Six Piligrims
Param Sadguru Shree Gajanan Maharaj
Shree had the privilege of making six pilgrimages along with Lord
Parashuram. Normally these travels used to be always early in the
evening and they used to return to the Math say about 15 to 20
minutes before 7 p.m. To and fro journey was always by celestial
path. However they used to land 50 to 100 yards ahead of the place
that was to be visited and covered the remaining distance on foot in
the normal way. Both of them had traveled using the aerial routes
with their physical body and not on the astral plane. Striking
feature of this extraordinary travel appears to be that a
considerable distance from Akkalkot to inaccessible peaks of
Himalayas was covered in almost no time .The whole incidence has
occurred in such a spellbinding manner that none has noticed the
absence of Shree from His abode. The locations like the ashram of
sage Vyasa are on the physical plane but nevertheless they are
somehow hidden from the eyes of normal human beings. It means that
these places mentioned in the epics do exist on the planet along
with the immortal beings engaged in practicing the
Tapa(austerities). In later years Shree used to narrate these
journeys with minute details. These moments were His most treasured
memories.
Following is an account as narrated by Shree.
CHIPLUN - MAHARASHTRA
"One evening, in the twilight hours, Lord Parshuram took us to a
place which was like a plateau. We were told this is Sahyadri (a
mountain range in Maharashtra) Plateau. After ascending three steep
terrain's we reached a place where there was a small grass hut in
which He and following Him We entered. We had to bend considerably
low before we could enter it. Coming out from there looking towards
the ravine from the top we saw a small river flowing. All around was
lush greenery, chirping of birds was ringing in the ears. The
atmosphere was heavenly. After some time we returned. No
conversation took place.
Twenty years later, in the month of January, we visited a place of
pilgrimage called Parashuram Kshetra (near Chiplun in Maharashtra).
During this trip we were following a discipline of silence On seeing
the surrounding atmosphere, instantly we realized that this was the
same place we had visited earlier along with the Lord".
HIMALAYAS - VYASA ASHRAM
"Our second journey was to Himalayas. This time we visited the
hermitage of the ancient sage Vyasa. On our way we saw a natural
cave. We peered inside with observant eyes and saw an old sage
sitting in deep meditation. A woman was sitting on one side of the
cave with a musical string -instrument in her hands . Observing we
kept walking ahead. We presumed that the lady was going to use the
instrument to announce the evening Agnihotra time to the meditating
sage or may be this instrument was played in joy, on completion of
the sage's meditation. Those thoughts were looming in our mind when
the hermitage, situated about 20-25 meters away, came into our
sight. At this very moment we noticed a fierce tiger approaching us
from the hermitage. Before we could think of anything we were told
by the accompanying sage that he is non- violent. The tiger came and
turning back began walking towards the hermitage along with us. The
ashram was now only 5-6 meters away when a mongoose like animal was
seen going inside it. Spotting this the tiger leapt after it.
Spotting this we surmised that the animal, after all, is
demonstrating its natural instinct.
When both of us entered the hermitage Sage Vyasa was in the process
of wearing a garment made of barks. From the wet beard and the
matted- locks it appeared that he had just taken an evening bath. We
were introduced to sage Vyasa in these words " He is the one about
whom we had told you." Sage Vyas said nothing, only expressed sheer
bliss on his face. Behind him was a small group of immortal beings
and sages appearing in epics and mythological accounts. Turning to
the assembly of these holy beings, around a dozen in number, sage
Vyasa , introduced Us to them in a mute language gesticulating with
his hands. We heard the voice of one of these persons joyfully
saying, "Oh, so You are the one." A second voice said, " we knew
that You are coming." The third voice echoed, "Your coming has
pleased us immensely." We departed hereafter. Fire was lit and ready
in the Yajnya altar of the hermitage for the evening Agnihotra time.
Then we returned to Math. "
GANDHAMAADAN - MT.KAILAS AND MANAS SAROVAR LAKE
"In yet another travel with Lord Parashuram we saw the entire area
all around us covered with snow. We were told this is Himalaya.
Later we learnt correctly that this was the mountain peak of
Gnadhamaadan which is located near holy mountain Kailas and Manas
sarovar Lake. These places are at extremely high altitude and are
very difficult to climb.
The atmosphere over here was very pleasant. Land being fully covered
with snow we had to walk on snow but this was not causing any
problem. At one spot where we stopped while walking we saw a small
hut (called 'Chatti') close to the place where we were standing. We
did not look inside but from outside estimated that its interiors
must be as big as the size of a small room. The moment our eyes
rested on this hut Lord Parshuram told us, reading what was in our
mind, "Travelers stop here for rest"
Shree could experience a fact that it was not necessary to ask any
questions to Lord Parashuram. He is referred to be 'Poorvabhibhashi'
meaning "a divine being capable of answering your query even before
you begin speaking about it". He could actually understand the
thoughts of others even before thy were verbally expressed. He read
other people's minds clearly.
"The sunset was about 1 to 11/2 hours away because from where we
were standing we could see the sun in front of our eyes. The feel of
the sunlight at this hour was so pleasant as if it was the soothing
cool light of the full-moon.
The overall effect instinctively inspired us to chant the esoteric
Tripuri mantra as long as possible.
In front of the place where we were standing we saw a few strange
animals which we had never seen before. Spotting them now we thought
that they might be some milking animals. The moment this thought
came in our mind, we were immediately told by Lord Parashuram,
actually this was the Yak-animal of Himalayan mountains. The hilly
people use it for all transport and agricultural activities as also
use its milk.
Just then we saw a carriage passing. Our gaze was glued on the
person sitting in the passenger seat of the carriage. The appearance
of this person was so strikingly amazing that we could not remove
our eyes from him. This person was enormously chubby. A round face,
a very big round head. On this round head he was wearing a small
bowl shaped cap, yellow skinned he was wearing a very thin moustache
on this huge round face, so thin as if a thin line is drawn by a
pencil. This was how he looked. A bit strange but attractive
appearance. We saw this scene for a few seconds as the carriage
passed in front of us."
A little while later we returned to the Math."
TOP OF MT. KAILASH
"During yet another aerial journey we were taken to the most holy
mountain top of Kailash."
PANDHARPUR - MAHARASHTRA
"Our fifth pilgrimage was late in the night. This time we found
ourselves standing in front of the idol of Lord Vitthala in the
sanctum sanctorum of the Vitthal Mandir of Pandharpur (Maharashtra
State, India)
The doors of this sacred room were locked from outside and as the
wee hours were approaching the thought that a priest or somebody
might open the locks and enter suddenly was bothering us. However
nothing of the sort happened and soon we were back in the Math."
SHRI SHAILAM - ANDHRA PRADESH
"Our sixth travel too was late in the night or rather it was in the
wee hours. This time we went to Shri Shailam (in Andhra Pradesh).
Here the first worship early in the morning is performed by divine
beings. Even at this time we were standing near the Shiva-lingam for
a while. We saw fresh flowers offered to the Lingam in worship."
"We returned to the Math after some time."