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Sri Narasimha Swamiji
Courtesy:sri.Ramachandran Venkatraman
Narasimha Iyer – the 'distinguished' routine
Narasimha Iyer was born on "Sravan Panchami" day, August 21, 1874 at dusk, around 6:15 P.M. to a brahmin couple Venkatagiri Iyer and Angachiammal belonging to 'Srivatsa Gothram', at Bhavani in the Erode District of Tamil Nadu. He was born in a rich and pious family. His father was a second grade pleader and owned a big house situated in a beautiful quiet spot on the banks of the river Bhavani. His mother was a homemaker. His mother's influence on Nara-simha was immense. She regularly used to sing devotional songs to her son in order to nurture his religious sentiments. If any sage or saint visited Salem, invariably Venkatagiri Iyer and Angachiammal would be the first to invite them to their house. Sri Narasimha Bharathi Swamiji, Jagadguru Sankaracharya of Sringeri and Sorakkai Swamiiji who lived near Kalahasthi are the two great sages who deeply impressed young Narasimha.
After finishing schooling at Salem, Narasimha left for Madras for further studies - first intermediate, then for BA and later for BL. Narasimha Iyer straightaway joined the Bar and began to practice at Salem from 1895. The rare legal acumen and persuasive eloquence he showed in conducting his cases brought Narasimha Iyer phenomenal success at the bar, large clientele, princely income and powerful influence. Very soon he became one of the leaders of the Bar. At the bar, Narasimha Iyer had good company. Among his prominent contemporaries as members of the Bar at Salem were, Sri C. Rajagopalachari, who became the Governor General of India, Sri Sundaram Chetty, who became a Judge of the Madras High court, Sri Vijayaraghava-chari, who presided over the All- India Congress session at Nagpur in 1920 and Sri Muthukrishna Iyer, a Bar-at-Law and a freedom fighter.
In 1902, he was elected as a member of the Salem Municipal Council. He was also elected as a Director of the Salem Co-operative Bank. In 1904 he was called upon to serve the Salem Municipality as its Chairman. He held this position for a record seventeen years and earned immense popularity. Concurrently he was also elected as the Chairman of the Salem Co-Operative Bank. In politics he was an admirer and follower of the firebrand leader, Sri Bala Gangadhar Tilak, and was considered an extremist. This made him very popular and in 1914, he was elected to represent the districts - Salem, Coimbatore and Nilgiris in the Madras Legislative Council. He was also elected to the new Council established under the Montague-Chemsford reforms. He continued to be a member of the Legislative council till 1920 and, as a member of the Indian National Congress, he vigorously presented the national view point on all issues that came up for consideration before the Council. He used to visit Madras for attending the Legislature sessions and he became a prominent figure in the public life of Madras also. He was frequently invited to deliver lectures on current problems and invariably they drew large attendance. He was well known for presenting his points briefly and clearly in a pleasing style and with quotations from English literature and Sanskrit works.
Narasimha Iyer had an extraordinary knowledge of men and things. In fact, for a long time after he set up law practice, he was an examiner for the Madras University in Roman History and Greek History. As he gained his popularity in public life, his family had also grown. Narasimha Iyer married Seethalakshmi and they had five children - eldest son Venkataraman followed by daughters Rajalakshmi and Saradambal, second son Jayaraman and the youngest daughter Savithri. By 1916, Venkataraman, Rajalakshmi and Saradambal were married and only the younger two - Jayaraman and Savithri were with the parents. It may be mentioned in passing, that while living in Salem in the midst of his busy professional and public engagements, Narasimha Iyer found time to perform 'Sandhya' three times a day, Tulsi pooja regularly, daily recitation of Sahasranamas, Go-Pooja on Fridays and also to visit periodically Sorakkai Swamiji at Kalahasthi and the Jagadguru Sankaracharya of Sringeri. He also used to lead bhajan singers on every Saturday evenings at Sri Lakshminarayan temple near his residence by singing the Brindavan kirtanas composed by him. It was rare that one combined in oneself so much knowledge and spiritual traits.
