Bhaktachintamani Prakaran 43

Ramanand Swami joyfully took the two letters in both hands and read the news of the ascetic's (Varni's) arrival; the Lord was pleased.

Seeing how devoted the young ascetic was to him, and how his body had grown thin from austerities, tears came to Swami's eyes. In a choked voice he read the letter quietly, then told the story to the devotees. All the good satsangis gathered to hear it, and could never tire of hearing the virtues of Nilkanth.

"Blessed, blessed is this king among ascetics — all anxiety has vanished now that he has come," they said, praising the munimuniSãdhu.Tap to open in glossary → greatly, and all the satsangis heard this.

Then Swami himself wrote a fine reply to the letter, praising the brahmachari, and HariHariAn avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in His four-armed svarup to save an elephant from being killed by a crocodile. He cut off the crocodile’s head with His chakra.Tap to open in glossary → (Ramanand Swami) wrote a good answer:

"The sadhu living in Loj is extremely dear to me. You serve the pilgrims there and never waste a moment. To serve the sick sadhus and keep that habit constantly — that is something no one else can manage, yet you do it gladly. You give joy to the suffering — such a great, selfless munimuniSãdhu.Tap to open in glossary → you are. And you have renounced women in all eight ways — how fortunate a sadhu you are.

So I say: let nothing obstruct your brahmacharya. By my blessing, no obstacle will come to your celibacy. That brahmacharya is itself the form of Brahman, as the incomparable Sanatsujatiya has said. I write this from Bhuj — please accept my blessing.

By Shri KrishnaKrishna1) An avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in the svarup of a cowherd. This is considered to be a greater avatãr than the others, as Shree Krishna possessed all of the powers of Bhagvãn, whereas other avatãrs possessed less power. Shree Krishna conveyed the message of love and humanity to the world. Also, He recited the epic poem, the Bhagvad Geetã, to Arjun in which He stated: ‘Whenever dharma declines and adharma increases, I shall incarnate myself as a human to save the holy, to destroy the sin of the sinner, and to establish dharma. I come into being from yug to yug’. 2) In the Vachanãmrut, Shreeji Mahãrãj also uses the name “Shree Krishna” to describe Bhagvãn Purushottam Nãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary →'s grace we sadhus here are happy. Bhatt Mayaram has brought me both of your letters. Reading them I have understood everything you wrote. I have also learned the news of the brahmachari who has come to you. Whatever conduct you described of him — such conduct belongs to no ordinary human being.

So do not consider him an ordinary manmanMind. One of the four antah-karans, with the function of (pronounced mun) generating thoughts and desires, and governing all of the indriyas.Tap to open in glossary →, O munimuniSãdhu.Tap to open in glossary →. He is certainly a NiranjanNiranjanDescribes a person whose eyes are not affected by mãyã in the form of attractive objects.Tap to open in glossary → MuktaMuktaFree. Released. A liberated soul. A resident of any dhãm of Bhagvãn who has been freed from life in the lower loks to a more spiritually elevated state. There are varying levels of muktas: the muktas of Badrikãshram, Shvet-Dvip, Vaikunth, and Golok. The highest level of mukta, akshar- mukta, has attained ultimate kalyãn and is free from the bondage of Mãyã and the cycle of births and deaths. [Sãrangpur – 17].Tap to open in glossary →, a resident of Shvetadvipa, or else a liberated soul of Badrikashram, who has come having renounced austerity, come here by God's own will — do not think anything else of him. I have made inquiries about this one who has come to you. So serve him in whatever way pleases him, all of you together with love.

Learn the art of yoga from him, all you munis — neti, dhotidhotiAn unstitched, long piece of cloth traditionally worn by males as a lower garment. It is usually wound around the waist with one end tucked in after passing it between the legs. Also known as 'dhotiyu'.Tap to open in glossary →, nauli, kunjari, and the two kinds of basti — by these the body is purified; learn them all, O sadhus. Then in due order learn the eightfold yoga (ashtanga yoga) from him too — yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi — learn and master them as he teaches. Without practicing ashtanga yoga, new impure thoughts arise in the mind; pure brahmacharya cannot be maintained. So it is necessary everywhere.

When you do this you will be called a sadhu who has conquered the senses, a truly pure and holy monk. The enemy called lust is conquered only if one renounces the company of women. One who wishes to keep brahmacharya should not look at a woman, good or bad. Should never listen to talk of women, nor speak of their faults or virtues. Never go, even for a moment, to places where women gather to play. Even a very young girl — knowing she is female — should not be looked at with attention.

