Meher-Brindaban: A Travel Account
Prelude
This is a tale of what happens to one, when he is taken to
Brindaban.1 Brindaban, as
documented in “Srimad Bhagwad” and other Hindu scriptures, is the name of the
place (presently identified near Mathura City) where Lord Krishna spent his
childhood and adolescence; performed enchanting flute recitals, demonstrated
the practice of pure love devoid of lust, adored Radha (again a mystical
personification) and other Goipis (milkmaids) on one hand and, also performed
Miracles like lifting a mountain top on His little finger, killing of demons,
making the powerful Kaliya Nag to surrender. I don’t claim all of this to be a
historical fact, but nevertheless, if I doubt, it is for our perceptions of the
metaphorical symbolism contained in scriptures, not doubting their testimony.
One more point to note; it is said that once Lord Krishna sent His friend,
Udhawa, who had firm conviction in the Without Attribute (Nirguna), Formless
(Nirakar) Divine (Brahma) only to be realized by True Wisdom (Gyana), to preach
about his conviction to Radha and Goipis at Brindaban. A Hindi poet has
beautifully described Udhwa’s utter failure and of his transformation from a
teacher of Wisdom into a student of Love Divine.
Now, for my further narration, I shall be obliged of the
reader to rememBer keywords viz. Brindaban, Radha, Love, Suffering, and of
hopelessness and helplessness, mystics and Miracles.
Starting from Lucknow on the
evening of 21st March, we
reached Dehera Doon railway station in the morning of 22nd and were greeted by volunteers of Meher Baba
Center, Dehera Doon.
On
the Road (22-03-02)
A substantial part of my Govt. service career was spent here.
It is, therefore, I was like searching for some 17 years ago lost object on the
roads. Crowded roads, which appeared narrow because of high buildings and
plazas, hoards of tiny and newly established roadside open-sky vending kiosks,
occasional emergence of sophisticated showrooms eluded me. Of course, whenever the car took a right or
left turn I would suddenly behold some familiar building, shop or tree and give
a low solo shout, “This is Haradwar Road, and from this point Rajpur road
begins”, then again got busy to locate some more of past 17 years of what I
might knew and still recognize.
When the car drove past my familiar ‘Gandhi
Park’, I was convinced that the old
city of Dehera Doon
had died away to be reincarnated as the capital city of the state of
“Utteranchal”. It was then I became
aware that our present visit is not for digging the past but to look for the
future in the light of the same ‘Ancient Once’ about which we debated in long
sessions in the corners of ‘Gandhi Park’ and which is now as “Avatar Meher Baba
“. The dramatic changes presented
mini-demonstration of the change from mythological Dwapar to Kali Yugas.
Baba had spent 2 years of His “New Life” phase of renunciation,
helplessness, and hopelessness and concluded it here in 1953 by giving “Real
Darshan” sermon, proclamation of His one of the most esoteric messages, “The
Highest Of High” and qualifying Dehera Doon as His “Brindaban”.
Finally, we were driven to and became accommodated at Meher
Prasad, a beautiful two-story house, dedicated to Meher Baba at 104, Rajpur Road, Dehera
Doon.
A term “aristocracy”
silently crossed my mind, which meant just the opposite characteristics of
Meher Baba’s New Life phase, i.e. “hopelessness and helplessness”. But let us remember that the term
“hopelessness and helplessness” is not a rational but subjective, and bear
relative meaning for individuals.
Of several persons we met at Meher Prasad with “Jai Baba”
embrace; one Mr. Paul W. Naragon of USA is of special mention. He gave us a pamphlet detailing the series of
scheduled “Meher Mela” programs. As per
this leaflet we had to take whole day rest and to attend Sankirtan-Satsang from
5.30 to 8.30 pm at the first floor hall of Meher Prasad building.
The magic of Dehera Doon’s - the surroundings, the climate,
and historic significance along with His Divine presence displayed all over.
