[We were talking about the pathetic incident – Bapi’s death in the ashram.]
Meanwhile N’Kaka, Mejo Kaka (Tapi Maa’s father), Trishan Maharaj, Murari Maharaj, the senior citizens of the village (Swapan Khuro, Ram Khuro, Dwiju Ganguly, Ranjit Master etc.) had decided that Bapi’s body would be cremated in the village crematorium. According to that plan, the body was taken up and brought it to the village crematorium. ( The road which is in the middle of the ashram, is leading to the village crematorium and the outside field. The crematorium was beside the ‘Maya’ river. Few years ago, a shade had been set up by the local panchayat.) Murari Maharaj became present there taking the necessary materials (ghee,wood, frankincense, incense sticks etc.) Nagen, Hari Maharaj, Dipti Maharaj, one or two villagers ( Babu Mandal, Babu Mallik etc.) had set up a bamboo cot and brought it to the crematorium, keeping the body on their shoulders. We also followed them. The wood from the ashram had been sent there. Murari Maharaj, Nagen, Babu – all these men were expert in this matter. They arranged many pyres ago. So, they set up the pyre very quickly. N’Kaka made touch the fire in Bapi’s lips. After then, Trishan Maharaj, N’Kaka massaged the ghee into the whole body of Bapi. The tears welled up in the eyes of the men, present there. It was then 10/10:30 at night to complete all these rituals. The pyre was set in fire. When the glow was clear in the darkness, it was seen that Guru Maharaj Swami Paramananda was standing some distance away from the burning pyre in the midst of darkness. He was not ‘Rana Chhorji’ – He was the friend of this life and after-life – the friend of everyday, honest Guru. “Twameba mata cha pita twameba. Twameba bandhushcha sakha twameba.” ( It means you are my mother and you are my father also. You are my friend and you are my companion also.)
Then I seemed that, “You deserve thanks, Bapi. You had earned luck accepting the death in young age – if I had earned that luck!! If I had died today like you!! Trishan Maharaj, N’Kaka are massaging the ghee into the whole body, Murari Maharaj is arranging the pyre and Guru Maharaj Himself is standing near the pyre. What good death else might take place than this?? if I die, that death as if may happen like this.”
The fire of pyre started to ignite devastatingly. In that devastating fire – the body which was formed by the five elements, was annihilated in the five elements. When the pyre was burning, all the time Guru Maharaj was standing in the same place in the same position.
When we returned from the crematorium, it was then 12/12:30 a.m at night.
The next morning, we came from the ashram in the broken heart, mournful mood. I saw that the numberless devotees were going away from the ashram like us. Still then, most of the devotees had to go for a walk when they returned home from the ashram. On the way to Bhandul and Jabuidanga, the young men were mocking at us. We went to the bus stand feeling ashamed and got on the bus.
I went home but I was not able to avoid the mournful mood. What happened there after this incident? How was Guru Maharaj? How were the family members of the Mukherjee house? How were Chhoto Kaka and Chhoto Kakima? I was not controlling myself. So, within 3/4 days – I came to Banagram again.
Going there, I saw that as the Sun rises and sets , the wind blows, the current of river flows …. in the same rule the activities of the ashram were going on. Guruji was on His seat in the sitting. I asked someone about Chhoto Kaka and Chhoto Kakima and knew that Chhoto Kakima was staying in the ashram that time. Joydeep, Hari Maharaj and the ashram boys were always guarding her. Besides this, Guru Maharaj instructed Chhoto Kakima that she might enter Guruji’s room and talk to him any time as her wish.
And Chhoto Kaka?? Chhoto Kaka was not able to come to Guru Maharaj still then. It was possible for no one to make him come to Guru Maharaj.
[Translated by Ramprasad, a former student of Banagram Ashram.]
Meanwhile N’Kaka, Mejo Kaka (Tapi Maa’s father), Trishan Maharaj, Murari Maharaj, the senior citizens of the village (Swapan Khuro, Ram Khuro, Dwiju Ganguly, Ranjit Master etc.) had decided that Bapi’s body would be cremated in the village crematorium. According to that plan, the body was taken up and brought it to the village crematorium. ( The road which is in the middle of the ashram, is leading to the village crematorium and the outside field. The crematorium was beside the ‘Maya’ river. Few years ago, a shade had been set up by the local panchayat.) Murari Maharaj became present there taking the necessary materials (ghee,wood, frankincense, incense sticks etc.) Nagen, Hari Maharaj, Dipti Maharaj, one or two villagers ( Babu Mandal, Babu Mallik etc.) had set up a bamboo cot and brought it to the crematorium, keeping the body on their shoulders. We also followed them. The wood from the ashram had been sent there. Murari Maharaj, Nagen, Babu – all these men were expert in this matter. They arranged many pyres ago. So, they set up the pyre very quickly. N’Kaka made touch the fire in Bapi’s lips. After then, Trishan Maharaj, N’Kaka massaged the ghee into the whole body of Bapi. The tears welled up in the eyes of the men, present there. It was then 10/10:30 at night to complete all these rituals. The pyre was set in fire. When the glow was clear in the darkness, it was seen that Guru Maharaj Swami Paramananda was standing some distance away from the burning pyre in the midst of darkness. He was not ‘Rana Chhorji’ – He was the friend of this life and after-life – the friend of everyday, honest Guru. “Twameba mata cha pita twameba. Twameba bandhushcha sakha twameba.” ( It means you are my mother and you are my father also. You are my friend and you are my companion also.)
Then I seemed that, “You deserve thanks, Bapi. You had earned luck accepting the death in young age – if I had earned that luck!! If I had died today like you!! Trishan Maharaj, N’Kaka are massaging the ghee into the whole body, Murari Maharaj is arranging the pyre and Guru Maharaj Himself is standing near the pyre. What good death else might take place than this?? if I die, that death as if may happen like this.”
The fire of pyre started to ignite devastatingly. In that devastating fire – the body which was formed by the five elements, was annihilated in the five elements. When the pyre was burning, all the time Guru Maharaj was standing in the same place in the same position.
When we returned from the crematorium, it was then 12/12:30 a.m at night.
The next morning, we came from the ashram in the broken heart, mournful mood. I saw that the numberless devotees were going away from the ashram like us. Still then, most of the devotees had to go for a walk when they returned home from the ashram. On the way to Bhandul and Jabuidanga, the young men were mocking at us. We went to the bus stand feeling ashamed and got on the bus.
I went home but I was not able to avoid the mournful mood. What happened there after this incident? How was Guru Maharaj? How were the family members of the Mukherjee house? How were Chhoto Kaka and Chhoto Kakima? I was not controlling myself. So, within 3/4 days – I came to Banagram again.
Going there, I saw that as the Sun rises and sets , the wind blows, the current of river flows …. in the same rule the activities of the ashram were going on. Guruji was on His seat in the sitting. I asked someone about Chhoto Kaka and Chhoto Kakima and knew that Chhoto Kakima was staying in the ashram that time. Joydeep, Hari Maharaj and the ashram boys were always guarding her. Besides this, Guru Maharaj instructed Chhoto Kakima that she might enter Guruji’s room and talk to him any time as her wish.
And Chhoto Kaka?? Chhoto Kaka was not able to come to Guru Maharaj still then. It was possible for no one to make him come to Guru Maharaj.
[Translated by Ramprasad, a former student of Banagram Ashram.]