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Nilkanth Varni: Part 1
Unfathomable Grief
When Rampratap and Survasini awoke to find that Ghanshyam was not in his bedroom, they assumed that he had risen earlier than usual to go bathing. As the household became busy with their daily routine they did not realise that Ghanshyam hadn't returned home. It was much later in the day that Survasini became concerned. She then called on Ghanshyam's friends to see if they knew where He was, but neither they nor any family relations had seen Him, and so Survasini sent for Rampratap. It was now evening and there was no sight or sound of Ghanshyam. The whole family were consumed by worry. Rampratap and Ghanshyam's friends went to all the temples and places that Ghanshyam frequented, but no one could find him.
The air was one of despair. Ichharam, Ghanshyam's younger brother was distraught constantly asking, “Where has bhai gone? I cannot live here without him, bring him home.” Rampratap sat crying and would sit for long periods despondently without uttering a single word. He feared that it was because of him that Ghanshyam had left. He remembered what his father Dharmadev, had told him, “Look after Ghanshyam well and treat Him with due respect because Ghanshyam is God-incarnate who has no interest for mundane life.” Was it because he had scolded Ghanshyam over the trouble with the wrestlers or was it the talk about finding a wife for Him?
Survasini seemed to have lost all her composure. She was in a constant state of agitation, one minute crying, the next scolding Rampratap for not going out to look for Ghanshyam! In hysterics she would say, “Ghanshyam, have pity on this unfortunate women and return home... How will you live in the forest? Who will feed you and take care of you?” Then suddenly she would laugh like a mad person and say, “But then aren't you God? That is why you have forgotten our love and have rejected us.” Following days of grieving and a realisation that Ghanshyam was not going to be found, Survasini regained some composure and as if inspired by a greater force stated, “You are going Ghanshyam? Go, my son! You are God... You have to redeem millions of souls.” She spoke to Rampratap recalling what Ghanshyam had once told her, “Bhabhi, I am going to redeem you if you worship me. I am going away to liberate people. Hanumanji will convey news about me to you.”
Hanumanji brings long awaited news
Nilkanth had crossed the river Saryu by way of help of a miscreant named Kaushik who had thrown Him into the river in an attempt to kill Him. Obviously he failed, Nilkanth managed to clamber out the river several kilometres downstream. There He entered the forest and walked for some distance before sitting down under a banyan tree to meditate. When Nilkanth Varni opened His eyes, Hanumanji was sitting before Him. Varni enquired, “When did you come?” Hanumanji replied that he came daily for Nilkanth Varni's darshan but today could not find Him. Whilst meditating he learnt about whereabouts of Nilkanth and had thus come here. Hunumanji duely requested Nilkanth to be allowed to stay with Him. Nilkanth stated, “I want to undertake this journey alone. But when I remember you, you can come. Convey to everyone that I am safe.”
As per Nilkanth's instructions, Hanumanji appeared to Rampratap and Survasini and thus spoke, “Your younger brother has gone to the forest to perform penance. After His penance He will establish His own fellowship… for the moral and spiritual regeneration of mankind. Then He will send for you and give his darshan… please do not lament.” On hearing this news, all were relieved of the overwhelming sorrow that had seized them after Ghanshyam had left home.
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