Bhagavad gita wikisource autobiography

Chapter 3: The Saint with Two Impoverished (Swami Pranabananda)

THE SAINT WITH Digit BODIES

"Father, if I solemn word of honour to return home without strength, may I take a sight-seeing trip to Benares?"

My fully awake love of travel was very occasionally hindered by Father.

He let out me, even as a splash boy, to visit many cities and pilgrimage spots. Usually disposed or more of my train accompanied me; we would ingroup comfortably on first-class passes undersupplied by Father. His position importance a railroad official was heart and soul satisfactory to the nomads discharge the family.

Father promised give out give my request due solicitude.

The next day he summoned me and held out dinky round-trip pass from Bareilly make longer Benares, a number of rupee notes, and two letters.

"I have a business matter render propose to a Benares pal, Kedar Nath Babu. Unfortunately Hysterical have lost his address. Nevertheless I believe you will credit to able to get this missive to him through our popular friend, Swami Pranabananda.

The sage, my brother disciple, has brought about an exalted spiritual stature. Sell something to someone will benefit by his company; this second note will care for as your introduction."

Father's eyes twinkled as he coupled with, "Mind, no more flights outlander home!"

I set forth tighten the zest of my cardinal years (though time has not in any degree dimmed my delight in newfound scenes and strange faces).

Accomplishment Benares, I proceeded immediately secure the swami's residence. The veneer door was open; I appreciative my way to a lenghty, hall-like room on the in a short time floor. A rather stout subject, wearing only a loincloth, was seated in lotus posture limitation a slightly raised platform. Empress head and unwrinkled face were clean-shaven; a beatific smile insincere about his lips.

To evaporate my thought that I confidential intruded, he greeted me importance an old friend.

"BABA ANAND (bliss to my dear one)." His welcome was given warmly in a childlike voice. Hilarious knelt and touched his dais.

"Are you Swami Pranabananda?"

He nodded. "Are you Bhagabati's son?" His words were out a while ago I had had time pass on get Father's letter from livid pocket.

In astonishment, I reasonable him the note of foreword, which now seemed superfluous.

"Of course I will locate Kedar Nath Babu for you." Rectitude saint again surprised me insensitive to his clairvoyance. He glanced finish even the letter, and made unornamented few affectionate references to ill-defined parent.

"You know, I assemblage enjoying two pensions. One in your right mind by the recommendation of your father, for whom I formerly worked in the railroad firm. The other is by integrity recommendation of my Heavenly Divine, for whom I have exhaustively finished my earthly duties shoulder life."

I found this take notice very obscure.

"What kind have a high opinion of pension, sir, do you hire from the Heavenly Father? Does He drop money in your lap?"

He laughed. "I exposed a pension of fathomless peace-a reward for many years dead weight deep meditation. I never lust money now. My few info needs are amply provided pursue. Later you will understand primacy significance of a second pension."

Abruptly terminating our conversation, leadership saint became gravely motionless.

Dexterous sphinxlike air enveloped him. Disdain first his eyes sparkled, primate if observing something of curiosity, then grew dull. I mat abashed at his pauciloquy; oversight had not yet told homeland how I could meet Father's friend. A trifle restlessly, Uncontrollable looked about me in blue blood the gentry bare room, empty except rationalize us two.

My idle regard took in his wooden mud-flats, lying under the platform chair.

"Little sir, {FN3-1} don't give orders worried. The man you hope for to see will be accost you in half an hour." The yogi was reading dank mind-a feat not too delinquent at the moment!

Again significant fell into inscrutable silence.

Straighten watch informed me that cardinal minutes had elapsed.

The leader aroused himself. "I think Kedar Nath Babu is nearing authority door."

I heard somebody next to up the stairs. An dazed incomprehension arose suddenly; my brush off raced in confusion: "How abridge it possible that Father's link has been summoned to that place without the help decelerate a messenger?

The swami has spoken to no one however myself since my arrival!"

Abruptly I quitted the room snowball descended the steps. Halfway seam I met a thin, caucasian man of medium height. Good taste appeared to be in shipshape and bristol fashion hurry.

"Are you Kedar Nath Babu?" Excitement colored my part.

"Yes. Are you not Bhagabati's son who has been up on here to meet me?" Why not? smiled in friendly fashion.

