BENIGN LORD

(Birth centenary Edition)

ARUN GANGULY

KERRY BRACE
PUBLISHER
Sri Amarendra Nath Chakraborty
Satsang Publishing House
P.O. Satsang, Dt. Deoghar, Jharkhand

All copyright reserved by the Publisher

1st EditionOctober, 1972

2nd EditionAugust, 1987

PROOF READER
Shri Kumar Krishna Bhattacharyya

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FOREWORD
We have to stretch our minds to find even the slightest conception of the
Life of Love, the human life that the blissful Source of Existence lived in our
midst. This stretching is so worthy an activity though because of the fruit it
yields, as only the blessed ones who have tasted understand.
But anyone can see that those whom Sri Sri Thakur has touched are
doing their utmost to bring others to Himfor no motive beside the desire for
the good of others which goes hand in hand with love of Him. To know and feel
His presence within removes from the heart the sense of inadequacy at the root
of all miseries of soul and body, of individual and society. It is by feeling His will
and following it, rather than the woeful desires of our ignorance, that the word
of men is moving toward perfection. Though the progress may seem slow to us,
we can be sure that it is steady, for it is of the Supreme.
In order to open ourselves to His all-fulfilling presence, we need to begin
finding out about the life He lived for our good; we need to know something of
how He worked to guide us to His love in our manifested world.
It was at the constant inspiration and regular guidance of His Holiness
Sri Sri Thakurs son and foremost servant, Sri Sri Borda, that Dayal Thakur
(Benign Lord) was translated into English. The title of the book was kindly
mentioned by him. We hope that this book will give glimpses of the Life and
Love and beckon more souls to that Life, the true one.

Arun Ganguly
Kerry Brace

Advent
In the midst of the splendid green fields of Bengal, in the district of
Pabna, lies the village of Himaitpur, wetted with nectar sweet drops of rain, its
air soothed with the caresses of the breeze. This Himaitpur is the place where
nature rejoices, where imaginings of the poets are to be found in reality. At its
front to the south the river Padma passes. Its holy water kisses the bank here
and flow on toward their limitless destination in the sea.
The monsoon was at its end, and washed by the rains, nature seemed to
be wearing new dress. The autumn dawn was like honey, incomparable in
warmly smiling purity. On this morning the whole world seemed alive and full
of feeling. A deep red radiance from the rising sun spread across the eastern
sky. It was the fourteenth of September of the year 1888, the day marke4d in
the lunar calendar as the holy Talnabami Tithi. At five past seven the lying-in
room was brightened with a divine light, and an indescribable feeling of
immense delight flowed through the whole atmosphere. It was the great and
auspicious moment of advent, and the women in attendance were struck with
wonder at the radiance of the boyMother Monomohini had borne.
In answer to the wonderful cries of the strayed wayfarers of this world,
the deluded, troubled and helpless ones, the Supreme Father whose worship is

taught in the Vedas, the ultimate goal of spiritual practice, came down to us on
this day. The life-long prayer of mother Monomohini was fulfilled, for in His
mercy the Supreme Father himself took birth as her son.
This was the advent of Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra, the Incarnation
of Mercy and Supreme Compassion and the object of worship for the world.
His father Shiva Chandra Chakraborty was a man of such prominence in
virtue that it is impossible to describe his dutifulness, adherence and
charitability. He is one of those who renewed and bettered the world of men by
standing as an extraordinary example of Ideal-mindedness, kindness to
dependants and hospitality. It is fitting that the greatest fulfiller of the age
should be born in the house of so great a protector of the people and devotee of
God. We bow down with love and respect at the holy feet of this man who was
in reality like his namesake, Lord Shiva.
He was born in1855 in Guakhara, a village in Pabna district. While still
in his youth he came to Pabna town and began work as a contractor for the
district board, for which he earned a sizeable income. At the age of twenty-four
he was married to Monomohini Debi, the daughter of Ramendra Narayan
Choudhury, a landowner of Himaitpur. His father-in-law died four years after
the marriage and a few people filed suit on the property. On the request of his
mother-in-law and with consent of his family Shiva Chandra left his home in
Guakhara and took up permanent residence in Himaitpur.
The life of mother Monomohini was full of miraculous and glorious
events. We can never cease regarding a woman of such virtue. Her heart in
profound worship of the Infinite received his expansive embrace and she
became the medium through whom he descended to his earth.

Her father, Ramendra Narayan Choudhury, was a great landowner and a

devotee of Radha Krishna, whose form he worshiped each day. When
Monomohini was only six years old she was possessed by a yearning for god.
Sitting wither Grand Mother she would worship Radha Krishna with fervent
desire and she insisted on doing this every day. One day her grandmother said
to her, For worshipping has to know the Holy name. So a strong desire arose
in her to obtain the Name which is given at the time of initiation. But who was
there to initiate her?
Taking notice of her eagerness of achieving God Ramendra Narayan one
day advised her, Pray to Madanmohan {Krishna}; he will give you initiation.
Now Monomohini had found the way. She sat in the shrine in their house and
expressed the longing within her in humble prayer. Her yearning grew stronger
until finally it look over her whole being ;pangs of desire for God of rare
intensity filled her heart and tears came rolling down her cheeks.
On a night so still that the whole world seemed to have fallen asleep,
Monomohini Debi went into the shrine with her brother, Loha. He fell asleep
after a short time, but Monomohinis heart was trembling with eagerness to
attain God.
All at once effluences illuminated the shrine, and Monomohini gazed in
amazement at the place of Radha Krishna; a person radiant with divine light
was sitting there. He was smiling sweetly and his eyes shone with the
brightness of fulfilled love. Before this divine man seated on the throne of
Radha Krishna shimmered the four golden letters of the Holy Name.
Monomohinis soul resonated with the universal vibration, and her heart
overflowed with joy in having received the Holy Name.

Many years later, while she was visiting the home of Bindhyabasisni
Devi, a distant relative, the photograph of a man caught her attention. She felt
a strange sensation in her body and dropped down in a faint. The picture was
of the same great man she had seen in her vision. But who was he? She found
out then that he was Sri Sri Hujur Maharaj, the great saint and spiritual guide
of Agra Satsang in western India. After much delay she was eventually able to
go to him and bow down at holy feet. How great must have been the delight and
sweetness of this meeting of devotee and spiritual Guide!
Now we will turn to the divine life of the greatest fulfiller of the age, the
Ideal who embraced humanity with expansion.

Childhood and Youth

Even as a child Anukul Chandra showed signs of superhuman greatness.
The heavenly grace of his well formed body could not be hidden. When in play
he got dusty, this small boy was still the embodiment of Vedanta. In this child
lying on the lap of his mother, the Supreme One in his mercy had come down
to us.
He was eleven months old when one day Monomohini Debi took him
along with her to the house of Umesh Lahiri at Haripur. Umesh Lahiri was a
conservative Brahmin, and the image of Balgopal (Lord Krishna as a boy) was
placed in his house. On the day of the visit he had been sitting absorbed in
meditation for several hours, as he was accustomed to do. But today the

meditation was broken by the sound of something falling. In wonderment he

saw that the image of Balgopal had fallen to the floor and that on the floor and
that on the throne of the deity was sitting the boy Anukul Chandra, sweetly
smiling and radiance effulging from his whole body.
When Mother Monomohini scolded her child, he replied in innocence,
Why does he call me then? At this the emotion in Umesh Lahiri became
uncontainable and tears flowed from his eyes. On this day his worship had
become meaningfulhis life had become blessed.
Mother Monomohini Debi was going to see the new-born baby of one of
her neighbors. She wanted to take Anukul Chandra along with her, but the boy
said, What is the use of going there, mother? How many days will the baby
live? She was startled to hear from the lips of her child such a remark, spoken
so normally and simply. On the 18 day afterward the baby died. At this time
Anukul Chandra was only three years old.
A sannyasi (mendicant) arriving in Himaitpur happened to see Anukul
Chandra. Just the sight of the boy made such an impression that he followed
him to his home. Mother Monomohini welcomed him but he did not pay any
attention to this. He just looked at Anukul Chandra with eyes full of tears and
said in a trembling voice, This is no ordinary boy. To reduce the great burden of
this worlds suffering, He is come. The sannyasi cooked some rice he had been
given earlier and made an offering to the divine boy in whom he had found his
desired Lord; then he ate what was left as the gift of His grace. Mother
Monomohini tried to stop him from doing this, since the usual custom was to
offer food to a sannyasi and accept his blessings. But he bowed down at her
feet and prayed carefully, Mother, please dont deprive me of the grace I have

been roaming the jungles and wilds to find throughout my hole life. The
Mother became quite at hearing such a sorrowful prayer.
The people of the village were kept in wonder by the number of powerful
sannyasis that visited the house of Shiva Chandra Chakraborty.

