An Interview with the Sacred Mother

“Reverend Mother, I was baptized in infancy by your prophet-husband. He was the guru of my parents and of my own guru Sri Yukteswarji. Will you therefore give me the privilege of hearing a few incidents in your sacred life?”

“Reverend Mother, your husband, the prophet, baptized me as a baby. He was the guru of my parents and of my own guru, Sri Yukteswarji. So would you give me the privilege of hearing about a few events in your sacred life?”

I was addressing Srimati Kashi Moni, the life-companion of Lahiri Mahasaya. Finding myself in Benares for a short period, I was fulfilling a long-felt desire to visit the venerable lady. She received me graciously at the old Lahiri homestead in the Garudeswar Mohulla section of Benares. Although aged, she was blooming like a lotus, silently emanating a spiritual fragrance. She was of medium build, with a slender neck and fair skin. Large, lustrous eyes softened her motherly face.

I was speaking to Srimati Kashi Moni, the lifelong companion of Lahiri Mahasaya. I was in Benares for a short stay and was fulfilling a long-held wish to visit this respected elderly woman. She welcomed me warmly at the old Lahiri family home in the Garudeswar Mohulla section of Benares. Although elderly, she bloomed like a lotus, silently giving off a spiritual fragrance. She had a medium build, a slender neck, and fair skin. Large, shining eyes softened her motherly face.

“Son, you are welcome here. Come upstairs.”

“Son, you’re welcome here. Come upstairs.”

Kashi Moni led the way to a very small room where, for a time, she had lived with her husband. I felt honored to witness the shrine in which the peerless master had condescended to play the human drama of matrimony. The gentle lady motioned me to a pillow seat by her side.

Kashi Moni led me to a very small room where she had lived with her husband for a time. I felt honored to see this shrine where the matchless master had humbly chosen to play out married life’s human drama. The gentle woman gestured for me to sit on a cushion beside her.

“It was years before I came to realize the divine stature of my husband,” she began. “One night, in this very room, I had a vivid dream. Glorious angels floated in unimaginable grace above me. So realistic was the sight that I awoke at once; the room was strangely enveloped in dazzling light.

“It took me years to recognize my husband’s divine stature,” she began. “One night, in this very room, I had a vivid dream. Glorious angels floated above me with unimaginable grace. The sight was so realistic that I woke up at once. The room was strangely filled with dazzling light.

“My husband, in lotus posture, was levitated in the center of the room, surrounded by angels who were worshiping him with the supplicating dignity of palm-folded hands. Astonished beyond measure, I was convinced that I was still dreaming.

“My husband was floating in the center of the room, seated in the lotus posture and surrounded by angels. The angels worshiped him with their palms pressed together in dignified prayer. I was utterly astonished and convinced that I was still dreaming.

“‘Woman,’ Lahiri Mahasaya said, ‘you are not dreaming. Forsake your sleep forever and forever.’ As he slowly descended to the floor, I prostrated myself at his feet.

“‘Woman,’ Lahiri Mahasaya said, ‘you are not dreaming. Give up sleep forever and ever.’ As he slowly lowered himself to the floor, I bowed down at his feet.

“‘Master,’ I cried, ‘again and again I bow before you! Will you pardon me for having considered you as my husband? I die with shame to realize that I have remained asleep in ignorance by the side of one who is divinely awakened. From this night, you are no longer my husband, but my guru. Will you accept my insignificant self as your disciple?’ [^31]

“‘Master,’ I cried, ‘I bow before you again and again! Will you forgive me for thinking of you as my husband? I am dying of shame to realize I have lived in ignorance beside someone who is divinely awakened. From tonight on, you are no longer my husband, but my guru. Will you accept someone as insignificant as me as your disciple?’ [^31]

“The master touched me gently. ‘Sacred soul, arise. You are accepted.’ He motioned toward the angels. ‘Please bow in turn to each of these holy saints.’

“The master touched me gently. ‘Sacred soul, stand up. You are accepted.’ He gestured toward the angels. ‘Please bow to each of these holy saints, one at a time.’

“When I had finished my humble genuflections, the angelic voices sounded together, like a chorus from an ancient scripture.

“When I finished my humble bows, the angelic voices sounded together, like a chorus from an ancient scripture.

“‘Consort of the Divine One, thou art blessed. We salute thee.’ They bowed at my feet and lo! their refulgent forms vanished. The room darkened.

