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第八十二章 Materializing
第八十二章 Materializing A Palace In The Himalayas
“Babajis frst meeting with Lahiri Mahasaya is an enthralling story，and one of the few which gives us a detailed glimpse of the deathless guru。”
These words were Swami Kebalanandas preamble to a wondrous tale。
“My frst meeting with Babaji took place in my thirty-third year，”Lahiri Mahasaya had said。In the autumn of 1861 I was stationed in Danapur as a government accountant in the Military Engineering Department。One morning the offce manager summoned me。
‘Lahiri，’he said，‘a telegram has just come from our main offce。You are to be transferred to Ranikhet，where an army post is now being established。’
Traveling by horse and buggy，we arrived in thirty days at the Himalayan site of Ranikhet。
During a ramble one early afternoon，I was astounded to hear a distant voice calling my name。
I fnally reached a small clearing whose sides were dotted with caves。On one of the rocky ledges stood a smiling young man，extending his hand in welcome。I noticed with astonishment that，except for his copper-colored hair，he bore a remarkable resemblance to myself。
‘Lahiri，you have come！’The saint addressed me affectionately in Hindi。‘Rest here in this cave。It was I who called you。’
I entered a neat little grotto which contained several woolen blankets and a few kamandulus（begging bowls）。
“Lahiri，do you remember that seat？’The yogi pointed to a folded blanket in one corner。”‘No，sir。’Somewhat dazed at the strangeness of my adventure，I added，I must
leave now，before nightfall。I have business in the morning at my offce。
The mysterious saint replied in English，‘The offce was brought for you，and not you for the offce。’
I was dumbfounded that this forest ascetic should not only speak English but also paraphrase the words of Christ。
‘I see my telegram took effect。’The yogis remark was incomprehensible to me；I inquired his meaning。
‘I refer to the telegram that summoned you to these isolated parts。It was I who silently suggested to the mind of your superior offcer that you be transferred to Ranikhet。He added gently，Lahiri，surely this cave seems familiar to you？’
As I maintained a bewildered silence，the saint approached and struck me gently on the forehead。At his magnetic touch，a wondrous current swept through my brain，releasing the sweet seed-memories of my previous life。
‘I remember！’My voice was half-choked with joyous sobs。‘You are my guru Babaji，who has belonged to me always！Scenes of the past arise vividly in my mind；here in this cave I spent many years of my last incarnation！’As ineffable recollections overwhelmed me，I tearfully embraced my masters feet。
‘Lahiri，you need purification。Drink the oil in this bowl and lie down by the river。’Babajis practical wisdom，I refected with a quick，reminiscent smile，was ever to the fore。
I obeyed his directions。Though the icy Himalayan night was descending，a comforting warmth，an inner radiation，began to pulsate in every cell of my body。I marveled。Was the unknown oil endued with a cosmical heat？
My solitary musings were interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps。In the darkness，a mans hand gently helped me to my feet，and gave me some dry clothing。
‘Come，brother，’my companion said。‘The master awaits you。’
He led the way through the forest。The somber night was suddenly lit by a steady luminosity in the distance。
‘Can that be the sunrise？’I inquired。‘Surely the whole night has not passed？’
‘The hour is midnight。’My guide laughed softly。‘Yonder light is the glow of a golden palace，materialized here tonight by the peerless Babaji。In the dim past，you once expressed a desire to enjoy the beauties of a palace。Our master is now satisfying your wish，thus freeing you from the bonds of karma。’He added，‘The magnifcent palace will be the scene of your initiation tonight into Kriya Yoga。All your brothers here join in a paean of welcome，rejoicing at the end of your long exile。Behold！’
A vast palace of dazzling gold stood before us。Studded with countless jewels，and set amidst landscaped gardens，it presented a spectacle of unparalleled grandeur。Saints of angelic countenance were stationed by resplendent gates，half-reddened by the glitter of rubies。Diamonds，pearls，sapphires，and emeralds of great size and luster were imbedded in the decorative arches。
I followed my companion into a spacious reception hall。The odor of incense and of roses wafted through the air；dim lamps shed a multicolored glow。
