Visit to Sri Badrika Ashram – An Experience of the Lifetime

Sastang Pranam Swamiji. Let me continue from where I left in Part-10.

That night Sanghamitra fell sick. She had bouts of vomiting and loose motion throughout the night. By early morning, she was very much tired and physically weak. At about 5 AM in the morning, I got another shock when Sahil also started vomiting severely. They both were so sick that they were throwing out water also. I was good not perfectly well. But by Swamiji’s grace, Samil was perfectly alright though he was getting fed by Sanghamitra.

We consulted Dr. Geeta at the Ashram Dispensary. She gave some medicines to arrest vomiting and control loose motion for both. Let me tell you a secret: we are all very much habituated with garbage type food, a disastrous lifestyle and all the bakwas. When satvik food cooked in pure ghee is taken by our system, it fails to recognize the taste and the importance. It cannot process the same: ‘Bandar kya jaane adrak ka swad 😉 !’ In addition to this, the change in weather conditions was also taking a toll on us.

We called our chauffer Dalip Verma ji to come down a bit early i.e. by 12 O’clock instead of 2 PM as planned previously. We packed all our luggage. That day Swamiji had given appointment for personal meeting in the morning. The day before, I had tracked Swamiji’s path. And by 9 AM, I was ready to have a last Darshan of Swamiji before leaving. Though unwell, Sahil also joined me. We waited for about 15 minutes and Swamiji appeared! Ah, that graceful walk! Sahil stood up while I kneeled down. Sahil told me that Swamiji spotted us and gently shook his head in a blessing gesture.

Hearing about our sickness, Madhavi ji came down to our room. She was very kind to arrange curd packets, sugar and some freshly cut lemons. Sahil and Sanghamitra had some curd with sugar. Madhavi ji took Samil into her laps and spent a good few minutes with him. She is also very affectionate. We are worried about her deteriorating health. May she get whatever she is seeking with the grace of Shri Hari and Swamiji. Below is a photo of her holding Samil.

Then we went to the dining hall to have a micro lunch as Dalip ji was getting delayed. While coming out of the dining hall to clean the plate, we happened to find Sadhvi Shradhha Om ji waiting to clean her plate. We took her blessings. We also met Sadhvi Vrinda Om ji. Sahil thanked her for the chocolate. She acknowledged with a smile. Then we all took her blessings.

Then I proceeded to the temple to offer gratitude to Shri Hari. The moment I sat down chanting some stutees, tears rolled down my cheek and within minutes, I was in a pool of tears wiping my nose with the handkerchief. The person beside me, got afraid may be of the sudden emotional outbreak or may be in the fear of contracting COVID 😉 and left. I cried my heart out in front of Shri Hari, offered my obeisance to Swamiji’s Kadhau (Patty Chappals).

In the meantime, our luggage was transferred to the main gate, courtesy: Basudev Om ji! When we were about to leave, we heard a voice, “zara sunenge!” I looked up to see a noble soul residing in Swamiji’s complex was calling me. I was curious. I went upstairs and he handed over a gift to us saying, “mujhe appko yah dena tha!” I touched his feet and thanked him. It was a night lamp with Swamiji’s glorious photo on it. We recalled Swamiji’s words, “Aap yahan aye hain toh mein aap ko khali haat wapas nahin bhejunga. Aap kuch toh lekar wapas jayenge.” Yes, Abhishek ji, you are right!

Finally, we boarded the car and with all these great memories, started our return journey. On every turn we were trying to spot the Ashram! The roads which were difficult when we were on our onwards journey, started looking tamed and docile. This has been an experience of the lifetime.

We are really grateful that we could accomplish the feat with Samil. And it turned out that, truly Samil is Swamiji’s baby. He completed the entire journey without any glitch or an iota of trouble to us.

Oh Swamiji, please accept my heartfelt gratitude at your lotus feet for the divine gesture and providing me enough time, memories and blessings to write down this awesome series.

A Special Thanks to all the readers who showered immense love on our family and went through all the posts meticulously encouraging me consistently to produce my best. This is my Sadhana…

Answer to the Trivia: Who manages the Coffee Shop in the Ashram? It is the lovely girl named Tahira Kisna. Tahira, I could not get an opportunity to sip in a Cappuccino at your shop. Next time definitely I will.

I could not visit Giri Ganga once more due to the unwell feeling. OK, next time “jaisi Shri Hari ki ichha”

Jai Shri Hari…

Govinda Govinda Govinda…

Parvati Pataye Har Har Mahadev ki Jai…

-The End-