“‘Consort of the Divine One, you are blessed. We honor you.’ They bowed at my feet and, behold, their radiant forms vanished. The room darkened.

“My guru asked me to receive initiation into Kriya Yoga.

“My guru asked me to be initiated into Kriya Yoga.

“‘Of course,’ I responded. ‘I am sorry not to have had its blessing earlier in my life.’

“‘Of course,’ I replied. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t receive its blessing earlier in my life.’

“‘The time was not ripe.’ Lahiri Mahasaya smiled consolingly. ‘Much of your karma I have silently helped you to work out. Now you are willing and ready.’

“‘The time wasn’t right.’ Lahiri Mahasaya smiled reassuringly. ‘I have silently helped you work through much of your karma. Now you are willing and ready.’

“He touched my forehead. Masses of whirling light appeared; the radiance gradually formed itself into the opal-blue spiritual eye, ringed in gold and centered with a white pentagonal star.

“He touched my forehead. Masses of swirling light appeared. The light gradually took the shape of the opal-blue spiritual eye. A gold ring surrounded the eye, and a white five-pointed star shone at its center.

“‘Penetrate your consciousness through the star into the kingdom of the Infinite.’ My guru’s voice had a new note, soft like distant music.

“‘Let your consciousness pass through the star into the kingdom of the Infinite.’ My guru’s voice had a new tone, soft like distant music.

“Vision after vision broke as oceanic surf on the shores of my soul. The panoramic spheres finally melted in a sea of bliss. I lost myself in ever-surging blessedness. When I returned hours later to awareness of this world, the master gave me the technique of Kriya Yoga.

“Vision after vision broke like ocean waves on the shores of my soul. The sweeping spheres finally melted into a sea of bliss. I lost myself in ever-rising waves of joy. Hours later, I became aware of this world again. Then the master taught me the technique of Kriya Yoga.

“From that night on, Lahiri Mahasaya never slept in my room again. Nor, thereafter, did he ever sleep. He remained in the front room downstairs, in the company of his disciples both by day and by night.”

“From that night on, Lahiri Mahasaya never slept in my room again. In fact, he never slept again at all. He stayed in the front room downstairs with his disciples, day and night.”

The illustrious lady fell into silence. Realizing the uniqueness of her relationship with the sublime yogi, I finally ventured to ask for further reminiscences.

The distinguished woman grew silent. I realized how unique her relationship with the great yogi was. So I finally dared to ask her to share more memories.

“Son, you are greedy. Nevertheless you shall have one more story.” She smiled shyly. “I will confess a sin which I committed against my guru- husband. Some months after my initiation, I began to feel forlorn and neglected. One morning Lahiri Mahasaya entered this little room to fetch an article; I quickly followed him. Overcome by violent delusion, I addressed him scathingly.

“Son, you are greedy. Still, you shall have one more story.” She smiled shyly. “I will confess a sin I committed against my husband, who was also my guru. Some months after my initiation, I began to feel lonely and neglected. One morning Lahiri Mahasaya entered this little room to get something, and I quickly followed him. Overwhelmed by a powerful delusion, I spoke harshly to him.

“‘You spend all your time with the disciples. What about your responsibilities for your wife and children? I regret that you do not interest yourself in providing more money for the family.’

“‘You spend all your time with the disciples. What about your responsibilities to your wife and children? I’m sorry you show no interest in earning more money for the family.’

“The master glanced at me for a moment, then lo! he was gone. Awed and frightened, I heard a voice resounding from every part of the room:

“The master glanced at me for a moment, then suddenly he was gone. Filled with awe and fear, I heard a voice echoing from every part of the room:

“‘It is all nothing, don’t you see? How could a nothing like me produce riches for you?’

“‘It’s all nothing, don’t you see? How could a nobody like me make you rich?’

“‘Guruji,’ I cried, ‘I implore pardon a million times! My sinful eyes can see you no more; please appear in your sacred form.’

“‘Guruji,’ I cried, ‘I beg your forgiveness a million times! My sinful eyes can no longer see you. Please appear in your sacred form.’

“‘I am here.’ This reply came from above me. I looked up and saw the master materialize in the air, his head touching the ceiling. His eyes were like blinding flames. Beside myself with fear, I lay sobbing at his feet after he had quietly descended to the floor.

