Part 55 (2/2)
”I examined the vase, and passed old Each of the jewels scattered lavishly about orthy of a king's collection Deep satisfaction spread over ed desire, hidden in one, seeuished
”My stately coh ornate arches and corridors into a series of chambers richly furnished in the style of an emperor's palace We entered an iolden throne, encrusted with jewels shedding a dazzling medley of colors There, in lotus posture, sat the supre floor at his feet
”'Lahiri, are you still feasting on your drea like his own sapphires
'Wake! All your earthly thirsts are about to be quenched forever'
He'My son, arise Receive your initiation into the kingdoh KRIYA YOGA'
”Babaji stretched out his hand; a HOMA (sacrificial) fire appeared, surrounded by fruits and flowers I received the liberating yogic technique before this fla altar
”The rites were completed in the early dawn I felt no need for sleep in my ecstatic state, and wandered around the palace, filled on all sides with treasures and priceless OBJETS D'ART Descending to the gorgeous gardens, I noticed, near-by, the saes which yesterday had boasted no adjacency to palace or flowered terrace
”Reentering the palace, fabulously glistening in the cold Hiht the presence of my master He was still enthroned, surrounded by ry' Babaji added, 'Close your eyes'
”When I reopened theardens had disappeared My own body and the forms of Babaji and the cluster of chelas were all now seated on the bare ground at the exact site of the vanished palace, not far frorottos I recalled that uide had remarked that the palace would be deht-essence froly at uru I knew not what to expect next on this day of miracles
”'The purpose for which the palace was created has now been served,'
Babaji explained He lifted an earthen vessel froround 'Put your hand there and receive whatever food you desire'
”As soon as I touched the broad, empty bowl, it became heaped with hot butter-fried LUCHIS, curry, and rare sweet that the vessel was ever-filled At the end of uru pointed to the bowl before me Lo! the food had vanished; in its place ater, clear as frododom of mundane fulfillments,' Babaji observed 'The divine real illusory, cannot include the essence of reality'
”'Beloved guru, last night you demonstrated for me the link of beauty in heaven and earth!' I si had ever received initiation into the august s of azed tranquilly at the stark contrast of the present scene The gaunt ground, the skyey roof, the caves offering pri for the seraphic saints around me
”I sat that afternoon on my blanket, hallowed by associations of past-life realizations My divine guru approached and passed his hand overunbrokenly in its bliss for seven days Crossing the successive strata of self-knowledge, I penetrated the deathless realms of reality All delusive limitations dropped away; my soul was fully established on the eternal altar of the Cosuru's feet and implored him to keep me always near him in this sacred wilderness
”'My son,' Babaji said, e me, 'your role in this incarnation e Prenatally blessed by le in the world of men
”'A deep purpose underlay the fact that you did not meet me this time until you were already a married man, with modest business responsibilities Youour secret band in the Hi as an exai-householder
”'The cries of many bewildered worldly men and women have not fallen unheard on the ears of the Great Ones,' he went on 'You have been chosen to bring spiritual solace through KRIYA YOGA to numerous earnest seekers The millions who are encumbered by family ties and heavy worldly duties will take new heart frouide theic attainments are not barred to the faes his responsibilities, without personal htenment
”'No necessity compels you to leave the world, for inwardly you have already sundered its every karmic tie Not of this world, youwhich you must conscientiously fulfill your family, business, civic, and spiritual duties A sweet new breath of divine hope will penetrate the arid hearts of worldly men From your balanced life, they will understand that liberation is dependent on inner, rather than outer, renunciations'
”How remote seeuru in the high Hi in his words; I subreed to leave this blessed haven of peace Babaji instructed overn the transuru to disciple
”'Bestow the KRIYA key only on qualified chelas,' Babaji said
'He who vows to sacrifice all in the quest of the Divine is fit to unravel the final h the science of uru, as you have already favoredthe lost KRIYA art, will you not increase that benefit by relaxing the strict requirely at Babaji 'I pray that you perh at first they cannot vow themselves to complete inner renunciation The tortured , {FN34-7} need special encouragement
They may never attempt the road to freedom if KRIYA initiation be withheld from them'
”'Be it so The divine wish has been expressed through you' With these siuards that for ages had hidden KRIYA from the world 'Give KRIYA freely to all who humbly ask for help'