Picture: St. Nalini, Shahina, Prakash Babu and Mr. Azziz

“Swamiji, Swamiji,” I called to Swami Chandrananda as she walked by our door. Is it alright for us to film Ram Nam in the Mandir tomorrow? She smiled sweetly, “Why should you ask, is not this Ashram yours?” I said, No, I did not want to show disrespect. S.C.: “You are special, isn’t it?”

And why should this form be special? And yet I have been treated with such love and respect here that it is difficult to fathom. When I spoke to Swami Muktananda about departing to do the services for Christine he said, “You can do this by Skype, would that not be the same?” I replied that in Canada they would ask, “You can talk to India by Skype, would that not be the same?” He laughed, got the logic and gave permission to leave the Ashram.

Being asked to conduct satsangs, having such longing for us to come and now to return again in the future, it has so touched our hearts, we feel that this ashram is our home, the inmates (Papa’s word for those who live here) are our family.

And when Dr. Sanheendran, Mr. Azziz, Shahina and Prakash Babu and others have come to the Ashram with such love and devotion for God in this form, Nalini saying your fame is spreading far and wide, I pronam to my Gurudev for her love and blessings that have poured upon this head and ask that she bless all those who have faith and love for God in this form to be lifted into God-consciousness.

For, in truth, all the ways there is anything felt for this form, it is only about having God-experience. He is the only goal, the only object of my life and my desire is that all should benefit and be fulfilled in having the same constant and abiding union that I have with my Beloved.

Slowly walking an oblong circuit I join with the leading Swami, an older man who sits on a bench, and a dozen men all dressed in white singing the ancient words, Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram echoing throughout the Mandir.

I quickly become indrawn, feeling the power of the chant in me and around me. A coursing energy flows from the back of my head, through my brain and to a spot on my forehead. The Mandir loses it physical bounds and expands into Spirit Omnipresent. Now bliss is flowing within and without; what is within and what is without loses all meaning.

The rhythm of time marches forward with a feeling of flow between individual and universal, not so much as distinct, but like an ocean feeds into a bay and the bay feeds into the ocean and where they meet is both ocean and bay blended together. The thought enters, “This moment, this time is perfect.”

When I exit Papa’s Mandir the air is singing Ram Nam. The horizon above the hill sports a beautiful rising light that illumines the trees nearby in gold, framed behind with a brilliant sky blue. The scene is charming beyond words; my eyes charged with Divine Light makes the world seem more of heaven than earth. Thus comes about this Mandir Moment.

Pictures: Taking Christine’s picture to the Ganges near Ma’s Samadhi Temple & Master’s meditation room.

For the last seventeen years Christine has been diagnosed with various cancer conditions. The symptoms have come and gone 5 times, with good health in between. However the cancer has become more pervasive each time; she has defied all expectations for the length of her survival. She never cared for allopathic methods and has generally preferred alternative care and has received most loving attention from Dr. Chao, Dr. Lucy and others.

During these past months Christine was in the hospital and then back home and then into a hospice care facility. And through all of these years George has given himself 100% in loving care to his beloved Chris. A constant feature has also been Christine’s devotion to realizing God and to God in this form.

One thing of note, in this last year a striking similarity between Christine and Mother Hamilton, to whom she also felt such great devotion, has occurred. Even while in the hospice care there was something in the way she spoke, even in the way that she looked that reminded us so much of Mother that it was a wonder. When I recently spoke to Cate she said that during her last time there, Christine looked so much like Mother!

Before we came to India the question came, should we go on this pilgrimage with Christine in such a condition? However, in connection with this I thought of a past trip Christine had taken to India in which she was passing through a spiritual crises. She sat on the steps of the Ganges in the pre-dawn hours in great distress when a passing yogi started talking to her and told her about Lahiri Mahasaya’s Samadhi Temple just nearby.

You have to understand, yogis do not ordinarily engage people in conversation like that, and in particular a single lady, and that this Samadhi Temple he spoke of is in an ashram that is not that well known and rather hidden. If you know all the circumstances, you would see this was an extraordinary thing to happen, even on the miraculous side.