“‘I am here.’ The reply came from above me. I looked up and saw the master appear in the air, his head touching the ceiling. His eyes were like blinding flames. Overwhelmed with fear, I lay sobbing at his feet after he had quietly lowered himself to the floor.

“‘Woman,’ he said, ‘seek divine wealth, not the paltry tinsel of earth. After acquiring inward treasure, you will find that outward supply is always forthcoming.’ He added, ‘One of my spiritual sons will make provision for you.’

“‘Woman,’ he said, ‘seek divine wealth, not the worthless glitter of earthly riches. Once you gain inner wealth, you will find that your material needs are always met.’ He added, ‘One of my spiritual sons will provide for you.’

“My guru’s words naturally came true; a disciple did leave a considerable sum for our family.”

“My guru’s words naturally came true. A disciple did leave a large sum of money for our family.”

I thanked Kashi Moni for sharing with me her wondrous experiences. [^31] On the following day I returned to her home and enjoyed several hours of philosophical discussion with Tincouri and Ducouri Lahiri. These two saintly sons of India’s great yogi followed closely in his ideal footsteps. Both men were fair, tall, stalwart, and heavily bearded, with soft voices and an old-fashioned charm of manner.

I thanked Kashi Moni for sharing her wonderful experiences with me. [^31] The next day, I returned to her home and enjoyed several hours of philosophical discussion with Tincouri and Ducouri Lahiri. These two saintly sons of India’s great yogi closely followed their father’s example. Both men were fair-skinned, tall, strongly built, and heavily bearded. They had soft voices and an old-fashioned charm in their manners.

His wife was not the only woman disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya; there were hundreds of others, including my mother. A woman chela once asked the guru for his photograph. He handed her a print, remarking, “If you deem it a protection, then it is so; otherwise it is only a picture.”

His wife was not Lahiri Mahasaya’s only female disciple. There were hundreds of others, including my mother. A female disciple once asked the guru for his photograph. He handed her a print and said, “If you believe this photograph protects you, then it does. Otherwise, it is only a picture.”

A few days later this woman and Lahiri Mahasaya’s daughter-in-law happened to be studying the Bhagavad Gita at a table behind which hung the guru’s photograph. An electrical storm broke out with great fury.

A few days later, this woman and Lahiri Mahasaya’s daughter-in-law happened to be studying the Bhagavad Gita at a table. The guru’s photograph hung behind the table. A violent thunderstorm broke out.

“Lahiri Mahasaya, protect us!” The women bowed before the picture. Lightning struck the book which they had been reading, but the two devotees were unhurt.

“Lahiri Mahasaya, protect us!” The women bowed before the picture. Lightning struck the book the women had been reading, but both devotees were unharmed.

“I felt as though a sheet of ice had been placed around me to ward off the scorching heat,” the chela explained.

“I felt as if a sheet of ice surrounded me, protecting me from the scorching heat,” the disciple explained.

Lahiri Mahasaya performed two miracles in connection with a woman disciple, Abhoya. She and her husband, a Calcutta lawyer, started one day for Benares to visit the guru. Their carriage was delayed by heavy traffic; they reached the Howrah main station only to hear the Benares train whistling for departure.

Lahiri Mahasaya performed two miracles involving a woman disciple named Abhoya. One day, Abhoya and her husband, a Calcutta lawyer, set out for Benares to visit the guru. Heavy traffic delayed their carriage. They reached Howrah main station just as the Benares train sounded its departure whistle.

Abhoya, near the ticket office, stood quietly.

Abhoya stood quietly near the ticket office.

“Lahiri Mahasaya, I beseech thee to stop the train!” she silently prayed. “I cannot suffer the pangs of delay in waiting another day to see thee.”

“Lahiri Mahasaya, I beg you to stop the train!” she prayed silently. “I cannot bear the pain of waiting another day to see you.”

The wheels of the snorting train continued to move round and round, but there was no onward progress. The engineer and passengers descended to the platform to view the phenomenon. An English railroad guard approached Abhoya and her husband. Contrary to all precedent, he volunteered his services.

The wheels of the snorting train kept turning, but the train did not move forward. The engineer and passengers stepped down onto the platform to see this strange sight. An English railroad guard approached Abhoya and her husband. Contrary to all past practice, he offered to help.

“Babu,” he said, “give me the money. I will buy your tickets while you get aboard.”

“Babu,” he said, “give me the money. I’ll buy your tickets while you get on board.”