There，in lotus posture，sat the supreme Babaji。I knelt on the shining foor at his feet。
My guru‘s eyes were twinkling like his own sapphires。’Wake！All your earthly thirsts are about to be quenched forever。‘He murmured some mystic words of blessing。’My son，arise。Receive your initiation into the kingdom of God through Kriya Yoga。
Babaji stretched out his hand；a homa（sacrifcial）fre appeared，surrounded by fruits and fowers。I received the liberating yogic technique before this faming altar。
Reentering the palace，fabulously glistening in the cold Himalayan sunlight，I sought the presence of my master。He was still enthroned，surrounded by many quiet disciples。
‘Lahiri，you are hungry。’Babaji added，‘Close your eyes。’
When I reopened them，the enchanting palace and its picturesque gardens had disappeared。My own body and the forms of Babaji and the cluster of chelas were all now seated on the bare ground at the exact site of the vanished palace。
‘The purpose for which the palace was created has now been served，’Babaji explained。He lifted an earthen vessel from the ground。‘Put your hand there and receive whatever food you desire。’
As soon as I touched the broad，empty bowl，it became heaped with hot butter-fried luchis，curry，and rare sweetmeats。I helped myself，observing that the vessel was ever-flled。At the end of my meal I looked around for water。My guru pointed to the bowl before me。Lo！the food had vanished；in its place was water，clear as from a mountain stream。
I sat that afternoon on my blanket，hallowed by associations of past-life realizations。My divine guru approached and passed his hand over my head。I entered the nirbikalpa samadhi state，remaining unbrokenly in its bliss for seven days。Crossing the successive strata of self-knowledge，I penetrated the deathless realms of reality。All delusive limitations dropped away；my soul was fully established on the eternal altar of the Cosmic Spirit。On the eighth day I fell at my gurus feet and implored him to keep me always near him in this sacred wilderness。
‘My son，’Babaji said，embracing me，‘your role in this incarnation must be played on an outward stage。Prenatally blessed by many lives of lonely meditation，you must now mingle in the world of men。’
A deep purpose underlay the fact that you did not meet me this time until you were already a married man，with modest business responsibilities。You must put aside your thoughts of joining our secret band in the Himalayas；your life lies in the crowded marts，serving as an example of the ideal yogi-householder。
‘Bestow the Kriya key only on qualified chelas，’Babaji said。‘He who vows tosacrifce all in the quest of the Divine is ft to unravel the fnal mysteries of life through the science of meditation。’
‘Angelic guru，as you have already favored mankind by resurrecting the lost Kriya art，will you not increase that beneft by relaxing the strict requirements for discipleship？’I gazed beseechingly at Babaji。‘I pray that you permit me to communicate Kriya to all seekers，even though at frst they cannot vow themselves to complete inner renunciation。The tortured men and women of the world，pursued by the threefold suffering，need special encouragement。They may never attempt the road to freedom if Kriya initiation be withheld from them。’
‘Be it so。The divine wish has been expressed through you。’With these simple words，the merciful guru banished the rigorous safeguards that for ages had hidden Kriya from the world。‘Give Kriya freely to all who humbly ask for help。’
“After a silence，Babaji added，Repeat to each of your disciples this majestic promise from the Bhagavad Gita：Swalpamasya Dharmasya，Trayata Mahato BhoyatEven a little bit of the practice of this religion will save you from dire fears and colossal sufferings。
As I knelt the next morning at my gurus feet for his farewell blessing，he sensed my deep reluctance to leave him。
‘There is no separation for us，my beloved child。’He touched my shoulder affectionately。‘Wherever you are，whenever you call me，I shall be with you instantly。’
Consoled by his wondrous promise，and rich with the newly found gold of God-wisdom，I wended my way down the mountain。At the offce I was welcomed by my fellow employees，who for ten days had thought me lost in the Himalayan jungles。A letter soon arrived from the head offce。
“Lahiri should return to the Danapur office，’it read。‘His transfer to Ranikhet occurred by error。Another man should have been sent to assume the Ranikhet duties。’”I smiled，refecting on the hidden crosscurrents in the events which had led me to this furthermost spot of India。
