Thank you, Master
Before I begin writing, I surrender to The Master – the source from where this is flowing. Just being in their presence and watching them, has taught me so much. I sit here writing this, knowing fully well that the girl who left Mumbai for Dehradun on 27th August, 2017 could never even have imagined what was waiting for her at the next turn.
What she didn’t know even more was that when it did show up, she would be so completely enveloped by Master’s Grace that even what seem like calamities to the human mind would turn into opportunities for growth and celebration.
For this and so much more that cannot ever be put in words, I am ever grateful and deeply humbled.
I am also eternally grateful to Hasyo. Not only for being an apt role-model and an inspirational disciple while in the body but also for how our Beings connected and what we experienced together after he passed on, guided by the Love of the Master. In him I always saw a younger brother – towering over me both in wisdom and in height! I still remember the last time we hugged in Osho Mandir on Guru Purnima – just a long, silent hug, no words needed, yet all was said and heard. Moments spent with him were – natural.
I don’t wish to delve into the details of what an emotional roller-coaster the first few days after his death were. Each one of us went through the same. I just feel extremely grateful and lucky that I was with Ma Baba, and absolutely humbled that with their guidance, I could make myself useful to Hasyo and help him in whatever way possible. Those moments of pure love have changed my life, forever.
When I look back at the past year, all I see is the utter perfection in the unseen work of the Master. His Grace brought the five of us together – Raj, Shobhna, Ankita and me in this plane and Hasyo in the other – in the most unforeseen and uncomfortable circumstances and led us on a treasure hunt of Love and Devotion – individually and together.
The magic and mysteries continue to unfold for each one of us even till today. And when that happens, what can one really do except bow down and be absolutely grateful for ALL OF IT?!
So, Thank you Osho! Thank you Ma+Baba!! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!
What follows is a recollection of events, feelings, experiences but most importantly the miracles as they unfolded in the days immediately after Hasyo’s passing.
Hearing the News and the AfterMATH
It all started on the morning of 3rd September 2017. Ma+Baba and I had just checked out of the Swami Rama Institute’s Ayurvedic Centre in Dehradun, having cut-short our visit by 1 week. We had initially planned to stay for a fortnight, but Baba felt our time here was complete and we needed to move. In fact, when I had asked him the reason for wrapping up early, he shrugged and said, “What if someone dies?” Now this is not something Baba would ever say. However in that moment, these were the words he spoke. Little did we know then, where Existence was taking us.
On the day of our departure from the Ayurvedic Centre, in fact, less than a minute after our car moved out of the Hospital premises, Baba received a call informing him about Hasyo’s accident. His words had come true!
As soon as Baba hung up the phone, he turned towards Ma and said, “Divya Mai, I have some news to give and you have to remain very centered as you hear it”. Ma is the very embodiment of Motherly Love and had a very deep connection with Hasyo. Baba understood the effect a news like this would have on Ma. Just to hear Baba say these words, had me in goosebumps. What followed is an experience that I am most deeply shocked and also equally humbled by.
Hasyo leaving so suddenly – IT JUST DIDN’T MAKE ANY SENSE – not to me, not to anyone. And yet here we were, dealing as best as we could with what Existence had dealt us. While Baba deftly handled the situation, made all the calls back and forth, spiritually and emotionally supporting all the concerned parties, Ma was already in Silence, guiding and sending Love to Hasyo. She asked me to sit and pray for Hasyo, to shower him with love. He needed all the love and energy at this point, and it was on each one of us to support him. She also asked me to pass on this message to all fellow-travelers. Each one of us could help Hasyo and we must.
A part of me was in shock, yet another part did exactly as Ma suggested. Really? I can help Hasyo? My energy and love really WILL reach and help him onward? This was surreal! This was stuff I had only heard of. Never experienced. And yet, it was so easy to surrender in that moment, to channel the purest of love to Hasyo. My body was tired, my mind confused and yet my soul knew exactly what needed to be done.
Connecting with Hasyo in Silence
Baba suggested that all those who loved Hasyo and wanted to connect with him could participate in a 21-day Maun Satsang. We were to light a diya/candle/incense, send our love to Hasyo and sit in silence, each day at 8 am for 21 days. This process was initiated by Ma and Baba in Dehradun on 4th September. Prakash Chacha ji and I were the humble witnesses to this most beautiful and energising celebration as it unfolded.
For me, it started with fluctuating emotions, growing into a deepening silence finally turning into a celebration of Life itself. It was intense, powerful and extremely humbling.