Narasimha Iyer – the turn for the spectacular : It was the last week of April 1921. Narasimha Iyer was performing the annual ceremony of his late mother. At that moment Narasimha Iyer's children – 15 year old younger son Jayaraman and 13-year old youngest daughter Savithri - while playing, had accidentally fallen into a half-dug well in their compound and had met a watery grave. The death of two children in one stroke was like a thunderbolt. His wife Seethalakshmi was unable to bear the loss of her children and ulti-mately passed away in 1922. So Narasimha Iyer was left all alone. He was 47 years old at that time. It took some years for the paroxysm of grief to subside. He had to gain control over himself. He settled down and pondered over the situation. He had educated his surviving son Venkataraman and helped him live on his own income. His surviving daughters, Rajalakshmi and Saradambal, had already been married off decently. Narsasimha Iyer realized that providence was conveying a message to him through this tragedy. The final goal, that is, realization of Self and God, though but dimly perceived at this time, became clearer soon enough and Narasimha Iyer knew that he had to take a 180 degree turn and proceed in a direction exactly the opposite of the one he had been pursuing thus far. Narasimha Iyer resolved to make an absolute re-nunciation of everything he was connected with till then and to lead a secluded and consecrated life. He re-linquished his interests in his property. He distributed his wealth among his surviving children, cut off all his family ties and left Salem in September 1925 as a mendicant. His withdrawal from the temporal life was or-derly and gradual so that his disengagement caused the least dislocation to others. At last, the bird flew away from its cage. He loved freedom dearly. The bonds of family love could not bind his free spirit. He walked away penniless, but, strangely, this did not worry him. When God pulls one towards him, as though by a string tied to the heart, it becomes His responsibility to protect that person. Narasimha Iyer experi-enced this from the time he left Salem.
In search of Guru – at Sringeri : Travel from Salem to Sringeri - a stretch of over 400 kms was a Herculean task. Earlier, Narasimha Iyer used to visit Sringeri in his personal car. Now that he was a mendicant and had left Salem penniless, Narasimha Iyer would have suffered great hardship in reaching Sringeri. The authorities of the Shankar Mutt at Sringeri were pleasantly surprised when on a fine morning in October 1925, Narasimha Iyer showed up in Sringeri. They were anxious at his stony silence and the mute manner in which he participated in the religious functions of the mutt. After spending three to four months in this manner, Narasimha Iyer poured out his problems to the Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Chandrasekhara Bharathi Mahaswamigal and requested him to initiate him into "Sanyas" at the Shankar Mutt. Accordingly, the Shankaracharya initiated him to chant "Panchakshara" mantra, "OM NAMA SHIVAYA", and directed him to go over to Tiruvannamalai and to join Ramana. From now onwards it is appropriate to call Narasimha Iyer as Narasimha Swamiji.
The search for the Guru continues – in Tiruvannamalai : The trials and tribulations of the journey from Sringeri to Tiruvannamalai is not known. After visiting the Lord Arunachaleswara temple and seeking the Lord's blessings, Narasimha Swamiiji went in search of "Brahmana Swami" at Skandashram on the slopes of the hill. He paid his obeisance to Ramana Maharishi and submitted to him the directions given by Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Sringeri and requested him for spiritual guidance. Ramana Maharishi showed him a cave, which was behind him and directed Narasimha Swamiji to meditate in that cave on Self-enquiry- "WHO AM I?" Narasimha Swamiji spent three years at Ramanashram. He wrote a book titled "Self Realization" during his stay with the Maharishi. This book was published by his friend and it paved the way for many famous seekers to know about the Maharishi and take advantage of his presence. However, Narasimha Swamiji's mind did not attain quietness. It was as confused as it was at the time when he left Salem in September 1925. Still he had a ray of hope that his mind would become still some day or the other. So sometime in August 1929, Narasimha Swamiji sought from Ramana Maharishi as to when he would be bestowed with peace of mind. Ramana Maharishi intently looked at Narasimha Swamiji and told him – "I am not your Guru. Your Guru is waiting for you in the North. You will attain Realization from him." With the permission and blessings of Ramana Maharishi, Narasimha Swamiji left Ramanashram in August 1929 for Western India.