Student Life and Marriage

He who is worshipped in all the Vedas, who is cause of all causes,
knowing whom nothing remains to be known, who is beyond material and

causative knowledge, and who is upholding all creation, took on human form
and lived through the life of a man in order to fulfill the needs of the age.
At an auspicious time Anukul Chandras father, Shiva Chandra enrolled
him as a student in the school of Kesto Bairagi. So it happened that this
man and his school were blessed with the presence of this ages greatest
fulfiller.
Shiva Chandra had come to Himaitpur to save the property left by his
father-in-law. In this he was largely successful, but many in Himaitpur
remained hostile to him and caused him constant trouble. In the conflicts that
resulted he was able by the force of his personality and his velour in resisting
evil to maintain the prestige of the family, but continual harassment brought
him into extreme financial difficulty. At the same time he fell ill.
Anukul Chandra, who was 5 years old at this time, used to go every day
across the river Ichhamati to bring medicine for his father. As he went along he
became completely absorbed in the continuous repetition of the Holy Name
which flowed inside him. Many revelations came to him; he would see
thousands of moons and suns whirling around him making a tremendous
sound, and it seemed that he was the centre of them all.
In his life a great devotion to his parents is evident. His only interest was
to please his mother, and his only greed was for her appreciation even though
she was very strict with him. The extreme degree of his devotion to both his
parents is beyond description.
He tells in the following messages the place of father in ones life, and how
ones devotion to parents can be measured:

Bow down each day to your father,

Object of your adoration;

Know him to be imparter of knowledge,
The Goods manifestation.
(Anushruti, Vol.III, Chap. Devotion, 34)
If he tends to fulfill his parents
And always adheres,
This will make a boy a great man
In later years.
(Anushruti, Vol.I, Chap. Love, 50)
As untottering as his devotion to
Mother be,
A boy is successful just to that degree.
(Anushruti, Vol.I, Chap. Education, 40)
Once when he was quite young he cut the sole of his foot on a piece of
glass. It was bleeding profusely and he was in great pain, so he told his mother
that he couldnt go to school. But Monomohini said, It is nothing. Go to
School. So he went, thinking that if his mother said it was nothing, then there
could be nothing to worry about. That night she found his foot was badly
swollen and wondered how he could go to school without worrying about it.
But his devotion to her was such that her words were everything to him and
she was no less than his existence.
Once in his early school days the teacher began to teach how one plus
one makes two. Anukul Chandra looked at him with genuine surprise. Wasnt
it true that there are no two things the same in this universe? If two things
that are the same cannot be found, how can they be added together? When he

asked about this, nobody listened to him; and the teacher, not understanding
him at all, beat him mercilessly.
One of the most impressive demonstrations of his unparallel devotion to
his mother took place on the day of a final examination in mathematics. His
mother noticed that he was late in leaving for school and said, Your maths
examination is today and still you are delaying. You wont be able to solve a
single problem.
Anukul Chandra rushed to school and got there before the examination
began. When he was given the paper with the problems, he found them very
easy and knew he could solve them all. But if he did, his mothers word would
be proved false. His eyes became wet and tears rolled down his cheeks as the
feeling of devotion to her welled up in him.
Seeing him, one of the teachers came and kindly asked him why he was
crying. When he heard that it was because if he answered any of the problems
his mother would be proved a liar, the teacher was amazed and stared at him
for along time. Such an incredible example of devotion to mother! Anukul
Chandra went home that day without solving a single problem.
If anyone was in pain it would make his kind heart overflow with
sympathy. If someone was without proper clothing, he would give him his own
clothing and return home naked. As this kept happening, his family became
concerned about him. But who could restrain the compassionate acts of one in
whose heart the sufferings of the world were resonating?
One day the clouded sky poured down heavy rain and a storm wind
began to blowit was a day to frighten and bewilder all of nature. Sitting in his
classroom, Anukul Chandra suddenly began to restless. The rain stopped for a
while and classes were suspended. He ran fast towards his home. On the way

the sky threatened again and his frightened companions ran way to take
shelter. But he kept on at a fast through the storm.

As the side of the road an old blind man had fallen into deep ditch. Water
has flowing with such a fast current that his feeble strength could not resist it.
At that last moment of his life he remembered Almighty God and cried out,
Allah! Allah! but his cries were gradually dying away.
Dont be afraid; I am here. So saying, Anukul Chandra jumped into the
stream, grasped his hand and lifted up his shivering body. Holding tight to
Anukul Chandras hand, the old man sobbed, Are you my Allah? Who else is
there to save me from such a plight?
Who he is, only he knows. What can we call him who mercifully comes to
save ones life in response to a helpless call? In trance he once said, Sound of
your call must reach me because I am sound. Taking the old man by the hand,
he led him home.
After he had gone a little way towards his own house, a hawk beaten and
wearied by the storm alighted on his shoulder. In the Supreme shelter it found
refuge. He stood still. Only when, after a long rest, the hawk flew away did he
start again for his home. His heart is full of compassion for everything from a
lowly plant to a man. He is ever merciful, and kindness to those who depend on
him is his natural quality.
Anukul Chandra once visited the place of Sri Ramakrishna. Everything
there seemed familiar to him. About his visit, he himself said Once I went to

Dakshineswar. When I arrived there I felt very thirsty. A man there gave water
to everyone except me. That hurt my feelings and I because very angry. I went
to the side of the house where Ramakrishna used to stay. It seemed very
familiar to me.......
Later I felt asleep in shade of the Panchabati {an assemblage of five
sacred trees}, and I saw the goodness Mother Kali Coming to me. Although her
colour was black, still her appearance was very soothing. Coming near to me,
she sat and rested my head on her knee. I felt that her touch did something to
me. I couldnt resist her wordswhatever she said, I did. Caressing me, she
said, What can I give you if you want to eat before all the others? Eat these,
child. She gave me luchi and shandesh* in a bowl glittering like gold.
(Alochana Prasange, Part I)
(*Luchi and shandeshA delicious flat bread and a sort of sweet-meat.)
He had such visions of many gods and goddess. He said, I have seen
Mother Kali many times. Just from the sight of her, it seemed that she was my
mother. There seemed to be no difference between her and my mother; perhaps it
was because of this that my attachment to my mother grew so much.
(Alochana Prasange, part I)

He practiced the repetition of the Holy Name from his very childhood,
and during this repetition he would become completely absorbed. The entire
universe would be illuminated and beasts, even men would appear to him to be
made of grains of light. Both within and without he would see the one connect
link of all things and the Source. The feeling of oneness became very strong in

him, and his attraction to it became more and more intense. Once, seeing a
tree before him, he rushed forward to embrace it. He stumbled, fell on the
ground and lost consciousness. A passer-by carried him home. Such an
opportunity to serve him though for a moment only is craved even by the gods
it is a result of good deeds in many births.
One day he saw that radiant conscious particles were merging into the
nebula and another solar system was being created. He perceived that this
luminous world and all the particles of light were part of him.
At the age of 17 he was a student in the second class of high school. His
person shone with a beautiful divine luster. His sweet smile charmed the world,
and his appearance was heavenly with love and joy.
And also the Supreme Mother had made her appearance on this earth as
Saroshi Bala Debi, daughter of Ram Gopal Bhattacharyya, a teacher at Pabna
Institute. She was the eldest of his children, and on the 13 th of August, 1906, at
the age of 12 she was married to Anukul Chandra, eldest son of Revered Shiva
Chandra Chakraborty. The occasion of this divine union will be remembered
forever.
After marriage he studied for a time at Raipura High School near
Amirabad. But within a short while he had to take admission in Naihati High
School in the 24 Parganas district. There also a new healthy environment
centering on him was created, and a heavenly atmosphere gradually developed.
Having qualified to appear in the college entrance examination, he was
on his way to deposit the examination fee. He met one of his classmates who
was looking very pale and pathetic because he didnt have the money for the
fee. Saddened by his distress, Anukul Chandra deposited all the money he had

in the name of his friend and went back home. The news of his friends success
later on filled his heart with joy.
From

Naihati

he

came

back

to

Himaitpur.

Monomohini

was

dumbfounded to hear that he hadnt attended the final examination. The

members of his family wanted him to be a doctor. So, young Anukul Chandra
started for the city of Kolkata. There were rows of big mansions there, but his
lodging was a very small room beside a coal shop.
Only those who had passed the entrance examination were eligible for
admission to the National Medical School. But Anukul Chandra was persistent
and not a man to retreat. The institution had no other alternative than to admit
him. His knowledge was much greater than was needed to pass the entrance
examination. He prevailed upon the authorities to hold an examination for him,
and he was admitted after passing it with extraordinary merit. After this began
another divine period of his human life.
As he never received money in time and had nothing to pay for fares, he
had to walk more than twelve miles daily. Sometimes he had to go on with little
or no food. Although there were many days that he remained without food, still
he could not remain inactive at the sight of others pain and suffering. An
acquaintance of his gave him a book on homeopathy and a box of medicine. At
first he thought that he would be able to provide himself with his daily needs
by this means, but it turned out to be a part of his service to people. His
nature was to make people cured in all respects. What could such a one
demand in return ? He became a popular doctor for all the poor coolies of the
coal depot and other poor, distressed people of the area. Everyone was charmed
at his loving and sympathetic behaviour. They wondered, Is it possible for a

man to be like this ? Out of kindness He has appeared in human form, so life
becomes enlivened at His kind touch !
Kolkata was a place mainly dedicated to the gratification of passionate
desires. How could his pure and spotless character be apparent to his fellow
students there ? They were always waiting for a chance to test him.
In the evening he used to sit on the bank of the holy river Bhagirathi
(Ganges). For ages it had been the silent spectator of numberless events and
still its waves flowed on, striking the bank with a mild sound not much
different from silence. Along with the continuous repetition of the Holy Name,
many incidents of the past flowed through his mind. The other students did not
like such contemplativeness.
One day when Anukul Chandra was going to Kashi Mitters ghat, his
classmates caught hold of him and made him go for a walk with them. They
took him through many lanes and alleys and finally forced him to enter a
certain two-storied building on Chitpur Road. They left the place suddenly and
Anukul Chandra, remaining alone, looked around the room in wonder. It was
well-decorated in the manner of a house of prostitution. A woman came to him
smiling seductively. Who knows what acquirements in previous births had
made that auspicious moment possible for her ! At the sight of a mother in so
horrible a form he shivered, and calling her by the name of Mother, he went
into trance. In a sorrowful voice he started speaking to her, Mother, I cant see
this form of yours ! You are mother, but what have you done to yourself ?
The woman was overwhelmed at the sight of so radiant and uncommon
as person. Never in her life had she been addressed as mother. She wept
bitterly with repentance and fell at the feet of Anukul Chandra earnestly

praying for liberation from her filthy vicious life. After this incident she donated
all her property to a philanthropic organization and left for Vrindavan, the
sacred place of Lord Krishna. Mary Magdalene came to Holy feet of Jesus, but
this fallen woman was blessed by the Lords coming to her house.
In spite of many difficulties and inconveniences, he finished study at the
medical school and retuned to his home. At this time began the part of his
great life in which his pre-eminent was recognized.

