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Nilkanth Varni: Part 2
Bharatkand
Shreeji Maharaj states in the Vachanamrut that He is especially fond of Bharatkand (India). This is because spirituality is the very essence of India. It is in the air that is breathed, the earth that is walked on and it is sanctified by the holy waters from the Himalayas that act as India's life blood; those who seek God here are the most fortunate of all. India is the abode of the gods, for those who desire to tread the path of salvation there is no end of mystical possibilities. This is why Maharaj undertook His epic journey across the length and breadth of India.
The Epic Journey
Nilkanth walked bare foot in His simple loincloth and with the paraphernalia of an ascetic for seven years, covering some eight thousand miles, sanctifying each corner of India, redeeming those who were in search of God and establishing His Holy fellowship of the Swaminarayan Hindu faith.
His journey saw Him walk from Chhapaiya through dense forests and jungles in the midst of wild animals such as lions and tigers to the frozen mountains of the Himalaya. He walked along the River Ganges through the holy cities of Haridwar and Kashi (considered to be one of the most holiest places in India) to Gangatri the source of the Ganga and then on to magnificent icy lake of Mansarovar. In the Himalaya Nilkanth performed a great penance and mastered yoga.
Thereafter He ventured east through Nepal to Assam and then down the east coast of India visiting holy Hindu temples such as Jagannathpuri and then down to Kanyakumari at the southern most tip of India. Nilkanth continued up the west through Cochin, Puna and into the holy land of Gujarat.
Setting an Example
Nilkanth spent His first night having left home under a banyan tree near a local village. Village folk who saw Him were drawn to Him. As divinity radiated from Nilkanth's body, people were convinced that this was some great ascetic. They rushed home and brought along all manner of foodstuff to offer to Him; in no time there was a large heap of fruit, sweets and other items.
Nilkanth consecrated the foodstuff by offering it to the Shaligram. He then ate a little just enough to sustain His body and gave the rest back to the village folk as prasad. His philosophy was to practice what He preached; an ascetic undertaking penance should only consume the bare minimum food to keep the body alive. Nilkanth would not take more food than that was necessary but certainly not to satisfy His taste buds.
The village folks asked Him, “Brahmachari, why don't you keep something for the evening? Nilkanth replied with a smile, “If I were to think of food for this evening or tomorrow why would I have left home? A renunciant who has given up worldly attachments should be prepared to camp out in the open and eat only enough to sustain his body... One who has renounced the world should depend on God for sustenance.”
In Haridwar
Nilkanth then left, walking briskly through the forest as if He was in a hurry. He visited the Shiv mandir at Lodheshwar, Uttar Pradesh that was built by Yudhishthir. Nilkanth's journey took Him to a place called Naimisharanya where great sages performed penances and meditation at the lake Chakratirth, where it's ambiance made it an ideal spot for contemplation. The sages were convinced that Nilkanth was God Himself as they carried out His darshan with reverence. Nilkanth was pleased with them, He bless them with His presence for four days.
Nilkanth then travelled north to Hardwar (also known as Haridwar) on the banks of the Holy River Ganga. There He was befriended by a brahmin who took it upon Himself to look after Nilkanth against a maddening crowd of pilgrims. The brahmin took Nilkanth to a secluded Shivji mandir which pleased Maharaj greatly. The brahmin was inexplicably drawn to Nilkanth and quizzed Him about who He was. Nilkanth introduced Himself but the brahmin laughed saying, “Nilkanth is Mahadev's name.” To this Maharaj replied, “There is communion between me and Mahadev.” On hearing this the brahmin fell at Nilkanth's feet, Nilkanth passed His hand over his head with divine love and blessed him saying, Without telling one cannot understand, and without asking one need not tell.” The brahmin was Shivji(5) himself who had been perfoming austerities at Hardwar along with Parvati to please Maharaj; his penance bore fruit with Maharaj's darshan. Shivji further enquired where Nilkanth was going to which Nilkanth declared, “I have left home to visit sacred spots and to have the darshan of Nar and Narayan rishis at Badrikashram.”
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