'Lokpavan Bhaijee Shri Hanuman Prasad ji Poddar'-III

The Main Teachings of Bhaijee

The Quest of Mankind for a Divine & Transcendental Love

• The perennial quest of mankind is union with the Almighty or the search for a divine and transcendental love. The rishis and munis of India have sought spiritual bliss by profound meditation and religious contemplation, and found it in the truly eternal, impersonal Supreme Being called brahma or brahman, the all-pervading spirit of the universe. For this very reason they consider the attainment of God or contact with Brahma as solely blissful. Therefore the humane society of Indians not regarding bhoga or sense-gratification to be their aim, consider union with God as the ultimate reality.

Be Humane Towards Others

• Tenderness, passion and sympathy for all living beings is the trait of being humane and humanity has evolved in its evolution. It is the trademark of dharma or complex of religious and social obligations which a devout Hindu is required to fulfil.
  
• The result of which ever deed brings about the well-being of one's own self and others, is our dharma or religious duty.

Lord Rama Has Many Forms

• God and the eternal Truth are the same. Both are in essence a single entity who are worshipped in different ways as per our individual likings. Our own Rama is worshipped somewhere in the form of Vishnu, in the form of Krishna, as Devi, in the bhava of Brahma, at places in the name of Khuda, elsewhere as Ganesha, the Sun, Budha, Jesus, *Ahura Mazdā, the Supreme Being and in many other names. Which means that there is no other Mahesvara (Shiva). If we agree on this point there will be no dispute anywhere. By worshipping Him in different forms, we are enhancing His very greatness. Because of being upasakas, bhaktas and sevakas of the Supreme Lover (Lord Krishna), they are all dear and very close to us. We should tolerate others' religious beliefs by imbibing such true and pure thoughts.

Working for the Well-being of Others is godly & Makes us Happy

• The greatest service to mankind is to awaken and increase, such virtuous and godly bhavas or feelings in living beings of this mundane world, and make them deeply absorbed in God.
  
• The outcome of whichever action ends in harming others, can certainly not bring about our good. And that act which results in the well-being of others will definitely be beneficial to us. Therefore if you want happiness then by every thought and deed of yours think of the gain of others and work for their welfare.
  
• Whatever is adverse to our mindset, and hurts us, should never be done unto others.
  

Shri Radha-Krishna, Union With the Divine

• Union with the Divine is not difficult to attain, is easily possible and undoubtedly comes about—One must believe in this doctrine. It is a necessity to have implicit faith and an ardent longing for the attainment of God.
  
• The person who wants salvation should seek the refuge of chanting God's Name. Just as fire has the energy to burn, in the same manner the Name of God has the power to set fire to sins and delusion (esp as to the supposed reality of the world). The Name of God does not rest in peace after getting rid of sins. Soon after, it gives birth to a ray of spiritual enlightenment ((understanding of the identity of the self with the ultimate brahman ) in the heart and arouses an ardent longing for divine love. As soon as this takes place, the Supreme Being is passionately drawn towards the devotee.
  

Gopi Bhava of Madhurya or Sweet Love for Krishna

• God's grace is eternal and infinite. It is showered on all living sentient beings, under all circumstances. The person who has faith in it, can experience that mercy which is forever attained by all on an equal footing. One whose mind is shaded by the darkness of disbelief and doubt, can not sight this mysterious grace of the Almighty, which is selfless.
  
• ' Dark-hued Lord Krishna is exclusively mine and I solely belong to the dark god' adopting this bhava of sweet and total commitment and love for Krishna, is gopi prema of madhurya.
  
• One has to acquire three traits to be able to become a gopi. Discarding the mundane world from one's mind, prepare the heart for offering it to God. And for no reason whatsoever, do not stop en route for any specific consideration.

Refuge in the Almighty Leads to Paramanand or Spiritual Bliss

• Seeking refuge in the Almighty is the prime recourse of attaining parmananda or eternal and infinite supreme bliss, after being freed from the sorrows of this temporal world and parloka (the other [next] world.)
  
• One must treat others in the same manner as we would want them to behave with us. We will get exactly the same treatment in return, for the way we conduct ourselves. If anything untoward happens to us it is because of our own destiny, though someone else may become its cause. Therefore if I one sees harm being wrought on us by somebody else, instead of being furious one must pity that person; because unknowingly by hurting us, he is in fact harming himself.
  