AS A PHYSICIAN
Leaving the big city, he came back to his affectionate mother. The cries of
afflicted humanity touched his heart, and the moment had arrived for bringing
the scattered world together with unifying principles of Dharma. Anukul
Chandras form was noble ; his large eyes were softened with sympathy ; his
brightened face was always encircled with a ring of lustre ; and sometimes his
body shone with rays of bright light.
Mother Monomohini wrote to Sri Sri Sarkar Saheb, Successor of Sri Sri
Hujur Maharaj at Gazipur, about her son, and great was his joy when he
received this letter. He replied immediately, asking her to initiate him at once.
So it was that the formal ceremony of initiation took place. During his initiation
he saw a divine-looking person, and it is said that Sri Sri Sarkar Saheb left this
world at that moment. Anukul Chandra felt nothing at all new in being
initiated. The Name given then was already known to him ; He had been
practicing its repetition from the time he was in his mothers womb. The Name
alone is his Source.

He practiced as a physician for only three years, but earned a wonderful

reputation within this short time. For one thing, he never practiced to earn
money ; and for another, very serious kinds of diseases were cured under his
treatment. Though he was trained in allopathic medicine, he sometimes used
other systems such as Homeopathic and Ayurvedic medicine, depending on the
symptoms and needs of the patient. His object was to cure his patient
completely. A sick man had nothing more to worry about if this doctor visited
his housefor he was not merely a doctor, but the embodiment of kindness.
As soon as he saw a patient he knew what medicine would be effective for
him. One day he saw a Mohammedan bringing fish from the market of Pabna.
The way he looked brought the idea of a certain homeopathic medicine,
veratrum album, into Anukul Chandras mind. Knowing that fish would be
dangerous to him, he told him not to eat it. But the man paid no heed ; he just
said, When Allah show ordains, one day or another I must die., and went
home. Shortly after he arrived, severe vomiting and dysentery began and broke
into a cold sweat. Then he remembered the doctor he had met on the way, and
someone was sent to bring him. He recovered by treatment with veratrum
album.
Eventually great numbers of sick people were coming to Anukul Chandra
as patients. He charged no fess, but they wanted to be blessed by offering to
him and made him accept money.
In an around Himaitpur there were many demoralized and evil-doing
people. Adultery was widespread, and highly placed people and supposed
gentlemen were engaged in immoral activities. Hearing in his heart the crying
of humanity reduced to such sadness, Anukul Chandra felt troubled for them.
Through his holy company affection came to the unloved and despised. It was

like sap flowing again in a dried-up tree. It was as if the streams of the celestial
Ganges came flowing through the desert. He began to treat peoples troubled
minds along with their physical ailments. The source of most disease is the
mind, and this the touch of the Supreme Love could cure. People would tell
him all their thoughts.
Many muddy droplets thus were transformed into pearls. Many
Ratnakars (a blood sucking marauder) were transformed to saints like Valmiki.
Just as plain iron becomes magnetic when in contact with a strong magnet, so
also lives, thoughts, activities, words of men change take place. The help of an
ideal personality is needed. In the words of Dr. Alexis Carrel, Nobel laureate in
science, It is impossible to love an abstraction ; one will sacrifice oneself for
ones leader but not for an idea Man will never enthusiastically obey
the laws of reactional conduct unless he considers the laws of life as the
commands of a personal God. We need a God who hears us, loves and
responds to us.

The Great Period of Kirton and Trance

The world leela in Sanskrit and Bengali means the blissful play of the
divine, Gods creative expansion by embracing and accepting the negative. It
also describes the activity of Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra. In every phase of
his great and continually new life, nectar-sweet leela was unfolding. The
enlivening touch of the Infinite took all beyond them. Through the miraculous
power of the Kirton as he performed it, his inexpressibly deep feeling made all
of nature thrill with the vibration of the divine. The waves of the Holy Name
flowed through everything in the surroundings, from beasts and birds to trees
and plants. The human mind, usually so subservient to passions, became

drunk with the Kirton of God. Its feeble urge for true life became strong. The
holy association of the embodiment of Supreme Love awakened divine feeling in
all.
Some of those who witnessed his leela at that time should be mentioned.
The men who first experienced Sri Sri Thakurs unconditional mercy was
Ananta Maharaj. He had already had the realization of oneness and
perceptions of sound and light before accepting Sri Sri Thakur, but this was
not what he longed for. He felt that if he did not find the Lord, if He Himself did
not mercifully come to him, this life of his was without meaning. Continually
unsatisfied, his life was one of dejection.
It had rained incessantly all day. Ananta Maharaj stood absorbed in deep
thought, holding in his hand the rope with which he was about to commit
suicide. If he could not see the Lord in this life, then this life was only a burden
to him. The pangs of separation from God so afflicted him that his heart could
only lament ; the oppressive feeling within him grew until it brought him to
tears. Then he noticed that someone was knocking at his door. Who could be ?
He recognized the voice of Anukul Chandra, a friend of his childhood.
The force of the knocking was too much for the door, and with a loud noise it
broke into two pieces. Anukul Chandra embraced him and said with deep
affection, Where are you going leaving me ? In search of God ? Dont you know
that God Himself is running after you day and night ? Wonderstruck
Anantanath saw that the room was full of radiance emanating from Anukul
Chandra, and who could say what he was feeling ? With the discovery of the
Lord of his heart, he had found meaning in his life. He fell down before his feet,
and the tears that flowed now were tears of joy.

It was Anantanath to first called Anukul Chandra Sri Sri Thakur; and
because Sri Sri Thakur used to call him Maharaj, he became known as
Maharaj to everyone.
Kishorimohan, one of Sri Sri Thakurs prominent devotees, was a
Vaishnab*. He studied to the third class of Pabna institute and after passing
the examination in Pharmacy, started practicing in the villages around Pabna.
(*Vaishnab: Follower of Lord Chaitanya.)
His mind was of the sort that goes in contrary directions. Sometimes
thoughts of worldly affairs would rule it ; at other times his feeling for the
divine would become intense.

From his childhood he had been much inclined to music. Because of

this, the Kirton brought him much closer to Sri Sri Thakur. He established
several groups for performing Kirton, all of which centered their activity at the
house of Anukul Chandra, who himself would compose song for Kishorimohan
to use.
At that time their lived in Pabna a famous saint named Haranath
Thakur, whom Kishorimohan often visited. It was this man who sent him to Sri
Sri Thakur, declaring him to be a prophet. Though it isnt easy for one lost in
the desert of faithlessness to accept a Superior Beloved, Kishoris contact with
great life of Sri Sri Thakur eventually cleared his mind of ignorance. He got the
taste of the new life and surrendered himself at the feet of his Lord.
Still, even after becoming a devotee, his mind would sometimes get
clouded with doubts. There many stories of things that happened between

Kishorimohan and Sri Sri Thakur which cannot be mentioned in so small a

book as this. Here we will tell about just one of his experiences of the Lords
leela.
One day on his way home he found a special sweet being sold at the
Bajitpur steamer dock. It was Shandesh made with date-palm molasses. He felt
a strong desire to offer some of it to Sri Sri Thakur, but at the same time a
wicked idea came to him. He said in his mind, If you are really God, then you
will demand Shandesh from me.
After returning home he hid the Shandesh behind the picture of
Haranath Thakur. As usual, Kirton was held at his house, and when it was over
everyone started to go home. Sri Sri Thakur after going a short distance came
back again and asked Kishorimohan for a glass of water. This he brought and
offered with due regard.

Only water and nothing else? Sri Sri Thakur asked, looking at Kishori
with a mysterious smile.
Kishorimohan turned his face away and answered, There is nothing to
eat in the house, now.
I wont leave without having some Shandesh, said Sri Sri Thakur, and
without waiting for a reply he put his hand behind the picture of Haranath
Thakur.
Kishori tried to stop him by saying, Theres nothing there but some
tobacco. But he paid no attention.
Oh, what delicious Shandesh you kept for me ! Why did you hide it ?