Meanwhile the breakfast was announced. We hurried to freshen up ourselves. Then
again, we started chatting, exchanging experiences, noting down contact numbers
of new acquaintances punctuated by parenthesis of one by one embrace, as some
new ‘guest’ reached. Here when I say
‘guest’, it should be taken to mean the time we first saw them at Dehera Doon. For example Dr. Moorty, who (as became
evident later) was more like a host, had reached Dehera Doon 24 hours
earlier. We could see him well after
10am. Therefore, that chatting went on
even after interruptions.
At 5.20pm, I entered the Sankirtan Hall on the first floor of
the building (Meher Prasad). The hall
was decorated very tastefully and with aristocratic simplicity. Every inch, (as
it seemed to me), was embossed by generous expenditure. The carpets, tapestry, curtains all were
speaking about the keen devotion of the caretakers. All which could eloquently tell the tale of
the Grace granted by Baba Himself to one lady, Late Mrs.Prakshwati, who was
fortunate to receive the benefaction. Her cherished memory was emancipating
from each and every object. There were six photographs, one large and five
mediums, of Baba, placed over a raised sill for worship and four other
photographs viz. Prakashwati ji Eruch Jassawalla, Manija, Mehera Mai. It
occurred to me that at this place Baba was manifesting Himself not via His
photographs but though the Love offerings of the late soul Prakashwati ji. Most
noteworthy was a medium sized photograph of Prakashwati ji on the wall directly
opposite to that of Baba and His Mandali.
It seemed even to this day she was directly looking on to Baba’s feet in
a posture of obedience, surrender, and gratitude. Later I learnt that He has
showered bountiful of Grace and “Nazar” on her whole family including her son,
daughter, in-laws, grand sons, and daughters.
They in turn, had poured their gratitude by ensuring that every Baba
Lover coming to Meher Prasad is carefully attended, adored and comforted in
every possible way. Had He not said, “Every loving heart is My temple”? It was
profoundly clear to us by the time we left Dehera Doon cherishing the memories
of Meher Prasad.
Here at Dehera Doon, Baba Had explained the secret of ‘Real
Darshan’; and it was, “Not to look at His form and flesh, but to explore one’s
real self in His Virat (all-pervading) cosmic self”. Moreover, late Prakashwati
ji’s family seemed to do the same. It is here, a flash, of realization crossed
my being as to why He, in His every incarnation asserted that He is the slave
of true lovers.
I remained occupied amidst these thoughts while devotional
music; prayers kept me enchantingly adhered to all the proceedings
By now, I got
sufficient information about Dr. Moorty’s association with Dehera Doon. To explain this association I am inclined to
build a funny (yet relevant), conjuncture by comparing him (Dr. Moorty) with
Udhawa of Dwapar Yuga, who was sent to Brindaban to preach Radha and Goipis the
Gyan-Yoga. At that time, Udhawa had returned from Brindaban as a
Love-Intoxicated person, gladly parting his Gyan-Yoga (Intellectual Austere). Probably Udhawa, after his return from
Brindaban asked Lord Krishna’s permission to disseminate ‘Love Message’ than
“Gyan-Message’. At this, the Lord must
have said to him to wait until His next incarnation as ‘Meher Baba’. Thus, when
Lord came between us as Meher Baba, Udhawa too came down to earth as
G.S.N.Moorty; due to his previous Sanskaras he became a ‘Geeta-Bhushan’,
preached Geeta to the person like Gandhi ji, obtained a Ph.D. in Vedanta but
finally turned out to be extraordinary orator of Meher-Love. I think that Dr. Moorty’s pensive mood,
swaying with emotional Sankirtan, which is seldom evident at other places and
occasions, explains and supports my conjuncture. Otherwise why
‘Udhawa’ consciousness might reflect ‘Chaitanya’ action? I silently bowed to Baba’s ways to bring home
to me the conviction about Dehera Doon being a true Brindaban of modern times.
Kindly let me call it “Doon-Brindaban” from here onwards. This aspect shall be explained further during
narration of whole three day proceedings of Meher Mela at Dehera Doon, but in a
proper context, so that the reader too, if at all he or she may like to share
the lovely fantasy, might enjoy it. (It
may please, however, be noted carefully that I don’t venture to impose my own
feelings and reflections to any one).