Do not touch or gaze fully even at a picture or image of a beautiful woman. Do not even draw a picture of a woman; avoid talk about such things. Say nothing at all about her; do not walk along with her on the road. Do not speak with her even by gestures; avoid cloth that a woman has touched. Give up all thought concerning women, and remain devoted to the feet of the Lord. A devotee of KrishnaKrishna1) An avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in the svarup of a cowherd. This is considered to be a greater avatãr than the others, as Shree Krishna possessed all of the powers of Bhagvãn, whereas other avatãrs possessed less power. Shree Krishna conveyed the message of love and humanity to the world. Also, He recited the epic poem, the Bhagvad Geetã, to Arjun in which He stated: ‘Whenever dharma declines and adharma increases, I shall incarnate myself as a human to save the holy, to destroy the sin of the sinner, and to establish dharma. I come into being from yug to yug’. 2) In the Vachanãmrut, Shreeji Mahãrãj also uses the name “Shree Krishna” to describe Bhagvãn Purushottam Nãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary →, even at the cost of life, should not touch a woman.

Where women are bathing or washing clothes, a brahmachari should not go there. In a house where a woman sleeps, a brahmachari should not sleep there. Keep four hands' distance while walking near them — such rules must be kept. Only the yogiyogi1) A person who has mastered the art of yog. 2) A person who has attained siddh-dashã and other extraordinary powers.Tap to open in glossary → who keeps all these vows becomes truly healthy within. Such yogis are rare in this world — they are like a boon even to Brahma and the other gods. Only by this method can brahmacharya be preserved; without it one becomes corrupted.

Anger, pride, arrogance, resentment, envy, and various other passions are obstacles to the yogiyogi1) A person who has mastered the art of yog. 2) A person who has attained siddh-dashã and other extraordinary powers.Tap to open in glossary →; therefore they must certainly be abandoned. Keep food and sleep moderate; give up all vices and excesses. Avoid contact with meat and liquor; do not do harm to any living being. Never, in thought, word or deed, should you kill or wish to kill anyone, even at the cost of your own life. Never desire in your mind to steal; a yogiyogi1) A person who has mastered the art of yog. 2) A person who has attained siddh-dashã and other extraordinary powers.Tap to open in glossary → must never mix or corrupt the varnas.

Such a righteous munimuniSãdhu.Tap to open in glossary → is dear even to Shri KrishnaKrishna1) An avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in the svarup of a cowherd. This is considered to be a greater avatãr than the others, as Shree Krishna possessed all of the powers of Bhagvãn, whereas other avatãrs possessed less power. Shree Krishna conveyed the message of love and humanity to the world. Also, He recited the epic poem, the Bhagvad Geetã, to Arjun in which He stated: ‘Whenever dharma declines and adharma increases, I shall incarnate myself as a human to save the holy, to destroy the sin of the sinner, and to establish dharma. I come into being from yug to yug’. 2) In the Vachanãmrut, Shreeji Mahãrãj also uses the name “Shree Krishna” to describe Bhagvãn Purushottam Nãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary →. Muktanand and the other sadhus — listen well, you virtuous ones. Keep the feeling of guruguruA teacher. He will guide you on the path of kalyãn.Tap to open in glossary → toward Nilkanth with joy. Learn all the ways of yoga from him, and remain devoted to dharmadharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary →. The Varni's body is thin from austerities; serve him with milk and water in plenty. He is young — do not have doubts about him; you are senior in age, so it is your duty.

Toward the end of the month of Vaishakh we sadhus will come to you. Until then keep him with affection, lest he grow indifferent and leave."

Such was the long letter he wrote in reply. Then Swami wrote his answer to Nilkanth's own letter:

"You describe Nilkanth as a great NiranjanNiranjanDescribes a person whose eyes are not affected by mãyã in the form of attractive objects.Tap to open in glossary → MuktaMuktaFree. Released. A liberated soul. A resident of any dhãm of Bhagvãn who has been freed from life in the lower loks to a more spiritually elevated state. There are varying levels of muktas: the muktas of Badrikãshram, Shvet-Dvip, Vaikunth, and Golok. The highest level of mukta, akshar- mukta, has attained ultimate kalyãn and is free from the bondage of Mãyã and the cycle of births and deaths. [Sãrangpur – 17].Tap to open in glossary →, foremost in radiance, dwelling on Shvetadvipa, one who has done tapas like a great hero. There is no doubt in this matter — you have come having taken a human body. The letter about you that has come to me I have read and understood the whole account; hearing of his conduct, I have reflected upon it. Such conduct cannot be that of an ordinary human — I have considered this carefully in my mind.

