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 |   As the first blog entry got exhausted. My second book |
| Evolution of Love Part 2 |
| Didima is known as Giriji to seers, Mahatmas and disciples. Ma too called her Giriji. Born in Baisakh (April-May), 1877 in East Bengal, she was the eighth child of her parents. Didima’s parents called her Mokshada Sundari who was very calm and quiet and loved to spend time alone. Even as a child, she did not like games. Instead, she would stay in the religious environment of her home. As was the tradition in those days, she went to school to study up to the second standard. Her parents died early, therefore further studies were done at home. She could read the Ramayana, Mahabharat and Puranas in Bengali. At times she expressed her spiritual feelings through verses. She recited a number of such verses, which were her own composition. She was indifferent to her domestic life. Though there were problems a plenty, including that of money, they never reflected in her behaviour. She was always an excellent host, who would give her own food to a guest and still retain the charm of a very satisfied, contented person. This quality of kindness and compassion was the dominant part of her character. Ma’s father, the late Bipin Behari Bhattacharya, frequently left home because of his passion for tapasya. He was brought back home by relatives and friends. Even during those situations, Didima never lost her composure, her patience. However much financial trouble she was in, Didima never made complaint. Giriji hailed from the Shiva Shakta Sampradai. Durga Puja and Kali pujas were regularly held at her home. There was a Narayan Shila there too, which is now being worshipped by Brahmacharini Chandan Bhattacharya at Kankhal ashram. From her childhood, Didima took interest in puja and its related exercises. She also had darshan of God in her dreams. She had a special fascination for Narayana and was very much fond of the name of Narayana. She once had darshan of Lord Gopal who asked her to “offer Batasa Bhog worth one paisa”. Since then Didima regularly offered Batasa Bhog to Thakur. Didima first had her Mantra initiation in a dream. She did the japa of this mantra for several years. In 1905 she was formally initiated by the family priest Shri Kalikrishna Vidya Vinod. Didima always carried with her the picture of her family priest as her first Guru, and also that of her sannyas Guru. Nobody has ever seen Didima angry. Nothing could antagonise her. Once Ma said, ‘Dear Ma, what do you have in your brain that never looses its balance.” Didima laughed at this tribute. On another occasion, Ma spoke about her patience and perseverance, “She is mother earth.” Didima had infinite compassion for her devotees. One day, when she was very old, Didima was found to be reading the Hindi alphabets. To a devotee’s query why she was bothering to read them at that age, Didima said, “I myself want to read the several letters in Hindi which I get from my disciples, and reply to them suitably.” Her service and perseverance, love and affection particularly for the helpless, poor and needy was unparalleled. Whoever came in contact with her, was overwhelmed by her innocence and proper behaviour. Ma did not initiate her disciples in the customary way. It was Didima who in turn, became the Guru for innumerable devotees. At times, the devotees barely had a chance to touch Ma’s feet; they were happy touching Didima’s feet, and Didima too spread her arms in a gesture of blessing for the devotees. Didima drew the devotees close to her, irrespective of their position, stature and intelligence. She did Japa non-stop. When asked about it, she said this was being done for the welfare of the devotees. Once she had said, “how can I get Nirvana, until others (my devotees) attain it?” What a marvelous thing to say! In 1936, when Dada Moshai breathed his last and the only son tied the knots Didima expressed her desire to live with Ma. Ma suggested to her to take Sannyas. Haridwar was the venue of the Kumbha Mela in 1938. Ma had stayed at the Peet Kutir of Dr. Pant. During this Kumbha, Didima was initiated by the well-known Saint Mangalananda Giriji on 13th April, the Maha-Vipush Sankranti. She was named Shri Swami Muktananda Giriji. Mangalgiri Maharaj did not like the hustle and bustle and the crowds. He preferred tranquil surroundings. For this reason, he did not allow outsiders in his ashram. Ladies were definitely kept outside the ashram’s boundaries. But he took Ma there, most respectfully with Her devotees, at a time when she was yet to be recognised by the Sadhu-Samaj. In the same way that a male brahmin is initiated with the Merumantra of sannyas. Mangal Giriji bestowed the same on Didima. Next morning, when Ma found Didima dressed as a renunciate, Ma said, “You say that you give spiritual advice to all, but you do not advise me. Why? What is good has been said. People have problems in the family daily. How many people manage to get out of that? Now, be absorbed in meditation for the realisation of the self. Nothing will happen until you attain the power of wisdom and realisation of the Supreme Being.” Divine attributes were observed in Didima even when she was young. She really deserved to take sannyas. Those things described in Upanishads about the liberated soul were seen in Didima. She was very calm and quiet. While maintaining her composure for the outside devotees she was absorbed in deep spiritual thoughts. Sometime in 1963 Sri Ma mentioned in some context that uninterrupted japa of Sannyasa Mantra is continuing inside Giriji. For sometime, she kept poor health. But she always pined for Ma’s company. The Mahaprayan of Muktananda Giriji Maharaj, came on 9th August 1970 on the banks of the holy Bhagirathi in Haridwar. The end came naturally to the 94-year-old Giriji in Ma’s divine presence. Didima’s Mahasamadhi is at Kankhal ashram. |
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