Sankirtan came close to an end at 8.30 p.m. sharp and it was
announced that in the next morning at 9 a.m. everyone is required to assemble
at late B.K.Bakshi’s bungalow for a procession. Then, all were cordially
invited for the dinner. For lunch we had tasted marvelous preparation of
‘Kadhi”(a curry with curd or whey as spiced rich soup). Dinner was no less enriched with emotional
servings; all the dished were just excellent.
Now we were free to sleep.
As it is natural in all such congregations, only sick, too tired and
self-disciplined people would go to sleep while many of them (myself included)
want to cherish every moment of the mass-consciousness oozing to be squeezed.
Thus, upon being assured by Sri Rajendra Meher (a dedicated and very talented
vocalist) that he would have no objection in performing Bhajans and Gazals
until late night, we resolved to keep awake and enjoy his artistry. I made it a point that Mr. D, who by now had
generously started treating me as his own brother, must take complete rest. In
the given circumstances, his wife made a comfortable bed on the floor and fixed
a cassette player of Baba’s Arti and Prayers besides the bed. Then we fled away to the first floor where
Mr. Rajendra Meher was to perform before a selected audience of his fans. I happened to be one of them. His program started at about 10.30 p.m.
Unfortunately Tabla accompanist was not available; even then, Rajendra ji
poured his melodious voice into choicest Gazals. The program could have ended
well before 1 a.m., but to our surprise Mr. D appeared before us and his wife
gave a muffled cry of astonishment, because he was neither supposed to get up
from the floor-bed without assistance, nor get dressed up and not, in any case,
could climb up the stairs. Was this his
being unable to sleep? Or the boredom of
being left alone downstairs or else the magical effect of Baba’s love which was
invoked by Sri Rajendra’s voice? – I
didn’t know. However, I ascribed his
sudden emergence on the scene to my fortune in finding a suitable company to
share the musical chant. We were
absorbed in listening to Sri Rajendra till about 2 a.m., then went to sleep
lest be late for the procession next morning.
Just opposite to the Air Force (CDA) Office at Rajpur Road
Dehera Doon, the bungalow of late B.K. Bakshi is situated in a typical Doon Valley’s
characteristic setting covering about 5 acres of land. The bungalow is built in 19th century style characterized by its
semicircular frontage and Allahabadi tile roofing. Semicircular front verandah leads in to a
well-organized drawing room. The whole
setting emits noble aesthetics, which, with Musorie Hills in background, cast
mesmerizing affect on the beholder. About
50 meters down at Rajpur Road, on the opposite side (westward), there is a
lane/street leading to “Meher Dham” about 600 meters away. Further, down on Rajpur Road, about
500 meters away, an eastward lane led 100 meters to “Meher Prasad”, where I was
hastily getting ready for the said procession.
After I finished up, we strolled slowly towards the legendry
Bakshi-Bungalow and at 8.45 a.m. we were there on time. A life size cutout of Avatar Meher Baba in
elbow resting pose was fixed on a Jeep.
Everyone sought opportunity to decorate, with garlands, the majestic
ride of the Lord. Two banners held
across the road by two persons each on either side, intended to provide caption
to the procession. One banner read,
“Avatar Meher Baba Meher Mela 2002”, and the other, “Meher Dham Anniversary
2002”. Brass Band party had arrived and
had begun playing Nam-Dhun-Tune. As the
first beat on the drum struck, the whole congregation (though a small one) was
electrified. All began clapping and
repeating in tune with the band, ‘‘Avatar Meher Baba Ki Jai…” Persons
responsible for escorting and piloting the procession, arranged the formation
so as to keep two caption banners in the front, behind which were the clapping
and dancing folks encircled by waiting mob of both sexes for their turn/chance
to dance; then followed old and aged ones who might have longed to join the
dancing group had it been a few years earlier.
These seniors were followed by Baba’s kingly cutout, passionately
decorated and mounted on the jeep.
