| August
20th, 2005
In
a manner befitting a saint of his high order, all of the arrangements
for the final procession of Swami Brahmanandji’s body through
the streets of Haridwar, and the ceremonies surrounding the Jal
Samadhi, were organized by his successor, Mahamandaleshwar Swami
Vishveshwaranand Giriji Maharaj and the devotees.
Directly
following, and for 24 hours after his passing, devotees were pouring
in to have final darshan of Maharajji. His body was kept in the
Satsang Hall of Suratgiri Bangla. Mahamandaleshwars, Mahants,
Sadhus and people from all sections of society had come in large
numbers to pay their last respects. In the hall, chanting of
Bhagwad Gita and Vishnu Sahasranam had continued until Maharajji’s
body had been moved for the Abhishek on 19 August.
Abhishek
was performed with five sacred materials -- milk, curd, ghee,
honey and sugar. Lastly, essential oil was lovingly applied. Everyone
took part in the ceremony with great devotion as they offered
shawls, garlands, etc. Following the Abhishek, the body was clothed
and placed in a special palanquin called a ‘Viman’. The atmosphere
was charged with emotion as everyone present bowed in final pranam.
With
a brass band at the head of the group, the Viman carrying Maharajji’s
body was hoisted onto the shoulders of saints and devotees and
carried along the streets of the holy city of Haridwar. Haridwar
is a sacred place, the streets are lined with many ancient ashrams
and as the procession wound its way through the narrow streets,
Pooja was offered at each ashram. When the procession reached
Shanti Mandir, Gurudev, as a mark of deep respect for Maharajji,
offered a shawl and garlands - camphor arati was waved before
the body.
The
procession concluded at the bank of river Ganga, known as Neeldhara.
Final pooja was offered to Maharajji and the body was then transferred
from the Viman to a wooden box that had been prepared. Amidst
the tremendous vibration and sounds of mantras, conches, drums
and trumpets, the box slid down into the deep waters of Brahmanandji’s
own beloved, holy river Ganga.
There
are three types of Samadhi, namely, Bhu Samadhi, Jal Samadhi and
Vayu Samadhi. Saints living in the region of very sacred rivers
are given ‘Jal Samadhi’. Accordingly, Maharajji was given ‘Jal
Samadhi’.
In
May, when Maharajji had returned to his ashram from a 2-week stay
in the hospital, he remarked to those around him, “Narayan is
the only doctor for me, and Gangajal the only medicine.” Indeed,
throughout the years, whenever Maharajji was in residence at Suratgiri
Bangla, Kankal, Haridwar, he sipped Gangajal and took his bath
in the holy waters. Per his wish, he departed from his body on
the holy banks and it was the Ganga in which he was finally immersed.
We
at Shanti Mandir deeply mourn the passing away of Mahamandaleshwar
Swami Brahmanand Giriji Maharaj. From the beginning, we have been
graced by his ardent support and blessings. He always expressed
his pleasure with any expansion, progress or development within
Shanti Mandir. We will especially remember his auspicious blessing
in January of 1999, when he repeated “Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti” and announced that this signified the blessing of the
three Ashrams of Shanti Mandir: Haridwar, Magod and Walden.
His
memory will ever inspire us to keep moving forward in life. With
great respect and love, we offer our pranams. |
