Written by Sathya Shivakumar – HSTD

Edited by Shivakumar Chandrasekaran – HSTD

Continuing on our path, we approached the sacred 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐦, 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. Here, the Narmada River converged with its tributary, the Kauvery (not to be confused with the Cauvery in the south). Prior to reaching the Sangam, we had bought packets of black gram, vermilion, and flowers. Standing at the river’s edge, we immersed ourselves in its sanctity, offering these sacred items to the flowing waters. To our surprise, our humble offering attracted unexpected guests—a cow and a goat, who delightedly feasted upon the lentils while we watched in awe. Deeply moved, we performed Arti to honor the river, and with reverence, we sprinkled its holy water upon our heads, invoking the presence of our Guru and ancestors in our hearts and minds.

Next, we proceeded to the 𝐑𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐮𝐤𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞, a sacred place renowned for absolving debts and granting liberation. As we performed the circumambulation around the shrine, we witnessed numerous devotees offering black gram to the Shiva Linga as a part of the ritual. The monkeys in the vicinity gleefully partook in the lentils, adding a touch of liveliness to the atmosphere. It was evident to us that the true essence of this offering was instantaneously realized. As we soaked in the serenity of the place,  the sight of 𝐃𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐡 caught our attention.”Dwaraka surely beckons us…but don’t  know when!”

We proceeded with our parikrama, which had transformed into a dancing parikrama. Every corner of Narmada seemed to amplify the presence of Lord Shiva, and we expressed our devotion through numerous hymns dedicated to Him. The surroundings, adorned with breathtaking architecture, served as a spontaneous stage with the river gracefully flowing as a backdrop. 

As we continued on our journey, we encountered a group of sadhus who bestowed their blessings upon us. We felt humbled and fortunate to receive it. 

Our next stop was at a temple dedicated to the 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐢w𝐚𝐫, the divine family of Lord Shiva. As we entered the temple premises, a sense of joy enveloped us. With reverence in our hearts, we danced for a heartfelt quote dedicated to Lord Shiva, immersing ourselves in the divine energy from the Shiva Pariwar. Mohanji says, Within the Shiva Pariwar, each one embodies a profound aspect of spirituality:

• Muruga symbolizes the origin of knowledge.
• Ganesha represents the awareness of supreme consciousness.
• Parvati personifies Shakti, the energy that sustains creation.
• Shiva epitomizes the eternal source of silence.

Together, they form a divine family, collectively representing fundamental aspects of cosmic existence and spiritual wisdom

We humbly sought their blessings, deeply connected to the spiritual essence of this sacred place

Our journey led us to a charming and petite 𝐆𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐫, as our next stop. We approached the idol of the adorable Lord Ganesha with utmost reverence, and offered a dance of Mooshika Vahana Sloka feeling blessed and protected by His divine grace.

Just behind this was an ancient and visually stunning Shiva temple known as the 𝐆𝐨𝐫𝐢 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐫. This temple holds a captivating history. In ancient times, it housed a remarkable linga that possessed a unique quality: it would reflect the past and future of the person standing before it. Unfortunately, this sacred linga was plundered and cast into the fire, resulting in its transformation into a deep black hue. Legend has it that when the Muslim King stood before it, the linga revealed the face of a pig as his future. Enraged and filled with anger, the King impulsively tossed the linga into the fire, forever altering its appearance. Within the premises of the temple, we discovered a grand Nandi statue, exuding a majestic presence. Inspired by the surroundings, we decided to perform the Nandi Chol, a traditional dance dedicated to Lord Nandi, the loyal vehicle of Lord Shiva. With enthusiasm, we embraced the rhythmic movements and expressions of the dance, offering our heartfelt reverence to Lord Nandi. The energy of the sacred space amplified our connection to the divine, creating an unforgettable experience of devotion and grace.

