SACREDMEMORIES

SACREDMEMORIES

Published byTHE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY

P.O. SHIVANANDANAGAR—249 192Distt. Tehri-Garhwal, Uttarakhand, Himalayas, India

www.sivanandaonline.org, www.dlshq.org

English Translation of

Sri Omprakash Thakur’s Hindi Book

‘Par Hit Saris Dharma Nahin Bhai’

TranslatorNeelmani Khaturia

Published by Swami Padmanabhananda forThe Divine Life Society, Shivanandanagar, and

printed by him at the Yoga-Vedanta Forest AcademyPress, P.O. Shivanandanagar, Distt. Tehri-Garhwal,

Uttarakhand, Himalayas, IndiaFor online orders and Catalogue visit : dlsbooks.org

First Edition: 2014

[ 10,000 Copies ]

FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION

©The Divine Life Trust Society

Swami Chidananda Birth Centenary Series—10

PUBLISHERS’ NOTE

We are happy to publish ‘Sacred Memories’ –English translation of Sri Omprakash Thakur’sHindi book ‘Par Hit Saris Dharma Nahin Bhai’.

It is the great good fortune of Sri Omprakashji Thakur that right from his childhood, he has beenblessed with the holy company of Sadgurudev SriSwami Sivanandaji Maharaj and Worshipful SriSwami Chidanandaji Maharaj and has receivedtheir love and grace in abundance. At the requestof some devotees, Sri Omprakashji has made ahumble effort to record his sacred memories withthese two great saints in his Hindi book ‘Par HitSaris Dharma Nahin Bhai’. The book presents hisnumerous inspiring and sublime experiences with them and also gives a deep insight into theirglorious divine personalities. The Hindi book hasalready been published by us. We hope that theEnglish translation of this inspiring narrative willbe welcomed by the English knowing devotees ofSadgurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj andWorshipful Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj.

May the abundant blessings of LordAlmighty, Sadgurudev Sri Swami SivanandajiMaharaj and Param Pujya Sri SwamiChidanandaji Maharaj be upon all.

—The Divine Life Society

SACRED MEMORIES 5

DIVINITY INCARNATE—

SRI SWAMI SIVANANDAJI MAHARAJ

AND SIVANANDA ASHRAM

Mysterious are the ways of the Lord. Nobodycan say when He will take away something fromsomeone or bestow graciously something onanother unasked. About 78 years ago, our familyhad come to Haridwar for a few days’ stay; but mygrandmother loved the serene and beautifulatmosphere of Haridwar so much that she refused to leave Haridwar. She wished to spend her entirelife at this holy place and since then our familyhas been living at Haridwar.

We are engaged in the work of marbleinscription for earning our livelihood and workespecially for the Ashrams, Dharmashalas andtemples to inscribe the names of the donors onmarble plates. Therefore, our family has been inclose contact with many Ashrams and Mathasand has also got the blessed opportunity to meetmany renowned saints and Mahants.

As far as I can remember, Sri LakshmanSingh (elder brother of Sri Palji) first came to myfather with the order of making marble plates ofthe donors’ names for the Yoga Sadhana Kutir ofSivananda Ashram. This was the beginning of ourrelation with Sivananda Ashram. Sri SwamiSivanandaji Maharaj was so pleased with thework of my father that he invited him to

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Rishikesh. The Bhajan Hall had been constructedat that time. Sri Swamiji Maharaj asked my fatherto make a marble plate inscribing the activities ofthe Society to be engraved outside the wall of theBhajan Hall and also discussed about marblefloor for Sri Vishwanath Mandir which was beingconstructed then.

When father returned home, he shared withus many things about Maharaj Sri, especiallyabout his simple, loving and compassionatenature. In his own words, “Today, I have gotDarshan of a Divine Personality. Though I havemet many revered saints and Mahants of differentAshrams, Mathas and religious organisations, but Swamiji is different from all of them. What he is - it cannot be described in words; one has toexperience it oneself.” The more my fatherdescribed about Maharaj, the intenser my desiregrew to have his Darshan. I requested my fatherto take me along with him to meet Sri Swamiji, hereadily agreed telling that soon we all would go tothe Ashram.

After finishing the work of marble plate forBhajan Hall and marble floor for Sri VishwanathMandir, my father arranged for a bullock cart totake the material to the Ashram as at that time,Tonga or bullock cart was the only means oftransportation between Haridwar and Rishikesh.Our Ashram was a part of Tehri Garhwal Statethen and the boundary of the State began fromKailash Gate.

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I have heard that Sri Narendra Shah,Maharaja of Tehri State, was not even aware thatone great saint was living in his State. Once whenhe was on a visit to London, one of his friendsshowing him ‘The Divine Life’ magazine askedabout Sri Swamiji Maharaj. His friend was greatlysurprised to know that he was unaware of thepresence of a great saint in his own State. On hisreturn from London, Sri Narendra Shah came toAnanda Kutir to have Darshan of Maharaj Sri. Hewas given warm welcome by Sri Swamiji. Beforetaking leave from Swamiji, he asked if he could doany Seva for Swamiji. Maharaj Sri didn’t sayanything but Tehri Maharaja himself donated theland over the hill where now Sri VishwanathMandir, Bhajan Hall, Samadhi Mandir and Pressetc are situated. After receiving this land, SriSwamiji got prepared Z shaped way to climb overthe hill and also initiated the construction work.The present stairs, that we see today, wereconstructed after many years.

It was nearly 2 a.m., when my father alongwith the aforesaid material, reached at the borderof Tehri Garhwal State. He was stopped by thepolice officer at the Kailash Gate and was told that due to the visit of the Viceroy, the road was closedfor the public. But when he informed them thatthis material was for Sivananda Ashram; theofficer, being aware of Tehri Maharaja’s reverencefor Sri Swamiji allowed him to go on a condition toreturn before 4 a.m. My father reached the

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Ashram at midnight, the Sannyasins andBrahmacharins were roused to unload the cartimmediately.

After some days my father took me, my uncleSri Khem Singhji and my younger sister to theAshram and we all were blessed with Darshan ofMaharaj Sri. On knowing that we had lost ourmother just one year ago, Sri Swamiji Maharajwas very much moved. He instructed all hisattendants and also one of his reliable workers Sri Santram to take good care of us. We were givenroom in Yoga Sadhana Kutir and my father anduncle started their work in the vacant areaopposite the Kutir. It was here, we met onewhite-clothed Brahmachari who later was knownas Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj.

The preparation of consecration ceremony ofSri Vishwanath Mandir was going on; the idols ofLord Sri Ram, Mother Sita, Lakshaman,Hanuman and Lord Sri Krishna had been brought to the Ashram and were kept in the Bhajan Hall.But Swamiji Maharaj did not want the idols to bekept like this; so it was decided to conductAkhanda Mahamantra Kirtan until theconsecration ceremony. Thus with Maharaj Sri’sinstructions, the Akhand Kirtan of ‘Hare RamaHare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare; Hare KrishnaHare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare’commenced on 3rd December 1943 at the BhajanHall. And when the idols had been installed in thetemple, Maharaj Sri did not ask to stop the Kirtan.

SACRED MEMORIES 9

Instead he said, “O ji when once it has started,why to stop it.” The Akhanda Mahamantra Kirtancontinues till today at the Bhajan Hall.

Maharaj sent my uncle Thakur Sri KhemSingh to Jaipur to bring the statues of LordGanesha, Mother Parvati, Nandi and the Jalhariwhere the Sivalinga was to be installed. Theconsecration ceremony was organised with greatenthusiasm and the Maharaja of Tehri Stategraced the ceremony. Many other distinguishedguests and scholars had come to attend theceremony at the invitation of Maharaj. There wasa big Bhandara wherein invited and uninvitedguests, sitting in a long line from Sri Vishwanathtemple to the banks of Mother Ganga partook thesacred Prasad.

Maharaj Sri Swami Sivanandaji performedmany great tasks in his life, but he never plannedfor them. He would start the work at his innerinspiration and never worried how the work would be completed or from where the money andmanpower would be arranged. He would say,“This is the work of God. God will complete it.”

Seeing that there was no arrangement for theeducation of children, Maharaj started SivanandaPrimary School in the building where we havePress now-a-days. With the blessings of Maharajand the sincere efforts of Sri SatchidanandajiMaithani, the school was being run efficiently andthe students from Muni ki Reti, Lakshman Jhoolaand Tapovan used to come to get education. Sri

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Swamiji Maharaj also gave the order for thearrangement of the books for all the students. Thestudents had to arrange only for copies. It wascompulsory for all the students to learn Gita byheart.

At that time, Sri Swamiji Maharaj’s divinemessage was being spread through the monthlyorgan ‘The Divine Life’ magazine. All theAshramites contributed despatching themagazine. Seeing the popularity of Englishmagazine, Hindi magazine ‘Yoga Vedanta’ wasstarted. By the grace of God, one Hindi knowingperson from Almora came to the Ashram. Hisname was Dharmendra Singh and later he wasknown as Swami Satyananda.

