Maharaj Nib Karori 1.. महाराज निब करोरी

1. Feeding the Children


Fewer visitors were coming to Kainchi ashram, for it was October and getting cold in the hills. One day at about 2 p.m. Kundanlal Sah, an engineer, was going from Ranikhet to his home in Bareilly. On his way he stopped his car at the ashram and went in to have Maharaj ji's darshan. There were only four people with Baba. After some time many elderly lady devotees arrived from Nainital, and Baba asked all of them to prepare puris in the kitchen. Sah said that he could not understand why so many ladies would be preparing so much food when there were only four people with Baba and all the inmates of the ashram had already taken prasad. It came to his mind that there must be some other reason for preparing large quantities of puris and vegetables. At about 7 p.m. two buses full of scouts from Rajasthan arrived unexpectedly at the gates of the temple. They were touring the hills and arrived at the ashram via Dwarahat and Ranikhet. Baba was very happy to see the children and made them eat to their hearts' content.

2. On the Path to God


Late one evening Sri Ma and Sri Jivanti Ma and some other women devotees arrived in Kainchi for Baba's darshan. Baba was not there; he had gone to Bhumiadhar. There were no buses at that time to return to Nainital or to travel to Bhumiadhar. However, Sri Ma and Sri Jivanti Ma decided to go and see Baba.

They did not take prasad at Kainchi ashram because both Mothers ate only after having Maharaj ji's darshan. They decided to walk the twelve kilometers to Bhumiadhar in the darkness of night on that lonely deserted road. As they started on their way, a black dog appeared out of the darkness and accompanied them as if he was there for their protection. When they arrived at Bhumiadhar at midnight, Sri Ma thought of giving the dog some food. Almost in an instant the dog disappeared and could not be found anywhere.

Before Sri Ma and Sri Jivanti Ma arrived, Maharaj ji had asked Brahmachari ji to prepare food for them. Brahmachari ji waited outside the temple to greet them, and as soon as they arrived, they had Maharaj ji's darshan. He praised them for their devout fervor and said, "When you have started on the path to God, proceed, do not stop. He will take care of you." He then asked them to go and have prasad.

3. A Devotee's Sentiments


Bhuvan Chandra Tewari always took an offering when he went for Baba's darshan. One day Tewari saw some small pears in a shop in Bhowali and selected a kilogram of good ones with the thought that whichever pear Baba chose to eat, it should be tasty. After washing them carefully and with love, he put them in a bag and went to the temple in Bhumiadhar.

Maharaj was sitting on a roadside parapet a short distance from the temple. He was surrounded by devotees who were offering him good quality sweets and expensive dried fruit. Tewari put his simple bag of pears before Baba. While talking to people, Baba ate all the pears one by one and smilingly handed the empty bag back to Tewari. He distributed the offerings of the other devotees among the people present. Tewari was touched by how Baba valued the sentiment behind the offering.

4.  A Lie


One day Karanvir Singh returned home late from school. Baba was at his house and asked him, "Why did you take so long? I have been waiting for you a long time." Karanvir Singh replied, "I have come straight from college." Baba at once said, "It's a lie. You are deceiving Baba. You were free at one o'clock and it is four o'clock now. Why don't you say that you were roaming around with your friends?" Baba then gave the names of the friends that he had been with. Karanvir was dumbfounded. Baba laughed loudly and said, "You can lie to your father, he is a simple man. But you can't deceive Baba."

5.  Unexpected Darshana

Mahavir Singh loved the company of ascetics and saints, and he regularly attended to their needs. One day in the early 1940s, while he was on his rounds at the Agra Cantonment railway station, he came across a bulky man of about forty-five years of age. The man was wearing half of his dhoti around his waist and the remaining half covering the upper part of his body. The man spoke to Mahavir amiably, saying, "Mahavir Singh, how are you keeping now?" Mahavir replied, "I am much better." The man then asked, "How is your liver pain?" Mahavir replied, "It is a little less." The man said, "It will be alright." Both of them began walking together. Then Mahavir Singh said, "I do not remember you." Putting his hand gently on Mahavir's shoulder, the man said, "I am Baba Neeb Karori." Mahavir had heard about Baba, but at that moment he felt bewildered by his closeness. In the unexpected presence of Baba, he could not think of what to say to him. Baba said, "Let us go to your house." They went, and since that time Mahavir Singh has always had his grace. Baba gave him darshan every month for about six years, and Mahavir kept a takhat and blanket ready for him.

6.  What Name?

A truck driver around the age of twenty-eight from Pithoragarh came to see Baba at Kainchi for the first time in 1966. He offered pranaam (a respectful greeting made by joining the palms or bowing at the feet) and Baba asked him, "What name?" He immediately replied, "Lalit Mohan." Baba said, "That's a lie, Laxman Singh." The man was surprised to hear his real name from Baba, and by way of explanation he said, "Baba, you are right. My name is Laxman Singh, and the members of my family call me by this name. In my childhood, when I was first registered in school, my family wanted a better name to be written in the school register, and they chose Lalit Mohan." This incident impressed the man so much that he became Baba's devotee, and later, the driver of Baba's jeep.

7.  A Rupee From a Poor Man


One day Baba arrived with some devotees at the house of Prem Lal, the manager of Titagarh Paper Mills in Lucknow. Prem Lal had engaged a new servant to clean in the kitchen who was keen to have Baba's darshan. After finishing his work, he sat on the doorstep of the room in which Baba was sitting. His upper body was bare, and he sat with his head bowed in reverence. Baba asked him, "Whenever you visited your guru, you gave him one rupee?" The servant confirmed this by nodding his head. Baba then said, "You have brought a rupee tucked in your waistband for me?" He nodded again. Baba then said, "Come, why don't you give it." The servant took out the rupee and gave it to him. Maharaj, who would refuse the offering of lakhs (hundreds of thousands) of rupees, accepted a rupee from a poor man with great affection that day. Sending him away, he told his devotees, "A rupee from this poor man is more valuable than your twenty thousand rupees."

8.  Baba's Blessings


The government of Uttar Pradesh under Chandra Bhan Gupta wanted to take over the Barabanki Sugar Mills because of mismanagement. However, the cane growers got their way, and the government gave up its intent. The government appointed Devkamta Dixit ji, one of the mill's directors, as the mill's receiver. Dixit ji had to collect a large sum of money to run the mill.

The Central Bank of Barabanki turned down his application for a loan but advised him to approach the chairman of the bank in Bombay. Dixit ji came to know that the chairman was going abroad in two days time but decided to hurry to Delhi and then take a flight to Bombay to meet him. On his way he thought of receiving Baba's blessings in Vrindavan for success in his efforts.

When he arrived in Vrindavan, the watchman at the ashram told him that Baba had left two hours earlier. Dixit ji was perturbed at not being able to see him and thought that his efforts with the bank would be in vain. Seeing Dixit ji disappointed, the watchman asked if he had come from Kanpur. The astonished Dixit ji said yes. The watchman informed him that before leaving, Baba said to him, "A devotee of mine will come from Kanpur. Tell him that his efforts will be successful. He should take prasad from Bihari ji."

Bihari ji's temple remains closed during the afternoon, and Dixit ji had to leave for Delhi immediately. There was no possibility of getting prasad at that hour, but he decided to bow at the door of Bihari ji's temple and buy prasad from the market. While he was bowing at the gate of the temple, a man opened the door a little and came out. Dixit ji at once gave some money as an offering to Bihari ji and asked for some prasad. The man went inside. He came out bringing a basketful of prasad and gave it to him. Dixit ji received it happily and left for Bombay.

When he arrived, Dixit ji called on the chairman at his house in the Malabar Hills, but he was not home. On an impulse he sent the basket of prasad into the house with a message that it was from Bihari ji. On receiving the prasad, the chairman's wife herself came out to meet him. They were a Gujarati family. The lady had been planning for some time to go to Vrindavan to have Bihari ji's darshan but had not been able to. By getting the prasad at her home, she felt blessed by Bihari ji's grace. She asked Dixit ji to return the following morning. The next day Dixit ji met the chairman, who immediately issued orders to the bank in Barabanki to make funds available to Dixit ji as required. Dixit ji took a loan of two million rupees and saved the mill from total collapse.

