Arunachala

Compassion Unlimited!

Posted on December 17, 2020December 16, 2020 by Mohanji Testimonials

By Subhasree Thottungal, UK

Being with Mohanji, one thing I have realised over time is that we never need to ask anything, we never need to tell him anything. He feels our thoughts, responds appropriately, and he even fulfils our desires too.

In this write-up, I am going to express a few such experiences which made me wonder how compassionately Mohanji fulfilled my wishes and above all how he removed my pain and probably took it on himself! It may sound difficult to believe unless you really see with your own eyes. In today’s logical world, does this really happen? I would probably have not believed if this didn’t happen to me directly. One thing for sure, with Mohanji, nothing ever is a co-incidence!

So here it goes.

Sometime back in 2018, I think Mohanji had travelled to Mookambika (Kollur in Karnataka) and there were photos of him in FB. When I had seen those photos, I had a thought at that time that may be one day I should go to Mookambika with Mohanji. That desire remained there.

In 2019, around Sep/Oct, a Kriya Intensive retreat was announced in Mookamika for December 2019. I was thrilled to hear this and thought that I would go for that. But soon, I realised the dates were such that I wouldn’t be able to make it because I was going to the Philippines for an Acharya Program for about a week and I would just be returning around this time. The visit to the Philippines was on Mohanji’s advise, and so that couldn’t be compromised. I had accepted the fact that I won’t be able to attend the Kriya intensive and will miss going to Mookambika with Mohanji.

Anyway, the days went by. My Philippines trip was completed. After that, a few days of holidays with my in-laws and parents were over too, and it was time to return to London at the beginning of Jan 2020. I knew Mohanji was in Bangalore and since my return flight to London was from Bangalore, I thought of checking with Mohanji if I could meet him. I messaged him, and he said I could come and meet him, but he is not in Bangalore. He was in isolation and at Mookambika. But he welcomed me to come and meet him there and asked me to check with Preeti didi regarding the travel details. I was speechless! Mohanji had called me to visit him in Mookambika!

I instantly understood and realised that Mohanji was fulfilling my desire of visiting Mookmbika with him, which I missed earlier because I had to go to the Philippines! My heart truly expanded with gratitude. Anyway, I travelled as Preeti didi kindly made all the necessary arrangements. Those days, I had immense pain in my feet, my Rheumatoid Arthritis pain in my feet had flared up just before the visit to the Philippines. During this whole trip, the pain was intense, and I was limping.

Anyway, I reached Mookmabika. Rajesh Kamath and another devotee who was accompanying Mohanji received me. When I met Mohanji, he noticed me limping and asked me about it. I just brushed it aside. I was too happy just seeing Mohanji.

Mohanji said, early next morning, before 5 am, we will be going to the temple and to stand in the queue to have the “Nirmalya Darshan” – the first view of Mother Goddess. Every moment with Mohanji is so special. We were ready by 4:30 am and walked barefooted to the temple and stood outside, waiting for the door to open. Mohanji was behaving just like any other ordinary visitor, waiting at the side, very humbly. A Master of his stature to wait outside the temple patiently was giving us the teaching of pure humility, no ego, no demand of comfort!

While I was standing by his side, he suddenly called me and taught me a breathing exercise. While receiving this diksha from my Guru standing in front of Mother’s temple, I even had no sense to feel good about it… mind, ego and pride had evaporated at that time, and it was only bliss. The bliss of receiving Guru’s grace!

Soon the temple door opened and we went inside. I was behind Mohanji. When we all stood at the front in the queue, Mohanji asked me to come in front of him and stand. I felt a little awkward to stand in front of Mohanji. But he made sure that I stood right in front to see Mother and the rituals clearly without any obstruction! I had a special prayer to make. (I will write about it on a later date) When the ritual was going on, I made this prayer, being fully aware that my Guru is standing behind me with his grace engulfing me totally. Suddenly as I opened my eyes, I saw a flower from Mother’s head had dropped. We believe that the flower dropping from the head of the idol is a symbol that God has accepted our prayer!

I immediately turned around, trying to look at Mohanji, and he had a smile on his face! While the ritual of this early morning was happening, Mohanji was narrating to me all the details of the ritual. Just like a father or mother would explain to their child for the first time. He ensured that I had a clear view too. After the rituals, Mohanji went to the side of the temple, and there was a special veranda where people usually sit and do prayers. This is where Adi Shankaracharya’s temple is also present. Mohanji went and sat directly opposite, facing Adi Shankaracharya’s temple. Rajesh went and sat nearby.

I was walking slowly, limping and was about to sit a little far away from Mohanji, not wanting to disturb him, as he had his eyes closed. Mohanji opened his eyes and called me to sit next to him, gesturing with his hands to the space on his left side. As I sat next to him, it was as if I had entered into a high energy zone. I thought of doing Kriya there. Mohanji then reminded me to do the breathing exercise he had taught me while standing outside, to do it just before I do any sadhana. For me, it was already a big deal that Mohanji opened his eyes, called me to sit and was now giving direction to intensify my sadhana. He was not worried about his sadhana; he was guiding me instead! A true Guru he is, truly there every moment to guide us! I did as he guided and then did Kriya.

During Kriya that time, I had a feeling of floating; my bottom couldn’t feel the cool hard stone surface any more… I was truly levitating with the power of that energy sphere that I was inside, being right next to Mohanji. This Kriya experience was probably a once in a lifetime experience. (Well every meeting, every moment I am with Mohanji, I take it as once in a lifetime moment!) I am sure my words are nowhere near doing justice to what I had experienced that time. I was not even able to feel my breath, heartbeat or any vibration in the body…. just simply floating.

When I finished Kriya, I opened my eyes, Mohanji was sitting very calmly. I wanted to capture that moment, especially the view that I had in front of my eyes, seeing Adi Shankara at one end of the veranda and Mohanji at this end, both facing each other! I took out my phone quietly and clicked a few pics. (though we are not supposed to). Mohanji told me to be careful, as the previous day, the camera of a devotee was taken away.

I was sitting and just noticing other devotees in the temple. Everyone was touching their head at the outside wall of the main temple and was writing something with their fingers. I was just thinking about what they were doing, and Mohanji said at that time, people write their wishes there on the wall. I nodded my head. Then he told me to go there and write and ask Mother to remove the pain from my feet. I was probably a bit hesitant to get up and go, and moreover, I feel when I am with Mohanji, why do I need to pray for anything for myself, he knows what is needed.

Then Mohanji insisted again, “Go and ask Mother to remove your pain and make you fit. You have a lot of work to do.” These were not mere words; this was a command for me. I got up and limped to that place and did as Mohanji had instructed. And then came back and sat next to Mohanji again. We sat there for a couple of hours almost till the aarati happens. While we were sitting, an old lady came. In the last few days of Mohanji’s regular visits and sitting at the same place, they had got to know each other, and so she comes and talks to Mohanji in their language – Malayalam.

That day when she saw me, Mohanji first introduced me to her in their language as his ‘shishya’ which means ‘disciple’. For me to hear this word directly from Mohanji, in front of Adi Shankara, inside this pious temple, was a great thing. I can be his follower, I can be his devotee, but to be my Guru’s disciple is a lifetime honour itself! Then he requested the lady to help me go and see the aarati properly right in the front again.

Mohanji was not going there, but he ensured that we were taken care of and had a proper darshan. Before going out, we did the parikrama around the temple visiting all the other small temples of other deities, and Mohanji continued to talk to me about each one. He even instructed Rajesh to get two lamps for me and showed me where to light it, where to show it and where to place those lamps! Honestly, I was a 5-year-old girl at that time, and my father was showing me around everything with so much care and compassion. I was still floating!

I stayed one more day in Mookambika and those two days watching Mohanji being in a sadhana mode; I felt it was my punya from many lifetimes! I returned back to London with the determination that I would meet Mohanji again in a few weeks for the Global Summit and Mohanji’s birthday celebration in Sri Lanka.

At the end of January, it was the inauguration of the land in Arunachala – a home for seniors. I heard from some people who met Mohanji at that time that he had terrible pain in his feet and was limping. A few weeks later, during the 3rd week of February, we all travelled to Sri Lanka. When I reached the hotel, and after some time, I got the chance to meet Mohanji in his room. And what I saw made me go numb. His left foot was very swollen, and he was in pain.

It didn’t take me a moment to realise what had happened since January first week when I was limping in front of him with swelling and pain in my left foot, and now I was walking fine, but he had swelling and pain in his left foot. I am insignificant here. What is significant is his compassion. He had transferred my pain, making me fit! His words in Mookmbika temple were ringing in my ears, “Tell Mother to make you fit. You have a lot of work to do.”

After the Global Summit, on this birthday morning, we all went to Kataragama temple. While walking around the temple, Mohanji was limping. Even though he had pain, nothing was shown on his face; he was laughing and talking with everyone. Inside the temple, on the sandy ground, he was walking barefooted and was limping. At that point, I couldn’t stop my emotion anymore. My heart was crying out. When I got the chance, I expressed to him, “Mohanji, please give back my pain to me. I can’t see you like this.” He smiled and said, “How do you know it’s only yours? You can’t bear what I can. I may have some pain in the body, but I have no suffering.”

