My meeting with "Swami Estatmanand" alias "Shrikant Maharaj" alias "Shri Shrikant Khadse".
Vaibhav Chavate
Sequence of event on 06 Jan’14:
1305 hrs: I reached precincts of Belur math with intent to visit the math and also to meet Swamiji.
I am told that math is normally closed between 1230 - 1530 Hrs , so I wait near Sharadapeeth for math to re-open. (Not aware that Swamiji’s ashram room is just a few meters away).
1535 hrs: I ask whereabouts of Swamiji and find out location but Swamiji not available in his quarters. Very few people know about Swami’s whereabouts within the math as he prefers not to divulge details to masses.
1550 hrs: Determined to meet Swamiji, I try a couple of places and finally turn towards the temple of Thakurji (Shri Ramakrishna). As I enter the temple, I see Swamiji folding the mat after finishing his meditation/prayers. ( he is almost unchanged (except weight, which I guess must be @ 7-10 Kgs less than his student days).
1555 hrs: I touch Swamiji’s feet. He says “No please, mandir ke ander sirf Thankurjikohi pranaam kiya jata hai, aap Thakurji ke pass jayiye”. I fold my hands in-front of him and ask him “Do you remember me?”
Slightly puzzled, Swamiji admits and says “No”. I introduce myself and Swamiji clinges me with both hands. I see a joy on his face. My state is no different.
1600 Hrs: After general enquiries his asks me how much time I have with me to spend at the Math. I inform him that I have especially come to math for him and Thakurji and can spend 4-5 hrs before catching the train.
1605 Hrs: Swamiji takes me around each place and explains in detail its importance/significance.
1705 Hrs: We come to Swamiji’s mess for tea and snacks and head back to Temple for evening Aarti.
1725 Hrs: Aarti starts at the temple. I do not understand a word of what is being sung but can feel the vibrations & beauty of the place.
1810 Hrs: After Aarti, Swamiji takes me to the bank of the river ganges and asks me to put my feet in the waters & drink of bit of water as “Tirtha”. While doing so, he gives a brief talk on religion and the importance of “Maa - Ganga”.
1830 Hrs: Swamiji takes me on a tour of the college, poly-technique and the university campus of the mission. Most of the times he remains jovial, sometimes serious.
1850 Hrs: I ask hesitantly if I can take his picture. He is more than willing for the same.
1905 Hrs: After ending the photo session, Swamiji ushers me to the gate. Before bidding a good bye, I ask him if he has any message for our batch - mates. He says “Please convey my good-luck to each one of them & tell them that I do remember them sometimes”.
1906 Hrs: I say good-bye to Swamiji.
Jai Ho !!!
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Warm regards / Vaibhav - 8879278085
Vaibhav Chavate
Gentlemen,
Hope you have read the “sequence of events” in the previous mail. I wrote it down as a sequence because I did not imagine that things would unfold in this manner.
I had a privilege to meet “Shrikant Maharaj” on 06 Jan. I deliberately went there without dropping a hint to anyone of you because I had a strong feeling that I would somehow meet him (only Amit Bokey had asked me to meet Shrikant as I was visiting Kolkata). Swamiji himself said that I was lucky to get him so easily because he normally does not disclose his routine and location to many.
Meeting him was really a humbling experience. Listening to him was a joy. It’s a matter of great pride for all us that one who was our class mate has become a deeply spiritual & highly philosophical person. He told me that he has been with Belur Math for last 14 years. During the initial 10 years he did a lot of social work through teaching but could not justify the purpose of being in the mission. Therefore, he decided to leave everything and simply focus on spirituality. He faced many challenges along the way but found the courage to face them.
We had a good talk on all topics i.e. college days, his M. Tech & first job, batch-mates, alumni function etc. We had serious as well as light hearted talks mixed with humour. He mentioned to me that his decision about not to participate in Alumni Meet was deliberate as he does not wish to deviate from the course which he has chosen. He is slowly drawing himself into a cell wherein interaction with the outside world would be less and less.
He has informed me that he would be glad to meet anyone who wishes to meet him at Belur Math. I guess, Sanjay Paliwal has his e-mail ID and the phone number, so please feel free to ask him in case anyone of you wishes to meet Swamiji in future.
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Chandrashekh...@skf.com
GREAT JOB!!!.
you must have gone through some remarkable & unique experience which can
not be described but can be felt only.
The way you have explained us the events sequentially made all of us to
feel it with same spirit as yours.
very good boss.
be in touch.
regards
Chandrashekhar Deshpande
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Jitendra Pawar
Boss tu dhanya zhala, your eventwise description & photo of shrikant swami ji has felt us that we too met swami shrikant in one time my room mate. I could not imagine that the simple person who generally read books on viveknand during college days might be taking such big step toward spiritual journey.
once again thanks vaibhav for sharing photos & eventful meeting.
Paliwal bhaiji , please convey my namaste to shrikant when even possible to you through email/message.
god bless shrikant & jai swami ji.
Regards,
Jitendra Pawar
Larsen & Toubro Limited
L&T Knowledge City, IT/ITES SEZ
West Block, Ground Floor
Cell +91 9998762991
AniL KHanDeLwaL
Yes , Vaibhav
I read your mail with gr8 patience
Regards
Anil