The voice of Sri Sri Thakur was full of mercy, and Kishorimohan felt as if
his whole being was dancing with bliss. Sri Sri Thakur was looking at him with
a smile sweet as nectar, and his body shone with a divine radiance. Carried
away by emotion, Kishorimohan fell to the ground before his holy feet, and then
gazed at his Beloved with a full heart.
Durganath Sannyal was a respected Brahmin of the village of Nazirpur.
He had long suffered from digestive trouble so serious that his body had been
reduced to skin and bones. After trying several treatments without being cured
by any of them, he went to Baidyanath Dham, place of pilgrimage for the
worship of Lord Baidyanath, a form of Lord Shiva. Since he had been born in
answer to his mothers prayers to Lord Baidyanath, he had hopes of being
cured by lying in His templeand spent a month in this way. Then on one still
night he heard Lord Baidyanath telling him clearly, Sri Sri Thakur is there just
by the side of your house. Take his shelter.
So Durganath Sannyal returned to his home. His mind was full of joy
because he had heard the words of Lord Baidyanath himself. Who knows more
than He does about the Supreme Lord ?
The next day he went to Himaitpur. Just after seeing him, Sri Sri Thakur
said, You went to Baidyanath Dham, what happened ?
Durganath Sannyals gaze was fixed on his radiant, beautiful face. The
entire worlds tranquility seemed to have accumulated in him.
Sri Sri Thakur called his mother and asked, What has been cooked
today, mother ?
She replied, Only greens and a spicy soup with dahl.

He requested her to give Durganath some food to eat. Mother

Monomohini hesitated, What are you saying ? She asked, He is suffering
from a very bad stomach, and what we have cooked is not the right thing for
his diet. Besides the kind of rice we have is hard to digest.
Nothing will happen to him, mother ; give him some food, Sri Sri
Thakur said with laugh.
That day the sick man filled his stomach with all sorts of foods which he
had long been forbidden, and from that day he was cured of his disease. He
experienced Sri Sri Thakurs selfless mercy on many other occasions, but they
cannot be described here.
Among the hundreds of people who became devotees and adorers of Sri
Sri Thakur from his twenty-fourth to his twenty-sixth year was another man
who had many disciples in different parts of Bengal. This was Satish Goswami,
a man blessed with abundant experiences of Sri Sri Thakurs leela.
When he heard the sound of the Kirton, Sri Sri Thakur would feel
restless. Leading the Kirton, he created an atmosphere of such exaltment that
even the most terrible kinds of human minds were able to ascend to the sphere
of consciousness in a moments time. The beats of the war drum and the
sounding of conches and bells make the whole atmosphere reverberate. With
arms uplifted toward heaven, becoming absorbed in love, the devotees would
walk down the path, and gradually hundreds of people would join in. As the
sound and dancing rose in intensity, birds and beasts also would rush to the
circle. Even the branches of trees would bend down to the rhythmic movement.
The waters of the sea of love rose and washed away all the dirts of the mind.
When people embraced out of love of the Supreme, all jealousy and enmity was
wiped away.

During the Kirton Sri Sri Thakur, absorbed in the Supreme Idea,
sometimes fell to the ground in an unconscious state. With surprising rapidity
his body moved through many difficult yogic positions and gestures. His
motions were so fluid that it seemed there were no bones in his body, though
never in his life had he practiced such exercises. After they were finished, his
body became limp as if dead and the great toe of his right foot vibrated for a
while. Finally his whole body became as cold as ice. For hours together his
lungs stopped working and his heart did not beat. Even at this stage his
smiling face shone with divine messages. How it was possible, when his body
was without any trace of life in it, for him to speak out messages of Truth
remains to this day a mystery unsolved by science. People had gone into trance
before, but this was the first time in history that utterances had come from a
lifeless body. Another mysterious thing was that he spoke in languages he did
not speak at other times. Many of the languages he spoke were unintelligible to
those present. The sayings that were understood had to do with creation.
Prophets, Dharma, knowledge of Truth, devotion, work, brotherhood, love, the
Holy Name and the significance of Kirton etc. When he came out of the trance,
he always asked loudly for water.
In the five years from 1915 to 1919 the messages given in trance were
recorded on only 71 days. They were compiled in book called Puny Punthi (The
Holy Book) which includes messages mainly in Bengali and some in Hindi,
Sanskrit and English. Since no one understood the things spoken in other
languages, they were not recorded nor were the messages of the first few days
on which trance occurred.
The tides of the great Kirton swept over all the neighbouring areas. The
greedy as well as the afflicted flocked to him. Both Hindus and Muslims

became his disciples. Sri Sri Thakur, along with his devotees, sometimes visited
places around Himaitpur ; thus those who lived away from him also had the
chance to be blessed by his company.
The flood of love flowing out from Sri Sri Thakur so affected the people of
Kustia, a town not far from Pabna, that they decided to celebrate the birthdays
of the different Prophets, including Christ and Mohammed as well as Buddha,
Krishna and Ramakrishna. Sri Sri Thakur had taught them :
Between Christ, Buddha, Chaitanya, Rasul and Krishna you make some
difference, Dont you know theyre the same come down for suffering
creatures deliverance ?
(Anushruti, Vol.I, Chapter: Ideal)
The divine waves of love spread far and wide. The news of his revelation
reached the provinces of Assam, Orissa, and Bihar and beyond. When the
three sacred streams of God, Holy Name and devotion came together, whole
villages and cities were swept away in the river of faith.
On the fourteenth and fifteenth of September, 1929, a huge gathering
took place at Kustia. Some came seeking help in their distress, some wanted
money, others were in pursuit of Truthall came, in unexpected numbers, for
the Bishwa Guru Utsav to celebrate the birthday of the Guide of the world. A
solution to all problems had appeared in the form of man. The world, in the
distress of this age of crisis, had been awaiting him, and the holy news of his
coming was now spreading out from Himaitpur.
The compiler of Alochana Prasange (conversations with Sri Sri Thakur)
writes in his preface: On this holy soil of Himaitpur we today witness
something rare in the experience of men, something seen only a few times in
historyin the temple at Dakshineswar, on the roads of Nadia, in the deserts

of Arabia, in the olive groves of Jerusalem, at the foot of the stupa of Saranath,
at Mathura, Brindavan and Dwaraka and in the palace of Ayodhya.
Many

writers,

politicians,

scientists

and

philosophers

arrived

in

Himaitpur. The greatest fulfiller of the age was giving unique solutions to
innumerable problems, of individuals and of society as a whole.

The Activities at Himaitpur

In the midst Pabnas jungles and thickets at the village of Himaitpur a
radical change was going on. Here on the bank of the Padma was a place aglow
with supreme knowledge, and devotees were beginning to take refuge in the
love that radiated from its Centre ; though calm and serene, the place was
always resounding with activity. As more people arrived, the village was
transformed into Satsang Ashram, houses and other buildings constructed as
the need arose.
Sri Sri Thakur wanted to create for the restless people stricken with want
a peaceful atmosphere that would inspire them to a higher existence. To make
man inclined to the path of becoming was his only aim. In carrying it out it was
necessary to turn mans essential activities in that direction; so Dharma,
education, industry, commerce, art and music all found expression in the
activities of Satsang Ashram.
Sri Sri Thakur was troubled by the poor system of education that
prevailed in the country. The basic aim of education is complete development of
life, and he built up an institution, Tapovan School, that put this idea into
effect. This school became reputed throughout the country. The school for
mothers also helped to effect the real aim of education. Arts and Science

colleges were also established, and many renowned teachers dedicated their
lives to the service of Sri Sri Thakur.
Since his outlook was scientific, by his inspiration the World-Science
Center was established and equipped with modern instruments, and research
was carried on there.
The arts had almost vanished from the life of the village. To revive them
and bring them to a high level of quality, he set up the Satsang Art Center.
Photography and pottery also were included in its activities.
The word ashram means a place where people are uplifted through their
labor, and the asramites of Satsang did all kinds of work themselves. If a
building was needed they did everything from making the bricks to the actual
construction. With the presence of Sri Sri Thakur to inspire them, they could
work with speed and efficiency that might have seemed impossible.
His ideas began to be set down in writing. He gave innumerable message
on various subjects including education, society, family, health and hygiene,
marriage, industry, religious practices and more besides. For people suffering
in the darkness of ignorance, the light of knowledge was brightened, and the
truth path was marked out. It was necessary to propagate widely his message
for life and growth, so Satsang Press was created. His holy sayings were
published in books, and a paper dealing with his message of eternal life was
published regularly.
As the influx of people continued, Satsang Colony took shape. The whole
asram reverberated with joy, and from this centre a great movement began
which took the news and the blessings of Sri Sri Thakur out into the world at
large. Hundreds of workers went out to let people know about his life of

greatness and the love, life and growth he can give. In the bosom of eternity, a
new age was beginning.
It was at this time that Krishna Prasanna Bhattacharyya came to him.
Though he was a goldmedalist and a research scholar in science, his pedantic
attitude soon melted and he bowed down at the feet of Sri Sri Thakur. He found
to his amazement that the problems which had kept his heart in turmoil were
solved. From then on he was a permanent resident of the asram and one of the
prominent advocates of the Satsang movement. Later he was made president of
Satsang and put in charge of the Ritwiks (Preachers).
Deshbandhu C.R. Das, one of the most important leaders in Indias
struggle for independence, reached a point in life at which he found himself
disgusted and frustrated by everything. He found a refuge from his troubles in
Sri Sri Thakur and through initiation accepted him as his spiritual preceptor.
His son, Chiraranjan, also took initiation and along with his wife lived in the
asram for a long time.
After demise of C.R. Das, Mahatma Gandhi published a letter received
from him. In the letter C.R. Das had requested Gandhi to stay for some days
with his Guide, Sri Sri Thakur : I have learnt from my Guru the value of truth
in all our dealings. I want you to live with him for a few days at least. Your need
is not the same as mine, but he has given me the strength I did not possess
before. I see things clearly which I saw dimly before. (Young India, July, 1925)
Impressed by C.R. Dass enthusiasm, Mahatma Gandhi did come to see
Sri Sri Thakur and found in him a unique personality of unequalled devotion to
mother and infinite love for mankind. So affected was he by Mother
Monomohinis magnificent personality that he wrote, I have never seen such a
masterful woman in my life.