We had an unexpected and delightful coincidence of playing with monkeys before arriving at the Hanumanji Mandir. It reminded us that the universe is a reflection of who we are. Afterward, we arrived at the 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞, where the idol of Hanuman rested in a reclining position. As we approached, the elderly lady who took care of the temple blessed us while we made a humble offering. Immersed in devotion, we danced and chanted hymns dedicated to Hanumanji, and the kind-hearted old lady expressed her appreciation for our devotion.

We eagerly seized every opportunity to offer water and perform ablution to the Shivalinga, keeping Mohanji’s words resonating in our ears: “Not even a drop of water on Lord Shiva goes unrecorded!” Amidst our journey, we encountered a small Shiva linga that was open to the fiery sun. Promptly, we purchased a bottle of water and reverently offered it to the linga. To our amazement, within moments, we witnessed the weather undergo a sudden change, with a cloud cover appearing instantly. We were thrilled by this enchanting occurrence unfold before our eyes.

After experiencing moments of profound bliss dancing to the hymn Shivaakantha Shambo in front of a huge Trishool, we proceeded through the grand entrances of 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚 (𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧) 𝐃𝐰𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐲𝐚 (𝐒𝐮𝐧) 𝐃𝐰𝐚𝐫. The expansive niches on either side appeared to be the perfect stage for our next offering. Taking a moment to prepare, we diligently swept the area clean and began performing another hymn. To our surprise, the priest stationed at the niche observed our dance with sheer amazement, captivated by our devotional expression.

After navigating through the undulating terrain of the hills, we finally reached the temple, presently protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. This sacred abode shelters a magnificent linga within its sanctum. Adorned with a pillared arena and intricate sculptures, the exterior of the temple is a testament to exquisite craftsmanship. It is believed to be the original Omkareshwar, also known as 𝐀𝐝𝐢 𝐎𝐦𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐫. In this divine atmosphere, Radha gracefully danced to the enchanting hymn “Nagendra Haraya,” invoking a sense of serenity and devotion

As our parikrama neared its conclusion, we took a moment to savour the delightful taste of freshly prepared sugarcane juice served by the stall owner, who himself looked like Shiva, with his forehead adorned with sacred ash, refreshing ourselves before the journey’s end. In a gesture of gratitude, we extended our appreciation to our faithful guide, Govind Pandit, who had accompanied us throughout the parikrama. Walking alongside the bridge, we listened to the enchanting sounds of Omkar resonating throughout the surroundings, filling the entire place with its sacred vibrations.

We finally arrived at the main temple, marking both the completion of our parikrama and the starting point of our journey. Rani, whom we had encountered earlier, reappeared before us, and we expressed our gratitude to her for her guidance at the start of the parikrama. A billboard caught our attention, boldly displaying the words “𝐆𝐮𝐫𝐮 𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐚”. It summarised the profound experience we had undergone. Overwhelmed with gratitude, we offered our heartfelt thanks to Mohanji for facilitating this incredible journey. We presented dakshina to Govinda Pandit as a token of appreciation for his companionship during the parikrama.

We then proceeded to the 𝐆𝐚𝐣𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐣 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐫𝐚𝐦, where we were offered prasad for lunch. The humble vegetarian meal served at the ashram filled us with satisfaction and gratitude. As we ate, we couldn’t help but feel the blessings of Gajanan Maharaj, which enhanced our dining experience. The tranquil surroundings and the pure intentions behind the meal added an extra layer of sacredness to our lunch at the ashram.

Back at the hotel, we eagerly shared our individual experiences, each filled with unique stories. As we listened to our parents’ accounts of their parikrama experience and the children’s adventures on the boat parikrama, we realised that although the parikrama path remained the same, each person had a distinct and captivating story to share. We rejoiced in hearing each other’s narratives and eagerly took note of the key points for the next day’s parikrama.