“We had a beautiful celebration this morning! Lit up a DIYA n incense sticks, offered prayers, sang, danced, sat in silence, not in that exact order though, and I cried…
Now, mystics are not supposed to cry some say.
“Up Yours”, I say back to them! I cried, not for myself, as far as I am concerned, there is nothing for me to lose or gain in this world. I am utterly complete, like the infinite sky, there is no day nor any night, nothing; just an empty vastness in which ‘Srishti’ n ‘Pralaya’ frolic.
I cried, not for Bodhisattva Swami Dhyan Hasyo. Yes, he is a Bodhisattva! Yes, he will take (at least) one more birth to fully realise and establish in the pure consciousness. I am aware of the peaks he has touched, the cloudless sky he has experienced, the pure light of consciousness he bathed in.
I cried though for the loved ones who are so engrossed in the daily affairs that they either live in forgetfulness of their true being, or keep on postponing their longing for truth, or, perhaps, have convinced themselves to the illusion that they are ‘almost there’ and everything is alright.
All I want to say to all the loved ones, whoever may be ready to hear, in utter humility is: Now, Now, Now!” ~ Swami Akhil Saraswati
It was after this ceremony that all miracles started to happen.
Special Memorial at the Buddhist Monastery in Dehradun
The same morning, Ma, Baba, Prakash Chachaji and I went to visit a Buddhist Monastery on Rajpur Road. And out of all the times I have been there, it was only THAT day when I was visiting with Ma Baba that hundreds of Buddhist Student Monks and their Masters were getting ready to perform a ceremony. It was a sight to see. And then the most amazing thing happened – as soon as Ma and Baba stepped inside the Monastery, all the Monks started coming in formation, the drums started playing and the ceremony began, on cue, as if specially welcoming Ma and Baba.
It was another one of the those, I-can’t-believe-what-is-happening-here kind of moments for me. It truly felt like Existence had willed it to unfold exactly this way. All I felt from the deepest core of my being was – Wow Existence! What a spectacular show! Goosebumps and tears of joy followed. We saw the whole ceremony and went inside the monastery amidst ancient buddhist chants and burning incense.
As a way to commemorate the day, Ma and Baba lit a candle in Hasyo’s name sending him their Love. Chachaji and I followed suit. A surreal experience it turned out to be.
Lessons from Ma+Baba in Surrender and Love
The more I witnessed Ma Baba and the way they responded to this situation, the more centered I felt in the midst of this painful chaos. There was a storm all around, and I was right in the middle of the calm along with Ma Baba. All this was happening around us, on the surface, and inside there was stillness.
I don’t need to explain what Hasyo meant to Ma and Baba. In Baba’s own words, Hasyo was his son. His right hand. His true Devotee. And yet, he left his body, at a time when he was experiencing the very peaks of meditation.
Seeing them maneuver this storm was a blessing to say the least. I really couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Such grace, such dignity. Even though the events had brought such shock and pain to them, yet they were always – Calm. Centered. Surrendered.
Being with them at this time, took me deeper within. I was a witness to everything that was unfolding – the confusion, shock and the sadness resulting from the realization of what had happened. All our fellow-travelers, sannyasins reaching out, calling, messaging to inquire the what, why and how of it. The outpouring of love and memories on our groups. There were tears, smiles and deep sighs. And within all of this – there was a centered-ness that had begun to take place deep within my core.
As messages of love for Hasyo poured from fellow-travelers all over, I could feel the energy was quickly changing and lifting. There was Love all around. Through their encouraging words and centered actions – they helped each one us realise that we really ARE connected with our loved ones even when they leave the body. The only difference is that their presence is now, more subtle. It is Love that connects and empowers us to continue to nurture the bond – whether we are in body or in spirit.
Personally, I also experienced what it really means to be centered in real-life situations. Learning how to be centered in a meditation workshop is one thing, but bringing this very awareness to the most difficult real life situations, without numbing ourselves down is the real art. And in the presence of Ma Baba, we practiced it everyday, moment to moment.
Goodbye Dehradun, Hello Rishikesh
We bid adieu to Dehradun and moved onwards to Rishikesh on the 9th of September, where we were to be joined by Shobhna, Raj and Ankita. While in Dehradun, Baba suggested to Shobhna and Raj to come and visit them in Rishikesh. He felt that it would nice to submerge Hasyo’s ashes in the Ganges. Incidentally, Shobhna had been getting the same inspiration.