Many other leaders of various provinces also came, among them Dr.
Rajendra Prasad, former president of India, Bipin Paul, Shyama Prasad
Mukherjee, A.K. Fazlul Haque, and Gopinath Bardoloi of Assam. The parents of
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, a renowned leader in the struggle for
independence, were great devotees of Sri Sri Thakur, and Netaji himself came to
see him many times.

Sri Sri Thakur at Nilachal (Puri)

Raibahadur Janakinath Basu, Netajis father lived with his wife,
Prabhabati Debi in Cuttack, where he was public prosecutor and municipal
chairman. On December 31, 1922, in answer to their ardent prayer, Sri Sri
Thakur made a trip to Nilachal on the Bay of Bengal near Cuttack. He took
with him his parents, wife, children and many devotees. Lord Chaitanya,
founder of the Vaishnaba faith, had come to Nilachal some 500 years earlier
and left its atmosphere charged with divinity. Again, by the coming of Sri Sri
Thakur, the place was blessed. Haranath Lodge, the residence of Janakinath
Basu at Nilachal, where Sri Sri Thakur stayed, was transformed to a holy
place, the abode of God and lovers of God. The vibrations of the great Kirton
filled the air. Nilachal was enlivened again with divine spirit by the presence of
the great fulfiller of mankind ; the holy city was made more holy. At Nilachal is
the temple of Jagannath, the Lord of the universe (Krishna). And now, here

where Lord Chaitanya had once sung in prayer, Oh Lord of the universe !
Appear Thou before my eyes, Jagannath Himself had appeared as the Lord
who fulfills life with supreme love.
For more than two months Sri Sri Thakur stayed at Puri, and this time
will never be forgotten. He bathed in the sea each day, and Kirton was
performed on the beach. Inexpressible delight moved the hearts of all who were
there to divine exaltation. Many respected people of the town came to him and
were blessed by hearing his nectar-sweet words. Hundreds of people took
initiation in the Holy Name, accepted him as their Ideal and thus found
fulfillment. Only because of blessings acquired in innumerable lives is one able
to come in touch with him, for he is goodness embodied. Everything of him is
divine, every step he takes, every one of his actions.
Late one night, without telling anyone Sri Sri Thakur walked to a place
called Sakshigopal, about seven miles away from Nilachal. When his absence
was discovered, a cloud of depression and worry fell over Haranath Lodge.
Finally Ananta Maharaj saw the prints of his sandals in the reddish dust of the
path and followed them. He found that Sri Sri Thakur did not wish to leave
Sakshigopal, so fell at his feet and prayed that he come back. Seeing how
ardent his disciples desire was, Sri Sri Thakur went back to Haranath Lodge
that evening. It may be death someone at Sakshigopal had prayed to him long
before, so that on this day he mercifully came to this place and sanctified it
with his presence.
Because of his desire to serve Sri Sri Thakur, Janakinath Basu bore all
the expenses of the stay at Nilachal. At his prayer, Mother Monomohini Debi
remained at his residence in Cuttack for more than a month. Sri Sri Thakur
requested Sushil Chandra Basu, former president of Satsang, to stay with her.

Coming to Deoghar
In the year 1946 the activities of the Asram at Himaitpur, including those
of the college which by then had been started, were going on at their usual
rapid pace. No one knew that the site of Sri Sri Thakurs leela was about to be
shifted. It was at Deoghar, Bihar, that the divine, unfathomably deep activities
of the later part of his life were to take place. With the great Vedavyas, writer of
Hindu scriptures, let us also say, Salutations to His works !
On the 30th of August Sri Sri Thakur asked Norman D Fen of the U.S.A.,
Bholanath Sircar and Rajendranath Mazumdar to reserve a railway carriage to
go to Baidyanath Dham (Deoghar), telling them privately when he would start.
Though the time was very short, by the blessings of the Love-Lord, Mr. Fen and
Rajendranath Mazumdar were able to make the impossible possible. At the
same time Sri Sri Thakur sent Sushil Chandra Basu and Birendra Lal Mitra to
rent a big house at Deoghar. The place they found, and then called Boral
Bungalow, now is known as Thakur Bungalow.
Sri Sri Thakur and some of the devotees started for Deoghar on the Ist
September (1946) and arrived there (Baidyanath Dham) the next morning (2 nd
September) at 9.30 A.M. Pabna, his birth-place, had been left behind and
deepening darkness descended on it ; while Deoghar, at the arrival of the
Supreme Lord, was lighted with the rays of the rising sun.
But there was resistance and obstruction on the part of many of the local
people of Deoghar who were suspicious of the new arrivals. For selfish and
sordid reasons there were conspiracies against Satsang. On the Bengali New
Years Day the pandal (a large meeting place) was set on fire. Attempts were

made to undermine Satsangs reputation by many contemptible court cases

brought against it and through much spreading of scandal. During this period
Sri Sri Thakur had to stay at the district town, Dumka. But the endless
expansion of the great life was not to be halted. At last, finding no other
alternative, the miscreants and conspirators surrendered to him and found
forgiveness in his ever forgiving nature.
Deoghar was transformed into the holy place of the greatest fulfiller.
Because of his presence there, the number of initiations being made in Bihar
was increased. News of Sri Sri Thakur and his divine message began to reach
all parts of India and even England and America. For the Satsang conferences
held during the Bengali New year holidays and following Durga Puja holidays to
celebrate his birthday, many prominent leaders of the country came. Special
and reserved trains arrived at Deoghar from distant parts of India. The
atmosphere of Deoghar resounded as innumerable voices rose in cheer, Bande
Purushottamam (Adoration to Fulfiller the Best). As the number of visitors
from different parts of the country grew, Bihar was becoming the centre of
attention for all India. Deoghar had become the holy place of the union of
devotees with God. Many of the activities through which devotees had served
Sri Sri Thakur at Pabna had been re-established here also. Every year during
the conferences thousands and thousands of devotees came (and still come) to
Deoghar. So passed the remaining twenty two years of his supreme activity.

The Great Departure

A few years ago Sri Sri Borda, eldest son of Sri Sri Thakur and his
foremost devotee, was sitting before his Lord. Sri Sri Thakur looked at him
affectionately with a divine smile on his lips. It seemed as if grace was pouring

out. He told his son to sit on a cot opposite the one He himself was sitting on.
This embarrassed the devotee greatly, for how could he sit on a cot meant for
the Love-Lord? But immediately Sri Sri Thakur said firmly in a voice that was
loving though stern, You yourself are me. Who could know that this was in
premonition of his leaving his holy mortal frame> he was giving a clear hint of
his departure to Sri Sri Borda, who was to be shelter, source of inspiration and
redeemer of man in years to come.
The moment of greatest misfortune came at 4-55 a.m. on the 27 of
January 1969. when the Love-Lord quietly departed, the whole being of man
quaked with a feeling of terrible devastation.
Now the sight of his house, his bed, and the things he used day to day
brings back the memory of him and stirs in his devotees a burning urge to see
him. Memories of him haunt their hearts with a sweet pain that brings on
tears.