Continuing the search for Guru – Hubli
Narasimha Swamiji set out in his quest. As a mendicant he has to walk or travel in a vehicle if someone offers a lift. If somebody gave, he used to take food or otherwise he would be fasting. He did not care about his body. He had left everything to God. His only motto was to go in search for a Guru - a guide on spiritual wisdom and attain God Realization. As Narasimha Swamiji left Tiruvannamalai, on the way, a friendly lorry driver offered him a lift and gave him tea and bread. As Narasimha Swamiji mentioned his 'search for a Guru', the lorry driver offered him a suggestion – "I am going to Hubli. A great saint lives there. His name is Siddharuda Swamiji. He is so powerful that even wild animals like lions and tigers follow his instructions." Narasimha Swamiji was reminded of the lines in Vishnu Sahasranama – "Anukulah Satavartah…" etc., where Lord Narayana takes a form to help his devotees. He considered the lorry driver as God coming in that guise to help him. He readily accepted his suggestion and accordingly landed in Hubli by the end of August 1929 to go over to the Ashram of Siddharuda Swamiji. Siddharuda Swamiji was a great "Siddha Purusha" whose fame had spread far and wide. Narasimha Swamiji was readily accepted in the ashram. Even though he was reciting Sahasaranamas, he had no knowledge of Sanskrit. At Siddarudhashram, he learnt Sanskrit from the basics and texts on Vedanta like the 'Vicharasagara', the 'Panchadashi', the 'Yogavasista' and the 'Panchakarana'. He also studied Saivism at Siddharudashram. This gave him the knowledge of the real meaning of the eternal truth, higher than which there could be nothing. Unfortunately, in the early 1930, Siddharuda Swamiji attained Mahasamadhi. So, he left Siddharudashram and proceeded northwards and reached Pandarpur.
Towards north for a Guru – Pandarpur
Narasimha Swamiji after coming out of Siddharudashram at Hubli again resumed his quest for a Sadguru. Looking forward to meet his Guru in the north, he reached Pandarapur in February 1930. He stayed in a Dharmashala in Gungadi Galli at Pandarapur. Here he learnt the local language Marathi and the abhang songs. He mingled with the ecstatic singers and happily spent twenty months during February 1930 and December 1931. As the days passed, a feeling of inadequacy began to vex him. He was in Pandarapur to find out a Sadguru. A companion Sadhu advised Narasimha Swamiji to meet Bapumai - a remarkable lady saint in that area. Bapumai's peculiarities were that she wore an old loincloth, which she would not change for months together, she had long hair, and she carried with her three small sticks tied together with dirty rags. If asked what it meant, she would reply: "I have bound together the three 'Gunas'- Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. I am beyond all three." She used to carry a bundle of torn clothes with her. She would ask for a one-paisa coin from everyone and then go round the temple of Vittoba. In the evening she would go to the river Chandrabhaga and throw all the money into the water, saying: "Mother Chandrabhaga, keep all this money safe for me". Thus, the Chandrabhaga was her bank!
One day, Narasimha Swamiji saw her in the streets of Pandarapur and followed her. After going some distance, Bapumai turned back to see who was following her. She asked Swamiji, "Who are you?" Swamiji Said, "A traveller" "Where are you going? inquired Bapumai "I am following you," replied Swamiji. Bapumai said, "I have no place to live. I stay at the cremation ground". To this Swamiji remarked: "I do not mind. I am neither afraid of the cremation ground nor do I get polluted by being there." Then they went to the cremation ground. Bapumai enquired if Narasimha Swamiji was hungry. Swamiji said he was. In the meantime, a person dressed like a chef in a star hotel brought a plateful of dal, rice, Chappatis and sweets. Bapumai asked Narasimha Swamiji to eat. Since he was hungry he sat down and ate all the food from the plate.
Narasimha Swamiiji had a sumptuous meal. The attendant who brought the food collected the empty plate and left the place. Swamiji wondered how the man came to that lonely place with such tasty food! But he dare not ask any questions in the presence of Bapumai. Bapumai asked Swamiji, "So are you satisfied? What else do you want?" Swamiji replied: "I want to see God." Bapumai had a hearty laugh. She said: "You are a fool. Just now Lord Vittoba brought you the food. You could not recognize him. Except for the Lord Vittoba, who else can arrange for food at this lonely place?" Narasimha Swamiiji felt sorry that he could not recognize God in human form. Bapumai consoled him: "You are not yet ripe to see God who is Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient. Your Guru is waiting in the North. He will guide you suitably." As Narasimha Swamiji was about to take leave, Bapumai gave him a parting advice: "Except Lord Vittal there is nothing in the world. He is everywhere. He is in the front. He is at the back. He is above. He is below. You are Vittal and I am also Vittal. I have nothing more to say than this. Always keep in mind, reflect on it, meditate on it and realize it. Now go northwards to meet your Guru." So after a stint of twenty months, Narasimha Swamiji left Pandarapur in the beginning of 1932.