They immediately agreed, bringing Hasyo’s ashes along with them. It is interesting to note that Hasyo, being a native of Chennai, had no direct connection with Rishikesh. Had Ma and Baba not been in Rishikesh, Shobhna and Raj would have gone to their holy place in Tamil Nadu. And yet, Existence willed it in such a way that we all landed up in Rishikesh.
We were, like it is said, at the right place, at the right time. And it was there that another spiritual boot-camp began for all of us. None of us were aware then, that in the next few days we would be initiated into the deeper mysteries of Love and Devotion, and how!
The Call of the Cave & Little Miracles
On the evening of 9th September, when we all had met and were discussing on the next course of action, Baba told us that one of the last books Hasyo was reading was “Yoga Vashishtha” translated by a disciple of Sri Ramana Maharishi. They both had even discussed that there was a Maharishi Vashishtha Cave in Rishikesh, which is where he is believed to be have done his Sadhana.
Since we were already in Rishikesh by Divine blessings, Baba decided it would be apt to do Hasyo’s final ritual here, at this very cave. Inspired by Baba’s words, we arranged for a trip to this cave the next morning. Yet again, it felt like Existence was leading us further. In utter surrender, we walked.
The next morning, as we began our journey, I saw Baba taking the Kalash filled with Hasyo’s ashes from Shobhana. His hands lovingly caressed the Kalash, his eyes filled with so much love, His Being blessing Hasyo, almost hugging him through the Kalash – it was a sight to behold. He carried it in his hands right till the very end, like a mother carries her baby.
It was truly heartening to see this. My eyes welled up with tears as Love broke my heart open, flowing free and unbounded through my Being. Instinctively I requested my Inner Being, “Please remember this moment FOREVER. I NEVER want to forget this moment.”
After a 45 minute journey through the meandering mountain roads, we reached our destination. We needed to make a small trek down the mountain to reach the cave and the River-bank. Just as Baba entered the cave complex, the Pujari started the Puja, as if on cue. This was so similar to what had happened in the Dehradun Monastery, that I knew with absolute certainty that Existence was at it again!
Amidst loud chants and hymns, the Pujari performed performed the Aarti, without even consciously realising that for while, he was rotating the Aarti Diya around Baba’s face – as if doing his Aarti and welcoming him. The energy was so strong that we felt like we all were in a peaceful trance. Things were happening on their own and we were the silent witnesses to this Divine Unfolding.
Following Baba’s lead, we entered the womb-like cave. It was completely dark, except for a small diya burning at the very end, kept next to a beautiful Shiva-linga adorned with fresh flowers and the smell of incense filled up the cave. With Hasyo’s ashes in his hands, Baba sat in Silence and we followed suit. In Silence we all connected and we began to let-go. Our prayerful hearts only wished that our Brother’s Soul and his onward journey be blessed by the Master – and we could SEE that it was. What a blessing it was to be witness to this.
The Blessings of Vallalar
Moving out of the cave, we began walking towards the Ganges, and it was then that we witnessed the most interesting co-incidence in the series of Divine Miracles that were unfolding in front of us. Sitting amidst many rocks on the banks of the river, was this huge rock on which something was written in Tamil in bright white colour. It was staring right at us – as if calling us towards it. Baba saw it first and asked Raj to read it out. Raj and Shobhna realised it was the name of another Enlightened Master from 18th century ‘Vallalar’.
Now, out of all the places, what were the chances that we would see the name of this Guru on a lonely stretch of beach in Rishikesh? Next to none I would say. And not only that, Baba immediately mentioned that in one of last conversations he had with Hasyo, he even spoke about Vallalar with a lot of love, telling him that he visited his Ashram recently. It was as if Vallalar was showing the way and sending his love and blessings to Hasyo.
What was happening?! Even though our minds were confused, it was our hearts that knew. Existence was talking to us constantly. It was showing the way, giving us signs that we are exactly on track. Though dumbstruck, we knew we were yet again – at the right place at the right time!
Celebration in Death
What followed from that point on was an awe-inspiring experience of Love, led by Baba. Like a shepherd he guided us through, what in human terms is one of the most excruciatingly painful experiences of life – letting go of a loved one because of death. He enveloped us in his embrace through it all – leading by example – showing us what true celebration looks like, even in death.
There was no ritual, no process – there was JUST LOVE – flowing between The Master who called it forth, the Disciple who received it and four initiates who learnt how to channel it, bearing silent witness to a celebration that very few have the extreme good fortune to experience.