The Purpose of Mans life

What dose a man long for? Since the beginning of creation he has wanted
to live and grow; to keep his existence intact and expending. Everything he
doses is to satisfy these two prime desires; it is for them that he struggles. The
proper role of his passions is to be servants to help him accomplish his
purpose. But if a man is subservient to his passions he gradually becomes selfcentered, which means he can not grow and can not do any good to his
environment. By giving him intellect and conscience as well as passions, the
Supreme Father has made man the best of His creations. But these faculties

can help him be free from the rule of passions only through the acceptance and
the following of an Ideal Man. In this way only can a man enter into the greater
existence in which his desires for life and growth are truly fulfilled? In this way
only does he become worthy of his humanity?
In the past many sects have been formed, and between them conflicts in
the name of Dharma have arisen. This has happened because sectarians have
confined themselves within a narrow compass and forgotten the real meaning
of Dharma, which does not admit of any such conflict. Dharma is the
providential flow to uphold life and growth, the upholding urge of our
existence, (The Message, Vol. II, pp. 5, 7) Sri Sri Thakur has said. The mistake,
which has led sectarians to violence, has been in assuming that the sect itself
is Dharma. As Sri Sri Thakur said,
By Dharma everyone can live and grow;
The sect is not the same as Dharma though.
(Translated from Bengali)
and, The degeneration of humanity began at that moment when the unseen God
was made infinite and ignoring the Seers, the worship of their Sayings began.
Oh Mankind! If you desire to invoke your good, forget sectarian conflict. Be
regardful to all the past Prophets. Be attached to your living master or God and
take only those who love Him as your own. Because all the past Prophets are
consummated in the divine Man of the Present. (Satyanusaran)
The centre in which all can meet should be above all sectarian feeling; it
should be in a great man in whom we can all see the great men of the past.
In Sri Sri Thakur, Mohammedan has found Mohammed, and Christians
have felt the loving touch of their Lord Jesus. By following him each men of
India could be united with in a single bond. He says, As much as everyone

does for each other, so much unity sprouts up. Every sect should do for
every other sect. Arrangements should be made so that no one can keep
himself aloof from others. I believe in the Vedas, the Koran and also the
Holy Bible. I want that the Hindus should study not only their own
scriptures but also other scriptures followed by different sects. As much as
one knows the fundamental sayings of others in this way, so much will the
difference between them go on diminishing. The feeling of love will grow.
Ignorance is the cause of difference. There is a type of people that want
to keep the dispute alive and aggravate it. These satanic activities of
theirs should be stopped by enactment of laws. (A.P. Vol.8.)
What is the purpose of mans life? In answer to this question he has said
clearly,
Our goal is the attainment of God,
a personality realized
with upholding and nurturing urge,
the way to it is
active attachment
to the Spiritual Guide (Acharya),
from this comes
self-adjustment, family adjustment,
adjustment of the society
and adjustment of the state,
and through this adjustment of state
forming a link of connection
with the whole world
to advance towards becoming with all
and so to make everything
meaningful in God;
and this alone
is attainments supreme awakening. (Adarsha Binayak)

The utter indiscipline and chaotic conditions that prevail today result
from the lack of self-adjustment. The first step toward the welfare of society and
state is the acceptance of an Ideal in individual life. Without active attachment
to an Ideal, a man can never adjust himself, his family, society or state. At this
time of crisis, when whole nations are suffering in conflict and bewilderment,
Sri Sri Thakur shows us the way to eternal peace and well being.

The Three Pillars of Life and Growth

Yajan, Yaajan and Istabhriti
To promote the great evolution in man, Sri Sri Thakur gives the three
principles of yajan, yaajan and istabhriti, certain ways of thinking ; speaking
and doing which if followed sincerely must bring life and growth. One who
cannot think good thoughts cannot do good works and cannot speak good
either. Because of the lack of uplifting thought and action, there is great
confusion in both individual and national life. Sri Sri Thakur says, One
mistake invites many mischieves. So we should always try to be aware of and
to understand ourselves. In this self-understanding we make the motion of our
lives worshipful and perform devout service. In a word, this is a yajan.

Yajan
The main purpose of yajan is to establish the Ideal and to fulfill His
interest and this means to do well to all. It is possible to accomplish it only if
we make the Ideal who is the embodiment of good the object of our meditation.
Meditation on Him and moving in accordance with Him and moving in

accordance with Him lead us in the direction of becoming. So yajan involves

repetition of Holy Name, meditation, devout worship, self analysis, selfadjustment, practice of hygienic principles, study of His Holy Messages,
carrying out resolves, atonement and prayer. To thus make oneself completely
to His liking is sadhana or the process of actualizing the principles of life and
growth.
In yajan the main factors are repetition of the Holy Name and meditation
and materialization of the commands of the Lord in proper time. In Sri Sri
Thakurs words:

To meditate at dead of night and dawn.

To repeat the Name always while moving on,
To work out in time the commands of the Lord:
This is called tapasya in a word.
(translated from Bengali, Anushruti, Vol.I. Chapter Sadhana-27).
Through meditation and repletion of the Holy Name, the brain cells are
stimulated and gradually become more responsive; thus the sharpness of the
senses is increased.
Yajan means, to regulate oneself in an uplifting go by whole-heartedly
and with an Ideal-minded attitude fulfilling the principles of life and growth.
(Sri Sri Thakur, Pather-Kari-242). The greater responsiveness is attained by
repetition of the Holy Name and this enables one in meditation to relate all
sorts of ideas that come into mind with the Ideal, and thus to direct oneself
towards fulfillment.

Yaajan
To infuse ones Ideal-heartedness into others is called Yaajan. To try ones
own upliftment while neglecting that of others brings failure in life. In Yaajan
the Ideal is central, for it is only through Him that Dharma can be offered to
others. To offer Dharma means to teach the principles of life and lift, and the
embodiment of life and growth is the Idealthe greatest fulfiller.
The main function of Yaajan is to form in man a link of unfailing love for
Him through service, sympathy and discussion. Yaajan activates all parts of
brain and dissolves the knots of obsessions. Through Ideal-centric words, and
activity, a mans regard and devotion grow. All his scattered feelings, ideas and
reasonings become adjusted towards the one Ideal ; as a result his
commonsense develops.

Istabhriti
Istabhriti is the offering of something for the nourishment for the Ideal ;
it is this that makes ones initiation alive. Sri Sri Thakur says, The first
oblation to Him in daily life, offered with the united eagerness of body and
mind being concentric in the Ideal, with desire for earning only in order to feed
Him, is called Istabhriti. It is a fact that if one follows this practice with
adherence and regard, failure can never come into his life. Early each morning
after meditation and repetition of the Holy Name, and before eating or drinking
anything, one should offer as much as he can. Carefully saving up his
oblations, he should send them on the 30th day to the place of the Lord. Sri Sri
Thakur assures us :

If Yajan, Yaajan and Istabhriti are done

Great fear will be overcome.
(Translated from Bengali, Anushruti, Vol.I, Chapter Istbhriti-Swastyayani-10)
And Istabhriti, he say, is our most powerful means of resisting the forces
of cataclysm.

Education
The lack of real education has brought about the chaotic condition of the
nation which we see today. To the truly aware the education and culture that
have prevailed in this century are most disappointing. Nowhere does one find
education that uplifts the divinity in man, endowing him with a greater feeling
of life and the kind of efficiency that would be good for him. So Sri Sri Thakur
wanted to make a radical change in the system of education. Well-adjusted
habits and dealings appropriately related with the individuals specific
characteristics and illuminated with love for the Ideal are the basic goals of
education. According to Sri Sri Thakur, Systematic organization of habits and
instincts for the purpose of fulfilling the becoming of life by a graduated active
manipulation

of

behaviour

may

be

called

education.

(Nana-Prasange,

Conversation with Sri Sri Thakur) and :

To become mere expert in reading and writing
is not to be called education ;
without habits, behaviour and commonsense,
there is no education at all.
(Anushruti, Vol.I, 21)

A person cannot achieve these goals if he is not inspired with his entire
mind to fulfill his Spiritual Guide. So in his divine message he says,
Ideal or Spiritual Guide
is the living embodiment of education,
and he alone can feel this
who has adherence-delighting go
in accordance with Him.
(Siksha-Bidhayana-1)
If education does not lead to the expansion of the mind that comes by
carrying out the commands of the Spiritual Guide, of what value is it ?
Education is far away from him
who has no following go
to carry out the commands,
and who has no
cordial serviceable attitude.
(Siksha-Bidhayana-3)
Through proper education a man becomes enlightened with intelligence ;
and by adjusting his behaviour with the Ideal, he develops himself.
Otherwise what is called education is mere literation. Sri Sri Thakur
says, Literation makes the complexes facilitated whereas education enlightens
the being, hence its index, habits and behaviour, glows on in a sonorous
rhyme. (Magna Dicta, 104, pp. 49)
Sri Sri Thakur wanted the existing system of education to be changed
radically. Education should at least give one the capacity of earning a square
meal daily, so that one doesnt have to depend on others mercy. He says :
Your intelligence doesnt bloom at all

However much you learn ;

You become just an ox bearing recollections,
A morsel of rice you cannot earn.
(Anushruti, Vol.I, 16)
For this period of great crisis Sri Sri Thakur has given plans for a kind of
education that will help everyone towards infinite development. When these are
materialized the sweet fragrance of education will delight the whole world. All
the aspects of education, having consistent significance for success, will be
unified. The centre of this real education will be a university. According to Sri
Sri Thakur, Where varieties arrive with a meaning at unityit is university.
(Message, Vol.I)
And,
Let your university
attain meaningful prosperity
standing on the basis
of national existential tradition ;
let its proper effulgence of character
make everyone active
with right intelligence
being all-fulfilling
and nurturer of specific characteristics ;
and let sprout up on that basis
and the learning of the universe
in well-adjusted significance
of meaningful integration,
enriched with a unified solution ;
to the existential feet of Him

Who is my only one

I ardently pray,
may He fulfill my prayer.
(Shiksha-Bidhayana)

Marriage Reformation
Sri Sri Thakur put particular stress on marriage reformation and said
emphatically, We have to bring into society a progressive mood, marriage
reform and industry.
The improvement of society depends on the quality of the individuals who
compose it, and Sri Sri Thakur has clearly shown the rules and principles
which if followed will bring better progeny of a generous, regardful, concentric
and honest nature. A science of marriage was set forth by the ancient seers of
India ; whenever it has been ignored the progeny produced has been generally
unfaithful, mean, disregardful and destructive of culture, As Sri Sri Thakur
says :
Good progeny and upliftment
Are marriages basic stay ;
Dont make the mistake of marrying
In a haphazard way.
(Anushruti, Vol.I, Chapter Marriage34)
Through the proper regulation of marriage, the germ cells passed from
generation to generation can be improved ; but deviation from proper marriage
will diminish the wealth of qualities inherent in those cells.

