienced when she caressed my wounds."

When Bobo had come to Vrindavan and was staying in Banke Bihari Colony, Binduji Maharaj happened to pass by on Krishna Janamashtami.Shri Balram Mishra, a famed pandit was accompanying him.Instinctively they came to her place.They saw that the room had little else except a chatai ( a mat of bamboo). Binduji laughed and talked about Krishna.

Cardamons & Cloves

Coughing all of a sudden,he inquired,"Do you have cardamoms?Helpless,Bobo answered in the negative. He persisted" Give me cloves if there are any?" They were also not available. He asked yet again," If there is fennel pass it."

Getting the same answer, he broke down,"Mishraji! I had heard that one should mingle with the dust on coming to Braj. Today I am truly fortunate to sight the principal of a high school, so popular among masses, having done her M.A. and the Sahitya Ratan,the daughter of a respectable family living with such austerity in Vrindavan. She is blessed indeed to have endorsed the great ideal of sacrifice along with love." Because Love is giving, and giving alone and not taking.

Several people have sung the tale of revered Bobo's sacrifices, forbearance and loving devotion for Lord Krishna.

Chapter 22: Higher Education in Hindi-Meets Several Close Ones in the Course of Bhakti

Learning does not come just with education. Where there is tenderness, serenity, affection, regard and one is instinctively moved by someone's sorrow, it means we have amassed all the virtues in our life.

Tenderness, Serenity & Affection Were Boboji's Traits

These attributes had become an intrinsic part of revered Bahenji's life. Stripped of arrogance and an icon of humility, she was respected by her students, loved by colleagues, held in high esteem by the learned, famed in politics and saints were very fond of her.Above all her affection and terrifying rush of love for Radha-Krishna would invariably draw others to her.

Her mentor in education was an ascetic. Acharya Sevti Prasadji was the grandeur of Ambala. Coming into contact with great writers, he was an idealist.A loin cloth and an angocha were his sole possessions and he lived with great austerity. He would make tea for students in winter and arrange food for those who came from a distance. If a student did not turn up he would intuitively visit him, worried about his well-being.Teaching at daybreak, he would often arrange for firewood to warm them in the bitter cold. Acharyaji never demanded money as fees from his students and revered Bobo adopted this practice.

Sevti Prasadji doted on Bahenji. On his insistence, Bahenji appeared for the Sahitya Ratan (title awarded to those passing the uppermost grade of a particular examination in Hindi Literature) and passed with flying colours. 

" I have explicit knowledge of the Hindi language but am really proud of Munno. No one can give such a beautifully lucid interpretation of religious texts and lives of bhaktas, which she can. Not even me," he would say.

It was but natural as she had reverential belief in saints and their verbal compositions, understood their traditional norms and was ecstatic on listening to their padas sung in daily and festive use.

Shri Jagdish Chandra Josh's school where she taught exulted, about her potential and the privilege of having the principal of Santan Dharam Girls School working for him.

As of now she had passed M.A. and the Sahitya Ratan. The honour conferred on her since childhood did not make her brazen but humble and tender at heart. All those who treated her as Munno and their own young daughter now had reverential affection on seeing her majesty. Eminent personages in the current scene like Brahmanandji Saraswati Shankracharya,Shri Gangeshwarnandji Maharaj, revered Udiya Baba, Ma Anandamayi,

Shri Hari Baba

Shri Hari Baba, Shri Prabhu Datt Brahmachariji,Goswami Shri Binduji Maharaj, Goswami Ganesh Dattji,Shri Mukund Hariji, Shri Dinanath Dinesh and other saints were often invited for the Sabha's festivals, religious functions and big sammelans.As a principal she played a significant role in organizing the sammelan, interchanging perspectives along with a detailed discussion on spiritual topics with the luminaries.

Bahenji had a great sense of humour. Once some learned personages came from outside. Out of reverence she was also posited on the podium. A speaker bragged during his sermon,"Friends you do not know anything and can not comprehend what I am about to say." When he repeated the sentence a second time Bahenji got up and left the stage. Later when the Sanatan Dharmis asked the reason she explained gently yet firmly that the speaker was stressing that we can not figure out what he is about to reveal. Therefore why should we sit and while away our time. All those present laughed heartily at her gibe.

Ushaji meets Pushpa Grover

During these days Pushpa Grover who had a modern mindset came into contact with revered Bahenji and was highly impressed.

Pushpaji's father had come to Ambala due to the partition of Punjab. The practice of Thakurji's seva prevailed in their house since quite some time. Brought up in a contemporary affluent family, her innocence, softness and clarity drew Bahenji to her.