The place, where we have post office now, was the main office of Maharaj. He used to come to theoffice daily. Sri Swami Vishuddhanandaji, SriSwami Poornabodhaji and Narayana Swamijiwere the organisers of the office and Ashramactivities. The Cash office was nearby Swamiji’soffice. There was a little garden full of flowers infront of the cash office and Swamiji’s office.Adjacent to the cash office, there was an open area and also some rooms wherein one room was usedas store and one as kitchen while in another, SriSwami Vishweshvaranandaji, Langar In-chargelived. The next room served as Ashram dispensary with one cupboard in it and the last room was post office where post office In-charge lived andworked. This post office was known as Ananda

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Kutir; afterwards it was renamed asShivanandanagar post office. The open area infront of these rooms was later converted intoLangar (dining- hall).

Maharaj Sri used to come regularly to hisoffice and met the visitors. In the evening, therewas the Satsanga after the dinner. As per the timeand weather, the Satsanga was conducted in theopen area near Maharaj’s Kutia, Bhajan Hall orDharmashala of Ram Ashram. For many years,Durga puja was organised in the Dharmashala ofRam Ashram. Every year two Sadhana weeks were organised - one during the Christmas holidays inDecember and the during Easter holidays. Thethird main programme was conducted on thebirthday of Sri Swamiji. Throughout the year,there were some or other festivals and Pujasconducted in the Ashram. During both theSadhana weeks, Boat- Kirtan was the highlighting feature. In those days, the boats of Kali KamaliKshetra provided free service of taking peopleacross the Ganga. Sri Swamiji along with thedevotees used to go across Ganga through theseboats and would meet Sri Narayana Swami, doSatsanga and afterwards doing Kirtan, wouldreturn to the Ashram. On the last day of SadhanaWeek, a drama ‘Divya Jeevan’ was enactedwherein Ashramites, visitors and guests wouldparticipate. My father got the blessed opportunityto play the role of Sri Swamiji Maharaj. Maharajliked his performance very much. Once when

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‘Sivananda Vijay’ drama was to be enacted, SriSwamiji instructed Sri Shyam Sunder, the writerand the director of the drama, “O ji, I present thename of Thakur Prabhu Singh to play the role ofSwami Sivananda, you can select people for othercharacters.” I, my father and sister were fortunateto play different roles in this drama. Sri SwamijiMaharaj awarded me with a silver medal assecond prize and first was Sri Suresh. Many timesSwamiji Maharaj would stand up and danced onthe stage singing his favourite Bhajan ‘Agad BumAgad Bum Baje Damaru’. Maharaj alwaysencouraged the children to play. He used to say toour teacher, “O ji never beat the children.” But our teacher would beat us saying that without fear, we can’t learn.

Our teacher Satchidanandaji Maithaniji used to go to Ayurvedic Vidyalaya Dhanvantari Bhavanin Rishikesh for his studies in Ayurveda. Aftergetting the degree of Ayurvedacharya, he came toSwamiji with my father and said, “My studies have been completed and I want to go for earning mylivelihood. I need your permission and blessings.”Swamiji asked, “Can you prepareChyavanaprash? Do you know about Shilajitmedicine?” Masterji replied in affirmative. ThenMaharaj Sri said, “O ji, why to go anywhere else,start your work here, all the material will beprovided to you.” Swamiji also discussed with myfather regarding preparation of Shilajit. And thus,this conversation resulted into the inauguration

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of ‘Sivananda Ayurvedic Pharmacy’. My fatherwas also instrumental along with SwamiVishuddhanandaji in establishment of Go-shalaand Viswanatha Bag (garden) at Rishikesh.

Day by day, my father’s relationship with theMaharaj Sri grew closer. Sri Swamiji Maharajbestowed His special grace upon him by listeningto his Bhajan whenever he was in the Ashram. Once Maharaj Sri was going to Mumbai forrecording of His Bhajans and Kirtans. As the trainfor Mumbai was to start from Haridwar at night,He came to Haridwar in the evening. At theHaridwar railway station, He asked my father,“There is much time in the departure of the train.Tell me where we can go.” Father replied that theycould go to Mahant Shantanandaji as he hadrequested many times for Swamiji’s visit.Immediately came Maharajji’s reponse, “O ji, whyshould we not visit your house?” My father wasspeechless – such a great saint at my small house, what should I say? He could not say ‘No’ anddidn’t have enough courage to say ‘Yes’. Then SriSwamiji Himself said, “O ji, we will visit yourhouse.” And thus Sri Swamiji blessed our smallrented house near Har-ki-Pauri. Sri Swamiji wasvery much delighted to see the location of thehouse as it presented a beautiful view of MotherGanga.

Before departing for Mumbai, Maharaj Sriasked the father what He could bring for him fromMumbai. My father requested for a special kind of

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paper, black pencil and some other necessaryitems for drawing. Sri Swamiji brought all thoseitems and my father made a beautiful andmagnificent picture of Maharaj wherein Swamijiwas shown sitting in deep meditation at the bankof Mother Ganga and Sivalaya of Swargashramwas visible in the background. For many years, thispicture has adorned the walls of the Bhajan Hall.

Once it so happened that Sri SwamijiMaharaj left the Ashram without telling anythingto anyone. He felt that he had built a new home inthe form of an Ashram therefore he shouldrenounce this home also as he had renounced theprevious one. When Ashramites came to knowabout Swamiji’s sudden disappearance, theymade an intensive search. Where could a gloriouspersonality like Swamiji hide? It was soon foundthat Sri Swamiji was staying with a poor farmer inJagjitpur village near Haridwar. This poor farmerknown as Bhaktaji was a noble and sweet natured person. We were introduced to such saintly soulby the grace of Maharaj. At the humble prayersand requests of all, Sri Swamiji returned to theAshram. Afterwards, whenever Bhaktaji came tothe Ashram, he brought something produced inhis own fields. Sri Swamiji Maharaj felt immensely happy to meet him. He had served Swamiji withintense love and devotion without being aware ofthe truth that Swamiji was the head of such a biginstitution. Maharajji always expressed hisgratitude towards him for his loving service. I also

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got the blessed opportunity to visit his home twiceor thrice with Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj.

Saints, Sadhus and Fakirs have their ownMauja (sweet will) sometimes. One day, MaharajSri also expressed his Mauja to go to Devaprayagato have Darshan of Lord Raghunath along withthe Ashramites and the families living near theAshram. Immediately, two buses were arrangedand we all reached Devaprayaga under theleadership of Swami Paramanandaji Maharaj. Asper Maharaj Sri’s instructions, we did Kirtanthroughout our journey. We had Darshan of LordSri Raghunath and sang Bhajan-kirtan in thetemple. We also went to have the Darshan of theconfluence of the sacred rivers namely Bhagirathiand Alaknanda. At this meeting point, thesesacred rivers get their new name Ganga.Afterwards, Maharajji sat with us all and hadlunch. We returned to the Ashram in the evening.Maharaj Sri used to organise such programmesmany times at Vishwanath Bagh in Rishikesh.

Swamiji Maharaj followed religiously theprinciple of ‘Forget and Forgive’. Once a boy, living nearby the Ashram, was trying to hit a monkeywith his catapult. Maharaj Sri was going to hisoffice then. The boy missed the mark and thestone, instead of hitting the monkey, injuredMaharajji’s foot. That boy was very muchfrightened. Maharaj Sri called him and said,“Don’t do this. Monkey is also a living being likeyou. If the stone had hit it, how much pain it

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would have felt.” The boy realised his mistake andtouched the feet of Maharaj seeking forgiveness.Many such occasions came where we thought that Maharajji would be angry or upset knowing this or that but it never happened.

‘Bear insult, bear injury- highest Sadhana’was not just an instruction by Maharaj Sri butwas an integral part of his own nature. In 1953,The Parliament of Religions was convened. SwamiParamanandaji was the chief convenor of theParliament. I also got the opportunity to offer myservices for the programme along with SriRamratanji. Our Seva was to receive the guests atthe Rishikesh railway station and take care oftheir boarding and lodging. The Parliament wasorganised for three days with two sessions eachday. It was the third day of the Parliament; thescholars representing all religions were seated onthe platform. They were being invited one by oneto deliver discourses and each was beinggarlanded by Maharaj Sri. Among them, onescholar introducing himself as the Guru of theking of Nepal, started criticising Swamiji in hisdiscourse. He condemned Swamiji’s way of living,dressing and conversing in English in derogatorywords. Sri Swamiji, instead of being angry, wassmiling and also applauding his oratory skills. Atthe end of the discourse, Maharaj Sri garlandedhim again and expressed his gratitude towardshim for pointing out his faults while the entire

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gathering and Maharajji’s disciples were verymuch annoyed.

