Bhakta Baba

Messages from Bhakta Baba:

1) “VISIONING THE DIVINE GOD SHOULD BE THE SOLE AIM OF HUMAN DESIRE: BHAKTA BABA”

2)“STAND YE TOGETHER, ONE IN LOVE, ONE IN HOLINESS, AND ONE IN YOUR ZEAL FOR THE TRUTH: BHAKTA BABA”

3) DIVINITY OF “JAI RADHEY GOVINDA”: “Please ensure that you never forget this invaluable name even during bathing or going to the toilet, let this be your only trusted companion of all time: BHAKTA BABA”  

Bhakta Baba Some Unknown Life Facts:

Shri Shri Bimalanandaji Maharaj is known to most of us as “Bhakta Baba”.He was born in a well to do, learned and religious Brahmin family at Manohar Pukur in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. His father was an Engineer and elder brother a Barrister. He had his sacred thread ceremony at the young age of 9 years and at 10 years of age alongwith his father and mother he was consecrated(Diksha:initiation by a Guru for higher pursuits) & was given Sanyas(renunciated life of celibacy) by a Sage(Sadhak). However that Sage did not restrict him with any do’s and don’ts. He continued with his normal school and college education. They also had a house in Shyam Bazaar in North Kolkata.

At the age of 11 years one specific afternoon he came out on the road from his Shyam Bazaar residence to follow another accomplished spiritual Sage “Sadhak Bama Khyapa” (normal person visualize these people with their abnormal behaviour on account of their mystic powers and hence the term “Khyapa” which is used in a positive note and not to be confused with madness) who was walking towards Kalighat. When he saw “Bhaktababa” following from behind he suddenly stopped and advised him to return home. But he did not stop following and crossed the Kali Temple in Kalighat and the moment he reached a little secluded place near the burning ghat (crematorium) he took “Bhakta Baba” affectionately by his side and gave him some tips and direction. When I asked him at such a young age how did he identify it was Sadhak Bama Khyapa travelling in normal clothing? Bhakta Baba said “after seeing him I was getting some inspiration that I will acquire something from him”. From this early age alongwith education he continued with his spiritual pursuits & closeness to Sages (Sadhu Sanga).

During his student life itself in Kasi (Banaras, North India) he got the proud privilege to get a glimpse of his Master “BABAJI MAHARAJ”. This Godly ancient Sage, a holy man (Maha Purush) was Bhakta Baba’s Master on his spiritual pursuits and provided him necessary direction. Till his last days of life he is keeping contact with Babaji Maharaj. He also spoke on many occasion Babaji Maharaj’s contemporary a holy mother (Mataji) too. Bhakta Baba got a lot of affection and care from her but I could never ask him what her name was or where she lived?

With the blessings from Babaji Maharaj only he got the direction to worship the almighty & the absolute Universal Lord “Jai Radhey Govinda” and then he went to Himalayas to get initiated into Vaishnav Sadhana. Bhakta Baba however continued with his higher education inspite of getting access to so much of “Sadhu Sanga” (nearness to saints). After finishing his studies here he went abroad to do higher studies. From USA he went to Pasteur Institute in France. Thereafter in Germany and again he went to USA for further education. He was a Chemist and worked for 12 year in USA.

During this time he also met Abhedanandaji (spectrologist: who researched spirits and souls). Abhedanandaji requested Bhakta Baba a number of times to partner with him but he said no. Since his mother fell sick, Bhakta baba came back to India to see her. After recovery his mother did not allow him to return abroad. His mother saved all the money in her passbook which was sent by BHAKTA BABA from abroad. The cumulated money has turned into a big figure. With this money Bhakta Baba’s mother requested him to start a business on the same subject that he studied. Partnering with one of his brother-in-law (sister’s husband) he started his production by developing a laboratory. Lot of money started pouring in with success from business. His mother and father pleaded him a number of times to get married but he did not agree. One baffling matter was whenever Bhakta Baba’s used to fall sick his twin brother will also get sick. On account of sudden death of his twin brother his mother never raised the matter of marriage anymore. She thought probably Bhakta Baba will also not survive. Business was running well now and was on its feet but Bhakta Baba saw his brother-in-law siphoning off money the wrong way from business. He immediately decided that he will not do business anymore and left for Himalayas leaving everything.