So, I felt that by going to this Ashram by the Ganges, and other sacred places that we would be going to, all the while keeping Christine in our hearts, would be of more benefit to her than remaining nearby. So we left for India, Carla brought a beautiful picture of Christine and has put it on the altars and sacred places of so many of India’s great spiritual centers.

I had told Christine before we left that what I wanted for her was complete recovery, not just “bumping along the bottom” as her health had been for the past months; she agreed. So she was “expecting a miracle.” I did not have any special thought or feeling as to what the outcome would be for her, only that God should see to it that everything should be fulfilled for the highest good of everyone concerned. So we left for India with that in mind.

As we travelled to sacred sites and met with Saints, Carla presented Christine’s picture with love and light in our hearts. When at Anandamayee Ma’s Samadhi Temple we dipped the laminated picture into the sacred Ganges water there. At Master’s meditation room where Divine Mother and Krishna had appeared to him, and we felt such a powerful Presence, the photo was placed under Master’s lighted picture. So many places like that, to each place Christine was so much in our thoughts, with prayers for her to be completely in God’s Light.

The days rolled on but no physical improvement was felt by Christine. She had hoped for a miracle of bodily health, and we wanted that for her as well. However the day has now come when the soul has decided to vacate the body that was no longer habitable.

When Carla heard the way Christine left her body, thinking of God and chanting Aum,   she said, “That is the miracle!” You see, we can think to ourselves about what we will think when we leave the body, but so many unbidden thoughts can come at that time. We can feel fear, regrets, desires, so many things can come to our minds in those last moments.

That is why Krishna prescribed thinking of Him only in life and in death (in this case Krishna is speaking as the supreme, nameless, God of all). For the soul that has cultivated such purity as to remember God in the moment of passing, that one will ascend directly to God and have no need to return to a physical birth.

Swami Muktanandaji asked me to talk about Christine’s passing during the daily afternoon reading. Whenever devotees here come to know of how she left the body, chanting Ram Nam and Aum, their eyes get large and say, “Is it so.” It is the dream of all here to live in such a way to have such a death. They are so happy to know, and then they say, “Please pray for me that I can have that too.” So you see it is a much valued and rare passing.

When we told Swami Muktanandaji, showing her picture to him, he said, “Yes, I remember her.” He listened with deep attention to my description of her passing, then went on to tell of a great saint, Vinoba’s leaving the body (I had read this description just the night before, not long before the passing of Christine).

“He was lying with his eyes closed, his face full of peace, his whole body clean and clear, the only movement being that of breathing and of the feet keeping time with the inward chant of “Rama-Hari” which in the most difficult times had never been interrupted. Just at 9:30 a.m., quietly and easily, the breathing ceased.”

You see when a great soul passes in this way it passes down into legend here in India as a tremendous event. The signs shown by Christine during this time, looking and sounding like Mother Hamilton, her focus upon God, chanting Ram Nam and Om as her last words, these are all indications of a tremendous passage directly into God’s Presence. You see how profound this is.

It is natural to feel the loss of the physical presence of this beloved soul in God. To sit down for some tea, to hear of the latest shopping adventure and what great bargains landed in her lap (usually gifts for others!), her excited description about her meeting someone in the store or at the doctor’s office and finding a kindred spirit to talk to about God, or the terrible decorating scheme here and there and how it could be improved by this color or that fabric etc. I would not be surprised in arriving in God’s heaven that she should have some decorating advice to the Creator about some improvements for his many mansions!

Although we can rightfully feel the loss of our beloved friend, we can also feel happy for her, that she is now free of a body that was not operating correctly, that she had such an extraordinary passing, the loving effect she had on so many people. She said so often in response to those praying for her and thinking about her as she was in and out of the hospital how surprised she was that so many would be praying for her! Such was her humility.

So, both the feeling the loss of her physical presence and the joy of her victory in Spirit can be felt, but in the long run it will be the many gifts of her character and spirit that will live on in us. The best way to honor Christine is to take some of what you love and admire about her and make it a greater part of yourself: her bubbling spirit, the desire to bring greater beauty into this world, to find that special spark in another and celebrate it, to strive for truth and realization with heart, mind and soul; whatever that aspect is, bring it into your life in your thought of her.

We pray for God’s deepest blessings on those who feel sorrow and grief that the healing balm of God’s sweet presence should bring peace and inner assurance that all is well in heaven and on earth. Peace, Bliss, Amen—Om.

