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Thu, Jul 9, 2009 at 12:08 PMChitrapur Mutt KarnatakaChandra Bhandari <chandra_m_bhandari, swahilya.soulmate, sck1960, saids60, avmjayasree54, Anandapadmanaban Subramaniam <anantha1946

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 Yatras | Report of Atmalinga

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reported by Shri. Prabhakar Bantwal, July 11, 2001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Yatras Kailas

On 27th May, 2001 a group of 96 members led by His Holiness Sadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji left Mumbai for a Yatra of Manasarovar and Mount Kailash. You must have heard many reports of the same from the yatris. But, as I was the only fortunate one to accompany Swamiji for the most fulfilling part of the Yatra i.e. performing the Inner Parikrama of Mt. Kailash, I would like to narrate my experience as under.

 

Before going on the Yatra, H.H. Sadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji went to seek blessings from His Holiness Ishwarananda Giriji Maharaj. At that time instead of giving blessings, H.H. Ishwarananda Giriji Maharaj asked our Swamiji, “Sadyo, Mere Liye Ek Atmalinga, Kailash Se Laoge?†For H.H. Sadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji this request was a blessing and a Guru Vakya. All these years our Swamiji felt that He had always been receiving from H.H. Ishwarananda Giriji Maharaj and this was the first time that He had a golden opportunity to do something. Our Swamiji felt assured that in this one request He had received both, the blessings that the Yatra would be completed successfully and that He would also be able to bring the ‘Atmalinga’.

 

Later, while planning our Yatra, Mr. Pradhan, the Managing Director of Shreshta Holidays, (who organised the Yatra), vaguely agreed to escort Swamiji to the place near Mt. Kailash from where ‘Atmalinga’ can be fetched. But he mentioned that it would be tough and that he would only finalise it towards the end.

 

To our total surprise, when we checked about this at Manasarovar, Pradhan told us that he is not aware of the route and he will try to get some information. Swamiji was totally taken aback, but He had immense faith in the Guru Vakya and we were praying for some guidance for finding the route.

 

On 6th June, 2001, Jyesht Poornima, the second day of the Parikrama, we had a good darshan of Mt. Kailash and our prayers were answered. On our way to Diraphuk (at 16,500 ft.), we came across a Mahatma, who was walking bare foot, holding a Trishul and carrying a weight of about 40/45 kgs on his back. He was using only a shawl for warmth. The Mahatma came and touched the feet of our Swamiji and both exchanged pleasantaries. When we finished our Parikrama of the day, in our camp I was happy to see the same Mahatma sitting in one of the tents talking to Pradhan and his group. I went to Him and offered my pranams. The Mahatma, who is known as Sri Vikas Giriji showed me one of the books containing various photographs He had taken during the past 12 years whilst completing 96 Parikramas of Mt. Kailash. I suggested to Sri Vikas Giriji that He should once again meet our Swamiji and He agreed.

 

During the meeting our Swamiji enquired with Sri Vikas Giriji whether He is aware of the place from where ‘Atmalinga’ can be fetched. To this, Sri Vikas Giriji replied jokingly, that ‘Atmalinga’ has been taken away by Ravana. Our Swamiji told Him, that the fallings from Mt. Kailash, which are untouched by people, we call these as ‘Atmalinga’. Swamiji asked Sri Vikas Giriji whether He knew how to reach this part of Mt. Kailash. Sri Vikas Giriji said He did and readily agreed to escort Swamiji accompanied by only one or two people to this place. He cautioned that the journey is very dangerous and at an altitude of almost 22,000 ft.

After we completed the Parikrama of 63 kms along with 79 members of our group, we bade goodbye to them. I was happy that Swamiji had selected me for accompanying Him along with Sri Vikas Giriji, Pradhan and one Sherpa.

 

We reached Darchen and as the place, where we were to go is a restricted and forbidden one, we thought of splitting into 2 groups to cross the Military Gate. Accordingly, Sri Vikas Giriji, Swamiji and I crossed the gate and then a stream. Suddenly I remembered that we had not carried any water bottle. Sri Vikas Giriji agreed to go back to get the same. Swamiji and I were stranded for nearly 15 minutes and we could not understand as to why it was taking so long for Sri Vikas Giriji to return.