He had taken “Sanyas” earlier itself and after hiring a coolie (head loader) to carry some bare minimum essentials to survive in caves he started walking from behind. The “coolie” jumped one ditch but Bhakta Baba could not master enough courage to jump and therefore he came down and again went up but saw the “coolie” missing who fled alongwith the materials. He had decided not to return so he went ahead. Dusk was setting in and place was getting darker and he was not able to decide as to what is he going to do? Which direction should he go? At this time he saw at a distance in the jungle some fire was lit and flames were coming up. Aiming towards that he reached a hut where he saw the burning of “Dhuni” (sacred fire). He saw on one side there was a Baba (Holy Father) and another side Maa (Holy Mother) were deeply meditating. He went behind the “BABA” and sat there waiting with folded hands. After quite some time Baba opened his eyes, heard everything from Bhakta Baba and said “you are hungry, let me bring some food”. After one hour he returned with hot Puris (fried small chapattis), vegetables and ladoo (a sweet). Then Baba gave Bhakta Baba all necessary directions as to where should he go after having his food, which way he should go and after what distance will he get a slum & there he will get one of his devotee by a particular name who on hearing about Baba’s reference will give him necessary essentials to carry . Thereafter he told him where to look for the cave, gave him complete direction and again went into deep meditation. As Bhakta Baba sat there a snake slithered in and bit him on his feet’s little finger. He kept the finger pressed inspite of uneasiness, but did not utter a word as he did not want them to get disturbed while in meditation.

After sometime again “Baba“opened his eyes and breaking his meditation asked him what has happened. Bhakta Baba said “Baba” it is an insect bite. At a distance the snake got into a crack and its tail could be seen. He instructed Bhakta Baba to bite the snake’s end portion of the tail. Bhakta Baba followed the instruction and returned to his seat after biting the tail. After that Baba again went into deep meditation and thereafter Bhakta Baba doesn’t remember anything. Next day morning he saw some dew drops falling on his body and he woke up to see himself sleeping under a tree. Neither the hut with sacred fire nor the “holy mother & father”, nothing was there. After getting up and as per directions given he found that person, took all essential materials inside and started meditating after entering a cave.

After some days thereafter suddenly he heard Abhedanandaji Maharaj calling Bhakta Baba from a higher altitude cave. From Abhedanandaji he learnt a lot on the subject of spirits and souls. While staying in the Himalayan caves he heard about a family who were “Narkhadak” (are cannibals). Male, Female, boys & girls all stay naked. He got into real danger when he went to see them alongwith two guys who used to collect Herbs and Rudraksha. They tied both these guys but somehow Bhakta Baba managed to flee for life and escape. Later hearing this “Babaji Maharaj” cautioned him that he got saved this time because of Guru Kripa (Master’s blessings) and revealed had he shared this with the Master before going to such a place this mishap would not have happened.

After getting Darshan and glimpse of the almighty, Shankha Chakradhari (Conch Shell and bearer of Discus) Jai Radhey Govinda (also pronounced as JOY RADHEY GOBINDO) and on completion of his Sadhana (meditation), Bhakta Baba returned to Kolkata. Thereafter with passing of some more years he met “Hari Khyapa”disciple of “Tara Khyapa” another ascetic in Hardwar in North India. He brought him to a place called Deolghata a village in Purulia district of West Bengal. While staying here he was strictly a Vaishnava and followed the strictures rightfully. During Navratras (same as Navaratri) for nine days he continued with the name ritual reciting and chanting of the holy Lord “Jai Radhey Govinda”. After residing for some years, the ailing King of Bagmundi (a village in Purulia district of West Bengal) who got cured with the blessings of Bhakta Baba donated him a land parcel below the hills and by the side of the jungle surrounding a very old banyan tree where he constructed initially a hut to stay. Thereafter a well-wisher donated him another land at the outskirt of Purulia on Ranchi Road, Maguria village. Here “BADRI ASHRAM “was established and worshiping of Jai Radhey Govinda started.

