Discourse & Satsangs

Brahma Dhāma Yātrā
4th Pilgrimage to Dakshinkhanda

[29 October to 4 November 2023]

Brahmacharini Pranati Swaroopa

“I too shall come to Dakshinkhanda”

Poojya Swamiji and Ma were in Malaysia for the annual Jnana Yajna, Nutan Swamiji was in Ashram. Intense discussions were taking place about visiting Dakshinkhanda to review the progress of Poornashram construction. Nutan Swamiji was to go from Jamshedpur during his Annual Sadhana Shibiram, and Ma would travel from Ashram.

Suddenly Poojya Swamiji declared “I think it is necessary that I too go to Dakshinkhanda.” Swamiji’s words set our hearts pounding! Soon after Malaysia Programme would be the Delhi programme. For Swamiji to undertake an interspersing arduous, long travel in unpredictable situations, without the necessary safeguards and facilities to sustain Swamiji’s 91-year-old body, was unthinkable to all of us.

However, Nutan Swamiji and Ma felt that if Swamiji wished to go to Dakshinkhanda, it should be arranged. Immediately preparations commenced for the ‘Caravan of the Lord’ to undertake the 2300 km journey from a small village in Kerala to a remote village in West Bengal.

Jubilation in Dakshinkhanda villagers

When Dakshinkhanda devotees heard the news from Nutan Swamiji during the online Poornashram Sunday Satsang, their joy could not be contained. Once again, their humble village would be graced by the presence of three Mahatmas – they had never thought such a fortune would be bestowed upon them so soon!

Delight that their beloved Swamiji would be coming to Dakshinkhanda, coupled with the traditional reverence for Saints and Sannyasins ingrained in them, buoyed their minds to exceeding heights of joy. For over the past 8 months of continuous Sunday satsang, not only had Poojya Swamiji become beloved to them, but Nutan Swamiji and Ma were also embedded in their hearts.

Poojya Swamiji arriving at Dakshinkhanda

4th pilgrimage, the most significant in Poojya Swamiji’s life

Thus began the 4th Pilgrimage to Poornashram, Dakshinkhanda – the ‘Brahma-Dhāma-Yātrā’, the most significant event of His life as Poojya Swamiji described it.

In 1979, a few months before Baba shed his body, Poojya Swamiji visited Dakshinkhanda. It was during this pivotal visit that Baba handed over the spiritual welfare of his disciples, a young couple, to Poojya Swamiji. Seamlessly, Baba’s young disciples dedicated their lives at Swamiji’s feet, and upon embracing Sannyasa became ‘Nutan Swamiji’ and ‘Ma Gurupriyaji’.

Poojya Swamiji next visited Dakshinkhanda 4 decades later, following the handing over of Poornashram land to Poojya Swamiji and thus Narayanashrama Tapovanam Trust. During the historic 1st Pilgrimage to Poornashram in February 2018, the arrival of Poojya Swamiji and his two sannyasin disciples generated a powerful confluence of 3 ascetics wholesomely dedicated to Baba, laying the vibrant ascetic foundation for Poornashram. A similar pilgrimage followed the year after, before COVID-19 imposed the two-year hiatus for all Jnana Yajnas. Devotees from across the world participated in both the events.

The global pandemic also delayed the reconstruction of Poornashram, until 18 January 2023, when Ma carried a specially cast octagonal stone blessed by Poojya Swamiji, to be laid as the foundation stone for Poornashram. With that, construction began in full-swing. From Ashram, ideas, inspirations and solutions to obstacles flowed through long online discussions, phone calls and meetings with architects, engineers and devotees who oversaw the construction.

Commencement of Dakshinkhanda Satsangs

From Ma’s loving interactions with villagers during the January visit began weekly online satsangs, and nightly nama-sankeertans. Dedicated devotees took charge of lighting the lamp and caring for the Guru-paramparā shrine. As construction work in Poornashram began, the residence of Sri Shyamaprasad Banerjee became the site of this devotional fondness, hosting Poojya Swamiji’s Jayanti and Guru Poornima celebrations as well.

During the online Sunday satsangs, Swamiji started teaching Bhagavad Gita and other shlokas, and suddenly we found Swamiji learning to read and write Bengali, with the enthusiasm of an irrepressible child! Ma would give basic lessons. And we would see Swamiji studying Bengali aksharas, evolving unique methods to familiarize himself. Swamiji routinely used to type in English, Sanskrit and Malayalam on his laptop. Now we found him typing Vishnu-sahasranāma in Bengali, comparing and correcting with the Sanskrit version!

