This riveting memoir by Sri Ramanujamji, disciple of Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji, was first published in 2012 on the global Namadwaar website and the Tamil Madhuramurali magazine. In this series, Sri Ramanujamji details a divine journey to interior Karnataka with Sri Swamiji (in late 2011), with a lovely unfolding of their experiences and studded with lovely insights shared by Sri Swamiji throughout the trip.
We are re-publishing this series in this GOD USA newsletter with permission, so all devotees can once again relish and travel on this divinely insightful journey.
Read the earlier episodes of this travelogue here:
Click here to read Part 1 of this series:
Part 1 The Journey Begins: https://godivinity.org/vriddhim-karnatake-gatah/
Click here to read Part 2 of this series:
Part 2 The Journey is the End: https://godivinity.org/vriddhim-karnatake-gatah-2-a-unique-throwback-series/
Part 3 – Sri Swamiji’s Nectarine Downpour
When we reached Kollur, it was as Sri Swamiji had expected. The temple was extremely crowded. We could have darshan of Mookambika, and after circumambulating the temple, returned to Ramachandrapura. Sri Swamiji said that when he had visited the temple previously, it was not crowded at all.
On the way back from Kollur, we saw a sign that read ‘Kodachadri’. Sri Swamiji said that this was the divine place where Srimad Bhagavatam says that Bhagavan’s avatara of Sri Rishabhadeva wandered about as a paramahamsa in blissful Brahmanubhava. Sri Swamiji then went on to speak about Sri Rishabhadeva, and also asked us to immediately read out the part from Srimad Bhagavatam that speaks of Sri Rishabhadeva’s avatara.
As we were travelling, Sri Swamiji then said in his own inimitable style, “This place is called the Cherrapunji of South. This is the place with the highest rainfall in all of south India!” We looked it up online and found that the place was Agumbe.
History is what happens in the world, right? The history that Srimad Bhagavatam tells in Samskritam, Sri Swamiji tells in Tamil! Guru Maharaj was pouring on us the rain of grace. Rain cools us. Sri Swamiji’s sweet words cool us every time we reminisce about them. Rain water is very pure. The water of Ganga is purer than rainwater. Ganga is divinely pure. We were all drenched in the nectarine words of Guru Maharaj that are equal to the divine Ganga!
It was night by the time we returned to the Matha.
The next day was Dec 27th. December 27th and 28th were the Bheemaratha Shanti function days of Sri Naveen Bhat / Sri Yogesh Bhat’s father Sri Gopal Bhatji. Sri Swamiji had asked all of us to be ready to go to Shri Bhat’s residence for the function. While we were travelling from the Matha to his residence, I asked our beloved Master about the significance of ‘Bheemaratha Shanti’. Sri Swamiji graciously explained to us the spirit of such wonderful samskarams and rituals in our grand Sanatana Dharma. What is said in the shastras is always explained with clarity by Sri Swamiji. Only when we listen from Sri Swamiji, can our doubts about shastras be properly cleared.
It is said in our shastras that when one turns 70 years, a person will face various difficulties related to family, wealth, food, etc. It also says that there would be some hurdles for longevity. To protect one from these problems, numerous japa of a ‘ruk’ called ‘Sruti Srutam’ from Sri Rudram in Yajur Veda, has to be performed. The person for whom this japa is performed is rid of various obstacles and is also blessed with a long life. The fruit of this ‘Shanti’ is obtained from its mukhya-devata (prime deity), Bheemarudra Parameshwara, who is a Mahamrutyunjaya. Lord Vishnu is also an ati-devata for this, and Lord Brahma is a pratyati-devata. This Shanti has to be performed within six months of a person turning 70 years old. Additionally, it is very auspicious if it is performed in their birth month and on the birth star.
If a particular kind of disease is spreading in certain cities or villages, those who go to those areas need to be careful. As a precautionary measure, to avoid contracting contagious diseases, one needs to take preventive medications. These can protect those who travel to those affected areas. This Bheemaratha Shanti is also like that. It can benefit those who reach the age of 70. The authority of shastras is absolutely necessary before undertaking anything. The work ‘Shanti Kalpa’ by Shaunaka Maharishi details all the information about Bheemaratha Shanti. Saying thus, Sri Swamiji concluded. We were all awed and felt, “What wonderful shastras our ancient rishis have given us!”
We reached the picturesque home of the Sri Bhat’s family. The house was a little below the road leading to the home and had a lovely view all around. The whole family was brimming with love and welcomed our Master warmly.
An uncle of Sri Yogesh Bhat invited our Master to his own home, which was three kilometers away. We all went to his home along with Sri Swamiji. That was when we understood that nothing ‘casual’ happens especially when we were in the holy company of our Master.
(the madhura yatra continues…)
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Click here to see all articles in Nov 2024 issue:
https://godivinity.org/newsletters/nama-dwaar-newsletter-november-2024//a>