As soon as the couple was seated and had received the tickets, the train slowly moved forward. In panic, the engineer and passengers clambered again to their places, knowing neither how the train started, nor why it had stopped in the first place.

As soon as the couple sat down and received their tickets, the train slowly began moving. In panic, the engineer and passengers scrambled back to their places. None of them knew how the train had started or why it had stopped in the first place.

Arriving at the home of Lahiri Mahasaya in Benares, Abhoya silently prostrated herself before the master, and tried to touch his feet.

Abhoya arrived at Lahiri Mahasaya’s home in Benares. She silently bowed to the ground before the master and tried to touch his feet.

“Compose yourself, Abhoya,” he remarked. “How you love to bother me! As if you could not have come here by the next train!”

“Calm yourself, Abhoya,” he said. “You do love to bother me! As if you couldn’t have come here on the next train!”

Abhoya visited Lahiri Mahasaya on another memorable occasion. This time she wanted his intercession, not with a train, but with the stork.

Abhoya visited Lahiri Mahasaya on another memorable occasion. This time she wanted his help, not with a train, but with the stork.

“I pray you to bless me that my ninth child may live,” she said. “Eight babies have been born to me; all died soon after birth.”

“Please bless me so that my ninth child may live,” she said. “I have given birth to eight babies. All died soon after birth.”

The master smiled sympathetically. “Your coming child will live. Please follow my instructions carefully. The baby, a girl, will be born at night. See that the oil lamp is kept burning until dawn. Do not fall asleep and thus allow the light to become extinguished.”

The master smiled sympathetically. “Your baby will live. Please follow my instructions carefully. The baby will be a girl, and she will be born at night. Keep the oil lamp burning until dawn. Do not fall asleep and let the lamp go out.”

Abhoya’s child was a daughter, born at night, exactly as foreseen by the omniscient guru. The mother instructed her nurse to keep the lamp filled with oil. Both women kept the urgent vigil far into the early morning hours, but finally fell asleep. The lamp oil was almost gone; the light flickered feebly.

Abhoya’s child was a daughter, born at night, exactly as the all-knowing guru had foreseen. The mother told her nurse to keep the lamp filled with oil. Both women kept an anxious watch into the early morning hours, but finally fell asleep. The lamp was almost out of oil, and the light flickered weakly.

The bedroom door unlatched and flew open with a violent sound. The startled women awoke. Their astonished eyes beheld the form of Lahiri Mahasaya.

The bedroom door came unlatched and flew open with a loud crash. The startled women woke up. To their astonishment, they saw the figure of Lahiri Mahasaya.

“Abhoya, behold, the light is almost gone!” He pointed to the lamp, which the nurse hastened to refill. As soon as it burned again brightly, the master vanished. The door closed; the latch was affixed without visible agency.

“Abhoya, look, the light is almost out!” He pointed to the lamp, and the nurse hurried to refill it. As soon as the lamp burned brightly again, the master vanished. The door closed, and the latch slid into place with no visible cause.

Abhoya’s ninth child survived; in 1935, when I made inquiry, she was still living.

Abhoya’s ninth child survived. When I asked about her in 1935, she was still alive.

One of Lahiri Mahasaya’s disciples, the venerable Kali Kumar Roy, related to me many fascinating details of his life with the master.

Kali Kumar Roy was a respected disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya. He told me many fascinating details about his life with the master.

“I was often a guest at his Benares home for weeks at a time,” Roy told me. “I observed that many saintly figures, danda [^31] swamis, arrived in the quiet of night to sit at the guru’s feet. Sometimes they would engage in discussion of meditational and philosophical points. At dawn the exalted guests would depart. I found during my visits that Lahiri Mahasaya did not once lie down to sleep.

“I often stayed at his Benares home for weeks at a time,” Roy told me. “I noticed that many saintly figures, danda [^31] swamis, came in the quiet of night to sit at the guru’s feet. Sometimes they discussed points of meditation and philosophy. At dawn, these spiritually advanced guests would leave. During my visits, I found that Lahiri Mahasaya never once lay down to sleep.

“During an early period of my association with the master, I had to contend with the opposition of my employer,” Roy went on. “He was steeped in materialism.

“Early in my time with the master, I faced opposition from my employer,” Roy continued. “He was deeply materialistic.

“‘I don’t want religious fanatics on my staff,’ he would sneer. ‘If I ever meet your charlatan guru, I shall give him some words to remember.’