It was the responsibility of a mother who would bear all the pain for the child but will never make it visible to the child. Mohanji doesn’t need any credit for what he does for us. His only aim is to free us from our pain and suffering without making it a big deal in front of us. He does his job quietly. On one side, I was so grateful to him to have removed my pain and making me fit, but on another side, I was sad to see him in that pain.

One evening while we were in some discussion during the global meet, Barbara called me to say Mohanji had called me. That evening Mohanji was not feeling well. When I went to his room, he was resting. When I went near to him, he opened his palm and showed me a thread that he was holding. It was a part of his janeyu (the sacred thread that he wears around his neck and chest). He said while he was laying there his hand on his chest, half of the janeyu just came in his hand, he doesn’t know how. He still has the janeyu around his chest. He gave me that sacred thread in my hand and told me to keep it.

It was no less than a miracle, that while he was sleeping, a few layers of the sacred thread came in his hand just like that! I didn’t use my mind to analyse this or to understand this. For me, it was my Guru’s blessings, his protection, in the form of the sacred thread, protection that had materialised in his hand! Without any delay, he had called me and given it to me, which meant he knew I needed protection at that time. We have no clue what dangers he protects us and saves us from, some we see, some we don’t see and some we see but don’t realise. His subtle way of working is beyond the understanding of my limited thinking.

The only thing that I know very well by now is that his compassion, his love is beyond any limit, beyond any boundary. Truly for me, Mohanji is compassion incarnate, showering his grace and love unconditionally beyond any form or relation. My heartfelt gratitude, my hug and love from this tiny heart goes to where my Guru lives. Not too far away, but right here, at the centre of my heart. I love you Mohanji. Koti Pranams.

|| JAI BRAHMARISHI MOHANJI||

Edited & Published by – Testimonials Team, 17^thDecember 2020

Disclaimer:

The views, opinions, and positions expressed by the authors and those providing comments on these blogs are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or positions of Mohanji, Mohanji Foundation, it’s members, employees or any other individual or entity associated with Mohanji or Mohanji Foundation. We make no representations as to accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability or validity of any information presented by individual authors and/or commenters on our blogs and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries or damages arising from its display or use.

We reserve the right to delete, edit, or alter in any manner we see fit blog entries or comments that we, in our sole discretion, deem to be obscene, offensive, defamatory, threatening, in violation of trademark, copyright or other laws, of an express commercial nature, or otherwise unacceptable.

— Mohanji Testimonials Team

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A shelter in Arunachala

Posted on May 14, 2020May 14, 2020 by Mohanji Editorial Team

By Pravin Thakkar, UK

I would like to share this story of gratitude to Mohanji. This is very special for me too, as this event was possible only with Mohanji’s grace, and his help is for the karmic benefit of me and my family.

Let me tell you the story.

In 2018 August, Mohanji visited us in London. At that time, my wife and I had a deep desire to visit the Arunachala temple with Mohanji. We expressed this desire to Mohanji. He guided me to talk to the team who plan Mohanji’s programmes. After some discussion, I found out that there was no visit possible in the near future.

In October 2018, we were attending the pilgrimage to Badrinath with Mohanji. There were heavy rains and flooding in different parts of India. Some of Mohanji’s programmes were cancelled due to this and the team was able to plan a pilgrimage to Arunachala with Mohanji at short notice.

We were still in India at that time. When we heard this visit being planned, I realised that it was Mohanji’s divine plan, he was fulfilling our wish to visit Arunachala with him! This was a clear indication that when a wish comes from heart, Guru always fulfils it. We were so grateful to Mohanjifor fulfilling our wish and we were soon in Arunachala with Mohanji.

What happened in Arunachala was something that is beyond just fulfilling a simple desire!

While we were in Arunachala, I noticed a few old sadhus, very sick and looking really like beggars. I wanted to help them but due to certain restrictions, I wasn’t allowed to do so. I was so sad in my heart. I couldn’t sleep the whole night thinking about those sadhus. The next morning, I conveyed my wish to Mohanji about how we could help such old, sick, and helpless sadhus.

Mohanji is so compassionate. He immediately arranged a visit to a small place where we saw someone had created a temporary shelter for about 70 sadhus who were very old, sick, and helpless. Mohanji immediately advised the Ammucare team to start regular health check-up, and food and medicine donations to this shelter. While we were at that place, Mohanji told me that this was a temporary place and due to some issues, this shelter was to be closed soon and the sadhus would be on the road!

Hearing that, my heart cried. I felt an inner calling to do something permanent for these sadhus. I expressed my intention to Mohanji immediately. Once again, Mohanji responded quickly. He advised the Mohanji Foundation CEO to look into this matter to see if some land could be acquired and a shelter built.

I was in a dream, I thought. Within months, everything was falling into place. The land was found, donations were collected. Of course, nothing happens without hurdles. Those hurdles were just tests for us to check our conviction and the depth of our intention.

So in the end, in October 2019, exactly a year later, the land in Arunachala was purchased and inaugurated by Mohanji. It was clearly a divine blessing as without any prior planning, we had two eminent Masters also attending this function!

In all these events, I was only a small instrument. My wish to serve the sadhus must be a desire from past lives, and Mohanji made sure all that was fulfilled! With this, I know that a huge karma of mine and maybe even that of my lineage has been completed!

I am so thankful to my Guru Mohanji to have fulfilled my desires and for helping me to accomplish my karmic agenda in such a compassionate way – from that first visit to Arunachala to the land acquisition for the home for seniors! May this place give peace, love, and shelter to the sadhus of Arunachala.

Thank you Mohanji from the depth of my heart, thank you.

|| JAI BRAHMARISHI MOHANJI||

Edited & Published by – Testimonials Team, 14^thMay 2020

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— Mohanji Testimonials Team

Memories from Tiruvannamalai 2018

Posted on January 31, 2020January 31, 2020 by Mohanji Testimonials

By Padmini Ravikumar, Dubai

We had planned a surprise visit to see our mother for her 80^th birthday. Her birthday was on Oct 16^th, but my other siblings wanted to celebrate it on Oct 3^rd, according to the Hindu calendar, in Mumbai. Here I was wondering how to take time to be in Mumbai and then at Tiruvannamalai for Mohanji’s retreat, which was from Oct 7^th to 10^th, 2018. I had enough responsibilities at home, so to take this time to be in Mumbai and Tiruvannamalai would be next to impossible.

The idea of going for the retreat came up one day in my puja room, as I was setting my altar at home after our move from Singapore to Dubai. I had just kept Mohanji’s big framed picture in the altar and picked up a small picture of Ramana Maharishi to be inserted into the corner of the framed picture. That’s when a flash came; maybe I should make a trip to Sri Ramana Ashram, or join the retreat so that I would meet the Master there.

The discussions of the birthday went back and forth and finally, the venue was fixed to be Chennai. I was ecstatic; I thought my retreat would happen. I called the organisers for the dates and agenda of the Tiruvannamalai trip, as I wanted both amma (mother) and myself doing the retreat. I soon realised that an active retreat was not possible with amma; as the group had plans for outer Girivalam (circumambulation), inner Girivalam, etc. With a heavy heart, I decided not to sign up for the retreat but decided if we got accommodations at Sri Ramana Ashram, I would take amma and go stay for 3 days at the Ashram from Oct 7^th to 9^th. I would probably have Mohanji’s darshan if he saw fit. At this point, the dates for the open satsang hadn’t come out, as all were in Badrinath with Mohanji. Accepting whatever comes as his grace, which included his darshan, plans for Sri Ramana Ashram stay was worked out with a prayer to him.

Within a day, our accommodations and transport from Chennai to the Ashram was finalised. This was definitely grace at play. I was soon in Chennai, and on Oct 3^rd, amma’s 80^th birthday went off well. On Oct 5^th, there was a weather forecast of a cyclone ripping through Chennai on Oct 6^th night and 7^th morning. There was a red alert given; schools and colleges were shut down, and people were asked to stock up with all essentials. The floods of Dec 2015 had unnerved us a lot, as we had lost our dad due to the floods. So, we got ready for the event by stocking up.

Deep in my heart was a fervent prayer, O Baba, will our trip to Sri Ramana Ashram come to naught? Intense prayer and talking to Mohanji mentally happened; also with the understanding that HE knows all, if it has to happen it will. Whatever happens, will happen according to his will. Holding on to his Gayatri, I surrendered.

Oct 6^th came by, but nothing happened. No rain, nothing! So that day we went to see a Siddha (saint) at his ashram in Kelambakkam. It was a lovely day spent in satsang and in his presence and blessings. That night too, there was no sign of rain, the cyclone had moved on. So on Oct 7^th at 7 am, in the car sent by Sri Ramana Ashram, amma and I left for Tiruvannamalai. Due to all the warnings of rains and floods, there was no traffic and we reached there in less than 3.5 hrs without any issues.

We arrived at the Ashram and went to the Samadhi of Maharishi; the serenity of the Ashram, the presence of Bhagwan, the sight of Arunachala and the joy of being there was the ultimate high. The Ashram provided us with lovely accommodations across the road and as the driver turned into the road, what do I see? A huge billboard advertising an open satsang by Mohanji at the Sparsa Resort. He was there before I had reached the accommodation! Like Sai who says in his Satcharitra to Shama, I will be there before you in Gaya. My joy knew no bounds.

