The Godman: The Whole Thing – The Real Thing (Chapter: 08)

Excerpt from the book: The Whole Thing – The Real Thing: A brief biography of Shri Gurudeva
Chapter Number: 08
Author: Prem C. Pasricha (sometimes credited as Rameswar Tiwar)
Subject: His Holiness Jagadguru Bhagwan Shankaracharya Shrimad Swami Brahmanand Saraswati Maharaj
Length of Book: 75 Pages
Content: Explores his teachings, spiritual journey, and his role as the source of Maharishi’s core meditation ideas.

Acharya Shri had two major jobs to do when he took over the charge. He had to reconstruct the institution and temple at Jyotirmath and he had to spread the Shankaracharya message far and wide. Specifically, he had to bring about a transcendental regeneration of Northern India. There ware suggestions for collecting funds for this purpose in the big cities of Delhi, Bombay and Calcutta but he brushed them aside. He took over the entire responsibility for managing the finances himself and went about the whole thing in his own inimitable style.

He started with a triumphant tour of South India and on his return trip attended the Maharudra Yagya at Budhanpur in Madhya Pradesh. He was constantly on the move, receiving an enormous welcome wherever he went. Like a powerful magnet, he drew the multitudes to himself. His darshans were now very easy to obtain but they contained the risk of a lifelong attachment to him. Those who came under his aura became a part of his ‘army’. They would ask him how best they could be of service to him and he would advise them to remain devoted to their respective Gurus and follow their teachings with sincerity and perseverance and to become disciplined and united participants in the Divine work.

He conducted numerous Chaturmasya Vrats at various places, made himself the center of attraction at the Great Kumbh of Allahabad in January 1942. In Delhi he presided over the great Shatmukh Koti Homatmak Maha Yagya. It was a memorable occasion when thousands of people had gathered on the bank of the Yamuna on a cold wintry morning to perform the requisite ceremonies. The rain-god also seemed eager to participate. The sky was overcast with thick black clouds. There was thunder and lightning and it looked as if it was a matter of minutes before it raines and hailed cats and dogs and camels and elephants. What a havoc would be wrought! Acharya Shri came out of his tent, looked at the sky and said quietly, “If it rains at this time it would cause a lot of disturbance,” and went back to his tent. One hour later, the skyscape was altogether different. No clouds, a mild breeze, and sunshine!

It was a different story on his second visit to the institution base, Jyotishpeeth. The hill farmers around were stricken by the drought. It had not rained for three months. Even the sky remained cloudless. On the day Maharaj Shri arrived, there were clouds in the sky. Next day it rained, and it rained continuously for four days. We can guess the sort of welcome that he must have received from the simple peasants.

With the effort of the organization that had nominated him, and the assistance of the Deputy Commissioner, Sir James Clay, Acharya Shri regained hold of the Jyotishpeeth land. Plans were drawn and the construction of the impressive double-storey building started. Materials such as paints, nails, bolts, knobs were not available there. They had to be obtained by post parcels at the expense of several thousand rupees. But the whole thing went through with consummate speed and very soon the Jyotishpeeth Bhavan with its thirty rooms was complete, and became a haven for pilgrims to stop on their way to Badrinarayan. They would also visit the beautiful temple of Purnagiri Devi, some distance away. The Darbhanga ruler had started construction of this temple shortly before his death. Acharya Shri had it completed.