Carnal mind 1

God has provided alternatives to face the inclemency of weather. When there is snowfall all around, there is adequate warmth inside the caves. In Gomukh region there is a shrub which is combustible. Similarly there is particular vegetation which produces flickering light in the night. Dev-kand grown inside the earth in tapovan and Nandanvan is extremely sweet like sweet potatoes. Outwardly it has a stem like grass but if it is dug out it has a giant-sized root sufficient to nourish a person for a week. It can be taken either raw or after roasting on fire. The drink prepared by boiling the knots grown on the stem of birch tree is so warmth-giving that a man gets perspiration in bitter cold. It is a tasteful drink which can be taken with or without salt. The skin of birch tree can be used, like cloth, as bedding and covering.  God has thus made all arrangements to enable a person to face the fury of inclement weather. Man gets disturbed by infirmity of his own mind or by depending only on things to which he is habitually accustomed. If a man becomes self-reliant, three-fourths of his problems are solved and other alternatives can be found for the remaining one-fourth. He can thus adjust himself in all circumstances. He finds himself in difficulties only when he wants that all others should act according to his wishes and outer conditions should always be in his favor. If a person changes himself he can adapt himself to all circumstances and lead a happy and vibrant life.

I had heard and read all these things but I put them into practice only during this pilgrimage of the Himalayas. It was a good training, a kind of tapascarya, which gave me an opportunity to exercise control over my wayward mind. Now I do not have any difficulty in facing adverse circumstances. It hardly takes any time for me in converting unfavorable circumstances into favorable opportunities for soul-growth.

There was no scope in this solitude for passion, anger, and illusion. Fear and temptation, which appeared by way of tests, were dispelled smilingly without any difficulty. False sense of self-pride did not work here. I thought "I am a soul, I am light personified. I am all powerful. Fear and temptation cannot overpower and drag me down." Seeing my mind firm and determined all forces of evil conspiring to drag me down into the pit of self-ruination beat a hasty retreat, in disarray. It is not appropriate to describe all such events which tested the rocklike firmness of my fortitude and character, since I am still alive and it might be construed as self-praise. I have simply to say here that a pilgrim of spiritual path has to encounter the onslaughts of fear and temptation and has to grid up his loins to face the challenges. One who does not prepare himself to go through this baptism of fire has to repent like the ringmaster of a circus who breaks his limbs and endangers his life by performing his feats without necessary preparation, in a haphazard manner.

Amongst Upasana, Sadhana and Aradhana, Sadhana is the most important. The rituals of Upasana (worship) can be performed by anybody just as he does his other routine chores. Piety, benevolence, doing good to others, fall within the purview of Aradhana. Nothing more remains to be done if a person has reformed himself by Sadhana. An elevated soul works effortlessly and naturally for universal Good. It becomes his only preoccupation and he acquires mastery in it. I had to perform Sadhana of self-control and mental restraint during my first journey to the Himalayas. Whatever divine attributes I have been blessed with are the result of Sadhana. Upasana has become a mere pastime.

Carnal mind 2

At home, I used to sleep for four hours daily as I had to attend to various types of work. Here in the Himalayas, I slept for six hours daily because before sunrise one could do nothing except mental jap. Due to the height of mountains sunrise here is late and darkness sets in much earlier than in the plains. Therefore, out of the twelve hours of darkness six hours were set apart for sleeping and six hours for Upasana. There was no compulsion to take bath before Upasana. It was possible to bathe and dry clothes only at noon. I had to chalk out my daily routine according to the circumstances obtaining there.

The one thing that needs special mention about this first journey to the Himalayas is that I had perfected the art of molding my mind according to the circumstances. Figuratively speaking, half the journey towards the appointed goal of life had been covered during this first pilgrimage. Pressures, no doubt, had to be faced in abundance in the first year but raw iron had been rid of dross through this fire of baptism and had been converted into strong steel capable of being profitably utilized for any purpose in future.

My life before going to the Himalayas was altogether different. Life was going on somehow with all the facilities and resources available at hand. Everything appeared to be straight and simple. But no sooner did I reach the Himalayas everything was topsytuvy. Circumstances there were almost akin to those which a person newly recruited in t army is required to face when, on account of the outbreak of war, he is required suddenly to rush to take up position at the battle front and give an account of his valor.