During our stay at the Ashram, many a timeswe have received Maharaj Sri’s blessings anddivine grace. Once during Sadhana Week, therewas demonstration of Yogasanas by the children.Maharaj Sri liked my performance and rewardedme with his two silken clothes, biscuits andchocolates. In those days especially in rainyseason, Malaria was widespread; thereforequinine mixture was always kept ready for theAshramites and the residents of Muni-Ki-Reti. Once it so happened, my father, sister and myselfgot Malaria fever on the same day and we suffereda lot for many days. Swamiji Maharaj blessed uswith medicines as well as his gracious words.Every day while going to the Bhajan Hall, hewould stop at our Kutir and saying ‘Hari Om’would enquire about our health.

With the sincere efforts of SwamiParamanandaji, the construction of Guru Mandirwas completed during Maharaj Sri’s lifetime. Themarble work inside the Mandir was done by father under the supervision of SwamiVishnudevanandaji. The place just below theGuru Mandir was chosen by Maharaj Sri himselffor the construction of His Samadhi. Thedesigning and marble work for Sivananda Pillarwas also accomplished by father with the supportand suggestions of Swami Madhavanandaji. Afterthe completion of Sivananda Pillar, Maharajji got

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himself photographed with my father and hisco-workers. The photograph is treasured till today in the Ashram’s collection of rare photographs.

Before partaking the Prasad in the AshramLangar, there used to be the recitation of thefifteenth chapter of Srimad Bhagavad Gita.Swamiji would be very much delighted to see thesmall children reciting Gita. Though there was aseparate kitchen for Swamiji in his Kutir, butmany a times he would sit with us to have Prasad.Once at the request of Mahant ShantanandaNathji of Haridwar, Sri Swamiji sent Ashram’schildren to his place under the guidance of SwamiShashwatanandaji and Satchidanandaji Maithani to participate in a special programme. We all wonprizes in that programme. When Maharaj Sricame to know of it, he was very much pleased andimmediately ordered the In-charge of AshramLangar to get prepared special food for all of usand he also partook the Prasad with us. Toappreciate and encourage the good work was oneof the unique traits of Maharaj Sri’s nature. Andwhen someone did anything wrong, he wouldnever become angry; he would just scold theperson lovingly. But his loving rebuke was of suchnature that it pierced into the heart of thewrong-doer and he would then and there decidenever to repeat that mistake.

One day, I and my friend Sureshchandrawere climbing down the Ashram stairs very fast.As the stairs were made of wood, our fast

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movement was creating loud noise. Maharaj Sriwas sitting in his office in Diamond Jubilee Hall.Being disturbed with this rattling sound, he sentone of the Brahmacharins to call us. He tenderlyreprimanded us thus, “O ji, these are woodenstairs and can break with such fast movementand the people working in the office also getdisturbed by the noise. So, be slow while climbingup or down. Achhaji, never repeat it again. Nowchant ‘Om Namah Sivaya’ ten times. Be a goodboy.” Thus we have been blessed with theconstant flow of Maharaj Sri’s Grace- Ganga.

By the grace of Maharajji, I was engaged tothe sister of Sri Trilok Singhji who had beenpersonal attendant of Maharaj for some time. Theaugust presence of Swami Chidanandaji in mywedding ceremony was a great blessing for us.Knowing about his arrival, Sri Sundarprakashjiand Harnamprakashji, Mahants of Kali KamaliSwargashram also attended the wedding frombride’s side and welcomed Sri Swamiji. My fatherwas overwhelmed with feelings of gratitudetowards Maharaj Sri who had showered his graceupon ordinary persons like us. After the marriage, my father took us all to Maharaj to offer ourPranams and to seek his blessings. Maharajjicalled Swami Sharadanandaji to take ourphotograph with him and also blessed us withspecial Prasad.

On 14th July 1963, the news of the passingaway of this great soul was broadcasted on All

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India Radio. In spite of hearing the news, we could not believe it. My father made a phone call to theAshram to confirm this tragic news. After beingconfirmed about the authenticity of the news, westarted for the Ashram. On reaching the Ashram,we rushed towards Maharaj Sri’s Kutir to have the last Darshan of His divine form and offer our floral tributes. My father had been a person of greatpatience and fortitude and I had seen him firmand unshaken in such circumstances where anordinary person could lose his patience. Even atthe untimely death of my mother, he was calmand serene. But that day, he could not keep hispatience and wept bitterly as if his most belovedand precious possession had been snatched awayfrom him. He was gazing at Maharaj Sri’s mortalframe and tears were constantly streamingthrough his eyes. As per the desire of Maharajji,his mortal remains were interred in the placewhich he himself had chosen. Within three days,Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj gave a definiteshape and design to the Samadhi Shrine; heasked my father to carve foot prints of Maharaj onthe marble surface and blessed me with the Sevaof bringing a Narmadeshwar Sivalinga along witha small Jalhari to be installed on the uppersurface of the Samadhi. The marble work insidethe shrine was also done by my father.

Thus, we have been constantly blessed by SriSwami Sivanandaji Maharaj and Sri SwamiChidanandaji Maharaj. The divine grace of these

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two saints has made our family foremost in manyimportant works of the Ashram. Apart from themarble work in the Ashram, my father has beeninstrumental in the inauguration of SivanandaAyurvedic Pharmacy and organising of the first Sri Satyanarayana Vrata Katha in the Ashramwherein Maharaj Sri himself listened to the Kathanarrated by Sri Satchidanandaji. I was the firststudent of Sivananda Primary School and I alsogot the blessed Seva of bringing NarmadeshwarSivalinga for Samadhi Mandir.

This is the fourth generation of our family and we all have been fortunate enough to receive theloving grace and blessings of Sri SwamiSivanandaji Maharaj, Sri Swami ChidanandajiMaharaj and Sri Swami Vimalanandaji Maharajfor the last sixty years. We all will be ever gratefulfor this supreme grace. May their abundant gracebe ever upon us and upon all, is the humbleprayer of this servant at their lotus feet.

Hari Om Tat Sat.

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DIVINITY INCARNATE—

SRI SWAMI CHIDANANDAJI MAHARAJ

As I have mentioned earlier, when my fatherwas engaged in his work outside Yoga SadhanaKutir, one saint in white robes used to visit him toenquire about his wellbeing and also the progressof the work. He was addressed as Raoji by all theAshramites and the guests. His full name was SriSridhar Raoji and today he is known as Sri SwamiChidanandaji.

ARRIVAL IN THE ASHRAMAND SERVICES

Sri Swamiji Maharaj came to the Ashram inthe year 1943. Seeing his intense zeal for selflessservice, Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj gave himthe responsibility of the Ashram dispensary. Atthat time, the dispensary was being run in a roomwith a single cupboard wherein medicines,bandages and all other necessary articles werekept. During the rainy season, the Ashramitesgenerally suffered from Malaria and in summer,scorpion bite was a great menace. Sri SwamiSivanandaji Maharaj knew the healing Mantra forscorpion bite. The person who had been stung bya scorpion would come crying and writhing in pain to Maharaj and would return smiling. Maharaj Sri taught this Mantra to Sri Swami ChidanandajiMaharaj also.

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The last week of December 1943 was theweek of joyous festivities as the consecration of Sri Vishwanath Mandir was to take place on 31stDecember. After the consecration ceremony,Sridhar Raoji was made the first Pujari (priest) ofthe temple. Sridhar Raoji along with SriPoornabodha Swamiji performed worships in thetemple. They both used to go to the forest to collect Bael leaves and flowers for worship and also made big and beautiful flower-garlands for the Lord.

Sri Swamiji has also competently dischargedhis duties as an English teacher in SivanandaPrimary School. His wonderful teaching methodand his loving nature endeared him to all thestudents and they wished that he should continue teaching them even after the class was over. SriSwami Sivanandaji Maharaj was not in favour ofpunishing the students but in spite of that otherteachers used to punish them. Sri SwamiChidanandaji never punished anyone.

Sri Swamiji Maharaj established YogaMuseum in the Ashram wherein he had keptpictures and charts depicting salient features andstages of all the principal Yogas. Sri SwamiSivanandaji Maharaj was so much impressed with his Yoga Museum that he would bring all thedistinguished guests of the Ashram there and askSri Swami Chidanandaji to explain the details.When Sarvapalli Radhakrishnanji, President ofIndia and a great philosopher, visited the Ashram,

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our Swamiji Maharaj also took him to theMuseum and he himself explained everything.

MESSIAH OF THE MISERABLE

Sri Swamiji Maharaj came to the Ashram onBuddha Purnima day; it was his first meeting with Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj. Whilecoming to the Ashram, he saw lepers sitting on the roadsides. Their open wounds and heart-rendingway of begging aroused the deep feelings ofcompassion in Sri Swamiji and he decided thatthere should be a respectable way of living forthese miserable brethrens. He thought if Godwilled and he would be in some position to dosomething for them, he would definitely do. Andthe grace of God brought that day when hebecame General Secretary of the Ashram. Withthe generous donations from the Ashram, KaliKamali Khetra and government, he made suitablearrangements for their boarding and lodging toensure that they need not beg on the roadsides.He also showed them the path to respectful living.It is the fruit of the untiring efforts of Sri Swamijithat today the residents of Brahmapuri LeperColony are not only free from this wretcheddisease and but also have become usefulmembers of the society by weaving carpets andAsanas etc. Similarly, rooms have beenconstructed in Lakshman Jhula and DhalwalaLeper colonies for them and adequate medicalfacilities have also been provided.

