Maharaj
Omniscience · Omnipresence · Omnipotence · Other Divine Lilas · Mahasamadhi Lila · After Mahasamadhi
Divine Reality
Money for Vrindavan Ashram
One day after coming to north India on his travels, Sevanand ji, a swami from Madras, passed Maharaj ji's ashram while walking around Vrindavan on parikrama (a pilgrimage route circling the sacred town of Vrindavan). Baba pulled him out of the crowd and entrusted him with the work of his temple and ashram. The swami worked sincerely and without any self-interest, but not being educated, he never maintained any accounts.
Soon after Baba left his body, the trustees wanted to know the financial details of the ashram. Sevanand had no money in hand, nor did he have any documentation. Whatever money he received, he used for the ashram, which had no bank account during Baba's time. Though Baba was always pleased with him, Sevanand could not satisfy the trustees in this matter. Hurt, he wanted to be relieved of his work. The only ashram property that he had with him was the Ramayana, which he gave back to the trust. When they turned the pages of the returned book, currency notes fell out of it. The money received in this way paid for Baba's thirteenth day Mahasamadhi ceremony, and the remainder was used to open the first bank account of the Vrindavan ashram.
Soon after Baba left his body, the trustees wanted to know the financial details of the ashram. Sevanand had no money in hand, nor did he have any documentation. Whatever money he received, he used for the ashram, which had no bank account during Baba's time. Though Baba was always pleased with him, Sevanand could not satisfy the trustees in this matter. Hurt, he wanted to be relieved of his work. The only ashram property that he had with him was the Ramayana, which he gave back to the trust. When they turned the pages of the returned book, currency notes fell out of it. The money received in this way paid for Baba's thirteenth day Mahasamadhi ceremony, and the remainder was used to open the first bank account of the Vrindavan ashram.