Further north in search of a Guru – Jalgaon
The difficulties Narasimha Swamiji had to face in his quest were many and varied. He used to walk along railway lines and sleep under bridges at night. He would never ask anyone for food or shelter and at times he had to go without food. He would only accept whatever was offered to him. Once, being oppressed by hunger, he softened mud with water, filtered it through a piece of cloth and ate it. Narasimha Swamiji passed severe winter nights with only a towel round his waist. At night he would go to a tomb in the burial ground nearby, cover himself with the sheet spread on the tomb and replace it in the morning, Swamiji has thus lived in the open, has drunk water from flowing rivers and has braved biting cold, oppressive heat and pouring rain with his almost naked body. As a result he suffered from malaria and chronic dysentery. Despite the hardships and trials that he had chosen to undergo, his restlessness of spirit remained so strong that he wandered all over Maharashtra. Many times he experienced the invisible hand of Providence guiding and protecting him. On one occasion, Swamiji was sitting at the Sholapur Railway Station. He had had no food for three days. A Sadhu came and sat near him. He ordered a plate of 'Puri-Bhaji'. Out of which he gave only one 'Puri' with a little 'bhaji' to Narasimha Swamiji. He gulped it, drank some water and fell asleep, saying to himself: "God has been kind, but rather thrifty." When he woke up, the Sadhu was still there. Immediately he gave the remaining plate of 'puri-bhaji', saying: "If one had fasted for three days, one should not eat too much all at once." Swamiji wondered how he knew that; but before he could ask him, the Sadhu had vanished.
Zipuranna
Narasimha Swamiji had heard that a great saint named Zipruanna lived in Jalgaon and thought it worth having his 'darshan'. Swamiji was disappointed to see him sitting on a heap of refuse, but his body was free from any trace of dust, dirt or repulsive odour. Instead, a pleasant fragrance emanated from his body. Swamiji was deeply fascinated by the saint's spiritual presence. When Narasimha Swamiji bowed down to him, Zipruanna curtly dismissed him saying:' I am not your Guru". In those days Narasimha Swamiji used to have severe headaches. He mentioned it to Zipruanna. The saint made Swamiji sit on his lap, licked his head and blessed him by saying;- "Your fame will reach the highest heaven". Swamiji was at once cured of his headaches.
The search continues…..
Courtesy:sri.Ramachandran Venkatraman
Narasimha Iyer – the 'distinguished' routine
Narasimha Iyer was born on "Sravan Panchami" day, August 21, 1874 at dusk, around 6:15 P.M. to a brahmin couple Venkatagiri Iyer and Angachiammal belonging to 'Srivatsa Gothram', at Bhavani in the Erode District of Tamil Nadu. He was born in a rich and pious family. His father was a second grade pleader and owned a big house situated in a beautiful quiet spot on the banks of the river Bhavani. His mother was a homemaker. His mother's influence on Nara-simha was immense. She regularly used to sing devotional songs to her son in order to nurture his religious sentiments. If any sage or saint visited Salem, invariably Venkatagiri Iyer and Angachiammal would be the first to invite them to their house. Sri Narasimha Bharathi Swamiji, Jagadguru Sankaracharya of Sringeri and Sorakkai Swamiiji who lived near Kalahasthi are the two great sages who deeply impressed young Narasimha.
After finishing schooling at Salem, Narasimha left for Madras for further studies - first intermediate, then for BA and later for BL. Narasimha Iyer straightaway joined the Bar and began to practice at Salem from 1895. The rare legal acumen and persuasive eloquence he showed in conducting his cases brought Narasimha Iyer phenomenal success at the bar, large clientele, princely income and powerful influence. Very soon he became one of the leaders of the Bar. At the bar, Narasimha Iyer had good company. Among his prominent contemporaries as members of the Bar at Salem were, Sri C. Rajagopalachari, who became the Governor General of India, Sri Sundaram Chetty, who became a Judge of the Madras High court, Sri Vijayaraghava-chari, who presided over the All- India Congress session at Nagpur in 1920 and Sri Muthukrishna Iyer, a Bar-at-Law and a freedom fighter.