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Once I went to Guru Niwas to meet Maharajand on reaching there, I found that Maharajji wasabout to go somewhere. Seeing me, he said, “Om!You come with us.” Happily, I sat inside the carwith Swamiji. The car stopped at Dhalwala LeperColony where the residents of the colony andsome Ashramites had already been waiting forMaharajji. They all heartily welcomed Swamiji and showed him the newly constructed and renovatedrooms. There was also a beautiful place forSatsanga. Maharajji sat there and conductedKirtan. Thereafter, he listened to their problemsand also gave instructions to the concernedmembers regarding suitable solutions. One leperwas very happy; he participated in the Kirtanenthusiastically and did not put up any demandor problem before Swamiji. When Swamiji wasleaving the colony, he started repeating ‘MaharajKi Jai’ expressing his great delight. Swamiji askedhim, “What is the matter, brother? You look veryhappy? He replied, “Yes, Maharaj, it is a matter ofgreat rejoicing that today our Lord has come toour house. All the arrangements for our food,clothing and shelter have been made. What elsedo we need? And Maharaj, this disease is the fruitof our own actions which we ourselves have tobear.” Maharaj was glad to hear his answer andsaid to him, “You have learnt the art of living.”

Meanwhile, a Bidi (small roll of tobacco forsmoking) seller reached there on his bi-cycle andstarted telling about the qualities of his product.

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Maharajji said, “Why are you singing the glories ofBidis, sell some good thing.” Immediately heretorted, “Maharaj, I earn my livelihood by sellingBidis; I do not beg.” Maharajji wondered why hereplied in such a rude manner and then hewatched him closely. Actually that Bidi seller washandicapped; he was doing all his work throughone hand only. Then Maharajji asked him wherehe would go next. “Swargashram,” he replied. Hewas asked by Maharajji to stop for a while at GuruNiwas while going to Swargashram. He came toGuru Niwas and Maharajji sent a packet for himwith the message –“This is the Prasad from GuruMaharaj Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj.”Maharaj had never met him and there were rarechances of meeting him again but the happinessMaharaj gave to that stranger is unimaginable. Itis an innate part of Swamiji’s nature to beconstantly striving to give happiness to others and to bring smile on the sorrow-stricken faces. Thereare uncountable examples of his noble deeds ofsuch kind.

And if anyone has rendered any service toSwamiji, he not only gives him his due paymentbut also expresses his gratitude towards him.Presently, where we have Garhwal Vikas Nigamnear Kailash Gate, a river used to flow thereduring rainy seasons. Sometimes, the services ofthe elephants of the Tehri Maharaja would beneeded to go across the river. Tonga was the onlymeans of transport to go to Rishikesh from the

SACRED MEMORIES 27

Ashram and that also was of no use in rainyseason due to the swift current of this river.During such times, bringing necessary articlesand especially vegetables for the Ashram fromRishikesh was the most arduous task. And thisHerculean task was performed with great ease byone Nepali porter. Perhaps his name wasManbahadur but he was addressed Bahadur byone and all. He used to cross the river carryingvegetables and other necessary things on his back from the Rishikesh market. Swamiji Maharajwould not only pay him his due wages but alwaysexpressed his heartfelt gratitude towards him forrendering such great service to the Ashram. Withthe passage of time, this courageous manBahadur fell ill; Swamiji always used to take careof his health, medicines and other requirements. Ihave read that letter which Maharaj Sri wrotefrom America to Sri Swami Vimalanandaji seeking information about the health of Bahadur. In thatletter, he had also given instructions to him go toBahadur and touch his feet; ask about his wellbeing on Swamiji’s behalf and give the Prasadsaying that this was Prasad for him from GuruMaharaj Sri Sivanandaji. The Prasad includedmoney along with many other things. Now-a-days, people do not care for their own relatives whereasour Maharaj treats strangers as his own. Actually, for him there is no stranger; all are his very own.

Once Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj,observing the self-sacrificing service of Sri Swami

28 SACRED MEMORIES

Chidanandaji, had remarked, “Chidanandaji isequivalent to ten doctors.” It is an old incidentwhen private buses used to ply from Haridwar toLakshman Jhula. Once a bus going to LakshmanJhula, while taking a turn near Tapovan, fell intodeep ditch; all the passengers excluding one littlechild were injured. As soon as the news of theaccident reached the Ashram, Sannyasins andBrahmacharins rushed towards the accident site.All the injured passengers were brought to theAshram for necessary medical aid. TheAshramites offered their services in different waysto them under the guidance of Sri SwamiSivanandaji Maharaj. Someone was doingbandage; the other was giving medicine and whilesomeone else was bringing tea from the AshramLangar and another one was preparing beds forthem. Sri Swami Sharadanandaji, the head ofAshram studio, was busy in taking photographs.On that day, observing Sri Swami Chidanandaji’sspirit of service and diligent efforts, Sri SwamiSivanandaji Maharaj had made that gloriousremark.

In 1953, Sri Swami Paramanandaji organised Parliament of Religions under the guidance ofGuru Maharaj Sri Sivanandaji Maharaj. Thedignitaries representing various religions hadparticipated in the event. The contribution of SriSwami Chidanandaji in this momentousprogramme was indeed praiseworthy.

SACRED MEMORIES 29

MAST (EVER-REJOICING) FAKIR

In earlier days, Maharaj Sri lived in the firsttwo rooms of Yoga Sadhana Kutir. I also got theblessed opportunity to live with him in thoserooms. It is said that great intimacy leads to theend of all formalities. Once I committed a blunderdue to my so called intimacy or ignorance; Icannot say. I was a student of class tenth thenand used to go to a school in Rishikesh. One dayas I was getting ready for the school, I found thatone of my sandals had given way. As there was nocobbler nearby the Ashram, I was upset thinkinghow I would go to school. Then all of a sudden, anidea flashed into my mind that I should borrowSwamiji’s sandals for one day. I knew thatSwamiji mostly remained in his room and workedand moreover, the size of my feet was also same as that of Swamiji’s. Being happy at my brilliant idea, I rushed to Maharaj Sri’s room and said, “Swamiji, one of my sandals has broken and I have to go toschool. Can I borrow yours for one day? I will getmy sandals repaired while returning from theschool.” Maharajji lovingly smiled and gave hispermission. Little did I realise then what I wasdoing. When I returned from the school, Iinformed Swamiji that I had got my sandalsrepaired and had kept his sandals at their place.Maharajji said, “No, no, now onwards they areyours; you can use these both.” And from thatday, he started moving barefoot not only in theAshram but even when he went outside the

30 SACRED MEMORIES

Ashram. He would go to Delhi or to any otherplace barefooted. I could not understand much atthat time.

Once when Swamiji was planning to come tothe Ashram from Delhi, he invited many devoteesof Delhi including my father to attend theSivarartri celebration at the Ashram. Most of them got ready to come along with him but he sent them all to the Ashram saying that he would comeafterwards. There is one saying in Hindi ‘AayiMauj Fakir Ki, Diya Jhopra Phoonka’– You cannot imagine what a God-intoxicated saint can do inhis ecstatic mood; he can even burn his hut andlaugh. In such an exalted mood, Maharaj Sristarted travelling from Delhi on foot. He wouldstop at the villages on the way; beg for food andagain resumed his journey singing the name ofthe Lord. Walking continuously barefootedcaused blisters in his feet and it became verypainful to walk but he kept on walking slowly. And see the grace of the Compassionate Lord, onetruck driver stopped his vehicle on his own andasked him if he was going to Haridwar. AsMaharajji nodded his head, he asked Maharaj tosit near his seat. Before sitting, Maharajjiinformed him that he had nothing to pay to him.He said, “Maharaj, do not worry. Please sitcomfortably.” Thus, Maharaj Sri reachedHaridwar and rested for a while at my uncle’shouse. He refreshed himself by taking a dip inGangaji; took some money from my uncle and

SACRED MEMORIES 31

came to the Ashram. On our frequent queries, henarrated this whole incident. Maharaj SriSivanandaji also came to know that now-a-daysSri Chidanandaji moved without shoes or sandalsbut he did not say anything. Once, Maharaj Srireceived an invitation from Allahabad Universityto deliver a lecture. He called Swami Chidanandaji and asked him to go to Allahabad and also advised not to go barefoot. It was then, his severe Tapas(austerity) of moving barefoot came to an end.