9.  Replies to Unasked Questions


I met Baba at the home of my colleague Dixit ji on 14 November 1944, while I was posted to the head office of the State Bank of India in Kanpur. Baba said to me, "I shall come to your house," and then got up and left. I could not understand what he meant at that moment, but my brief meeting with him had such an effect on me that I followed him in my car. Maharaj's car traveled too fast for me to keep up, but after that I had a great desire to meet him again.

After some time I found out that Baba had come to Lucknow and was at Suraj Narayan Mehrotra's house. The next day I went there with my wife and sister-in-law and found Baba sitting in a room with many devotees. We stayed outside the room, and after Baba sent all the devotees away one by one, he called us inside. First Baba said to me, "Ask what you want." I asked for his blessings, and ever since he has always bestowed his grace on me. To my sister-in-law he said, "You worry about your husband unnecessarily. Leave the worries aside and all will be well." Lastly he spoke to my wife, "You have come with something in your mind. Say what you want to ask." Baba asked her twice to speak, but she kept quiet. Baba asked her once again, and when she did not speak that time, he said, "Alright, I shall come to your house and see you. Tell me then." My wife remained silent because she had made up her mind not to express her questions in words and wanted to hear Baba's answers in private.

Later Baba visited Dixit ji's house in Kanpur, and from there I brought him to my home. We had arranged for his reception in the outer room of the house, but instead of going there he said, "I shall sit in your small prayer room." He went into the house as if he were already familiar with it, and I simply followed him. He sat in the prayer room and asked me to send for my wife. Maharaj said to her, "What do you want to ask?" Still she did not say anything. Baba then spoke for about ten minutes, answering all her questions in detail. In the end he said, "Tell me if anything has been left out." As was her nature, she did not speak, but there was a look of joy and contentment on her face. Maharaj said, "Never trouble a saint in this way in the future." Baba left, and she told me that he gave replies to all her questions. After this incident our whole family became his devotees.

10.  It Is All a Show


Kishan Lal Sah, a teacher from Ramgarh, Nainital, often visited Kainchi to have Baba's darshan. His devotion was such that Baba was both his guru and God. In spite of his deep faith, Kishan Lal was feeling depressed. He was disturbed by the evil seen in the world and by his own lack of spiritual progress. One day he went to Kainchi with the thought of discussing the matter with Baba.

When he arrived, Kishan Lal saw Baba sitting on one end of the wooden bridge over the river. He went to him and bowed reverently. Before he could ask anything, Baba said, "You see others trapped by maya (illusion). Narada and Bharata were entrapped by maya. These great sages were trapped by it, so what is there to say about others?" Kishan Lal felt that there was no need to question Baba further.

On a different occasion Sah went to Baba with innumerable questions on spirituality. He greeted Baba, who was lying in his kuti (room), but he could not think of which question to ask first. Baba selected one important question from the unexpressed ones and answered it without being asked. Baba said, "This temple and whatever is seen by the human eye are illusion. What can you do about it?" This led to other doubts and questions in Kishan Lal's mind. Baba again answered them without being asked. Baba said, "Delusion makes everything look real." Kishan Lal thought that there should be a way out. Baba answered, "Attachment is only dispelled by his grace." How can one obtain grace came to Sah's mind. Baba said, "Constant repetition of God's name, even without feelings of devotion, in anger or lethargy, brings out his grace. Once this is realized, there is no room for any misgivings."

In this way Baba satisfied the seeker by giving him simple answers to his important, unexpressed questions. As it says in the Ramayana, "Ram, the embodiment of truth, consciousness, and bliss dispels attachment as the sun dissipates darkness."

11.  A Future In the Hills

Dr. A.J. Ventrov, a famous physician from France, was interested in the spiritual life and came to India via Sri Lanka in 1950. He was initiated by a guru at Varanasi and renouncing the world, he became known by the name Viyajananda. In his book In the Steps of the Yogis, he wrote about his own experiences of Maharaj ji and narrated this lila:

"While I was watering plants one day, I saw Baba coming into the ashram with someone. He was telling him about me, saying that I was English. By "English" he meant a foreigner, the word used for foreigners in common parlance in the Hindi language. I had heard of Baba, as his name was often mentioned in the ashram, but I had never had his darshan. Hence, I could not recognize him.

"Baba was well received, and all the swamis in the ashram were called to have his darshan in Annapurna's temple. Looking at me, Baba said, "He is a saint. He feels at home here now, but he will go to the hills." Baba repeated, "He will go to the hills." At that time I had no intention of going to the hills. I wanted to complete my sadhana in that ashram. Two years after this event, in 1959, I had a desire to visit the hill town of Almora. After roaming about in the hills for many months, I returned to Kashi ashram, but the unpolluted mountain environment attracted me. In the beginning of the next year I went back to those hills and stayed there. I was greatly impressed at the truth of Baba's words about me at our first meeting."

12.  M.D. Not D.M.

Dr. Anup Kumar Saxena of Bareilly, the son of Kailash Chandra Saxena of Kiccha farm, was a student of Standard VII when Maharaj visited his family's house and asked him, "What do you want to be?" He replied, "D.M. [District Magistrate]," for his grandfather was an I.C.S. (Indian Civil Service) officer. Baba said, "You might become D.M. of Bombay or Calcutta, but what is the use of it? You will get a telegram from home and will not be able to reach there by the time of your parent's death. You will become a doctor. You are born to be a doctor. You will serve your parents at home and the people in general outside. You will be educated at Meerut." The family was not at all interested in the medical profession. However, Anup Kumar succeeded in his exams and applied to go to Meerut Medical College. He did not become a D.M., but contrary to his own childhood aspirations and those of the family, he became an M.D., doctor of medicine. He opened his own clinic as prophesied by Baba and looked after his parents.

13.  On Meditation

Baba often talked about the importance of meditation, but strangely enough, he would disturb some people when they tried to meditate in front of him. On several occasions, while Baba was busy talking to people, I took his feet in my hands and tried to meditate. Sometimes he moved his feet away, sometimes he started moving his toe in my palm, and at times, knowing I was unable to reply, he would ask me questions on the topic being discussed.

Baba understood all states of meditation and was aware of every individual's limited capacity for concentration. In this context he once said, "The mind, bound by the physical body, has its own limitations. A meditative state of mind must be acquired gradually or else there is a risk of becoming insane. It is true that concentration imparts an insight that can lead to self-realization, but for those who remember God and serve living beings, meditation and other kinds of ritual worship are not necessary. Remembering God and cultivating the seva bhav [spirit of service] are easy methods to progress on the spiritual path."

14.  A Son's Transformation

One day Thakur Mahavir Singh of Agra told Maharaj, "You love Karanvir so much, yet he calls you a mad baba." It made Baba laugh heartily, and he said, "This is the reason that I like him most. People come to me with some motive. He only comes to me with love." Thereupon Thakur said, "Why don't you reform Karanvir when you like him so much? See, his elder brother neither chews betel nor smokes. He always occupies himself by doing well for others. But Karanvir is fond of all sorts of nonsense and his health is always impaired. Why don't you make him realize it?" Baba unexpectedly became serious and said, "Mahavir, you should not count on your elder son. Karanvir will improve with time and fulfil all your expectations."

Mahavir Singh did not take Maharaj's words seriously at that time. Two years later his elder son died. Karanvir was so touched by the pitiable condition of his grief-stricken father that he decided not to do anything that would hurt his feelings. Baba's words proved true. As far as he could, Karanvir Singh fulfilled all his father's expectations.

15.  All Will Be Set Right

The D.I.G. (Deputy Inspector General) of police came to Aligarh for an inspection. He was unhappy with the local police because a gang of wire thieves had not been caught. He told them to make an arrest soon. Baba arrived in Aligarh the same day. The D.I.G., who was a devotee of Baba's, sent Durga Prasad Tewari in a jeep to get Baba. While escorting him, Tewari was thinking of how to arrest the wire thieves, for it was weighing heavily on his mind. Baba unexpectedly spoke out, "The order to make an arrest has caused you anxiety." Tewari did not understand what Baba was talking about. When Baba repeated his words, he understood that it concerned him. He replied, "Maharaj, being in service, I have got to worry about my job." Baba said, "Don't worry. Everything will be set right within three days," and repeated, "Everything will be set right within three days."

