Baba Shri Manohar Das ji, the Pride of the Spiritual World-XVIII

Shri Manohar Baba with Balkrishan Das ji Maharaj

Manohar Baba's anguish on being separated from Shri Maharaj ji escalated to such an extent as if someone was turning his heart on a hot griddle and roasting it.Therefore Baba thought it was better to give up his body by going on a hunger strike till he died, instead of living a life without Shri Maharaj ji. Consequently he kept returning the meals which came from Gopal Mandir to his hut for six days at a stretch.

Shri Radha Rani

On the seventh day a gentleman from Mansarovar came with food to his house and coaxed him, “ Shri Radha Rani has appeared in my dreams and asked me to feed you.”

 Amazingly Baba had the meal and broke his fast.

Shri Balkrishan Das ji Maharaj

Later on it was learnt that it was not Radha Rani who had sent the food for him but rather his very own Maharaj ji. He was the one who by making Baba, his extremely close adherent a pawn was playing a fearsome game for some important objective. In the absence of Shri Maharaj ji, the days and nights were passing like an ordeal for Manohar Baba and he felt very much like a fish out of water.

Shri Santosh Bahenji

Santosh Bahenji had extreme reverential affection and selfless love for Baba. Once Baba was suffering from the unbearable pain of shiatica. Bahenji used to live in Gopinath Bazar in those days. Even on staying so far she would set out in the blazing afternoon every day as a regimen to give medicine and attend to the needs of Baba. Later when Baba sprained his foot she would make poultice etc from her kutiya and get it for him.

Manohar Baba stayed in a hut made on the Suraj Ghat. Out of affection, Bahenji would make all arrangements of serving him and took care of his needs and comforts. Baba made full use of the quilt as well as the aasan (seat of cloth) made by Bahenji till the last days of his life. Manohar Baba always regarded her as his elder sister and would never hide any matter from her.

Shri Narad Muni

At times she would tease Baba and call him Narad Muni(one of the four sons of Brahma, who is a devotee of Krishna and a tale-bearer).

On Ekadashi, Baba would invariably get phalahar (a meal of fruit) at her residence. Once Santosh Bahenji went to Baba's kutiya in Suraj Ghat to have his darshan. 

“Bhaiya! Can I come up?”She called out from below.

Maa Sita in Ashok Vatika

Baba instinctively replied, “ What will you do by venturing upstairs? I am in Ashok Vatika.”(a garden in Lanka where Sita the wife of Rama was held captive by Ravana, the demon king, after her abduction).

 In this manner Baba was absorbed and suffering the anguish of separation from Shri Maharaj ji, his virtuous guru.

Ramakrishna Seva Ashram, Vrindavan

During the last stage of her life when Santosh Bahenji was admitted in the Ramakrishna Mission Seva Ashram of Vrindavan, Baba had gone to Barwani for sankirtan (a congregation chanting) of the 'mahamantra.' 

Only after Baba came back to Vrindavan and met her, did Bahen ji leave her body, the very next day. Actually speaking,by using his transcendental and supernatural power Baba had not let Bahenji depart from this mundane world in his absence.

Golok, the Eternal Nikuna

After Bahenji gained entry into the eternal nikunja (merged with Lord Krishna) Manohar Baba was the one who did her antyeshti (funeral rites), had paath of the Shrimad Bhagavat done, held a smriti sabha (gathering in her memory), gave meals to brahmans and sadhus, and got memoirs published in her auspicious memory. (Page 368 of 'Smriti Kaumudi, the memoirs of Shri Manohar Baba)

Baba Shri Manohar Das ji, the Pride of the Spiritual World-XVII

Shri Yamuna & Parikrama Marg of Vrindavan

Manohar Baba could see Yamuna ji and the parikrama marg of Vrindavan from the terrace of his hut. Everyday without fail, Baba would come for some time to the Gopal Mandir to pay his respects to Shri Maharaj ji. After sitting quietly for a while, he would go back. 

“He should not have left but rather endured everything by staying right here,” highly revered Shri Maharaj ji would tell the members of his parikar (circle of devotees)about Baba.

Did Maharaj ji want to teach  his close associate Baba how to deal with honour and dishonour with the same dignity? Baba used to say that this was a crucial time for him when he was tested by fire (agni pariksha) or assayed by his guru (guru pariksha).