During Sankirtan at Meher Prasad in the night before, and now
while the procession was moving, Mr. Paul’s enthusiasm was commendable. This Baba lover, coming over to India and
Dehera Doon at foothill of Himalayas, crossing whole of Pacific, European Alps,
and Middle East just to feel, realize, and pay homage to the Silent Master’s
aura of love, did not understand a single word of Indian languages, yet he had
been engrossed in clapping with the tune of Sankirtan and now he was dancing
frantically. He held a camera concealed
in his pocket and occasionally he would disappear from the dancing groups only
to reappear on a sill of some nearby high building or on a treetop to take
photographs of the procession. He
reminded me of ‘Sridama’, (one of the childhood friends of Lord Krishna) who
would participate in all of baby Lord Krishna so that he may be able just to
‘looking at’ the Lord with his open physical eyes.
The readers may like to take a note that till now I have
given two conjunctures as similes (comparisons); one that of Udhawa and now an
Sridama (Paul). These comparisons are solely my own built allegory (or
illusions, if any one likes to put as that), and I don’t expect everyone to
agree with me. It is possible that,
since I was trying to behold Dwapar age Brindaban at present-day Dehera Doon,
therefore, unconsciously trying to glorify the events and personalities. May it also be the ‘autosuggestion’ or
‘hallucination’ phenomenon of my psyche; I am, however, honest in my
description.
I too was moving along with the procession, shouting “Avatar
Meher Baba Ki Jai”, yet a part of my being was trying to recapitulate and
connect the remote past and immediate present, trusting the eternity of Divine
manifestations, in order to seek the essence of the Silent Master’s declaration
about this place as His Brindaban. I
prayed Baba to reveal the secret of ‘Doon Brindaban’, and my humble prayer was
heard by the compassionate ‘Highest of The High’.
The procession reached Meher Dham and converted into a
Sankirtan-Satsang gathering in Meher Dham’s hall. Before I took off my shoes to enter into the
hall, a marble stone scribed on to it a massage got hold our attention. It read, “Ceremonies veil me…”
The words worked as if
all the fanfare and toil of the procession had been dusted off my psyche. Words warned me to forget about the ritual of
procession and try to perceive the reality beyond ‘The Veil”.
I had read those words
several times in various Baba literatures. However, indeed! It is more
important to remember right word of the Silent Master at right place and at
precisely right time. In addition, it
seems true that all those “rights” (time, words, place etc.) can only be
realized by the catalytic action of His Grace.
Meher Dham’s hall is rectangular (about 25ft long and 15ft
wide). The entrance was on the longer
side. Facing the entrance, on the opposite wall, was Avatar’s life size stone
statue in standing pose mounted on a small 4inches high marble platform. The passage from the front gate to the statue
was short (about 15ft) and it was kept vacant to offer unhindered view of The
Lord. This passage worked as a partition
for male and female gentry. I gazed
keenly first into the Avatar’s eyes, then on the photographs, portraits and
slogans of His messages affixed on to the walls and began to make mental
comparison between Meher-Dham and Meher-Prasad.
The getup of the hall seemed (to me) quiet opposite to that
of Meher-Prasad’s. At Meher-Prasad hall,
the personality of a devout Baba loving family was dominant over Baba’s
portrait, while at Meher Dham His Aura was manifested and dominated everywhere. Along with several portraits of varied sizes
(those of Mandali men and women), there were two relatively small ones of
others. One was that of late B.K.Bakshi
and the other late Mrs. Meher Kanta Bakshi.
Shall I call it a
coincidence, chance or merely my own fancy, that none of the photographs – even
Avatar’s statue - posed a direct gaze into looker’s eyes except for that of
Mehera. Noticing this fancy fact,
obviously of mere chance, stunned me.
Mehera Mai seemed gazing on to me continuously. From the instant, I noticed this until the
conclusion of the program at Meher-Dham; rather she (Mehera Mai) seemed
observing me incessantly than myself to her portrait. Mehera’s photographic gaze seemed silently
saying, “So, Am I”; and inside me, Baba appeared signaling audible whisper into
my ears, “Do you understand now?”