The next day a head constable and two constables woke Tewari up. They had the three thieves who had cut the wire with them. The police got information about the other wire thieves from them and recovered about fifty kilograms of wire. On the third day the man who had bought the stolen wire was also arrested. Everything was set right in three days.

16.  Repayment of a Loan

In 1973 Ravi Kumar, an army contractor in Allahabad, came to Kainchi for Baba's darshan. He wanted to offer some items that could be used in the ashram, but he did not have enough money. He contracted Nandlal ji, a ghee merchant in Haldwani, and told him of his problem. He asked Nandlal ji to help him and promised to repay all the costs incurred on his return to Allahabad. Nandlal ji did not know him nor did he ask him his address, but he assured the contractor that he would soon buy everything requested and send it all to Kainchi ashram. He spent a lot of money buying the things required.

One day Baba unexpectedly sent for Nandlal ji from Haldwani and asked him why he had sent all the provisions. Nandlal ji told Baba all that had happened. Baba asked, "Do you know that man?" When Nandlal ji replied in the negative, Baba asked him, "How will the money be collected?" Nandlal ji replied, "I have sent all the goods on the word of that gentleman. If he doesn't send the money to me, it will not bankrupt me." Baba was pleased with his reply and said, "You did right. That man is a thorough gentleman. Had he asked you to send things costing even ten times more, he would have paid in full." Baba's words fully assured Nandlal ji of the payment. A month after Baba's Mahasamadhi, Nandlal ji received a bank draft from that person repaying the amount in full.

17.  The Court's Decision

Many cases of a political nature were pending in the courts against me and my five friends between 1958 and 1968. Maharaj told me that they would finally be settled in our favor, so I was never worried about them. At first we were acquitted by the court, but the government appealed to the High Court against the decision. The cases were remanded for a review. After reviewing the cases, the Sessions Court sentenced each of us to two years imprisonment. We appealed against the sentences.

Meanwhile some of my relatives went to Kainchi to see Baba and asked him about me. Baba told them that the matter would be set right when a particular judge, who he mentioned by name, decided the case. Soon after, the judge who was hearing the case was transferred, and another judge came in his place. The appeal was heard in his court. The case was argued for a full day, and then the hearing was adjourned until the following day. I was afraid because the new judge was not the one mentioned by Baba. The next day the hearing was postponed for an indefinite period. It was taken up again when the judge mentioned by Baba took charge. He gave the decision in our favor.

18.  His Body Is Worn Out

Dhaundiyal once asked Baba about the health of three people. His first question was about his law teacher, who had suffered a second heart attack. The second question was about his mother, and the third concerned his brother-in-law, who had been ill for some time. Baba told Dhaundiyal not to worry about the first two people. He asked him to tell his teacher to move about and to go out of Bareilly to work. Regarding his brother-in-law, Baba said, "His body is worn out." Thirteen days after Baba said those words, Dhaundiyal's brother-in-law died.

19.  A Six-month Wait

One day in 1955 Maharaj was staying at Birla temple in Delhi, and Radhay Shyam, a dealer in gold and silver from Firozabad, was busy attending to him. He stood at the door all day, directing visitors to Baba's room. A man who seemed to have no faith in ascetics or temples sat alone at a distance. When Radhay Shyam saw that night was setting in, he asked the man who he was waiting for. The man replied that Birla had advised him to meet Baba. He also said that he wanted to see him alone. Although Radhay Shyam asked the man to return the next day, he refused to go home. Radhay Shyam explained it all to Baba who said, "Let him sleep in your room. We shall talk tomorrow."

The next day Baba gave darshan to the man. The man told Baba, "My family consists of only three people—my wife, a son, and myself. My son has been missing since 1947. I want to know whether he is alive or not. If alive, should I hope to met him again?" Maharaj sent him away saying, "Go, you will meet him in six months."

After four months the man began writing letters to Radhay Shyam in Firozabad, expressing his disappointment at the fact that his son had still not returned. Radhay Shyam replied, informing him that Baba had gone to the hills and that his letters could only be delivered on his return. He also requested him not to send more unnecessary letters since the period mentioned by Baba had not yet elapsed. After six months Radhay Shyam received a letter from the man stating that by Baba's grace his son had returned home and that he was a teacher in Chandigarh. He also requested Baba's address so that he could go to thank him in person.

20.  A Promotion Foretold

Sub-Inspector of Police Ram Narain Sinha was very devoted to Maharaj. One day, when he had been in the department for just a few years, Baba asked him to bring a pen and paper. When he brought it, Baba wrote "Ram, Ram, Ram" all over it. At the end of the page he write, "You will become superintendent of police." He then put his thumbprint on it and signed "Baba Neeb Karori" underneath.

In those days of British administration it was unthinkable for an Indian junior sub-inspector to rise to the post of superintendent of police. Consequently, Sinha did not believe Baba's written prophecy. Nevertheless, he kept that piece of paper with care. When India gained independence in 1947, the British officers went back to England, and the Muslim officers opted to go to Pakistan, which created a scarcity of police officers in Uttar Pradesh. In those circumstances Sinha was promoted to superintendent of police.

After continuing in that capacity for more than five years, the government brought forward a scheme whereby officers promoted from the ranks were to be demoted and replaced by newly trained I.P.S. officers. Sinha was very much upset by this scheme. He was telling his wife that he had better retire or resign rather than serve in such humiliating circumstances, when his attendant came to tell him that there was an ascetic in the street outside who wanted to talk to him. Sinha went out and saw that the ascetic was none other than Baba Neeb Karori. Seeing him, Baba said, "You won't leave the job. I say that none can remove you." Soon after, Sinha received a government letter stating that in recognition of his meritorious service, his promotion to superintendent was confirmed.

21.  Darshan After Twenty Years

Purnanand Tewari and his brother went to Nainital with some papers concerned with the litigation of their land. Purnanand had to return to Kainchi to get one more document, but his brother fell sick. This required Purnanand to remain in Nainital taking care of him until evening. By that time there were no buses back to Kainchi, so leaving his brother in Nainital, Purnanand began to walk to Gathia (a stop on the way back to Kainchi). The darkness of night had fallen, and he still had several miles to go. There was only one shop at Gathia, and when he reached there, Tewari asked the owner if he could stay overnight. Choudhry, the owner, refused but said that if a truck stopped, he would ask the driver to pick him up along the road. Purananad set out into the darkness again, carrying a small torch.

Along the way he came to a frightening culvert known as Kufia Danth. A steel chain hung from a tree there, and it was said that an ascetic had tied a ghost to it. Though Tewari was a young man of about twenty-one years, he was scared of ghosts. As he got closer, he saw a bulky man in the dim torchlight sitting on the parapet in that lonely place. The man called out loudly, "Who is there? What's your name? Where do you live?" Tewari got frightened. He thought it was a ghost, but he believed that there was no point in running away from an evil spirit. He went closer and saw that the man was Baba Neeb Karori. Tewari had heard of Baba's fame and had seen him earlier that same day in the house of an overseer in Nainital. Purnanand still cherished a desire in his heart to touch Baba's feet, for he had hesitated to do so that morning. At that solitary place he thought that perhaps Baba was giving him the opportunity.

Tewari said his name and that Kainchi was the name of his village. Baba said, "Your brother has fallen sick. Don't worry, he will be alright." Tewari was amazed and remained standing respectfully with folded hands. Baba continued, "Now go. You will get a lift on the way. Litigation is on, do not worry, you won't lose in court. It is suffering due to karma. The case will drag on for a long time." When Tewari asked Baba why he was there, Baba said, "I have come here to avoid evil spirits. There are many evil spirits in Nainital." Tewari then asked, "Baba, when will I have your darshan again?" He replied, "After twenty years. Now go. You will get a lift." Tewari bowed, touched his feet, and went on his way. He thought that Baba said "after twenty years" because he did not want to give him darshan anymore. He hardly walked five hundred yards when a truck driver approached from behind and offered him a ride. This event took place in 1942.