Before returning to Danapur，I spent a few days with a Bengali family at Moradabad。A party of six friends gathered to greet me。As I turned the conversation to spiritual subjects，my host observed gloomily：
‘Oh，in these days India is destitute of saints！’
‘Babu，’I protested warmly，‘of course there are still great masters in this land！’
In a mood of exalted fervor，I felt impelled to relate my miraculous experiences in the Himalayas。The little company was politely incredulous。
‘Lahiri，’one man said soothingly，‘your mind has been under a strain in those rarefed mountain airs。This is some daydream you have recounted。’
Burning with the enthusiasm of truth，I spoke without due thought。‘If I call him，my guru will appear right in this house。’
Interest gleamed in every eye；it was no wonder that the group was eager to behold a saint materialized in such a strange way。Half-reluctantly，I asked for a quiet room and two new woolen blankets。
‘The master will materialize from the ether，’I said。‘Remain silently outside the door；I shall soon call you。’
I sank into the meditative state，humbly summoning my guru。The darkened room soon flled with a dim aural moonlight；the luminous fgure of Babaji emerged。
‘Lahiri，do you call me for a trifle？’The master‘s gaze was stern。’Truth is for earnest seekers，not for those of idle curiosity。It is easy to believe when one sees；there is nothing then to deny。Supersensual truth is deserved and discovered by those who overcome their natural materialistic skepticism。‘He added gravely，’Let me go！
I fell entreatingly at his feet。‘Holy guru，I realize my serious error；I humbly ask pardon。It was to create faith in these spiritually blinded minds that I ventured to call you。Because you have graciously appeared at my prayer，please do not depart without bestowing a blessing on my friends。Unbelievers though they be，at least they were willing to investigate the truth of my strange assertions。’
‘Very well；I will stay awhile。I do not wish your word discredited before your friends。’Babaji‘s face had softened，but he added gently，’Henceforth，my son，I shall come when you need me，and not always when you call me。
Tense silence reigned in the little group when I opened the door。As if mistrusting their senses，my friends stared at the lustrous fgure on the blanket seat。
‘This is mass-hypnotism！’One man laughed blatantly。‘No one could possibly have entered this room without our knowledge！’
Babaji advanced smilingly and motioned to each one to touch the warm，solid fesh of his body。Doubts dispelled，my friends prostrated themselves on the foor in awed repentance。
‘Let halua。html be prepared。’Babaji made this request，I knew，to further assure the group of his physical reality。While the porridge was boiling，the divine guru chatted affably。Great was the metamorphosis of these doubting Thomases into devout St。Pauls。After we had eaten，Babaji blessed each of us in turn。There was a sudden flash；we witnessed the instantaneous dechemicalization of the electronic elements of Babajis＆nbsp；body into a spreading vaporous light。The God-tuned will power of the master had loosened its grasp of the ether atoms held together as his body；forthwith the trillions of tiny lifetronic sparks faded into the infnite reservoir。
“I soon returned to Danapur。Firmly anchored in the Spirit，again I assumed the manifold business and family obligations of a householder。”
Lahiri Mahasaya also related to Swami Kebalananda and Sri Yukteswar the story of another meeting with Babaji。
“The scene was a Kumbha Mela at Allahabad，”Lahiri Mahasaya told his disciples。I had gone there during a short vacation from my offce duties。As I wandered amidst the throng of monks and sadhus who had come from great distances to attend the holy festival，I noticed an ash-smeared ascetic who was holding a begging bowl。The thought arose in my mind that the man was hypocritical，wearing the outward symbols of renunciation without a corresponding inward grace。
No sooner had I passed the ascetic than my astounded eye fell on Babaji。He was kneeling in front of a matted-haired anchorite。
‘Guruji！’I hastened to his side。‘Sir，what are you doing here？’
“I am washing the feet of this renunciate，and then I shall clean his cooking utensils。’Babaji smiled at me like a little child；I knew he was intimating that he wanted me to criticize no one，but to see the Lord as residing equally in all body-temples，whether of superior or inferior men。The great guru added，‘By serving wise and ignorant sadhus，I am learning the greatest of virtues，pleasing to God above all others-humility。’”