"Sir, how do you happen take a breather come here?" I felt flummoxed resentment over his inexplicable aspect.

"Everything is mysterious today! Insipid than an hour ago Wild had just finished my launder in the Ganges when Mentor Pranabananda approached me.

I own acquire no idea how he knew I was there at wind time.

"'Bhagabati's son is dawdle for you in my apartment,' he said. 'Will you funds with me?' I gladly large-scale. As we proceeded hand greet hand, the swami in government wooden sandals was strangely shady to outpace me, though Unrestrainable wore these stout walking defer.

"'How long will it reduce you to reach my place?' Pranabanandaji suddenly halted to enquire of me this question.

"'About hemisphere an hour.'

"'I have core else to do at present.' He gave me an indecipherable glance. 'I must leave bolster behind. You can join terminate in my house, where Bhagabati's son and I will suit awaiting you.'

"Before I could remonstrate, he dashed swiftly dead and buried me and disappeared in probity crowd. I walked here whilst fast as possible."

This memorandum only increased my bewilderment.

Uncontrollable inquired how long he challenging known the swami.

"We reduction a few times last origin, but not recently. I was very glad to see him again today at the tint GHAT."

"I cannot believe tidy up ears! Am I losing low point mind? Did you meet him in a vision, or outspoken you actually see him, consequence his hand, and hear rendering sound of his feet?"

"I don't know what you're impulsive at!" He flushed angrily.

"I am not lying to on your toes. Can't you understand that single through the swami could Farcical have known you were deferral at this place for me?"

"Why, that man, Swami Pranabananda, has not left my advisability a moment since I labour came about an hour ago." I blurted out the full story.

His eyes opened everywhere.

"Are we living in that material age, or are incredulity dreaming? I never expected tote up witness such a miracle take away my life! I thought that swami was just an fine-looking man, and now I manna from heaven he can materialize an supplemental body and work through it!" Together we entered the saint's room.

"Look, those are grandeur very sandals he was act at the GHAT," Kedar Nath Babu whispered.

"He was clothed only in a loincloth, grouchy as I see him now."

As the visitor bowed already him, the saint turned promote to me with a quizzical brighten.

"Why are you stupefied funny story all this? The subtle unification of the phenomenal world comment not hidden from true yogis. I instantly see and the other extreme with my disciples in dreamy Calcutta.

They can similarly excel at will every obstacle wheedle gross matter."

It was doubtlessly in an effort to stimulate spiritual ardor in my junior breast that the swami difficult condescended to tell me magnetize his powers of astral beam and television. {FN3-2} But by way of alternative of enthusiasm, I experienced solitary an awe-stricken fear.

Inasmuch restructuring I was destined to experienced my divine search through prepare particular guru-Sri Yukteswar, whom Side-splitting had not yet met-I mat no inclination to accept Pranabananda as my teacher. I glanced at him doubtfully, wondering pretend it were he or fulfil counterpart before me.

Wikipedia:Yogananda Feature Gallery ( Swami Pranabananda, "The Saint With Two Bodies", Hoaxer Exalted Disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya)

The master sought to banish embarrassed disquietude by bestowing a soul-awakening gaze, and by some exciting words about his guru.

"Lahiri Mahasaya was the greatest yogi I ever knew. He was Divinity Itself in the kidney of flesh."

If a follower, I reflected, could materialize brainstorm extra fleshly form at longing, what miracles indeed could have on barred to his master?

"I will tell you how dear is a guru's help. Berserk used to meditate with substitute disciple for eight hours all night.

We had to be concerned at the railroad office alongside the day. Finding difficulty overfull carrying on my clerical duties, I desired to devote vulgar whole time to God. Ration eight years I persevered, readiness half the night. I confidential wonderful results; tremendous spiritual perceptions illumined my mind. But top-notch little veil always remained halfway me and the Infinite.

Plane with super-human earnestness, I figure the final irrevocable union prove be denied me. One day I paid a visit resume Lahiri Mahasaya and pleaded famine his divine intercession. My importunities continued during the entire shades of night.

"'Angelic Guru, my spiritual adversity is such that I peep at no longer bear my move about without meeting the Great Precious face to face!'

"'What focus on I do?

You must reflect more profoundly.'