Yogacharya David

Picture: Christine’s picture on our altar at Anandashram

A little before midnight the phone rang; it was Angela calling to say her mother breathed her last about a half hour before (It was Thursday the 24th  in late morning there).

The way that Christine passed is inspiring and conveys the nature of her soul. The day before her passing we spoke to Christine; the phone was put to her ear. As I was telling her of that the Masters’ presence with her she said, “yes.” Then when Carla was speaking to her, saying Om Sri Ram, Christine then held the phone in both hands (a surprise to everyone) and said, “Om Sri Ram.”

After the phone conversation George led everyone in singing Ram Nam, accompanied by Andrea, Angela and Honor while sitting with Christine. The next morning Angela and Andrea came to see Christine and when they walked in Christine was repeating Ram Nam. Andrea put some ice to Christine’s lips and afterwards she repeated Om, Om, Om. From that moment her breathing changed which the nurse identified as the final breaths; she left the body chanting Om.

From a spiritual viewpoint this is a supreme way to leave the body achieved by the greatest of devotees. In the Bhagavad Gita Krishna tells Arjuna:

And, in the hour when life is ending,

With mind set fast and trustful piety,

Drawing still breath beneath calm brows unbending,

In happy peace that faithful one doth die,–

In glad peace passeth to Purusha’s heaven.

The place which they who read the Vedas name

Aksharam, “Ultimate,” whereto have striven

Saints and ascetics—their road is the same.

That way—the highest way—goes he who shuts

The gates of all his senses, locks desire

Safe in his heart, centres the vital airs

Upon his parting thought, steadfastly set;

And, murmuring OM, the sacred syllable—

Emblem of BRAHM—dies, meditating on Me.

For who, none other Gods regarding, looks

Ever to Me, easily am I gained

By such a Yogi[ni]; and, attaining me,

They fall not—those Mahatmas—back to birth,

To life, which is the place of pain, which ends,

But take the way of utmost blessedness.

So, we are assured that Christine ascended directly to God and the Masters. And what great joy that brings to the Masters when a soul leaves the body in such a way. After Christine’s passing George again led all in singing Ram Nam. Truly, a blessed passing.

Please keep the family and all loved ones in your thoughts and prayers, that all may feel the great Comforter and inner assurance that all is now different, but all is well.

We enter into what had been Swami Satchidananda’s receiving room and is now Swami Muktananda’s. This brings back such memories. I seek out “my place” on the floor where I sat so many years ago in front of Swami Satchidananda, but Sri Krishna insists that I take a chair he has placed near Swamiji.

At one point a swami enters in and takes pronam from Swami Muktananda.  The swami exits out, what was said was not in English. Swami M. then tells me that a great saint and scholar, one Swami Chidananda Puri, is just now coming. I comment that not all scholars are saints, so this swami is a rarity. Swami M. agrees. He says he is very active and in charge of many projects going on all over the place, that he travels extensively.

We wait for a few minutes and a swami, perhaps in his fifties, enters in at a fast clip and sits in the chair provided. There is a rapid exchange between the two swamis as the room fills up with various devotees; their dialogue is not in English.

This lack of verbal understanding gives me plenty of opportunity to observe the man introduced as a Saint and a scholar. He is, of course dressed in orange. He is bearded, has short cropped hair but not shaved, and he has a solid white strip across his forehead that extends into his hair from front to back along the crown, denoting Shiva. He has a pleasing manner, can be quick moving but is not fidgety. Swami M., Swami Chidananda and I are seated in a triangle.

After some minutes I can tell Swami M. is saying something about me that includes “Yogananda Paramhansa.” The swami turns his attention to me as Swami M. has gone out for a moment. “You are from where?” “U.S.A.” “I am from near Calicut.” Then the Swami looks at me. I feel the power and Light of God spontaneously rise up in me as I hold his gaze. His demeanor changes as now he looks at me with unblinking eyes. Then his eyes shift upward above my head; he is seeing something about my nature.

Swami M. reenters and the two swamis return to their talk. Swami M. is explaining about how some of the Ashram projects are proceeding. Then the Swami Chidananda looks at me again with a clear gaze. He says, “You do the same work as I do.” I said, “I am just a little person, like a small child.” Others laugh, he smiles, but does not say anything.

