A Touching tribute to
SwamiD from Daniel Mj
July 8, 2018
We met Daniel Maharaj, (now) Swami Nirakarananda, when he was a Brahmachari in the Ramakrishna Vedanta Center UK located in Bourne End. It was most probably in 1997 and Daniel Maharaj came across as a very amiable but spiritually stern, principled white-cloth clad of purity. Everyday rain, hail or shine, at 4:30am and at 5:50pm, for an hour and a half we found SwamiD (SD) and Daniel Maharaj sitting absolutely erect in silent meditation in the imposing silent shrine of UK Center. During festivities, Daniel Maharaj was in charge of conducting and by no means any disruption was tolerated be it wailing children or impatient whispers. To top it all, his melodious voice with adroit keyboard accompaniment regaled many devotees while he remained completely aloof.
We had the good fortune to see this budding monk go to Belur Math for his 2year training and finally gain the ochre cloth which he so rightly deserved. Years passed and finally we met up again at St. Louis where he is currently assisting Revd. Chetananandaji Maharaj. Our conversations are very few and far in between as we (both my husband and especially myself) are notoriously non-networking by nature.
While frantic planning was ongoing
for this “last” SD’s visit to Cedar Rapids, I get this email from Daniel
Maharaj that he would like to drive up from St Louis (5+hrs each way) to offer
his pranams to SD. He didn’t want to “inconvenience” us so he was going to
leave the next day itself! Unaccepted..! So, we connived to make it a surprise
for SD and cajoled him into staying until Tuesday morning.
As soon as the Sunday evening
session was over, I was supposed to drive SD back to Sarada Cottage. As soon as
we turned into our street, there was an SUV parked and I remarked: “Maharaj
look, someone is here!” Maharaj was wondering who it could be! Just then the
car door opened and Daniel maharaj walked out with folded hands into namaskaram
and a broad grin lighting up his entire face. I rolled down the window and
Daniel Maharaj’s voice floated in: “Pranam maharaj!” SD cried out “Daniel..!” flung
open the car door and could barely wait for me to park the car! I have never
seen the ever-composed SD behave like this…! By then Daniel Maharaj had walked
into the garage and pranams took place right beside our car. The joy was so
palpable..! SD could not believe Daniel Mj (DM) had driven 5+ hours to bid him
goodbye. He was very happy to know that Daniel Maharaj would stay the next day
and return to St Louis after seeing him off at the airport on Tuesday early
morning.
As we retired into the living room,
on May 20, 2018 9:10pm, SD insisted DM to sit next to him on the sofa stating
“Arrey, tum bhi military hum bhi military”, (meaning we are the same, you are a
military man and so am I, no rank distinction) but DM refused.
Of course, next day again happened to be initiation day hence the swamis had to retire early.
There we were regaled with
wonderful bhajans from Daniel Maharaj. This Techie swami had a wonderful app in
his iPhone which he utilized to the max along with a Bluetooth portable speaker
giving a full concert type atmosphere!
The Bhajans were as follows which will be posted later as videos in a separate post:
Shankari Charane Mono Magno Hoye Rao Re
Naba Sajala Jaladhara Kaay
Make Me a Channel of Thy Peace
Jai Thakur Om Thakur
Itani Binati Raghunandan Se
DM
graciously took our requests and we got to hear the St Francis Prayer in his
deep voice reverberating “Make me a channel of Thy Peace”! Our newly initiated youngest
devotee Diya & her elder sis Asmita joined in spiritedly. After the bhajan
session was over, SD asked Diya which one she liked the best and pat came the
reply” Make me a Channel..” Earlier on a different day, Diya had sung solo
albeit in her mom’s lap, to the amazement of all.
The bhajan was followed by a
lecture from SD. Initially, the two swamis talked about the 5 commandments of Sri Ramakrishna's location in the gospel. 
After the session we returned to Sarada Cottage for some rest and more photo sessions followed. I realized, in the devotee circles, these all-renouncers are the most sought after subject for camera compositions just like celebrities..! Early afternoon, the Bag family arrived in Sarada Cottage to click some precious memories. In the huge humdrum T & myself simply forgot to click this precious moment for ourselves even while we were busy clicking for others..! Oh well..! 
Finally, Tuesday early morning arrived. SD had 6:12am flight hence he needed to be at the airport by 5:30am. Despite other devotee’s interest SD did not want anybody else at Sarada Cottage at that wee hour. So, I was privileged to serve breakfast of freshly made Cucumber Dosa, Onion Chutney and Coffee. Meanwhile I could quickly finish laundry of his clothes too. SD was very pleased. DM didn’t want to eat so early in the morning and neither did T. Kumar, Jyotsna, Kiran and Saravana arrived separately and we all trooped into Saravana’s van after pranams. We reached on time and check in was a breeze. Maharaj bade flourish goodbye and received enthusiastic waves from us all. DM was surprised that there was no show of emotion from any of us.. 😊
So, we returned home and soon the
group dispersed to go to their respective jobs. Tirthankar and myself were left
with DM and what a nice time we had.! We reminisced and DM told us that Sd had
encouraged him to sing by giving personal lessons to him. Also, when he was
ready, one day while DM was acting as SD’s barber, DM broached up the subject
of going to Belur Math for training. He enquired if SD thought he was ready.
Immediately, SD said:” Yes, of course! I say, you will go.” And recommended him
for the 2-year training. That time there was dearth of inmates at the center;
yet SD put DM’s spiritual growth above the needs of the center.
After we discussed our mutual plans
Daniel Maharaj bade goodbye to us as he wanted to reach St Louis during the
daylight hours. Goodbyes are never easy but when there is nothing but bonding
of pure love through God, each of know we are never parted forever.
During this stay, Tirthankar had
overheard SD telling DM “… This is a very nice group. Come and give retreat
here.” We may not be there but hopefully he will come. Daniel Maharaj in many
ways is so very like SD… meditative, sweet, stern, amicable, completely focused
on Spiritual progress, Wonderful bhajan singer and most of all… early morning
and twilight, for hour plus long, sitting straight backed in front of the
Thakur-Ma-Swamiji. What else is required?
(c)Nandini Mitra Banerjee
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