In 1902, he was elected as a member of the Salem Municipal Council. He was also elected as a Director of the Salem Co-operative Bank. In 1904 he was called upon to serve the Salem Municipality as its Chairman. He held this position for a record seventeen years and earned immense popularity. Concurrently he was also elected as the Chairman of the Salem Co-Operative Bank. In politics he was an admirer and follower of the firebrand leader, Sri Bala Gangadhar Tilak, and was considered an extremist. This made him very popular and in 1914, he was elected to represent the districts - Salem, Coimbatore and Nilgiris in the Madras Legislative Council. He was also elected to the new Council established under the Montague-Chemsford reforms. He continued to be a member of the Legislative council till 1920 and, as a member of the Indian National Congress, he vigorously presented the national view point on all issues that came up for consideration before the Council. He used to visit Madras for attending the Legislature sessions and he became a prominent figure in the public life of Madras also. He was frequently invited to deliver lectures on current problems and invariably they drew large attendance. He was well known for presenting his points briefly and clearly in a pleasing style and with quotations from English literature and Sanskrit works.
Narasimha Iyer had an extraordinary knowledge of men and things. In fact, for a long time after he set up law practice, he was an examiner for the Madras University in Roman History and Greek History. As he gained his popularity in public life, his family had also grown. Narasimha Iyer married Seethalakshmi and they had five children - eldest son Venkataraman followed by daughters Rajalakshmi and Saradambal, second son Jayaraman and the youngest daughter Savithri. By 1916, Venkataraman, Rajalakshmi and Saradambal were married and only the younger two - Jayaraman and Savithri were with the parents. It may be mentioned in passing, that while living in Salem in the midst of his busy professional and public engagements, Narasimha Iyer found time to perform 'Sandhya' three times a day, Tulsi pooja regularly, daily recitation of Sahasranamas, Go-Pooja on Fridays and also to visit periodically Sorakkai Swamiji at Kalahasthi and the Jagadguru Sankaracharya of Sringeri. He also used to lead bhajan singers on every Saturday evenings at Sri Lakshminarayan temple near his residence by singing the Brindavan kirtanas composed by him. It was rare that one combined in oneself so much knowledge and spiritual traits.
Narasimha Iyer – the turn for the spectacular : It was the last week of April 1921. Narasimha Iyer was performing the annual ceremony of his late mother. At that moment Narasimha Iyer's children – 15 year old younger son Jayaraman and 13-year old youngest daughter Savithri - while playing, had accidentally fallen into a half-dug well in their compound and had met a watery grave. The death of two children in one stroke was like a thunderbolt. His wife Seethalakshmi was unable to bear the loss of her children and ulti-mately passed away in 1922. So Narasimha Iyer was left all alone. He was 47 years old at that time. It took some years for the paroxysm of grief to subside. He had to gain control over himself. He settled down and pondered over the situation. He had educated his surviving son Venkataraman and helped him live on his own income. His surviving daughters, Rajalakshmi and Saradambal, had already been married off decently. Narsasimha Iyer realized that providence was conveying a message to him through this tragedy. The final goal, that is, realization of Self and God, though but dimly perceived at this time, became clearer soon enough and Narasimha Iyer knew that he had to take a 180 degree turn and proceed in a direction exactly the opposite of the one he had been pursuing thus far. Narasimha Iyer resolved to make an absolute re-nunciation of everything he was connected with till then and to lead a secluded and consecrated life. He re-linquished his interests in his property. He distributed his wealth among his surviving children, cut off all his family ties and left Salem in September 1925 as a mendicant. His withdrawal from the temporal life was or-derly and gradual so that his disengagement caused the least dislocation to others. At last, the bird flew away from its cage. He loved freedom dearly. The bonds of family love could not bind his free spirit. He walked away penniless, but, strangely, this did not worry him. When God pulls one towards him, as though by a string tied to the heart, it becomes His responsibility to protect that person. Narasimha Iyer experi-enced this from the time he left Salem.
In search of Guru – at Sringeri : Travel from Salem to Sringeri - a stretch of over 400 kms was a Herculean task. Earlier, Narasimha Iyer used to visit Sringeri in his personal car. Now that he was a mendicant and had left Salem penniless, Narasimha Iyer would have suffered great hardship in reaching Sringeri. The authorities of the Shankar Mutt at Sringeri were pleasantly surprised when on a fine morning in October 1925, Narasimha Iyer showed up in Sringeri. They were anxious at his stony silence and the mute manner in which he participated in the religious functions of the mutt. After spending three to four months in this manner, Narasimha Iyer poured out his problems to the Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Chandrasekhara Bharathi Mahaswamigal and requested him to initiate him into "Sanyas" at the Shankar Mutt. Accordingly, the Shankaracharya initiated him to chant "Panchakshara" mantra, "OM NAMA SHIVAYA", and directed him to go over to Tiruvannamalai and to join Ramana. From now onwards it is appropriate to call Narasimha Iyer as Narasimha Swamiji.