After some more talk between he and Swami M., he stands to walk out. We all stand with him, as he is nearby I reach down and touch his feet. He draws me up and is smiling and laughing, filled with joy he gives me a hug. Then, with full-on directness he says, “You do the same work as I do.” I take this as his blessing, for he is a saint who knows God.

I am including this post now (this is an excerpt from a writing that has not been posted yet), so it will be timely. We have understood that a powerful typhoon has hit Puri.  We loved our time in Puri and the people there;

Picture: Garuda, eagle who carries Vishunu. This statue sits prominently between the hotel and the sea at Puri.

We were just there just a week ago. Please pray for the residents to be safe, and that all should keep their mind on God. It is a holy city, May God protect it.

These past few days Puri has been in the news as it has taken the brunt of a typhoon (in the Atlantic it is called a hurricane). Just six days ago we were there in a hotel looking out over the beach and vast water. It must be quite a difficult thing to go through for all there; in fact they have evacuated many people from the area.

The hotel we stayed at had a lobby that had no walls on two sides. The restaurant was also open like that. Those winds and rains must be lashing through the hotel at incredible speeds and power. Those who are there are no strangers, but friends.

In fact how can we say that any in the world are strangers? Are not all our intimates? If there is suffering by anyone, is it not our very self that is also suffering? This universal empathy would not be possible without the Presence of God in the midst, for it would overwhelm the individual mind. However, the universal mind of God can easily accommodate this expansion.

Even as you might say, “Oh, I just stubbed my toe, ouch!” And then later you notice, “Oh, that food tastes so good!” And all through the day you are aware of so many different parts of your body relating experiences to your mind.

Now, your toe might be thinking, “I have nothing to do with those tastes in the mouth.” And the mouth may say, “I have nothing to do with that lowly toe!” However, the brain sees it all as part of the same body. Even so God sees all parts of creation as His very self, and there is no part that is separate or dispensable.

May those souls in Puri be safe, and may the damage from the storm result in even better buildings through their restoration. Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram.

Picture: Swami Satchidananda; background Swami Ramdas

We are seven minutes before six p.m., riding in the car from the Mangalore airport. I had wanted to be at the Ashram before six in order to be in time for the closing of the Mandir. I know about where we are as we crest a hill before descending the back way to the Ashram and I do not see any possible way, according to laws of physics that we can be there before six.

Oh Papa, You know what is in my heart; time and space are Your playthings. If it be Thy will, bend time and allow us, Your children, to arrive in time for the Mandir Closing.

Somehow, and the only explanation in my mind is that Papa did bend time and space, we arrived a few minutes before six.

Oh Papa, You have rulership over this entire universe. Even the slightest desires of your dear ones can elicit a response from Your almighty will. Teach us to rely upon Divine Will alone, cheerfully submitting to what You decide that is for our highest good.

Carla and I enter the Swamiji’s Mandir from opposite sides.

Oh my Lord, this is like coming home. All voices joined in joyful unison singing Your name. We feel wrapped in a spiritual warmth that unifies all here. Something inside stirs, such a deep familiarity. It is true I have spent time here over the years, however this sense of connectedness transcends a single lifetime’s depth of experience.

Such a warm greeting from Swami Muktananda, Sri Krishna, Ananthraman, Swami Chandrananada, who was a newly minted Swami last time we were here, Saint Nalini, and too many to name. My heart overflows with Divine Love; swimming in a sea of smiles, love and joy. “How long has it been?” We are asked. “Seven Years, oh, it cannot be so long!”

We take our room in #4 of Ramdas block. The Ashram is filled to overflowing, there are two groups here. One group is made up of devotees of Meher Baba; they have a continuous chanting program for 48 hours. The group, complete with a blown loudspeaker are directly above us on what used to be the rooftop, but a canopy was built a few years ago so it is now covered. Another group is chanting Hari Rama, Hari Krishna for seven days without a break in the Centenary Hall. Our dear friend Chandra has been participating in this and is very uplifted from the experience.

It is insisted that we take our meals in our room for the next few days as the canteen is very full. Lakshmi Mahadev comes to our room. “Oh I have only been recently been informed of your coming, I will be going away next day after (day after tomorrow), I am so very sorry.” However she is glad to hear we will be here for some time and we will see her when she returns.