Our plans for the 7^th were to visit the Ashram, have lunch, rest, and visit the Ashtalingams (8 Shiva Lingams) from 3:30 pm onwards. Every Lingam visit was filled with high energy and strong vibrations. I kept looking out of the auto-rickshaw, checking if Mohanji’s group was doing their outer Girivalam and I could have a darshan of the Master. No such luck. The next morning, we visited the main Annamalai temple and wanted to visit Yogi Ram Surat Kumar’s ashram. After the temple visit, there was a sudden change in our plan, and we headed back to Sri Ramana Ashram.

As I was helping amma up the Ashram steps, I saw Preeti sitting there. The minute she saw me, she pointed to the Ashram book shop, grinning away to glory. My heart was beating crazily, and without hurrying amma, I somehow reached the bookshop to see Mohanji talking to someone. As my heart did a little jig, my eyes started tearing at the Master’s unexpected darshan at the Ashram. No sooner Mohanji turned to look at us, I literally flew, fell at his feet and into his arms sobbing away not knowing why. The tears just flowed. He spoke to amma and me lovingly. I was just lost in bliss. He held amma by her hands and spoke to her in Tamil saying we will meet tomorrow. The group then left with Mohanji to Seshadri Swamigal’s ashram next door, but we couldn’t go as I wasn’t sure if amma would be able to keep pace.

This whole darshan was so unexpected that it sends raptures down my spine every time I think about it. The satsang that evening was so blissful and Mohanji spoke so powerfully about what to ask Ramana Maharishi at the Samadhi. I felt it was just for me. He said, “Ask Maharishi for his state of inner stillness.” That stayed with me. Even on certain days when the going is tough, his words suddenly reverberate in my head – Inner stillness.

Yes, I couldn’t join the retreat; yes, I couldn’t do the inner Girivalam or outer Girivalam, but the chance meeting and the satsang with Mohanji was nectar to this parched jiva (soul).

The whole trip to Chennai and Tiruvannamalai, the cyclone which changed course, traffic-free roads, awesome darshan of 8 Lingams, no complaints from my 80-year-old mother about food, tiredness or knee pain, the blissful satsang, and his loving hugs, time at Maharishi’s Samadhi, what more could I ask for! A perfect retreat indeed, all possible due to his grace and blessings!

|| JAI BRAHMARISHI MOHANJI||

Compiled, Edited & Published by – Testimonials Team, 31^stJanuary 2020

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— Mohanji Testimonials Team

Everything is Tradition

Posted on August 29, 2019August 28, 2019 by Mohanji Editorial Team

By Nameshri Chetty

When we start writing our experiences, lots of thoughts go back and forth internally; thoughts of what should be shared, how it should be shared, if it’s appropriate, how will others receive it and so on. It’s almost like a tennis match, where the thoughts are like the ball, shuttling between the courts of reasoning. Upon witnessing my thoughts carefully, I came to the understanding that EVERYTHING IS TRADITION.

In my previous testimonials, I have mentioned that Mohanji had given me a list of places of worship, considered divinely powerful energy centres in India, and I have written about my experiences in some of these places as listed below.

1.Tirupati
2.Kurnool
3.Prashanti
4.Mookambika
5.Mahadeshwar
6.Vishnodevi
7.Shiv Khori
8.Rishikesh
9.Badrinath
10.Kedarnath
11.Arunachala (Thiruvannamalai)
12.Thrissur

I can almost hear people say – “so many places!” It’s a matter of awe indeed, but I covered them all at a very relaxed pace. Each place is a story in itself and if I get down to write about all my experiences, it would mean a never-ending read. So I will share a few, just to illustrate why I say – Everything is Tradition.

ARUNACHALA, Tamil Nadu, India

This is considered to be the “Kailash of the South”, and is true to the phrase. There is certain calmness amidst the strength that is felt, as in Kailash. I would like to mention that throughout my travels, I was literally and figuratively going with the flow. Honestly, I had neither expectations nor any hesitation during my journey. All I knew and felt was that I have left everything at Mohanji’s feet.

I had placed an eye card in every place possible, even in Kedarnath. Mamu had asked me for an eye card in the hustle and bustle. It was the last one I had and he placed it by the Kedarnath Linga. He later said that he was told to ask me for one. It was the Tradition’s blessing.

Back to the story – Arunachala with Mohanji was planned out of the blue. Although it was on my list, it was grace that showered us with Mohanji’s presence.

Upon visiting the main temple, I felt very ill, hence was unable to go in with the others. I honestly had no feelings of being upset, or being left out, as Mohanji’s teachings of insignificance had settled in (what is meant to be, will be, no ownership or doer-ship).

As we gathered for dinner that evening and everyone was greeting Mohanji, He said to me “Nameshri, you could not have asked for a better darshan, to which I replied, “But Mohanji, I was not there!” As I said this, something caught my eye. Embedded in his hair was a Bilva leaf (leaf of the wood apple tree, used in India to worship Shiva), which I happened to remove from His hair, quite spontaneously without his permission. Upon showing it to him, he said, “You must keep this forever. This is from the main Murti’s Abishekham (cleansing and purifying the idol before worship), the leaf is from there”. I was in utter disbelief! Many had come and gone before me, but none had seen that Bilva leaf that lay in his hair! The Tradition made itself known once again!

THRISSUR in Kerala, India

Through the grapevine and Mohanji’s extended family, I had heard that clinics in Thrissur are hard-core and really tested every individual. But I was assured from within, that I was in good hands and everything was for our own good and the higher purpose.

It was a true blessing to be there from the time I walked in, to the day I left. Through the treatments, I was able to experience past lives, have communions with divine beings and for the first time, I felt what Mohanji speaks about – “things with the body must be with the body, the intellect with the mind and spirit with the spirit”. Prior to this, I was always in the mind, with no time to experience “silence”.

I had decided to go to see the two main temples, one being a Temple of a Goddess and the other a Shiva Temple, both directly opposite to each other. I was received with such hospitality by strangers at the Temple of the Goddess, who even guided me throughout my time there. When it was time to cross the roads to visit the Shiva Temple, the heavens opened up in full glory. In spite of the torrential downpour, a crowd had gathered around the gate, as it was time for worship (in India there are specific times that one is allowed to worship at temples). Here too a gentleman came graciously up to me and spoke in broken English/sign language, guiding me through this ancient temple in the rain (Shree Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi is there).

One cannot see the Linga here, as it is covered in ghee (clarified butter). It is said that this ghee has healing properties, as Thrissur is the birthplace of Ayurveda (the traditional Hindu system of medicine). The sun had set and I was getting a bit nervous fathoming that I had to walk about a km to get a ‘tuk-tuk’ (automated tricycle) in the terrible weather and the place didn’t look safe for a woman to walk alone at night. As I was walking to fetch my shoes, an old lady came up to me and spoke in Malayalam (local language of Kerala). I told her, “Ma! I know only English”. She then mentioned in English that she too needed the company to go down. She enquired about the head doctor at the clinic (all this in perfect English), she even called for a ‘tuk-tuk’ for me and once I was safely seated, she disappeared. On entering the clinic, I mentioned about this encounter to the doctor.

Isn’t it strange that of the thousands of people near the temple, this woman with no shoes, wearing only anklets (a sign that she is probably poor and uneducated) could speak perfect English, knew the head doctor and accompanied me only till the safety point? Once again the Tradition had delivered me to my safe space for healing and safety.

In the last few months, I have come to understand that everything is Tradition. There are no good or bad, just opportunities for us to experience and grow in life. With Mohanji’s teachings and his grace, I have come to live some of what he has been trying to teach us. We are here to experience the world and for the world to experience us. With his grace, we are gently guided through life, always allowing us freedom of choice and experience.

I have written about a Bilva leaf, eye cards, past lives, healing and human interactions, which are honestly an odd combination, but it highlights the presence of the Tradition. Even to the oddest of experiences and those that we tell ourselves are insignificant, we must allow ourselves to acknowledge and offer gratitude to flow with life.

Our Tradition is very clear about “Liberation”, which is free from any ego or fear. It is just love and acceptance and Mohanji delivers just that. Hence TRADITION is equal to MOHANJI or vice versa.

Mere Mahadev, I surrender graciously and humbly at your feet as you are the beginning and end of all that is and is not.

“I glide on the breath of your grace”

|| JAI BRAHMARISHI MOHANJI||

Compiled, Edited & Published by – Testimonials Team, 29^thAugust 2019

Disclaimer:

The views, opinions and positions expressed by the authors and those providing comments on these blogs are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or positions of Mohanji, Mohanji Foundation, it’s members, employees or any other individual or entity associated with Mohanji or Mohanji Foundation. We make no representations as to accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability or validity of any information presented by individual authors and/or commenters on our blogs and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries or damages arising from its display or use.

— Mohanji Testimonials Team

The Saga of ‘The Blanket’ Seva

Posted on January 10, 2019May 25, 2019 by Mohanji Editorial Team

By Rekha Murali

Ammucare Charitable Trust has volunteers across the globe carrying out selfless service activities of various types to reach out to as many people as possible. Through each seva, volunteers have wonderful, transforming experiences. Two such experiences are given below.