A GUIDE TO THE PILGRIMS

These days, Badrinath Yatra has become very easy but earlier it was not so. The pilgrims had towalk a long way enduring many hardships.During Yatra season, a large number of devoteeswould come to Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharajto seek his permission and blessings and alsoguidance regarding the journey. Swamiji wouldapprise them of the difficulties which could besetthem during the journey; the necessary articlesand the medicines which they would need; thesuitable places where they could stay for nighthalt and also the important shrines which theymust visit on the way to Badrinath. He woulddescribe some places in such an elaborate andprecise manner that the listeners could actuallyvisualise them. I had been associated withSwamiji for a long time and in my knowledge hehad never been to Badrinath. Therefore, I wasperplexed how he could guide the pilgrims andalso describe these places with such accuracy as if

32 SACRED MEMORIES

he himself had visited them. One day I askedSwamiji, “Swamiji, when did you visit Badrinath?” Then Swamiji told that he had never been toBadrinath. To clarify my doubts, he furtherexplained that the devotees who visited him before commencing the Yatra invariably came again tohim after the completion of the Yatra and used tonarrate the details of their journey. Thus, he hadgained so much experience that when he himselfwould visit Badrinath, he won’t feel that he hadcome there first time. That day I learnt fromSwamiji what it was to be benefitted by theexperiences of others and also to be beneficial toothers.

THE SUPREME GRACE OF ALMIGHTY LORD

The Lord has showered His grace upon usmany a times by saving our beloved Swamiji’s life.During my stay at the Ashram, I often got theopportunity to accompany Swamiji in his walks tonearby forest. During one such occasion, Swamijinarrated one incident how God’s grace had savedhis life. One day Swamiji and RamchandraSwamiji went for a walk in the forest behind theAshram. Walking leisurely, they covered a longdistance and moved far in the forest. When theythought of returning, the evening had already setin. The sky was overcast with dense cloudsintensifying the darkness. Suddenly, it startedtorrential rains. They decided that they shouldstay at the place where they were as they won’t be

SACRED MEMORIES 33

able to find their way in such darkness. And theyspent the whole night sitting at that place insinging Lord’s name. At the daybreak as theystarted to walk, they found that they were sittingat the edge of a deep ditch and if they had movedfurther even a step, they would have lost theirlives. They expressed heartfelt gratitude towardsthat Supreme Saviour, who being the Indweller,inspired them to sit at that place and not to movefurther.

One another incident comes to my memory.As we all know, Swamiji’s body cannot bear theextreme heat therefore summer season is littlepainful for him. It was the time when theconstruction of Sri Vishwanath Mandir had justbeen completed and the piles of bricks were lyingaround the temple. Swamiji used to go to theterrace of Sri Vishwanath Mandir to sleep at night. He used the temporary wooden stairway that waskept there during the construction of the Mandir.Once he was in deep sleep, it started raining all ofa sudden. He woke up and started walkingtowards the stairway but due to the intensedarkness and effect of the sleep, he missed theexact direction of the stairway and moved ahead.As a result, he fell upon the pile of the bricks andwas severely injured. The mark of that injury isstill there on one of his feet. Falling from such aheight upon the pile of bricks, anything couldhave happened. It was only the loving grace of theLord which protected our Swamiji.

34 SACRED MEMORIES

After a few months of becoming the Presidentof the Divine Life Society, Sri Swamiji intenselydesired to have Darshan of Lord Kedarnath. Heasked one of my friends Sureshanandaji toaccompany him. Sureshanandaji was very happyto receive this invitation and readily agreed. Theytook one porter along with them and started thejourney and reached Gaurikund first travelling bybus up to Rudraprayaga and afterwards walkingon foot. From Gaurikund, the journey was to bemore arduous. Suddenly the weather changed forthe worse; dark clouds covered the whole sky andstormy winds began to blow. The porter got feverand it became difficult for him even to walk, howone could expect from him to carry the luggage.Swamiji and Sureshanandaji took the luggagefrom him and carrying it themselves continuedwalking. As it was the last day of the Yatraseasons, all the midway shops and inns had beenclosed and there was no one on the path exceptthese three persons.

After sometime, snowfall began and soon thewhole path was covered with the thick layer of thesnow. They were not able to locate the way withtheir torch light as only white expanse all aroundwas visible. They were in great difficulty as how tomove further. By the grace of God, the postman ofKedarnath met them there. He was going toKedarnath to deliver the last post of the season.He told them that they themselves won’t be able to find the way and might fall in some ditch.

SACRED MEMORIES 35

Therefore, they should follow him as he was muchfamiliar with the way due to his regular visits.Walking behind him, they reached Kedarnathsafely in the night. The postman went towards hisdestination after showing them the way to theShrine.

Their bodies were almost frozen due towalking in icy cold winds and rain and now theywere not able to walk a step further. They stoodthere looking all around for night-shelter. Somehouses were visible but all of them were closed.Somehow summoning courage, they knocked atone door and asked for shelter. One priest openedthe door and took them inside his house. They allhastily moved towards the fireplace but the priestforbade them to do so and gave them warm Gheefor massaging the whole body. After the massage,he gave them tea and only then he allowed them to go near the fire. Swamiji was very much delightedto see his spirit of selfless service. He had servedthem with so much love without knowing whothey were. Swamiji expressed his gratitude andalso offered him some other things. And later on,whenever anyone from the Ashram went toKedarnath, Swamiji always sent some specialPrasad for this priest. Thus, Lord Kedarnathsaved His devotees and also showered His graceupon us all.

Once, during his South India tour, Swamijiwas going to the airport by his car. Due to thesudden brake failure of the car, the driver had to

36 SACRED MEMORIES

stop it striking it against a tree. The acute painwhich it caused to Maharaj Sri’s frail bodypersisted for many years. Again and again, weexpress our heartiest gratitude to theCompassionate Lord for saving our belovedSwamiji’s life.

BRIMMING WITH MOTHERLY LOVE

All the Ashram children were fortunateenough to receive Swamiji’s motherly love. He took care of all of us with such love and affection thateveryone missed him a lot when he went toAmerica. One of us was Sri Ramrakshpalji whomSwamiji had given a new name Nadchitswarupajiin appreciation of his musical talents. WheneverSri Palji used to write a letter to Maharaj, he would address him as Ma (Mother). And this is indeedtrue. Sadguru also is our mother. As a mothergives birth to a child, a Sadguru gives us a new life in the spiritual world. In our Hindu culture, wefirst remember and offer our salutations to themother aspect of the Supreme Reality when wechant Tvameva Mata or Sitaram or Radhakrishnaor Umashankara.

The readers today may not believe thatSwamiji Maharaj has fed us many a times with his own hands as a mother feeds her babies. SriRamratanji, one of my companions, loved Swamiji very much but also quarrelled with himsometimes on certain matters. Whenever he usedto quarrel with Maharaj, Maharajji would listen

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patiently to his arguments and simultaneouslywould spread butter on the toast and offer himlovingly in a plate. Then Ramratanji used to retortthus, “I am not Suresh or Omprakash that I would be happy eating toast or rusk. I am very angrywith you.” He had an intense desire to organise anAll India Tour for Swamiji Maharaj on the similarlines as that of All India Tour of Gurudevorganised in 1950. Swamiji had also acceded tohis request but unfortunately, Sri Ramratanji was called by the Lord to His feet at the very early age.However, his desire was fulfilled and ourMaharajji not only visited all India but went allaround the world with the sublime mission ofpropagating Gurudev’s Divine Life message. Heendeared himself to everyone and made the wholeworld his family by his loving and compassionatenature.

THE EMBODIMENT OFRENUNCIATION AND TAPAS

Sri Swamiji Maharaj hails from an affluentJamindar family but he renounced the comfortsand luxuries of that life to walk on the path ofdispassion. Sri Swami Vimalanandaji Maharajhas seen his Poorvashram house. It is a palatialbuilding having a tennis court wherein Europeans also came to play tennis. But that luxurious lifecould not allure Maharaj Sri and renouncing it, he joined Gurudev’s Ashram. And here in theAshram, when Guru Maharaj asked him to take

38 SACRED MEMORIES

the post of General Secretary, he tried his levelbest to decline the proposal but ultimately heaccepted the Guru Ajna (order) with greathumility. Similarly, when he was invited to visitAmerica, he expressed his unwillingness sayingthat he wished to go to Badrinath instead of goingto America but here also Guru Ajna and the nobleaim of the service of the humanity made himsubmit. After returning from America, Sri Swamiji Maharaj spent 14 months as a wanderingmendicant. I believe, he intended to live anaustere life after living amongst the comforts andluxuries of America. It has been usual practicewith Swamiji to live in a hut or an ordinary Kutirfor sometime if he has been made to live in apalace or a big bungalow.

Pundit Chiranjilalji, one of my friends, is aresident of a village Banali near Narendranagar.Once I saw him extremely worried over someissue. On being asked, he told that SwamijiMaharaj had called him and said, “O ji Chiranjilal, we will go to your house.” And his problem was –he could not say ‘no’ to Swamiji and the conditionof his house was such that he could not even offera suitable place to him to sit comfortably. Then, Itold him that he should not worry about it at all as the Lord who had expressed his desire to go there,would also make all the arrangements for it. Heshould just surrender to the will of the Lord.Maharajji went there and he himself made all thearrangements for his sitting and having

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refreshment as if he was in his own house not insomeone else’s place. Due to the grace of Maharaj, today Chiranjilalji is owner of three houses.