 

The local Tibetians started gathering, looking curiously at Swamiji. One lady came with her baby and bowed down. Swamiji blessed according to our custom, but the lady did not move and insisted with the sign language that Swamiji should touch the head of her baby. H.H obliged. Lo ! This opened a floodgate, within a few seconds, there were nearly 20 people in queue to take the blessings of H.H. To my dismay, I saw the Chinese Military Officers getting suspicious about what was happening on the other side of the stream. Swamiji had no option but to bless all of them giving a worried (angry) look at me for the delay.

 

After 5 more minutes, I saw Sri Vikas Giriji crossing the Military Gate and heading towards us. These 20 minutes were tense and frightening for us in this foreign land, since we were fully aware that we were attempting that, which is not normally approved by the Military Authorities.

 

As soon as Sri Vikas Giriji joined us we started the first ascent, which was very steep and the soil was very loose. With great difficulty we managed to climb the mountain. Our target was to cross the frozen Sutlej river, climb 6 kms and reach a Tibetian Monastery before sunset. By then it was already getting dark and Pradhan and Sherpa, who were to join us later, were not seen, even though we had already reached a cave very close to the Tibetian Monastery, in which Sri Vikas Giriji used to stay while performing Inner Parikrama of Mt. Kailash.

 

From this cave, we got a beautiful view of the South face of Mt. Kailash, which is known as Dakshina Moorthy. We waited there for 1-1/2 hrs and were relieved, when they joined us. Then we proceeded to the Tibetian Monastery at 9.00 p.m. The Lama was very happy to see us and gave us a room on the first floor. From its left side window, we had a wonderful view of Dakshina Moorthy of Mt. Kailash and from its right side window we had a beautiful view of Lake Manasarovar. The whole Monastery was constructed of mud and we had only our sleeping bags to cover us. The temperature at 20,000 ft. was freezing, around minus 10 Deg.C.

 

Early next day morning at 7.30 a.m we started our journey towards “The Road to Heavenâ€. As we were climbing to the higher altitutdes, I was gasping for breath and naturally I slowed down. Swamiji started increasing His speed. He went 500 mtrs ahead, looked behind and gave me a bright smile. I thought that He would wait for me (during the first Parikrama of 63 kms, Swamiji used to wait for the whole group and He was the last one to move). I too increased my speed. To my surprise, Swamiji went ahead by 800 mtrs, once again He looked at me, gave me a big smile and in another 5 minutes He could not be seen. The others i.e. Sri Vikas Giriji, Pradhan and Sherpa also tried to catch up with Swamiji and within half an hour I lost sight of them.

 

At 10.00 a.m when we had almost travelled 12 kms, I could not find my way, except for the beautiful darshan of Dakshina Moorthy, it was only mountains and rivers all round me. I was so scared that I was lost in the Himalayas and got more worried about my responsibility of accompanying Swamiji. Then I sat there and started doing my Japa seeking God’s intervention. After one hour I could see from a distance a Tibetian Lama coming towards me. He spoke to me in his language, which I could not follow, neither could he understand a word of what I was saying. Then he started walking towards a nearby mountain, Nandi Parvat of which he wanted to do a Parikrama. I followed him for nearly 2 kms by which time we crossed another mountain and I could see 2 people hiding behind some rocks. They were Pradhan and Sherpa. I got some hope.

 

I asked them why they did not escort Swamiji. They told me a spine chilling story, that it is a belief in Tibet that those who have not completed Outer Parikrama of Mt. Kailash 13 times, should never attempt the Inner Parikrama. Should someone attempt it then Lord Shiva will get angry and there will be some unpleasant happening. Therefore, they did not want to take me and neither did they want to go ahead. As Swamiji was insistent on completing the Inner Parikrama, He proceeded along with Sri Vikas Giriji. As Pradhan was defiant, I could not move out of that place. But, this gave me a lot of anxiety. I once again started my Japa praying to Lord Bhavanishankar for the safe return of our Swamiji.