“‘I don’t want religious fanatics on my staff,’ he would sneer. ‘If I ever meet your fraud of a guru, I’ll give him some words he won’t forget.’

“This alarming threat failed to interrupt my regular program; I spent nearly every evening in my guru’s presence. One night my employer followed me and rushed rudely into the parlor. He was doubtless fully bent on uttering the pulverizing remarks he had promised. No sooner had the man seated himself than Lahiri Mahasaya addressed the little group of about twelve disciples.

“This alarming threat did not disrupt my usual routine. I spent nearly every evening with my guru. One night my employer followed me and rudely burst into the parlor. He was no doubt determined to deliver the crushing remarks he had promised. As soon as my employer sat down, Lahiri Mahasaya addressed the small group of about twelve disciples.

“‘Would you all like to see a picture?’

“‘Would you all like to see a picture?’

“When we nodded, he asked us to darken the room. ‘Sit behind one another in a circle,’ he said, ‘and place your hands over the eyes of the man in front of you.’

“When we nodded, he asked us to darken the room. ‘Sit in a circle, one behind another,’ he said. ‘Place your hands over the eyes of the man in front of you.’

“I was not surprised to see that my employer also was following, albeit unwillingly, the master’s directions. In a few minutes Lahiri Mahasaya asked us what we were seeing.

“I was not surprised that my employer was also following the master’s instructions, though unwillingly. A few minutes later, Lahiri Mahasaya asked us what we were seeing.

“‘Sir,’ I replied, ‘a beautiful woman appears. She wears a red- bordered sari, and stands near an elephant-ear plant.’ All the other disciples gave the same description. The master turned to my employer. ‘Do you recognize that woman?’

“‘Sir,’ I replied, ‘a beautiful woman appears. She wears a red-bordered sari and stands near an elephant-ear plant.’ All the other disciples gave the same description. The master turned to my employer. ‘Do you recognize that woman?’

“‘Yes.’ The man was evidently struggling with emotions new to his nature. ‘I have been foolishly spending my money on her, though I have a good wife. I am ashamed of the motives which brought me here. Will you forgive me, and receive me as a disciple?’

“‘Yes.’ The man was clearly struggling with feelings unfamiliar to him. ‘I have been foolishly spending my money on her, though I have a good wife. I am ashamed of my reasons for coming here. Will you forgive me and accept me as a disciple?’

“‘If you lead a good moral life for six months, I shall accept you.’ The master enigmatically added, ‘Otherwise I won’t have to initiate you.’

“‘If you live a good, moral life for six months, I’ll accept you.’ The master added mysteriously, ‘Otherwise I won’t have to initiate you.’

“For three months my employer refrained from temptation; then he resumed his former relationship with the woman. Two months later he died. Thus I came to understand my guru’s veiled prophecy about the improbability of the man’s initiation.”

“For three months my employer resisted temptation. Then he resumed his former relationship with the woman. Two months later he died. That was how I came to understand my guru’s indirect prediction that the man was unlikely to receive initiation.”

Lahiri Mahasaya had a very famous friend, Swami Trailanga, who was reputed to be over three hundred years old. The two yogis often sat together in meditation. Trailanga’s fame is so widespread that few Hindus would deny the possibility of truth in any story of his astounding miracles. If Christ returned to earth and walked the streets of New York, displaying his divine powers, it would cause the same excitement that was created by Trailanga decades ago as he passed through the crowded lanes of Benares.

Lahiri Mahasaya had a very famous friend, Swami Trailanga, who was said to be over three hundred years old. The two yogis often meditated together. Trailanga’s fame is so widespread that few Hindus would dismiss any story of his astonishing miracles as impossible. Imagine if Christ returned to earth and walked the streets of New York, showing his divine powers. His presence would cause the same excitement Trailanga created decades ago as he walked through the crowded lanes of Benares.

On many occasions the swami was seen to drink, with no ill effect, the most deadly poisons. Thousands of people, including a few who are still living, have seen Trailanga floating on the Ganges. For days together he would sit on top of the water, or remain hidden for very long periods under the waves. A common sight at the Benares bathing ghats was the swami’s motionless body on the blistering stone slabs, wholly exposed to the merciless Indian sun. By these feats Trailanga sought to teach men that a yogi’s life does not depend upon oxygen or ordinary conditions and precautions. Whether he were above water or under it, and whether or not his body lay exposed to the fierce solar rays, the master proved that he lived by divine consciousness: death could not touch him.