Blanket distribution in Chennai

You are expressing your highest. Let that highest be compassion, selflessness, sharing and caring. Let those be your highest expressions on earth so that you have no regrets.” –Mohanji

These words by Mohanji are very precious as this is what I truly experienced as a volunteer of Ammucare. I have tried to put into words the actual incident which taught me so much.

With the onset of winter in early November, Ammucare India decided on a ‘blanket drive’ campaign to distribute blankets to the homeless. I dismissed the idea immediately in my mind, as I lived in Chennai: a place where it is hot, hotter and hottest! I spoke with my friend Kishore too and we decided that we would focus on annadhan (food seva) and not on distribution of blankets. While in a conversation with Soma Seal (President of Ammucare, India) for some other matter, I casually mentioned this to her and said that it was not feasible for the Chennai team to participate in this blanket distribution. She too agreed and asked us to continue with our other seva! I could not have been more wrong and so far from the truth of our Master’s plan!

During the first week of December, with gusto, Kishore, Murali (my husband) and I planned to execute our monthly annadhan. One pleasant and windy Sunday morning, we set off for our food seva for the homeless. We came across a group of nomadic people who had pitched a tent in an open area. They eagerly accepted the food served and in their strange dialect communicated to us that they wanted blankets for their entire group as it was very cold! Coincidentally, it was a cold, windy day and Chennai recorded the lowest temperature for the year 2018! Our hearts melted in spite of the cold weather outside and we decided immediately to procure some blankets.

This is how our blanket drive seva started. Promptly, we began making enquiries to procure cotton blankets which people could use throughout the year and not just for the few days in December. This had to be done immediately as it was the need of the hour! During the week, Kishore and I went around to different shops to buy blankets at a reasonable cost. Finally Kishore zoomed in on one shop and we were able to purchase 25 good quality blankets! Feeling very happy, we decided to distribute them the next day itself to complete the seva. The urgency was because this was the first time that the temperatures had dipped a little and people required them now!

Late in the evening, three of us (Kishore, Sreenivas and I) set out to distribute the blankets. We drove around for two hours and managed to distribute only 7-8 blankets! Some people even refused to accept the blankets. We also carefully looked for people who had no belongings including old women and men sleeping on the streets. As we did not make much progress, it was decided that I would distribute the remaining blankets during the week as the other two volunteers were travelling.

Contemplating on the turn of events, I realised there was a message and a huge learning through this seva activity. One thing I understood was to be completely devoid of doership and operate with detachment and compassion. The entire seva was ordained through the divine command of our Guru and Master Mohanji! I was however curious about the outcome of this whole exercise. In the meantime, during my Kriya practice, I saw a beautiful, green, single mountain peak and guessed that it was Thiruvannamalai (Arunachala). I understood that it was a call to visit this holy place soon!

During the third week, Murali and I drove around every alternate night in search of homeless people. Once we went around the entire length and breadth of Chennai and managed to find only one man who was settling into sleep in front of a shop with a towel and a water bottle. During this week again, we were able to distribute only five blankets.

I was not perturbed and felt that our destination was Arunachala! This was when the call of the Arunachala Mountain came true. During the last weekend of December 2018, Murali and I set out to the temple town of Thiruvannamalai. After a parikrama of the holy mountain (girivalam), we went around the town distributing the blankets late in the night. It was extremely cold and there were lots of sadhus sleeping on the platforms along the parikrama path. Initially, we could spot only a few without blankets but later on late at night, we located many more sadhus sleeping bare on the platform with just their dhoti as a cover. The sadhus graciously accepted our offer of blankets and blessed us. As we ventured further, we saw a few people covered head to toe in blue plastic sheets and in deep sleep. I was not aware of who these people were but I just covered them with a new blanket and moved from one person to another. My eyes filled with tears as I experienced non-doership and the person receiving it was also unaware! What we plan and what is executed are two different things! Thus the 10 days of activity ended as a blissful and heart-warming seva in Arunachala, the Kailash of the South!

The next day, while returning home, I did identify a couple of sadhus sitting on the pavement with the new blankets. One sadhu with matted hair had the blanket next to him and was noting down something in a diary. On the way, we stopped to give some fruits and biscuits to an old woman. Suddenly, out of the blue, she asked for a blanket. As I did not have a new one, I gave her the one I had for my personal use. It was such a beautiful and blissful experience that my heart overflowed with gratitude for having been able to complete this seva with Mohanji’s guidance. Thus ended the blanket saga!

This entire seva was an eye-opener and helped me understand the true meaning of giving back to the earth! Sitting in my comfort zone, I did not realise the actual need of the people on the streets. During the course of the seva, there were talks about giving only to people who ‘deserved.’ The question that came up in my mind immediately was: who are we to judge? Our duty is to give and those who need it will automatically receive. This was probably the reason why we were guided to the right people at the right time! It removed the remnants of doership completely and my heart was filled with only unconditional love.

Seva is an inner call with immense benefits to the volunteer. These were the few key points which each of us can contemplate on:

Selflessness – Through this entire act, Mohanji showed me how the hand that gives and the hand that receives is the only connection. Doership falls away and the true joy of giving can be experienced.
Promptness – Any seva has to be done immediately and effectively. Although we scouted around the same day for reasonably priced blankets, we could not give them to the people who asked for them as they left town the next morning. However, the seva was completed in a short time and delivered to people who were meant to receive them.
Conviction – This was clearly brought out through my inner vision of the mountain and the annadhan experience changed my thought process within seconds, giving me that conviction that the blanket drive was a necessity at this point in time.
Compassion – When the heart is open, compassion finds a place in it. All of us as volunteers are compassionate and that is what makes us swing into action immediately when required.
Awareness – With unconditional love as the driving force, the entire seva was carried out with awareness and commitment.
Gratitude – The gratitude that I felt at the culmination of the activity can only be experienced. This was a wonderful opportunity for self- growth and learning.
Healing – It was a process of self-healing as with giving unconditionally, we shed a lot of our baggage and are on the path of spiritual progress

Needless to say, in all of the above, Mohanji’s loving hand gently steered us in the right direction, pointing us correctly to the people who were meant to benefit from this blanket drive. Not only that, Murali and I were blessed to visit a beautiful Vittal temple through Mohanji’s grace. It was an overwhelming and blissful experience where I felt one with the divine. This is how Mohanji showered His blessings on us.

Thank you Mohanji for the wonderful platform that you provide for these acts of giving!

Jai Mohanji!

Another Ammucare volunteer, Savitri also shared her experience of Blanket distribution at Shirdi.

Blankets for the special needs orphan children in Shirdi:

9^th of November is celebrated as Ammucare day in India and as ACT day in other parts of the world. Ammucare volunteers across India were doing selfless activities according to the needs and capabilities in their areas.

For this special event, Savitri and her husband Jayasurya planned to distribute blankets at an orphanage of special needs children in Shirdi. When they went to procure suitable blankets, they realised that the cost was way beyond the budget! Immediately, Savitri prayed to Mohanji to help them and without any delay, Mohanji’s grace worked as a miracle! The shopkeeper gave them a discount of 50%! He reduced another 20% from the final bill, saying that it was his contribution towards the seva! The ultimate cost of the required number of blankets came well within the budget.

After procuring the blankets, Savitri, Jayasurya and their daughter (a young Ammucare volunteer) reached Shirdi a couple of days before the 9th. Selfless service with unconditional love is one of the main pillars of the Datta Tradition and the grace of Shirdi Sai Baba is always seen for people involved in any seva activity. It was evident this time too.

When Savitri and Jayasurya entered the Samadhi temple, they met Sulakhe Maharaj (the head priest of the temple). Upon their introduction as Mohanji’s devotees, Sulakhe Maharaj immediately gave Savitri a coconut and a flower. He also gave her a shawl and a flower and asked her to give them to Mohanji whenever she meets Him. Savitri felt Sai Baba’s blessings upon receiving these gifts for Mohanji and herself.

Coming out of the temple, she immediately noticed on the TV that Sulakhe Maharaj was not sitting at the Samadhi anymore. It was as if he had suddenly appeared to give this special gift to Mohanji on the auspicious day of Lakshmi puja. Savitri realised that this was a special blessing from Sai Baba!

On the following day, as planned, Savitri and her family along with other Ammucare volunteers distributed blankets to the boys at the orphanage. Not only did Savitri feel immense satisfaction for having met the needs of these underprivileged children, she also felt immense gratitude towards Mohanji and Sai Baba, and for the grace of the Guru Mandala!

Mohanji cleared the hurdle of high expenditure, enabling them to purchase the correct number of blankets at a reasonable price and facilitated smooth execution. In addition, Sai Baba’s blessings came through Sulakhe Maharaj, who gave them the gift of a coconut, which is now a rare prasad inside the temple.

The message is clear. Mohanji and Sai Baba have shown us how much they love people who do selfless service. Mohanji carries out every selfless ACT with compassion through devotees like Savitri.

Mohanji’s New Year message (2019) sums up the entire act of seva.

