Birth and Initiation of Lalita Mauli

Amrurao Kalyanpur was the father of Lalita Mauli. He was an advocate by profession and a Sanskrit scholar with mastery in astrology. He was married to Girijabai Kabad. Girijabai was blessed by the Pontiff of Chitrapur Mutt, Shri Paramahamsa Pandurangashram Swami. She used to constantly chant God’s name, read Gurubhodh, and sing devotional songs. Girijabai was a Sadhavi (female monk by choice). She was completely absorbed in Devotion for God. She was also a devoted wife and daughter-in-law.

One day Girijabai was traveling to visit her brother. She was pregnant at the time. During her trip, she experienced labor pains and took shelter in a Krishna Temple. In this temple, known as, Anantshayan (The Endless One), Krishnabai (Lalita Mauli) was born. Krishnabai grew up in a very pious environment. When Krishnabai was about 5 years old, Girijabai called her to her side and said "My Child! Today is Kartik Ekadhashi (the first day of the month). Tomorrow, on Dwadhashi (second day) it will be the festival of Tulsi Vihaav (Tulsi’s marriage). On the Triodashi (third day), on Friday at dusk, I shall die. Lord Rama and Mother Sita shall come to take me with them. From now on, Lord Rama shall be your mother. Follow the path of righteousness and he will protect you."

Girijabai was a saint who had the honor of being Ethchamarni (meaning she could decide when to drop her body). As predicted by her, she died on that Friday evening. Thereafter, Krishnabai was looked after by her grandmother. Her father remarried and Krishnabai passed her days full of devotion.

At a very young age, Krishnabai got married to Mr. Devrai Hattangdi. He was from Mangalore and his father gave Krishnabai her new name, Lalita. Although Lalita embraced her life as a householder and devoted wife, this was also the dawn of her spiritual transformation.

She continued her education. One day on her return from school she found her house locked. It was very dark outside and she had to wait in the public compound. Suddenly she heard someone say "Take this." She stretched out her hand and a book was placed in it. She asked, "What is this book?" The voice answered "Krishna Leela." She said, "My mother was handed over to Lord Rama. I shall not pray to Krishna." She heard a loud laughter coming from one direction. She could hear steps but could see no one. She asked "What is the language?" The voice replied "It is in Marathi. At the appropriate time you shall understand Marathi. Lord Rama is the fountainhead of duty, follower of truth, and pious action. Krishna represents Love for the Universe (Visvaprem)." "Who are you?" Lalita demanded. The voice replied, "At the appropriate time I shall reveal my identity to you. It is too early for you to know."

Years later, when in Ganeshpuri, Lalita was ordained by Bhagawan Nityananda. "You shall be Mother to the entire Universe. You shall love everyone without differentiation," he told her. One can understand who the voice in the compound all those years earlier belonged to. Lalita was just 14 years-old when she heard the voice. From that moment on, she became a devotee of Lord Krishna. Later she met Ambabai, a saint, who recognized the divinity in Lalita and gave her the Mahamantra "Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama, Rama Hare, Hare. Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare, Hare. Thus began her spiritual journey and her search for her Guru.

Soon her husband Devrai was transferred to Udupi, the town famous for Lord Krishna. What could have been a better place on this earth to meet her Krishna and her Guru? She went to Mangalore for a holiday. She was informed that a "Kala Sadhu," a black monk, had come to stay at the house of Laxmibai Nirodi. This Kala Sadhu was none other than Bhagawan Nityananda. Lalita decided to visit the Sadhu. On reaching Laxmibai’s house they were told that the Kala Sadhu had left for a neighboring village and might not return for some time.

Surprisingly, Bhagawan returned within a few minutes. When asked why he had decided to turn back, he said "Oh! Some devotee is expected and I have to meet that devotee." Lalita was happy to know that Kala Sadhu had returned right away. She began to pray for guidance. There were several devotees waiting for darshan. Suddenly Bhagawan Nityananda came out of the room and just looked around at the crowd. His eyes rested on Lalita. Without directly addressing her he said, "For the time being, you do not need this. At the right time everything shall happen automatically and effortlessly. Now go home. Master (Devrai) must have returned by now."

In 1924 Bhagawan Nityananda returned to Udupi. He agreed to visit Sudar Rao Kalyanpur, subject to him offering a Bhandara to the poor villagers. The Bhandara was held on the grounds of the Mission School where Devrai was a teacher!