On 25 May 1962 Baba stopped in Kainchi on his return from Ranikhet. Purnanand was sleeping in his house when Baba sent a laborer to go and get him. The laborer told Tewari that a bania (businessman) had come to meet him. He came out and saw that Baba Neeb Karori was waiting for him. Baba kept his word and fulfilled the promise he made to him twenty years earlier.

22.  A Transfer Cancelled

In 1965 Central Jail in Agra was vacated so that the prisoners from the Pakistan War could be accommodated. Bhushan Chandra Joshi was superintendent of the jail. One day the inspector general of jails was in Agra and told Joshi to get ready because he was going to be transferred. Joshi immediately got his luggage packed. Later that day he received news that Baba was visiting someone's house in Agra and went there to have darshan. Upon seeing Joshi, Baba at once said, "Is the I.G. God, that you have packed your luggage on his word? I say go and unpack your luggage. You will not be transferred now." Joshi was a great devotee, and on returning to his house, he obeyed Baba. Later he received a written order from the government entrusting him with the supervision of the Pakistani prisoners. He remained in Agra until 1968.

23.  Two More Children

In 1971 my wife's health deteriorated gradually until one day her condition became serious. I was worried about her and went to the ashram to tell Baba of my concern. The sun was setting, and Maharaj was sitting alone in his kuti, facing the window. I bowed to him from outside the window, went into the room, and sat facing his back on the floor by his takhat. Some moments passed in silence. Then Baba suddenly turned around and showing two raised fingers, said, "Two more children are yet to be born." He then became serious and sat quietly facing the window.

In the mental state I was in at the time, I could not understand him. My wife was at death's door, and Baba was saying two more children were to be born. It came to my mind that my wife would not die if two more children were still to be born. Surely she would escape death. I felt a little more relaxed. I offered pranaam to Baba and went back home. Then I began to think that my wife was aging and that if she was going to give birth to more babies, she would not be able to withstand the physical strain. I then thought that the birth of a child was a matter for joy and wondered why Baba became serious and quiet. I did not have any answer to this question and it remained a mystery. Gradually my wife recovered.

In September 1973 Maharaj took Mahasamadhi, and in the winter of that very year, my wife gave birth to twins. Both children had a beautiful appearance, but they were stillborn. It was then that I understood the meaning of Baba's silence.

24.  Ordinary Problems

One day I was irritated by an itch on my head. Although I did not have lice in my hair, I suspected them to be the cause. I asked Dwarkanath, who was standing nearby, to look, but he did not find any. At that very moment Maharaj sent for me. I bowed before him and sat on the floor by his takhat. Without saying anything, he patted me on the head and rubbed it for a while. I got much relief from it. Both of us were silent; no one uttered a single word. I take it to be one of his many ways of showing that he was aware of even insignificant problems.

25.  Whereabouts of a Missing Person

In 1932 Jagdev Singh came to see Baba with a subordinate Sikh officer. Speaking about Baba's greatness, Jagdev Singh told the officer that Baba would answer his question correctly even if he did not ask it. The Sikh officer wanted to ask something in particular about his friend Gainda Singh, whose son had disappeared in grief after the death of his wife, but he did not say anything to Baba. Looking at him, Baba said, "You want to ask about Gainda Singh's son who has run away from home. The boy has been asking the priest in the gurdwara [Sikh place of worship] at Amritsar to take him as a disciple. His wife has died and his mother is alive. The priest is not inclined to make him a disciple without his mother's permission." The officer passed this information on to his friend Gainda Singh, who at that time was jailer at Farrukhabad. Gainda Singh went to Amritsar immediately and brought his son back home.

26.  Three Sons

In 1968 Rajinder Anand came to Kainchi with her mother for Baba's darshan. As soon as Baba saw her, he said to her mother, "Get the marriage of your daughter arranged." He gave Rajinder two rupees and sent them away. They came out of the ashram, got on a bus for Haldwani, and sat down. When the conductor came to give them tickets, they found that they were two rupees short of the fare. They paid with the money that Baba had given to Rajinder. While they had accepted the money from Baba very reluctantly, they came to understand that his purpose in giving it was to save them from that embarrassing situation.

At home the family began to make arrangements for Rajinder's marriage, which took place the following year. After her marriage Rajinder and her husband went to Kainchi for Baba's darshan. Baba held up three fingers and said to her, "Three sons will be born." Indeed, she gave birth to three children—all boys.

27.  Fail-Pass

After Shrimati Durga Mai's son took his B.A. exam, he was afraid of having failed and seemed depressed. His mother came to Kainchi, and telling Baba of the situation, she asked whether her son would pass the exam or not. Baba at once said, "Fail-Pass," and smiled. All the devotees present laughed. Then he said, "He will pass and get a job in a bank." The boy's name was published in the pass list, and later he got a job in a bank.

28.  She Won't Marry

Godawari Tewari got a job in the Department of Planning, Uttar Pradesh, after completing her education. One day she went to Hanumangarh to have Baba's darshan. When Baba saw her, he immediately said, "She won't marry." Later she narrated, "Baba's utterance proved true in my case. I was rendered helpless by circumstances. I had to shoulder the responsibilities of the education and marriages of my brothers and sisters. Under these circumstances, I had to give up the idea of my own marriage."

29.  Baba's B.D.O. Daughter

Once, when I went to Bhumiadhar to see Baba, he said, "My B.D.O. daughter has come." I wasn't B.D.O. (block development officer) then, so I did not understand. Baba then said, "Don't go to America. Stay in this country and serve it. If you go there, you will become a westerner." This also seemed completely irrelevant. About a year after Baba said this, I was posted to the Garampani block of Nainital as B.D.O. I also got the opportunity to go to America, but remembering Baba's advice, I did not accept the offer.

30.  Hidden Devotion

Shrimati Damyanti Tewari's husband was very much devoted to Maharaj and always kept Baba's photo in his wallet. One day in 1964 he and his wife came to Kainchi for darshan. Shrimati Tewari bowed at Baba's feet and asked her children to do the same. Then she gestured to her husband to touch Baba's feet. Maharaj saw her gesture and said, "He offered pranaam to me before the others. He believes in deeds done without making a show of them." After looking at Tewari for some moments, Baba asked her, "Does he keep my photo in his pocket?" and smiled affectionately.

31.  The Magic of Speech

Kamla Soni was scared because she had to undergo a stomach operation. Others in the family were also worried, so the whole atmosphere in the house was gloomy. Suddenly the telephone rang; it was Baba. He asked Soni, "What's the matter?" Soni started talking about Kamla's operation. Maharaj interrupted him saying, "The operation is done. Talk about something else." Kamla said, "There was a mysterious charm in Baba's speech. It changed the atmosphere in the house. Everyone became more relaxed and I myself felt relieved." The next day she went for the operation happily. She faced the trouble with ease, and the operation was successful.

32.  Proposal Accepted By the Government

I first had Maharaj's darshan in 1946 at the home of Bhagwan Sahai, I.C.S. (Indian Civil Service) officer in Lucknow. As soon as I touched Baba's feet, he said to me, "Where were you? What did you talk about with Lal Bahadur and Pant? They did not accept your proposal? They will agree with you the day after tomorrow." I was surprised that Baba knew about the secret matters of the government, but I purposely avoided further conversation about the matter. Two days later I had another meeting with Govind Ballabh Pant and Lal Bahadur Shastri, and they accepted my proposal completely.

33.  The Destined Proposal

Deshraj Pabbi of Rudrapur received two marriage proposals for his daughter—one from a family in Delhi and the other from a family in Bareilly. His preference was for the one from Bareilly, but his wife preferred the one from Delhi. Because of this difference of opinion, they could not accept either proposal. Deshraj was worried because they wasted a lot of time in indecision. At last both of them agreed to accept whichever proposal Baba chose for their daughter.

When Deshraj came to Kainchi to settle the matter, Baba said, "It has to take place somewhere else," and then got up and left. Deshraj did not understand what Baba meant. He went to Delhi to accept that proposal, but because of the delay, it was too late. Then he went to Bareilly where he was also disappointed, for the boy had got engaged to another girl. Some time later they received a proposal from Amritsar that they were all happy with and their daughter was married there.