The direct result of this pilgrimage was that my carnal mind was totally subdued and my higher self won decisively. The mind tried to evade and procrastinate like a new bullock who is yoked to the plough for the first time. But it did not get any support from anywhere because the farmer behind the plough (the awakened soul) was bent upon taming it at all costs. Ultimately the mind was left with no alternative but to submissively assent to be yoked to the plough.

I had to face altogether new formidable challenges for the whole year and an apprehension arose in my mind that such a difficult test was bound to adversely affect my health and the doors for material wellbeing would be finally closed for me.

In all fairness, I must share with the readers that once such a base materialistic thought did win my mind. Several hypocrites have hoisted their banners of religiosity and piety in the name of the Himalayas and have declared themselves to be Siddha Purusas. I was myself acquainted with the life stories of several such persons. I thought why should I not do the same and indulge in merry making for the whole of life? As soon as this thought arose, I resolutely pushed it, there and then, out of my mind. I understood that my mind was being put to a test. I thought that when material resources for luxury and comfort could be amassed by ordinary intelligence, why should I be a hypocrite and defame the Himalayas, Siddha purusas, God and tapascarya?

My interview with the divine Risis in the Himalayas changed me completely. Throughout, there was a battle going on between the carnal mind and the higher self but ultimately my higher self returned victorious from the Himalayas.

Liberation for me means release from the clutches of desires and cravings. This I have attained. Heaven for me means the mingling together, as a river, of the triple streams of; molding one's life in accordance with sublime and ennobling ideals; seeing only the good in others behind the facade of appearance to the contrary and loving others through identity of Spirit. I have been bathing in this blissful river of heavenly joy for a long time. I have now no desire either to go to Heaven or attain Liberation

Interview with the Risis

The first day was spent in having a glimpse of the Supreme Spirit in the natural beauty of Nandanvan. I did not know when the Sun set and the night approached. I was directed to go to a nearby specific cave to sleep. It seemed as if the main purpose was not and much of sleep as of protection of my unacclimatised physique from the intense cold of the region. There was a possibility of a meeting with Gurudev again in the night.

Gurudev suddenly appeared that night in the cave. It was a full-moon night of Purnima. Bright golden light of the moon was scattered all over the Himalayas. There was drizzling of golden particles of snow and it appeared as if drops of gold were raining far and wide. With the appearance of Gurudev a circle of warmth was formed, otherwise in that terrific stormy cold night, it would have been difficult to stir out.

I did not enquire about the purpose of his visit at this odd time because I understood that Gurudev had been showering his grace on me for some specific purposes. I followed him outside the cave. My feet were moving above the surface. I realized that day why there was the necessity to acquire siddhis (supernatural powers) of flying in the air, walking in the space. It was more difficult to walk on a rough and rugged glacial snowy surface than to walk on the surface of water. Now-a-days, one may not feel the necessity of such siddhis, but they were definitely needed in those days for movement in those inhospitable regions.

I came out of the cave trembling with bitter cold and started moving behind Gurudev like his tail in mid-air over the golden Himalayas. The purpose of that day's pilgrimage was to introduce me to the tapasthali (place of worship) of ancient Risis. They had all cast off their physical bodies but most of them had retained their astral bodies. Causal bodies of some of them could also be glimpsed through their astral bodies. I suddenly found myself in a posture of folded hands with my head bowed down in deferential salutation. I was being introduced today to Risis living in their astral and causal bodies in the Himalayas. That night was extremely important and fortunate for me.

Earlier, I had seen only those caves of Uttrakhand during my journey which was easily approachable. I realized today that there was far more unseen compared to what I had seen so far. Small caves were being used by wild animals but bigger ones were orderly, neat and clean and were meant for Risis who were living in their astral bodies. They still lived there occasionally on account of their past association. All those Risis were in dhyan-mudra (meditative posture). Gurudev told me that they often lived in that state. They did not interrupt their meditation without some valid reason. Their astral bodies along with their names were introduced to me. This spiritual treasure is the specialty and uniqueness of this region.

Interview with the Risis 1

Interview with the Risis 1

They all know beforehand about my visit with Gurudev. So whenever both of us appeared before them, they opened their eyes with a gentle smile on their lips and nodded their heads slightly in response to our salutations. There was no conversation with any of them. If any person living in astral body has to say or convey anything he does it not by baikhari or madhyama speech but by para or pasyanti speech, that is, by awakening intuitive faculty of the listener. That day's aim was to see them only and not to converse with them. A new student who had come to join their class was to be introduced so that he could be provided with the necessary help, if needed. Probably the Risis had already been informed that I (their embodied spiritual child) could carry forward the divine tasks initiated by them and what my specific role would be and the strategy of action towards that end.