The search for the Guru continues – in Tiruvannamalai : The trials and tribulations of the journey from Sringeri to Tiruvannamalai is not known. After visiting the Lord Arunachaleswara temple and seeking the Lord's blessings, Narasimha Swamiiji went in search of "Brahmana Swami" at Skandashram on the slopes of the hill. He paid his obeisance to Ramana Maharishi and submitted to him the directions given by Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Sringeri and requested him for spiritual guidance. Ramana Maharishi showed him a cave, which was behind him and directed Narasimha Swamiji to meditate in that cave on Self-enquiry- "WHO AM I?" Narasimha Swamiji spent three years at Ramanashram. He wrote a book titled "Self Realization" during his stay with the Maharishi. This book was published by his friend and it paved the way for many famous seekers to know about the Maharishi and take advantage of his presence. However, Narasimha Swamiji's mind did not attain quietness. It was as confused as it was at the time when he left Salem in September 1925. Still he had a ray of hope that his mind would become still some day or the other. So sometime in August 1929, Narasimha Swamiji sought from Ramana Maharishi as to when he would be bestowed with peace of mind. Ramana Maharishi intently looked at Narasimha Swamiji and told him – "I am not your Guru. Your Guru is waiting for you in the North. You will attain Realization from him." With the permission and blessings of Ramana Maharishi, Narasimha Swamiji left Ramanashram in August 1929 for Western India.
Continuing the search for Guru – Hubli
Narasimha Swamiji set out in his quest. As a mendicant he has to walk or travel in a vehicle if someone offers a lift. If somebody gave, he used to take food or otherwise he would be fasting. He did not care about his body. He had left everything to God. His only motto was to go in search for a Guru - a guide on spiritual wisdom and attain God Realization. As Narasimha Swamiji left Tiruvannamalai, on the way, a friendly lorry driver offered him a lift and gave him tea and bread. As Narasimha Swamiji mentioned his 'search for a Guru', the lorry driver offered him a suggestion – "I am going to Hubli. A great saint lives there. His name is Siddharuda Swamiji. He is so powerful that even wild animals like lions and tigers follow his instructions." Narasimha Swamiji was reminded of the lines in Vishnu Sahasranama – "Anukulah Satavartah…" etc., where Lord Narayana takes a form to help his devotees. He considered the lorry driver as God coming in that guise to help him. He readily accepted his suggestion and accordingly landed in Hubli by the end of August 1929 to go over to the Ashram of Siddharuda Swamiji. Siddharuda Swamiji was a great "Siddha Purusha" whose fame had spread far and wide. Narasimha Swamiji was readily accepted in the ashram. Even though he was reciting Sahasaranamas, he had no knowledge of Sanskrit. At Siddarudhashram, he learnt Sanskrit from the basics and texts on Vedanta like the 'Vicharasagara', the 'Panchadashi', the 'Yogavasista' and the 'Panchakarana'. He also studied Saivism at Siddharudashram. This gave him the knowledge of the real meaning of the eternal truth, higher than which there could be nothing. Unfortunately, in the early 1930, Siddharuda Swamiji attained Mahasamadhi. So, he left Siddharudashram and proceeded northwards and reached Pandarpur.
Towards north for a Guru – Pandarpur
Narasimha Swamiji after coming out of Siddharudashram at Hubli again resumed his quest for a Sadguru. Looking forward to meet his Guru in the north, he reached Pandarapur in February 1930. He stayed in a Dharmashala in Gungadi Galli at Pandarapur. Here he learnt the local language Marathi and the abhang songs. He mingled with the ecstatic singers and happily spent twenty months during February 1930 and December 1931. As the days passed, a feeling of inadequacy began to vex him. He was in Pandarapur to find out a Sadguru. A companion Sadhu advised Narasimha Swamiji to meet Bapumai - a remarkable lady saint in that area. Bapumai's peculiarities were that she wore an old loincloth, which she would not change for months together, she had long hair, and she carried with her three small sticks tied together with dirty rags. If asked what it meant, she would reply: "I have bound together the three 'Gunas'- Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. I am beyond all three." She used to carry a bundle of torn clothes with her. She would ask for a one-paisa coin from everyone and then go round the temple of Vittoba. In the evening she would go to the river Chandrabhaga and throw all the money into the water, saying: "Mother Chandrabhaga, keep all this money safe for me". Thus, the Chandrabhaga was her bank!