“Babajis frst meeting with Lahiri Mahasaya is an enthralling story，and one of the few which gives us a detailed glimpse of the deathless guru。”
These words were Swami Kebalanandas preamble to a wondrous tale。
“My frst meeting with Babaji took place in my thirty-third year，”Lahiri Mahasaya had said。In the autumn of 1861 I was stationed in Danapur as a government accountant in the Military Engineering Department。One morning the offce manager summoned me。
‘Lahiri，’he said，‘a telegram has just come from our main offce。You are to be transferred to Ranikhet，where an army post is now being established。’
Traveling by horse and buggy，we arrived in thirty days at the Himalayan site of Ranikhet。
During a ramble one early afternoon，I was astounded to hear a distant voice calling my name。
I fnally reached a small clearing whose sides were dotted with caves。On one of the rocky ledges stood a smiling young man，extending his hand in welcome。I noticed with astonishment that，except for his copper-colored hair，he bore a remarkable resemblance to myself。
‘Lahiri，you have come！’The saint addressed me affectionately in Hindi。‘Rest here in this cave。It was I who called you。’
I entered a neat little grotto which contained several woolen blankets and a few kamandulus（begging bowls）。
“Lahiri，do you remember that seat？’The yogi pointed to a folded blanket in one corner。”‘No，sir。’Somewhat dazed at the strangeness of my adventure，I added，I must
leave now，before nightfall。I have business in the morning at my offce。
The mysterious saint replied in English，‘The offce was brought for you，and not you for the offce。’
I was dumbfounded that this forest ascetic should not only speak English but also paraphrase the words of Christ。
‘I see my telegram took effect。’The yogis remark was incomprehensible to me；I inquired his meaning。
‘I refer to the telegram that summoned you to these isolated parts。It was I who silently suggested to the mind of your superior offcer that you be transferred to Ranikhet。He added gently，Lahiri，surely this cave seems familiar to you？’
As I maintained a bewildered silence，the saint approached and struck me gently on the forehead。At his magnetic touch，a wondrous current swept through my brain，releasing the sweet seed-memories of my previous life。
‘I remember！’My voice was half-choked with joyous sobs。‘You are my guru Babaji，who has belonged to me always！Scenes of the past arise vividly in my mind；here in this cave I spent many years of my last incarnation！’As ineffable recollections overwhelmed me，I tearfully embraced my masters feet。
‘Lahiri，you need purification。Drink the oil in this bowl and lie down by the river。’Babajis practical wisdom，I refected with a quick，reminiscent smile，was ever to the fore。
I obeyed his directions。Though the icy Himalayan night was descending，a comforting warmth，an inner radiation，began to pulsate in every cell of my body。I marveled。Was the unknown oil endued with a cosmical heat？
My solitary musings were interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps。In the darkness，a mans hand gently helped me to my feet，and gave me some dry clothing。
‘Come，brother，’my companion said。‘The master awaits you。’
He led the way through the forest。The somber night was suddenly lit by a steady luminosity in the distance。
‘Can that be the sunrise？’I inquired。‘Surely the whole night has not passed？’
‘The hour is midnight。’My guide laughed softly。‘Yonder light is the glow of a golden palace，materialized here tonight by the peerless Babaji。In the dim past，you once expressed a desire to enjoy the beauties of a palace。Our master is now satisfying your wish，thus freeing you from the bonds of karma。’He added，‘The magnifcent palace will be the scene of your initiation tonight into Kriya Yoga。All your brothers here join in a paean of welcome，rejoicing at the end of your long exile。Behold！’
A vast palace of dazzling gold stood before us。Studded with countless jewels，and set amidst landscaped gardens，it presented a spectacle of unparalleled grandeur。Saints of angelic countenance were stationed by resplendent gates，half-reddened by the glitter of rubies。Diamonds，pearls，sapphires，and emeralds of great size and luster were imbedded in the decorative arches。
I followed my companion into a spacious reception hall。The odor of incense and of roses wafted through the air；dim lamps shed a multicolored glow。
There，in lotus posture，sat the supreme Babaji。I knelt on the shining foor at his feet。