During his mendicant life, Maharaj Sri wentto such places where he was asked not to go;otherwise he would have to remain hungry aspeople would not give alms to him. But he wentthere and the Almighty Lord made allarrangements for him. He returned from thoseplaces receiving love and respect of the people.

During such times, once he came to theAshram to have Darshan of Gurudev and wantedto go next day, but he was compelled to stay due to the illness of Guru Maharaj and then on 14th July 1963, Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj, one of theluminous stars of spiritual firmament left hismortal coil. There was mournful silenceeverywhere. Only the soft chanting of ‘Hare Rama’ Mantra was reverberating in the Ashrampremises. All eyes were filled with tearscherishing the sacred memories with the HolyMaster. But Sri Swamiji Maharaj was absolutelycalm and serene and supervising allarrangements and providing guidelines forperforming the Samadhi rituals.

After the sixteenth day of Mahasamadhi,there were discussions regarding the selection ofthe President of the Institute and all wished thatSri Swamiji should take the place of Holy Masterbut Swamiji strongly opposed it. During one ofsuch discussions, I was present. Dr Kutty Mataji

40 SACRED MEMORIES

was very much insistent upon Swamiji to acceptthe post, but Swamiji said, “I was not in theAshram and if Gurudev had attainedMahasamadhi in my absence, you would havecertainly made some other arrangement. Pleasedo that now.” Dr. Kutty Mataji replied, “Swamiji,you were now in India; even if you had been in anycorner of the world, we would have brought youhere and appointed you President.” In spite of somuch insistence and requests, Swamiji did notattend the meeting of the trustees saying theycould decide anything in his absence. Thedecision was made to appoint him the Presidentand he was informed in the evening when hereturned to the Ashram.

He has discharged his responsibilities as thePresident wholeheartedly. After becoming thePresident, all started requesting him to come andstay in Guru Maharaj’s Kutir. Swamiji wouldlisten to their requests and smile. Once when hewas being insisted again, he replied, “According to you, Guru Maharaj does not live in the Kutir butfor me, he still lives there. I will not go there and Iwill stay in Yoga Sadhana Kutir.” Maharaj Srilived in Yoga Sadhana Kutir for many years.

Sri Ramniwas Gupta, son of Sri KashiramjiGupta of Calcutta, got constructed one buildingGuru Niwas for Swamiji Maharaj. Its inauguration was done by Maharaj Sri himself. Sri Ramniwasjirequested Swamiji Maharaj to live in that buildingbut Swamiji Maharaj politely refused. He pleaded

SACRED MEMORIES 41

again and again saying that he had made theupper floor only for Maharaj Sri and the groundfloor for his personal use. If Swamiji did not accept his request, all his efforts would go waste. ButSwamiji was unwilling to come.

Once Swamiji fell seriously ill and was takento Dehradun for treatment. He was advised by thedoctors to take complete rest in some clean andquiet place so he was brought to Guru Niwas forrest. After getting well, Swamiji insisted to go toYoga Sadhana Kutir. Meanwhile, Sri Ramniwasjicame from Calcutta hearing the news of Swamiji’sill health and reiterated his request. Andultimately, he succeeded in his efforts andMaharaj Sri started living in Guru Niwas andthus, the name of the building ‘Guru Niwas’fulfilled its meaning.

PRESIDENCY PERIOD

During his Presidentship, many importantdecisions were taken, many beautiful buildingswere constructed and nice arrangements weremade for providing accommodation to theaspirants and the guests. With thesedevelopments, problems also increased. Newaspirants started requesting for special rooms.Once when I was with Maharaj Sri, oneBrahmachari came with a request for Kutir.Swamiji Maharaj lovingly told him that today hecould see nice arrangements for everything. Buthe should remember those times when they came

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in the Ashram. They all were asked to stay inBhajan Hall and after staying many years inBhajan Hall, they were allotted rooms. As therewere no bathrooms, they had to go to jungle toanswer the calls of nature. They had to go toGangaji for water and had to carry woods on theirshoulders for kitchen and had also to lend ahelping hand in the construction work. He mightthink that Maharaj himself was living in a roomand giving a lecture to me. But the truth is if GuruMaharaj had not entrusted him with thisresponsibility, he would have preferred to live in ahut under a tree. After receiving the Prasad,Brahmachari left happily. Swamiji also assuredhim for the arrangement of a Kutir.

BIRTH CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

The celebration of Birth Centenary ofGurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj duringSwamiji’s presidentship will remain memorableevent for all those who attended it. Many schoolsand hospitals were opened at different places. Tocommemorate this glorious occasion, a big archwith inscription ‘Be Good, Do Good’ wasconstructed at Haridwar Badrinath highway nearthe Headquarters Ashram. All the Centenaryprogrammes were organized in a big and beautiful Pandal at Govardhan Dham. Though it was rainyseason, but such was the arrangement that rain-water could not enter the Pandal and the devoteescould attend and enjoy all the programmes. After

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the successful completion of the programme,Maharaj expressed his gratitude towardsorganisers, workers and volunteers and alsofelicitated the chief organiser Dr. Kutty Mataji. Toplan the programme for Centenary Celebrationsand to organise it at different places in the country and outside the country was very difficult task but Maharajji performed it in a marvellous way withthe support of his disciples and devotees. Fortunately, I got the opportunity to closelyobserve one such event. Generally, our Ashramdoes not participate in Kumbha Mela (Fair) atorganisational level but there is no restriction forindividual participation.

KUMBHA MELA

In 1986, Kumbha Fair was to be organised atHaridwar. Maharaj Sri decided to participate in itat organisational level. The devotees wereinformed about it. Sri Arun Kumar Misraji, MelaOfficer allotted a nice place near Har ki Pauri toput up our tents. A beautiful replica of SivanandaAshram was created in the tent colony. The tentswere erected and named as Parvati Kutir, YogaSadhana Kutir, Bhajan Hall and Annapurna Hall.Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj was greatlysurprised to see the arrangements and theactivities of the tent colony going on as per theAshram schedule. A special tent ‘Guru Niwas’was also erected for Maharaj Sri. Maharajjidelighted the hearts of all the devotees by living

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with them. He also participated with other saintsin Shahi Sawari (Royal Procession). What a greatdifference between him and other saints – they allwere seated in their vehicles in blessing posturesand our Maharaj Sri walked with us greetingeveryone with folded hands. He said that ourancestors have made such a nice arrangementthat lakhs of people are coming without aninvitation. This is the cosmic form of the Lord. Weshould bow our heads and offer salutations to Hiscosmic form. See the magnanimity of his soul.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Being encouraged by Birth Centenaryprogrammes, the organisers decided to celebratethe birthday of Maharaj Sri on a grand scale andsought his permission. Maharaj politely refusedsaying that in the Ashram only Guru Maharaj’sbirthday should be celebrated. He also asked what is the birthday for a Sadhu? Every day is hisbirthday, so it should be celebrated daily. Theorganisers put forward many arguments sayingthat in these programs so many devotees gathertogether and are benefited by Kirtan-Bhajan anddiscourses of eminent saints. For him, hisbirthday has no importance, but he should granthis permission for the welfare of common people.Being pressurised, he gave the permission with an instruction to celebrate it at all places by fulfillingthe needs of that particular place. Accordingly,the programme was made where there a schoolwas needed, school was opened; where medical

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facilities were required, hospital was opened.Needy women were given sewing machines andmany homeless were blessed with homes. Theflood-stricken victims of Rishikesh were providedclothes, bedding and food material and theearthquake victims of Garhwal were providedclothes, blankets and tin sheets. Maharajji was soconsiderate that he even made arrangements forBidis for men and Bindis for women. These werealso considered as their needs in such difficulttimes. Maharajji is very particular about thesmallest as he is with the biggest thing; nothingcan escape from his vision. The perfection of histhinking surprises all. One devotee from Mumbaiexpressed her emotions thus, “We have been tomany places and have visited many Ashrams andsocial organisations but all are interested intaking something from others. No one knows howto give as does this Ashram.” This indicates thatthere is no difference between the saying anddoing of Gurudev and Swamiji. They themselvesfollow what they preach – Serve, Love, Give. Thebirthday of such great saints should be celebrated daily.

Once Swamiji had to attend one spiritualretreat organised specially for the foreign devotees at Pattamadai, the birthplace of Gurudev. Hisbirth- date also came during those retreat days. Taking advantage of that occasion, many devotees planned to come to Pattamadai. When Swamijiicame to know that many devotees were planningto come to celebrate his birthday, he declared

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publicly that there was no birthday celebrationand he was not available on 24th of September. Ifany gentleman wanted to come for this purpose,he should not make any programme and cancelhis railway reservation. Nobody knows where he(Swamiji) would be on 24th September and ifanybody knows somehow, he should not try tomeet him on that day; otherwise Swamiji wouldnever see his face again and never talk to him.Actually, Swamiji did not want his birthday to becelebrated.