For a short while all, aloud proceedings of Sankirtan going
on incessantly in the hall quieted and “Radha” consciousness overpowered me
possessively. Baba had declared Mehera
as “Radhika”, and it appeared that Radha in the form of Mehera was casting a
mysterious suggestion. All this was
happening to me at “Doon-Brindaban” in “Meher Dham” as if to convince me of its
sanctity. Later in Bakshi-Villa, I
happened to look at a photograph of Baba in which He was absorbedly playing
Dholak (Drum) like Lord Krishna played flute in His Avataric age. All this occurred to me in a second and
lasted until Dr. Moorty announced my name for reading out a Hindi poem. In a near blissful state, I went up to Baba’s
statue, bowed and read out a self-composed verse. Dr. Moorty had explained the significance of
the marble stone used as a pulpit for the statue. The stone, he told us, was taken to Meherabad
for Baba’s Divine touch. He had not only
touched but also standing on it casting downward pressure, said; “ Now I am all
gone into it”. To me this proclamation had, now, even deeper significance
because it was on the Mehera’s birthday celebrations at Meherabad, Baba had “….
gone into it”- the marble slab - now affixed at Meher Dham.
The readers might recall, I was wondering why Dehera Doon was
named ‘Brindaban’ by Baba. On the basis of arbitrary similes (which might
appear mere emotional afflictions and exaggeration), I had identified Dr.
Moorty and Mr. Paul to be Udhawa and Sridama respectively— and now, here comes
the Empress of Love, Radha, as Mehera to complete the glorious Brindaban
scenario.
As for the description of Radha in Lord Krishna’s context, I
am inclined to use the words of, contained in a dialogue in the Hindi film
“Lagaan”. Famous Hindi writer,
K.P.Saxsena says that Radha is like a droplet of water on the lotus leaf, the
Krishna; both unmixed with one another, yet manifesting captive beauty of each
other; but if separated (the water drop and the leaf), assume natural (divine)
individual role, thereby missing the element of “amazing beauty” as a Divine
attribute (Sundaram)2 .
Indian philosophers
have described the Ultimate Principle of the creation as a trilogy of “Satyam,
Shivam, and Sundaram”. If Lord Krishna
is personified Truth, Radha is the Law. The Law always, invariably, abides to
Truth without interfering, instead glorifying it. A lot more can be found out
in our ancient scriptures about “Radha Element” and the students of ‘‘Krishna
Consciousness’’ may understand it better.3
Thus ‘real Brindaban” was before me. A thrill of realization caused shivering in
me. I was astonished to see Dr. Moorty
and Mr. T.K.Ramanujam (both of them known for their Udhawa frame of mind)
swaying their heads, eyes closed, along with the beats of enchanting Sankirtan
at Meher Dham, while Mr. Paul not understanding a single word of the language,
kept clapping with the rhythm. Unconsciously my eyes began oozing tears in the
Divine atmosphere
Soon Mr. Paul was called upon to speak something about his
coming on to Baba fold. He narrated true
story of his own death in a truck accident in 1982. After his death (being declared as dead by
the attending doters), he saw a bright light. He asked the light if every one
sees the same light after his or her death. After the light patch, which now
appeared to him taking a human shape with long hairs, nodded in affirmation;
then he asked whether he too is dead.
Upon being said by the bright light encircled figure that he, of course,
is dead, Paul expressed his urgent protest and said that he did not wish to
die. The figure gestured smiling nod and
then Paul gone into unconscious state only to become conscious in his physical
body (which had by then declared a “corpse”).
This startled the doctors and his mourning friends. Mr. Paul further explained that the episode
filled him with a conviction that all human, males and females alike, irrespective
of caste, creed, breed and belief are in reality one. Thereafter, a lapse of 18 years, one fine
evening Paul casually walked into Meher
Spiritual Center
at Martyal Beach, South Carolina, USA. There he happened to look at Baba’s
photograph and within a flash, 18 year old memory reeled into his mind because
he found Baba figure to be the same one which he had seen in his so called
‘dead’ state.
I have not told Paul’s story to advocate or hint any
supernatural phenomenon, but an example of His mysterious ways, which are
beyond human comprehension. Baba Himself had warned not to believe on
supernatural and magic. He who warns,
“Ceremonies veil Me”, and clearly says in His message of the “Highest of The
high” that “…I do no miracles”, must be taken in the literal sense of it’s
meaning.