On Swamiji’s table, elementary Bengali text books and English-Bengali dictionaries found place alongside thick scriptural texts. Sometimes Swamiji would shake with laughter in appreciation of his efforts. More than interesting and joyful to watch, all this was deeply inspiring.

Devotees receiving Poojya Swamiji, Nutan Swamiji and Ma

Converging in Shantiniketan

On 29 October, long before the sun rose, Poojya Swamiji accompanied by Ma, brahmacharinis and devotees, started for Cochin airport from Ashram for the flight to Durgapur. A couple of hours later, Nutan Swamiji along with Ashramites and devotees, set off by car from Jamshedpur. Both parties converged in the evening at Shantiniketan (the abode of peace) almost simultaneously.

A group of devotees had travelled by road two days earlier from Jamshedpur to set up in Shantiniketan the temporary Prajnana Dham – the residential place for Swamijis, with all provisions, house-keeping items, kitchen utensils and the like. The rented Airbnb was converted into an Ashram.

Everyday sevaks (who were staying at another premises close by) would joyfully come to do the washing and ironing of gerua, prepare Swamijis’ food, serve during their meals and wind up the dining area and kitchen after that.

Parallelly in Dakshinkhanda, Sri Jangal and Smt Meena had equipped their kitchen for the preparation of Swamijis’ mid-day bhiksha.

Next three days we travelled back and forth from Shantiniketan to Dakshinkhanda in a convoy of 5 vehicles, starting at 9 am and returning late in the evening. Bumpy roads were flanked by lush green paddy fields stretching up to the horizon. Here and there, fresh water ponds fringed by palm trees, stared at the sky like the eyes of earth.

Engulfed by Devotion

When Poojya Swamiji, accompanied by Nutan Swamiji and Ma, stepped down from the car at the foot of the great Peepul tree, a swarm of eager faces awaited them. Children, housewives, men, all rushed forward to offer pranams.

Ululations reverberated and filled the whole air, the rich sonorous sounds of conches spread auspiciousness. The sights and sounds were so overwhelming that for a moment I felt I was one of them. Into their simple rustic life, revolving around family ceremonies and religious festivities, a shaft of light had descended. As they had ushered Poojya Swamiji, Nutan Swamiji and Ma into their hearts months ago, so did they welcome them now in the same innocent, natural way into the village.

Poojya Swamiji, Nutan Swamiji and Ma were garlanded in front of the village Kali temple (fondly called Buri Ma – the old Mother) before proceeding to the temporary
Guru-paramparā shrine.

All three went inside the tiny room. The rest of us waited outside, peering in wherever possible. There Poojya Swamiji lay his delicate 91-year old body in full prostration (on the bare floor) to his beloved Baba! Ma sobbed silently. Nutan Swamiji’s eyes were trickling too. All three then emerged from the room, radiating divinity, pure and complete.

The holy lotus feet

Padapooja and Satsangs in Ananda Bhavan

From the shrine, Poojya Swamiji, Nutan Swamiji and Ma were taken to Ananda Bhavan, a new building owned by one of the devotees who offered it to be used for Swamijis, as well as for Satsangs and feeding. There, Ma explained to the audience the meaning and purpose of paada-pooja. It was the first ever paada-pooja held at Dakshinkhanda. Smt Lakshmi and Sri Akshay Chakraborty of Dakshinkhanda village were the chosen couple to perform it on behalf of all. They had received Deeksha (initiation) from Poojya Swamiji in Jamshedpur during the Annual Jnana Yajna in February this year.

Swamiji then delivered his benedictory address in Bengali, explaining what constitutes true bhakti. Speaking to the eager crowd affectsonately, Swamiji inspired them to enrich their life with austerity, devotion and commitment. Speaking from Navayogi Samvada (Conversation with Nine Yogis), he explained that the essence of Sreemad Bhaagavatam is “Bhaktir-viraktir-bhagavad-prabodhaḥ”. Surrender to the Lord leads to freedom from worldliness, and the two then lead to the experience of the ultimate Reality.

He blessed that Poornashram be enriched by the unhindered flow of Knowledge, and grow to be a place where seekers from distant lands would come to quench their inner thirst.

Each day, all present (150 to 300) were served Bhakti Bhoj. By 4 pm the crowd would gather again for the afternoon Satsang. During these sessions, Swamiji spoke about various levels of devotion as described in Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. Telling the story of Prahlada, he explained that true devotional life does not need any effort. It depends on simplicity and surrender. “The Lord is everywhere. Our one-pointed devotion makes Him manifest in our own heart.”

