[Master is on my mind: I thought you would find this an interesting description of Richard Wright, when he  and Master had the darshan of the saint Kara Patri at the Kumbha Mela. Master gave a description of this meeting in the Autobiography of a Yogi, but of course Richard had his own observations and it is plain that both Master and Richard were very impressed with this yogi. Master had gone to the Kumbha Mela in hopes of seeing Babaji, but the great master chose not to reveal himself during his visit to the Mela. However, Master did meet with some of India’s great saints in 1936, including Anandamayi Ma, Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Keshabananda, and many more. Although the focus of the writing is not specifically on Master, it does give some sense of the journey in India Richard was on with Master.]

Picture: Yoganandaji at the Kumbha Mela in Allahabad

Visit with
Kara Patri
By Richard Wright
Inner Culture, November 1936

I quote the following from my notes of Jan. 27, 1936:

The scene is laid near Allahabad at the junction of the Ganges and Jumna Rivers, during the Kumbha Mela, the great gathering of Sadhus and Seekers, held every three and six years. We next drove down the river bed (Ganges) to the undernourished sacred river. Alighting and treading some distance through the thickening smoke and treacherous sands, we approached a cluster of tiny, very modest straw huts. Suddenly, we drew up before one of these insignificant, temporary huts with its pigmy doorless entrance, the shelter of a young, wandering Sadhu, or mendicant, noted for his exceptional intelligence and capacities, named Kara Patri. There he sat, cross-legged in a pile of straw, his only covering, and incidentally his only possession, being an ochre cloth draped over his shoulders; and this was only temporary, for soon warm days would come.

Truly a divine face smiled at us as we crawled into the hut on all fours and pronamed at the feet of this enlightened Soul, while the kerosene lantern at the entrance flickered weird, dancing shadows on the thatched walls. His face, especially his eyes and teeth, beamed and glistened with the blessing of simplicity and freedom, “doing everything with the searchlight on God.”

Although I was puzzled by the Hindi, his expressions were very revealing, as he was full of enthusiasm, fire, introspection, love, happiness, divine glory, freedom, and all the other divine qualities. No one could be mistaken as to his greatness. Imagine the happy life of one unattached to a material life, free of most clothing, wearing only one cloth; free of food craving, never begging; never touching cooked food except on alternate days; no begging bowl; eats only one meal a day generally; free of all money entanglements, never handling money; never storing things away, always trusting in God; free of transportation difficulties, never riding in vehicles, but always walking on the banks of the River Ganges, or others; never remaining in one place longer than one week in order to avoid becoming attached to anything.

Such a modest Soul! free of worldly entanglements and struggles, but unusually learned, having read all the religious Scriptures, the Vedas (very lengthy), Vedanta, and so forth, and with an M. A. degree in four subjects, with the title of “Shastri” (master of Sanskrit) from the BenaresUniversity.

A grand feeling pervaded throughout as we sat at this Saint’s feet and listened to his noble expositions. It all seemed to be an answer to my desire to see the real, the ancient India, for he is the true representative of this land of Spiritual Kings. We bade pronam and reluctantly departed from this embodiment of God and Man, grateful for his hospitality and spirit.

And so, if I have not been too vague, you will see that there is something to this world of ours after all. Such men as I have just described come on earth to elevate those of us who are caught in the muck and mire of these passing fancies and pleasures.

 [This is a continuation of excerpts from Kamala’s (a name Master gave her meaning lotus) book The Flawless Mirror. These personal memoirs give an intimate view of Paramhansa Yogananda, or as she simply refers to him as Swami. Several of you commented on the last writing, which I always love to hear from you regarding these writings. So, in continuation of honoring Master’s birthday here is more from Kamala.]

It was in midsummer when there was a knock at our door and Swami, smiling, was there. He had come to California for his vacation, arriving at Manhattan Beach in July (1927). We felt blessed that he was with us. Mother and I were aware of his great spiritual stature, yet his simplicity of manner allowed our very special respect for him to blend naturally with the friendship he gave us. He brought an atmosphere of joyousness.