• Do not ever doubt the existence of the Supreme Being. The presence of creation proves His Being. Accepting the material world and not accepting the cosmic world of Krishna is the same as recognising gold ornaments but not recognising gold.

Shri Hanuman Prasad Poddar Worked for the Spiritual Upliftment of Indian Society

• Society will improve only with the reform of mankind. If every person becomes good-natured, adopts sattvic gunas, a loving heart, renounces worldly prosperity and is self-controlled, the entire world will become like this, on its own accord.
  
• 'God is Everything'-having implicit faith in this belief whichever man or woman, living being or object confronts us, seeing them as a form of God, we should respectfully salute them deep in our heart. In a few days time, that state of mind will become our innate instinct and we will begin to have darshan of the Almighty, all the time. The man who perceives God in every living being, can actually see God in everyone.
  
  
  

Ahura Mazdā is the Avestan name for a divinity of the Old Iranian religion who was proclaimed the uncreated God by Zoroaster, the founder of Zoroastrianism.

'Lokpavan Bhaijee Shri Hanuman Prasad ji Poddar'-II

Shri Hanuman Prasad ji Poddar's Literary Compositions

Through Shri Hanuman Prasad ji Poddar, Hindi Literature got a new treasury of original words. His compositions in prose and verse are milestones in their own particular field. In which apart from his 'Pada Ratnakar,' a compilation of poems, 'Radha-Madhav Chintan', 'Prem Darshan', 'Bhagwan Shri Krishna Ki Madhur Bal Lilaen', 'Venu Geet', 'Shri Raas Panchadhyayi ','Yajna-Patniyon Par Kripa', 'Vraj Bhaav Ki Upasna', Kaaliya Naag Par Kripa', 'Shri Bharat Charitra', 'Ras Aur Anand', 'Prema Ka Svaroop' and 'Prem Aur Premi', are the best known of his works in verse.

Special Editions of 'Kalyan'

Besides this there is an extensive reserve of his literary works in prose. Some of his compositions have been translated into several languages of the world. Eighty-five special editions of 'Kalyan' edited by Bhaijee, are an encyclopedia in their own right. He got our religous texts which could not be grasped by the common man, translated and made so very easily available for mankind. Having them published in plenty, Bhaijee had them delivered to every corner of the world so that they were safe-guarded for long times to come.

Shri Sitaramdas Omkarnath ji

That is why saint Shri Sitaramdas Omkarnath ji,the famed saint of Bengal wrote, 'The lila or divine play of unprecedented propagation of the Shastras (scriptures) and dharma (religion) which our Almighty has done with the support of Shri Poddar Baba's body, has never been done before and can never happen in the future. Controlling the heart of Poddar ji, the Supreme Being was doing this task Himself. Publicity of such magnitude of Hindu scriptures and Hindu religion can not be done by a person who is proud of his human form.'

Bhaijee Served the Sanatan Dharma

Spreading the word of scriptures centred on the Sanatan Dharma and the plan of its protection in the coming times, is like safe-guarding the Sanatan Dharma, in a way, which can only be undertaken by avataras or incarnations of God. 'tvatah sanatano dharmo rakshyate tanubhistav' (Shrimad Bhagvatam 3/16/18) Shri Hanuman Prasad ji Poddar's service to the Hindi language and the Sanatan Dharma will be a source of inspiration to people for yugas or ages to come. (Lokpavan Bhaijee Shri Hanuman Prasad Poddar, pages 13-14)

'Lokpavan Bhaijee Shri Hanuman Prasad ji Poddar'-1

Shri Adi Shankaracharya

The region of Bharat is a land of saints. Here we have those acharyas, mahatmas and philosophical scholars who are well-versed in the *Vedas-Vedanta, have attained the divine and are respectfully called to mind every morning— We have had innumerable saints like universally honoured Shri Shankracharya of the *Advaita Vedanta, Shri Nimbarkacharya, Shri Madhvacharya and Shri Vallabhacharya who were acharyas of Vaishnavism, prema avatara Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Acharya Shri Hit Harivansh ji, Goswami Shri Sanatan,Shri Roop and Shri Jeev, and many more eminent personalities like them.

