Initiation of Ba’ba’ Na’m Sam’kiirtana in Amajharia, Netrahat near Ranchi
It was the year of 1971. Continuing the tradition of designating each year by a new programme, the year 1971 was called the the year of UKK (Utilisation, Katha, Kiirtan). It was on similar lines like the year 1970, which was designated by Seminar and the year 1969 as Sa’dhana’ Vars’a - the year of spiritual bliss. Ba’ba’ gave practical demonstration of the theoretical concepts of A’nanda ma’rga philosophy. Through these demonstrations He provided the much needed scientific foundation to the spiritual sa’dhana’ (practices). He demystified the esoteric elements of Yoga and Tantra Sa’dhana’. His demonstrations freely gave experiences of many different kinds of Sama’dhis – a number of them being quite unknown even in the sa’dhaka sama’ja.
Until October 1970 there was no system of Kiirtana in A’nanda ma’rga. Although Ba’ba’ did speak of the importance of Kiirtan. He used to quite often quote some of the few Samskrta shlokas widely known as Shiks’a’st’aka (eight shlokas composed by Maha’prabhu) of Caitanya. Spiritual life of those days demanded strict discipline and austere and rigourous life at the command of the Guru. As an aberration there were many dogmatic practices in vogue among the disciples. There used to be absence of a rationale behind sa’dhana’ practices. Ba’ba’ inherited this social spiritual environment. Accordingly He gave revolutionary new concepts to liberate human mind from the untoward influences of superstition, blind faith and dogma. But this was not enough He intended to suffuse the human mind with sweetness of devotion. It was precisely this background in which the philosophy of A’nanda Ma’rga was born.
It was the month of September of the year 1970. I was then posted as a central worker in Ranchi. Ba’ba’ desired to proceed to an isolated place with His family for a break from His daily hectic schedule. GS dada Sarveshvarananda with the help of other margiis and workers located a place in the forest having natural scenic beauty and lovely weather. Ba’ba’ immediately agreed and the government guest house of the forest department in that location called Amajharia was reserved for Him. He had desired that His visit to the picturesque surroundings where He was going to stay be kept secret to avoid crowding. Then Ba’ba’ proceeded with his family to the designated location. His PA and a few of the security guards also accompanied Him. Howsoever, Dada’s might try the place did not remain hidden to the margiis.
Some of them reached there and stayed there to enjoy Ba’ba’s morning and evening walks in that beatific and adorable natural surroundings. Ba’ba’ continued to stay there and enoyed the picturesque natural setting.
It was one fine evening of 7th October. Ba’ba’ was sitting on a raised floor with a few devotees outside the guest house. It was a peaceful mystic evening. An unparalleled natural beauty surrounded the place. All of a sudden Ba’ba’ broke the silence. He pointed to distant sky and said that it appears as if a sweet melody is being carried by the air. Try to listen carefully. After a while all the sa’dhakas present there in one voice spoke atonce in amazement. They told Ba’ba’ that they were hearing the melody of ‘Ba’ba’ Na’ma kevalam’ samkiirtana. To this He asked whether they knew from where the melody was coming and who was singing? No singer was however visible. Ba’ba’ continued and told them that the melody of Ba’ba’ na’ma kevalam’ kiirtan was emerging from the space above. The kiirtana is being sung by the Gardharvas and Kinnaras. Some time elapsed while all enjoyed the music of Kiirtan. Ba’ba’ broke the silence and asked how would it be if a 24 hour Akhanda Kiirtana was arranged tomorrow. All those present instantly agreed.
A’c. Brahmadevajii – a local family a’ca’rya was one among the many sa’dhaka’s present. He took up the task of informing margiis living in the towns and villages near Amajharia. Next day there was a flood of ma’rgiis arriving there. As directed by Ba’ba’ a Pandal was erected and the place was decorated by the forest flowers and mango plant leaves. Kiirtana was started with full devotional fervor. Ba’ba’s presence added to charm of the sweet na’ma kiirtana. Margiis sang the kiirtan in their local tunes and devotional flow was created affecting all. About same time as the kiirtana was coming to an end, the kiirtan at that moment had reached its crescendo, suddenly to everyone’s surprise Ba’ba’s car started to move towards the Kiirtan Pandal. Ba’ba’s son Gaotama who was playing outside saw the car moving. He shouted and called out Ba’ba’ name & His PA rushed in. Ba’ba’ looked at the car and the all of sudden the car came to ahault. Later He told the ma’rgiis that impelled by the attraction of the Na’ma Samkiirtana even the crude objects, plants, animals, birds are vibrated. None can remain unaffected.
Ba’ba’ returned back after the akhanda kiirtan to Ranchi. It was the evening darshana on the occasion of Diipavali, Ba’ba’ said now the Kiirtan has been empowered for the spiritual benefit of humanity. It is your duty now to propagate Kiirtan throughout the world.
COMMENT