We sat on the rocks right on banks of the Ganga. There was silence all around except the gushing sounds of river. Baba held and blessed the Kalash covered with a red cloth for a while and then handed it to Raj, asking him to begin submerging the ashes into the river. Just as he was about to start, big yellow marigold flowers from a Puja done by another Pandit near us, came flowing downstream, as if to touch Baba’s feet. Interestingly we didn’t have flowers of our own and it felt like Existence had sent flowers for this ritual. It was amazing!
As Raj started submerging the ashes, one piece of ash kept circulating near Baba’s foot – it was stuck in a current and just refused to leave! On seeing this, He touched it by his hand and that little piece immediately left – now flowing WITH the current and with rest of the ashes. To me it felt like, Hasyo wanted to be touched by Baba one last time and just as he got his blessing, he could move on.
Through the ceremony, a black butterfly kept hovering around us and circling Baba. We sat there is Silence, witnessing the magic, bidding farewell to Hasyo. Once Raj was done, Baba took the kalash with the last bit of ashes still inside, filled it with water from the Ganga, blessed Hasyo and his onward journey and finally submerged the whole pot into the Ganga. Only then did the black butterfly leave. It was quite clear to us all what Existence was trying to communicate in that moment. Hasyo, with the blessings of the Master, had moved on from this realm to another.
Experiencing a mixed set of feelings – joy, tears, sighs – we looked on, mesmerised!
In its simplest sense, it was learning how to be co-creators. Learning that WHAT we do, HOW we do it and with HOW MUCH LOVE we do it really does have an impact. There is SO much value in even the simplest acts of Love. And where there is Love, there is no need for any ritual. Love IS ENOUGH.
Our conscious mind cannot even begin to understand the ways in which the Master works. We know nothing. We can only trust and it requires immense faith. And how do we build this faith? I still don’t know! All I know is, when the Master chooses, we all will be initiated into the deeper mysteries of Love and Devotion.
Just like we were, as we stood there on the banks the Ganges – with our hearts open, connected with the abundant Grace of the Master, flowing with the Divine. All it felt was – “absolutely natural”. There is no other way to describe it and we are forever changed, because of it.Personally for me, a lot shifted and settled inside that day. As we reached back to the Hotel that evening, the one thing I knew with utmost clarity my heart and soul was – “The Master Takes Care.”
As a way to bring this piece to its rightful conclusion, I am sharing what I wrote in my diary after experiencing that magical day. If this can give everyone even a little glimpse of what magic we witnessed, with the abundant blessings of Osho and Ma+Baba, I would joyfully consider my job here, done.
There is nothing but Love
With Love there are no rituals. And there is no need for them either
We create rituals because we don’t understand Love
To be able to let go of the Beloved into the hands of Master
Knowing that now, Master will take care
That there really is nothing to hold on to, except free flowing Love
And to trust, that ALL IS WELL
This for me has been the epitome of Surrender
A series of coincidences were waiting to happen
As if all was already aligned
We were being led on a treasure hunt
And at each turn we witnessed little miracles
Master’s Grace was flowing
Our hearts opening and surrendering
The trees swayed harmoniously
The birds chirped
The winds blew softly
All in sync with us
And we – in perfect sync with Existence
The whole Existence was talking
Communicating
Speaking the Language of Love
That can only be heard in Surrender
We all vibrated to the heartbeat of the Universe
God was us and we were Gods
The Existence embracing us
We – merging into Existence
Us in this realm
Hasyo in another
The Master forming the bridge between us
All meeting on the plane of Unconditional Love
Led by Master’s Grace
We let go completely
Surrendering our dear into the loving embrace of the Ganges
Realising with absolute faith
It is from Existence we emerge and into Existence we merge
What a befitting goodbye it was
The Holy Ganga took with it the mortal remains of our brother
But He lives forever
He will re-emerge soon
Till then he can rest in peace at the Master’s feet
Goodbye Brother ~ In Love, We remain connected!
~ Shuchi S. Agrawal a.k.a. Ma Deva Kusum
Shuchi, lovingly initiated into Sannyas as Ma Deva Kusum by Ma Baba, likes to believe she’s an initiate on the Path of Love.
In her outer life she has juggled the roles of an Advertising Professional, a Writer, a NGO-Worker and a Counselor. In her inner life, she’s learning the art of Love and Surrender with growing Awareness.
Being in Presence of the Master is changing and transforming her life in ways she could never have predicted. She wishes to use her gift of writing to spread words of her Master and share the experiences and mysteries that are unfolding in her life thanks to the Master’s Grace.
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