<Prev |  Next>

Title: "Search for the Self - The Story of Swami Muktãnanda"
Author: Swami Prajnãnanda
Publishers:
Ganeshpuri : Gurudev Siddha Peeth, 1979.

Recently I read a fascinating book "A Search for the Self - The Story of Swami Muktãnanda". This book details the life history of Swami Muktãnanda, a great Yogi and the disciple of Bhagavãn Sri Nityãnanda who lived in Ganeshpuri near Mumbai.

The little boy 'Krishna' was born in the state of Karnataka in the year 1908. The urge to 'realise' God had taken hold of him even as a little boy. He left home and wandered about the various Holy places, forests and mountains. With deep dispassion he controlled his mind and practiced intense spiritual sadhanas. Finally, he took refuge in the Lotus Feet of his Sadguru Ganeshpuri Bhagavãn Sri Nityãnanda and due to the Guru's Grace on the day of our Nation's Independence (15th August, 1947) from foreign rule he obtained permanent freedom from the vicious cycle of birth and death ('janana-marana') - he attained the highest state of Advaita and bloomed as 'Mukta-ananda Paramahamsa'.

An exemplary of Guru Bhakti,Swami Muktãnanda says passionately that one attains Jnãna only through the Grace of the Guru-"As a Vedãnti I gave up all that are temporal in nature. As a Bhakta I cried out to my 'Ishta Deiva' (favourite god). As a Yogi I controlled the breath. Finally, giving up everything I surrendered unto the Guru - I 'attained' Sat-chit-ananda!" He then goes on to describe his Guru - "The mind of this Muktãnanda was caught up in various passions. With great difficulty it was freed from these; finally it was caught in the one great passion. And that passion is called 'Nityãnanda'!"

During the initial stage of his sadhana period Swami Muktãnanda had met several Sãdhus and Yoga purushas. It was during this period that he lived for a time with an Avadhoota Siddha. Once, this Avadhoota Siddha had arranged for 'anna dãna' (offering food). An old man afflicted with leprosy joined the crowd to have food. The young Muktãnanda felt scared to even look at that diseased man whose very appearance was nauseating. The whole body was filled with wounds from which pus and blood were oozing out; further, a foul smell emanated from his body!

The Avdhoota Siddha instructed Muktãnanda, "The gentleman is not able to feed himself. Feed him with your hands!" With revulsion he fed the old man taking care not to touch him. As the old man was being fed some of the food fell and scattered on the plate. As soon as he was fed the old man walked away quickly and disappeared like the lightning.

The Avdhoota Siddha said to Muktãnanda, "Some food has fallen from the old man's mouth on to the plate. Eat that up!" Muktãnanda felt horrified. But, left with no choice he picked up a few grains and dropped them in his mouth. Watching this, the Avadhoota Siddha snatched the plate from Mutãnanda's hand and without any hesitation ate the remaining food from it. He then said to Muktãnanda, "Did you not see the old man walk away quickly and disappear like the lightning? Can a person afflicted with leprosy walk so fast? He is none other than Lord Kãsi Viswanãth!" and laughed loudly.

-Dr.A. Bhagyanathan

<Prev |  Next>

Home • e-MM • Contact

Radhe Krishna