The food-prasad (remnants of food offered to an idol) was sent from Gopal Mandir to Baba's hut by saint Albeli Sharan ji and members of the parikar. Once it so happened that highly revered Shri Maharaj ji went and hid somewhere in Vrindavan. Baba tossed about miserably at the unbearable anguish of being separated from him.

Shri Vrindavan

Baba complained to Shri Soni ji (Rasik Bhushan ji) who was extremely dear to Shri Maharaj ji, “How come you people can not find the whereabouts of Bal Krishna Das ji Maharaj in Vrindavan itself.” 

On this remark,Shri Soni ji found Maharaj ji staying in Shri Sitaram ji's hut located in Fogla Ashram. When Baba came to know of this development he instantly went to Maharaj ji.

Shri Bal Krishna Das ji Maharaj

But as soon as Maharaj ji saw him, he vent his anger upon him. Baba listened to the violent outburst silently. 

“You have hidden here just because of me and are bearing such hardships. Kindly get up now and come to your abode,” Baba coaxed him when he had had calmed down.

It is really astonishing that Shri Maharaj ji who was fuming with rage just two minutes back, got up obediently like a child on Baba's suggestion and went along with him. Initially he went to Baba's kutiya and then proceeded to Gopal Mandir.

Devotee & Shri Krishna

The conduct and actions of saints and great men who have attained the Divine, is absolutely different from ordinary people. This is precisely what the inconceivable actions of Shri Maharaj ji were like.

Shri Manohar Baba Pained on Being Separated from Maharaj ji

The days and nights of Manohar Baba were passing like ages because he was living separately from Bal Krishan Das ji Maharaj. Invariably, he would weep hysterically when he was all by himself.

One fine day Devi ji came to his hut to meet Baba. 

“Why have you come here? ” he asked her in astonishment

“ Shri Maharaj ji had asked yesterday why I didn't go to your kutiya to meet you? When I answered that he was the one who had stopped all of us from coming to you, he confirmed that there was no ban on my visiting you.” Revered Devi ji replied, soon after,

 On another such day, higly revered Maharaj ji had sent Devi ji's father to meet Manohar Baba at his kutiya. But how can the parched throat of a thirsty person be quenched by a drop of water? (page 367 of 'Smriti Kaumudi,'the memoirs of Manohar Baba)

Baba Shri Manohar Das ji, the Pride of the Spiritual World-XVI

The 'Shrimad Bhagavatam'

Once again Manohar Baba kept his volume on the table and began making tea. Baba could figure out now that Shri Maharaj ji was least interested that he go elsewhere to study the 'Shrimad Bhagavatam'.

Revered Manohar Baba

While sipping tea, Bal Krishan Das ji Maharaj explicitly told Manohar Baba, “ Have you come to Braj to become a professional narrator of the scripture? Do precisely what you have come for.”Consequently Shri Baba gave up this firm resolve.

In the year 1955, after staying for around six months in the Gopal Mandir, highly revered Shri Maharaj ji went again to reside in seclusion by himself, without telling anyone about his whereabouts. Manohar Baba and Thakur ji frantically looked for him in Dakor, Rajkot,

ShriDwarkadish

Dwarka, Junagarh, Jagannath Puri, Calcutta,Banaras and several other places, but he was nowhere to be found.

Hanuman Prasad Poddar ji & Radha Baba

Meanwhile a train had left Gorakhpur for pilgrimage under the directions of Shri Radha Baba, a great renunciant who was a selfless saint and Hanuman Prasad Poddar (Bhai ji),a renowned saint who lived a domestic life. Thence Manohar Baba and Thakur ji who were extremely disappointed and dejected because they had been unsuccessful in finding Shri Maharj ji, entered this train which was taking pilgrims on a religious journey. After the trip was over they returned to Vrindavan.

Shri Ranchhordraiji, Dakor

Exactly after fourteen months, Manohar Baba and Thakur ji came to know that Shri Maharaj ji was in Dakor. Going from there to Rajkot they saw Shri Maharaj ji doing satsang at the residence of Shri Popat Bhai.