The power then goes out, a quick search produces some “torches” from our luggage. A knock at the door and Saint Nalini brings a candle and one match. “We have had so much rain this year that this is the only match I could find that would light!” Minutes later Ananthraman comes and brings another candle. So much love and concern for our slightest comfort.

We enter the Bhajan Hall. There sits Papa and Mataji in their life-like poses in front, now there is the addition of Swami Satchidananda’s form. This is my first time back to Anandashram since his Mahasamadhi. I pronam when I enter and then I seat myself up close to Swamiji’s picture, my back to the arched wall.

When it seems the right moment I go into Papa’s small room, it is the original part of this now larger structure that once served as Papa’s only room along with a covered porch. I pronam to the altar, and then I proceed to Papa’s, Mataji’s and then Swamiji’s realistic paintings that are on hard board that is cut to match the outline of their physical bodies, making them appear so life-like sitting there.

When I reach Swamiji’s picture a tide of emotion rises up. There is no single emotion, there is some feeling of loss, and there is gratitude, love; so many emotions are there, not any one single thing but a combination of all. Even as I write this I feel it, and yet there is nothing distinct I can say about this floodtide. Tears flow freely from the eyes.

I truly cannot say it is a feeling of loss, for I feel his thoughts and presence with me. His picture does not seem an ordinary picture, but a living Presence.

“Oh my dear Swamiji, You have been so instrumental in what I have in God. I have often referred to You as my second Mother, Mother Hamilton being my first Mother. With unbounded love and perseverance you helped to chip away the dross that covered the Divine Light within this ‘temple not made with hands.’ My love and gratitude are endless, and I surrender myself to your holy feet. Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram. It was this holy nam that you chanted for your final realization. It was this all-powerful chant my own Gurudev initiated me into almost 40 years ago.

“Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram: Victory to God, Victory to the Light for this entire world. Your pure Light is radiating through so many souls here. What a rare thing to have such continuous illumined masters in this lineage, Papa, Mataji, and You, my dear Swamiji. May this Ashram ever be a beacon of purity and Light for one and all. Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram!

We end the evening program with the arathi as once again the singing joins us together and brings such brotherhood. Kannan rushes across the Bhajan Hall for pronam greetings. He appears to have had some health issues; he says he was not well last year but he is all right now.

Our hearts are quite full with all the love we have been greeted with. Arriving on time for the closing of the Mandir, being enfolded in the loving vibrations of singing the Holy Name, receiving Prasad under a tropical night sky and sitting in warm comfort with a half-moon hanging overhead is all pure bliss.

Oh Papa, Mataji, Swamiji, due to your committed lives for God and Gurus alone you have created this abode of bliss. May we, with your blessings, bring this light, love and purity to all whom we come into contact. Our fervent prayer is that all may experience the Divine Union that was your all, and all, in all. Let the name of God ring from hills and dales and in the hearts of all, by whatever Name each one chooses to sing with love and faith. Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram!

“Hari Om, Namaskar!” There stands Swami Vishwananda at the gate of his home welcoming us. It is a great joy to see Swamiji, it has been eight years since we have seen him last. After he gives me a hug I take his hand, for his steps are less than steady, although he displays a strong grip.

Swamiji is now 94 years old and it shows physically, although he in all other ways he is as vigorous and full of life as ever! We enter into his apartment, he has shifted since we were last here. He is now on the ground floor, stairs are not possible for him to manage. The room where Rama Mani occupied is now kept as a shrine, with pictures of the saints she knew and loved, and who loved her, are carefully kept in place.

“Yes, I miss her,” Swamiji admits, choking up as he speaks of his beloved niece. “She was loved by so many saints, Ma always treated her special, Papa always asked her to sing, and Shankarcharya would always give her special attention.”

We miss her quiet presence and her care of Swamiji. His quarters are not as well kept as when she did her immaculate service, and her stuffed aloo paranthas are still the best I have ever tasted.