34.  It Will Not Be Done

Mahinder Singh, an acquaintance of Deshraj, appeared for a job interview at Pantnagar University. In spite of being quite confident that he would get the job, he did not receive the letter of appointment after waiting for some time. Deshraj sent Mahinder Singh to Kainchi for Baba's darshan. As soon as Maharaj saw him, he said, "He has come for a job. Thakur [a name for God] has spoiled your case. The work will not be done now." Baba's words proved true. Mahinder Singh did not get the job.

35.  Speculation In Gold

One day a rich man who speculated in gold on the stock market was present in Baba's durbar. Baba introduced gold as a topic of conversation and said, "The price of gold will go down in future." The rich man said, "No Baba, there is no such possibility." Baba gave certain reasons and said, "Its price will certainly go down." The man got the point and sold all his gold at a marginal profit. Later the price did go down and the man escaped a great loss. When he came to meet Baba the next time, he offered him two thousand rupees as a way of showing his gratitude. Despite all his entreaties, Baba did not accept the money. After he left, a devotee told Baba that the money could have been utilized for the ashram and temple. He wanted to know why Baba had rejected the offer. Baba said, "He wanted to buy me with that money."

36.  An Unexpressed Desire Fulfilled

Shrimati Durga Sah had heard of Baba, as every household in Nainital knew of him by that time, but she had not found time from her housework to visit him at Hanumangarh. Once, when Guru Purnima (full moon day dedicated to the worship of the guru) was being celebrated in Kainchi, she went there in the company of some other women. When they arrived, puja to Maharaj was being performed. At her first glimpse of Baba, Durga Mai received so much grace that a wave of bliss passed through her body. She remained sitting with her eyes closed and felt that she was having the darshan of Hanuman through Baba.

A few months later many of Maharaj's devotees from Nainital were going to Vrindavan to see him. Durga Mai was keen to go with them but felt unable and helpless due to family circumstances. She was sad at heart since everyone known to her had left for Vrindavan. In the meantime a woman who had not gone telephoned Durga Mai's husband and persuaded him to allow his wife to accompany her to Vrindavan. Durga Mai hurriedly left with the woman. When she reached the ashram and bowed to Baba in reverence, he said jokingly, "I had to chant a mantra to call you." She was overwhelmed.

37.  Interrupted Samadhi

There was no permanent bridge over the river when I went to see Baba. Instead, there was a narrow wooden bridge, and Baba was sitting at one end of it. It was raining heavily, yet devotees were going there to touch his feet. I remained standing in the temple and did not dare to go to him. I prayed to the Almighty saying, "O God, bestow upon me such devotion that I might bring Baba from the bridge into the ashram." When everyone had come back after having his darshan, I also went to him. As soon as I got there, Baba got up and said, "Who are you? You made me get up from my samadhi." Then he walked back to his kuti with me.

38.  One Ailment, Different Treatment

One day Baba was sitting on a parapet by the roadside when a sadhu named Balak came and offered pranaam to him. Baba said to Balak, "What's the trouble?" Balak told him that he had been suffering from stomach pain since the previous evening. Baba gave him some of the remaining water from the lota (metal pot) that he used when washing. Balak drank this, and then Baba made him run around. In a little while the pain subsided.

The same day Pandit Mama also had pain in his stomach. Baba immediately got him admitted to Ramsay Hospital in Nainital and sent his devotees to enquire about his health throughout the day. A devotee asked Baba the reason for according different treatment to Pandit Mama. In reference to Balak, Baba said, "God takes care of the person who has no one to look after him. Pandit is a well-to-do man. He wants good treatment and also expects others to express their sympathy for him."

39.  You Will Be I.G.

Once, when the appointment for the post of I.G. (inspector general) of police was under consideration by the govenment of Uttar Pradesh, Hari Shankar Mathur, a devotee of Maharaj, was the D.I.G. (deputy inspector general). There were six or seven other D.I.G.s who were senior to him. One day Maharaj asked Mathur, "Why haven't you taken charge of the I.G.?" Mathur replied that he was quite junior. Maharaj said, "No, you will be I.G. Go and take charge." The same night Mathur received a letter from the government appointing him I.G.

40.  A Desire For Halwa

On his way to Kainchi, Iftiqar Hussein bought some mangoes to offer to Baba. One of the mangoes was a peculiar shape, and he had a fancy for it. It came to his mind that Baba could be regarded as an enlightened saint if he gave that particular mango back to him as prasad. He was also aware that Baba gave puris (deep-fried bread) and vegetables to every visitor, which prompted another idea to flash in his mind. His presumptions about Baba being an enlightened saint would be confirmed if Baba gave him warm halwa (Indian pudding) to eat.

Before Hussein arrived at the ashram, Baba gave instructions for the preparation of halwa. When Iftiqar Hussein arrived, Baba was in his room. After some time the door was opened and everybody went inside. Iftiqar Hussein placed the mangoes at Baba's feet. Baba smiled and at once gave him the mango of his choice. Iftiqar Hussein was amazed and said, "Master, I apologize for my thoughts." Maharaj immediately sent someone to bring the warm halwa and gave it to Iftiqar Hussein to eat. Tears welled up in Iftiqar Hussein's eyes.

41.  No Discrimination

In an issue of Kadambini, a Hindi magazine, Dr. R.K. Karoli described his own experience with Baba. He wrote that before going to the hospital one day, he went to the house where Baba was staying. On his way he had thought of taking some bananas for Baba but could not buy any. When he arrived, he had to wait for his turn amongst the other visitors. Meanwhile an industrialist drove up, got out of the car, and walked straight into the room to meet Baba.

Feeling that the rich and famous were receiving easy access to the saint, Dr. Karoli was very perturbed. He decided to go back to the hospital to make good use of his time. He was about to leave when a man came up to him and asked if he was Dr. Karoli. When he said yes, the man said that Baba was calling for him. Asking the doctor to accompany him, the man led him to Maharaj, who said, "You have not brought bananas? Come, take these bananas as prasad. You were intending to go back. Listen, I don't discriminate between people."

42.  Bhushan's Promotion

Bhushan Chandra Joshi was promoted to deputy inspector general of prisons in Uttar Pradesh. He was not at all happy with his promotion. He did not know whether to accept the appointment or not because he had a weak heart and was afraid that too much traveling would be involved. He was confused and could not decide what to do. He went to Kainchi to seek Baba's advice on the matter. When he was at the gate of the ashram, Baba was sitting in his room. Baba said to the devotees present, "Joshi is coming. He thinks he would die of touring duty." They did not understand what he meant. After a short while Joshi ji came into the room, and Baba said to him, "Are you afraid? Will you die of a touring duty? Accept the promotion. You still have to become inspector general." Although there was no chance of him becoming an inspector general (I.G.), or so he thought, he did in time become an additional I.G. and later retired from that post.

43.  Not By This Bus

After staying at Kainchi ashram for some time, Shankar Prasad Vyas got ready to return to his home in Varanasi. He decided to go to Kathgodam by bus and went to Baba for his blessings. Maharaj said, "You won't go by this bus," and sent him by another bus the same day. Vyas ji narrated later that he saw the bus that he had originally wanted to travel in along the roadside, where it was lying damaged after having met with an accident. He then understood the significance of Maharaj ji's words.

44.  A Desire Fulfilled

When I first came to Kainchi, I did not know the ashram way of life, nor was I acquainted with the people there. One day I saw a relative of mine taking a piece of roti (bread) from Maharaj's room. I got curious about it, and he told me that it was called mahaprasad (specially consecrated prasad). I understood that it was the leftover food from Baba's meal, but my desire was not limited to a piece of bread. I thought that I would be very lucky if I got the entire leftovers of his meal without asking for them. The very next morning, after Baba finished his meal, he asked Shakuntala to give me all the leftovers. I did not know Shakuntala then, but she came to my room bringing Baba's thali (plate). She said, "This plateful of Maharaj ji's prasad has been sent for you." Then she gave me the plate, which she had covered with a piece of cloth. I was very surprised and deeply moved. I thought myself very fortunate indeed.

It was my experience that Baba fulfilled all sorts of desires that arose in my mind, no matter how trivial, whenever I was in Kainchi. Consequently I felt that I was giving a lot of trouble to Baba by desiring things unnecessarily. I resolved not to do so, but when other such occasions arose, I forgot my resolution or found myself hopelessly lacking in determination.