All the members of his parikar (inner circle of devotees), who were staying in the Gopal Mandir were ecstatic when Shri Maharaj ji returned to Vrindavan after living secretly in isolation for a long span of fourteen months. Intoxicated by bhava unmada( divine madness) Shri Maharaj ji went into a trance, after a month.

Most Intimate Transcendental Exchange of Sri Radha-Krishna

Manohar Baba was of the opinion, “The trance like states which Shri Maharaj ji entered in the year 1947 consisted of the Vraja Bhava. But this time round, the bhava avesha (frenzied madness) was serious and concerned the most intimate transcendental exchanges (lilas) of Shri Radha-Krishna.This condition of religious rapture continued for about a year.” Baba noted down all the sincerely emotional lilas or divine plays perceived by Shri Maharaj ji, day and date wise and even clicked their photographs.

Shri Bal Krishan Das ji Maharaj

All of a sudden Maharaj ji totally stopped showering his grace on Manohar Baba when the state of bhava avesha got over in 1957. Alongside his favours radically transformed into outbursts of anger in quick succession. Baba began being rebuked and downgraded by Shri Maharaj ji for every trivial matter. When Maharaj ji would see Baba in front of his eyes, his fury would escalate further. He just could not tolerate the sight of Baba.

Even the parikar (inner circle of devotees) who stayed with him could not understand at to why this unbelievable and unwanted transformation had taken place in Shri Maharaj ji. Precisely for this reason, Manohar Baba left the Gopal Mandir for this very reason.

Sri Radha-Krishna in the Madan Mohan Temple

He began staying in a separate kutiya or hut near the Madan Mohar Mandir just for Shri Maharaj ji's happinness. Shri Banwari Sharan ji used to also live with him in his kutiya. (page 366 of 'Smriti Kaumudi',the memoirs of Manohar Baba)

Baba Shri Manohar Das ji, the Pride of the Spiritual World-XV

Radhanpur, Gujarat

On his return to Vrindavan it was learnt that Maharaj ji had lived in Radhanpur (Gujarat) during this long span of six months. Actually speaking he had taken this course of action to distance himself from Manohar Baba.

In the year 1955, a programme of Shri Maharaj ji going on a pilgrimage to Rameshwaram along with his religious family was made. 

Shri Maharaj ji's Family Reunion

After a period of 20 long years, Shri Maharaj ji visited his home at that point of time. Manohar Baba went along on this religious sojourn apart from revered Devi ji, Thakur ji, Kusum ji and Krishna ji.

Manohar Baba clicked several photographis of this journey with his camera. 

At Shri Maharaj ji's house when his mother asked Baba to, “Look after Kumar (her young prince) who was her wealth”, Baba's eyes streamed with tears and his throat became choked with emotion.

After having darshan of

Shri Rameshwaram

Tirupati Balaji

The Meenakshi Temple

and other pilgrimage sites along with Shri Maharaj ji,Baba returned to Vrindavan after some days. On his return from the pilgrimage to Rameshwaram, Shri Maharaj ji left Ganga Mandir and began living in Shri Lalu Goswami's Gopal Mandir situated on Yugal Ghat, along with his entire parikar (inner circle of devotees), in the year 1955.

Sri Krishna & Balaram Leaving Vrindavan 

Once Manohar Baba went along with highly revered Shri Maharaj ji to see the raas lila .The Uddhava Lila was going on there.This divine play touched his heart so deeply that Baba felt as if Lord Sri Krishna has actually abandoned Braj and gone, and would never return as of now. Simultaneously tears began to flow from Baba's eyes which went on streaming constantly for a span of three days. Day in and day out, Baba would keep sitting in one fixed posture in the Gopal Mandir.

Vasudeva Escaping with Baby Krishna

Seeing this pitiable condition of his, Shri Maharaj ji asked, “Manohar ji! Why do you weep, after all ? Above all, where did the Sri Krishna of Braj step out of Braj? Vasudev ji had got the divinely majestic form of Sri Krishna, the son of Vasudev, which merged with the sweet form of Sri Krishna, the son of Yashoda. And He was the one who triumphed over the demonic forces which continually attacked the area. The very same Sri Krishna who was an embodiment of majestic grandeur went along with Akroor ji to Mathura once again.