One day, Narasimha Swamiji saw her in the streets of Pandarapur and followed her. After going some distance, Bapumai turned back to see who was following her. She asked Swamiji, "Who are you?" Swamiji Said, "A traveller" "Where are you going? inquired Bapumai "I am following you," replied Swamiji. Bapumai said, "I have no place to live. I stay at the cremation ground". To this Swamiji remarked: "I do not mind. I am neither afraid of the cremation ground nor do I get polluted by being there." Then they went to the cremation ground. Bapumai enquired if Narasimha Swamiji was hungry. Swamiji said he was. In the meantime, a person dressed like a chef in a star hotel brought a plateful of dal, rice, Chappatis and sweets. Bapumai asked Narasimha Swamiji to eat. Since he was hungry he sat down and ate all the food from the plate.
Narasimha Swamiiji had a sumptuous meal. The attendant who brought the food collected the empty plate and left the place. Swamiji wondered how the man came to that lonely place with such tasty food! But he dare not ask any questions in the presence of Bapumai. Bapumai asked Swamiji, "So are you satisfied? What else do you want?" Swamiji replied: "I want to see God." Bapumai had a hearty laugh. She said: "You are a fool. Just now Lord Vittoba brought you the food. You could not recognize him. Except for the Lord Vittoba, who else can arrange for food at this lonely place?" Narasimha Swamiiji felt sorry that he could not recognize God in human form. Bapumai consoled him: "You are not yet ripe to see God who is Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient. Your Guru is waiting in the North. He will guide you suitably." As Narasimha Swamiji was about to take leave, Bapumai gave him a parting advice: "Except Lord Vittal there is nothing in the world. He is everywhere. He is in the front. He is at the back. He is above. He is below. You are Vittal and I am also Vittal. I have nothing more to say than this. Always keep in mind, reflect on it, meditate on it and realize it. Now go northwards to meet your Guru." So after a stint of twenty months, Narasimha Swamiji left Pandarapur in the beginning of 1932.
Further north in search of a Guru – Jalgaon
The difficulties Narasimha Swamiji had to face in his quest were many and varied. He used to walk along railway lines and sleep under bridges at night. He would never ask anyone for food or shelter and at times he had to go without food. He would only accept whatever was offered to him. Once, being oppressed by hunger, he softened mud with water, filtered it through a piece of cloth and ate it. Narasimha Swamiji passed severe winter nights with only a towel round his waist. At night he would go to a tomb in the burial ground nearby, cover himself with the sheet spread on the tomb and replace it in the morning, Swamiji has thus lived in the open, has drunk water from flowing rivers and has braved biting cold, oppressive heat and pouring rain with his almost naked body. As a result he suffered from malaria and chronic dysentery. Despite the hardships and trials that he had chosen to undergo, his restlessness of spirit remained so strong that he wandered all over Maharashtra. Many times he experienced the invisible hand of Providence guiding and protecting him. On one occasion, Swamiji was sitting at the Sholapur Railway Station. He had had no food for three days. A Sadhu came and sat near him. He ordered a plate of 'Puri-Bhaji'. Out of which he gave only one 'Puri' with a little 'bhaji' to Narasimha Swamiji. He gulped it, drank some water and fell asleep, saying to himself: "God has been kind, but rather thrifty." When he woke up, the Sadhu was still there. Immediately he gave the remaining plate of 'puri-bhaji', saying: "If one had fasted for three days, one should not eat too much all at once." Swamiji wondered how he knew that; but before he could ask him, the Sadhu had vanished.
Zipuranna
Narasimha Swamiji had heard that a great saint named Zipruanna lived in Jalgaon and thought it worth having his 'darshan'. Swamiji was disappointed to see him sitting on a heap of refuse, but his body was free from any trace of dust, dirt or repulsive odour. Instead, a pleasant fragrance emanated from his body. Swamiji was deeply fascinated by the saint's spiritual presence. When Narasimha Swamiji bowed down to him, Zipruanna curtly dismissed him saying:' I am not your Guru". In those days Narasimha Swamiji used to have severe headaches. He mentioned it to Zipruanna. The saint made Swamiji sit on his lap, licked his head and blessed him by saying;- "Your fame will reach the highest heaven". Swamiji was at once cured of his headaches.
The search continues…..