In the year 1978 in the house of Sri Guruma in Janai, He met His Guru. His Guru was Swami Pavitranandaji. After taking permission from Ma Sarada Devi, Swami Krishnananda came out of Belur Math and engaged himself in extreme spiritual austerity for twenty five years in the forests of Rakab in Purulia district in the state of West Bengal. This is where He had attained Nirvikalpa Samadhi. Swami Pavitranandaji was initiated by Him and because of His sincerity in spiritual practices and austerity, and a very sharp intellect, He also attained Nirvikalpa Samadhi. Bhagavan was attracted by the heavenly and blissful appearance, calmness and a very sweet love for all in Swami Pavitranandaji. In His discriminatory mind came a flash of thought that how could this old monk remain so blissful when His only support is on alms. Surely should He gain such a treasure by which this proverb is justified 'Attaining That treasure by which no other treasures are valued...'. Bhagavan received His initiation from Him. Swamiji was also very satisfied by initiating Him. He used to always praise Bhagavan wholeheartedly. The sharp intellect of Sri Bhagavan, love and dedication for His Master and the equanimity of mind and words made Sri Bhagavan very near and dear to His Master. In His first letter He indicated about this. He wrote 'Though I have initiated many, yet by initiating you I received peace and bliss. Initiating into Sannyasa or Brahmacharyya has given me pleasure in all respects, but by initiating a householder, man or woman, this kind of bliss was rare. Know that I have faith in you. I expect sure success in your life.' Swami Pavitranandaji used to consider Bhagavan as Lord Shiva who have appeared from the crest of the earth. Because Sri Bhagavan had to live in Guwahati, He could not remain close to His Master, still Swami Pavitranandaji explained Bhagavan the highest philosophy of Advaita Vedanta through some letters because He knew that Bhagavan was gifted by a extraordinary genius and pure mind. At that time there was a violent movement going on is Assam, but He continued with His austerity silently within this violence, far from the notice of the masses. The consequences of this violence where such that nobody could consider themselves as safe, at any time one could lose his life. People used to stay in their houses with fear. At this time also He came out fearlessly to protect the oppressed. A victim of violence and cruelty in the external world, Sri Bhagavan was engaged in extreme austerity to attain oneness in the internal world. After some time, according to the advice of His Master, He left the world of theater. That stage which has given Him endless name, fame and respect. In His letters Swamiji had written -'A proverb heard in the childhood is coming to my mind "I got a knife instead of a drum. Dhum, dhum, dhum..." at that time I didn't understand the meaning, but now it's clear to me. What is the drum? It is the sound of name and fame. And what is the knife? It is the easy, sharp Self-knowledge. Easy means simple, and knowledge means "Who am I?" This is the symptom of the pure heart. And what is this sharpness? Sharp, subtle intellect. For spiritual knowledge, intellect is must, and must is a simple and honest mind of a child. Then only this knife can kill the ignorance... Waiting eagerly for the news of your realization.
Yours,
Son, father and mother.'
This letter brought a new turn in the life of Sri Bhagavan. With some of His associates He started to discuss the teaching given to Him by Pavitranandaji. He took His mother, brothers and sisters to Pavitranandaji for initiation. Whoever came in contact with Bhagavan during this time was so much influenced by the heart-core austerity and sincerity towards the Self that they also started spiritual practices. His perception of the Self was so clear that it seemed to be very easy for the people who visited Him.
Presenting before you the 7th letter of Swamiji.
Sri Ramakrishna Saranam
Purulia,
07-09-1979
Dear,
I didn't receive your news for a long time. But there is a very subtle relationship between the master and the disciple. You might be definitely sensing some of this. Isn't it true?
I suffered a carbuncle for three months and I am fully cured just before two days. I went to Janai Ashram on the occasion of Guru Purnima on the 4th of July with this carbuncle from here. I was accompanied by a Brahmachary disciple, a married woman disciple and a married woman sister disciple of mine (whose inlaw's house is in Bankura) to Janai. The Guru Purnima celebration was nicely celebrated on 9th of July last. I returned to Purulia on the 15th of July accompanied by three of them, and was completely bed-ridden. Anyway, with the grace of Sri Sri Thakur I am completely cured now.
You write all your news after reading this letter and send it to Janai Ashram.
I hope that you have managed some time for your japa and meditation now. Read the books 'the science of Religion' and 'Jyana Yoga' by Swamiji¹ carefully and think about them. Write to me whenever you have any doubt.
Does the mind remain in deep slumber? And if it remains, how does it stay? And how is the place where it stays? -think about this. What is the difference between deep slumber and death? What is unconsciousness?
In the dreaming state the objects of dream, though are true, yet after the dreaming state (that is, when you become conscious) why does the dream and the objects of the dream seem to be false? Then who is the witness of this three states -conscious, dreaming and dreamless sleep? Doesn't this witness observe these three states? The witness observing or within this three states remains always one, because He is manifesting the three states but doesn't undergo any change. This means He is unmodified in all states and that is 'I' or the Self.
Try to meditate on the witness slowly and chant the name of God or meditate as you have been doing.
I am also going to Janai within eight days accompanied with a new Brahmachary. If you happen to come here during the Durga Puja let me know.
Know my best wishes.
Yours,
Father.
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