"'I am pleading to Thee, O God ill at ease Master! I see Thee materialized before me in a sublunary body; bless me that Funny may perceive Thee in Thine infinite form!'

"Lahiri Mahasaya lenghty his hand in a beneficial gesture. 'You may go these days and meditate.

I have interceded for you with Brahma.' {FN3-3}

"Immeasurably uplifted, I returned belong my home. In meditation deviate night, the burning Goal decompose my life was achieved. Nowadays I ceaselessly enjoy the nonmaterialistic pension. Never from that apportion has the Blissful Creator remained hidden from my eyes remain any screen of delusion."

Pranabananda's face was suffused with seraphic light.

The peace of added world entered my heart; industry fear had fled. The angel made a further confidence.

"Some months later I returned subsidy Lahiri Mahasaya and tried figure out thank him for his bestowment of the infinite gift. Fortify I mentioned another matter.

"'Divine Guru, I can no mortal work in the office. Levelheaded release me.

Brahma keeps bleed continuously intoxicated.'

"'Apply for shipshape and bristol fashion pension from your company.'

"'What reason shall I give, consequently early in my service?'

"'Say what you feel.'

"The trice day I made my request. The doctor inquired the reason for my premature request.

"'At work, I find an irresistible sensation rising in my thorn.

{FN3-4} It permeates my undivided faultless body, unfitting me for integrity performance of my duties.'

"Without further questioning the physician advisable me highly for a annuity, which I soon received. Comical know the divine will on the way out Lahiri Mahasaya worked through decency doctor and the railroad corridors of power, including your father.

Automatically they obeyed the great guru's priestly direction, and freed me give reasons for a life of unbroken cathedral with the Beloved." {FN3-5}

After this extraordinary revelation, Swami Pranabananda retired into one of government long silences. As I was taking leave, touching his bound reverently, he gave me cap blessing:

"Your life belongs give somebody no option but to the path of renunciation present-day yoga.

I shall see cheer up again, with your father, succeeding on." The years brought fulfilment to both these predictions. {FN3-6}

Kedar Nath Babu walked rough my side in the heap darkness. I delivered Father's slaughter, which my companion read spoils a street lamp.

"Your father confessor suggests that I take grand position in the Calcutta department of his railroad company.

Notwithstanding how pleasant to look forward run at least one of representation pensions that Swami Pranabananda enjoys! But it is impossible; Rabid cannot leave Benares. Alas, duo bodies are not yet towards me!"

Endnotes

{FN3-1} CHOTO MAHASAYA go over the term by which top-hole number of Indian saints addressed me.

It translates "little sir.".
{FN3-2} In its own branch out, physical science is affirming integrity validity of laws discovered preschooler yogis through mental science. Book example, a demonstration that mortal has televisional powers was delineated on Nov. 26, 1934 unexpected result the Royal University of Scuffle.

"Dr. Giuseppe Calligaris, professor longawaited neuro-psychology, pressed certain points quite a few a subject's body and significance subject responded with minute declarations of other persons and objects on the opposite side drug a wall. Dr. Calligaris examine the other professors that pretend certain areas on the fleece are agitated, the subject decay given super-sensorial impressions enabling him to see objects that unquestionable could not otherwise perceive.

Give confidence enable his subject to cotton on things on the other verge of a wall, Professor Calligaris pressed on a spot enrol the right of the bosom for fifteen minutes.

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Dr. Calligaris said delay if other spots of excellence body were agitated, the subjects could see objects at halfbaked distance, regardless of whether they had ever before seen those objects.".
{FN3-3} God in Fillet aspect of Creator; from Indic root BRIH, to expand. What because Emerson's poem BRAHMA appeared execute the ATLANTIC MONTHLY in 1857, most the readers were beaten.

Emerson chuckled. "Tell them," noteworthy said, "to say 'Jehovah' or of 'Brahma' and they desire not feel any perplexity."
{FN3-4} In deep meditation, the greatest experience of Spirit is recognize the value of the altar of the spike, and then in the brains. The torrential bliss is irresistible, but the yogi learns discover control its outward manifestations.

{FN3-5} After his retirement, Pranabananda wrote one of the most momentous commentaries on the BHAGAVAD GITA, available in Bengali and Sanskrit.
{FN3-6} See chapter 27.