45.  A Twofold Blessing

In 1946 Devkamta Dixit ji had Maharaj ji's darshan with his uncle, Durga Shankar Dixit ji, in Nainital. Baba told Devkamta Dixit ji, "Stay with your uncle, do not leave him to get yourself treated by a vaidya [ayurvedic physician] or a doctor. Have a long walk every day and eat a lot of fruit." Dixit ji was surprised when Baba mentioned his illness. He did not place any importance on Baba's instructions, but he did as Baba told him. In fact, doctors had thought that he was suffering from a serious illness, but after further tests they found it was no longer the case. He recovered quickly and continued to maintain a close relationship with his uncle, who unexpectedly gave him the management of Budhwal Sugar Mills. In this way Baba blessed him twofold.

46.  Freed From Worry

Once, while Pooran Chandra Joshi was attending Maharaj, he stayed in Bhumiadhar ashram for about fifteen continuous days. During this time he did not even think of his family or his office. Some people suggested to his wife that he might intend to become a sadhu. They said she should inform other members of the family so that they could have a timely word with him to deter him from this course. She did not believe that her husband would ever become a sadhu, and she did not want to involve other family members unnecessarily. She was, however, worried about him. The very next day Baba came to their house from Bhumiadhar and said to her, "You think that your husband will become a sadhu? Don't worry about it. If he could become a sadhu, I would have immersed you in bliss."

47.  An Unusual Way of Showing Grace

At Church Lane, Sudhir Mukerjee once showed Baba a calendar from Lucknow depicting Hanuman deep in meditation of Lord Ram. Seeing it, Maharaj said, "Hanuman ji is absorbed in meditative bliss and so am I. Get it framed tomorrow and keep it in the nearby almirah." I suggested that the picture be placed there the next day accompanied by the recitation of the Sundarkand and the Hanuman Chalisa. Baba agreed and leaving the task to me, asked me not to tell anyone about it. It is not clear how and from where many people gathered there on that auspicious occasion since it was not publicized in any way. The bhandara lasted until midnight.

After this celebration I longed to have the same calendar to provide a focus for worship. I looked for it in vain in Allahabad and again when I went home to Lucknow. One day my nephew saw the same calendar in the house of Dr. Har Narayan Singh, a lecturer at D.A.V. Degree College in Lucknow. My nephew asked Dr. Singh to give the calendar to me, but Dr. Singh said, "I myself am a devotee of Hanuman. I cannot part with this picture of my deity." That night Hanuman ji appeared in Dr. Singh's dream and ordered him to give his picture, the calendar, to me in the morning. He also told him that the outcome of my worship would also accrue to him. The next day while I was reading the morning paper in the living room of my home, Dr. Singh arrived and introduced himself to me. He gave me the calendar and told me about his dream. Thanking Dr. Singh, I was overwhelmed by Baba's grace. I understood that my desire was not hidden from Maharaj and that it was he who gave darshan to Dr. Singh in the form of Hanuman. After all, he himself is Hanuman.

48.  An Unexpected Visit

I practice homeopathy from my home, and patients with chronic diseases would occasionally come to me and tell me that Baba Neeb Karori had sent them for treatment. I attended them, and they would be cured. It surprised me to notice that my medicines worked better on the patients sent by Baba than on other patients. I did not know Baba, nor had I ever seen him. Although I had a keen desire to meet him, it was not possible for me to leave my work to look for him.

One day a robust man with bare feet entered my room when his turn came. He was wearing a dhoti and had a blanket wrapped over his shoulder. Without any formal introduction, he stood before me. When I asked him what his problem was, he told me that he had a burning sensation in the palms of his hands. I asked him a few questions to help with the diagnosis, but he did not give specific answers and then said, "Give me any medicine that comes to your mind." I was rather disturbed by this and asked him to report back to me on the fourth day. He said, "What will this small quantity of medicine do? Give me a larger quantity. I am going away and will not come back." Then he asked the man who was with him to give me twenty rupees. From his appearance and his way of talking, I guessed that he was a sadhu baba. Being busy at the time, however, it did not come to my mind that he might be Baba Neeb Karori. I filled a bottle with the medicine and gave it to him. In spite of my saying that I did not charge sadhus for medicines, the man with him put two ten-rupee notes on my table. They took the medicine and left. I immediately put that money in the charity box.

The next patient entered the room. After the usual exchange of greetings, he said to me, "Do you know the man who just went out of your room?" When I said that I did not, he told me that it was Baba Neeb Karori. I was stunned that such a great being had sat waiting for his turn two hours. My conscience pricked me, for I did not show him due respect because of my ignorance. I went outside to look for him, but he was nowhere to be seen.

49.  Peace In the Family

Ram Narain Sinha's parents had died, and while he treated his two young stepbrothers like his sons, both of them harbored ill feelings towards him. In spite of the fact that there was electricity in the house, one day they quarrelled with Ram Narain's wife over a kerosine lamp. They told her that the lamp had belonged to their father, so it was theirs. This lamp was very dear to Sinha's father, and Sinha had kept it carefully as a momento. On his return from work, he heard about the harshness of his brothers and was deeply hurt. He gave the lamp to them.

At that very moment Baba stepped into their house. Sinha did not know him nor had he ever seen him before, but such was the impact of Baba's presence that he bowed before him. Baba called both boys to him and severely reprimanded them. He made them apologize and bow at the feet of their elder brother. He also made them say that they would respect him not only as their brother but also as their father. Having restored peace to the family, Baba went outside where his devotees were waiting for him. Sinha went outside with him and learned from the waiting devotees that Baba was Neeb Karori Maharaj. Sinha has been a devotee ever since.  

50.  Peace to a Restless Mind

My future wife's aunt was making the arrangements for our marriage at her house. She was very worried because she did not have enough money for it and could not find a way to solve the problem. It is said that saints are moved by the distress of others. The family members were devotees of Maharaj, and one day he arrived at her house. Just before he was about to go, he said to her, "Why do you worry about money? Look into that box of yours. You have kept money in it." When Baba had gone, she thought about how he knew that she kept money in a box. She knew how much money was inside, so she was not eager to open it. She left it for a while and then thought again about the circumstances. When she went to open the box, she was simply amazed to find it full of money. Baba's compassion moved her deeply. There was nothing more needed, and the wedding arrangements went ahead smoothly.

51.  A Grudge Against Baba

An aimless, unemployed youth came to meet Baba one day. Baba took pity on him and got him a good job through people present at the time. He also spoke to members of the boy's family and arranged for his marriage into a good family. Baba gave him the opportunity to lead a happy and comfortable life. After getting the job, the youth increased his expenses to such an extent that he became distressed. His family became a burden to him, and he lost the ability to think rationally. He blamed Baba for his marriage and held a grudge against him. One day on the pretext of having darshan, he went into Baba's room at the house of Mehrotra ji in Lucknow. As soon as Baba saw him, he put his blanket aside and baring his chest said, "Kill me if you want to." The youth was stunned to see the expression on Baba's face and at the exposure of his own thoughts. Holding him by the hand, a devotee immediately took him outside and asked him what the matter was. The man confessed that Baba had revealed his true motive. He felt utterly humiliated and left with his head bowed.

52.  The Significance of His Command

Maharaj was at Church Lane when a woman from Jagati Niwas, Colonelganj, came for his darshan. Seeing her, he said, "Are you well?" The woman, who seemed to be healthy, answered, "Baba, I am quite well." He at once said, "Consult the lady Dr. Barar and complete the treatment she suggests. Don't worry about money. I shall give money. Her fee is sixteen rupees." The woman then said, "I am healthy. I don't require any treatment." Baba did not agree with her and said, "It is my command. Won't you carry it out? When your legs fail you, even the members of your family will not care about you." Hearing his words, the woman got scared. She could not discuss it with her family, for she felt healthy. As it was imperative to obey Baba, she went to see Dr. Barar without telling them. Dr. Barar checked her thoroughly and told her that because she had come early for examination, her condition could be cured with a long course of treatment. Maharaj saved her from intense agony in the future.