In the evening, we were fortunate to participate in the sacred Rudra abhishekam ceremony at the 𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞. The atmosphere was charged with spiritual energy as devotees gathered to witness this divine ritual. The priest performed the abhishekam, an ancient tradition of bathing the deity with various sacred substances, symbolising purification and offerings of devotion. The rhythmic chants and the fragrance of sandalwood filled the air, evoking reverence from everyone present. As we watched the abhishekam, we felt a deep connection with the divine presence of Lord Shiva, and our hearts overflowed with gratitude and devotion. It was a truly blessed experience that left an indelible impression on our spiritual journey.

𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄 𝐁𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐌 : 𝐅𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘!

On the morning of April 21st, we were provided another opportunity to embark on the Parikrama. The one we had undertaken the previous day had turned into more of a dancing Parikrama, and on this day, I anticipated experiencing it from a different perspective – just as a regular pilgrim soaking the experience. Interestingly, Radha was wearing her dance saree, seemingly ready to embrace any captivating opportunities that might arise, ready to dance once again. I also nurtured a desire to undertake the Parikrama alongside my husband Shiva and my father. After some persuasion and convincing, even my son agreed to join us. As Mohanji would phrase it, the ‘soul mates’ were ready to embark on the journey together. Our group set off, visiting the Krishna Mandir first, followed by the Shiva temple just opposite to it. While performing ablutions at the Shiva temple, the electricity unexpectedly went out. Deciding not to delve too deeply into the occurrence, I encouraged myself to desist from overthinking.

Just as we came out, my son informed me of his need for a bio break and his inability to continue. He dashed back to the hotel but assured me he’d rejoin for the parikrama, if I waited. He pointed out that I had been particularly enthusiastic about embarking on this journey with my father, inadvertently rushing him in the morning. This situation presented a dilemma. Accompanying our father and Shiva would mean my son missing out on the parikrama. While I would relish the tales exchanged with my father, I’d also potentially  be remorseful for not waiting for my son! 

“𝐈𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬, 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐢𝐭. 𝐈𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. ” 𝐌𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐢 𝐎𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞’𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬

I opted to wait, and consequently, the  soul mates for the parikrama group changed. I remained at the 𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐧𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐫, where Radha also chose to stay with me. Meanwhile, Shiva and our father commenced their walk. During this interval, Radha utilised the time to engage in dancing to a Shri Krishna Bhajan. Capturing the moment, I recorded a video of her dancing. As thoughts crossed my mind about whether my son would truly return or decide to extend his stay, possibly enticed by his doting grandmothers, he surprised us by calling to inform us that he was already en route, having taken an auto. His return was swift.

For Radha and me, the path was now familiar. We simply needed to follow the route marked by the boards inscribed with verses from the 𝐁𝐡𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐢𝐭𝐚. Throughout our walk, we carried grains to feed the squirrels and birds. The sight of these small creatures partaking in our offerings filled us with immense joy. As we were feeding the creatures around us, we encountered the inscription “Jaya Guru Dev” engraved on the rocks, a testament to Mohanji’s words – “𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐧-𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧) 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 – 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲.” – 𝐌𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐢

We took a brief pause at the 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐫 ~ 𝐕𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐦! Goddess Narmada, often recognized as Lord Shiva’s daughter, originates from the Amarkantak Plateau in Madhya Pradesh, forming the Narmada River. For a long time, we pondered over the identity of the goddess seated atop a crocodile. However, delving into books, we eventually grasped the profound meaning behind the river goddess. In the Omkar region, we came across the idol of Mata Narmada gracefully seated on her divine mount, a crocodile. It dawned on us that the crocodile symbolizes the attachments of life, while the river embodies the Guru who untangles these attachments, guiding the seeker towards liberation. Amidst our break, we seized the moment to capture a dance video. In the video, we joyfully danced to the profound essence of the Dattatreya tradition, as beautifully encapsulated by Mohanji: “𝐉𝐮𝐦𝐩 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮.” He emphasises that a receptive heart is all that’s required. This poignant video seamlessly intertwined with the fabric of our journey.

