Guruji was at Manikaran along with His Shishya Sant Lal ji. Manikaran is a holy place in Himachal Pradesh where river Parvati flows with chilled water mixed with patches of springs & pools of boiling waters.
It’s a unique place, as Rishies affirm that Maa Parwati dropped her precious ear ring which went in deep enough. To please Maa, Bhagwan Shiv had to exercise His powers to search the ornament. Maa was extremely happy and the place was designated with the name of “Manikaran” (Ornament of ear). Guruji took almost all His Shishyas to this holy abode for direct blessings from Maa & Bhagwan Shiv.
During such a visit at Manikaran, Guruji took Sant Lal ji alone and travelled about 20 kms. Upwards when He stopped at a remote place. They were facing a huge water fall which had the rocky mountain behind it. Guruji selected a concealed passage and took Sant Lal ji in the space between the water fall and the mountain rock.
There was a big block of stone. Guruji recited a mantra and surprisingly the block slide on one side to give the exposure of a cave. There stood a saint who appeared to be waiting for Guruji. He welcomed and greeted Guruji. His age reflected from his eye brows which were too long and fell down till his cheeks or nose. The saint took them inside the cave and indulged in some secret communication with Guruji while Sant Lal ji stood at a distance. Their meeting went on for a few minutes and then He came at the entry point to see off Guruji. He murmured a mantra and the rock moved again and Guruji came out with Sant Lal ji.
Guruji asked Sant Lal ji, “Tumne oose pranaam kyon nahim kiya”? Wo tuhara bada bhai hai jo 500 saal pahle mera shishya bana thaa. Oosne ‘Hath yog’ apnaya aur is tarah oosi shareer mein tap kar raha hai aaj tak”. Wo Gufa Ke Bahar Nahin Aa Sakta Is Liye Mujhe Hi 5 Saal Mein Ek Baar Jana Padta Hai Oose Milne Ke Liye”.
(Why didn’t you touch his feet ? He happens to be your elder brother who became my disciple 500 years ago. He adopted ‘Hathh yoga’ and so, is continuing his tapasya in the same body till today. Since he can’t come out of the cave, so I have to go and meet him once in five years).
Sant Lal ji replied adorably,
“Janaab, Aap Ka Hi Hukm Hai Ki Kisi Ke Panv Nahin Chhoone”
(Revered sir, its as per your command that the Shishyas should not touch the feet of any one except those of yours).
That’s why I did a casual Pranam without touching his feet. But Sant Lal ji was unable to digest what he saw like :
- Travelling many miles upwards without pre referring the destination
- Stopping at the big water fall
- Going behind the fall
- Reciting a mantra & movement of the rock like we heard stories in our childhood
- Appearance of a cave behind the stone gate
- Meeting a tapasvi who stayed in the cave
All this can be written and read with a single concept in mind… ‘that its about Guruji’ otherwise this seems un believable.
My praises of your divine self cannot end up, O! The greatest !