Swamiji immediately launches into a clear remembrance of our circumambulation of India in 1998. He recalls in particular our journey to Puttaparthi. “You became aware of one area, and said you felt the presence of great souls there. Madam (speaking to Carla), there is a bathing tank there on that hill, and very great souls have meditated there. He (David) was somehow knowing of that! I have spent time there, thirty days, fourteen days, wonderful place.” Memories poured forth from Swamiji like a river constantly flowing.

“One thing sir, you must go to Kanyakumari. One Swami Vivekananda meditated on that rock. When Vivekananda arrived there he immediately dove into those waters and swam to the rock. I went there myself. When I arrived I too dove in and swam. The boatman there was very excited (disturbed) that I was swimming in those waters, but I went over. There was no Temple there at that time.”

I had not heard this this particular from Swamiji before. I have written about being at Kanyakumari in “My Spiritual India.” The story goes that when Swami Vivekananda arrived at Kanyakumari as a wandering mendicant he asked a boatman for a ride to those distant rocks. The boatman asked for money, but since Vivekananda carried none with him he immediately dove into the ocean and swam to the rocks. The shocked boatman could not believe this Swami was braving those shark infested waters; he told other villagers about this bold stroke. Many of the villagers then rowed out to the island and begged Swamiji his forgiveness and offered him food and water, which he refused. He was determined to spend time meditating there in order to get clarity on his life’s mission. Swami Vishwananda had bravely followed in swimming over as well; not an easy feat!

Swamiji expressed great concern over the current course of India, that people were losing their way. “I have seen it! Before there was correct behavior. Now, so much materialism and corruption.” He went on at length. I too worry that India keeps her spiritual bearings while navigating in modern technological waters.

Abhay and his wife, Lalitha, arrive and bring lunch with them. I ask Abhay to relate a story he told me previously of when Hanuman blessed him, which I record on video along with stories Swamji is relating as well.

I feel great bliss being with Swami Vishwananda. He said that yesterday he had been quite dull, but today he is full of life, vigor, every inch the force of nature that we have always known him to be. He claims it is due to me, but I know that he has led a dynamic life and it is such a joy to share this time with him. His depth of spirituality is wonderful, like a beautiful patina that increasingly glows with luster through time.

Swamiji has been intimate with some of the great spiritual personalities of his time: Anandamayee Ma (she is his Guru), Ramana Maharshi, Papa Ramdas, Shankarcharya, Anandashram Swami, Maharishi Mehesh Yogi, Satya Sai Baba, and many others. He has moved in high circles, such as when the President of India asked Swamiji to organize a private audience with the Shankarcharya, which he did. Anandamayee Ma also asked Swamiji to arrange to see the Shankarcharya.

Swamiji went on to say, apparently there is some talk of it, that Satya Sai Baba was gradually poisoned, murdered due to the vast wealth that surrounded him. India is nothing if not rife with rumors, and certainly spiritual personalities, especially famous and rich ones, are subject to every speculation, true and not true.

Swamiji went on, with a little prompting to relate stories from the Mahabharata. I sat in a blissful state as he proceeded from story to story, treasuring my time with this special soul. When we take our leave he sees us out to the street and helps up give directions to the autorickshaw driver. He is the picture of love and goodwill; a rare soul whose fire still burns bright. Pronams, Swamiji.

Picture:  Rani Ka Naur (Queen’s Palace); cave 1

As we enter the gate to the manicured grounds of the Udayagiri Caves. There is an intense verbal fight occurring between a large man in a blue shirt and the guard at the gate. The large man is shouting furiously at the guard who is remaining cool during the verbal assault. This tirade continues on and on, at least five minutes without the large man gaining satisfaction, nor is the guard losing his reserve. Oh Ram! What an interesting way you have introduced us to these caves of silence and meditation!

After Buddhism was ascendant here in Odisha the Jains became the most powerful movement in the second and first century before Christ; it was for these Jain ascetics that these caves were made. After the Jains the Hindus gained ascendency, then later the Muslims, afterwards it was the British, and for the last sixty years it has been self-rule. Hundreds, even thousands of years can see a dominant religion, school of thought, or political system reign supreme, but eventually each has a spent life; a beginning, middle and end. It all goes to show there is no permanency on this earth.

The only lasting theme in human history is God-experience; this alone survives down the ages. It has various guises and forms, but the essential nature of it remains the same and can be identified by one who has had that same universal transformation.