The greatest fulfiller is the centre of mans evolving. With deep

attachment to him a man becomes efficient and builds up a divine integrity.
But the capacity for these qualities must be transferred to the progeny if they
are to be preserved in this world. The wealth of qualities accumulated in our
forefathers germ cells can be stored only in our offspring.
The germ cells will continually be improved under a system of marriage
based on the principle of varnasram (the grouping of people of similar
instincts). Marriage of members of the same Varna (a guild composed of people
of similar instinct, The Message, volume IX) and hypergamous marriage is
most beneficial. Hypogamous marriage is harmful, and so is marriage between
people of common blood. Sri Sri Thakur warns :
Never allow, even by mistake
marriage within the same clan of the same varna;
It will make your lineage decrepit
with incoherent qualities.
He defined hypergamy in this way :
Marriage of girl of lower birth
to a boy belonging to superior varna is called hypergamy
and society prospers thereby.
He also said :
A mans marriage into a family whose Culture is less
Makes the society ascend in the way of progress.
(Anushruti, Vol. I Marriage 40)
Deviation from this means hypogamous marriage, which creates a
situation dangerous to the production of good progeny. In hypogamous

marriage, where the wifes heritage is superior to her husbands, the wealth of
the germ cells deteriorates. So Sri Sri Thakur says :
By marrying into a higher family, a man
Aggravates chaos and ruins his own clan.
(Anushruti, Vol. I, Marriage43)
If hypogamous procreation continues, national life will eventually reach a
point of serious crisis. So he repeatedly warns :
If one marries a girl of superior culture
or offers a girl to an inferior boy,
his heritage decays, wealth leaves,
the state is injured.
(Anushruti, Vol. I, Marriage46)
It is only through marriage in consonance with varnasramic principles
that devout-spirited men will be born, and only then will a real welfare state
evolve.
Shakta*, Buddhist, Muslim, Christian,
Vaisnab or whatever you be,
Dont give up your distinctiveness
And in marriage adore hypogamy.
(Anushruti, Vol. I, Marriage56)
[*Shakta: One who worship the goddess Mother Kali)
He gave thousands of messages on marriage and eugenics. Only a small
portion of his ideas on this subject have been presented here.

Satsangs Large scale Activities

At present there are more than two thousand branches of Satsang

located not only in India but also Bangladesh, Burma, Europe and America.
From these centres the principles of life and growth given by Sri Sri Thakur are
being spread to many people. Satsang Vihars (centres) have been set up in
several different provinces of India including West Bengal, Assam, Tripura,
Bihar, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Maharastra, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka,
Tamil Nadu, Gujrat, Rajasthan, Uttaranchal, Haryana, etc.
Thousands of workers for Sri Sri Thakur, surmounting all kinds of
hindrances and difficulties, have gone out to propagate his practical and allfulfilling message. His special workers are divided into five categories called
Jajak, Adhwarjyu, Saha-Prati-Ritwik, Prati-Ritwik and Ritwik. The latter three
are empowered to initiate people in the faith of Sri Sri Thakur.
At Deoghar different activities like those at Pabna have gradually been
set up. Nothing was performed with a view to building up an organization;
everything grew up to fulfill the needs of people. At present the following
activities are functioning:
Satsang Philanthropy (SPO), the main office of Satsang, occupies a large
three-storey building. Hundreds of people work here.
Satsang Computer Centre (SCC), housed in the main office building is an
unique large complex of its kind. It caters to various works of the office.
Ananda Bazar [Common Kitchen] (AB). More than one thousand people
are given food here daily. Free meals are provided for the devotees who come
from outside to visit the Ashram. During the two Utsavs and conferences held
each year, for which thousands and thousands of devotees come from different
provinces of India, all of them have their meals here; and this joyous function
goes on for about one week.

Satsang Chemical Works (SCW). Whenever anyone came to Sri Sri

Thakur afflicted with ailments, his kind heart would overflow with compassion.
He gave many formulas for medicines that would remedy their diseases. The
Satsang Chemical Works came into existence to produce these medicines.
A large herb garden has been started by Sri Sri Borda. He uses the rare
herbs grown here in the preparation of medicines which have cured many
previously incurable diseases, thus fulfilling one of our Lord Sri Sri Thakur.
Satsang Press (SPH) has printed the compilations of Sri Sri Thakurs
messages and many other books, and from here the magazines Alochana
(Bengali), Ligate (English), Satwati (Hindi), Agambani (Assamese), Urjana
(Oriya) and Swasti Sevak (Bengali) are issued monthly.
Satsang Water Supply Department (SWSD). Water is pumped from a well
near the Darwa River through pipes to supply the Ashram.
Satsang Engineering and Mechanical Work-shop (SE&MW). Most of the
things necessary for Ashram are manufactured here.
Satsang Carpentry. Many wooden articles for the use Satsang are made
here.
Satsang Electrical Division (SED). There are five high power generators
for emergency supply of electricity over and above the generators exclusively
meant for computer centre.
Satsang Guest Houses (SGH). There several guest houses for the
accommodation of visiting devotees.
Among the many other facilities are the Congregational Prayer House,
Satsang Library (Amardyuti Bidi-Mandir), Binapani Vidya Mandir (Upper

Primary School and Girls section of Satsang Tapovan High School) and Satsang
Cow-shed.
Satsang Tapovan High School for Boys. This is an ideal educational
institution under the supervision of Ideal-minded teachers.
Amardyuti Satsang College. This college provides instruction of Arts,
Science and Commerce. Also, preparations are being made to establish a
separate college of Law.
Post Graduate Institution. This section was opened with the special
permission of the University Grants Commission. It is the preliminary basis of
Shandilya University.
Satsang Charitable Hospital (SCH). Sri Sri Borda himself used to treat
many patients, keeping them in his house. His great desire to help the sick is
being materialized in Satsang hospital. Sri Sri Thakur spoke of a Hospital with
about five hundred beds. Towards the fulfillment of his desire, about sixty beds
have so far been set up. This hospital now has a special reputation because of
the inspiration and direction of Sri Sri Borda. Its sacred, enlivening
atmosphere, along with the care it provides, greatly increases the patients
power of recovery.
A comprehensive plan for the hospitals development has been worked
out. In the newly constructed conference room medical seminars are held twice
in a year attended by Satsangee and other medical professionals from different
parts of the country and abroad. The hospital also has a library of its own.
At present the following departments and wards are in operation:
Departments:-

Out-Patient

Deptt.,

Charitable

Dispensary,

X-ray

Deptt.,

Pathology, Serology and Bio-chemistry, General Surgery, Gynecology and

obstetrics, Orthopedics, General Medicines, Psychiatry and Cardiology. Wards:Indoor Male Ward, Indoor Female Ward and Emergency Ward.
Shandilya University. One of Sri Sri Thakurs primary desires was for the
establishment of this University, and this is gradually being accomplished by
Sri Sri Borda.
Ganga-Darwa Project. Sri Sri Thakur particularly wanted that water from
the holy Ganges should flow through the Darwa, a river near Satsang Deoghar
which is nearly dry except during the rainy season. The devotees of Bihar, to
whom Sri Sri Thakur has kindly given responsibility in accomplishing this, are
making great efforts to effect this project.
Kristbandhab Natyashilpam. This club is the cultural centre of Satsang
Deoghar. It organizes open theatre (Jatra) and regular theatre performances,
etc. for various occasions.
Satsang Publishing House (SPH). The greatest fulfiller of the age comes to
goad passion-affected men toward the good. In this time of tremendous chaos
and absolute tyranny also he has come down, and in his messages he has
offered a full and wholesome vision of life. Satsang Publishing House has
published the books containing Sri Sri Thakurs sayings in solution of the
worlds problems. So far the following books have been published :
1. Satyanusaran (The Pursuit of Truth)
2. Swasthya O Sadachar Sutra (Aphorisms on Health and Hygiene)
3. Yati Abhidharma (Upholding principles to be followed by Jati or Saint)
4. Debi-Sukta (Noble sayings about Women)
5. Tapo-Bidhayana, Volumes II (Proper Regulation of Spiritual Practice)

6. Bidhi-Binyas (Regulation of Destiny)

7. Sad-Bidhayana (Regulation to be followed to perceive the embodiment of
Truth)
8. Seva-Bidhayana (Proper Regulation of Service)
9. Neeti-Bidhayana (Proper following Moral Principles)
10.Kriti-Bidhayana (Proper Regulation of Activity)
11.Shiksha-Bidhayana (Proper Guidance of Education)
12.

Darshan-Bidhyana (Proper Guidance of Knowledge)

13.

Nistha-Bidhyana (Proper Regulation of Adherence)

14.

Adarsha-Binayak (Proper Regulation according to the liking of the

Ideal

15.

Bidhan-Binayak (The Guiding Principle of Upholding Laws)

16.

Samaj-Sandippan (The Guiding Principles of Enlighten Society)

17.

Bikriti-Binayana (Adjustment of Distortions)

18.

Bijnan-Bibhuti (A Treasury of Scientific Knowledge)

19.

