I reached the sandy banks of the river Narayani
and stopped there for few moments. The sun was not visible, but
rays were gradually descending from the hills. I took off my clothes
and entered into the waters. I allowed my mind to flow freely
with the waters, so that I would not be subjected to mental conflict.
The river moves in a joyous motion, collides with rocks and stones,
but, still continues to move towards its destination. The sea
and the innumerable water falls of the Himalayas inspire the course
of the river.
The shadows of the trees and creepers fell on
the turbulent waters. They paid their mute tribute to the river,
for following its dangerous course with ease and joy. The chirping
birds, hopping from tree to tree, broke the silence of the atmosphere
and the animals often joined in the chorus of the birds. I felt
a shiver running down my spine. Totally enchanted by the beauty
of nature, while I observed the sport of the waves, a young
boy came and stood next to me. He was clad in white clothes, his body seemedlooked celestial.
He called out to me, I went there and stood before him. He washed
my hair and shaved off my entire head, but, for the little tail.
He caught that little bunch in his hand and smiled mildly. "The
moment this tail is cut off, you will attain the goal of your
life. I was also lost like you, for ages, than only I could obtain
this stage. Only fortunate persons get the association of Hari
Baba and Baba Gorakhnath. People in general, are unable to identify
them. I have often seen them wandering in the villages of Nepal
and India. Entangled in the physical boundaries of the universe,
man often fails to recognised the chanting and singing mendicants".
He smiled again. "Every one wants to live, but why don't they learn
to live within their 'selves', Aren't they satisfied with what
ever they have achieved? This is a truth in itself. Kapil, you
must treat each and every scientific challenge as a mental derangement.
You will eventually purge the minds of the modern scientists.
Human life should not come to a stand still, or become subject
to change. It is like a 'kalpa tree' endowed with virtues it blooms
and blossoms. Development of self is of supreme importance. After
the attainment of life, don't ever look back, continue moving
onwards. Time shall always be with you. Behold: the great
men have finally come". The two yogis approached as the young boy
left the place and started moving towards the origin of the river.
He often looked back and smiled at us.
The sunlight and the clouds, played hide and
seek. There was a sudden up surge in the waves of the river. Fair
breeze stirred strange feelings within me. With the arrival of
the great men, the sunlight and clouds became one and created a
comforting atmosphere. Each and every atom of nature vibrated
with a new life. A new change could be discerned in the atmosphere,
a total stillness. Even the birds stopped chirping a sense of
expectancy hung in the atmosphere. They came and waited on the
river bank a small distance away from me. I walked over to them
and touched the feet of these godly men. They motioned me to join as they
slowly entered the waters. We gradually reached the centre of
the river. They gave me a bath at this spot, and made me do the
ablutions. After purifying my body, they performed the parikrama
in the water. The river started rising. Baba Gorakhnath was all
smiles. They gave me some water which was charmed by mantras.
With 'Sankalp' water in my hand, I could review the memories of
my past, of the worldly garden, its different blossoms. Faint
smile danced on my lips when I found myself surrounded by my kith
and kin and loved ones. A strange scenario had conjured up. I
was the protagonist. My mind had already flown away, leaving behind
the memories. Only the scenes remained, which were already absorbed
and infused in my sanskara. Different kinds of relationships
of my past births, were being unveiled before me. I could see
my soul present in different forms (species) of creation like
animal, snake, and man. I saw myself as a yogi and sometimes as
a worldly man indulging in the pleasures of life. It was my soul
that was present in the different forms. I could see the creation
as well as the destruction of the universe. Hari Baba and Gorakhnathji
were watching my 'escapism'. I was at that time either running
away from my self or from the worldliness. All the past scenes
finally became one with the present. Precisely at that moment,
Hari Baba took the 'sankalp' water into the cupped palms and drank
it. My whole body experienced a profound elation and the images
of the past simply vanished. I trembled from head to foot, as
I stood with the great men. Hari Baba, while he stood in Goraknathji's
shadow, made me sit down in front of him. In the meantime Baba
Goraknathji spread the clothes to create shade for me, Hari Baba
severed my choti (pigtail) with his sharp knife, and deposited
it in his packet. He also whispered the guru mantra in my ears
and, at that moment, Gorakhnathji smeared the vibhuti (sacred ash)
all over my body. The touch of the vibhuti had an intoxicating
affect on me. Baba Gorakhnath shook me, to break my stupor and
said "Now you can go and lie down like a python". He gave
me some sweet meats to eat from his well equipped jholi (Bag).
"Keep wandering from the highest peaks of the Himalayas to
the foot hills of pindari. If necessity arises. I shall
be there with you. Don't pause continue walking ceaselessly on
the path".
After their departure. I found myself in a state
of total bliss, with all the door to my body shut and the disorders
of the mind secured within my inner self. I could comprehend the
difference between the subtle and causal body.
Time continued to move at its pace. Continuously,
for four days, I lay like a python on the sandy banks of the river.
I could feel the presence of Hari Baba from time to time. I lay
unperturbed. Neither the sun's rays or the darkness of the night
could arouse me from my slumber. The roaring of the waves also
failed to disturb me. After four days had elapsed, Avtar Baba
appeared on the scene. He was a tall man of almost seven feet
and his disposition was majestic. His eyes were extremely expressive,
He wore a long gown and a turban on his head. Avtar Baba is Hari
Baba's sadguru. He is known by various names. Some people call
him Avtar Baba, where as others know him by the name of Ramupeer.
There are also some who call him Augurh Baba. He is a Hindu
or a Muslim, it is difficult to know, for he does every thing effortlessly.
He is well versed in almost all the languages of the world. His
knowledge regarding the current affairs of the world and political
events is remarkably up dated. Past, Present and Future, are merged
into one another by him. And thus, he always presents a smiling
countenance.
Avtar Baba took us to the Damodar Valley via Tatopaani, Dana,
Junsum, and Mukitinath. We took rest for few days and then resumed
our journey. The next resting point was the cave in the glacier,
we had to cross the mustang valley in order to reach this cave.
Next we crossed the Black Ganges and via Leepu lake we reached
the banks of Mansarover. We stayed there for few days with some
more great souls, and requested them to throw light
on the rare occult science and the importance of the yoga.
After a short peep into the scenic beauty of Rakshastal (Raksha lake)
we proceeded to perform the Kailash Parikrama and came back to
Mansarover. We had a dip in the lake of Mansarovar. I was left alone
to enjoy the stunning surroundings.
I had never visited this place earlier, but
I felt as though for centuries I had been moving in these parts.
The snow covered peaks stood, proudly and rising rivers scattered
their beautiful radiance, Avtar Baba ordered me to continue
my journey alone from this point (Mansarovar). Hari Baba wanted
to intervene, but could not, so he merely smiled at me. Avtar
Baba spoke to Hari Baba thus "Let him go and burn his old
accumulated sanskaras. Plenty is yet to be done. Let perfection
emerge from perfection. Do not create, only erase".
I paid my respects to the two figures and started
towards the Himalayas.
