Yogananda, Paramahansa, 1893-1952; Yogis -- India -- Biography
“In the quiet of night I busied myself over a comparison of the
Bible and the scriptures of SANATAN DHARMA. {FN36-4} Quoting the
words of the blessed Lord Jesus, I showed that his teachings were
in essence one with the revelations of the VEDAS. To my relief,
my book was finished in a short time; I realized that this speedy
blessing was due to the grace of my PARAM-GURU-MAHARAJ. {FN36-5}
The chapters first appeared in the SADHUSAMBAD journal; later they
were privately printed as a book by one of my Kidderpore disciples.
“The morning after I had concluded my literary efforts,” Master
continued, “I went to the Rai Ghat here to bathe in the Ganges.
The ghat was deserted; I stood still for awhile, enjoying the sunny
peace. After a dip in the sparkling waters, I started for home.
The only sound in the silence was that of my Ganges-drenched cloth,
swish-swashing with every step. As I passed beyond the site of the
large banyan tree near the river bank, a strong impulse urged me
to look back. There, under the shade of the banyan, and surrounded
by a few disciples, sat the great Babaji!
“‘Greetings, Swamiji!’ The beautiful voice of the master rang
out to assure me I was not dreaming. ‘I see you have successfully
completed your book. As I promised, I am here to thank you.’
“With a fast-beating heart, I prostrated myself fully at his feet.
‘Param-guruji,’ I said imploringly, ‘will you and your chelas not
honor my near-by home with your presence?’
“The supreme guru smilingly declined. ‘No, child,’ he said, ‘we are
people who like the shelter of trees; this spot is quite comfortable.’
“‘Please tarry awhile, Master.’ I gazed entreatingly at him. ‘I
shall be back at once with some special sweetmeats.’
“When I returned in a few minutes with a dish of delicacies, lo! the
lordly banyan no longer sheltered the celestial troupe. I searched
all around the ghat, but in my heart I knew the little band had
already fled on etheric wings.
“I was deeply hurt. ‘Even if we meet again, I would not care to talk
to him,’ I assured myself. ‘He was unkind to leave me so suddenly.’
This was a wrath of love, of course, and nothing more.
“A few months later I visited Lahiri Mahasaya in Benares. As I
entered his little parlor, my guru smiled in greeting.
“‘Welcome, Yukteswar,’ he said. ‘Did you just meet Babaji at the
threshold of my room?’
“‘Why, no,’ I answered in surprise.
“‘Come here.’ Lahiri Mahasaya touched me gently on the forehead;
at once I beheld, near the door, the form of Babaji, blooming like
a perfect lotus.
“I remembered my old hurt, and did not bow. Lahiri Mahasaya looked
at me in astonishment.
“The divine guru gazed at me with fathomless eyes. ‘You are annoyed
with me.’
“‘Sir, why shouldn’t I be?’ I answered. ‘Out of the air you came
with your magic group, and into the thin air you vanished.’
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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