An astral body can arouse inner inspiration and transmit energy waves. But a person in physical body alone can give direct and concrete guidance to embodied human beings and precipitate physical events. Divine beings, therefore, make some physically living person as the instrument for fulfilling their purpose. Till then, I was acting as an instrument of only one guide but now these divine souls of the Himalayas could also utilize me as their medium and provide me inspiration, efficacy and competence. With this view Gurudev was introducing me to them and all of them without wasting any time and observing any formality were indicating their acceptance of this offer. Thus this divine pilgrimage continued in the night; and before dawn Gurudev returned to his abode leaving me in my cave.

I saw Risi-lok for the first time that day. I had seen holy places, pounds, rivers earlier in the course of this pilgrimage but till then I did not know which Risi was associated with which particular location. This I saw that day for the first and the last time. Before sending me back Gurudev cautioned me, "Do not try to establish contact on your own with these Risis and interfere in their work. If they have any direction to give, they would themselves do so. Your understanding with me has also been the same that you will not, on your own, knock at my door. Whenever necessary, I would myself approach you, achieve my purpose and arrange for all the resources. Do not regard this vision which you have seen here as mere satisfaction of a curiosity. All these great divine souls will get their purposes accomplished through you because they cannot do it themselves for want of physical bodies. It has been the tradition to establish mass contact through the medium of some fit instrument like you. Henceforth you should regard instruction of all these Risis as my own instructions and do whatever you are directed to do." What could I say except nodding my acceptance? Gurudev disappeared.

Clarifications about the outline of future programs

The next day of the stay at Nandanvan was all the more amazing. The vision of seeing Risis along with Gurudev during th previous night was moving before my eyes like a film. As sun spread on the velvety carpet of Nandanvan, it appeared as if heaven had descended on the earth. Flowers of different kinds and colors were thickly scattered on the plain plateau and it appeared as if a green carpet had been spread out.

All of a sudden Gurudev appeared. Unlike th previous night, he was now in the same form of field of light in which he had appeared before me for the first time in my room of worship. Gurudev said " I was aware of your devotion and courage of past births. This time, I called you here, put you to three tests to make sure that you were morally and mentally fit and strong to undertake more important tasks. I have remained with you throughout this pilgrimage and have been watching all the events and your reactions to them and feel fully assured. If your faith had not been unshakable and your vision transparently clears, Risis, living in their incomplete works be completed. Great souls do not bare their hearts before weak, miserable and incompetent persons. They have expressed their feelings before you, considering you competent.

"If your surrender is genuine you have to carry out, as life's only mission, the programs chalked out for you with full devotion. The first program is to perform twenty-four purascarans of twenty-four lakh Gayatri mantras in twenty-four years. Great competence is required for accomplishing great works and so you have been entrusted with this first program. The second program is twofold. You have to continue your study and take up the translation of Sanskrit treatises composed by ancient sages into Hindi and arrange for their publication to make them easily available to the masses. This will help in rejuvenating the almost extinct divine culture which is capable of becoming the bedrock for the future global civilization. Side by side, so long as you are on the physical plane, you have to facilitate publication of your writings in as many languages as possible, to make available the message of divine life on earth to people at large. This works is related with the capability acquired by you through your first sadhana. To this end, dedicated and erudite persons will gather around you in due course of time, and will carry forward the work initiated by you.

"The third work is to play an overt and covert role as a freedom fighter in the struggle for independence. This struggle will last till 1947. By that time most of your purascarans will have been completed. This is the first phase. At present there are no indications that Britishers will easily grant independence to India and quit. But this aim is bound to be achieved even before your purascaranas are completes. By that time you will have gained ampel in depth and broad-based experience and capability to undertake with whole-hearted concentration the primary mission of your life; established of a divinized humanity on earth.

