14th June, Samadhi Hall of Swami Dev Puri Ji, Harisar Ashram, Kila Raipur: You, dear reader should have been here, especially, if you are a sadhak, desirous of “seeing God”. Not that God was seen, but the path to Him was clarified, and what more, plentiful inspiration flowed straight into the hearts of the listeners as it emerged from who knows what great depths from Maharaj Ji’s person. The inspiration also came with some sweet but strong corrections by Master of his gathered disciples. Tears were seen in the eyes of many. Not creating the suspense any longer, this is what Maharaj Ji said on the occasion.

However, prior to Maharaj Ji, many couplets from Ramacharitmanas were sung, Gurbani lovers were also moved with beautiful compositions, and even quawali lovers were not disappointed. Thereafter, Sadhwi Yoganjali Chaintaya Ji, whose discourses are anticipated with much eagerness spoke, and in beautifully knit arguments presented the indispensability of God and walking towards him.

The salient points from Maharaj Ji’s discourse are recollected and reproduced below:

  • What is the importance of ashrams? What is their use? Why did people come flocking to the company of Sri Kali Kambli Wale when he was living here?

A view of the Harisar Ashram in Kila Raipur

The ashrams are like tirthas –spiritually charged places on this planet. Whereas some are nitya-tirthas or places that are charged from the very beginning of time like Kashi, Mathura, Satopanth (a place 25 km above Badrinath) etc., some places become potent when a dedicated practitioner practices living at some place and the vibrations emanating from his union with the Divine spread in the surrounding environment.

Kali Kamble Wale’s powerful samskaras are still present here, in Kila Raipur ashram and the adjoining regions. However, they have gotten buried over time, by other kind of samskaras.

  • The greatest layer of negative samskaras that buries the truth-vibrations of a saint is that of ego. ‘I’ – implies giving wings to one’s own wayward mind. Such a person then listens not to anyone and does his own mind. On this soil many other weeds of mutual discord spring up. Practiced with ego, not in accord with Guru’s will, even great tapas would delude. Done in Guru’s Hukam, even lifting a leaf would open the inner path.
  • We must endeavor to remove this layer of negativity that hides the powerful seeds sown by Kali Kambli Wale. For that, the first thing is that negative actions, springing out of manmarzzi (one’s own  false mental desires) are restrained. The easy way to do that is to bring our mind and ‘hands’ under the will of the Guru. Do as the Guru bids.
  • Let us now answer the question of why did people come flocking to Kali Kambli Wale. At that time there we no material comforts here. Those living here, lived a most austere life. Therefore, certainly these people did not come to Kambli Wale seeking material benefits. They did not come to eat good, tasty things, for only once in a day a most simple kind of food arrived from the village. These people came to Kambli Wale because they yearned for God. They knew that Kambli Wale knew the path to God, and in his company they too would be led to the Divine, blissful abode.
  • The first purpose of ashrams is to provide a place of satsanga. Let us not compare our ashrams to other ashrams in terms of material splendor. Let us only compare it to the times when Kambli Wale were living here. During those times, it used to so happen that once the flow of satsanga started, it went on and on and people used to forget that they have to get up to eat. Today, even while the satsanga is going on many would get up when it is time for the kitchen to open. Let us always keep satsanga at the first place.
  • The outer activities of serving become useful only when they are yoked with the practice of “Naam”(mantra obtained from the Guru and awakened by practice). If we sacrifice the time that should be devoted to its practice, for sake of any outer activity – that is not part of satsanga. Once, early morning a devotee was watering sugarcanes. Kambli Wale came and thundered upon him to just cut away all the sugarcanes. For it was the time of inner practice, and his watering was creating noise, that would disturb someone practicing.
  • Atleast, early morning for three hours the serious aspirant should practice. If possible practice chanting mantra with breath for three hours. If that is not possible, increase the time slowly, starting from less than half an hour and then increasing gradually. The fact that we have been practicing for half and hour daily only implies that in reality we haven’t been practicing, for even if one practices correctly for half and hour, in time, his duration and intensity would automatically go on increasing.
  • The glory of “Naam” is supreme. It is our greatest friend. Where all relatives, father, mother etc. would not be of help, this “Naam” would still be with us. It is the beginning of the month of Ashaar (summer) in India. But the summer appears hot only to those, who have not enshrined the name in their hearts. And even the summer appears joyous to those who have the enshrined the Guru’s feet in their heart.