‘If we ADD VALUE to the society, we have value in this life. In this whole life, it’s all about how much we can give; it’s not how much we can take.” – Mohanji

||JAI BRAHMARISHI MOHANJI||

Disclaimer:
The views, opinions and positions expressed by the authors and those providing comments on these blogs are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or positions of Mohanji, Mohanji Foundation, it’s members, employees or any other individual or entity associated with Mohanji or Mohanji Foundation. We make no representations as to accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability or validity of any information presented by individual authors and/or commenters on our blogs and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries or damages arising from its display or use.

— Mohanji Editorial Team

Abundance Is The Answer

Posted on December 4, 2018May 25, 2019 by Testimonials Team

By a few devotees who travelled with Mohanji to Arunachala

Mohanji with His Mother and Father at Arunachala

Many devotees have received the blessed opportunity to travel with Mohanji on various pilgrimages. During such pilgrimages they get to witness and experience the divine dimensions of Mohanji. Such experiences are transformational for the devotees who are travelling with Mohanji. When these experiences are told with sincerity and honesty, anyone who reads those testimonials with utmost reverence also gets the benefit of the same experience. Mohanji has also clarified this for the benefit and awareness of all.

“Honest testimonials serve the tradition because all true Masters and their lives are nothing but representations of the tradition of liberation. When you write honestly what you experienced, if it is true experiences expressed truthfully, it becomes service to the tradition. Hiding it thinking about how people will take you for telling it – is ego complex or ignorance; and it amounts to lost opportunities to serve the tradition as well as lost opportunity to express one’s gratitude for the tradition. Lying or telling partial truth or telling imaginary things means illusion, confusion and hypocrisy. So, true testimonials should be delivered truthfully without adulteration. It should always be truth, not opinions”. – Mohanji

We are glad to present you this testimonial which has been told with such honesty and simplicity, by a devotee who was blessed to be with Mohanji on a pilgrimage to the ‘Thiruvanmalai’ Temple, famously known as ‘Arunachala’.

Narration by the devotee as below:

This is to express our experiences of a few days with Mohanji at Arunachala. Even though I am typing, I am not writing this alone – a few of us are writing together. So no names are used. We have Mohanji’s permission to do that.

October 2018. Arunachala. Most of us had arrived before Mohanji came with His parents. We eagerly waited to see Him. While waiting, I remembered the words of one of those who were with us quoting an old saint who showed a picture of Mohanji to his disciples and said “Do you want to know how a modern Avadhoota looks like? Here it is!” Mohanji is indeed an Avadhoota, an accomplished Master. Even though He has nothing to do on earth, He is ‘playing’ His existence. Avadhootas are perfect mirrors and embodiment of detachment. They need nothing from earth and give everything they can to the earth. Their very presence itself is their message – message in detachment, perfect dharmic existence and existence in a dissolved state, the state of Shiva. They have no pattern and they have no do’s and don’ts. They lead a life of perfect innocence – the state of being Shiva (Bholenath). This was in my mind when I waited for Him. I was curious to see how He operates in life.

The car arrived. Mohanji came out smiling and enthusiastic as ever. No tiredness of the journey and no fatigue. I have never seen Him tired, ever. His presence is soothing and powerful. Instead of coming straight away into our waiting arms, He opened the backdoor of His car and helped His mother to alight from the car with utmost care. His father came out from the other side of the car. Mohanji personally helped His mother to walk, as she obviously had difficulty in walking. Caring for His parents was more important for Mohanji at that time than greeting His devotees. He smiled at all of us and acknowledged our presence while walking with His mother. After He seated His mother comfortably, He turned to us and hugged or shook hands with each one of us. I learned an important lesson. Parents first, before everything else. Subtle teaching. Well understood. Tradition says, “Mother – Father – Guru – God.” This is the line of priority in the tradition of liberation!

The presence of the parents of Mohanji was the highlight of this trip. First of all, Mohanji’s humility and commitment along with respect towards His parents. Secondly, their seamless mingling without any trace of ego, with a group of strangers who assembled there only because of their son. They became part of us and we felt like their children. Their love and graceful demeanour cannot be explained in words. We expressed our gratitude to them for bringing such an illustrious son to the earth, who is transforming lives of thousands in the most modest and quiet way. They humbly smiled and expressed extreme humility. Just humility. Mohanji is living and teaching humility. Zero ego. Grateful. This makes Him our friend rather than a Guru.

I feel very sad and almost inappropriate when people force Him to be a Guru on a high pedestal when He loves to be a close friend, a loving son to His parents and a child like father to His daughter Mila. Above all the forms that His devotees see Him as, He is a dependable friend who has no hypocrisy and pretensions. His love is sincere and unconditional. He would do anything for everyone alike without discrimination. He gives anything and everything truthfully and honestly as per what our needs are.

The rest is the story of how we experienced Arunachala with the parents of Mohanji rather than Mohanji. Everyone would be eager to talk about their precious time with Mohanji. I see this as a rare opportunity that we got, to spend time with the parents of Mohanji.

We went to the Samadhi temple of a saint from many centuries ago where Bhagawan Ramana Maharshi spent many years of his youth in blissful union with himself. Mohanji loves this space. It is one of His personal favourites.

Mohanji_smalltemple — Mohanji at the Samadhi Temple

Here also Mohanji was taking care of His mother. We were all ready to help her, but, Mohanji said it is His duty and responsibility to take care of His ageing mother, who brought Him into this world.

Mohanji was invited into the temple and He did aarati to the Shivalinga and the Samadhi of the saint. The temple trustees honoured Mohanji with a garland, shawl and a book. Mohanji also ensured we all gave dakshina (money) to the temple with reverence. While coming out, I heard Mohanji speaking to Preeti Duggal quietly, “The priest is wearing torn clothes. Please get him good clothes.” (I gathered that Preeti was handling Mohanji’s money). Something, which none of us noticed, He saw and acted on upon. He also ensured that oil for the lamp and some other materials used in the temple were promptly delivered. I learned an important lesson – keen observation with utmost benevolence with the all-important question – what else can I do here? He even gave food with His own hands to a stray dog wandering in the temple premises. Another lesson – No beings are less important.

I do not want to elaborate. I shall speed up. We visited the resting place of Bhagawan Ramana Maharshi. Mohanji was helping His mother (Amma). We were walking behind them. As soon as they came into the Samadhi hall, someone brought a chair and helped Amma to sit down! We do not know who it was. Amma could witness the aarati and pooja without any hindrance. After the aarati, one man (stranger) came and helped Amma to do circumambulation of the Samadhi of Maharishi. Mohanji and His father went around the Samadhi thrice while Amma did one circumambulation and sat in a chair. Mohanji sat leaning against a wall, eyes fixed on the wall on the opposite side. I was curious to see what He was doing. I went near Him. Without looking at me, He said,

“Sit down. Sit with your back leaning against the wall. Fix your eyes looking ahead on the wall opposite to you. Above the heads of the people walking, look at the wall on the other side above 8 feet. Keep your eyes steady. All the people will be walking below your gaze. People are just moving. You are not identifying anyone. Keep your eyes steady. The movement is our everyday life. If you do not get attached to those movements, forms and their corresponding characteristics such as male or female, black or white, fat or slim, you will start tasting stillness. That stillness is your true nature. That stillness is Ramana. When movements do not attract your attention anymore, you are progressing in the path of liberation.”

I sat like He said for some time and I realised my thoughts were becoming insignificant and I was feeling more and more freedom.

“When noises of the mind (thoughts) drop, the associated attachments also get dropped. Noises maintain the mind. Noises are the oxygen to habitual attachments and corresponding ownership. Lack of it is detachment.”

Mohanji explained sometime later.

Later, Mohanji asked us to go for prasadam (consecrated food) and we all received some. We brought some for Amma also. Mohanji did not move from His place. We gave Him a bit of prasadam, which He received with gratitude. Then, we walked towards the bookstore and Mohanji literally bought almost everything that was available in English and His mother tongue. I don’t know why He bought all that. He does not read anything, as far as I know.

We did circumambulation of the great mountain Arunachala. Mohanji told us an experience He had, which goes something like this. It happened during one of His previous visits to Arunachala.