Two and a half hours’ Sankirtan came to close with prayers,
and our lunch was announced at Bakshi-Villa as curtsey offering to all pilgrims
of Meher Dham
We walked back to join at lunch, enjoyed it amidst lush green
Litchi, Mango, Maulstick, and Amaltash, and many other temperate fruit/wild
trees, bushes. All were to rest until
5.30 p.m., when evening Sankirtan was to take place at Meher Dham.
Instead of taking some bed rest, as the women were resting
(who knows? must have been rather chit-chatting), I preferred to keep
wide-awake to assimilate the prevailing euphoria. I was eager to personally meet one young boy
(about 23years of age) named Bal Krishna Meher.
He, while being invited for some oration at Meher Dham by Dr. Moorty,
had been described as having come via skies from Chandigarh and was writer of a book about
Baba. His charismatic maturity of
thoughts, firm conviction about the Avatar and profound understanding of the
Master’s ways and underlying subtle meaning/message amazed us. Later, after the
next day, we did have a chance to meet him, but only to intensify our amazement
for his unmatched prudence in commensuration of his age. The ‘boy’ turned out to be a fight lieutenant
in Indian Air Force and a “Baba‘s Baby”(parents being ardent Baba Lovers). What wonderful multiple co incidents – meeting
a real ‘Bal-Krishna’ in late Bal Krishna Bakshi’s campus —— as if to add-on my
‘Doon-Brindaban’ conjuncture comprising Udhawa, Sridama, then Radha and now a
child-Lord Krishna. This ‘child-Krishna’
too as surrogate of Lord Krishna, was capable of killing demons of suspicions,
superstitions, fear, and to demonstrate sustainability of love, truth, and
compassion. I urge readers to keep this Krishna in their memories so that I don’t have to repeat
the significance what I found in him.
Well before 5.30 p.m. I had come to Meher Dham. In the solitude of nearly vacant hall, silently praying
earnestly to reveal His Brindaban, once again, I scrutinized the Photographs,
Idol-Baba, and overall sanctity. I felt
His strong Presence, but Mehera kept on her photographic gaze as if suggesting
She was the Hostess here for the lovers of her Beloved Meher Baba. My whole being lay prostrate to her keeping
my head over the mystic marble slab in which her loved One ‘had gone into’.
At the close of Sankirtan, it was announced that next
day is scheduled for Meher Mafi where Baba Had lived in a hutment (now property
of New Life Trust). All were requested
to assemble at Bakshi-Villa at 9 a.m. for taking a bus ride. In the evening annual function of Meher
Prasad was scheduled. Of course, dinner
was being waited upon us at Meher Prasad.
Far
From The Maddening Crowd (24-03-02)
In the morning, after breakfast, we walked up to Bakshi-Villa
where a bus waited for us. Women occupied
front half and men in back. Leaving the main city behind heading towards Hardwar, crossing Rispana River,
at a point some meters from railway level crossing, where 17 years ago stood a
thick forest plantation, was now a mini bazaar.
Our bus took an abrupt southward turn and immediately I guessed it to be
the same old forest road where I used to bring my students for botanical
excursion. Today I was the student amidst highly urbanized countryside, headed
towards Silent Master’s memorial hutment for spirit’s excursion to explore as
to what “New Life” actually meant.
After about 10 minute’s drive, we were asked to get down; a
few meters from here the humble Hutment was in-sight as still holding Avatar’s
and His Mandli’s perfume in the serene air. A Pandal was temporarily erected
for proposed Sankirtan. Thoughtfully the
trustees had just dusted and cleaned it for our visit without decorating and
thereby maintaining unadulterated simplicity.
This was a testimony to what the Avatar tried to demonstrate, the “Helplessness
& Hopelessness”.
I feel inclined to refer the readers to travel account of one
Mr. Buchanan4 .
Queen Victoria
entrusted him (in 1859), to travel eastern part of northern Indian plains and
to account for people’s lifestyle, ethical-cum-social beliefs so that suitable
punishment might be provisioned in the proposed enforcement of penal
codes. He traveled and submitted his
report, now published as “Eastern India” ed.