My guru‘s eyes were twinkling like his own sapphires。’Wake！All your earthly thirsts are about to be quenched forever。‘He murmured some mystic words of blessing。’My son，arise。Receive your initiation into the kingdom of God through Kriya Yoga。
Babaji stretched out his hand；a homa（sacrifcial）fre appeared，surrounded by fruits and fowers。I received the liberating yogic technique before this faming altar。
Reentering the palace，fabulously glistening in the cold Himalayan sunlight，I sought the presence of my master。He was still enthroned，surrounded by many quiet disciples。
‘Lahiri，you are hungry。’Babaji added，‘Close your eyes。’
When I reopened them，the enchanting palace and its picturesque gardens had disappeared。My own body and the forms of Babaji and the cluster of chelas were all now seated on the bare ground at the exact site of the vanished palace。
‘The purpose for which the palace was created has now been served，’Babaji explained。He lifted an earthen vessel from the ground。‘Put your hand there and receive whatever food you desire。’
As soon as I touched the broad，empty bowl，it became heaped with hot butter-fried luchis，curry，and rare sweetmeats。I helped myself，observing that the vessel was ever-flled。At the end of my meal I looked around for water。My guru pointed to the bowl before me。Lo！the food had vanished；in its place was water，clear as from a mountain stream。
I sat that afternoon on my blanket，hallowed by associations of past-life realizations。My divine guru approached and passed his hand over my head。I entered the nirbikalpa samadhi state，remaining unbrokenly in its bliss for seven days。Crossing the successive strata of self-knowledge，I penetrated the deathless realms of reality。All delusive limitations dropped away；my soul was fully established on the eternal altar of the Cosmic Spirit。On the eighth day I fell at my gurus feet and implored him to keep me always near him in this sacred wilderness。
‘My son，’Babaji said，embracing me，‘your role in this incarnation must be played on an outward stage。Prenatally blessed by many lives of lonely meditation，you must now mingle in the world of men。’
A deep purpose underlay the fact that you did not meet me this time until you were already a married man，with modest business responsibilities。You must put aside your thoughts of joining our secret band in the Himalayas；your life lies in the crowded marts，serving as an example of the ideal yogi-householder。
‘Bestow the Kriya key only on qualified chelas，’Babaji said。‘He who vows tosacrifce all in the quest of the Divine is ft to unravel the fnal mysteries of life through the science of meditation。’
‘Angelic guru，as you have already favored mankind by resurrecting the lost Kriya art，will you not increase that beneft by relaxing the strict requirements for discipleship？’I gazed beseechingly at Babaji。‘I pray that you permit me to communicate Kriya to all seekers，even though at frst they cannot vow themselves to complete inner renunciation。The tortured men and women of the world，pursued by the threefold suffering，need special encouragement。They may never attempt the road to freedom if Kriya initiation be withheld from them。’
‘Be it so。The divine wish has been expressed through you。’With these simple words，the merciful guru banished the rigorous safeguards that for ages had hidden Kriya from the world。‘Give Kriya freely to all who humbly ask for help。’
“After a silence，Babaji added，Repeat to each of your disciples this majestic promise from the Bhagavad Gita：Swalpamasya Dharmasya，Trayata Mahato BhoyatEven a little bit of the practice of this religion will save you from dire fears and colossal sufferings。
As I knelt the next morning at my gurus feet for his farewell blessing，he sensed my deep reluctance to leave him。
‘There is no separation for us，my beloved child。’He touched my shoulder affectionately。‘Wherever you are，whenever you call me，I shall be with you instantly。’
Consoled by his wondrous promise，and rich with the newly found gold of God-wisdom，I wended my way down the mountain。At the offce I was welcomed by my fellow employees，who for ten days had thought me lost in the Himalayan jungles。A letter soon arrived from the head offce。
“Lahiri should return to the Danapur office，’it read。‘His transfer to Ranikhet occurred by error。Another man should have been sent to assume the Ranikhet duties。’”I smiled，refecting on the hidden crosscurrents in the events which had led me to this furthermost spot of India。