“I was in my hotel room here in Arunachala. Suddenly, I saw myself travelling without the body towards the great Arunachala Hills. It was involuntary. Something was taking me there. Something like a magnet was pulling me there. I walked and reached the foot of the mountain. There, I saw a very dark-skinned saintly figure who wore only an orange dhoti and nothing on his upper body. He beckoned me with his hand and said, “Come here.” I walked towards him. He started climbing up and I followed him. We must have climbed about two hundred steps, when we reached a small opening (something like the mouth of a cave) and he stopped. He said, “Go in.” I walked in. He was behind me now. I walked a few steps and stopped as it was getting darker inside. He said, “Keep walking.” I walked. The entrance became narrow and I started fearing that this could be a path of no returns. He kept telling me, “keep walking,” and this assured me that my guide was right behind me. I walked on through that narrow dark way into the mountain. It had barely space for my size to move. Whenever I stopped, I heard his voice asking me to keep moving. After walking about hundred steps more, I started experiencing a kind of brightness slowly happening in the path. This means I started seeing where I was going. It was a relief for me. There is light at the end of the tunnel! I thought that I had crossed the mountain through a secret internal tunnel and reached the other side. The brightness slowly increased, dazed by it, I kept walking and I could feel that my guide was right behind me. The brightness increased steadily, and it eventually became a blinding, golden brightness. Everything was golden. I entered that space completely filled with golden light. Another world. For a moment I thought – Have I transcended into the Sathya Yuga, the Golden Age? I cannot explain in words what I saw. I stood there in awe and watched a vast expanse of space like the inside of a huge cave. There were many platforms/seats (smooth rock platforms that served as seats) scattered over the space, each apart from the other with a reasonable distance. On each such platform a saint with flowing beard and hair, lean and in golden colour sat in deep meditation. Nobody moved. Everything was still. The whole space was still. Peaceful. Tranquil. Still. I looked up for the source of light. The light did not have a source like the sun. It was a natural light from within, not above. The space was self-lit. Golden light. Then I realised that the colour of the meditating saints was not perhaps golden, but the golden light that filled that space made everything looked golden. Is this the Golden Age? Suddenly I got a feeling – this is Siddha loka, the world of Siddhas. This is a world that few get to see. This is a world that is possible to visit only by special invitation. And this is timeless space. Time does not exist here. If I had come with my physical body, I would not have returned back in the same time as some centuries would have lapsed between the entry and exit. While having this realisation, my guide told me, “come with me” and asked me to follow him. He took me through the same way he had brought me and guided me to the world outside. The sun was shining bright. The midday sun felt just like a candle light to me compared to the golden light that I had experienced inside the mountain! I understood – This is the real Arunachala. This is the womb of Arunachala. We are only seeing the shell outside which hides the Siddha Loka, not knowing what is inside. I also felt that Ramana Maharishi had come out from there for the sake of taking people into the stillness of the core of the mountain. I felt that he came out of this world and returned back into this world. I also felt that the Arunachala Shiva (Shivalinga of the temple) – the fire of awareness – is an extension of this world or has its roots in this golden world. When we worship the Shivalinga, we are connecting to this world.”

Mohanji also mentioned that He did not go the next day with the group for the darshan (prayer) of Shiva because He could not collect Himself for a long time after this experience. And when He later reached Bangalore, a saint called Him out of nowhere and said “You did not meet Arunachala Shiva. He is waiting for you.” Mohanji immediately made another trip to Arunachala to fulfill that call. When He reached there, a priest, as if Lord Himself had arranged, received Mohanji and His team. The priest ushered Him in and He had a great darshan of the Lord, right from the door of the sanctum.

The whole narration took me to a different level of awareness. I felt grateful. I felt at home or being in the right place.

We were at the temple of Arunachala Shiva. Mohanji’s parents were sitting. Suddenly I saw a saint with matted hair coming and prostrating at Mohanji’s feet. Mohanji exclaimed at this as He did not see him coming and when he stood up, Mohanji hugged him. Later I came to know that he is called Madurai Siddhar who lives in Arunachala. What I understood is that Madurai Siddhar considers Mohanji as a great Siddha and has great respect for Him. This is why he prostrated at His feet. We know Mohanji is totally unassuming. So, nothing is displayed as usual. But to our surprise, as if sent by the Siddha world inside the mountain, he took hold of Amma’s hands and escorted her and all of us for darshan. We had super quick darshan despite long queues. And along with the priest who joined us, he accompanied us until the whole worship of both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati was completed. He continued to be with us and escorted us around.

Something was going on between Mohanji and him, some silent communication, which I could not understand. I could only see mutual respect. Mohanji invited him to come for lunch and dinner, and almost everyday until Mohanji was there, he came as well. He was treating Mohanji’s parents with utmost respect and he told us that they are a “blessed couple to have brought a ‘reluctant’ great Siddha to earth.”

Mohanji does not eat much. He was more interested in feeding everyone. Seeing this he said “He is the eternal producer and enjoyer. Mohanji is in fact eating everything in everybody’s plate. We are only eating the leftover from Mohanji.” Madurai Siddhar was with us on most of our tour and he also helped Amma walk the entire parikrama path at Yogi Ram Surat Kumar ashram, which is equal to five parikramas of the Arunachala mountain. So, in effect, supported by Siddhar, Mohanji’s mother performed five parikramas! Mohanji was indeed fulfilling a son’s duty in the most effective way.

One day, while Mohanji’s parents were having breakfast and Mohanji was attending to them at the restaurant, a young monk in a turban walked in and wanted Mohanji’s audience. We were walking out after the breakfast when this happened. Mohanji was also supposed to leave the restaurant. He stayed back and offered food to the visiting monk and sat with him at another table. He does not leave anyone empty-handed. This monk who came without an appointment was later brought to His accommodation and Mohanji answered all his questions. He was apparently sent to Mohanji by his own Guru who lives somewhere in the state of Andhra Pradesh. When this monk expressed his wish to visit Aruncahala, his Guru told him about a few things which needed to be done there and finally said “Mohanji is visiting Arunachala at this time. Do not miss this rare chance of getting His blessings. Such Masters rarely come to earth.” Mohanji blessed him and also patiently answered all his questions after offering him food. The most interesting part was that Mohanji has never seen or heard about his Guru in this life!

Mohanji also took His parents by car around the mountain and completed the parikrama that way also as both parents cannot walk. We were not with Him then. While doing that, we came to know that He also visited the Sai temple in the girivalam path and offered His prayers at Baba’s feet. The temple priests did not recognise Him as He was in jeans and T-shirt, to deliberately avoid attention. When someone told them that “He is Mohanji,” they honoured Him.

While doing girivalam, circumambulation in the car with His parents, I was told that Mohanji was distributing fruits to wandering monks and some animals. I also came to know about an incident during this trip. Mohanji saw an old couple walking while they were travelling in the car. The old man was blind. The old woman was leading the old man. Both of them were lean and almost bones and skin. Mohanji asked to stop the car, took some money out and asked the driver to give it to them. He went to the other side of the road and gave the money that Mohanji had offered to the old man. The old man asked, “Who gave this?” The car driver said “Mohanji.” The old man said, “Tell Him that He, His family and all those He loves and who love Him will always have the blessings of myself – Vedanta Maharishi.”

I had goosebumps listening to this story. In Arunachala, we cannot underestimate anybody. There could be great Masters walking that soil as unassuming ordinary people. Anybody could be somebody. Another big lesson – Do not take anybody for granted. Of course, I do not have the eyes of Mohanji to recognise Masters and seekers. But, I decided that I will not deny anyone anything within my capacity in Arunachala.

We could not have asked for a better trip to Arunachala. Let me sum up my memories.

Being with the parents of Mohanji, spending quality time and enjoying the hospitality at Yogi Ramsurat Kumar ashram in the company of the great saint Devaki Amma, who Mohanji respects a lot was also unforgettable. Mohanji told us that coming to this ashram is like homecoming for Him.

2. Meeting the lady Avadhoota who keeps wandering around the Arunachala mountain, and who comes to Yogi Ramsurat Kumar ashram each time Mohanji comes there. She never accepts anything from Mohanji. Their invisible mutual respect was palpable.

3. Spending time at Ramana ashram and learning a great technique from Mohanji. Having great darshans at the Shiva and Devi temple.

4. Mohanji’s time with various animals. He attends to them with equal or even more enthusiasm as He attends to people. A monkey coming to meet Mohanji at the temple premises and holding His dhoti and did not want to let Him go was a great memory. It taught me the great lesson that despite the form or species, divine beings can appear in any form to meet a Master.

5. Mohanji has no differentiation between any species, or even people, their hierarchies, positions in society or any other social criterion. He loved a Siddhar and also a common person alike and always ensured all people have eaten well.

6. Mohanji also took His parents to an old age home run by a young man called Ramana. I understood that apart from food and medical assistance, a lot of materials were delivered by Mohanji’s organisation (Ammucare) there. Mohanji kept His promise to serve the old and abandoned people at Arunachala. The follow-up after Mohanji’s visit was remarkable. This also means totally walking the talk and going the extra mile. We must mean every action and expression and take it to its completion.

7. Great lesson learned indeed. There is not an inch of hypocrisy anywhere. There is only a desire to add more value in every being’s life that comes across Mohanji. Mohanji’s parents serving the old people with good food, with love, was also a message to all of us – another dimension in helping the helpless. Young or old, live to serve selflessly.

8. Meeting the great Master Mookkuppodi Siddhar at close quarters was icing on the cake. Totally unexpected and utmost grace. One thing was absolutely clear, getting special treatment, warm reception and getting blessings at all the places we visited were just because we are Mohanji’s people. This was a great message for all of us that the platform that Mohanji has created in this world is for all of us and it is our individual responsibility to keep it, maintain it, and enhance it many fold for the benefit of all of us and those beyond us.

This was the first trip to Arunachala for the parents of Mohanji. They had never visited Arunachala in their life before. What a trip they had! And their son who the whole world craves for, took time off from everything and brought them there Himself!

By the time our journey was coming to an end, I received the answer to the question that my mind was wondering when we began the journey, “How does Mohanji operate in life?” The answer from what we witnessed was – Whatever Mohanji does, He does it hundred percent, with complete attention. His total presence in every sense.