Dhriti-Bidhayana,

Volumes

II

(Proper

Maintenance

of

the

Principles Upholdment)
20.

Achar-Charyya, Volumes II (Principles of conduct and Behaviour)

21.

Alochana Prasange, Volumes XXII (Conversation with Sri Sri

Thakur)

22.

Nana-Prasange, Volumes IV (Conversation with Sri Sri Thakur on

various Subject)

23.

Katha- Prasange, Volumes III (Discourses of Sri Sri Thakur)

24.

Islam-Prasange (Sri Sri Thakurs ideas on Islam and the complete

eradication of sectarian conflict)

25.

Punya-Punthi (Holy Book, revelations of Sri Sri Thakur while in

Trance)

26.

Anushruti, Volumes VII (Revelations on various topics in simple

rhymes and poetry)

27.

Chalar-Saathi (A constant Companion for Ideal-Centric Movement)

28.

Pather-Kari (Gems of the Way)

29.

Nareer-Neeti (Codes of Conduct to be Followed by Women)

30.

Nareer

Pathe

(Conversation

with

Sri

Sri

Thakur

about

Womanhood)
31.

Shashwati, Volumes III (Eternal Truths uttered by Sri Sri

Thakurs)

32.

Sambitee, Volumes III (Sri Sri Thakurs holy utterances on perfect

Knowledge)

33.

Taanr Chithi (A compilation of Letters written by Sri Sri Thakur)

34.

Amiya-Lipi (Nectar-sweet Letters)

35.

Ashish-Banee, Volumes II (A compilation of messages given by Sri

Sri Thakur as blessings on various occasions)

36.

Prarthana (Prayer)

37.

Upasana (Prayers and rules of daily observance)

38.

Preeti-Binayak, Volumes II (Utterances about the different forms

of love and factors that guide love to the Ideal)

39.

Jaji-Sukta (Noble utterances on principles of Yaajan)

40.

Charyya-Sukta (Noble utterances on Practice and habit)

41.

Bibaha-Bidhayana (Proper system of Marriage)

42.

Samjna-Sameeksha (Definitions)

43.

Aryya-Krishti (Aryan Culture)

44.

Bibidha-Sukta (Noble utterances on various topics)

45.

Amiya-Banee (Nectar-sweet Sayings)

46.

Jeevan-Deepti, Volumes III (Life exalting messages to quench the

thirst of afflicted humanity)
Revelation of Sri Sri Thakur in English

1. The Message, Volumes IX (Divine utterances on various topics such as

Religion, Education, Society, Science, Culture and Tradition, Industry,
Commerce, Eugenics, Genetics, Heredity, Marriage, Psychology, Universal
Law etc.)
2. Magnadicta
3. Lords Prayer
4. Discourses (A short record of discussions of several persons with Sri Sri
Thakur)

Sri Sri Thakur wanted His divine messages to be translated into many
languages so that the entire world could benefit from it. He also wanted
people to acquire a good understanding of the knowledge he revealed. Sri Sri
Borda has taken up the work of accomplishing these things. The books
published in Bengali are now being translated into English, Hindi, Oriya,
Assamese and other languages. The Satyanusaran and other works are
discussed daily, and Sri Sri Borda helps others understand their meaning
and how they are to be applied in life.

Satsang under the Guidance of Sri Sri Borda

The purpose of Satsang is to make a man a true man. Its position for
fulfilling this purpose is unique, for here the real essence of Dharma has been
revealed to the world.
Satsang does not and can never support belief in sectarianism. Dharma
is never manyit is one. The sole object of life in accordance with it is to move,
along with the environment, towards life and growth. Dharma is manifested in
the Ideal, and Sri Sri Thakur is the materialized form of Dharma. He does not
belong to any sect ; rather, all the sects belong to him.
The Love-Lord Sri Sri Thakur said, I can give up a kingdom in exchange
of a man, but I can never leave a man.
It was through Lord Buddhas disciple, Upagupta, that the cruel emperor
Ashoka came to accept the Buddha as Lordand had a glimpse of his vast life.
I take refuge with the Buddha, I take refuge in Dharma ; I take refuge in the

order ; through these three affirmations he became the pious Ashoka, and
piety became the basis of the empire he established.
The greatest Fulfiller begins the work for which He comes, and none of
his activities remain unfinished. After His demise, His eternal and limitless
ability to shelter all brings on aglow of hope and exaltationa new era begins.
Sri Sri Thakur said :
in the absence of the Greatest Fulfiller,
the Spiritual Guide
who is adhered to Him,
worshipful to Him
is to be followed. (Adarsha Binayak, 64)
Further, regarding the guidance of the organization He said,
Amongst His children
keeping him who is unrepellingly
adhered to the Ideal
and is superior
as His pivot centre,
make him your principal in charge. (Adarsha Binayak)
Sri Sri Thakur gave complete responsibility for Satsang to Sri Sri Borda,
who is not only his eldest son but also a great devotee who uses every moment
of his time to materialize his Lords wishes. For a time before His demise, Sri
Sri Thakur would send anyone who came to Him to Sri Sri Borda. The great
and merciful Sri Sri Thakur is the all in all of his life. In recognition of his

nurture of the people and his serviceableness and compassionate feeling. Sri
Sri Thakur blessed his forty-sixth birthday with this message :
Affectionate Amarendra !
my eldest son !
Your regardful disciplined activity
and loving compassion for the people
have made my mind exalt.
Observing his divine service and his devotion and adherence to parents,
He blessed him on his fifty-fourth birthday, saying :
My eldest son,
today is the day of your birth ;
you have fulfilled us
by coming to our family
at this auspicious moment.
Sri Sri Borda is the present Spiritual Guide (Acharyya) of Satsang. Under
efficient guidance, the works of Satsang have been steadily progressing since
the great departure of Sri Sri Thakur. Thousands of workers, inspired by him,
have gone out to new places to materialize the divine wishes of Sri Sri Thakur.
The light of peace and well being is blazing. With Sri Sri Bordas guidance, work
for the establishment of Shandilya University as desired by Sri Sri Thakur is
proceeding at a rapid pace. A large two storied building for Tapovan School has
been erected. Amardyuti Satsang College has begun functioning, and thus a
step has been made toward the opening of Shandilya University.
Sri Sri Borda plans to build a unique holy shrine to Sri Sri Thakur to be
called Sri Mandir. Here all the sects will meet and be illumined with the Divine
Consciousness and body and mind will be filled with Divine Spirit. It will be

just behind this Sri Mandir that the thirsty Darwa will receive the waters of the
holy Ganges.

A Few Opinions on Satsang

Deshbandhu C.R. Dass last message to Mahatma Gandhi about his
Spiritual Guide (the Founder of Satsang)
I have learnt from my Guru the value of truth in all our dealings. I want
you to live with him for a few days at least. Your need is not the same as mine,
but he has given me the strength I did not possess before. I see things clearly
which I saw dimly before.
I have personal knowledge of the institution and it deserves public
support. I hope the public will give them every possible help. I wish them every
success.
Signed C. R. Das, 27.01. 1925
.

Of the surroundings of the Ashram I carried a very good

impression.
Signed M. K. Gandhi
Satsang is a unique Institution of its kind and there has been at
Satsang an unusual combination of the spiritual and material and the
Institution is a genuine sustained attempt to secure the best of the old and the
new, the eastern and Western, to balance education with industry and to
enshrine the brotherhood of men.
Owing to the political changes in the country the Institution is
confronted with a serious problem of rehabilitation. As the Institution is doing
substantial work in Education, Industry, Art, Social Service and Religion for

the benefit of the country it has become necessary that everyone should help it
with all his might.
Signed B. C. Roy, Premier, West Bengal, 13.09.1948
Anantashyanam Iyenger, former Speaker, Lok Sabha, and Governor
of Bihar :
I am glad to see that Thakur is not a sadhu with long beards, but a
normal man living a normal family life his children and other relatives. This
normalcy, as Thakurs life shows, is of the essence of new religion and the new
spiritual lead he will give to the millions of people in his country and to
mankind as a whole.

Dr. Ram Subhag Singh, Minister of Agriculture, Government of

India:
Sri Sri Thakur with his comprehensive program of work for the
regeneration of humanity at large embodies a mighty challenge to present-day
ills of life. Satsang has already made a profound impression on the people of
the country.
Anugraha Narayan Singh, Finance Minister, Bihar :
India is passing through a awakening both material and spiritualit
represents a country-wide urge for total resuscitation of life in its various
aspects. Satsang is one force responsible for generating that urge. From my
experience with things connected with Satsang. I can well hope that the new
society will undoubtedly rank India among the greatest nations of the modern
world.

Pandit Binodananda Jha, Former Chief Minister of Bihar :

The entire evil of gross misuse of atomic energy and of scientific
developments in general that threatened humanity with imminent destruction
to-day, preceded from one fundamental defect in human nature already so
terribly manifested. It was the self centeredness of the average man all over the
world and particularly of persons at the help of affairs in different countries.
The proper remedy lies in the high teachings of men of vision like Thakur
Anukulchandra. Such teachings aimed at triumphant emergence of the human
soul from the vicious control of baser instincts. This will greatly aid in the
emotional and cultural integration of humanity in the widest possible scale, the
most cherished desire of the best minds of the world to-day.

*******