Shri Radha-Krishna & Gopis

They have even had the great good fortune of having the actual darshan (visibly sighting) of Shri Krishna, Shri Radha and the gopis. Reaching for the deeper ecstacies of devotion they have wept in joy, on chanting the names and seeing the lilas or divine play of Shri Radha-Krishna, and the cowherdesses of Vraja.

Shri Hanuman Prasad Poddar, Fondly Known as Bhaijee

*Bhaijee would have a veritable darshan of the Supreme Being (esp as equated with Vishnu or Krishna) either because he wished to or by God's grace when the Almighty Himself wanted to tell him something, in particular. On one such occasion Bhaijee was sitting outside the house. All of a sudden he went and sat inside a small dingy room, as if some force was pulling him and shut the door.

By himself he sat on a chair and kept a chair in front for someone else to sit on. Unexpectedly, bright light spread all around and immense peace could be felt. Immediately God appeared. His feet could be touched once, on the chair in front. Soon after, He was positioned in space.Seeing this unasked grace of the Supreme Being, Bhaijee reached the heights of religious rapture. And then amazingly, he had a conversation with God.

The Almighty talked somewhat in this fashion:

Lord Vishnu, the Supreme Being

• It is beneficial to keep the matter of My darshan a secret.

Hindu Dharma

• One who fights in the name of dharma (sanctions of religion) does not know of my power.
• There is time left for absolute ruin or destruction.

Kalki Avatara, the Tenth Incarnation of Lord Vishnu

• The time of my avatara or incarnation is very far away, at present.
• In case you want to work for the well-being of the world, discard discrimination and propagate the chanting of My Name. Explain to the people that everything will be possible by reciting My Name, in this age. Taking My Name will be the sole consideration in My incarnation, as well.

Yamraj, the god of Death

• Warn those who shelter sins by taking the support of Name, that even Yamraj (the god of death) can not purify them.
• It is utterly foolish to chant My Name for expiating sins and sense gratification . One can get rid of sins by phalbhoga (enjoying or sufffering the consequences of one's actions) and atonement. We should not bother about momentary sensory pleasures. What is the harm in bhogas (suffering as for one's sins) passing to and fro.

Chanting the Name of God

• God's Name is something dearer than one's beloved. It should be used solely for union with the divine.
• Deceit has risen considerably. Above all deception is the greatest obstruction in attaining Me. Beware of hypocrits and also warn them that they are going to have a terrible ending. Pretence is far worse than even lust and anger.
• Do not give anyone a definite assurance of my darshan.
• Do not propagate these matters by My Name, apart from Jasidih.

Smarana of Lord Vishnu

• I am not going to come in this manner again, now. Without you calling, I have come twice because I had to reveal these matters to you. You can do smarana (concentrated recollection) and call Me, whenever you want. But do not make a mistake.

After this episode, the Supreme Being vanished. Whereas Bhaijee entered into a trance which lasted for forty hours at a stretch.

Bhaijee: Hanuman Prasad Poddar (1892–1971) fondly called Bhaijee was the founder of Gita Press, Gorakhpur. As an editor of 'Kalyan', he is known for his untiring efforts to propagate Hinduism across the world.He also published and edited ‘Kalyan – Kalpataru’ in English from 1934 and the book continues to be in publication.
He had great epics like the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Puranas and the Upanishads translated into Hindi and made available to the common people at affordable prices.In his translation of some Upanishads and Puranas in Hindi and English, he has taken care of communicability without any compromise with their poetic heights.
Bhaijee actively participated in the freedom movement against British Rule in India and was jailed for being in close contact with revolutionaries of Bengal.