During his visit, Mother and I motored with him to Santa Barbara and stayed at our home there. The town had a very leisurely feeling at the time; no one ever seemed in a hurry, which gave a sense of tranquility that we liked. The days were lovely and warm. Swami swam at the beach. We went on some of the nearby scenic drives, which were very beautiful and were settings for spiritual inspiration.

One afternoon while driving, my Guru went into a state of Samadhi. He was outwardly still, inwardly absorbed in God—his consciousness completely interiorized. I was aware of this and when the car arrived at the house, and Mother and chauffeur went indoors, I hesitated, not knowing if he wished anyone to remain, or to be alone. So I stayed for a little while, very quiet, and then went inside. He came in later. I realized, some time after, that when he entered into a state of deep communion, a disciple was privileged to remain and meditate with him, and receive the blessing of being near.

He brought with him a harmonium—an Indian instrument with organ tones and a piano-like keyboard. He used it to accompany his chanting at our evening meditations.

Once we drove to Pismo Beach, many miles up the coast, and had dinner there. We always found Swami dear to be with, and his sense of humor was a kind that seemed to bubble over and everyone enjoyed things twice as much.

On our return drive to Manhattan Beach he told me that he had seen many of his past lives and from them he had learned that the soul would accept nothing for long that was not perfection. He said: No human being can give the joy that God can give; go to God always; give Him your life.”

During these summer days friends occasionally stopped by and met Swami. In all environments he was gracious and quiet in manner. Through this quietness he imparted a warmth and sweetness felt by all.

I asked Swami what I could do in addition to the Yogoda lessons which I followed. He told me, “Meditate longer, with greater intensity, for otherwise the mind only nibbles and no realization will come.”

He suggested that I go on a specific type of diet for a time and I did, benefitting tremendously in health and energy. He also penciled this list:

1. Meditation 2. Dignity 3. Perfect Cooperation 4. Diet 5. Giving no cause of criticism 6. “Make yourself better and serve to please.” 7. Seclusion is the price of spiritual greatness.

Shortly afterward Swami left with his driver for Pismo Beach to meditate. The now-thriving little sea town was then mostly rolling sand dunes. He remained there a few days. When he returned, the chauffeur said to Mother in a perplexed tone: “I don’t know what he was doing, but he just sat out there among the sand dunes, facing the ocean, and stayed there every day, all day long.”

Swami returned after these days in God-communion with the effulgence of that time upon him, and as he came into the room I remained quiet, sensing his inner rapture. He spoke words to God, of me, precious and sacred; then said solemnly, “Only speak to me of God.” In that vibrant bliss in which he had remained in unbroken communion, it would have been painful and restricting to turn his gaze from his absorption in the Infinite to any other topic.

One facet of his true saintliness lay in his willingness and ability to meet the noisy world of constant public life and cope with every duty and yet stay permanently in the sanctuary of inner beatitude. Here, now, he could roam in the Cosmic Vastness without even a part of his mind having to turn to the multitudinous affairs of daily life. As Jesus went to the mountain top to pray, my Guru had gone by the ocean to commune with the Heavenly Father.

A few days later Swami left California. He bade us goodbye and said he would keep us in his prayers. His fall itinerary included Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Philadelphia.

Picture: Swami Yogananda 1924; San Francisco

[This is an excerpt from The Flawless Mirror by Kamala, a disciple of Master’s since 1925. This writing gives a personal account of what it would have been like to be with Swami Yogananda from a unique view. Today is Masters birthday; born January 5, 1893. Happy Birthday Master!]

On August 19^th [1926] we were happily busy at Mt. Washington with preparations for Swami’s [Yogananda’s] arrival.  The next afternoon many students met him at the train and presented him with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Mother and I were in the car with him as we rode back. He seemed immersed in God. Later he said to us: “Cultivate God’s friendship; meditate on Him and feel Him. Be a stubborn child and knock at the door until He opens it.” In the evening he visited with us for a while and said that he was very pleased that we were there.

Swami had brought fresh mangoes with him from the East Coast. The next night we had mango ice cream, which he had planned as a surprise for everyone. He touched a blossom at the table, and remarked: “In the flowers we capture the beauty of God.” He had Gali-Gurci (a famous opera singer and disciple of Master’s) recordings and many spiritual songs from India which he played for us. He enjoyed listening to them and sharing them with us.

