Mehrauli Satsang with Guru Maharaj

At the crack of dawn I started off from Palam for the Satsang of Guru Maharaj. I had received only vague directions from Shankar when I had witnessed the divine light on the Grand Trunk Express. I only remembered Mehrauli being mentioned. In the 80s Mehrauli was a sleepy village. I rode along on the dusty and pot holed track on my scooter.  It was almost 9 AM and I was fast losing hope of finding the Satsang.

I turned a corner and the atmosphere changed dramatically. There were crowds on the road and the decorations hinted at a festival. Hundreds of buses, trucks, cars and scooters were parked every where. Volunteers at each gate formed welcome committees. I was questioned deeply. Are you an Abhyasi?  Have you been initiated by the Guru. Oh! This is your first visit. I clarified that I was just a visitor. A small metal badge was pinned to my shirt. There were arrangements for thousands of devotees to stay. Vast tents and hangar like structures had been erected on large grounds. Free literature, coloured photos similar to the one that I had seen on the train were freely handed over to all. I looked at each photo and tried to see if any divine glow emanated from them. Alas they appeared just ordinary photos. I was directed to the giant dining hall where breakfast was being served. Nothing had prepared me for the vast crowds. I had imagined that I would walk directly in to the divine presence of the Guru and have his darshan. I was disappointed to learn that darshan was only in the evening. Breakfast consisted of unlimited hot puris and allu subji. Hundreds of volunteers helped in preparation and serving the thronging devotees. I wandered about the grounds. The large crowds of village folk with their loud talk and shabby appearance was a total put off for me. I had imagined something totally different. I found a hall that had a garish exhibition describing the spiritual activities and and the growth of the organisation. I asked if there was any meditation hall. I was overjoyed to note that a giant hall had been set aside just for the purpose. I had noticed that most devotees had some sort of identity card pinned to their shirt. Mine was just for visitors.

I walked around the grounds trying to find the meditation centre. I asked the volunteers about the meditation hall. But got no positive response. They just took one look at me and my badge and didn't reply. My frustration was deepening, no darshan and no meditation. Just at that moment I noticed a longish queue in front of a massive tent. A sudden thrill ran down my body to learn that it was for meditation. I silently joined the line.  Entrance was being controlled by a swami who was checking the card of each person. I just prayed that I may be allowed inside. Many were being refused entry. The questions were standard are you an Abhyasi. Have you been initiated by the master. Where is your ID card? I knew I would never tell a lie to enter. My turn arrived, the swami asked me “where is your ID card?” I replied honestly I don't have one. Have you been initiated by the master? No.  Surprise of surprise he didn't shoo me away as he had done the others without the credentials. He told me to stand aside. Other devotees continued on to the meditation hall. I was lost in prayer. Mixed emotions fleetingly passed my mind. A wasted day. My foolishness in standing in the queue when I knew admission was limited to the initiated. A silence enveloped me and a sudden energy touched me. At that very instant I looked towards the swami. I knew that same divine energy had nudged him. His face brightened and he gestured to me to step forward. I was a bit confused but he held my arm and said you may enter. I felt I was being mistaken for some one else. So I said in Hindi I have not been initiated. He just said again you may enter.

The meditation tent could easily accommodate ten thousand meditators. Many swamis in white or saffron robes were moving around instructing the meditators to sit down keeping sufficient space between each person.  There was a chief swami who was giving instruction on a mike and the whole group was taking up various asanas I was a bit lost as I didn't follow any instruction. A sudden fear gripped my heart. Would I be hauled up as an imposter and expelled from the hall. Should I imitate my neighbours? A silent voice told my heart just sit and meditate as you do every day. I just closed my eyes and went into my own heart. Meditation continued for more than three quarters of an hour. Though I did my own stuff. I gained an insight into what my companions were being guided. They were attempting to hear the inner sound of the universal heart.  In the Deep calm that my meditation had settled was a hint and flashes of images that were memories beyond the present.  I got an insight into why I had been permitted to attend. When the session ended I opened my eyes and looked calmly around and noticed that many swamis had been moving around and correcting and helping my companions but no one had ever told me anything.

 The meditation boosted my energy and my resolve to stay till the evening Satang and have a darshan of the Guru Maharaj. It was now almost lunch time and all were being directed towards the large dining tents. I too joined in and was treated to a tasty meal made with love and served by the volunteers. It was like a carnival. The simple village folk mixed with the elite city dwellers in their devotion to the Guru Maharaj. The curse of caste and class that divides India vanished temporarily. Both body and soul refreshed I decided to do some voluntary work. I enquired and moved to the site of the evening Satsang. I joined the large groups helping to decorate the stage and the grounds. I forgot my self and worked for hours on end.  Every thirty minutes volunteers brought water and tea or biscuits for us and lovingly coaxed us to take the Prasad.