Every moment with Mohanji is a blessing in disguise and a true miracle. We need thousand eyes and not even a blink to witness the divine play in its fullness. His unassuming life is a huge mask that He deliberately keeps to avoid ‘flies and insects’ of life. He deliberately plays the fool or plays dumb to get away from unworthy or egoistic people. If we really want to get the best out of Him for our own highest benefit, we must make Him our top most priority, extremely essential ingredient. We must never let Him slip off from our lives nor should we slip off from His life, come what may.

This is all for now.

Affectionately.

Foot Note:

Mookupodi Siddhar, one of the Siddhas who walked the streets of Tiruvannamalai.
Yesterday on 8th December, 2018 he attained Maha Samadhi.

Exactly two months back, Mohanji and all the pilgrims who were on the Arunachala trip in October 2018, had the blessed opportunity to have darshan of this great siddha. This is completely the blessing of Siddha Loka and our prampara gurus. This grace of having His darsan in this lifetime is a great thing.

Usually everyone could have his darshan from a distance but nobody was allowed to go near him. However, it was indeed Gurumandala’s grace that Barbara was allowed to go closer and took some amazing pictures of the Siddha. The advent of such a powerful Siddha on the earth will remain preserved with these memorable photographs.

We leave you with some of these memories!

|| JAI BRAHMARISHI MOHANJI ||

— Mohanji Editorial Team

Arunachala with Shiva – The Completion

Posted on November 28, 2018December 9, 2018 by Testimonials Team

By Ananthanarayanan Sankaran, Australia

An opportunity to set the foot on the holy hills of Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu is not possible unless there’s Guru’s and Divine grace. I, along with 20+ others had the opportunity to bathe in the ocean of grace and compassion from Brahmarishi Mohanji at this very holy place and the experience has been truly profound.

It is believed that, by seeing Chidambaram, by being born in Tiruvarur, by dying in Kasi, or by merely thinking of Arunachala, one will surely attain liberation.

Arunachala a.k.a. Annamalai is no ordinary mountain. The hill is Lord Shiva Himself (unlike other places such as Mt. Kailash which are abodes of Lord Shiva) in the form of Agni (fire element). As per “Arunachala Mahatmyam,” the supreme knowledge (Self-knowledge), the import of Vedanta, which cannot be attained without great difficulty, can easily be attained by anyone who sees the form of this hill from wherever it is visible or who even thinks of it by mind from afar. Hence, when the programme was announced, I couldn’t resist the urge to visit this holy place again. You may want to read my previous blog on my journey to Arunachala with Mohanji. (Arunachala with Shiva).

I had a packed agenda (pilgrimage + personal commitments) for the visit and prayed to Mohanji that everything should go well. Having attended various retreats and pilgrimages with Mohanji in the past, I knew what I had to do, which is to expect nothing and be prepared to flow.

It was a long and tiring flight with little sleep but after a short 5 hours break, I was rearing to go. I soon realised that His energy had already kicked in and that I had nothing to worry about. The journey to Arunachala was peaceful and I was immediately on the tasks I had to complete.

Just before I landed in India, there was an alert from the Meteorological Department that severe weather was predicted for the 6th, 7th and 8th (the days we were supposed to be in Arunachala). Everyone in my family started forwarding those messages to me. However, I was very clear… Mohanji was coming and He will take care. When we have Lord Shiva making Himself available amidst us, what on earth could come our way?

I was greeted by grey clouds and occasional drizzle to rare heavy showers en route to Tiruvannamalai. Upon arriving at the venue, things started falling into place and I was laughing within as I began to witness the grace of Mohanji at every stage. Our dearest Amma (Snehajyoti) came to receive our beloved Mohanji and waited patiently for her Son to arrive.

Mohanji arrived with His parents by the 6th evening. To see Him holding the hands of His Mother and walking was truly a sight to behold. Later someone asked Him “There are people at your disposal to look after your parents, why would you have to do it by yourself?” (accompanying His parents and making them comfortable). He said, “There is no other reason except Putra Dharma (duty of a son).” This is a message for every one of us to ensure we fulfil our duties within our capacity and don’t skip one for another. He walks the talk of fulfilment and completion.

Mohanji wasted no time and made His agenda clear for the trip. A visit to the shrine of a Siddha who had lived a few hundred years ago, a visit to an old age home, Girivalam (circumambulating Arunachala Hills) and an open satsang for the 8th of October, were on His priority list.

During dinner on the 6^th of October, a couple of people from the UK arrived, immediately identified Mohanji and sought His blessings. One gentleman lovingly said, “Three times I tried attending your retreat in the UK and never succeeded as it gets full almost immediately. It’s a blessing to meet you here in the holy place of Arunachala.” Mohanji invited them for the satsang on the 7^th of October. Though it was for in-house participants, it became clear that the connection and devotion of these men moved Him, prompting this invitation.

We were in for a surprise the next morning as the gentlemen from the UK requested that we wash the holy feet of Mohanji (paada pooja). We were already on a packed agenda and any delays would mean we have to either postpone or cancel a portion of the schedule. But what could stop a true seeker when he surrenders everything and places a request in front of the Guru? Soon, we all witnessed something truly special, the feet of Mohanji being washed with warm water and milk, with His aarti and other chants being recited by the participants. Tears of joy rolled from everyone’s eyes and we could begin to feel divinity at play. Later Mohanji explained the importance of washing Guru’s feet and that He normally doesn’t entertain it unless people understood the real meaning behind it.

A visit to the Siddha’s samadhi followed by a visit to the main temple (Annamalayar temple) took place and everyone settled into silence instantly. Ramana Maharishi had meditated at the Siddha’s samadhi during his early years and the energy surge could be truly felt in this temple.

Since the morning (on the 7th of October) Mohanji was keen to meet Madhurai Swamigal, who accompanied us on Girivalam in December 2017. Not knowing his contact details, we tried reaching him through some local contacts and didn’t make much progress. However, when we arrived at the main temple, we quickly spotted him. He informed us that he had been trying to reach us for the past 3 days (after seeing our posters around the town), but had very little luck. I knew this was Mohanji’s leela, for He was the one who brought him (Swamigal) to the temple and made it appear as a mere coincidence.

We had wonderful darshan at the sanctum and as a divine signal; it rained as soon as we walked out. There were monkeys around the temple complex. One particular monkey held Mohanji’s dhoti and had food from His hands. The monkey wouldn’t let go of the dhoti until he’d eaten all the biscuits from Mohanji’s hands. Later Mohanji informed everyone around Him that this year’s visit to Arunachala was all about completion. First was Madhurai Swamigal’s meeting, followed by an up-close darshan, rains and Hanuman (monkey) accepting food from Mohanji’s hands.

We had plans to visit Ramanashram and Virupaksha Caves on the 8th morning. However, upon arriving at Ramanashram, Mohanji advised us to spend as much time as possible in the shrine. It was the morning aarti time when we reached there and I couldn’t control my tears upon setting foot in the ashram. Not to be seen as a cry baby, I walked out of the temple and stood quietly connecting to Ramana Maharishi. Soon, I encountered a person who started talking to me. Something in me said I need to seek his blessings, which I did. He spoke with authority and quoted the Avatar ‘Parasurama’ a couple of times during our brief talk.

After taking prasad, I settled down on the gents’ row and observed silence. The person whom I met at the gate walked inside the shrine and I offered my prayers once again. He gave me a coconut, blessed me and walked away. Mohanji, until then meditating, suddenly turned to my side and said, “Oh coconut… make it into pieces and distribute it to everyone. I would like to have some as well.” I immediately knew that the coconut was for Him and I was a mere instrument blessed to receive it on His behalf. When I walked out of the ashram after a good 45 – 60 mins of being in silence, I encountered that person once again and this time he gave me a banana and a rose flower. I felt compelled to offer him a dakshina. He wouldn’t accept it and said, “Why are you giving money to me, what will I do with it. Come out with me and give it to the person I show you,” which I gladly did.

As it started becoming very hot, we had to shelve the idea of visiting Virupaksha Caves and instead chose Seshadri Swamigal Ashram which was a few yards away from Ramanashram. There was a little disappointment among some participants for not going to the Caves but I completely believed that it happened for a reason which soon became clear.

A little later, we had an amazing darshan of Mookupodi Siddhar, a very powerful Master in town. Later, during my conversations with an auto driver, he told me that there are 7 Siddhas walking the streets of Tiruvannamalai and Mookupodi Siddhar is one among them. Nobody is allowed to touch or go near him but can have darshan from a distance. With Mohanji’s grace, Barbara took some amazing pictures of the Siddha and in fact, she was invited by the person who regulated people around the Siddha to come up close and take some more pictures.

Later in the evening, we visited Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram where we were lovingly welcomed by Devaki Amma, Yogi Ji’s disciple who looks after the ashram. She spoke at length about Yogi Ji, who was a powerful Avadoota, whose energy you could instantly feel upon meditating on him or on the chant that continuously goes on in the ashram. Amma told us that by going once around the ashram, we get the same benefit as one would get upon doing 5 Girivalam (circumambulation around Arunachala hills).

An interesting and an unexpected thing happened here at the ashram. As there wasn’t enough space for everyone in the car, I volunteered to accompany Snehajyoti Amma to the ashram and we went there by an auto. At the entrance of the temple, I found a lady with matted hair, torn clothes and fully consumed within. I could recall Mohanji telling me about a lady Avadoota whom they met in 2017 and how she accepted an offering from everyone else but Him. Something told me that she must be the same Avadoota. I immediately went near her, prostrated at her feet and offered a dakshina which she accepted.