The firmness of his knowledge, dispassion, devotion, discipline, faith in dharmadharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary →, and peacefulness — these are from a former birth of yours; there is nothing surprising in this to me. Whatever you see in meditation, it is no different — Shri KrishnaKrishna1) An avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in the svarup of a cowherd. This is considered to be a greater avatãr than the others, as Shree Krishna possessed all of the powers of Bhagvãn, whereas other avatãrs possessed less power. Shree Krishna conveyed the message of love and humanity to the world. Also, He recited the epic poem, the Bhagvad Geetã, to Arjun in which He stated: ‘Whenever dharma declines and adharma increases, I shall incarnate myself as a human to save the holy, to destroy the sin of the sinner, and to establish dharma. I come into being from yug to yug’. 2) In the Vachanãmrut, Shreeji Mahãrãj also uses the name “Shree Krishna” to describe Bhagvãn Purushottam Nãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary → is exactly so. Stay among the sadhus and wait; I will come, do not be anxious.

When the month of Vaishakh has passed, I will come to the village of Piplana. Knowing that I have come, you come too — we shall meet there. I know, O wise ascetic, how eager you are for darshandarshanSeeing. To see with admiration and devotion. To see Bhagvãn, a sat-purush, and murtis, with inner or outer vision, with the intention of receiving their grace and blessings. By doing darshan properly a bhakta develops affection for Bhagvãn, and Bhagvãn develops affection for that bhakta. [Sãrangpur – 2].Tap to open in glossary → of me. But it is not advisable to come here now — there is fear of wicked people in between. So you must not come; if you have love for me, trust this. Teach yoga to all the sadhus, and remain happily among the devotees.

As you wish to see me, so I too wish to see you. So I will come in haste, and you will find happiness when we meet. I long for the company of a devotee like you. Remain vigilant in dharmadharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary →; dharmadharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary → is dear to me. A devotee established in dharmadharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary → stays at a distance, yet I know him as if present before me. And even touching the feet of one like you purifies a person. One who serves someone like you has thereby worshipped all the gods. My love for such a sadhu is greater than what I hold even for my own body. Such a righteous devotee of KrishnaKrishna1) An avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in the svarup of a cowherd. This is considered to be a greater avatãr than the others, as Shree Krishna possessed all of the powers of Bhagvãn, whereas other avatãrs possessed less power. Shree Krishna conveyed the message of love and humanity to the world. Also, He recited the epic poem, the Bhagvad Geetã, to Arjun in which He stated: ‘Whenever dharma declines and adharma increases, I shall incarnate myself as a human to save the holy, to destroy the sin of the sinner, and to establish dharma. I come into being from yug to yug’. 2) In the Vachanãmrut, Shreeji Mahãrãj also uses the name “Shree Krishna” to describe Bhagvãn Purushottam Nãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary → is truly the essence of my heart. So do not be troubled at all — we will meet at Piplana.

Do not come without my permission; if you come you will regret it. Even if your love is very great, it is better that you do not come here. Show honor and respect to the sadhus; keep your natural, easy manner. Your body has grown thin from austerities, so eat some food. Do not do such extreme austerity now; let your body not fail for lack of care. Knowledge, devotion, austerity, and one's own dharmadharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary → — these are all merely the means, not the ultimate goal. So, for our sake, this body must be nourished, I tell him. Through this very body, Maharaj, there is much work yet to be done."

Thus did Swami consider in his mind and write these words on the letter; then he sealed it with his own hand and sent it with Mayaramji. Mayaram then set out from there, and after seven days arrived and delivered the letter. He gave the sealed letter to the sadhu, and Muktanand pressed it to his heart. Then the Varni and Muktanand read the letter and were filled with joy. Thereafter, by Swami's command, Nilkanth remained there himself. He taught the art of yoga daily, and all the sadhus learned it. By the guruguruA teacher. He will guide you on the path of kalyãn.Tap to open in glossary →'s grace all the swans (sadhus) learned it at once.