 Slowly my companions started to leave to rejoin family members and freshen up for the evening Satsang. I noticed that the grounds had been closed out and devotees wanting to enter early were not being allowed. The gates would be opened only at seven in the evening. I enquired with a middle aged swami where I should sit for darshan.  He lead me straight on to the sofas kept on the very first row and said take rest you will surely get the best darshan here. The day had been long and I had done hours of physical labour so the suggestion was welcome but the very first row!! I couldn't believe it. I felt a bit uncomfortable and moved to the sofa on the second row. The minute I sat down a cool breeze relaxed me. I was in a deep restful sleep. I was woken up by the loud blast of devotional music that announced the entry of devotees. The ground had been barricaded I looked back and saw the mass of devotees thronging the grounds. Thousands were vying to get in. I looked at my own position and was more than shocked. I seemed to be in the VIP enclosure. What was my merit that had led me to this privilege? Or what was my connection that had led me on?

The evening programme started with bhajans and devotional songs. The simple village folk seemed out of key but deep devotion and love swayed the mass of devotees. The Great Guru Maharaj stepped onstage to a thunderous applause. He was dressed in his signature blue suit. The master started leading the bhajan in a simple and quite voice. He had a hypnotic presence. Many children, young boys and girls started dancing. Then very old women joined in. The atmosphere was enchanting. The whole satsung was vibrating at a higher spiritual level. Many participants were swooning unable to handle this sudden downpour of energy. My own body was shivering trying to adjust to this new energy. The Master stepped off the stage and moved swiftly inside the VIP area Blessing all those present. I stepped out and did a sastang namaskar. The master dropped a flower. I was overwhelmed. Tears of joy were freely flowing down my cheeks.  As I got back to my seat I noticed the time it was already passed 10 PM.

I never met Shankar that evening. Two months later on a visit to Bangalore I saw Shankar again and narrated my experiences of the Mehrauli Satsang.  Shankar refused to believe that I could have participated in the meditation. He asked me repeatedly. What did you tell the Swami? Non Abyasis are never allowed. It's not possible.  I just repeated my narrative.  “You sat in the VIP enclosure and The Guru Maharaj gave you a flower!” Shankar was astounded by my tale. He bowed his head and was touching my feet in deep reverence. You must be divinely connected to the great Guru. I couldn’t comprehend his behaviour and just hugged him as a brother devotee.

This visit to Mehrauli showed me the deep and selfless love of the simple village folk of rural India and its spiritual possibilities. Thank You Guru Maharaj for blessing a wanderer.

The Battle of Ghosts in a Kolkata Hotel

On a flight to Kolkata my colleague Shakti asked me “Sir have you stayed at this hotel at Kolkata where the company has booked our rooms.” I said, “No. But why? Anything interesting?” “Oh Sir it’s a crazy hotel. I am very scared of staying there.” I asked him to elaborate. He described how many other colleagues had been affected by the haunted rooms there. I listened to his incredulous story and promised to investigate the same during our stay there.

During the long drive from the airport to the hotel I had put myself into a receptive state.  I gained much information about the haunted zones in the hotel. I joked with the hotel staff and told them “Please allot one of those special rooms to me.” The staff were shocked but tight lipped. Just then I noticed Shakti becoming pale. I asked “Hey what is the problem?” He said, “They have allotted the same room again. I can’t stay there.”

I immediately told the check in staff, “Please interchange the rooms and I will take that room.”  They said, “Why Sir? Both room are very good.” I just insisted and got the rooms changed. Shakti was hyperventilating worried for me he said, “Sir Ji be careful I never slept the whole night on my last stay here it’s really bad.”

I told him don’t worry about me. I remembered the special protective mantra I had received from the Master in Guwahati. I was confident no ghost could ever frighten me.

That evening I strolled casually in the various corridors of that 5 star hotel feeling the different energies. I noted how a whole section of the hotel had been closed off and a wall had been constructed blocking access to that area. My room was the last one. I noticed the green flag of a Muslim Saint placed on the roof as a protective talisman. The corridors had burning lamps combined with fragrant oils as room fresheners. It suggested of precautions taken by the hotel management to ward off evil influences.