53.  His Words Came True

In 1930 Jagdev Singh Vohra of Rai Bareilly was sent from Quetta to Rajput Centre for training and stayed with Ram Singh. One day Ram Singh took him to Baba. As soon as Baba saw them, he told Ram Singh, "He has come from Quetta. He worships Shiva. You retire, take your pension, and leave your post for him." After completing his training, Jagdev Singh went back to Quetta, and eventually all that Baba said took place. Although there were many subedars senior to him, Jagdev was promoted to the rank of subedar major and transferred to Fatehgarh Centre, where he took over from Subedar Major Ram Singh.

54.  An Opportunity to Serve

Whenever Baba moved from one place to another, devotees got busy preparing for the journey. Someone would get his car filled with petrol; another would buy railway tickets for him and the people accompanying him. A devotee in Allahabad once made up his mind to buy Baba a railway ticket. When Maharaj got ready to leave Allahabad, the devotee kept some money in his pocket and went with Baba to Prayag station. When they got there, the devotee followed Baba but hesitated to ask him if he could buy his ticket. Baba turned to him and said, "You are carrying money in your pocket. Why don't you buy a ticket?"

55.  Seasonal Fruit

Shankar Prasad Vyas of Varanasi was sitting in his room at Kainchi ashram involved in a discussion about fruit. He said he had eaten all kinds of fruit, but he had not eaten a mango since his arrival. Sometime later he went into the temple area and saw Baba sitting in his room. Baba saw him and at once said, "You didn't get mangoes to eat?" Shankar Prasad felt petty and sat quietly by Baba. After a while a devotee arrived with a basketful of mangoes and offered it to Baba. Baba asked an attendant who was standing nearby to carry the basket to Vyas' room. With folded hands Vyas ji humbly said, "Baba, I was talking casually about mangoes in my room. What shall I do with so many mangoes?" He then picked up a few mangoes from the basket and raised them to his head in reverence. Baba looked at him, smiling.

56.  Disregarding Baba's Instructions

Ganga Prasad Shastri was very devoted to Baba. One day he asked Baba whether his sadhana would be accomplished. Baba replied, "Pandit, you have Hanuman's complete grace with you. There is no need for you to do anymore sadhana now. If you do, you will have problems." Shastri thought that Baba said this because he was old. He felt he was quite strong and undertook another arduous spiritual sadhana. In a small accident he fractured his pelvis and could no longer move about independently. Whenever he remembered Baba, he would say, "Baba gave me good advice, which I ignored. I would not have suffered in this manner if I had followed his advice." He died in this helpless state.

57.  A Warning

A Muslim constable named Haji did sentry duty at the gate of Kainchi ashram. One day he went for Baba's darshan before starting his work, as he usually did. Maharaj said with a smile, "Haji, it is a bad day for you. Don't leave your duty. Don't go anywhere." Haji bowed before him and went away to his duty. Later he forgot Baba's warning and leaving the gate, walked towards the bus stand. On the way he slipped on a banana peel and fell down. He fractured his arm and was sent to the hospital. He regretted that he did not pay attention to Baba's warning.

58.  Not to Marry

The marriage of a girl in Ramesh Chandra Pandey's family could not be settled, and everyone was worried about it. The astrologer who read her horoscope said that she would be married in the thirty-second year of her life. A marriage was arranged for her that year, and all the preparations for it were underway. One day Baba arrived quite unexpectedly. Everyone in the house came to do pranaam to him. When the girl bowed to him in reverence, Maharaj said to her, "Do not get married." Nobody understood the significance of his words, so they were taken lightly. She was married as arranged. Five months later her husband died, and she became a widow.

59.  Resisting Baba's Influence

I first heard about Baba while I was teaching in Ghorakhal. One day in 1966 I decided to go for his darshan. As soon as I went into Maharaj ji's kuti, he said, "Come, Srivastava, come." and told the devotees present, "He belongs to Ayodhya. His father works in the Water Works Department." Considering I had never met him before, I was surprised and impressed by his words. After that I went to Kainchi ashram to see him often, and each time the impression he left on me deepened.

My guru had initiated me into the Nanak Shahi mantra, and I recited it every day. Once, when I came to Kainchi to see Baba, I deliberately sat behind other visitors. I was having his darshan and simultaneously reciting my guru mantra. Baba called me to him again and again and gave me fruit. After taking prasad from him, I returned to my place each time and started to repeat my mantra. At one point I said to him, "Baba, you are giving me all the fruit." Thereupon Baba smiled and whispered, "Because you were testing me. Now you go." Baba knew what was in my mind. I did not want to leave his company, but at the same time I wanted to restrain his influence on me because I was afraid that it might lessen my devotion to my own guru.

60.  The Consequence of Disobedience

At Hanumangarh, Maharaj once told his devotee Bhagwati Prasad, "Go and recite Hanuman Chalisa before Hanuman ji and do not go anywhere else." Just then the Raja of Kashipur's car arrived for Baba, and he left. After Baba's departure other devotees also started leaving. Since Bhagwati Prasad did not want to stay at Hanumangarh on his own, he ignored Baba's words and went with them. On the way a huge stone came rolling down the mountainside onto the road. Bhagwati Prasad was hurt, but the others remained unharmed. He was immediately admitted to Ramsay Hospital in Nainital.

61.  Roadside Darshan

Kainchi was on my bus route, so I had seen the construction of the temple and ashram. There was always a crowd of devotees there, and I always drove past. I never went to have Baba's darshan because I could not leave the bus. The Bhumiadhar temple had been constructed earlier and was also on my route. One day while I was driving to Ganai via Bhumiadhar, I saw a large crowd along the way and heard that Baba Neeb Karori was there. I could not stop to have his darshan for the same reason. I consoled myself, thinking that highly enlightened saints are the images of God, therefore, if Baba was an enlightened soul, he would know my feelings and give me darshan on his own. The very next morning, while I was driving past the ashram on my way back to Bareilly, Baba was standing alone at a turn in the road as if he had been waiting for me. I immediately stopped, got off the bus, and did pranaam to him. Baba asked, "Where are you going?" and without waiting for a reply said, "You should never bother a sadhu in this way, understand?" I apologized for my mistake.

62.  Cook Again

One morning at about 10 o'clock, Maharaj and some devotees arrived in Bareilly by train and went to the house of Dr. Bhandari. Dr. Bhandari gave everyone lunch, and after some time Baba said, "Clean the dining table and cook food again for seven people." Baba was obeyed, and everyone waited for the guests. Before evening Prem Lal arrived from Lucknow with his family. He had not told Baba about his visit, nor had he informed Dr. Bhandari. He was surprised and happy to see Baba at the house. The family came to know that Baba had already asked that a meal be prepared for them. Baba's consideration made them realize how much he loved them.

63.  Giving a Test

One day Baba was sitting in a closed room at Radhay Shyam's house with some members of the family when someone knocked at the door. Radhay Shyam did not like any disturbances during Baba's darshan. He was also aware of Baba's supernatural powers, so before opening the door, he asked, "Baba, who is it?" Smilingly, Baba asked, "Are you testing me?" and went on to say, "He is the brother of Badshah, the advocate. He works at Solan. His wife has TB, and sitting by her bedside at night, he weeps." On opening the door, the man who entered introduced himself as Baba had said and then entreated Baba for his blessings to rid his wife of her disease.

64.  Testing Maharaj

We were having tea with a dentist at Indra Pharmacy in Nainital when we learned that Maharaj had arrived in Bhumiadhar. The dentist proposed that we go and give Maharaj a test. He prepared some questions concerning turiyavastha (one of the highest states of samadhi in which the individual self merges with the universal self), and we took a bus to Bhumiadhar. Baba usually ignored people who came to test him, and we were also treated with a befitting indifference. Since Baba's room was full of devotees and visitors, we did not find any room inside to sit. We offered pranaam to him from the door and sitting on the shoes that lay scattered outside, had his darshan from there. Baba looked at us once. Without saying anything to us, he asked one of his devotees to read out of the Yogavashistha. The devotee opened the book at random and started reading from that page. Whatever he read was the complete answer to my friend's unasked questions. We had nothing in our hearts but the utmost reverence for Baba's supernatural powers. Having offered pranaam to him again, we returned to Nainital. The dentist later became a sadhu.