Martin 1980, Buchanan states, “ In this part of the land, people live in minimum
possible level of subsistence… Normally
a common villager spends his whole life with maximum two or three loincloths,
which are called ‘Dhotis’, and owns practically nothing. … I
have visited more than two hundred houses and found just a few metallic
utensils or pots, earthenware being common in use. I have found only occasional
tiled house, the majority being thatched ones…” When Buchanan’s report was not
made public, a Silent Master, during the years1949-1952, set out to demonstrate
the general pathos of humanity (Hopelessness & Helplessness) as one of the
powerful tool of unity, and love. In
those days of global debate over ‘haves and haves not’ (Karl Marks), and
‘theory of basic inequality/equality’ (Plato), theoretical postulation
as well as practical demonstration of mass-consciousness being One in all
beings at a given level of renunciation was, indeed, an Avataric work; which in
later years emerged as the concepts of human rights and other akin
awareness. Thus, when Baba says, “New
Life shall ever remain alive though there may not be anyone to live it”, we
must try to realize as to what does it mean in day-to-day practical life. It undoubtedly means an evolution of
universal consciousness though Love and Truth.
I may be wrong or ineligible in interpreting the “New Life”. Therefore, with due apologies to those who
even this day stand as a living witness of Meher Baba’s New Life phase, I
humbly submit that though “I” is not always right, yet I am happy to be wrong.
Coming back to our tour to Master’s humble hutment at Meher
Mafi; After taking our bows, obsessed with awe of God-Man, we sat methodically
in the Pandal facing a medium size photograph of Baba. Dr. Moorty, our friend, philosopher, and
guide, the convener of Meher Mela, told us that with “Parvardigar Prayer” the
Sankirtan-Satsang was being initiated there, in front of ‘Kutia’ but it would
conclude at late Mr. Shatrughan’s residential campus. It continued to be a
wonder that although several sessions of Sankirtan-Satsang went on during all
three days at Dehera Doon as spiritual treatment, no two sessions were similar
in affect. The highlight of the first half session (at Hutment) was narration
of as to how the abandoned abode of Avatar was redeemed by the New Life Trust. Enchanting Bhajans echoed like nightingales
chatting while flying in a formation over the ocean of Silence. Absence of loudspeaker & microphone made
this possible. I consider loudspeakers as adulterant in human speech by making
it dead, electronic/ digital waves. After
a few performances and speeches, we dispersed to re-assemble at Mr.
Shatrughan’s residence.
Late Mr. Shatrughan was historically connected with Baba’s
stay at Meher Mafi. His family still
cherishes the Master’s memory and reported to have arranged for Sankirtan and
Bhandara (Feast). This house is about
100 meters away from holy kutia (Hutment).
The campus was large and in an adjacent building, a school was located. It was in one of the rooms of the school,
later half of Sankirtan resumed. This
hall too was decorated in a way, which emitted more of Lords‘ love than
aesthetics. All of a sudden, the phrase
“ceremonies veil me” crept into my mind.
Indeed, simplest possible settings, absence of loudspeakers and country
atmosphere seemed to unveil His Grace that showered on us by way of
self-forgetting in the chant of Nam-Dhun and “Avatar Meher Baba Ki Jai.”
It is very personal to mention, yet interesting, that the
first book I had chance to read about the Silent Master was “Meher Baba Ki Nai
Jindgi” (Hindi), by Bhau Kalchuri; my first visited place connected with Him
was a similar Kutia (Hut) in a rural setting at Meherastana (Hamirpur); my
first “FFG”(Friend, Philosopher, Guide) about Silent Lord was Dr.Moorty who was
(as I knew) committed to work at Doon Valley.
It occurred to me that all these “firsts” might have not been sheer
chance but some signal for me. To this
day, when I am writing this account, I pray my Lord to use me per His
Marzi.
By 1.30 p.m. program at Meher Mafi was over. After luncheon,
at 2.45pm we took our seats in the bus and returned to the Blissful atmosphere
of Brindaban from the denunciative New Life.
The 24th March was annual day of Meher Prasad. Celebration was to start from 5.30 p.m. and
we were present on time.