Once Gurudev decided to celebrate thebirthdays of his senior Sannyasins disciples. AsSwami Chidanandaji’s birthday came in the samemonth as that of Gurudev himself, ourcompassionate Gurudev thought about thedifficulty of the devotees who would have to cometwice in the same month for these celebrations.Beloved Gurudev decided to celebrate SwamiChidanandaji’s birthday on 24th June instead of24th September. Thus, Swamiji’s 39th birthdaywas celebrated with great spiritual fervour on24th June 1954 and Swamiji attended it followinghis Holy Master’s instruction. Apart from otherspeakers, Gurudev and Swamiji Maharaj himselfgave inspiring lectures on the sacred occasion.When this news was published in ‘The Divine Life’magazine, devotees also started celebrating hisbirthday on 24th June every year in theirrespective areas. It was in 1965 that his birthdaywas celebrated on his true birth date. I have

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observed that whenever his birthday wascelebrated in his presence, it seemed he wasbearing it all unwillingly.

FLOWER GARLANDS

Similarly, I used to observe that he did notlike it when people garlanded him. His faceexpressed his displeasure as if some injustice wasbeing done to him. I was immensely moved to seehis reactions therefore I decided not to offer himgarland and also advised my friends to do thesame. After sometime, Swamiji himself declaredpublically that nobody should bring flowergarlands for him as it caused him great pain. Theflowers blooming in the gardens beautify theenvironment and also keep it pure. So let thembloom and blossom in the gardens. I was veryhappy as Maharaj Sri revealed in our hearts whathe wished to say.

HAPPY IN MAKING OTHERS HAPPY

Maharaj Sri’s compassionate heart alwaysgoes out to help others. His happiness lies inmaking others happy and he is always ready toundergo any amount of pain to bring joy in thelives of others. It is his innate nature to give loveand respect to his younger ones especiallychildren. Sri Uttam Singh Rana, former chairman of Municipal Corporation of Muni-ki Reti is one ofthose children of the Ashram on whom MaharajSri has showered his abundant grace. When

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Uttam decided to file his nomination for the post,he came to Guru Niwas to seek Maharaj’sapproval and blessings for his decision.Fortunately, I was also present there. Maharajsmilingly said that Uttam’s decision was Uttam(best) and when he sought his blessings, Maharajlooked at me and said, “Om! Ask him how he could feel that my blessings are not with him. Myblessings are always with him”. He advised him toremember Gurudev and start his work. When SriRana was married, he sought appointment withSwamiji to meet him along with his wife forblessings. Maharaj Sri agreed but on that day hehad to go to Dehradun along with senior Swamisof the Ashram for some official work. AtDehradun, when he was reminded of hisappointment with Sri Rana, he immediatelystarted for the Ashram. Other people asked whyhe was in so much hurry. On being frequentlyasked, he replied that Rama and Sita were to come to his Kutir, therefore he had to reach there at theearliest. His such noble feelings and magnanimityof heart makes us bow down at his lotus feet.

Sri Sureshchandra Suman is also one of the

recipients of his grace. From his education to his

marriage and during other struggles of life,

Swamiji’s grace has always been with him. After

his death, his family is receiving Swamiji’s love

and care. Once when Swamiji was staying with my

uncle, he fell ill and suffered for many days from

fever. My uncle served him during those days and

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Maharaj never forgot his loving service. After

getting well, they both decided to go to have

Darshan of Ma Chandi Devi. After the Darshan,

my uncle insisted that they should also visit the

temple of Anjana Devi. Our jovial Maharaj said

that though he didn’t wish to have a son, but they

should go to have Darshan of Anjana Devi

otherwise her son Hanumanji would be angry with

them. Seeing the beautiful and serene

surroundings around the small shrine, Maharaj

was absorbed in deep meditation and sat there for

a long time. After opening his eyes, he saw that

visitors were standing there in a queue waiting for

Prasad. Perhaps they might have thought that

Swamiji was the priest of that shrine. Swamiji

asked my uncle what Prasad they could give to

them. As they had nothing except their food,

Maharajji gave it as Prasad and they both

remained hungry.

Maharaj Sri forgets his own pain and

suffering in making others happy. It is the

incident of 1974 when many programmes were

being organised in different parts of India.

Suddenly, Maharaji Sri got ill and was admitted

into Ramakrishna Mission Sevashram, Kankhal

for treatment. He suffered for many days and had

to remain confined to bed. Everyday someone

from the Ashram came to see Maharaj. Once Sri

Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj came to enquire

50 SACRED MEMORIES

about his health and seeing his condition,

requested Maharajji to cancel all his programmes.

But Maharaj Sri said that he would soon get well

and attend all those programmes. According to Sri

Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj, even after the

recovery Maharaj Sri would need complete rest for

some time. Therefore, all his programmes should

be cancelled with immediate effect. Then Maharaj

Sri agreed to it and made a special request not to

cancel ‘All Ceylon Conference’ as the poor

devotees of Ceylon had worked very hard to

organise it and he also expressed his strong

determination that he would go there, come what

may.

When the day of the ‘All Ceylon Conference’

approached near, I asked Maharajji who was

accompanying him to Ceylon as Sri Swami

Vimalanandaji Maharaj was in Germany at that

time. He answered that he was going alone. Then,

I requested to take me along with him as it was not

good for him to travel alone in this fragile health

condition. Maharaj Sri happily agreed and I got

the opportunity to accompany him. At Jaffna,

observing the great love, devotion and

indefatigable spirit of service of the people, I

understood the reason of Maharaj Sri’s insistence

on not cancelling this programme. Many

dignitaries representing different religions

attended this Conference and they all gave

SACRED MEMORIES 51

discourses highlighting the salient features of

their respective religions. But all were

wonderstruck at Maharaj Sri’s deep knowledge of

their religions and his all embracing love and

reverence towards all religions. In his simple and

lucid language, Maharajji drove home the

message of Divine Life into the hearts of all

present. Thus in spite of his ill health, Maharaj

Sri attended the Conference for the sake of

devotees of Sri Lanka.

A GIFTED ARTIST

During Gurudev’s time, the Satsanga on thelast day of the Sadhana Week comprised ofperformance of a drama. Usually, ‘Divya Jeevan’drama was enacted. Our Maharajsri is a talentedartist and has given his brilliant performances inmany dramas and has also directed many ofthem. Once ‘Sivananda Vijay’, a Hindi dramawritten and directed by Sri Shyam Sundar Mukut, was to be enacted. At Gurudev’s instruction, myfather was called from Haridwar to play the role ofSwami Sivananda as he used to perform this rolebeautifully. In the drama of this life, Sri SwamiSivanandaji Maharaj is the Guru of Sri SwamiChidananda but in this drama ‘Sivananda Vijay’,Sri Swami Chidananda played the role of SriSwami Vishwananda, the Guru of Sri SwamiSivanandaji Maharaj. When the son will becomethe father or when the father will become son inthis drama of eternity, only the Lord knows.

52 SACRED MEMORIES

HIS UNIQUE WAY OF TEACHING AND

BESTOWING GRACE

It happens sometimes that devotees seekingpermission to meet Maharaj do not get theopportunity and some fortunate one receives hisgrace unasked. Once Maharajji was going toDehradun from Delhi, I went to Haridwar stationto have his Darshan. There, I was given someluggage to be taken to the Ashram. Immediately, I started for the Ashram and at the Ashram I wasinformed that Maharajji had asked me to come toDehradun in his car along with Omprakashdriver. From there I was to accompany Maharaj toBarluganj, Mussoorie. Thus, I got the blessedopportunity to live with him for three days atMussoorie. One day, while taking a walk withMaharaj, we reached near the tomb of a renownedSufi saint Bulle Shah. Maharaj Sri cleaned thesurrounding area of the tomb with his own handsand also asked us to do so. Then, he burnt incense and offered his loving reverence to the saint. Forhim, all the holy places are places of worship towhichever religion they may belong to.

One morning, we heard a vendor crying ‘Takepastry, biscuit, bread, cake.’ Immediately, athought flashed into my mind that now Maharajjiwould call him. And lo, Maharajji said, “O ji, callthis breadwala (bread seller).” Swamiji sat besidehim and purchased bread, biscuits and cakes. Hegave him his due payment and thanked him.Meanwhile, he noticed a group of students; he

SACRED MEMORIES 53

called them and interacted with them. Then hesaid, “You all are on a study tour from Dehradunto Mussoorie. As you are walking continuously,you might be feeling hungry. It is the time ofbreakfast, have these bread, biscuits and cakes as Guru Maharaj’s Prasad.” Saying this, he gavethem all those eateries. Thus, Maharaj has taughtus many things, not merely by his words but byhis actions. Once I was talking to a devotee in theAshram and he, like many others, wascomplaining that Maharaj Sri had no time for theAshram; he was mostly on tours and the inmatesand the visitors of the Ashram were deprived of his Upadesha (teachings) and guidance. Then I askedhim what kind of guidance they sought fromMaharajji. Maharaj’s entire life is his Upadesha(teachings) and Sandesha (message).