65.  Go, the Test Is Over

Godawari went to Kainchi to see Baba one day and saw him giving out mangoes. There was a small packet of cloves among them. When all the mangoes had been distributed, Baba picked up that packet. He told the visitors who brought the mangoes, "You, husband and wife, quarrel a lot. The wife should attend to her husband and the husband should not lose his temper unnecessarily." Then, giving the husband the packet containing the cloves, Baba said, "Yesterday at your house you were talking about giving me a test. Now go, the test is over." They put that little packet of cloves there deliberately to test Baba.

66.  He Knew Everyone

A couple came into the room while I was sitting with Maharaj at Church Lane in Allahabad. Glancing at Baba, the man looked around the room for a chair to sit on. Not seeing one, he sat on the floor with great difficulty. He completely forgot to pay his respects to Baba or to greet him, but his wife touched Baba's feet with great devotion. Baba asked the man, "What name?" The man thought for a little while and replied, "Baba, you would not be able to know me by name?" He had hardly finished his sentence when Baba all of a sudden asked, "How is your aunt from Park Road, Allahabad, feeling now?" The man was taken aback and looked at Baba in astonishment.

67.  Peace and Comfort Beyond Imagination

One day in Kainchi, Maharaj ji asked for puris and vegetables to be prepared throughout the night. Nobody understood the purpose of Baba's order since there was no festival at the ashram. Nevertheless, many hundreds of kilos of puris were fried. The next day prasad was distributed as usual and much of the food remained. The workers were worried that such a large quantity of food would go to waste.

Towards evening a bus went out of control because of some mechanical defect and collided with the parapet of the road just outside the ashram. Its front wheels slipped onto a steep slope, and the bus came to rest in such a way that it blocked the traffic on both sides. About one hundred and fifty buses were stranded. Darkness soon fell on the Kainchi valley, and there seemed to be no way out of the situation. In those days there were no shops in the village except for a small tea stall.

The passengers were planning to spend a cold night in the buses with nothing to eat when Baba sent for everyone and gave them hot tea and plenty of food. The women and children were provided with bedding and accommodated in the ashram. The men were given blankets so that they could spend the night in the buses and keep watch on their luggage. The passengers were amazed and grateful. The comforts and facilities provided to them in that lonely place at that odd hour were totally unexpected.

68.  Go Away From Here

After attending a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee in Ranikhet, Minister Jagan Prasad Rawat went to have Baba's darshan at Bhumiadhar along with many other people. Maharaj gave them a lot of prasad, and while the minister wanted to stay with Baba for some time longer, all of a sudden Baba said, "Go away. Go away from here immediately." The minister followed his instructions and went to Nainital. Hardly had he sat down in his room when there was a severe earthquake. If he had delayed in following Baba's instructions, anything could have happened on the way, for the consequences of an earthquake in the hill region were often devastating.

69.  Present On Call

One day Maharaj ji arrived at the house of Devkamta Dixit ji in Kanpur. Before 4 a.m. the next morning they both left by car for Prayag, Allahabad. It was very foggy and visibility was poor. Feeling that it was too early to travel, Dixit ji suggested that they spend more time in Kanpur. Baba didn't say anything, so the car continued on for another two kilometers. Near Chakeri, Baba suddenly directed the driver to drive through the gates leading to a bungalow. As soon as the car entered, Hiralal Sah "Habba" came out to welcome Baba. Overwhelmed by love and joy, he said, "Baba, when I woke up, I remembered you. It was my keen desire to have your darshan today."

70.  Prasad For Tewari

One day Bhuvan Chandra Tewari, a clerk at the Roadways bus station in Bhowali, was sent to replace another worker at the Brewery station. He left home without having anything to eat that day and was so busy at the station that he continued working on an empty stomach. Maharaj was in Bhumiadhar and could not bear a devotee going hungry. At about 2 p.m. he sent a basket packed full of puris and spicy potatoes for Tewari with a bus conductor going via Bhumiadhar to Brewery. Tewari felt Baba's kind-heartedness and shared that prasad with everyone there.

71.  Exam Results

My cousin had seen Baba many times and had heard talk of his lila every day at home. He was worried after taking his high school exam and thought that he should visit Baba to know of his results before they were released. He went to Kainchi ashram and told Baba about his concern. Like a child, Baba at once said, "You will fail." The way he spoke was convincing enough, but the boy could not persuade himself to accept the truth of the words. Realizing that it was an utterance of a saint, he was even more worried. He thought about it for days, and finally, presuming that Baba would have forgotten what he said, the boy went back to Kainchi to ask him the same question again. This time Baba said straightaway, "You will pass." The reply pleased the boy, but the thought that Baba had initially said "fail" and then "pass" put him in a quandary. After a gap of several days he went to Kainchi again and asked the same question for the third time. This time Baba said "fail." Hearing the word "fail" twice from Baba, the boy became sad. Baba said to his devotees, "Even the wisest have not been able to fathom me, how can this boy do so?" The boy failed. His name was published for a supplementary exam, and he got through.

72.  The Last Exam

Mahendra Singh of Bareilly came to Kainchi with his father in 1965. As their bus was driving through the hilly region on the way to the ashram, Mahendra told his father that the journey would have been more enjoyable on a motorbike. No more was said. His father was taking him to see Baba to have his blessings for a successful result in his exams. The boy had failed for the last two years. Just after having Baba's darshan, the boy's father brought up the topic of the exams. Baba immediately said, "He won't study. He will drive a motorbike." Hearing this, Mahendra Singh was astonished as he remembered what he had said to his father on the way to Kainchi. When his father entreated favor, Baba said, "I won't tell a lie. Let me ask Hanuman ji." Immediately after that Baba said, "He will get through the examination this time. But for the future, I say nothing." Mahendra Singh said, "I knew very well what I wrote in the exam, but I was declared pass anyway. That exam was my last. Exactly what Baba said happened."

73.  Awakening India

One day during the Chinese aggression against India, I saw Baba in a house in Allenganj, Allahabad. Sitting by his feet, I was brooding over the morning news. The Chinese forces had penetrated deep into the country via Tejpur, and the Indian army, caught by surprise, was not able to hold them back. Depressed by this state of affairs, and the crisis it caused, I expressed my disappointment to him. He simply said, "India is a country of saints and follows the dictates of religion. Communism cannot stay here. China will go back." I thought, How indifferent we Indians are even at a time of crisis, and felt further saddened. I humbly expressed my doubts and asked, "Baba, why has China invaded India if it has to go back?" His prompt and brief reply was, "To awaken you." It did not satisfy me, but I kept quiet.

On the third day after this conversation, I was surprised to read the headlines in the morning newspapers, stating that the Chinese had withdrawn unconditionally without giving any reason. Baba's statement from our last meeting immediately flashed in my mind, however, the truth of his words did not dawn on me until shortly after this event, when the government of India took concrete steps for the defence of the eastern, western, and northern boundaries of the country.

74.  Helper of the Helpless

Dr. Bhonsle, who was renowned for the treatment of incurable diseases by massage, was involved in a political movement during the struggle for India's independence and had to go underground. While the police were searching for him, he took shelter in a dharamshala (rest house for people on pilgrimage) in Rishikesh and had to remain there without food for several days. All of a sudden Baba came into his room and as if he knew him very well, said, "Oh, you are famished. You haven't had food for several days. Come." He took him into an adjoining room where a plate of food was already set out. When Bhonsle finished eating, Baba said to him, "You run away from here now. The police are coming after you." Baba then asked him, "Where will you go?" and without waiting for a reply, he said, "Go straight to Tibet, crossing the Himalayas." Following Baba's advice, Bhonsle went to Tibet and stayed there a free man for many years. Later, when the political climate changed, he returned to India.

One day after his return Dr. Bhonsle went to former member of parliament Shiv Narain Tandon's home in Kanpur to treat Tandon's nephew. Seeing Baba's photograph there, he started talking about him. When Tandon told him that Baba was in Lucknow, staying at the home of Suraj Narayan Mehrotra ji, Dr. Bhonsle left immediately. He arrived at Mehrotra's house at about 8 p.m. and had Baba's darshan. Taking Baba's feet in his hands, he massaged them for a long time while narrating the experiences he had had twenty years before.

राम