On many occasions, people saw the swami drink the deadliest poisons without suffering any harm. Thousands of people have seen Trailanga floating on the Ganges. A few of those witnesses are still alive. He would sit on the water for days at a time or remain hidden beneath the waves for long periods. At the Benares bathing ghats, people often saw the swami’s motionless body lying on the scorching stone slabs. He lay fully exposed to the merciless Indian sun. Through these feats, Trailanga sought to teach people that a yogi’s life does not depend on oxygen, ordinary conditions, or precautions. Whether above or below water, whether exposed to the fierce sun or not, the master proved he lived by divine consciousness. Death could not touch him.

The yogi was great not only spiritually, but physically. His weight exceeded three hundred pounds: a pound for each year of his life! As he ate very seldom, the mystery is increased. A master, however, easily ignores all usual rules of health, when he desires to do so for some special reason, often a subtle one known only to himself. Great saints who have awakened from the cosmic mayic dream and realized this world as an idea in the Divine Mind, can do as they wish with the body, knowing it to be only a manipulatable form of condensed or frozen energy. Though physical scientists now understand that matter is nothing but congealed energy, fully-illumined masters have long passed from theory to practice in the field of matter-control.

The yogi was great not only spiritually, but physically. He weighed over three hundred pounds: a pound for each year of his life! Since he rarely ate, his weight was even more mysterious. A master, however, can easily ignore all the usual rules of health for some special reason. Often, the reason is subtle and known only to the master himself. Great saints have awakened from the cosmic mayic dream and recognized this world as an idea in the Divine Mind. These saints can do as they wish with the body. They know the body is only a form of condensed or frozen energy that they can manipulate. Though physical scientists now understand that matter is nothing but solidified energy, fully enlightened masters have long gone beyond theory. They have put control over matter into practice.

Trailanga always remained completely nude. The harassed police of Benares came to regard him as a baffling problem child. The natural swami, like the early Adam in the garden of Eden, was utterly unconscious of his nakedness. The police were quite conscious of it, however, and unceremoniously committed him to jail. General embarrassment ensued; the enormous body of Trailanga was soon seen, in its usual entirety, on the prison roof. His cell, still securely locked, offered no clue to his mode of escape.

Trailanga always remained completely naked. The weary police of Benares came to see him as a puzzling problem child. Like Adam in the garden of Eden, the unselfconscious swami was completely unaware of his nakedness. The police, however, were quite aware of his nakedness and threw him in jail without ceremony. Embarrassment followed all around. Trailanga’s enormous body soon appeared on the prison roof, as fully exposed as ever. His cell was still securely locked, offering no clue to how he had escaped.

The discouraged officers of the law once more performed their duty. This time a guard was posted before the swami’s cell. Might again retired before right. Trailanga was soon observed in his nonchalant stroll over the roof. Justice is blind; the outwitted police decided to follow her example.

The discouraged police officers once again did their duty. This time, a guard stood outside the swami’s cell. Once again, might gave way to right. Trailanga was soon seen strolling casually across the roof. Justice is blind, and the outwitted police decided to follow her example.

The great yogi preserved a habitual silence. [^31] In spite of his round face and huge, barrel-like stomach, Trailanga ate only occasionally. After weeks without food, he would break his fast with potfuls of clabbered milk offered to him by devotees. A skeptic once determined to expose Trailanga as a charlatan. A large bucket of calcium-lime mixture, used in whitewashing walls, was placed before the swami.

The great yogi usually remained silent. [^31] Despite his round face and huge, barrel-like stomach, Trailanga ate only occasionally. After weeks without food, he would break his fast with potfuls of sour, thickened milk offered by devotees. A skeptic once set out to expose Trailanga as a fraud. A large bucket of calcium-lime mixture, used to whitewash walls, was placed before the swami.

“Master,” the materialist said, in mock reverence, “I have brought you some clabbered milk. Please drink it.”

“Master,” the materialist said with mock respect, “I’ve brought you some curdled milk. Please drink it.”

Trailanga unhesitatingly drained, to the last drop, the containerful of burning lime. In a few minutes the evildoer fell to the ground in agony.

Without hesitation, Trailanga drank every last drop of the burning lime in the container. Within minutes, the wrongdoer fell to the ground in agony.

“Help, swami, help!” he cried. “I am on fire! Forgive my wicked test!”

