Tonight my guru was
sitting there quietly, a semicircle of disciples at his feet. He
smiled as I quickly entered the room.
"Yogananda, are you leaving now for Calcutta? Please return here
tomorrow. I have certain things to tell you."
The next afternoon, with a few simple words of blessing, Sri Yukteswar
bestowed on me the further monastic title of PARAMHANSA. {FN42-1}
"It now formally supersedes your former title of SWAMI," he said as
I knelt before him. With a silent chuckle I thought of the struggle
which my American students would undergo over the pronunciation of
PARAMHANSAJI. {FN42-2}
"My task on earth is now finished; you must carry on." Master
spoke quietly, his eyes calm and gentle. My heart was palpitating
in fear.
"Please send someone to take charge of our ashram at Puri," Sri
Yukteswar went on. "I leave everything in your hands. You will be
able to successfully sail the boat of your life and that of the
organization to the divine shores."
In tears, I was embracing his feet; he rose and blessed me endearingly.
The following day I summoned from Ranchi a disciple, Swami Sebananda,
and sent him to Puri to assume the hermitage duties. {FN42-3}
Later my guru discussed with me the legal details of settling his
estate; he was anxious to prevent the possibility of litigation by
relatives, after his death, for possession of his two hermitages
and other properties, which he wished to be deeded over solely for
charitable purposes.
Pages:
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526