Mukund Jere asked 4 years ago
In the begging of 1069, Swami Chidananadaji visited two branches of ‘Yoga Society of Netherlands’. One day he was walking along a road in Amsterdam. He was alone. On the way he saw a dance bar. Out of curiosity he entered the bar. It was lighted with dim stimulating lights. Many young boys and girls in their twenties were dancing to the exciting tune. There were tables laid down and bunches of boys and girls were sitting around the tables, sipping alcohol and smoking marijuana and opium. Some others were dancing, with loathsome gestures without any regard for their dress. Alcohol was flowing freely. Smoke filled the entire bar. Swamiji got onto a high platform, closed his eyes, folded his hands and started the prayer. “O God! I have a desire to seek your favour and Guru’s grace. Let your grace make me capable of bringing smile on a depressed face, wiping tears from some gloomy eyes, removing fear from some fearful mind, making a lonely devastated life of someone bloom again into a beautiful garden full of colourful flowers. O Almighty let me be able to fill some dark corner with your light”. Inebriated boys and girls were still dancing to the western tunes, making indecent detesting gestures. Addiction and lust were dancing furiously. Swamiji in ochre robes continued his singing in a louder voice. This time it was to the tune being played. I am neither the mind, nor the intellect, nor the ego, nor the mind-stuff;
I am neither the body, nor the changes of the body;
I am neither the senses of hearing, taste, smell, or sight,
Nor am I the ether, the earth, the fire, the air;
I am Existence Absolute, Knowledge Absolute, Bliss Absolute — I am He, I am He. Shivoham, Shivoham. I am neither the breath, nor the five vital airs;
I am neither the materials of the body, nor the five sheaths;
Neither am I the organs of action, nor object of the senses;
I am Existence Absolute, Knowledge Absolute, Bliss Absolute — I am He, I am He. Shivoham, Shivoham. I have neither aversion nor attachment, neither greed nor delusion;
Neither egotism nor envy, neither faith nor deliverance;
I am neither desire nor objects of desire;
I am Existence Absolute, Knowledge Absolute, Bliss Absolute — I am He, I am He. Shivoham, Shivoham. I am neither sin nor virtue, neither pleasure nor pain;
Nor temple nor worship, nor pilgrimage nor scriptures,
Neither the act of enjoying, the enjoyable nor the enjoyer;
I am Existence Absolute, Knowledge Absolute, Bliss Absolute — I am He, I am He. Shivoham, Shivoham. I have neither death nor fear of death, nor caste;
Nor was I ever born, nor have I parents, friends, and relations;
I have neither teacher, nor disciple;
I am Existence Absolute, Knowledge Absolute, Bliss Absolute — I am He, I am He. Shivoham, Shivoham. I am untouched by the senses, I am neither Mukti nor knowable;
I am without form, without limit, beyond space, beyond time;
I am in everything; I am the basis of the universe; everywhere I am.
I am Existence Absolute, Knowledge Absolute, Bliss Absolute — I am He, I am He. Shivoham, Shivoham. Someone noticed a lean monk in ochre robes, covering his body with a short piece of cloth, draping another piece on his shoulders, singing in ecstasy. Inebriated group of youth gathered around him. Someone said, “Poor fellow, pass a glass to him also”. Another puffed cigarette smoke on his face and everyone burst into loud laughter. Hearing the commotion others also joined them. One young fellow snatched the piece of cloth from Swamiji’s shoulder and draped it on himself. Swamiji was left bare chested. Everyone clapped and burst into still shriller laughter. Chidananda did not lose his composure. He kept saying his prayers. Slowly he opened his eyes and looked straight into those addicted eyes. What was not there in his eyes? They were filled with compassion, there was not even a hint of hatred or contempt. They were overflowing with love. He had an affectionate smile on his face. His face wore assuring expression saying, “You all belong to me”. Looking at his expression, the young boys and girls were touched by emotion. Their intoxication vanished and everyone became sober. Music stopped and the hall became calm and quiet. Swamiji lovingly sermonised the misled children of Divinity who were traversing the wrong path. He showed a ray of hope in their dark hopeless lives. Now everyone listened to him in total silence. Swamiji got down from the platform. The youth around him started moving out with an amazing, unbelievable, unanticipated and sudden strange experience. A voice was heard, “Swamiji”. The youth was approaching Chidananda with the snatched drapery in his hand. Holding it in both his hands he offered it to Swamiji with great reverence. His eyes were wet. Swamiji gave out an assuring smile, patted his back with his invigorating hands and left the place. Intoxication had already subsided and along with it the smoke of ignorance!