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Ghanshyam Maharaj
The scriptures prescribe codes of conduct and specific religious rituals for the benefit of people and society. This is so that people can regulate their lives, become prosperous, happy and progress spiritually. Such regulated activities aid people to overcome their desires and crude natures.
However, people had become lax in the observance of these codes of conduct and brahmins who were meant to guide and teach people about the scriptures were also being lax in their duties. Ghanshyam had descended on earth to re-establish religion; there were numerous examples where Ghanshyam tried to re-install these values along with the correct interpretation of the scriptures.
The importance of Ekadashi
On the day of Ekadashi, Ghanshyam, who was very particular in religious observance, went to the temple of Hanumangadhi. The Mahant (leader priest) of the temple was telling the story of Ramacharit to the congregration, as part of the story, the Mahant explained the benefits of observing Ekadashi. Upon hearing this Ghanshyam asked the Mahant that if Ekadashi was so beneficial then why it was that so many people did not observe it.
The Mahant gave a very lengthy reply to Ghanshyam's question. He expressed his belief that it was unreasonable for the common person to observe such a difficult fast and that such junctions were only for the spiritually strong. His real motive was that as a spiritual teacher he would have to observe Ekadashi first before the mass would do the same. Thus, in this particular case, the Mahant only preached about Ekadashi but neither did he observe it nor did he encouraged people to do so.
Ghanshyam was against such weakness, He was happy with those who at least tried to adhere to spiritual junctions because even if people have ups and downs in observing them or at times they completely fail, then eventually there will be success; His message was that if you do not try then there is no possibility of progression.
Ghanshyam said to the Mahant, “Are you not putting wrong ideas into people's mind? ... Observance of Ekadashi brings great benefit, if you know its full meaning. One should tell the people what Ekadashi really means.” The Mahant became annoyed at the audacity of the little upstart and shouted angrily at Ghanshyam. In His response Ghanshyam simply fixed His eyes on the Mahant; the Mahant instantly went into a trance and had a vision of hell. He found himself being beaten by the attendants there and being scolded, “You have never observed Ekadashi and have fattened yourself by eating and drinking... You have abused your position by misguiding people...”
Meanwhile in the temple the Mahant rived with pain; he begged to be saved from his torture. After a while when he came out of the trance, the Mahant instantly prostrated himself at the feet of Ghanshyam. He promised to observe Ekadashi and he also beseeched the congregration to do the same. Ghanshyam was pleased at the Mahant's repentance; He blessed him and then left the assembly.
Establishes teachings in Kashi
Dharmadev had decided to go to Kashi on the occasion of a lunar eclipse. As Kashi is one of the most holy places in India (sited on the holy River Ganges), a number of scholars had decided to congregate there as well. As Dharmadev was also a scholar, they went to meet him and invite him to a debate.
Different schools of philosophy attended the debate on the scriptures. The Advaita scholars started the discussion about the ultimate truth saying, “Everything is Brahm, Brahm is the only reality. All else is illusion.” The Dwaita replied, “No, Brahm, Jiva and this world are all true.” The debate continued for a long time and there was no sign of an end to it.
Ghanshyam was also at the debate; all the attendees were attracted by the divine lustre emanating from Him. Finally the scholars decided to ask Ghanshyam, who was known to be a competent scholar, about which school of thought was correct. With Dharmadev's permission Ghanshyam entered the discussion.
Ghanshyam explained in detail the verses from the Vedas, many of which were difficult to understand and were often incorrectly interpreted. By using the authority of the scriptures He introduced the philosophy of Vishishtavaita and with His divine power He taught that this was the best school of teaching. Everyone was spellbound and initiatively the scholars accepted Ghanshyam's word as being authoritative. As such Ghanshyam emphasised the importance of the correct interpretation of the scriptures and the correct school of thought.
As Ghanshyam continued to speak, rays of divine life shone from His body. Everybody experienced samadhi (spiritual trance). According to the particular deity they followed, in their trance some had the darshan of Shankar Bhagwan, or Rama Bhagwan or Krishna Bhagwan. The scholars did Ghanshyam's poojan, they prostrated and prayed to Him as the manifestation of God.
A pujari asks to fulfil his desires
Ghanshyam often used to go to a Mahadev temple for the darshan of Shankar Bhagwan. Whilst Ghanshyam sat in one corner of the temple in a contemplative mood, a devotee came to pray and he asked out loud for something very improper for the fulfilment of his carnal desires.
As Ghanshyam heard this, He became saddened and exasperated at the human condition and attachments to the material world. He felt a great deal of compassion and was impatient to enlighten people; His mind wandered afar to His true mission.
Ghanshyam promises not to leave
When Ghanshyam was seven years old, it was time for Him to be given the sacred thread. A suitably auspicious date was chosen for the ceremony. This was to be a major occasion with relatives, sadhus and brahmins alike invited; the ceremonial venue was colourfully and elaborated decorated.
