Niilakantha Divas

[Tadeusz Majewski]

Niilakantha Divas, February 12 th , 2017

Niilakantha Divas is observed February 12 th by margis around the globe. Baba wanted us to

remember the event of this day and to do something to fight against evil forces. On this day, on

February 12 th , 1973, an attempt was made on Baba’s life. While imprisoned on false murder

charges, Baba was poisoned with an overdose of barbituates by the prison doctor. For the

following three days, Baba was in and out of consciousness, and after was almost blind and

extremely weak. He survived but never fully recovered and the effects of this poisoning affected

Him for the rest of His life.

His demand for a judicial probe was ignored, so he began to fast in protest, taking less than one

cup of liquid per day for five and a half years until he was finally aquitted and released. He

stands as a shining example of self sacrifice. To save us and all humanity from the tortures and

toxic effects of the demonic forces, by taking the poison, Baba certainly consumed a vast

number of samskaras and cleared the way for all of us to march unitedly towards the goal of

creating Mahavishva, the Great Universe.

The literal meaning of Nilakantha is blue-throated. There is a very famous Puranic legend called

the churning of the cosmic ocean, where the Devas (Gods) and Asuras (Demons) decide to

churn the cosmic ocean to get amrita (nectar of immortality). They use the mountain Mandara

as the churning stick, and the king of the serpents, Vasuki, as the rope. Vishnu in His Kurma

Avatar (tortoise form) acts as a base to support the mountain on His back. As they churn, 14

items come out of the ocean, one of which is a deadly poison. In order to save the universe,

Lord Shiva drank the poison but Devi held His throat so He couldn’t swallow it. The poison

made His throat blue, hence the name Nilakantha.

Baba and Dada Ramananda (Baba’s Personal Assistant) give this account of the day that Baba

was poisoned while in prison:

Dada: Actually you know, on 12th February, 1973, on this very day Baba was poisoned in

Bankipur Central Jail. And this conspiracy was hatched by CBI, those who since the very

beginning were trying to finish Baba, remove Him from this world. So, on this very day in 1973

He was poisoned in the jail. Actually, I was the first visitor to visit His cell, and when I saw Him

lying on the bed, He was neither able to move nor to speak. And I came to know, just through

indications, that His nerves and brain were not properly functioning.

His eyes were red, and were watering profusely. And these were the signs which indicated that

something serious had happened. When I came out from the jail, I inquired with the doctors...

some Margii doctors, and other doctors were there. They immediately said that He has been

poisoned, and these are the reactions of the poison. So we felt that there should be inquiry into

this incident. That, who is behind this nefarious work.

Baba: Judicial probe

Dada: Yes. Who are the persons behind this nefarious work. So we wanted judicial inquiry,

judicial probe. The Indira government never gave us the opportunity to express ourselves or to

place the fact before the public, as to what are the issues. She suppressed this thing, she didn't

institute any inquiry. Then Baba was compelled to go on fast from 1st April 1973. And He

continued His fast up to 1st August 1978. So five years, four months, and one day He continued

His fast. So these things, actually...

Baba: I wrote a letter to the President of India, that I know who are the black hands working

from behind the curtain.

Dada: Several letters were written and there are many things as you know, which happened.

Self-immolations, for that, agitations...

Baba: So many boys and so many girls died.

Dada: So, in spite of that, many things had happened. Anyway, we were not knowing how to

commemorate this particular day, this 12th February. Then we just sat together and asked that

what we will call this very day. What will be the name of this particular day. And, we came to this

conclusion that this day will be commemorated in the name of Niilakantha Divas. So, we were

observing since 1973, and we were continuing. But, we were not having the proper guidance, in

which way we can commemorate it. So, today, just I asked Baba how to do it. And then He told

that, "You people will decide how to commemorate it."

Dada: Then, when we didn't give proper reply to Baba, then He Himself told that, "Why you will

be fasting? It will be, You will have to show your sentient anger, not just go on fasting or

something like that." Then, He told that, "You will have to give the reply if somebody has

poisoned you, you will have to show some..."

Baba: Give the reply in a subtler way.

Dada: Give reply in a subtler way, giving them Amrta.

Baba: Amrta means nectar.

Dada: Amrta means nectar. So, we are to take food that day, and the best food we should

give to the needy on this very day. Whosoever we may be, whether margii, avadhuta, or acarya.

If avadhutas, or acaryas, or wholetimers having not money, they will have to beg.

Baba: Avadhutas have got no property, personal property.

Dada: They have to raise funds, they will have to collect, and buy something and feed to the

people.

Baba: They will collect funds by begging. And feed the poor people.

Dada: So in this way, we can commemorate this day, of Niilakantha Divas.

Baba: OK - do you all agree with this?

Margiis: Yes, Baba.

1979 Patna.

Here is brief summary for how to observe Niilakantha Divas.

In HIm,

Gaunga