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Life Stories of devotees Blessed with the Grace of Sri Radhaji
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b. Syamananda :
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In Vrindavan there are several traditions of Devotional Love. Sri Syamananda tradition is one among them. Syamananda was a Rasika Bhaktha (Devotee of Radhaji) His life was very sacred and he dedicated his whole life at the Lotus Feet of Sri Yugal - Radhakrishna, and consecrated his life in their service. His ethereal life had been a guiding star to the world of Spiritual Seekers. |
In the beginning Syamananda was a well known devotee of a Goudiya Math in Vrindavan.His Guruji was Hridayanathji. With an ambition to have the Divya Darshan of Sri Syama Syam he was serving his Gurudev. But the 'Guru' has not instructed him any 'manthra' nor any path of worship. He showed a bowery (Kunj) and told him to do the service of the Kunj. Syamananda regarded the instruction of the 'Guru' as the Mahamanthra and was serving Sri Radhaji as much as he could in the Kunj shown by the Guru. |
Gradually his devotional fervour got intensified and reached the pinnacle. He used to feel the presence of Radha Krishna everywhere, in the animate and the inanimate. He felt that the gentle blow of wind as the movement of border of garment worn by Sri Radhaji, the warbles of birds of the Kunj as the musical notes emanating from words of Sri Kishori, the silences of the nature as her radiant beauty at sleep. In this way he had been worshipping Radhaji both as form and as formless and leading his life in an absorbing devotional love. |
One day at early hours Syamananda was cleaning the Kunj as usual. Due to the Sankalpa (intention) of Divine mother that day he found a Golden Anklet near a flowery shrub. As soon as he touched it the currents of Divine Bliss flowed through the body. His eyes started shedding tears. Soon he realised that the anklet was not an ordinary one and surmised that it could have been worn by Sri Radharani herself. He carefully tied it in his angavastra (the shoulder garment) and kept safely in his dhoti. |
MAt the Sri Nikunja while Sri Radha was relaxing after Ras Leela, Lalitha Sakhi watching the feet of Sriji said, 'Devi, why does your anklet is not seen" Sakhi, replied Sri Radhaji, we have come by the side of Shyamananda's Asram. It night have fallen there. Please go there personally and bring it back. said Sri Kishori sweetly. |
At the instance of Sriji Lalitha Sakhi assumed the form of a Vraj woman and came to the Ashram of Syamananda. "Syamananda, my daughter-in-law went past your ashram yesterday. She missed her golden anklet somewhere here. You might have got that one. Please give it back" asked Sri Lalitha Sakhti. Syamananda replied. His face was replete with amazement." Is your daughter-in-law so great, Do you think that the ornament is an ordinary one. |
With its touch or sight itself I get inexplicable Divine Happiness. I am sure it doesn't belong to your daughter-in-law". Forthwith, Lalitha Sakhi gave him the darsan of her real form (Nijaroopa). Syamananda prostrated before her. "I am blessed amma with your Darsan". He continued, 'Unless I see the person whom this anklet belongs to, I cannot give it back Amma "Shyamananda humbly confessed her. And Lalithaji disappeared. Lalitha Sakhi narrated the happening at Syamananda Kunj to Radhaji. |
Pleased by the devotion of Syamannada, Radhaji intended to personally visit Syamananda's Kunji. With the Divya Darsan of Hari vallabha, quivered Syamananda wept for a long time. Even at this juncture he did not forget the goal of his life - Sri Yugal Darsan. He prostrated before Sriji and said He! Radhe, 'I am elevated' and continued with humble voice. 'Sri Radha cannot be without Krishna. But the Vrindavana chandra (the moon of Vrindavan) is not here" Amma". Sri Radhaji, the ocean of Compassion, has conferred the darsan of Sri Krishna. Looking at Syamananda, Syama Sundar said "He Radhe your devotees are very mischievous". Radhaji replied "He wanted your 'darsan' also". That is why I asked you to come here". While saying so Radhaji asked Syamananda to give back her anklet. |
Blessed with his ultimate destination the Syamananda's body, mind and soul passionately looking for the touch of Radhaji. Somehow controlling his mind for the currents of Divine Ecstacy, he prayed "Amma, I wear this anklet to see whether it befits you'. She kept her feet inaccessible even to Brahma, Rudra, Narada and the like, upon the thigh of Shamananda. What a great fortune Syamananda had the Feet that were carefully adorned by Sri Krishna were right in his lap. While tears of Divine Love rolling on his cheeks, in a strange Divine Bhav, Syamanda bent forward to adorn the anklet. Next moment he was immersed in Bhava Samadhi and when conscious no one was there around. |
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