Continuing our walk, we made our way to the 𝐊𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐫 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 and subsequently to the 𝐑hin 𝐌𝐮𝐤𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐫 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞. The villagers we had encountered the previous day recognized us, warmly inquiring if we were planning another dance song. At both these temples, we performed the sacred abhishekam. Passing by the Sangam once again, we received a call from Shiva, informing us that they were waiting at the sugarcane stall that we had stopped at the previous day. As we reached the juice center, we were served refreshing juice by Prem, with prem (love). Our father recounted an experience at the Rin Mukteswar Temple, where a sadhu was present, and bairagis approached him for blessings. Following his lead, our father received the sadhu’s blessings and encouraged Shiva to do the same. He also shared with us an incident from the day before. He had offered his kindness to another Sadhu at the same location where we were. This particular Sadhu, who was 75 years old, had undertaken the entire Narmada Parikrama and was in the process of completing it on that very day! Re-energized, we continued our brisk walk along the parikrama path.

En route, we seized the chance to extend our prayers at a quaint Shirdi Baba temple and stood before the statue of Lord Narayana, offering our prayers. Our next stop was the 𝐌𝐚𝐚 𝐊𝐚𝐥𝐢 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐫, where our father pointed out the captivating sky blue hue of Kali’s Murthy, evoking the vastness of cosmic consciousness. Filled with awe, we absorbed the sacred atmosphere during a quiet pause at the shrine. Within the temple’s inner precincts, we also got an opportunity to perform ablutions for the Goddess. Promptly, Radha captured a brief video offering prayers to the Divine Mother. As we completed circumambulating the serene garden and headed towards the exit, an abrupt sound startled us. It turned out that my son accidentally bumped his head against the entrance gate while leaving. This incident served as a poignant reminder for us to remain fully in the present. 

One of the basic practices which all of us should follow in this world of distraction, to get back is the presence of mind. Make sure that nothing happens without your mind being present. That’s a very good practice. That should be a daily practice; when you’re in your waking state, all the time. Even if you’re moving your hand, let your mind be there. If you’re speaking something, let the mind be there. If you’re eating, let the mind be with the food, with the taste. If you’re doing anything, thinking anything, talking anything, let the mind be present ~ Mohanji

Approaching the 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞, our father took delight in feeding the cows present there. Meanwhile, the rest of us entered the temple. This temple commemorates the instance when Hanuman descended into the patala loka (netherworld) to rescue Rama and Lakshmana, who had been abducted through magical means by demons. The idol of Lord Hanuman here is portrayed in a reclining posture. The elderly woman at the Hanumanji Mandir gave her blessings with a profound smile.   After coming out of the temple, we realized our father was nowhere in sight. We quickly went to the 𝐆𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐫 nearby, thinking that he might have gone there for darshan. We attempted to call our father multiple times, yet received no response. When we finally reached him on the phone, he reproached us for not being patient while walking with elders. He believed we were ahead of him while actually he was ahead of us. His voice was strained and slightly out of breath and the focus shifted back to catching up with him.

On our route, we encountered a shrine dedicated to Baba mounted on a horse. Curious, I asked nearby vendors, “What is the name of the Baba?” Their reply was “𝐑𝐚𝐦 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐚.” Seeking confirmation, I repeated, “Ram Baba.” To my astonishment, I heard the distinct sound of a horse neighing. It wasn’t my imagination; it indeed emanated from the horse tethered nearby.

𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 – 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝. 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐞. 𝐌𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐢

While we walked past the 𝐀𝐝𝐢 𝐎𝐦𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞, we saw the priest seated outside and asked him if he had seen an individual dressed in a white kurta and pyjama. Without hesitation, he confirmed that the person had indeed visited the temple and had just left. Following this interaction, we entered the shrine, offering water to the linga before continuing our journey. Shiva decided to quicken his pace in order to catch up with our father. And again the three of us, Skanda, me and Radha resumed our journey in unison.