We attended a symphony concert with Swami and heard “Death and Transfiguration” by Strauss. We were at the Hollywood Bowl and Ralph Waldo Trine (author of In tune with the Infinite) was there. Swami and he were acquainted. He, his wife, and son were invited to Mt. Washington for a luncheon the next day. I took pictures of them with Swami.

Those of us who were living at Mt. Washington, and other guests, were invited by Swami on a holiday excursion to Catalina Island. We were given nice rooms at the hotel and then went out to take drives around the island. We also had a picnic lunch. Afterward, several went in swimming, and a footrace followed. Five participated in the running contest. I noted that Swami’s foot movements seemed to match the rapidity of pistons in a racing motor, and the long strides of the others were no match for him. He outdistanced even the nearest one by a whole block in a two-block race! Mother and I enjoyed watching this event.

The next morning we rode in motor boats for miles over the smooth waters, seeing many seals. Later we took a special trip in the glass-bottom boat. It was exquisite. We saw beautiful and colorful gardens under the clear water. That evening, on another trip, the flying fish were bright flashes of silver leaping out of the water, even into our boat. We found so much of interest to see and do in the happy days spent there. Swami was a wonderful host to all.

When we returned to the mainland, Swami accepted our invitation to stop at our cottage in nearby Manhattan Beach. On the way we marketed and later he cooked a meal of East Indian food that was relished by everyone. Friends of ours came to see us, and Swami delighted their two small children with some games which he taught them to play. Then afterward, we all walked to the beach, where he and one of his guests went in swimming.

Later afternoon Swami read a few stanzas to us from a book of poetry that was at the cottage; then he became very still. After a silence his eyes filled with tears of devotion. He said, “Oh, Brahma is so good to me! There is a current surging within me and through my whole body. Such bliss!” Hours later, when we meditated, I had a spiritual experience. Of this I wrote, “It is just the beginning. I can’t describe the joy.”

It was an unexpected happiness to have Swami come our home, and was the beginning of a time that allowed friendship to grow and deepen with the blessing of daily association with him.

We remained at Manhattan Beach for a few days, then drove with Swami and guests to Santa Barbara. It was his first visit to our home there. On that evening, following a conversation about the plays of Shakespeare, Swami delighted us with a dramatic portrayal of Anthony’s famous oration from “Julius Caesar.” He gave the spontaneous reading from flawless memory. It took place by candle light since the electricity was not on then. A little later Shakespeare’s strains, and all earthly drama, were forgotten as we turned heart and mind to meditation.

Afterward as we sat looking out into the star-lit sky, Swami told of the joy he felt in God. He then spoke poetically, saying the Day and the Night were talking together in friendliness, and yet each wished the other to withdraw! The Day longed to reveal the beauties of the world; the Night felt the soft mantle of darkness brought serenity to mankind.

His words became a poem, created at that moment, wherein he related a search in the cosmos for the Infinite One. He asked of star and cloud: “Tell me, in stillness, whom do you see? Is it He Who within me thrilled me with an invisible touch and quickly fled unseen?” He inquired of all Nature: “Have you seen God’s hidden Presence?”

We each felt the inspiration of these days. They seemed to pass so quickly! Swami always radiated an aura of peace; one of quiet happiness. When we returned to Manhattan Beach he gave me an autograph album. These are the thoughts inscribed:

There is an Invisible Cord that binds the East and the West and all strangers. We are all strangers and there are no strangers since we are all of our one Father, God. Worship Him as Bliss, the most interesting thing within you.

May He Whom I feel in the cool touch of the breeze, and watch wrestling in the ocean waves, and hear in the sea roar, and see emerging from the opening petaled-gate of flowers, be yours always in reality.

Wherever in this house I have prayed I leave an everlasting altar of devotion built in the Invisible Ether, wherein ye shall find Him always. In the self-same places quickly delve deep within yourself with reverence and steady concentration and ye shall find that secret altar.

Swami Yogananda