The Last Journey

Paramahamsa Satyananda, founder of the Bihar School of Yoga, took Maha Samadhi on 5th December at midnight. Swami Satsangi, the Peethadishwari of Rikhia, where he resided said that Sri Swamiji called her at 10:30pm on 5th December and said “it is time for me to go and don’t stop me.” He asked for his mala beads, sat in sidhasana and entered into deep meditation. Using yogic techniques he then left his body.

In satsang, Swami Satsangi said that usually a saint of Paramahamsaji’s caliber does not reincarnate. Paramahamsaji departed during an important astrological alignment, which made it possible to return to a new body soon. Swami Satsangi added that to leave the body consciously like this, is a very difficult and dangerous task. However, Paramahamsa Satyananda mastered death in the same way that he mastered life.

Paramahamsaji had asked Swami Satsangi, “How will you recognize me when I return?” to which she replied: “By your smile”. In response to this he smiled and said that he does not want us to mourn a body, but to celebrate his life by doing good deeds.  By opening our hearts we can continue to fulfill the mandate of serve, love, give, meditate, purify, realize.

Swami Niranjanananda stayed relatively silent during the 16 day departure rituals and seemed to be in a deep internal space. He did, however, share a few words on his relationship with his Guru.

"The first photo I had with Swamiji was when I was a baby and he held me in his hands and the last photo was when he had me sit at his feet, so it symbolises that I was always in his hands and at his feet."

In 1995, Paramahamsa Satyananda initiated Paramahamsa Niranjanananda during a powerful Tantric ceremony as his chosen successor. Paramahamsa Niranjan is a beacon of light, guiding thousands of aspirants from all over the world. In 2009, he retired from the  administration of the Bihar Yoga Bharati and other institutions he has been spearheading. This enables him to give full attention to his role as Guru and to lead Satyananda teachings into the future.

Paramahamsa Niranjanananda and Swami Satyasangananda are our role models in Discipleship. Surrendering completely  to Guru; head, heart and hands.

Swami Satyananda’s body is resting in Parna Kutir, the small hut next to the Panchangi garden, under the shade of the Rudraksha tree. Many sacred items such as statues of Rama and Sita, are with his body.

THE LAST JOURNEY

by Paramahamsa Satyananda

You have gone on a journey in your youthful days
Of seeking and wondering who you are,
And what is the meaning and purpose of all.
Journey on bravely, have no fear,
For now you are no longer alone.
You are protected by a mantle of love,
And unseen hands guide and direct you.

Though your footsteps may falter, your strength seem weak,
Be assured you will reach that goal which you seek.
Journey on bravely and if you feel tired,
Give yourself time to pause and reflect
On the glory of the sublime heights before you.
For if you get too fatigued, you may fall prey
To temptations and thoughts of return.

What have you left that demands your return?
Your days of worldly ambition are over,
Though you may not yet have fully grasped this fact.
You still feel you belong neither here nor there,
But in truth you are already with me.
You have realized the emptiness of worldly life,
Yet have not attained to other planes of existence.

You are not certain of where you belong,
But I know who you are and where your home is,
And where you will find all the things that you seek.
What is past is over and cannot be restored.
It was all a part of the journey of your soul,
And your search to find your real self.

You have begun to realize what you really are
And what the purpose of your life really is.
If you return to the world now, you will be lost
And your life will have been spent in vain.
O child, keep your eyes fixed always on the goal!
You are my child who has returned to me.
Let me see who can keep you from me now.
You are surrounded by love and by light.