Clarifications about the outline of future programs 1

"A purascarana should culminate in purnahuti by yagya. A Mahayagya after the end of twenty-four purascarans should be on such a scale that twenty-four-lakh ahutis (offerings in sacrificial fire) could be given, so that through its medium you may be able to lay the foundation of an organization. This need expenditure of lakha of rupees and cooperation of lakha of people. Do not believe that you are alone and you have no money. We are with you behind the energy generated by your upasana. Have complete faith that everything will be done at the appropriate time. People will come to know about the miraculous results of devout austerity and sadhana of a true sadhak. This is the first phase of your program. Go on doing your duty. Do not think that our power is insignificant. You may seem to have limited power but when both of us unite; our power will be multiplied manifold just as one and one put together make eleven. Always remember that it is a divinely guided mission. Then why have any doubt? It is not necessary to chalk out any program in detail at present. Go on with your studies, purascarans and your work as a freedom fighter. Live at present in your birth place and accomplish all these three programs of the first phase.

"I may also give an indication of the future plan. The task of publication of literature and setting up of a widespread organization for moral and spiritual upliftment are to be accomplished at Mathura. Purnahuti of the purascaranas will also be performed there. Tress, publication and other activities relating to manifestation of divinity in humanity and descent of heaven on earth will also be initiated in an organized manner at Mathura.. This attempt will take the form of an unprecedented historical movement.

"This third phase is to fulfill the will of all these Risis who live in their astral bodies here. You have to sow the seeds for revival of Risi traditions which will sprout and spread worldwide in due time. This work will have to be done in the Tapobhumi of Sapta Risis at Sapta Sarovar, Haridwar. At present, I have given you only a hint. In course of time, you will be summoned here and detailed outlines will be explained to you. You will be summoned thrice for these three purposes.

"During the fourth phase you will have to shoulder the most difficult work relating to the extremely intricate and formidable global problem. You will know, in due course, what is required of you and it will be accomplished."

I had heard that siddha purusas lived in the caves of the Himalayas and by merely seeing them a person could get occult powers. In my journey, I found no truth behind such beliefs. Without my saying so, Gurudev knew my suspense. He placed his hand on my shoulder and asked, "Why do you feel the need of a astral bodies of the Risks? Are you not satisfied with what has been revealed to you through me?"

Clarifications about the outline of future programs 2

It was not a matter of lack of confidence but a mere curiosity. Gurudev read my mind and said in a jovial mood, "There are such siddha purusas, no doubt; but two factors have intervened, requiring these divine souls to withdraw into their astral bodies. First, the easy and rapid communication and transport and transport have increased manifold the rush of tourists (as opposed to pilgrims) to these regions, making uninterrupted sadhana impossible. Secondly, if they shifted to still higher regions, it would have become well nigh impossible to sustain their physical bodies under those inhospitable conditions. So they have abandoned their physically visible and they are not required to do anything to satisfy their physical needs. Therefore, all these divine souls have not only shed their physical forms but also the location of their stay. They have even changed their routine of Sadhana. Moreover, they can be visible only to genuine sadhaks who have familiarity with occult planes of consciousness; and they do not shower their grace on undeserving persons masquerading as seekers of truth. When you come to the Himalayas next time, you will have a glimpse of such siddha Purusas"

When Gurudev had appeared before me for the first time in my room to guide me, I had come to know how Devatma, who are consciously aware of the Infinite (Parabrahma) live is astral bodies. It was my own childish ignorance which entertained this curiosity. I was truly blessed by seeing the Risis in their astral bodies and by the assurance given by Gurudev that I would have their glimpse during my next visit to the Himalayas.

Gurudev said, "When I summon you again you have to be here for a period extending from six months to one year. Your body has now become fit for living in conditions prevalent here. You will have to come here three times to strengthen and ripen all that you have practiced here and all arrangements will be made to fulfill all your basic physical needs. This tapasya in seclusion and solitude is also necessary because you will be able to learn patience and endurance which are needed for shifting from the physical body into the astral and from astral into the causal. The human body is afflicted by hunger, thirst, cold, heat, sleep and fatigue. One can hardly overcome them living at home because all facilities are available there and there is no challenge for practicing devout austerities, penance and endurance. In the same way, mind is overwhelmed by six kinds of impurities which are inherent in the ordinary day-to-day life of the world and it is essential to retire to a secluded place to overcome and transcend them. These are; passion (lust), anger, avarice, delusion, pride and jealousy. You have to live separately in solitude in t Himalayas to practice physical endurance and mental austerity and penance to fight against internal infirmities. Thus, by living three times for a total period of about three years in the Himalayas and by establishing public contacts during the rest of the time you will be put to a test to ensure that your devout austerity has becomes well-grounded."