After this “BABAJI MAHARAJ” introduced “BHAKTA BABA” to his much acclaimed disciple “KAMRAJ BABA” and told him that hereon he will acquire everything from this Holy Father. From Kamraj Baba he got the spiritual lessons of Shakto (worshipper of Goddess Shakti), Shaiva (worshipper of God Shiva) and Tantra (a special meditation & ritualistic practice). Kamraj Baba took Bhakta Baba through a foot journey to Kailash and showed him divine glimpse of “MahaDev” (Lord Mahadeva) which is an extremely rare sight. He also took him to Kuber’s (Lord of Wealth) treasury. He further showed him many more things of the Himalayas. Inspite of being a strict Vaishnava yet he could initiate at “ Badri Ashram “the worshipping of Maa Kalyaneshwari through pure Vaishnava rituals in addition to that of Lord Mahadeva.He completed the installation of “Panch Mundi’s Aasan” in the Dhuni Ghar (Holy Fire ritual house). He constructed a temple at “Matha Hills” & installed the idol of holy Mother. And in the burning ghat crematorium at Madla Village he established a “Panch Mundi’s Aasan”. Badri Ashram became a confluence of Vaishnava, Shakto & Shaiva and Tantra’s sacred worshipping place.

Bhakta Baba never liked too much of crowd. He was against seeking limelight (Prachar Vimukh). He wanted to maintain his own confidentiality. He was accessible only to the needy and used to pull them close to his side. He used to selectively reveal that much only as per one’s preparedness levels. After living for 108 years in his body he left his body. Even after leaving his body, any devotee who was unaware he was visible to them and fulfilled their needs. This is how he has made himself visible but after spreading of information on him he has avoided showing up.

After he left his body and as I came to know that Bhakta Baba stayed in Deyulghata. I approached Suniti Pathak and got introduced to him. When Bhakta Baba stayed in Deyulghata, Suniti Pathak was in his youth. Quite often he used to go to Bhakta Baba. Bhakta Baba was like a polestar that showed him direction in his spiritual pursuits i.e. showed him direction, roadmap & inspiration and in one word his first Guru. In the words of Suniti Pathak again and again I have heard the voice of Bhakta Baba resonating. In his words he envisions in this accomplished yogi (Tap Siddha) a renunciate ascetic worshipper of the highest order (tapaswi).Have got the proud privilege to have exchanged views and serviced his feet too. With his inspiration and cooperation at the same venue of Deyulghata where Bhakta Baba during Navaratras had conducted name ritual recitation of “Jai Radhey Govinda”, we have built a Govinda temple. As per direction of Pathakji we have affixed a stone slab depiction on the temple wall as he said once he leaves his body no one else will understand the value of Bhakta Baba nor may extend that kind of respect. Pathakji said I knew Bhakta Baba was accomplished with “Astha Siddhi” (eight major abilities one can possess through deep meditation & practice). For the benefit of others if his special abilities used to get publicized to balance the act Bhakta Baba used to describe the power and magnificence in the name venerability of “JAI RADHEY GOVINDA”. He always used to remind his devotees “please ensure that you never forget this invaluable name even during relieving or while urinating, let this be your only trusted companion of all time.” Once Pathakji visited “Badri Ashram” during birth anniversary celebration of Bhakta Baba. He was sitting in front of the Mother Goddess temple and suddenly he started rolling on the dust at ground level chanting “Baba-Baba”. Later once he recovered and felt good he shared that he saw “Bhakta Baba coming out of Dhuni Ghar (holy fire place) & telling him “Suniti, you have come, I am always present during all functions here”. This is how Bhakta Baba, Kamraj Baba, Babaji Maharaj all resides over us and orchestrates the running of the “Badri Ashram”. Totally this Ashram runs on a celestial circle.

 

About Bhakta Baba in Bengali written by Sri Shankar Chakrabarty		Translated from Bengali by Sri Biswarup Goswami
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