“Help, swami, help!” he cried. “I’m on fire! Forgive me for my wicked test!”

The great yogi broke his habitual silence. “Scoffer,” he said, “you did not realize when you offered me poison that my life is one with your own. Except for my knowledge that God is present in my stomach, as in every atom of creation, the lime would have killed me. Now that you know the divine meaning of boomerang, never again play tricks on anyone.”

The great yogi broke his usual silence. “You mocker,” he said, “when you offered me poison, you did not realize that my life is one with yours. The lime would have killed me without my knowledge that God is present in my stomach. God is also present in every atom of creation. Now that you know the divine meaning of boomerang, never play tricks on anyone again.”

The well-purged sinner, healed by Trailanga’s words, slunk feebly away.

The thoroughly purged sinner, healed by Trailanga’s words, crept away weakly and in shame.

The reversal of pain was not due to any volition of the master, but came about through unerring application of the law of justice which upholds creation’s farthest swinging orb. Men of God-realization like Trailanga allow the divine law to operate instantaneously; they have banished forever all thwarting crosscurrents of ego.

The reversal of pain did not happen because the master willed it. Instead, the reversal came through the flawless working of the law of justice. This law sustains even the most distant orbiting body in creation. Those who have realized God, like Trailanga, allow divine law to work instantly. They have forever banished all the conflicting currents of ego that obstruct divine law.

The automatic adjustments of righteousness, often paid in an unexpected coin as in the case of Trailanga and his would be murderer, assuage our hasty indignance at human injustice. “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” [^31] What need for man’s brief resources? the universe duly conspires for retribution. Dull minds discredit the possibility of divine justice, love, omniscience, immortality. “Airy scriptural conjectures!” This insensitive viewpoint, aweless before the cosmic spectacle, arouses a train of events which brings its own awakening.

Justice works itself out, often repaying people in unexpected ways, as with Trailanga and his would-be murderer. Such justice eases our hasty outrage at human injustice. “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” [^31] Why rely on humanity’s limited resources? The universe itself works to bring retribution. Dull minds dismiss the possibility of divine justice, love, complete knowledge, and immortality. “Nothing but fanciful guesses in scripture!” This insensitive outlook feels no awe before the spectacle of the universe. Such an outlook sets off a chain of events that awakens those who hold it.

The omnipotence of spiritual law was referred to by Christ on the occasion of his triumphant entry into Jerusalem. As the disciples and the multitude shouted for joy, and cried, “Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest,” certain Pharisees complained of the undignified spectacle. “Master,” they protested, “rebuke thy disciples.”

Christ referred to the unlimited power of spiritual law during his triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The disciples and the crowd shouted for joy, crying, “Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.” As they shouted, some Pharisees complained about the undignified scene. “Master,” the Pharisees protested, “tell your disciples to stop.”

“I tell you,” Jesus replied, “that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” [^31]

“I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if these people stayed silent, the stones would immediately cry out.” [^31]

In this reprimand to the Pharisees, Christ was pointing out that divine justice is no figurative abstraction, and that a man of peace, though his tongue be torn from its roots, will yet find his speech and his defense in the bedrock of creation, the universal order itself.

In rebuking the Pharisees, Christ was showing that divine justice is not merely an abstract idea or figure of speech. Even if a man of peace has his tongue torn out by the roots, he will still find a voice and a defense. The very foundation of creation, the universal order itself, will speak for him and defend him.

“Think you,” Jesus was saying, “to silence men of peace? As well may you hope to throttle the voice of God, whose very stones sing His glory and His omnipresence. Will you demand that men not celebrate in honor of the peace in heaven, but should only gather together in multitudes to shout for war on earth? Then make your preparations, O Pharisees, to overtopple the foundations of the world; for it is not gentle men alone, but stones or earth, and water and fire and air that will rise up against you, to bear witness of His ordered harmony.”

“Do you think,” Jesus was saying, “you can silence men of peace? You might as well hope to silence the voice of God. Even the stones sing of his glory and his presence everywhere. Will you demand that men stop celebrating peace in heaven? Must they instead gather in crowds only to shout for war on earth? Then prepare, Pharisees, to overthrow the foundations of the world. For not only gentle men will rise up against you, but also stones, earth, water, fire, and air. All will bear witness to his ordered harmony.”