I had an early dinner. During my evening meditation and prayers I included a special prayer for the welfare of the tormented souls stuck in the hotel. I went to bed early anticipating a late night vigil. I had a sound dreamless sleep. I woke up due to slight disturbance at about 2 AM. I washed my face and sat on the bed to go into a deep state. Within minutes a curious ancient scene unfolded in my inner vision. It was a Military Hospital many injured soldiers were in terrible pain. Pain killers not being in much supply. Some soldiers opting suicide to end their painful existence. Many re-living the torment of the battle field. A deep sense of sorrow descended on my heart as I felt their pain. I noticed some of these tortured beings approach me. I send deep waves of blessings and prayers which they seemed to feel and acknowledge. I told them my purpose was to help. This joyful communion was becoming deeper. They believed my honesty and sincerity. They told me their painful stories. I can’t breech that sacred trust and reveal it here. Much like a doctor can’t reveal his patients ailments in public.

Just as things were progressing much beyond my expectations. The peace was violently disturbed by a horde of ancient soldiers. They burst on to scene with their weapons and armor. The new comers positioned themselves in between. A deep anger rose in my heart at this flagrant violation of my privacy. I expressed the same to the leader of the horde. He was calm and commanded my attention. “Sir we watched the scene as it had unfolded from outside the room. Your communion with the disembodied. Your words of encouragement and hope. We too trust you and believe you. But we have a duty to perform”.

I was not convinced and I conveyed my irritation at being so rudely disturbed. The leader of the horde addressed me again. We have been positioned here to protect the hotel guests so we need to perform our duty. We can’t watch this strange interaction between you and the disembodied ones. It is our duty to protect you and prevent this interaction.

I saw the logic and felt pacified. The strange scene melted into the infinity from where it had emerged. There was peace just a light glow in my inner vision. I opened my eyes and saw the room was exactly as it had been. I prayed again for both groups trapped by their fates. May God bless and save them. 

I went back to bed and had a restful sleep. Next morning Shakti was all keen to know if I had discovered anything. I told him a short synopsis of the events of the previous night. His eyes dilated in fear “Sir is it really true. I will never accept a stay at this hotel. The company needs to change our hotel.”

I knew this was not my last stay at this hotel. Many new adventures lay in wait in the haunted corridors and rooms.

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Vision of Parents in Chennai with a Divine Being in Guwahati

It was late in the evening. The sun had set long back. I rode my trusted Chetak on the dark roads of rural Guwahati. I was visiting my teacher at “VIP Moude”. I had been a frequent visitor and was invited lovingly into their living room. My teacher’s daughter brought the customary glass of water and left. I was waiting patiently for the master to appear. He walked in quietly. I got up to pranam. He asked me to sit on the sofa and selected a wooden chair for himself. He looked lovingly at me and enquired about my welfare. 

After a few minutes of silence he requested me to meditate sitting right there. The peace was deep and my entire body was tingling with joy. Just then he asked me, “Do you see my friend who has just arrived.” Before I could open my eyes to greet the visitor, the master suggested that I go deeper into the inner light. With my eyes tightly shut I tried to increase my concentration but nothing crossed my inner vision. I just nodded and mumbled “kuch nahin”. Then I heard the master laugh and tell the visitor, “He doesn’t see you yet.” I didn’t hear the reply, the master was now beside me and he just tapped my back and said in Hindi “Theeq se dekho”.  Wow! the inner light was dazzling.  In the vision was a divine being of light. In my mind I asked “who is this?” My thought was answered instantly by the master in the form of thought capsules. “He is my friend he can give you a vision of any place that you want”. I just remembered my parents in Chennai. The very thought transformed the inner vision. I was seeing my mother at our family house sitting in front of the TV. Father too was visible as he was moving from the drawing room to the bed room and back. The vision was clear but as seen through a morning mist. The audio was missing and just the video running. I was in a telepathic communion with my parents. I was engrossed in the inner magic and enjoying the divine blessings. The master just tapped my back a second time and said, “Maja ayah. Mataji aur Pitaji acchen hain.” I had said nothing but words seemed superficial.

Now I opened my eyes and replied, “Yes, they seem fine. A bit lonely though”. I blinked my eyes and closed again this time the divine visitor was clearly visible to my inner sight without the master’s prompting.

I immediately got down to pranam and pay obeisance to the master for the gift of the inner vision. I felt the other leave with a blessing and a message. “Good Bye Brother till we will meet again.” I did encounter this divine being again but that is a different story

The master fondly picked me up and gave certain instructions for my spiritual growth. It was already late. I rode back along the lonely road to my home with my mind spinning. The divine experience and events of the evening could not have been a dream.