The Devout Durga maharaj

Swami Umeshanandaji Maharaj

The day of 7th May reminds me of the departure from this world, a devout venerable monk of our Ramakrishna Order, Swami Umeshanandaji Maharaj. During my 12 year-stay at the Ranchi Sanatorium centre, I had the privilege of having his wonderful company for a little more than 11 years. Holy men come in different hues and Umeshanandaji was unique in his own way. Smiling always, bringing cheers to every heavy-hearted soul, Swami Umeshanandaji dedicated his life for the service of TB patients since 1962. He was popularly called Durga Maharaj. He was born in a place near Mangalore of Karnataka State on 20th February 1923. He left Indian Army service and joined the Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math. He was given mantra diksha by the sixth President of the Ramakrishna Order, Srimat Swami Virajanandaji Maharaj. Later in 1959 he was initiated into Sannyasa by the seventh President Srimat Swami Shankaranandaji Maharaj. It is said that Swami Shaswatanandaji Maharaj, the then Assistant Secretary of Belur Math told Durga Maharaj in 1962 to go to Ranchi and serve the poor tribals and suffering TB patients and die there in harness. During his long forty-four years of extraordinary service in the Sanatorium, Durga Maharaj never went outside. He was fully engrossed in the patient matters like admission of patients, preparation of patient files, making ready discharge certificates etc. He knew every patient by his name and address. Straightforward and simple, Durga Maharaj was indeed highly popular among the local Adivasi (tribal) public. No one would forget to meet this

smiling Swami and make pranams to him. His admirers are now spread all over the country who would feel blessed to take his name in the very morning.

The mortal coil of Swami Umeshanandaji Maharaj readied on the pyre

He was 84 when he breathed his last, after suffering from Alzheimers Disease with old age ailments for a few months. Swami Satyeshananda, the doctor maharaj informed me of the final end and we, all the monks, devotees, staff and others immediately rushed to his room. His mortal coil was consigned to flames the next day at 9 in the morning. The final rites were performed at "Panchavati" within the Sanatorium campus. On this solemn occasion, Sannyasins and Brahmacharins of Morabadi Ashrama and Sanatorium, Swamijis of Tupudana Advait Swarup Ashram, devotees from Ranchi and local adivasi admirers along with employees of the Sanatorium were present in good number. As per our monastic tradition, on the 13th day of death, a special worship of Sri Ramakrishna is done in the temple and a saadhu bhandara would form a special feature. And on that day i.e., Friday, 19th May, prasad feeding to all in-patients, employees and devotees was arranged at Sanatorium Ashrama premises in honour of the departed soul. A Smritisabha (memorial meeting) was also conducted preceding the bhandara. That Sadhus from Bihar and Jharkhand branch centres of Ramakrishna Mission and also of the other outside organisations with a huge number of devotees attended the bhandara was a memorable experience. During my Address in the Memorial Meeting, I narrated how wonderful the Life of this monk was and we always rejoice when a monk leaves his body and do not weep over his passing away. As Tulsidas says in his

Hanuman chalisa antakaala raghuvarapura jaayi, jahaan janma hari bhakta kahaayi (after death he enters the eternal abode of Sri Rama and remains a devotee of Him, whenever, taking a new birth on earth), we also believe that Durga Maharaj has gone to the Ramakrishnapura, the eternal abode of Sri Ramakrishna. It was on the birthday of his Guru, Swami Virajanandaji Maharaj,(he was a disciple of Holy Mother) in 2008, I had to deliver a Talk here in South Africa to the devotees of Durban Central Satsang group. My mind naturally, while talking about the Founder of South African Centre Swami Nischalananda, who was also a disciple of Swami Virajanandaji - reverted towards this devout Durga maharaj and spoke at length my ennobling association with him. I would sit with him sometimes after his post-meal rest on the outside bench, overlooking the vast paddy fields and listen to his reminiscences of great Swamis of our Order. About one Swami that he would never miss to tell was Swami Madhavanandaji Maharaj. It was his good fortune that Durga maharaj became a trusted admin assistant to him while he was serving in Belur Math. He would type out all documents as per the dictation or instructions. Durga Maharaj could recollect some of the fascinating correspondence that went exchanged between the famous astrologist B N Raman and Madhavanandaji. He would say that for Madhavanandaji anything of India was holy and he had unflinching faith in the Hindu scriptures. His most liked scriptural authority was Adishankaracharya whose name he would always quote. One of the created jewels of Acharya Shankara was the book called Vivekachoodamani and this vedantic work became a passion for Madhavanandaji and thats how he translated eminently the book into English as his service to the wider world. On a personal note, Durga Maharaj would narrate the deep love of Madhavanandaji towards the magnum opus of M, the holy Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita. There was not a day that went without his reading this book. Almost all the examples of Sri Sri Thakur were on the tip of his tongue and he would freely use those celebrated similies to the listeners delight at most appropriate places. Knowing that Durga Maharaj, in his pre-monastic life, was a Muslim, I naturally could not contain my curiosity and enquired how, he could join this Hindu Order of Monks. He would, always in a forthright manner, say in his loud, sterling voice that it was all due to his Guru's grace. He had unshakable faith in the Master's presence. His upfront walking with a shoulder bag consisting of Office keys and in left hand, a lantern became an icon to all patients. One could feel the

stillness of the soul when he would sit on the bench outside the parlour room and bless whoever came and touched his feet in obeisance, those unforgettable words of blessings "jeete raho" (may you live long!). And to those innocent tribal children with his inimitable smile jeete raho, khate raho, dudh peete raho. There was never a curse, nor an indignant expression at times when placed in embarrassing situations, but there was always that charming childlike simplicity with overwhelming concern and affection. Unknown to the outer world, such holy men go finally unsung but unknowingly, many a heart is filled, many a soul is touched, unseen and unheard, with the fragrance of unbounded love. Well, the impression that he created in my mind is well imprinted and I pay homage to this great monk. ========================================