The grace of the Christlike yogi, Trailanga, was once bestowed on my sajo mama (maternal uncle). One morning Uncle saw the master surrounded by a crowd of devotees at a Benares ghat. He managed to edge his way close to Trailanga, whose feet he touched humbly. Uncle was astonished to find himself instantly freed from a painful chronic disease. [^31]

My sajo mama (maternal uncle) once received the grace of the Christlike yogi, Trailanga. One morning, Uncle saw the master surrounded by devotees at a Benares ghat. He made his way through the crowd to Trailanga and humbly touched the master's feet. To his astonishment, Uncle was instantly freed from a painful chronic disease. [^31]

The only known living disciple of the great yogi is a woman, Shankari Mai Jiew. Daughter of one of Trailanga’s disciples, she received the swami’s training from her early childhood. She lived for forty years in a series of lonely Himalayan caves near Badrinath, Kedarnath, Amarnath, and Pasupatinath. The brahmacharini (woman ascetic), born in 1826, is now well over the century mark. Not aged in appearance, however, she has retained her black hair, sparkling teeth, and amazing energy. She comes out of her seclusion every few years to attend the periodical melas or religious fairs.

The great yogi’s only known living disciple is a woman, Shankari Mai Jiew. She is the daughter of one of Trailanga’s disciples and trained with the swami from early childhood. She lived for forty years in a series of isolated Himalayan caves near Badrinath, Kedarnath, Amarnath, and Pasupatinath. The brahmacharini (woman ascetic) was born in 1826 and is now well over a hundred years old. Yet she does not look old and has kept her black hair, sparkling teeth, and amazing energy. Every few years, she leaves her seclusion to attend the regularly held melas or religious fairs.

This woman saint often visited Lahiri Mahasaya. She has related that one day, in the Barackpur section near Calcutta, while she was sitting by Lahiri Mahasaya’s side, his great guru Babaji quietly entered the room and held converse with them both.

This woman saint often visited Lahiri Mahasaya. She recalled sitting beside him one day in the Barackpur section near Calcutta. His great guru Babaji quietly entered the room and spoke with them both.

On one occasion her master Trailanga, forsaking his usual silence, honored Lahiri Mahasaya very pointedly in public. A Benares disciple objected.

Once, her master Trailanga broke his usual silence and made a point of honoring Lahiri Mahasaya in public. A disciple from Benares objected.

“Sir,” he said, “why do you, a swami and a renunciate, show such respect to a householder?”

“Sir,” he said, “you are a swami who has renounced worldly life. Why do you show such respect to a householder?”

“My son,” Trailanga replied, “Lahiri Mahasaya is like a divine kitten, remaining wherever the Cosmic Mother has placed him. While dutifully playing the part of a worldly man, he has received that perfect self- realization for which I have renounced even my loincloth!”

“My son,” Trailanga replied, “Lahiri Mahasaya is like a divine kitten, staying wherever the Cosmic Mother has placed him. While faithfully fulfilling his role as a worldly man, he has achieved perfect self-realization. To attain that same self-realization, I have given up even my loincloth!”

31-1: One is reminded here of Milton’s line: “He for God only, she for God in him.”

31-1: This brings to mind Milton’s line: “He lives for God alone, and she lives for God through him.”

31-2: The venerable mother passed on at Benares in 1930.

31-2: The revered mother passed away in Benares in 1930.

31-3: Staff, symbolizing the spinal cord, carried ritually by certain orders of monks.

31-3: A staff symbolizing the spinal cord, carried as part of rituals by certain orders of monks.

31-4: He was a muni, a monk who observes mauna, spiritual silence. The Sanskrit root muni is akin to Greek monos, “alone, single,” from which are derived the English words monk, monism, etc.

31-4: He was a muni, a monk who practices mauna, or spiritual silence. The Sanskrit root muni is related to the Greek monos, “alone, single.” English words such as monk, monism, etc., come from monos.

31-5: Romans 12:19.

31-5: Romans 12:19.

31-6: Luke 19:37-40.

31-6: Luke 19:37-40.

31-7: The lives of Trailanga and other great masters remind us of Jesus’ words: “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name (the Christ consciousness) they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”-Mark 16:17-18.

31-7: The lives of Trailanga and other great masters remind us of Jesus’ words: “These signs will follow those who believe. In my name (the Christ consciousness), believers will cast out devils. They will speak in new languages. They will pick up serpents. If they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them. They will lay their hands on the sick, and the sick will recover.” Mark 16:17-18.