When grace of the Guru & tears of gratitude flows nonstop

Neem Karoli Baba Ashram, Uttrakhand

In our drive up to Almora from Kathgodam, on 26th September, I saw two pictures on the dashboard of the cab we hired. One was of Paramhansa Yogananda and another was of the smiling saint, Neem Karoli baba. It is said that Steve Jobs had visited Neem Karoli baba's ashram when he visited India in search of the ultimate truth.

When I enquired our cab driver about the ashram, he suggested that I visit the ashram on our return journey from Almora. I was not sure if our schedule can accommodate it, but I wanted to visit the place if possible.

Today, 30th September, during our return journey from Almora we found ourselves on a road our hosts had asked us to avoid because it was accident prone. But by the time we realized it , it was too late to change the route. I thought the driver chose the route to save him a longer (but safer) drive.

A little later, I heard Akila ask the driver if we would cross Kainchi Mandir via this route and he responded in the affirmative. Akila asked him to stop for 10 minutes when we reached there.

When we got out at Kainchi Mandir and looked at the entrance arch, I realized that Kainchi Mandir was the same place as Neem Karoli baba ashram. I became emotional. After getting inside, I saw many pictures of the self-realized saint each of which was captivating and soul touching. Mahamantra - "Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare" was being chanted by a musical group. I became more emotional because this was my favorite chant.

As I sat down for meditation in that uplifting atmosphere, tears started flowing. When I sat next to the samadhi mandir of the saint and touched the cot and blanket he had used, more tears flowed.

It felt that the Guru had made the perfect plan to trap me in the field of his grace and blessings without I putting any effort. As tears flowed without control, all I could think was - "What have I done to deserve so much grace?"

When I walked out of the temple and settled in the car, I wondered - "Why did Neem Karoli baba bless me when I didn't know much about him or consider him my Guru?"

A little later, Akila stopped the cab enroute to purchase a few things from the roadside fruit shops. As she put one of the paper covers with kachalu on the seat, I saw the smiling face of Sri Sri Ravishankar on it. Well, he has been my Gurus on the spiritual path for the last many years.

I became emotional again for I could feel the grace of the Guru manifesting itself in different ways and forms and literally following me at times and leading my way at other times.

PS. Originally published on September 30, 2017 on Facebook.