EACH HAS HIS UNIQUE FAITH AND DEVOTION

One old lady devotee from Rajasthan, knownas Narayani Mai, lived in a Kutir near HanumanMandir. This white-robed lady spent her most ofthe time in the remembrance of God and went onfoot daily to Kali Kamali Kshetra, Rishikesh totake her Bhiksha of potato and milk. SwamijiMaharaj had great reverence for her. NarayaniMai had made a resolve and she had expressed itmany times before Maharajji. She ardentlydesired that Maharajji should offer her dead bodyto Mother Ganga after performing the last rites.Swamiji always replied her thus, “Mataji, I am

54 SACRED MEMORIES

mostly on tours and sometimes I am out of Indiatoo. Therefore, please don’t make such resolves.”Narayani Mai often came to meet Swamiji andSwamiji would fulfil all her needs unasked.Therefore she was so much assured that Swamijiwould definitely fulfil her last wish. Sometimes onher arrival, when Swamiji would ask her to waitdue to some urgent work in hand; she went awaysaying she would come again as she did not wantto cause loss to her Bhajan. Such was herdedication to her Sadhana. She came to meetMaharaj for the last time just one day before herdeath. As Swamiji Maharaj was busy in his work,his personal attendants Sri Swami Vimalanandajiand Nagarkarji did not want to disturb him. Theytold Narayani Mai that Swamiji could not meet her today as he was very busy. She kept onrequesting and finally went to her Kutir in adejected mood. Next day, Swamiji Maharaj got thenews that Narayani Mai had passed away. Then,he was also informed about her yesterday’s visit.Swamiji Maharaj said, “O what have you done?O.K. let’s accept, what was to happen hashappened.” Maharajji arranged for a boat andkept her body in the boat and thus fulfilling herlast wish offered it to Mother Ganga with his ownhands. Such was the great resolve of NarayaniMai.

Similarly, there was an old Sannyasin SwamiHariomanandaji, who lived in the Kutir adjacentto Maharaj Sri’s Kutir. He did not take anything

SACRED MEMORIES 55

from the Ashram, not even food. He arranged forhis food on his own and himself carried water from Gangaji for his personal use. He always repeatedLord’s name – Ram, Ram, Ram. As he was living in the Ashram, he considered it his duty to offersome Seva; therefore, he used to bring letters from the post office and delivered them to the Kutirs ofthe addressees. He had such an intense love andaffection for Maharajji that he called him as hisson. He used to ask others, “Where is my son?Where has he gone today? He is always on tours. I will die without meeting him?” Therefore, once hetold Swamiji to meet him before going out ofRishikesh. Then onwards, whenever Swamiji wasto go on a tour, he invariably went to meet SwamiHariomanandaji. Once when Swamiji felt that this was their last meeting, he met him and alsogarlanded him lovingly before going. SwamiHariomanandaji also understood and said thatthey would not meet again.

As far as I am concerned, I and fourgenerations of my family have been blessedenough to be recipients of Maharaj Sri’s perennialgrace. Swamiji Maharaj has always regarded myfather and uncle as his elder brothers. Manytimes, he has come to our house to meet them. Henever thinks that people seek his permission tomeet him and he himself goes to meet theseordinary persons. How kind and compassionatehe is! Personally, I am highly indebted to him as Iam alive today only due to his divine grace.

56 SACRED MEMORIES

His blessings have been showered upon us inmany ways. Our present house has beensanctified by him as he has laid its foundationstone and has also graced the auspicious occasion of House- warming ceremony by his sacredpresence. It so happened that once SwamijiMaharaj was coming to Haridwar throughMussoorie Express and he had to reach theAshram on time to lay the foundation stone of abuilding. When Swamiji got off the train atHaridwar, he came to know that he could notattend the ceremony as their train had reachedHaridwar quite late. Then Vedaprakashajirequested to Maharaj, “Swamiji, please performthat sacred ritual here which you were to performat the Ashram.” On being asked, Vedaprakashajiclarified that today foundation stone ofOmprakash’s new house was to be laid atBilkeshwar Nagar and it would be a great blessingfor all of them if Maharaj Sri laid the foundationstone with his holy hands. Maharajji thought for a while and agreed saying that since it wasOmprakash’s work, he could give five minutes.

When the construction of house wascompleted, we performed the Puja on anauspicious day. But we did not get shifted to thenew house, as my wife Saraswati intensely desired that first Maharaj Sri should sanctify the house by his visit. She insisted that I should requestSwamiji Maharaj to visit our new house wheneverhe came to Haridwar but I was a bit hesitant to do

SACRED MEMORIES 57

so. Maharaj Sri heard her sincere prayer and oneday I got a message from Brigadier Sabbarwal that Maharaj Sri was arriving Haridwar next morningand he would visit our new house and take somerefreshment after having a dip in Gangaji. Our joy knew no bounds as he had fulfilled our wishunasked.

He is an ocean of grace and his abundantblessings have been showered upon us many atimes. Our heartiest gratitude towards himcannot be expressed in words.

For the last few years, Swamiji Maharaj hasbeen going to Gangotri in summer for seclusion.Once a desire arose in my heart to spend sometime with Maharaj Sri in Gangotri. I expressed mydesire to one of his personal attendantsrequesting that during Swamiji’s next visit toGangotri, he should seek permission on my behalf too. He replied that if Swamiji Maharaj himselfwished to take someone along with him, one could accompany him whereas he would not permitanyone at the behest of others. He also suggestedthat I should personally request to Swamiji if I had intense desire to go to Gangotri with him.

After sometime, as usual I went to Haridwarstation to have Darshan of Maharaj Sri, I was toldby his attendant that Swamiji was going toGangotri next morning and I could seek hispermission now. But I did not think it right to talkto Swamiji on this matter at the railway station, so I kept quiet. Then, Swamiji’s personal attendant

58 SACRED MEMORIES

himself said to Swamiji Maharaj, “Swamiji,Omprakash wants to come to Gangotri.” “Yes! Hecan come”, Swamiji replied. And then Maharaj Sricalled me near to himself and explainedeverything in the most loving way as a father doesfor his little child. I was given detailed instructions regarding what things I should take, how I shouldlive there and how I should utilise my time etc.Thus I basked in the sunshine of Maharaj Sri’sdivine grace during my stay at Gangotri. Ireturned with him one day before Guru Purnimaand also attended the Guru Purnima Mahotsavaat the Ashram.

ESSENCE OF HIS TEACHINGS

Maharaj Sri’s favourite Bhajans—‘Chidananda Chidananda Chidananda Hun, HarHal mein Almasta Satchidananda Hun’ and ‘JisHal mein Jis Desh mein Jis Vesh mein Raho,Radharaman Radharaman Radharaman Kaho’epitomise his essential teachings. He has taughtus to always remember God and live blissfullyamidst all the vicissitudes of life. He has neverbeen tired of reminding us that human birth isthe most precious gift of the Lord and one shouldutilise it in the constant remembrance of God andservice of His children.

The Lord has blessed our motherland withmany a great saints from time to time. JagadguruSankarachrya, Vallabhacharya, Ramanuja-charaya, Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa, Swami

SACRED MEMORIES 59

Vivekananda, Swami Sivananda, SwamiChidananda—all these great saints have blessedthe humanity with their divine presence andilluminating teachings and have left theirfootprints on the sands of time. May the grace ofLord Almighty be upon us all. May we all beblessed with the loving benedictions of Sri SwamiChidanandaji Maharaj.

Om Tat Sat.

60 SACRED MEMORIES

MAHARAJ SRI’S ENTIRE LIFE IS

HIS TEACHING

I have seen Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj,

Worshipping the Lord as a priest in

Sri Vishwanath Mandir,

Bringing Bael leaves and flowers from the Jungle,

Rendering service to the patients in the

dispensary,

Dressing the wounds of an injured one,

Giving injection to other suffering brother,

Serving lovingly the forlorn lepers,

Offering reverential Pranams to Mother Ganga,

And then jumping and swimming in her

cool waters

As a child playing in the loving lap of mother.

I have seen Maharaj Sri

Teaching the lesson of selfless service

By himself carrying the bricks to the

construction site,

Bringing water from Gangaji

and wood from the jungle for the Ashram kitchen,

SACRED MEMORIES 61

Packing the Divine Life magazines for despatch,

Digging the earth with pickaxe,

Singing fervently Lord’s name in Nagar Sankirtan,

Playing his role brilliantly in the dramas and

Directing some dramas too,

Performing marvellous magical tricks,

Making the dog and cat eat from one plate,

Calling lovingly a monkey Rishiram

And I have also seen Rishiram

Following Maharaj Sri’s instructions.

I have seen beloved Maharaj Sri,

Bowing to Mother Cow and serving her,

Going to Vishwanath Bag (garden) riding a bicycle

even after being the President of the Society

and taking care of plants and flowers.

I have seen Swamiji Maharaj

Discussing seriously with Sri Gaurishankarji,

A retired judge living at Swargashram,

Sitting with great saints and conversing about

the need to walk upon the path of righteousness,

Talking with same love and reverence

to a sweeper of Muni Ki Reti and the President

of India.

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Maharaj Sri teaches us by being and doing,

And thus his entire life is his teaching.

May the Almighty Lord bless us all

To follow his Divine Life and Teachings.

Om

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