Mahasamahdi 1988

It was in 1987 that Pranavanandaji made a request of Babaji, with the mischievous glint of humor that characterized him, that intuitively he must have known to be relevant in the near future. It concemed Babaji's frequently stated wish to be given jal samadhi on his death. He had given instructions for his body to be transported to the Narmada River in Gujerat and "given to the fish.” Pranavanandaji had other ideas.

"Maharaj, now of course your body is yours, but after your death surely it won't be any longer! Therefore, let us take care of your body and do with it what we feel we should. I myself promise to do whatever traditional ritual requires. Allow us to inter your body in Sapta Shringh, in the meditation cave under your hut!” This request was made with such love and humor that Babaji agreed to it.

The indifferent health that dogged Babaji so interminably persisted relentlessly right into 1988. However, early in that year, an invitation to Babaji came from Swami Pranavananda to come to the inauguration of Kali Math, a temple Pranavandaji had built and dedicated to Mother Kali. Babaji went and returned after several happy days with Pranavanandaji. He was radiant. It was as if the Mother wanted to give Her son a final benediction before accepting him back to Herself in eternity. It was to mark the last chapter of his life.

It seemed to those close to him that Babaji had gained a new lease on life. His health suddenly improved and his mood was expansive and full of familiar dynamism and joy. This continued right until June 10, 1988. There was no warning of what was to occur.

It was Babaji's custom to sit with the children for the evening bhajan program in the evening and the tenth of June was no exception. After handing out the usual prasad, he retired to his room but soon afterward was afflicted with severe chest pains. This was nothing unusual for someone with intermittent angina. However, this was something much more - a major heart attack. Babaji calmly told Dr. Mohan Rao and his wife, who rushed to his side, "There's nothing anyone can do for me now.”

The soul of a great man of God at last found release from the tired, afflicted body. He was gone.

The next morning, Babaji's body was taken home to his beloved Sapta Shringh and then taken in procession to the room which had been his abode for so many years. The meditation room under his bed had been hastily excavated during the night and the body was supervised the proceedings.

Many others were present, including Om Baba, Swami Umananda, Swami Krishnananda, and Madhav Chaitanya. Certain disciples had intuited Babaji's death and one of his close disciples had started out for Nasik from North India even before the evening of June 10. 1988.

The main and final ritual came in Sapta Shringh sixteen days later on June 27, 1988. It was attended by hundreds, including Swami Vidyananda, the Mahamandaleshwar of the Saraswati order of monks, Swami Pranavananda, Om Baba, and others. The following account of the ritual was written by an English eyewitness, and gives some idea of the atmosphere.

"The eve of June 27. Cooking all night and people start to pour in. Om Baba and Swami Umananda both tireless and self-giving. In constant movement and preparation, giving orders, meeting the people who have come from far and wide to honor Babaji one last time. Yes, probably never again will we all be here together like this. Our final salute to a man who had loved us all unconditionally. But was it our final salute? No way. Our lives will be tinged with his presence, teachings, abuse, love! We will be, all of us to some extent, his lights.

"Finally, Sunday dawns and they are all there. The familiar faces too numerous to mention. The Mahamandaleshwar (Swami Vidyananda), Pranavanandaji, Om Baba, the Collector (Chief Administrator of Nasik District), sadhus, some with matted locks, some smeared with ash, and several sannyasis. And the devotees came, from Bombay, Nasik, and all over. Faces so familiar. The exchanged look of joy and recognition, the hugs, the tears. The open-air program starts at about 8:00 a.m. and gradually the chant builds up: 'Om namo Bhagavate Prakashanandaya' (I bow to God in the form of light). Yes, everyone starts to feel it. Babaji's gone to God, he is universal now, always with you. Suddenly an old man leaps up and starts dancing and singing, leading us. He has forgotten himself and it catches like fire. Then Vidyanandaji starts singing, beautifully. The rain comes down and the tarpaulin is not big enough. Someone holds a leaking umbrella over him. Then Vidyananda starts talking. He is inspired, authoritative, humorous, and totally at ease. He obviously loves Babaji.

‘Are you sad?' Vidyananda cajoles, ‘Don't you understand that Prakashanandaji has merged back into his Source? Is that a cause for weeping or for joy?'

'For joy!' replies every heart.

“When the speech was finished there was a great feeling of openness to the Guru Principle which Babaji embodied. The last event I witnessed was the bhojan prasad (special meal) in which several thousand people were fed. Before leaving, I took the liberty of presenting a flower garland and coconut on behalf of all those Westerners who could not be there in person.”

The meditation room which had so many times witnessed Babaji's communion with the Divine had now become his Samadhi Shrine (a shrine built over the burial place of a saint). Today, a fine structure towers over the site of the original 9' X 9' X 9' hut. The splendor of his Samadhi Shrine represents the love of all those for whom he is alive today.