 

According to Pradhan, both the Swamijis were expected to return within 2 hours i.e. by 12.00 Noon. It was already 1.00 p.m and there was no sign of both Swamijis. I intensified my Japa and around 3.00 p.m the bright sun disappeared and suddenly there was a heavy snowfall of small crystals of snow. In 15 to 20 minutes I was covered by nearly one foot of snow. But, when the snowfall occured, Sherpa told us that Swamiji must have reached Mt. Kailash, as it was a good omen and that I should not worry. I felt very relieved and also happy on hearing this.

Around 3.30 p.m, when I did not see Swamiji returning, I requested Sherpa whether he could go ahead and look out for Swamiji. He was reluctant, but with my insistent requests he proceeded. Around 4.00 p.m. I saw Sherpa returning with Swamiji’s jhola and I was really thrilled. In all these years of my life, I had never done so much Japa, as I had done during the last 4 hours whilst being stranded near Mt. Kailash. Around 4.30 p.m Sri Vikas Giriji returned and sat down. Our Swamiji was still lagging behind by a km or so. I asked Sri Vikas Giriji what happened and He stated “I took your Swamiji to the glacier region from where normally people fetch the fallings from Mt. Kailash - ‘Atmalinga’. But your Swamiji told me that he does not want ‘Atmalinga’ from here, which might have been touched by others. He said that He wants to touch Mt. Kailash, pray and get Prasad of ‘Atmalinga’. For touching Mt. Kailash, we had to cross a very difficult stretch of 2000 mtrs which was slippery and dangerous. I refused to go there but your Swamiji told me that He is not worried whether He will return or not and started climbing. When I saw His Shiva Shakti, I just followed Him to the other side of that mountain, till we reached the foot of Mt. Kailash. Your Swamiji removed His Angavastra, offered Shastang Namaskar and touched the foot of Mt. Kailash. Then He stood up and prayed to Mt. Kailash. To my total surprise, an unbelievable thing happened. There was a big noise like an aeroplane crashing and a heavy snowfall. When He looked down in the snow, He found that a beautiful ‘Atmalinga’ had fallen down from Mt. Kailash into the snow in reply to His prayer. Swamiji dug out the ‘Atmalinga’ from the snow and collected the same joyfullyâ€.

Sri Vikas Giriji told me that “I will never attempt this again nor take anyone there. This is my first and last visit for touching Mt. Kailash. We have risked our lives and I could do it only because of the Shiva Shakti of your Swamiji.â€

 

Friends, you know the humility of our Swamiji. If Sri Vikas Giriji had not narrated this divine experience, none of us would have come to know about this, as Swamiji never speaks about Himself to anyone. The whole episode narrated by Sri Vikas Giriji was also photographed by Him. This I came to know when I developed the roll given by Sri Vikas Giriji, at Pune on 15th of June. All the relevant photographs are published in this issue of the Sunbeam.

 

After Swamiji’s return, we checked His jhola and found it very heavy, due to few more ‘Atmalingas’, that Swamiji had collected. One of them was a beautiful ‘Shivalinga’ which was nearly 16†long and had a diameter of 6â€. I thought that it might be weighing a couple of kgs. But when I tried to lift, I found to my surprise, that it was weighing around 40 to 50 kgs. Swamiji was also surprised because earlier He had collected the ‘Shivalinga’ from Mt. Kailash and had carried it down for some distance in His jhola before handing the jhola over to Sherpa. As Swamiji was very tired, I could not muster the strength to lift it and Sherpa refused to carry it, so Swamiji said that this ‘Shivalinga’ does not want to come with us and we left the same there and brought only the smaller ones, which Swamiji carried personally.

 

By then, Pradhan and Sherpa had already left for Darchen. Sri Vikas Giriji showed me His injured feet, which were badly cut during the last leg of their journey to Mt. Kailash. He told me that now He cannot walk slow and proceeded ahead, leaving me and Swamiji to return to Darchen on our own.

 

In many places we were not able to decide which direction to take, as there were no tracks, no roads, no signs and no people. Swamiji then closed His eyes for a while and told me to go right and sometimes to go left and sometimes He had a doubt whether we were going in the right direction. We crossed the frozen Sutlej river twice from one side to the other and finally crossed for the third time and then we were happy that we had found the right direction. In this part of the Himalayas though the river seemed frozen there was a risk of the ice being too thin in some parts and of us falling down through it into the 30 mtrs deep river below. It was thrilling and also exciting, particularly for Swamiji, who though tired and walking very slowly, was contented.

