The Saint with Two Bodies (Swami Pranabananda)

chapter three of autobiography of a yogi the saint with two bodies father if i promise to return home without coercion may i take a sightseeing trip to benares my keen love of travel was seldom hindered by my father he permitted his position as a railroad official was fully satisfactory to the nomads in the family father promised to give my request due consideration the next day he summoned me and held out a round-trip pass from bareilly to benares of rupee notes and two letters i have a business matter to propose to banari's friend kiddarnath babu unfortunately i've lost his address but i believe you will be able to get this letter to him through our common friend swami pranabunanda the swami my brother disciple has attained an exalted spiritual stature you will benefit by his company this second note will serve as your introduction father's unwrinkled face were clean-shaven A beatific smile played about his lips.

To dispel my thought that I had intruded, he greeted me as an old friend. Baba Anand! Bliss to my dear one! His welcome was given heartily in a childlike voice. I knelt and touched his feet. Are you Swami Pranabananda? He nodded. Are you Bhagavati's son? His words were out before I had had time to get father's letter from my pocket. In astonishment I handed him the note of introduction, which now seemed superfluous. Of course I will locate Kedarnath Babu for you. The saint again surprised me by his clairvoyance.

He glanced at the letter and made a few affectionate references to my parent. You know I am enjoying two pensions. One is by the recommendation of your father, for whom I once worked in the railroad office. The other is by the recommendation of my heavenly father, for whom I have conscientiously finished my earthly duties in life. I found this remark very obscure. What kind of pension, sir, do you receive from the heavenly father? Does he drop money in your lap he laughed i mean a pension of fathomless peace a reward for many years of deep meditation i never crave money now my few material needs are amply provided for later you will understand the significance of a second pension.

Abruptly terminating our conversation, the saint became gravely motionless. A sphinx-like air enveloped him. At first his eyes sparkled, as if observing something of interest, then grew dull. I felt abashed at his porcelain. He had not yet told me how I could meet father's friend. A trifle restlessly I looked about me in the bare room empty except for us two my idle gaze took in his wooden sandals lying under the platform seat little sir don't get worried the man you wish to see will be with you in half an hour the yogi was reading my mind a feat not too difficult at the moment.

Again he fell into inscrutable silence. My watch informed me that thirty minutes had elapsed. The swami aroused himself. I think Keranath Babu is nearing the door. I heard somebody coming up the stairs. An amazed incomprehension arose suddenly. My thoughts raced in confusion. How is it possible that father's friend has been summoned to this place without the help of a messenger the swami spoke to no one but myself since my arrival abruptly i quitted the room and descended the steps half-way down i met a thin fair-skinned man of medium height he appeared to be in a hurry.

Are you Kedarnath Babu? Excitement coloured my voice. Yes, are you not Bhagavati's son who has been waiting here to meet me? He smiled in a friendly fashion. Sir, how do you happen to come here? I felt baffled resentment over his inexplicable presence. Everything is mysterious today. Less than an hour ago I had just finished my bath in the Ganges, when Swami Pranabananda approached me. I have no idea how he knew I was there at that time. Bhagavati's son is waiting for you in my apartment, he said.

Will you come with me? I gladly agreed. As we proceeded hand in hand, the Swami in his wooden sandals was strangely able to outpace me, though I wore these stout walking-shoes. "'How long will it take you to reach my place?' Pranabhanandaji suddenly halted to ask me this question. "'About half an hour. I have something else to do at present.' He gave me an enigmatical glance. "'I must leave you behind. You can join me in my house, where Bhagavati's son and I will be awaiting you. Before I could remonstrate, he dashed swiftly past me and disappeared in the crowd.

I walked here as fast as possible. This explanation only increased my bewilderment. I inquired how long he had known the Swami. We met a few times last year, but not recently. I was very glad to see him today at the bathing the bathing gut i cannot believe my ears am i losing my mind did you meet him in a vision or did you actually see him touch his hand and hear the sound of his feet i don't have known you were waiting at this place for me why why that man swami pranabaranda has not left my life i thought the swami was just an ordinary man and now i find he can materialize an extra body and work visitor bowed before him the saint turned to me with a quizzical smile why are you stupefied at all this the subtle unity of the phenomenal world is not hidden from true yogis i instantly see and converse with my disciples in distant calcutta every obstacle of gross matter.

It was probably in an effort to stir spiritual ardour in my young breast that the Swami had condescended to tell me of his powers of astral radio and television, but instead of enthusiasm I experienced only an awe-stricken fear. Inasmuch as I was destined to undertake my divine search through one particular guru, Sri Yukteswar, whom I had not yet met, I felt no inclination to accept Pranabananda as my teacher. I glanced at him doubtfully, wondering if it were he or his counterpart before me. The master sought to banish my disquietude by bestowing a soul-awakening gaze, and by some inspiring words about his guru.

Lahiri Mahasaya was the greatest yogi I ever met. He was divinity itself in the form of flesh. If a disciple, I reflected, could materialise an extra fleshly form at will, what miracles indeed could be barred to his master? I will tell you how priceless is a guru's help. I used to meditate with another disciple for eight hours every night. We had to work at the railroad office during the day. Finding difficulty in carrying on my clerical duties, I desired to devote my whole time to God.

For eight years I persevered, meditating half the night. I had wonderful results. Tremendous spiritual perceptions illumined my mind, but a little veil always remained between me and the Infinite. Even with superhuman earnestness, I found the final irrevocable union to be denied me. One evening I paid a visit to Lahiri Mahasaya and pleaded for his divine intercession. My importunities continued during the entire night. Angelic Guru, my spiritual anguish is such that I can no longer bear my life without meeting the great beloved face to face. What can I do?

You must meditate more profoundly. I am appealing to thee, O God, my master. I see thee materialize before me in a physical body. Bless me that I may perceive thee in thine infinite form." Lahiri Mahasaya extended his hand in a benign gesture. �You may go now and meditate. I have interceded for you with Brahma. Immeasurably uplifted, I returned to my home. In meditation that night, the burning goal of my life was achieved. Now I ceaselessly enjoyed the spiritual pension never from that day has the blissful creator remained hidden from my eyes behind any screen of delusion pranabananda's face was suffused with divine light saint made a further confidence.

Some months later I returned to Lahiri Mahasaya and tried to thank him for his bestowal of the infinite gift. Then I mentioned another matter. Divine Guru, I can no longer work in the office. Please release me. Brahma keeps me continuously intoxicated. Apply for a pension from your company. What reason shall I give so early in my service? Say what you feel. The next day I made my application the doctor inquired the grounds for my premature request at work i find an overpowering sensation rising in my spine it permeates my whole body unfitting me for the performance of my duties without further questioning the physician recommended me highly for a pension, which I soon received.

I know the divine will of Lahiri Mahasaya worked through the doctor and the railroad officials, including your father. Automatically they obeyed the great guru's spiritual direction and freed me for a life of unbroken communion with the beloved. After this extraordinary revelation, Swami Pranabananda retired into one of his long silences. As I was taking leave, touching his feet reverently, he gave me his blessing. Your life belongs to the path of renunciation and yoga. I shall see you again with your father later on. The years brought fulfillment to both these predictions.

Kedarnath Babu walked by my side in the gathering darkness. I delivered father's letter, which my companion read under a street lamp. Your father suggests that I take a position in the Calcutta office of his railroad company. How pleasant to look forward to at least one of the pensions that Swami Pranabananda enjoys. But it is impossible. I cannot leave Benares. Alas, two bodies are not yet for me.