Soon after the regular meetings transformed into great affection and Pushpaji began visiting Ushaji's house for satsang.A few days later the need of a teacher cropped up in the school and brought them closer. God spontaneously arranges for like-minded people to meet and steeps them in the distinctive rush of religious devotion.

Lord Shiva

As a matter of chance after propitiating Lord Shiva, Bahenji was heading home when she met a very fashionable girl. Short in stature and heavy, she seemed very spiritual and gullible. She was willing to work for the school without wages.

Stripped of self-gratification and pride she found respite in Bahenji's bent of mind. And becoming humble soon after, was deeply engrossed in Krishna.

Pushpaji got admission in the Hindi section of M.A. due to her increasing contact with Bahenji who took M.A classes. The time of study was fixed at two o' clock in the night. Amusingly Bahenji decided to take a fees of Rs.200 which she usually never asked for. Pushpaji agreed but wondered where the money would come from. An idea struck her and breaking her gold bracelets took Sushilaji along to sell them. When Sushilaji knew her intention she convinced her to come the next day. At the other end Usha Bahenji who had taken a vow of silence was stunned when Sushilaji narrated the episode to her, and moved by her naivety.

Pushpaji had once exulted," What was the magic of Bahenji's enigmatic persona? I would hover around her house to hear discourses on spirituality, moved by her complete absorption in the joy of Krishna. Her idealistic lifestyle made me evolve spirituality and helped me live in Vrindavan, where I got to know the Krishna that abides in our hearts."

* * *

 Relishing the Rasa of Krishna

The priceless twenty-seven years and a day of Bahenji's life had passed by. Not enamoured by accolades, Bahenji did not deviate from her path by the worldly repute and affinity she had received.She was bestowing spiritual awareness on several sadhakas by distributing the rasa or blissful experience of Krishna. Or rather by His terrifying rush of love, the blue-hued god wanted to draw His devotees to Vrindavan.Physically Bahenji was bound by some unknown constraint. Everyone has seen her in seclusion as if lost in another world, oblivious of her surroundings.

Her budding persona on the political and social arenas was as powerful as narration of Krishna's divine play and seva-puja, which was a unique phenomenon.

She would reveal on coming to Vrindavan that who ever came into contact with her in Ambala did not take much time in reaching his destination. It was due to the gushing love which exuded from her of its own accord. Divine love never weighs suitability or unsuitability and instinctively immerses us in the deeper ecstasies of devotion.

During this course, Bahens who studied in junior classes graduated to senior ones. Due to innate virtues some of them thronged here as if a hidden power incited the lot.Studies would carry on in the school and simultaneously spiritual company,religious education, recitation of the Ramayana, chanting God's name, singing songs of a devotional nature and reading bhaktas' biographies continued. To know of their intense feelings Bahenji made them write on some particular topic. Immensely moved during sankirtan several of them could not control this divine madness and went into a trance like state.

However Bahenji urged them to conceal and not flaunt their intense love for Krishna.

Gopneeya, gopneeya, gopneeya prayatna

 She endorsed Naradji's theory,'Gopneeya, gopneeya, gopneeya prayatnat.' Which means we should strive to keep our ardent love for the handsome god a secret.

Above all Shri Umaji, Darshanji, Vimlaji, Aabja, Tripta, Vimla Tandon, Shashi, Shanta, Sneh, Indu, Santosh, Sneh Bhasin, Santosh Narang,Sumitra, Saroj, Pushpa, Nirmala Sharma, Nirmala Gupta, Kaushal, Malka, Kamda and others evolved spiritually with the impetus of Bahenji. Those who kept up contact with her reached their destination and no force could deviate those at a distance since they were overwhelmed by the spiritual scene and satsang.

The wave of religion and bhakti escalated to such an extent in Bahenji's company that visitors were eagerly looking for free time to drop in. Making excuses of studying to complete their pending assignment or if their parents had gone out, they would head to Bahenji's house. It seemed that the attraction of living through the countless legends of Radha-Krishna was drawing them. Bahenji would teach for certain but most of the time was spent in satsang.

Bobo

 

The word Bobo was used for an elder sister in Muzaffar Nagar and its neighbouring regions. Being eldest in the house, Bahenji's younger brothers and sisters would address her as Bobo.There was such loving affection that all outsiders considered themselves a member of her family, moving around confidently in the house as if it were their own. Therefore Ushaji known as Munno to elders and Bahenji for outsiders, became equally revered by all as Bobo. Now onwards we will be referring to her as Bobo.