 

We reached Darchen by 6.30 p.m. For the last 4 days i.e. from the 4th of June onwards, Swamiji had given up eating and was taking only liquids and as a staunch follower of Swamiji, I had done the same. Neither did we have water during the Inner Parikrama of Mt. Kailash. Both of us were very hungry.

Fortunately, at Darchen, we met Mr. Surinder Singh Bedi, a Brahmachari, who offered to prepare some rice and served the same with pickle. “The Road to Heaven†is so beautiful, but it also requires a lot of Tapasya and Sadhana. I was very lucky that our Swamiji was there to lead me.

 

On returning to Mumbai, Swamiji wanted to hand over personally, the ‘Atmalinga’ to His Holiness Ishwarnanda Giriji Maharaj. Swamiji, Shri N.S.Rao and I started from Mumbai on 16th June, 2001 and reached Mt. Abu around 11.30 a.m. H.H. Ishwarananda Giriji Maharaj along with Hem Giriji, Bhuvanand Giriji, Shankar Giriji and a large group were eagerly waiting at the entrance of Sant Sanovar to receive our Swamiji. There was a rousing welcome when we reached there. Immediately after Bhiksha, H.H. Ishwarananda Giriji told us that He is not going to take His afternoon rest and He would like to listen to the experience of our Swamiji.

 

Our Swamiji kept the ‘Atmalinga’ in a silver plate and offered it to H.H. Ishwarananda Giriji Maharaj, who held it in His hand, looked at it gleefully, all the time smiling. Then He examined carefully one corner of the ‘Atmalinga’ and enquired with our Swamiji that “a piece is missing, where is itâ€? Our Swamiji hesitantly answered, “I have it†and showed the same. He said that He was going to keep it as a Prasad. H.H. Ishwarananda Giriji Maharaj laughed at this and told the gathering of around 25 to 30 people, “Sadyo has acomplished the same feat, which I had achieved 40 years ago during my Yatra of Mt. Kailash. He had the Shiva Sparsh, brought this Prasad - ‘Atmalinga’ from Mt. Kailash. Now, Sadyo has the proof in photographs of this Divine Grace of Lord Shivaâ€.

 

(The ‘Atmalinga’ brought by H.H. Ishwarananda Giriji Maharaj, we were told, was stolen during a burglary, which took place 10 to 12 months ago at Sant Sarovar, Mt. Abu. This was the reason H.H. Ishwarananda Giriji Maharaj asked our Swamiji to bring one for Him).

 

Our Swamiji also gave a full account of His experience and Darshan of Mt. Kailash during the Inner Parikrama, to H.H. Ishwarananda Giriji Maharaj.

Dear friends, this Yatra of Manasarovar and Mt. Kailash has been momentous, fruitful, beautiful and full of Divine Grace. In the 300 years of glorious Guruparampara of Chitrapur Saraswats, this is the first time our Mathadhipati and Guru has performed the Manasarovar and Mt. Kailash Yatra with 96 members of the community and succeeded in pleasing Lord Bhavanishankar, got the Prasad of ‘Atmalinga’ and Anugraha of Lord Bhavanishankar. This ‘Shiva Sparsh’ is a blessing for our community for generations to come and I feel, that we are all fortunate to have a Swamiji, who at this young age like Adishankaracharya, was able to bring the ‘Atmalinga’ from Mt. Kailash and bless all of us.

 

On 15th June, 2001 the birthday of Brahmibhut Parijnanashram Swamiji was celebrated in Talmakiwadi, Mumbai and our Swamiji performed pooja on the ‘Atmalinga’. All those present had darshan of the ‘Atmalinga’. On 16th June, He went to Mt. Abu to take the blessings of H.H. Ishwarananda Giriji Maharaj. On 21st June, Swamiji visited Adimath, Bhandikeri, Gokarn, for having darshan. On 22nd June, He performed Abhishek for all the Samadhis at Shirali. On 23rd June, Swamiji had the blessings at Sringeri, both from H.H. Jagadguru Shankaracharya and also H.H. Narayanashram Swamiji of Hebbur Math. Thus Swamiji had the satisfaction of getting blessings from Guruparampara and all the Great Yatis, whom He reveres.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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