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About Lilas of Maharaji and Our Responsibilities |
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It was evening time in Vrindavan as I went to take my final darshan at Maharaji's ashram, before returning to Delhi. I entered room #7, where Dharm Narayan-ji, Maharaji's youngest son resides these days. Guru Dutt-ji was sitting on a chair alongside Dharm Narayan-ji's thakat. I had been staying at Ganga Ram/Patrick's home in the neighborhood and he had accompanied me.
Dharm Narayan-ji speaks little English (though he understands more) so
we converse in Hindi. I asked if I could present a question that
perhaps he could answer and I welcomed Guru Dutt-ji to also freely
comment on the subject.
"I can give an example of the problem and the question will arise on
its own," I said.
"Take as an example, Maharaji's ashram in Taos. And I, along with a
cadre of near & dear devotees have concerns about specific
aspects of the operation of Maharaji's ashram in Taos. And for
instance, if I spoke directly to a respected and experienced board
member about my concerns, I am told 'It is all Maharaji's
lila.' In this manner, any and all concerns are dismissed.
"My question to you is, What does this mean, 'Maharaji's lila?'"
"That is an error," Dharm Narayan-ji, immediately responds. "There is a
distinction between Maharaji's lila and our responsibilities and
obligations."
Guru Dutt-ji embellished on the dilemma by describing examples of the
dynamic at the Taos ashram that he had observed, first hand, during his
extended stay a few years back.
Dharm Narayan-ji continued, "Take this ashram as an example. Maharaji
left his body here in this ashram. Maharaji presides here. His lila is
happening here. It is ongoing and yet all the details of running the
ashram need to be attended to. It is my responsibility to be sure that
Maharaji's ashram is operating in the right way. That becomes our
obligation, our seva, to attend to the various aspects of ashram life."
Guru Dutt-ji translated his words, in eloquent English, so Ganga Ram
might also understand that it is our dharma to serve. "Maharaji's lila
operates in it's own realm and his lila does not absolve us of our
obligation. It is we who are responsible to give attention to all the
aspects; to be sure Maharaji's ashram is properly maintained. It is
imperative," he concluded.
"It seems to me, if ten of you agree that something needs to be changed,
it should be changed," Dharm Narayan-ji added, before we continued on
to another topic.
Sita Sharan-ji
@
Sankhat Mochan Hanuman Mandir
Neem Karoli Baba Ashram
Vrindaban, India
January 26, 2006 |