Ever since she met Baba, Lalita was restless to see him again and again. One night Bhagawan appeared to her in a dream and told her to take a particular path and visit a particular house where he would meet her. She took her small child and a friend and took the path, as instructed, to the house. On reaching there she found Baba sleeping on the veranda. Suddenly Bhagawan Nityananda got up and, through signaling to her with his hands, told her "The body is separate from the Soul." He then ran out the back of the house. Lalita and her friend followed Bhagawan. They found him sitting underneath a tree. Bhagawan Nityananda pointed at his heart and then his body and said, "Know that the body is different from Soul. Soul is just a witness." In his typical broken sentences he then gave her Bhramhaupdesh, initiation into the Siddha path. He then ordered both of them to leave.

In her life Lalita met several saints like Siddharud Swami. She also met several Kirtankars and devotees. She continued her studies and also became a Hindi Scholar. She was a staunch patriot and wrote several articles on patriotism. She was multi-faceted, yet her main activity was engaging in Devotion for God and her Guru. Several miracles happened in her life. She went through pain and suffering but each time she found God by her side. In doing her Sadhana she did not neglect her householder duties. She was a devoted wife and a loving mother.

In 1945, she became very weak due to pain and fever. Her cousin Ramesh Kalyanpur was transferred to Mumbai. Lalita was brought to Mumbai for medical treatment and a change of environment. For several years she had not seen her Guru, Nityananda Baba. She knew that her Kala Sadhu had now settled at Ganeshpuri, close to Mumbai. This was all the more reason to be in Mumbai.

She was given several medical treatments. Many doctors and hospitals were visited to find a cure for her. It was all in vain. Her condition continued to deteriorate. Finally she declared, "Enough of all these experiments on me by various doctors. My real Doctor is the Great One. Take me to Ganeshpuri. My Nityananda Swami shall cure me."

The next day, along with her cousin, Raghuvir, she left for Ganeshpuri. When they reached the station it began to rain very heavily. Her cousin said "You are getting wet and it is not good for your condition. Let's go back." Lalita said "Child, now it does not matter even if I die. But I shall meet Nityananda Baba no matter what."

When she left home on this trip, Lalita's Aunt had initially discouraged her from taking mangoes for Baba saying "Sadhus do not eat. He will distribute to the children." She had given Lalita some coffee and sugar saying that, at Ganeshpuri, no milk was available. At Vasai Station the bus for Vajreshwari was about to leave and there were only two seats left. Lalita boarded it along with her cousin and they sat on the rear seats. There were two ladies next to them. One of the ladies dropped her money on the bus floor and Lalita bent down to help her pick up the money. As she got up she saw on the adjacent seat, that there was a man with a can of milk. She bought the milk from him and had her milk to bring to Ganeshpuri. The Guru provides for everything!

During those days the bus did not go all the way to Baba's Ganeshpuri ashram. You had to get off at a junction point between Ganeshpuri and Vajreshwari and walk the rest of the way. Finally Lalita reached the Vaikuntha Ashram of Bhagawan Nityananda. For several days prior, Baba had stayed in his room and nobody had seen him. On this day that Lalita arrived he suddenly came out in the hallway. Many devotees had gathered but none dared to approach him. Lalita walked right up to him and fell at his feet.

Bhagawan Nityananda ordered her to have a dip in the Kunda, the hot spring. Lalita went to him after bathing in the hot spring and offered the mangoes from her Aunty saying, "Baba have mangoes." Bhagawan imitated her Aunt saying "Sadhus don’t eat mangoes. He shall distribute them to the children." He then laughed. Lalita said very lovingly "It is mother who always gives to her child. But sometimes the child should offer to the mother. Please have them." Baba said "Yes." He took the mangoes in his hands and offered them to Lalita saying "Go and have some snacks. Rest for sometime."

Later, signaling to her with his fingers, he indicated "small," as in tiny and then said, "You have still kept a little body consciousness?" Lalita answered "My hip joints have severe pain. Will not this pain remind me of my body?" Bhagawan Nityananda then gave a short sermon on Atmabhodh. He then said "Have just one dip in the hot spring. All pain shall vanish." Lalita immediately went back to the Kunda and took just one more dip in the hot water. To her surprise the pain just vanished as assured by Baba. She could now stand straight without any pain. She returned to Baba. He said to her "Only some of your duties are balanced. After that you have to set your feet in the Universe. Now go back to your home town. After three days there shall be heavy rains. Before you leave visit Vajreshwari temple." Thus after several years Lalita met her Guru again. If you carefully notice, the voice that first guided her when she was just fourteen, and every encounter afterwards with Bhagawan Nityananda had the same message; Keep both feet in the Guru's house. Remember that God alone exists.

The Endless One, The Lord Is Waiting For You, Seva. The Mystical Spiritual Practice, Gurukripa Yoga, The Guru, Japa and Chanting, Tulsi Amma, Lalita Mauli, Lalita Mauli-Part Two.