7 - Conversation With God

It so happened on a Sunday. It was a holiday. Narayan got up early in the morning. He had bath and went to the temple. Narayan was very fond of Ghanshyam Maharaj installed in the temple. Narayan offered Shashtang Pranam to Ghanshyam Maharaj and sat down. Ghanshyam Maharaj chuckled loudly and welcomed Narayan sweetly. Narayan was overwhelmed with emotion. He began to sing a beautiful Keertan of God in a melodious voice and with full involvement in Maharaj! Maharaj was pleased and began to sway. He praised Narayan, ‘Wow! Narayan; there is a wonderful devotion in your Keertan. I am pleased. Other devotees also sing Keertans, but their mind is wandering somewhere else. It is of no use. They come for My Darshan but they keep on thinking about other matters. You are fully engrossed in me, while singing a Keertan or during My Darshan.’ Narayan replied, ‘Lord, it is all your grace.’

Maharaj inquired, ‘Narayan! Son! Do you like in Wadhwan?’ Narayan replied, ‘Maharaj! All the places are same for me. I am always blessed by Your Darshan everywhere. I am equally blissful everywhere.’ Maharaj agreed, ‘Yes, Narayan, Good -bad etc. classification is for the living beings of this world. For an Anadimukta like you, all the circumstances are always pleasing.’ Narayan replied, ‘Maharaj, it is possible through Your grace.’

Swami Bhaktijivandasji was staying in the temple. He was a very pious and devoted saint. He noticed from a distance that a child had been murmuring sitting alone in front of Maharaj. He decided to check him up. Slowly he went there and stood behind Narayan. At that moment he heard the voice of Maharaj. He looked at Maharaj. Maharaj was making gestures using His hands. He was caressing Narayan’s head. Maharaj said, ‘Narayan, you liberated the ghosts in your house. I am very much pleased. Poor souls were haunting. You have liberated them.’ Narayan smiled and said humbly, ‘Maharaj, it is Your glory. I am a mere instrument to carry out your will. I obey your command. You have sent me on Earth to liberate living beings. I perform it with your inspiration.’

Maharaj congratulated him, ‘I am pleased.’ Narayan prayed, ‘Maharaj! Please, bless me with your grace.’ Narayan bowed down to Maharaj. Maharaj blessed him, ‘Narayan, you are My dearest favourite Anadimukta. I am eternally pleased with you.’ Maharaj lovingly caressed Narayan’s head.

For the first time, Swami Bhaktijivandasji had such Darshan of Maharaj and His Mukta. He was overwhelmed with emotions. For a few moments, he was stunned. He thought, ‘Wow! Anadimukta has arrived in this town in the form of a child.’ Swami bowed down to Narayan with reverence. Narayan asked, ‘Swami, what are you doing? I am just a child. Why do you bow down to me?’ Swami replied, ‘Today, I have realised what kind of child you are!’ Narayan asked, ‘What are you saying?’ Swami replied, ‘Please, don’t hide anything from me, now. You are an Anadimukta of God and you have appeared to liberate innumerable living beings. I have been meditating for many years, but never had Darshan of Maharaj. Today due to your prowess, I had divine Darshan of Maharaj and I was blessed with an opportunity to hear the divine voice of Maharaj. I am the blessed one. This has been possible due to your prowess.’ Narayan realised that now he cannot deny it. He confessed to Swami, ‘Swami, Maharaj talks to me every day. But today you had Darshan of Maharaj due to His grace. Please, do not mention this to anyone.

Swami believed that he had Darshan of Maharaj due to Narayan’s prowess. Swami considered himself the most fortunate.

Difficult words:
Chuckle - Soft laughter
Melodious - Pleasing to the ears
Engrossed - Fully attentive
Circumstances - Connected events
Gestures - Movement to convey meaning
Stunned - Shocked deeply

Points to ponder:
- Anadimuktas of Maharaj are eternally united with the divine form of Maharaj. They experience the bliss of Maharaj all the time. Sometimes due to their prowess, other people also get an opportunity to have the divine Darshan of Maharaj.

Exercise

Answer the following questions:
1. When and on which day did Narayan go to the temple?
2. What was Narayan doing sitting in front of Maharaj?
3. What did Maharaj mention about other devotees?
4. What privilege had been offered to Swami Bhaktijivandasji?

Fill in the blanks:
1. There is a wonderful devotion in your _________.
2. Their _______ is wondering somewhere else.
3. Such _____________ is of no use.
4. I am always blessed by Your ___________ all the time at all the places.
5. I am just an _____________ to carry out Your will. I obey Your _____________.
6. You have sent me on Earth to ___________ the ___________.
7. For many years, I have been _____________.

Explain with reference:
Due to your prowess today I am blessed with the divine Darshan of Maharaj and had an opportunity to hear His divine voice.