Decorum affected her life. On one hand she appeared with net adorning her hair due to her father's insistence and, alongside she always wore a high close-necked blouse with full sleeves.Once a Bahen slightly envious of her repute, had remarked about her dress up to the school's director.

" You are talking of Bahenji, whose arms have never been bared. I want to hear no contradictory statement about her who is the icon of seemliness,"Rebuffing her instantly he had so replied.

During spiritual education and sermons she would explain so naturally that it can not typically be called a sermon. Due to her eternal bond with Krishna, episodes of the Shastras, Gita and Puranas were discerningly imbibed.People contacting her did not individually study the scriptures but instinctively accumulated its essence needed on the divine path.

Introduction to Shri* Dharam Bahenji

Shri Dharam Bahenji

Talk of Dharam Bahenji often ensued through the medium of Vimla Bahenji. A rush of bhakti invaded Ambala in the proximity of revered Bobo. Several saints would visit the place and religious devotion was resplendent in every house.

Vimlaji went to receive Dharam Bahenji at the station on knowing of her arrival but the two could not reach at the same time so Dharamji hired a tanga.

The Tangawala

She told the tangawala," I need to go to Vimlaji's house." He replied," Yes! I very well know Usha Bahenji's residence and will certainly take you along." She repeated herself and he was dumb.Soon she told a passerby," I have to go to Vimlaji's place." Taking her along, he pointed to Ushaji's residence,"That house in front is Usha Bahenji's." Ultimately Dharamji got down and coming inside met Usha Bahenji.

She asked Ushaji,"Are you Ushaji?" Thrilled, Ushaji ran to her and exulted,"Dharamji has come." It seemed she knew her earlier and a fervent enthusiasm affected the scene. Two sakhis crazed for Krishna had met. Discussions on the dark-god ensued with these two sakhis and other Bahens singing His glories. Revered Bobo's steadfast attraction was such that even on wanting to Dharamji met Usha Bahenji instead of Vimlaji.

Revered Dharam Bahenji visited Ambala again and Usha Bahenji got this news. Soon enough she went to meet her. After the conversation Bobo told Vimlaji," I am hungry. Do get me something."Meals had got over at Vimlaji's place and she expressed the condition but Ushaji insisted which she never did at home. Seeing her strange behaviour everyone was amazed. 

Dharamji shyly revealed," I have some paranthas with me," Dharam ji shyly revealed. While narrating the incident Dharamji had explained," Bobo had come to know of the paranthas beforehand and perhaps persisted in this manner to relish them. I was really touched to see her affection and affinity."

Ambala Cantt

This time when Dharamji came to Ambala she stayed on since there was an attraction of reciting the playfull dalliance of Krishna. She began working in the same school where Usha Bahenji was principal. Everyone eagerly looked forward to satsang which could be on holidays, after school got over, before it began and while going from one classroom to another.

It seemed as if two schools of thought existed at the same time. Duty consciousness, true justice and concern about the children's studies, along with reminiscences of her supreme lover, Krishna, became a beatific state dazzling Bahenji. Bobo had once remarked," I have done several tasks with this individual mind and body simultaneously."

*Everyone knows of Major General A.N.Sharma, who controlled the nation after independence.His son V.N.Sharma was a high ranking official of the Army. Shri Sharma had the blessings of saints and dreamt that his true guru was at a certain place. Searching for her house, he reached Lahore. Dharamji was coming from the front and he prostrated in reverence. A girl about 20 to 21 years remarked very naturally,"Amar Nath you have come very late." Those who have seen her roaming intoxicated in the idyllic pastures of Vrindavan, certainly knew of her intense bond with Krishna. I have heard she would do kikli alone( a sport wherein two children hold hands and go round in circles). On her mother asking, she had instinctively revealed that the handsome god was her partner.

The Shrimad Bhagwad Gita made a great contribution to Bobo's life. She had profound reverence for this precious voice which emanated from Krishna and its context. Having made an indepth study of the religious text at a very young age,she made several people, ascetics and saints go through it. Besides other scriptures like the Puranas,the biography of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu,

Biography of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

Rama Krishna Paramahansa and Upanishads were read daily in the house. Talk of Krishna's legends had taken over her life.

Introduction to Shri Dwarka Singh

A denizen of Amritsar and lover of Vrindavan, he is renowned for his reverential belief and singing songs of a devotional nature. Ever since his days in Lahore he longed for Vrindavan, where the god forever dwells. He visited Ambala on coming to know about Bobo. Her spiritual sensitivity and intense love for Krishna captivated him.Whenever he came to the dham for darshan he would certainly meet Bobo who he held in high esteem. By singing padas and sankirtan he would often please Thakurji.