In all his Satsangs, Swamiji spoke about the same highest Truth as he does for the seekers elsewhere, occasionally turning to Ma to pick the right Bengali word or phrase. Bright, smiling faces nodded as they listened intently. It was apparent that they understood Swamiji, soaking in the spirit and message that was conveyed every time.

Being winter, it would become dark by 5 pm. Poojya Swamiji would then lead Nama-sankeertana pradakshina in the hall, and everyone from children to old people would follow, completely free of inhibitions. Each evening would conclude with pranams and prasada distribution, where devotees jostled against one another wanting Swamiji to place his hand on their heads.

On the third day was the scheduled meeting with the architect (who had driven from Kolkata for this purpose), structural engineer, and the contractor. There was a site visit too, where Swamijis, Ma and Namrataji inspected every corner of the structure from bottom to top, and pored over building layout plans with the experts.

In one of the Satsangs, a few ladies expressed with confidence, clarity and spontaneity the changes the online Sunday Satsangs had brought in their lives.  Language posed no barrier in understanding the import of what they said. “There has been so much change! Even our in-laws remark upon it! Joy and sorrow do not drown us any more.”

Satsang

I wondered – is it that simple, innocent hearts receive this knowledge better than analytic, erudite minds? As Swamiji often says, “Faith clinches what logic struggles to gain”.

At the end of Brahma-Dhāma-Yātrā, Swamiji told us: “This is the most significant event of my ascetic life and mission. It is one of supreme austerity, an austere offering, samarpana to my Gurudev. Do you all realize this?”

Jnana Yajna ‘like no other’

Swamiji has been interacting with countless number of people including villagers on various occasions ever since his sannyasa life began. What set this Programme apart from other Jnana Yajnas?

In Swamiji’s words: “This pilgrimage is like a river which has been meandering to give its waters everywhere tracing back its route to its very source. Dakshinkhanda is the place sanctified and impregnated with spiritual austerity and profundity of my Gurudev. Now we have many Centres,
but of all that we have done, this Dakshinkhanda visit is the most important in my life.

“We came here to perpetuate Baba’s life, our association with Baba. In order to do that, we are fulfilling his wishes. This is the first time we have come here exclusively to hold satsang for three days. What could be more significant? Which place could be more important?

“We are spending time with villagers to instill in them the association with Baba, the greatness and grandeur of Baba, what he represented, what we got from him and how we have flowered, and what Baba wished us to do in Dakshinkhanda and for Dakshinkhanda people. First time, we are doing this. Right from the beginning, I have been feeling that these three days are a very austere journey. It is very difficult. We are going 2300 kms away, with a lot of difficulty only to meet the people and spend time with them. And that was exclusively done.

“For me, my Gurubhakti is all that I have. All I am is because of Baba. My going to Dakshinkhanda is a retracing of steps to that source”.

The days of Brahma-Dhāma-Yātrā made clear to us what Gurubhakti is, how it can expand and spread its brilliance, as also the magnificent feats it can achieve.

Poornashram

Baba once told Nutan Swamiji that something must be done for the spiritual welfare of Dakshinkhanda villagers. His words are what Poojya Swamiji, Nutan Swamiji and Ma hold on to firmly and fulfil through Poornashram. What is unique about Poornashram is the tidal wave of Gurubhakti, the outpouring of love of Baba’s three ascetic disciples, that floods every aspect of the endeavour.

Without any thought of rest, any care about their health, Swamiji, Nutan Swamiji and Ma had undertaken this arduous journey only to provide the Dakshinkhanda villagers Satsang, to forge a strong spiritual bond between them, to enable them to form the spiritual family of Poornashram.

Spring follows a long winter

Spring is the fruit of winter’s austerity; it is from the womb of a cold, plain, dreary, winter that every lush, beautiful spring of bursting colours emerges. After a spell of winter, Poornashram is coming into life again, with Poojya Swamiji along with Nutan Swamiji and Ma, installing its spiritual soul, breathing prāṇa into it by inspiring a group of people who will tend it, and also ensuring that the physical building has its simple, elegant structure spreading divinity around. Poornashram will serve not only the villagers of Dakshinkhanda, but all seekers everywhere, by being the abode of Brahmavidya, a tribute to Gurubhakti and a homage to our ageless cultural heritage.

Jai Guru.