Shri Banke Bihari, Vrindavan

Whereas the Lila Bihari (one who playfully dallies) stayed on in Braj and will do so forever. 'Vrindavan parityajya paadmekan na gachati,' and that is when Baba was somehow pacified.

The Shrimad Bhagavat

Once a desire to study the 'Shrimad Bhagavat' as per the prescribed rules, arose in Manohar Baba's mind. He arranged to read it extensively for this very reason. One fine day as Manohar Baba took his volume and was about to go for study, revered Shri Maharaj ji intervened, “Manohar ji, I feel like having tea today.' The instant Maharaj ji made this plea, Baba kept his edition on the table and began to make tea.

Sri Hari

Thereafter, the two of them began singing the glories of Sri Hari and finally Baba could not go for studying the scripture. The next day when Baba was again ready to leave for the sake of reading the 'Srimad Bhagavad',Shri Maharaj ji quizzed, “Will you not make me have tea today?” (Page 365 of 'Smriti Kaumudi',the memoirs of Manohar Baba)

Baba Shri Manohar Das ji, the Pride of the Spiritual World-XIV

Shri Devi ji

In the year 1952, Deviji's father took Maharaj ji to Shikar Pur (Bulandshahr) along with his family. Revered Kusum ji, the sister of Deviji was immensely impressed by the satsang of Shri Maharaj ji, which went on  for fifteen days at a stretch. 

Sri Radha-Krishna in Vrindavan

Alongside this awakened an ardently longing in her to reside in Vrindavan. By the grace of Shri Maharaj ji she  came to Vrindavan when she was merely 17 years old, after renouncing her home and family. While revered Ghansyam ji (who played the part of Thakur ji in the raas mandali ) completely came into the refuge of Shri Maharaj ji's feet, in the year 1952.

Manohar Baba Under the Protection of Shri Balkrishan Das ji Maharaj

Honourable Manohar Baba got the maximum affection and closeness of highly revered Shri Maharaj ji up until 1957. Baba was so restricted by Shri Maharaj ji that attainment of the Divine was given a secondary stand as equated to the constant company of Shri Maharaj ji. But how could a saint of the highest order like Shri Maharaj ji who had such great loving devotion for God, possibly bear this fact. For this very reason, he initiated situations which would help Manohar Baba in attaining the Supreme Being and bring about Baba's salvation alongside.

The Badrinath Temple

In the Jeshth Month of 1953,Shri Ranhchod Das ji, a yogi saint of Gujrat, who was one with God and whose age was said to be 150 years, was about to go for a pilgrimage to Badrinath Dhaam along with a large number of bhaktas. Baba's mindset had begun to remain somewhat dejected and depressed, during those days. Therefore Baba resolved to undertake this journey to Badrinath along with Vitthal ji. Baba used to lament that he wondered why for the first time in his life he was wrongly urged to visit Badrinath, while abandoning the company of Shri Maharaj ji. The ordeal of being separated from Maharaj ji commenced from this very pilgrimage.

The same Baba who was reluctant of even going to the bazar by leaving Shri Maharaj ji in the Ganga Mandir, left him for a month and went on the pilgrimage to Badrinath. At that point of time, no one could believe that Baba could stay without Maharaj ji for a so long.

Sri Krishna

“I did somehow visit sacred Badrinath for religious reasons but no one except Lord Sri Krishna can know of the painful suffering my mind went through,"Baba would instinctively confess to us.

Apparently Shri Maharaj ji also did not like Baba's sojourn to Badrinath. 

“I can not even imagine that Manohar ji can live without me. It means that I too can roam around alone, as of now,  " he revealed to his close one.

After a month, revered Manohar Baba completed his pilgrimage and returned back to Vrindavan  as scheduled. On coming here he came to know that Shri Maharaj had gone by himself to reside in a secluded place, without telling anyone. When Maharaj ji came back after two and a half months it was found that he had gone to Bikaner.

Radhanpur in Gujarat

Soon after, he again ventured to live in a solitary place without disclosing his whereabouts to anyone. It was found on his return to Vrindavan that Maharaj ji had lived in Radhanpur (Gujarat) during this long span of six months. (Page 374 of 'Smriti Kaumudi', the memoirs of Manohar Baba.)