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Second Pilgrimage to North India (Aug - Nov 1888)
Second Pilgrimage to North India (Aug - Nov 1888)
Total Records Found: 29
I
But on one occasion, as though the monk in him had become awakened, he said to Sharat, "You have become a sort of chain on my feet. I was wandering alone so long. You came and became a source of botheration to me. Now I am going my own way. I shall stay here no more." Taking his staff and water-pot, the Swami set out alone on pilgrimage. Sharat was then cooking Khichuri for both of them. He became remorseful and sat silently in one place. After three or Four hours, the Swami returned and, standing behind Sharat, said, "O Sharat, can you give me some-thing to eat? I am terribly hungry." Sharat was very happy to see him back, and said, "Yes, I shall give you something just now." The Swami: "Did you not take your meal?" Sharat: "When you were not here, how could I!" The Swami: "You have really become like a chain round my feet. I had gone a long way, but then I remembered that you were alone here and were such a fool. I could not be sure what you might do. Look, it was for you I had to return." Then the disciple served the Khichuri, and they both ate it with joy. (LSV)
I
Still another time, as the Swami and his disciple were moving through the jungle, they came across some bleached human bones, with pieces of rotting ochre cloth lying here and there. "See," said the Swami, "here a tiger has devoured a sannyasi! Are you afraid?" The disciple promptly replied, "Not with you, Swamiji!" Even in those early days when he was an unknown monk, the force of the Swami's character and his power to inspire others could be plainly seen. (LSV)
I
One morning the Swami decided to leave Hathras. He said to Sharat, "I cannot stay here longer. I am a sannyasi and should never remain long in any one place. Besides, I am feeling a sort of attachment for you all. This is also a bondage in spiritual life." To attempts to dissuade him, he only replied, "Don't press me." Sharat became grief-stricken: he had fallen in love with the Swami. "Swamiji, make me your disciple", was his entreaty. The Swami replied, "Why, do not think that everything in spiritual life will be gained by becoming my disciple. Remember that God is in everything; and then whatever you do will make for your progress. I shall come and be with you now and then. For the present I must be going to the Hima¬layas." Sharat repeated his entreaty time and again, until at length he spoke out: "Swamiji, say what you will, wherever you go I shall follow you." Seeing his determination and sincerity, the Swami said, "Can you really follow me? Then take my begging-bowl and go and beg our food from the porters of the station." No sooner was the order given than Sharat went to beg from his own subordinates. Having collected some food he brought it to the Swami, who in turn blessed him heartily, and accepted him as his disciple. (LSV)
I
About two miles from Vrindavan, he saw a man contentedly smoking a pipe (Chillum) by the wayside. The Swami, weary, felt that a smoke would do him good; so he asked the man to allow him to have a pull or two at the pipe. The smoker shrank back and said diffidently, "It would defile you, sir. I am a Bhangi [a sweeper]". The Swami, conditioned by caste-con¬sciousness, shrank back too, and went his way, After going a short distance, the thought struck him, "What! I have taken the sannyasi's vow and have given up all ideas of caste, family prestige and so forth: yet I fell back into caste ideas when the man told me that he was a sweeper! And I could not smoke the pipe which he had touched! That was due to ages of habit." The thought made him so restless that he turned back and found the man still seated there. Sitting down beside him, he said, "Brother, do prepare me a Chillum of tobacco." But the man humbly expostulated, "Sir, you are a holy man: I am an outcaste!" But the Swami would not listen to his objections and insisted on having a smoke from that pipe. (LSV)
I