Before returning to Danapur，I spent a few days with a Bengali family at Moradabad。A party of six friends gathered to greet me。As I turned the conversation to spiritual subjects，my host observed gloomily：
‘Oh，in these days India is destitute of saints！’
‘Babu，’I protested warmly，‘of course there are still great masters in this land！’
In a mood of exalted fervor，I felt impelled to relate my miraculous experiences in the Himalayas。The little company was politely incredulous。
‘Lahiri，’one man said soothingly，‘your mind has been under a strain in those rarefed mountain airs。This is some daydream you have recounted。’
Burning with the enthusiasm of truth，I spoke without due thought。‘If I call him，my guru will appear right in this house。’
Interest gleamed in every eye；it was no wonder that the group was eager to behold a saint materialized in such a strange way。Half-reluctantly，I asked for a quiet room and two new woolen blankets。
‘The master will materialize from the ether，’I said。‘Remain silently outside the door；I shall soon call you。’
I sank into the meditative state，humbly summoning my guru。The darkened room soon flled with a dim aural moonlight；the luminous fgure of Babaji emerged。
‘Lahiri，do you call me for a trifle？’The master‘s gaze was stern。’Truth is for earnest seekers，not for those of idle curiosity。It is easy to believe when one sees；there is nothing then to deny。Supersensual truth is deserved and discovered by those who overcome their natural materialistic skepticism。‘He added gravely，’Let me go！
I fell entreatingly at his feet。‘Holy guru，I realize my serious error；I humbly ask pardon。It was to create faith in these spiritually blinded minds that I ventured to call you。Because you have graciously appeared at my prayer，please do not depart without bestowing a blessing on my friends。Unbelievers though they be，at least they were willing to investigate the truth of my strange assertions。’
‘Very well；I will stay awhile。I do not wish your word discredited before your friends。’Babaji‘s face had softened，but he added gently，’Henceforth，my son，I shall come when you need me，and not always when you call me。
Tense silence reigned in the little group when I opened the door。As if mistrusting their senses，my friends stared at the lustrous fgure on the blanket seat。
‘This is mass-hypnotism！’One man laughed blatantly。‘No one could possibly have entered this room without our knowledge！’
Babaji advanced smilingly and motioned to each one to touch the warm，solid fesh of his body。Doubts dispelled，my friends prostrated themselves on the foor in awed repentance。
‘Let halua。html be prepared。’Babaji made this request，I knew，to further assure the group of his physical reality。While the porridge was boiling，the divine guru chatted affably。Great was the metamorphosis of these doubting Thomases into devout St。Pauls。After we had eaten，Babaji blessed each of us in turn。There was a sudden flash；we witnessed the instantaneous dechemicalization of the electronic elements of Babajis＆nbsp；body into a spreading vaporous light。The God-tuned will power of the master had loosened its grasp of the ether atoms held together as his body；forthwith the trillions of tiny lifetronic sparks faded into the infnite reservoir。
“I soon returned to Danapur。Firmly anchored in the Spirit，again I assumed the manifold business and family obligations of a householder。”
Lahiri Mahasaya also related to Swami Kebalananda and Sri Yukteswar the story of another meeting with Babaji。
“The scene was a Kumbha Mela at Allahabad，”Lahiri Mahasaya told his disciples。I had gone there during a short vacation from my offce duties。As I wandered amidst the throng of monks and sadhus who had come from great distances to attend the holy festival，I noticed an ash-smeared ascetic who was holding a begging bowl。The thought arose in my mind that the man was hypocritical，wearing the outward symbols of renunciation without a corresponding inward grace。
No sooner had I passed the ascetic than my astounded eye fell on Babaji。He was kneeling in front of a matted-haired anchorite。
‘Guruji！’I hastened to his side。‘Sir，what are you doing here？’
“I am washing the feet of this renunciate，and then I shall clean his cooking utensils。’Babaji smiled at me like a little child；I knew he was intimating that he wanted me to criticize no one，but to see the Lord as residing equally in all body-temples，whether of superior or inferior men。The great guru added，‘By serving wise and ignorant sadhus，I am learning the greatest of virtues，pleasing to God above all others-humility。’”