This was our last night halt at Doon-Brindaban. Next day’s
program was at Roorki. All were to leave
by 9 a.m. next morning. We, having our
advance return reservation, were not able to go to Roorki lest we might miss
our train leaving Dehera Doon at 8 p.m.
Thus resolving to utilize next day for meeting old acquaintances, we
retired for sleep. At that time, I never
imagined that next dawn was going to prove so conclusive as aptly to be named
as Radha Rani Day.
Radha
Rani Day (25-03-02)
Please
let me first give reasons for calling this day as Radha Rani Day. If I say that whole daylong we stayed as
guests of Mrs. Brij Rani, (literally meaning Radha Rani), and then there might
be none to ask for any other reason for this (Radha Rani) nomenclature. Honestly speaking, there are other reasons
too; but let me tell it my own way.
By 10 a.m., everyone had either left for Roorki or to his or
her respective destinations, except for me and my wife, Mr. and Mrs. D, Lt. Bal
Krishna Meher, Mrs. MJ and her mother. Our hosts were mainly women (Mrs. Brij
Rani and Mrs. Sweetie, later joined by their local friends), and they were too
happy to find wife and daughter of Meher Chalisa fame late Babu Keshawa Narain
Nigam (Mrs.MJ and her mother) as their guests.
Bal Krishna Meher, the young flight Lt., a charismatic speaker, was also
an object of joy for all of us. Women
hosts adored women guests and soon a sisterhood feeling intermingled with
Avatar’s Divine love. We could not feel
how the time reeled fast. Hosts too were
no ordinary hosts; their family once served as host to the Silent Master. They showed us Meher Baba’s Kurta and a bed
sheet as their valued possessions. In
addition, a few rare photograph of Baba; playing Dholak was amongst one of
them. Lt. Bal Krishna kept us listening
spellbound to his interpretations of auto writing, avatar hood and other
salient features of Baba-Love.
Now, may I ask for attention of the readers about all the
names mentioned above? It may please be
noted that all the names either mean Lord Krishna or Radha viz. Brij Rani,
Sweetie (meaning Madhuri), Keshawa, two Bal Krishnas (one Late B.K. Bakshi, the
other young B.K.Meher), and amongst all, Meher Baba playing Dholak.
I think everyone might agree that, being so memorable day in
such a rare company discussing about Silent Incarnate of Love in a heavenly
atmosphere apt to be named after ‘Radha”.
Pondering, sitting alone on a chair under Maulstick tree, the
crowning factor of Doon-Brindaban became eloquent to me. I speculated that in Dwapar age, after
dropping His body, Lord Krishna seemed to have realized the injustice done to
Goipis and Radha. Once He left, we are
told, that He did not ever visit Brindaban and meet Radha. He, who is Master of the universe, is slave
of His lovers. So, when the same Ancient
One came on earth as Meher Baba, as paying for His lapse of a slave’s duty for
a beloved, adored Radha as Mehera; and brought her off the countryside living
in a remote village, to most comfortable place, encircled by Shivaliks and
Himalayas, i.e., Dehera Doon, and proclaim it to be His Brindaban. Thus, since Brindaban traditionally belongs
to Radha, not to Lord Krishna or Meher Baba.
It is, therefore, I named my last day at Dehera Doon, not as Krishna
Day, But Radha Rani Day. Nevertheless, our Radha or Mehera wishes not to hail
her, instead feels utter bliss in hearing her adored One be hailed. Thus, let us hail Avatar Meher Baba Ki Jai
and pray to cherish the memories of Meher-Brindaban.
———————
Safarchand, Lucknow,
20/02/05
Footnotes
1 Brindaban is name of the spot
near the birthplace of Avatar Lord Krishna. It was a forest of Tulsika
(Osmium sanctum Linn.). Here in this forest the Lord used to meet Goipis for
Rasa-Leela, the esoteric mysticism of the Bliss.
2 Hindi film ‘LAGAAN’, Dialogue
writer K.P.Saxsena.
3 ISKON literature
4 See ‘Martin‘s Eastern India’,
ed. Martin 1980, Pub. Munshilal Manoharlal, Delhi, 1990