From Govardhan the Swami went on to Radhakunda, sacred for its association with Shri Radha. At this time he was wearing only a Kaupin (narrow strip of cloth about the loins). Having no other to wear after his bath, he took it off, washed it, and left it on the side of the tank to dry whilst he was bathing. When he had bathed, he found the Kaupin missing. In his search he chanced to look up in a tree: there he saw a monkey sitting, the Kaupin in its hands. When the monkey refused to surrender it, the Swami was filled with anger against Shri Radha, the presiding deity of the place. He vowed that he would go into the recesses of the forest and starve himself to death. As he advanced into the jungle in pursuance of his plan, a man, who probably had seen the whole incident, came up with a new ochre cloth and some food, which the Swami accepted. The Swami was no doubt astounded; it seemed like a miracle. When he retraced his steps to the tank, to his surprise he found his Kaupin lying just where he had put it to dry. Such incidents convinced him that he was beloved of the Lord and protected by Him wherever he was. (LSV)
I
One day Sharat asked the Swami, "Why do you look so sad?" After a pause the Swami replied, "My son, I have a great mission to Fulfil and I am in despair at the smallness of my capacity. I have an injunction from my Guru to carry out this mission. It is nothing less than the regeneration of my motherland. Spirituality has fallen to a low ebb and starvation stalks the land. India must become dynamic and effect the conquest of the world through her spirituality." Sharat, spellbound at these words, said with all the ardour of his soul, "Here I am, Swamiji; what do you want me to do?" The monk demanded, "Are you prepared to take up the begging bowl and the Kamandalu and work for the great cause? Can you beg from door to door?" "Yes", was the bold reply. The Swami was greatly pleased to see the courage and determination of Sharat. He spent many days at Sharat's house, speaking to groups of devotees and admirers. (LSV)
1888
CE
Swamiji again on pilgrimage. First to Varanasi. Met pramadadas mitra. (LSV 1. 216)
1888
CE
Swamiji at Ayodhya. (LSV 1. 217)
1888
CE
Swamiji at Lucknow. (LSV 1. 217)
1888
CE
Swamiji at Agra. (LSV 1. 217)
Aug 1888
I
Swamiji and bhangi's chillum on way to Vrindavan (LSV 1. 217)
Aug 1888
CE
Later Swamiji answered to Girishchandra Ghose's question on incident of Chillum smoking (LSV 1. 218)
Aug 1888
CE
Swamiji later spoke to disciple on chilum incident (LSV 1. 218)
Aug 1888
S
(Early August) swamiji at Vrindavan. Stayed at kalababu's kunj. (LSV 1. 218)
Aug 1888
I
Swamiji at Goverdhan Hill. Had unique experience challenging his vow of not begging his food from any one. (LSV 1. 218)
Aug 1888
I
Swamiji at Vrindavan. Had miracle like experience while taking bath at Radhakund convenincing him that he is being taken care and protected by God. (LSV 1. 219)
Aug 1888
S
Swamiji stayed at Vrindavan to meet brother disciple (LSV 1. 219)
20 Aug 1888
Letter
Swamiji's letter to MITRA PRAMADADAS From VRINDAVAN (CW SV 6.201)
Aug 1888
I
Swamiji arrived at Hathras. Met Assistant Station Master Sharatchandra Gupta at Hathras Railway Station. (LSV 1.220)
Aug 1888
CE
Shratchandra Gupta prepared to renounce and wanted to serve Swamiji. (LSV 1.221)
Aug 1888
CE
At Hathras, Swamiji stayed with Brajenbabu and spoke to Bengali population on religion and of their motherland. (LSV 1.221)
Aug 1888
CE
Later sharat's friend Natakrishna recalls Swamiji's stay at Hathras (LSV 1.221)
Aug 1888
CE
Sharat expressed willimgness to move with Swamiji with begging bowl in hand (LSV 1.221)
Aug 1888
I
Swamiji accepted Sharat as his disciple (LSV 1.222)
Aug 1888
S
Swamiji with Sharat Gupta at Rishikesh, Sharat inexperienced of wandering had lot of hardships. Swamiji took care of him. (LSV 1.222)
Aug 1888
S
Sharat was not afraid of even wild animals in jungle as long as Swamiji was with him. This was the force of Swamiji's character even in those days. (LSV 1.223)
Aug 1888
CE
Swamiji set out alone for pilgrimage leaving Sharat behind on account of his ill health, but returned after 3 to 4 hours because of his bondage with him. (LSV 1.223)
Aug 1888
S
Swamiji had to return to Hathras on account of Sharat's ill health. Subsequently Swamiji also fell ill. (LSV 1.224)
Nov 1888
CE
(88 end) mahapurush mj. At Hathras on way to pilgrimage at Uttarakhand. Seeing Swamiji ill, he halted his journey and brought sick swamiji to the math. Shart also follwed at later date. He was initiated to Sanyas and was given name Sadananda (LSV 1.224)
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