Vedas: any of the three (later four) early Indian sacred scriptures

Vedanta: a monistic philosophy and theology based on the Upanishads

Advaita Vedanta: According to Adi Shankara, God, the Supreme Cosmic Spirit or Brahman is the One, the whole and the only reality. Other than Brahman, everything else, including the universe, material objects and individuals, are false.
Acharya: founder or leader of a sect

Jasidih: Shri Hanuman Prasad Poddar had darshan of Lord Vishnu in Jasidih

47th & 48th Dohas of Uttar Kand

Chaupai:

sunata sudhåsama bacana råma ke, gahe sabani pada krpådhåma ke |

janani janaka gura bamdhu hamåre, krpå nidhåna pråna te pyåre ||1||

tanu dhanu dhåma råma hitakåri, saba bidhi tumha pranatårati håri |

asi sikha tumha binu dei na kou, måtu pitå svåratha rata ou ||2||

hetu rahita jaga juga upakari, tumha tumhåra sevaka asuråri |

svåratha mita sakala jaga måhi, sapanehu° prabhu paramåratha nåhi° ||3||

saba ke bacana prema rasa såne, suni raghunåtha hrdaya° harasane. |

nija nija grha gae ayasu pai, baranata prabhu batakahi suhai ||4||

Lord Rama's Nectarine Words

On hearing Lord Råma's nectarine words everyone clasped the feet of the Abode of mercy and said:Oh repository of mercy! You are our father and mother, preceptor and kinsman, and dearer to us than our own life. O Råma who relieves the sorrows of those who seek refuge in Him! You are our body, wealth, house and its premises, and beneficent to us in every way. No one apart from You can give such education because even our father and mother (thought they care for our well being and educate us) are concerned about their own self-interest.

Lord Rama, the Destroyer of Demons

O Destroyer of demons! There are only two who work for the well being of others without any motive (selflessly)--One is You and the other is Your servitor. Everyone else in this world is bothered about his personal interest. O Lord!They do not have the bhava or feeling of spiritual interest even in their dreams. The Lord of the Raghus was delighted at heart to hear everyone's words steeped in the rasa or sentiment of love. Getting His permission they returned to their respective homes, describing the Lord's charming discourse, en route.

Doha:

umå avadhabåsi nara nåri krtåratha rupa |

brahma saccidånamda ghana raghunåyaka jaha° bhupa ||47||

Lord Shiva Narrates the Tale of Rama to Goddess Uma

(Lord Shiva continued) O Uma! Both men and women living in Ayodhyå are the very picture of blessedness, because the Lord of the Raghus, who was none other than Brahma, the embodiment of being, thought and bliss, ruled here as king.

Chaupai:

eka båra basista muni åe, jahå° råma sukhadhåma suhåe |

ati ådara raghunåyaka kinhå, pada pakhåri pådodaka linhå ||1||

råma sunahu muni kaha karajori, krpåsimdhu binati kachu mori |

dekhi dekhi åcarana tumhårå, hota moha mama hrdaya° apårå ||2 ||

mahimå amiti beda nahi jånå, mai kehi bhå°ti kahau° bhagavånå |

uparohitya karma ati mamdå, beda puråna sumrti kara nimdå ||3||

jaba na leu° mai taba bidhi mohi, kahå låbha åge°suta tohi |

paramåtamå brahma nara rupå, hoihi raghukula bhusana bhupå ||4||

Sage Vasistha Visits Lord Rama at His Palace

One day sage Vasistha called at the palace where the beautiful and all-blissful Lord Råma was. The Lord of the Raghus welcomed him with great reverence, and washing his feet, sipped the nectarine water in which his feet had been washed. The sage said with folded hands: O Rama, the ocean of mercy! Listen to an entreaty of mine. Even as I watch Your meritorious deeds (as a human), infinite delusion (doubt) affects my heart. O Almighty! There is no limit of your majestic grandeur and even the Vedas do not know of it. Thus how can I describe it. The profession of a family priest is very low; the Vedas, Purånas and Smrti texts denounce it.

Lord Brahma, the Creator

When I would not accept the same(becoming the purohit of the Surya Dynasty), then Brahmå (my father) had told me: O son! This will get you great benefit in the future. Brahma, the Supreme Spirit, will assume a human form and appear as a king, the ornament of the Raghus.

Doha:

taba mai hrdaya° bicårå joga jagya brata dåna |

jå kahu° karia so paihau° dharma na ehi sama åna ||48||

Lord Rama, the King of the Raghus

Then I thought to myself that by this very act I will be able to attain Him for whom yoga or abstract meditation, yagya or sacrifices, vrats or religious vows and charity are undertaken. Thus there can be no greater dharma or spiritual merit than this.