From early morning on the day of the ceremony ladies were singing devotional songs and the brahmins were chanting sacred mantras. The sacrificial fire was burning and the atmosphere was divine. Ghanshyam took the vows before the Sun-god, the barber shaved His head and thereafter He took a bath. Ghanshyam then received the gurumantra, He was given celibates clothes to wear and He took a stick and begging bowl, and at the appropriate moment in the ceremony was given the sacred thread to wear.
After the thread ceremony, Ghanshyam got ready for the ceremonial run with His maternal uncle. All friends and relatives had gathered for this event, as Ghanshyam was only a seven year old boy everyone had expected Him to be caught by His uncle very quickly. However, Ghanshyam had other thoughts, “I have to do good to innumerable souls in this world. I shall therefore run so fast that I reach the Himalayas almost instantaneously... Coming back from there I shall travel from place to place for the deliverance of my people.”
As the run started, the uncle ran fast but could not catch Ghansyham, and as the run persisted Ghanshyam ran further away from the village. Ghanshyam's uncle became exhausted and could not continue, so he prayed to Ghanshyam to come back particularly as His parents would be greatly grieved if He went away. Hearing this prayer Ghanshyam thought, “My parents are pure and innocent. I don't want them to suffer on my account. I will not therefore leave them and go away.”
Ghanshyam returned to His parents; everyone was relieved to see Him. Ghanshyam had demonstrated His desire to leave home to start His mission to redeem people, however He had now resolved not to do so whilst His parents were present.
Passing away of Dharmadev & Bhaktimata
Ghanshyam was now ten years old and both Dharmadev and Bhaktimata were both aged. Bhaktimata had gone down with a fever and day by day her condition worsened; she became very weak and bedridden. One evening she called all three of her sons to tell them that would not be long in this world. She gave special instruction to her eldest son, Rampratap and his wife Suvasini to look after Ghanshyam and Ichharam. All the family members had been called together for Bhaktimata's final moments.
Ghanshyam lovingly spoke to His mother. He explained to her about God, man and devotion. He explained that one should constantly chant God's names along with our true form of atma. This was the precursor to Ghanshyam Maharaj giving the divine mantra of Swami Narayan to His devotees. Ghanshyam also showed Himself to his mother in the form of Narayan with four arms. On seeing this Bhaktimata closed her eyes in meditation and quietly passed away.
After Bhaktimata's passing, Dharmadev was filled with sadness at losing his life's partner. Within six months he fell ill as well; he knew he didn't have long before passing from this world and so started to give alms to the poor and gifts to brahmins. At his request he had the Bhagavat Gita read to him.
Once the Bhagavat had been read Dharmadev summoned his sons to him and spoke to them. He gave special instructions to Rampratap, “You know by now that Ghanshyam is God incarnate and He is not attached in any way to this mundane existence. So please give Him all your devotion and treat Him with love and respect...”
After Dharmadev had spoken, a brilliant light emanated from Ghanshyam's body. Dharmadev saw all twenty four incarnations of God including Rama and Krishna, as well as Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Dharmadev then prayed to Ghanshyam and passed away.
Ghanshyam leaves home
After the passing away of Dharmadev and Bhaktimata, Ghanshyam thought of nothing but to leave home and do penance in the forests. He had promised not to leave whilst His parents were still alive but now there was no reason for him to stay; He sought the opportune moment to leave.
One morning after His bath Ghanshyam went to all the temples in Ayodhya for darshan. On His way home, He passed a house with gardens where wrestlers were practicing. When the wrestlers saw Ghanshyam, they surrounded Him to harass Him. (There was some bad feeling on the part of the wrestlers part from the time when Ghanshyam demonstrated His divine powers by defeating them). Ghanshyam suitably dealt with these wrestlers in the same vain. Nursing their bruised bodies they cried like children.
Because of this the wrestler's relatives complained to Rampratap about Ghanshyam. Rampratap was concerned that if Ghanshyam continues to cause this type disruption then there will be more complaints against Him and his family's reputation will suffer. With these thoughts in his mind, Rampratap rebuked Ghanshyam severely. Ghanshyam took the barrage patiently and then responded, “Respected brother. Rest assure there will be no complaint against me from today.”
In the early hours of the following morning (on 18th July 1793 CE) whilst everyone in the household were fast asleep Ghanshyam got up; He was about to embark on an incredible journey that is unsurpassed in history. The dawn of a new type of emancipation, the supreme redemption of human beings was about to begin.
Ghanshyam changed His dress; on His body He wore a single piece of loin cloth and on His back had put on the skin of a deer for sitting on for meditation. In one hand He held a rosary and a stick in the other. On the stick He a small bundle of papers containing extracts from the scriptures. Along with a small water pot, an alms bowl and a filter cloth, He also took a Shaligram (an image of Vishnu) with Him. He wore a string of tulsi beads (Kanthi) around His neck, the sacred thread and a tilak on His forehead.
The scene was suitably grave; the sky was overcast and there was a light drizzle in the air. There was an unerring silence all around. Clad as an acetic and with His hair matted on His head, the eleven year old boy bowed down with respect at the feet of His sleeping elder brother and bhabhi, and then stepped outside of His home in Chhapaiya for the very last time; Ghanshyam now began His mission as Neelkanth Varni.
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