Later, while returning, I could see her walking at a distance. Raksh and I literally ran towards her as I wanted Raksh to receive her blessings. While she wouldn’t accept dakshina, she did spit on the ground and I quickly remembered someone recalling an experience that when this Avadoota spat on someone last time, the person had a huge release. I offered her a dakshina again but she politely told me, “Enakku edhuvum venam” (I need nothing). I prostrated once again at her feet and proceeded to take an auto to complete few other things around the town.

I was supposed to go to the resort to look after the preparations for the evening satsang but something in me pointed me to do another job which was pending. I asked the auto driver to go to a particular location and as destiny would have its way, he had to refuel. While the auto stopped at the fuel station, I could immediately see the saint whom I met during the 2017 Girivalam (Arunachala with Shiva – part 1). He was the one who told me that, “Land for ashram will happen,” and later on was confirmed by Mohanji about how the Divine takes various forms to convey a message.

I immediately asked Raksh to come behind me as I went up to him and started having a conversion. After a few inquiries, he remembered me asked me the exact same question that he had asked me during my previous encounter with him 🙂

He held my hands and applied pressure on my wrists (I was literally but unintentionally making a scene of sorts in the middle of the road by crying) to stop my tears. Raksh invited him to the satsang, but he didn’t give a clear response. I knew he wouldn’t come and when she asked him again, he said, “You don’t need two Suns under one roof. I hope you understand” – YES. We fully understood his message on the stature of our own beloved Para Brahma and tearfully bid adieu to him. He told me where I could find him as I prostrated at his feet and continued my journey.

Deep inside, I was thanking Mohanji a lot for giving me experience after experience and honestly, I never expected any of them. It also became very clear to me that it is only HIS compassion that gives me such divine experiences in my life. Otherwise, who could fathom meeting such Siddhas, an Avadoota and saints – all in one day 🙂

It rained heavily in the evening before the commencement of the public satsang. However, it didn’t deter the 75 odd people who turned up to witness it. The satsang was very intense and I could see how people instantly connected with Mohanji and swam in His Consciousness. By the time I hit the bed it was already early morning and I knew I had a couple of hours before Girivalam.

With Mohanji’s grace all the participants completed the Girivalam, a 15 km walk around Arunachala Hills, stopping at various points to have darshan and connect to Him. As Rajesh Kamath hadn’t had a chance to visit the Siddha’s Temple (a place we visited on our first day), we all had an opportunity to visit the shrine once again and spent few quiet moments there.

I was planning to pack my things to leave and was suddenly reminded of one more job to be completed. Rajesh and I went to the old age home we had visited the previous day and I was surprised to see Mohanji arriving almost at the same time as us.

He called the two of us and said, “There is an Avadoota sitting on the road. I didn’t stop my vehicle as I knew the crowd would swarm. Quickly take some food, offer it to him and come.”

We immediately got some food from the old age home and went to the place where the Avadoota was sitting. He made the two of us sit on the road as he was busy having a conversation with a labourer. The labourer was supplying cold drinks to the roadside shops and poverty was quite visible. The Avadoota engaged in a conversation with this person and commanded him to get him water from the roadside shop which the person did with utmost bhav. The Avadoota then went on to pour the water on the road and asked him to go get more water again and this time, he made the labourer stretch his feet and poured water on it. When the labourer asked him, “Ayya, naan kelambatuma” (May I take a leave), he said give me 1000 rupees and go. The labourer took all his earnings from the day he had in his pocket, offered it to the Avadoota and left the place after taking blessings.

Avadoota washing legs of the labourer_650

Now it was our turn 🙂 Rajesh offered food to the Avadoota and also gave him Mohanji’s card. The Avadoota kept the card in front of him, took the food in his hand and threw almost 80% of it in all directions.

With the remaining food, he hand-fed it to the labourer (before he left) and Mani who was with us.

He then took Mohanji’s card, tore it into pieces while giving A-grade abuses. Rajesh didn’t have a clue (language barrier) and Mani and I were looking at each other wondering what was happening. The Avadoota then asked us to pay him and leave. While I emptied my wallet and gave everything, Rajesh felt he should give him one rupee. The Avadoota looked at the one rupee coin, rubbed it awhile saying a few things before throwing it away. We both prostrated to him in the middle of the road and he said, “I am a big actor, you are all becoming bigger actors than me,” and left the place laughing, leaving behind all the money.

Returning to the room, I went straight to Mohanji and shared with Him what I had witnessed. He asked me more than once if the Avadoota abused Him and tore His card and when I said yes, Mohanji said, “That’s very good. I am happy.” Being someone who doesn’t ask why, I silently left the room and was sharing this experience with one other participant. She asked me, “Did you ask Mohanji why the Avadoota tore the card?” I said, “No. I don’t ask any questions to Mohanji.” She said, “Sometimes, it is important to ask such questions as not very often do we get such experiences and understand our lessons from it.” Later on she asked the question to Mohanji to which He said, “When the Avadhoota tore my card, it was a blessing. Tearing a card is similar to breaking barriers on various dimensions. This coupled with the A-grade abuses he hurled on me is a sign of his blessing and that’s how Avadhootas operate.” He further narrated “I shall explain. What the avadhoota abused was the negative energies that might have come from others into our path/life blocking us or trying to disturb me (us), this could be jealousy, envy or any other kind of negative energies or even possibly some parasite entities in some cases. When he tore my card (which I was hoping he would do), he cleansed me from all kinds of negative energies that may have joined (collected unknowingly by us) with us from various places and people as well as removed the possible blockages in our further journey. These parasite energies are like smaller fishes getting attached to a huge whale and feeds on them or a parasite creeper clinging on to a good tree and feeds on it. When we meet many people, when many people connect to us from various locations, physically or non physically, we will have to handle many types of energies and frequencies. Some residue of it may stay with us for sometime. Avadhootas like him cleanses us and our path ahead in one shot as river Ganga cleanses us deeply with every dip. Shirdi Sai Baba and Bhagawan Nithyananda used to scream, shout at and abuse people in the same way. They were not abusing the person, but the poisonous energies that they might have ignorantly/unknowingly collected and carried. They were doing deep cleansing out of deep compassion. This is why I was happy with what he did. His abuses was towards the energies around us, not us. Tearing the card was like removal of “evil eyes”, “black magic” or similar negative energies that regular jealousies and envies might have contributed. Card/picture represents the person. Tearing means annihilation/removal. When our path is clear, journey ahead becomes smooth and pleasurable. When accumulated weight is removed, it helps our flight. If we approach the methods of such avadhootas with ego and doubts, we will not understand and experience their unfathomable compassion. ”

Looking back, what an amazing trip it had been. It’s sheer grace and love Mohanji has towards each and every one of us which allowed us to have such divine experiences, all in a matter of few days. Things that are learnt or understood over years are delivered in a matter of moments and I am eternally grateful to Mohanji for accepting me under His wings and teaching me the much-needed lessons for my existence.

I have learnt a few key lessons during this pilgrimage:

I had the choice to avoid going to the old age home citing some reason or postponing it. Had I done it, I would have missed a wonderful opportunity. It reminds me of Mohanji’s quote, “Never postpone anything. Postponing it could mean denial of a valuable experience that would never happen again.” In fact, every single moment during the retreat, I kept hearing Mohanji’s words, “This trip is all about completion,” in my ears and I pushed away tamas, allowing grace to take over the situation and COMPLETE everything that had to be completed.
An Avadoota will strip you naked. We should be willing to be stripped for it removes layers and layers of accumulated baggage. This is what I realised with the Avadoota who made me sit on the roadside, and I was witnessing his totally irrelevant conversations with people.
Never think, just BE when you come across such Masters. Sitting on the road, crying, holding their hands or feet, being spat at, just doesn’t matter. If I had been cautious of the surroundings, had I become even a little aware that people were watching me as I stood in front of these giants, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to witness the grandeur of all the Avadootas and saints on the streets of Tiruvannamalai.
Always sharpen your ears when someone speaks about a Guru. It doesn’t matter which Guru it is as they are all one and the same. More than reading through books, when I hear someone speak about a Guru, I close my eyes and play the scene in my mind and to me that’s a sadhana. It was such a divine experience to hear Devaki Amma speak about the leelas (plays) of Yogi Ramsuratkumar.

I would like to complete this testimonial with a verse from “Guru Gita”

Dhyaana-Muulam Gurur-Muurtih
Puujaa-Muulam Gurur-Padam |
Mantra-Muulam Gurur-Vaakyam
Moksha-Muulam Guruur-Krpaa ||

Meaning:
1: The root of meditation is the form of the Guru,
2: The root of worship is the feet of the Guru,
3: The root of mantra is the word of the Guru,
4: The root of liberation is the grace of the Guru.

I surrender everything at the holy feet of my beloved Guru Brahmarishi Mohanji and pray that I remain eternally at His feet as dust.

— Ananth

Foot Note:

Mookupodi Siddhar, one of the Siddhas who walked the streets of Tiruvannamalai.
Yesterday on 8th December, 2018 he attained Maha Samadhi.

We leave you with some of these memories!