From a distance, many men clad in white attire were visible. There were also sadhus wearing white clothes who were doing their parikrama. Amidst this, attempting to find our father appeared futile, yet the eyes continued their search. After a while, while crossing the 𝐃𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐬, Shiva called us, informing us that he had successfully caught up with our father. We quickened our pace and eventually reunited at the sugarcane juice centre. In the midst of this shared delight, we marked the occasion with an extra cup of juice.

An interesting aspect of our pilgrimage awaited us: 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐚 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫. While my son, father, and I waited in the boat, Radha and Shiva went back to the hotel and brought the mothers. This pilgrimage also coincided with our mother’s birthday. The boatman guided us to the sangam, where the Narmada and other rivers converge. Upon reaching the destination, Shiva and our father ascended a mound and proceeded to take their dips. We followed suit, engaging in our purifying dips and also offering the sacred waters to the elder members of our group. A truly gratifying experience unfolded when our father, with resonant chants of Lord Shiva in the background, poured the Narmada’s water over our heads. As I desired to capture this poignant moment, a photographer approached us, offering to capture the scene using his Polaroid camera. His enthusiasm was evident as he agreed to take around ten pictures. After this soul-refreshing dip, we changed into dry clothes by the rocks. The boatman, Mayur, was remarkably accommodating, assisting the elders and leading them to a secure spot with shallow waters. As our time at the sangam drew to a close, I found myself pondering about the photographs, when suddenly, the photographer emerged from amidst the rocks, delivering the prints. Before concluding our boat parikrama, 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬.

After returning to the hotel, we had our meal at 𝐆𝐮𝐫𝐮 𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐚. Intrigued, I inquired with the hotel manager about the origin of the name. He shared that he had named the restaurant in honor of Siya Ram Baba, an elderly saint renowned for accepting only 10 rupees but having donated crores towards the restoration of the river. He displayed a picture of this saint, who perpetually chants the name of Ram.

Upon hearing this, our thoughts instinctively gravitated towards Mohanji. A certain master had remarked that the Narmada River bestows its blessings in a secret manner. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐢, 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬, 𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞. 𝐀 𝐡𝐮𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐤, 𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬, “𝐈 𝐝𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐣𝐨𝐛!”

After a totally fulfilling pilgrimage, we left for the airport for our return flight. Unexpectedly, we encountered extended traffic delays and a vehicle breakdown, adding extra hours to our journey. However, grace was on our side as always,  as we managed to reach the airport just in time for a last-minute check-in. All in all, our journey was filled with unforeseen surprises.

After our return, on May 1st, we were fortunate to have the blessed opportunity of meeting Mohanji as a family. This visit unfolded just prior to 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝟗𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬. The satsang we shared on that occasion is etched deep in our hearts, creating an enduring and truly memorable experience. Each encounter with the Master is like a rare gem, to be cherished and treasured. 

During our time together, there was a simple yet profound moment when Mohanji adjusted a noisy fan with a stick, saying, “The fan is creating a storm. It has to be mild. I will only create a storm.” 

𝐌𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐝𝐝 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 ~ 𝐌𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐢

Addressing our father, Mohanji asked, “𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐞𝐭 𝐊𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐚? 𝐇𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐦𝐞!” This interaction was followed by a discussion on genuine stability as the true measure of success, rather than assessing someone based on material achievements like college admissions, etc. One of the most significant takeaways from the interaction was the concept of the “𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤!” Mohanji explained, “I remove the one thing that is blocking liberation. One word for my existence is completion. For each person, the factor hindering their completion may differ. What is the missing link? It’s often challenging to ascertain. But I provide it. For example, imagine a mother who longed for a hug from her son, which never transpired throughout her life. When she embraces me, a profound sense of completion occurs, unlocking the path of liberation. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐬, 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐬, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭.“

Following our pilgrimage to the Narmada River, we felt truly blessed to be in the 𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐢. His words of profound wisdom, conveyed in simple language merged with our consciousness and it felt like witnessing rivers flowing into the depths of an ocean.