I have felt a magnetic draw to these ancient caves, so we have arrived for the purpose of finding traces of the divine vibrations left as a lasting signature of the spiritual work accomplished here. The fame and park-like setting of the caves has made this as much a tourist attraction as a pilgrimage site. I have found this to be the case in places both East and West.

When I was at Kanyakumari at the south point of India where Swami Vivekananda had meditated and had a profound vision, there was no place to meditate, and the police with whistles moved the crowds through without a moment to take in the nature of the place! There are no whistling police here, and it is not so crowded, but most are here to see a sight.

We wander the beautifully sculptured caves in peace and find many wonderful caves in which to sit and feel the substrata of spiritual vibration that continues to reverberate here. It is tremendously hot and humid on this mid-day journey, but we are happy to be in the relatively cool and dry of the caves. These caves are very fine: smooth floors and delightful carvings.

Climbing to the top of the hill there is a breeze that is cooling. I wander down a trail behind the main caves. We enter down into a grove of interesting trees and there is a distinct change. Oh, this is powerful; a tremendous event happened here, a great Soul achieved mahasamadhi bliss. Time dissolves; there is no time, only the beginningless, endless Existence. A potent stillness pervades this grove and it has called me to itself. This is what drew me; this is a tremendous Soul who gained a remarkable realization and left the body here so long ago. We remain here for some time, both of us drinking in the salient feeling.

We depart from this sacred grove and delight in elephant sculptures and other caves, each one wonderful. However, the magnet that drew me is the grove and those who have inhabited this place. There is no marker here as there are for the caves, it remains a secret grove of heavenly proportions that would not fit easily into a tour guide’s book.

Upon our departure the angry man is gone, I wish the big angry man peace. He may have had a righteous cause, however it was misplaced upon the poor guard at the gate. And may the guard be blessed for remaining cool under fire. Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram! Despite the initial disturbance these caves and the sacred grove have been a blessing for us.

Picture: Peace Stupa

An hour and a half taxi ride from Puri brings us to the boundary of Bhubaneswar, “India’s Temple City.” Located in the state of Odisha (formerly Orissa) it has apparent prosperity with a vast array of building projects as new industry has grown. I was drawn to come here by the Udayagiri (Sunrise Hill) caves that date back to the time before Christ, built for Jain ascetics.

Before we get to the Udayagiri caves we have been directed by the hotel travel agent to go see Dhauli hills. It was in this area that King Ashoka (304-232 B.C.E.) fought the Kalinga War. The king was devastated at the terrible cost of the battle that “made the Daya river turn red” with the blood of 100,000 killed. King Ashoka went on to be a proponent of Buddhism and social precepts that would serve as a cultural foundation for political unity. King Ashok ruled most of what is today India, into Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Thousands of pillars were created that stretched as far as the Mediterranean Sea that spoke of Ashoka’s thoughts on Buddha’s teachings. It was in his reign that many of the important locations of the Buddha’s life were identified.

H.G. Wells wrote of King Ashoka in his book The Outline of History: “Amidst the tens of thousands of names of monarchs that crowd the columns of history, their majesties and graciousnesses and serenities and royal highnesses and the like, the name of Asoka shines, and shines, almost alone, a star.”

On our way up the hill there are stone carvings with edicts from King Ashoka and his concern for the whole world; looking to replace brute force with the power of dharma; for there must be a better way to live than mass killings through war.

As we continue our ascent we come into view of a shining white dome that marks the site of the Peace Stupa (Stupa being a mound that contains remains of Buddhists monks). We view there wonderful stone reliefs that depict various aspects of the Buddha’s life. There are wide vistas from the hilltop, including looking down on the Daya River that had one day run red and had made a lasting impression on the ruler of India; that event had helped change the world.

This Peace Stupa or Pagoda was the inspiration of a Japanese Buddhist, Fuji Guruji who came to India in 1930 to help Mahatma Gandhiji in his non-violent movement. Later Fuji Guruji inspired a Peace Stupa in Bihar State, and that led the governor Sri Nityananda Kanungo to establish a Peace Stupa here in his homeland of Odisha. This Peace Pagoda stands on a prominent hill as a message to the world to refrain from war and violence and to be a beacon of peace for one and all.