Tuesday, December 11th

(...continued from last week)

The sadhu introduced himself as Kripanand Saraswati and explained that he belonged to a sect known as the Dasanami Sastradhari Nagas. His guru’s name was Yogi Angadanand Saraswati, who traced his lineage back to the 4th century. This lineage of yogis believes that the science of yoga is sacred and strives to preserve its purity of practice devoid of any dogma or meaningless rituals. Kripanand proved to be a delightful companion as they trekked deeper into the mountains and Manmoyanand found himself charmed by the sadhu’s genial good humor, intelligence, and humility. After nearly a week of walking they came to a waterfall close to the ashram. Kripanand said, “This is the origin of the river Saraswati. Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge and learning in Hindu mythology. This sect of sadhus is named after goddess Saraswati because they practice no other religion but knowledge.” When they reached the ashram, Kripanand indicated a cave for Manmoyanand to enter. He turned to Kripanand and asked, “Aren’t you coming?” Kripanand replied, “No, maybe I will take some food after all these days of waiting.”

As Manmoyanand entered the cave he saw a lean but muscular old man standing with his back to him. Without turning around the old man said, “Yogi Manmoyanand, you made us wait for such a long time.” Feeling flustered, Manmoyanand blurted out, “What is the meaning of getting me here in this way.” The old man smiled and said, “You must be very tired. Please have your food and rest for a while. Don’t worry. I will still be here to answer all your questions.” The next day Angadanand explained to Manmoyanand that every yogi of his lineage owes a responsibility to his teacher to find spiritually ripe individuals and give them the proper guidance and knowledge. He told Manmoyanand that their relationship went back 500 years in previous lifetimes. Manmoyanand was skeptical, as usual. He reluctantly settled into life in the ashram and spent the next six months engaging Angadanand in a constant debate between his own “university educated pride’ and the enlightened wisdom of the old man. He lost every debate and finally felt that his ego had been crushed. One day, listening to Angadanand’s discourse, he found he had no more questions. The old man said, “Do you not have at least one argument or insult to throw at me?” “No.” “Do you have absolutely nothing to ask?” “No.” “Do you want to go home?” “No.” At that point tears began rolling down his face and Guru Angadanand called out to Kripanand, “Here is your student.”

Manmoyanand spent the next seven years engaged in rigorous training and study in all the limbs of Ashtanga Yoga, taught progressively and requiring mastery of one before moving on to the next. At one point he was practicing asana for 18 hours a day in preparation for his exam that required him to sit in one asana for 24 hours. Near the end of his training his guru informed him that as guru dakshina (payment for instruction received) he would have to leave the ashram and go into the world seeking spiritually ripe individuals to whom he could impart the teachings of his lineage. Soon after this his guru took mahasamadhi—the voluntary exit from one’s physical body after acquiring spiritual perfection. Manmoyanand was devastated at the departure of his guru and the prospect of leaving the ashram. At the same time he recognized the karmic justice of asking him to teach when he had been such a difficult student himself. Thus began his most difficult trial of all.

7 Comments

Thank you Timji ! This is exactly what I needed to read today !! The universe sending the message in its mystical ways. So happy to have read this text !

Posted by: Reinaldo Liem | 12/11/2012 at 01:14 PM