Sri Totapuriji Maharaj – An Epitome of Vedanta

Conquering Afflictions and Obstacles:
An incense stick cannot permeate the environment with fragrance unless it embraces fire. Gold glitters only after it is heated in fire. In the world full of afflictions and struggles, he alone shines who bears these afflictions and struggles.

Totapuriji was determined to evolve in higher consciousness.

Attaining the Paramhansa State:
Totapuriji told Ramakrishna about the system of selecting the Mahant of the Nagas, “Among the Nagas, only the one who had attained the Paramhansa state was appointed as the Mahant whenever the post was vacant. Otherwise, how could it have been possible to remain dispassionate having such wealth, honour and power at his disposal? It was but natural that these would affect his mental balance. Therefore, only the one who was completely free from attachment to wealth was given the post and entrusted with the financial responsibilities. Only such a one was capable of using the resources in the service of the deities and the sadhus.”

Totapuriji had attained self-realization through the path of Nirvikalpa Samadhi prior to this, when, as a wandering sadhu, he lived for a long time in solitude on the bank of the holy Narmada River and was engrossed in meditation and devotion. The oldest living sadhus of the area bore testimony to this.

Forty years of severe sadhana took Totapuriji to the pinnacle of knowledge. Yet he continued to carry on with his rigorous spiritual routine and practiced severe sadhana as before. In due course of time, Totapuriji became a successor to this Guru as Mahant of the monastery.

Coming to Dakshineshwar:
Eternally liberated souls who are equal to God in consciousness, take birth only to establish the eternal truths for the supreme good of mankind. After finishing their divine mission for which they are born, they submerge themselves in Absolute consciousness.

Totapuriji preferred to live as a wandering, jivanmukta. His routine activities – food, mode of living, work and rest etc. – were different from any ordinary man. He traveled the length and breadth of the country free from all inhibitions, and as free as the wind blows. Like the wind, he remained unaffected by the vices and virtues of the world, and he could never remain confined to any one particular place. If he came across a sincere sadhaka, he would encourage them to learn Vedanta and would impart its knowledge.

Totapuriji observed a rule never to take rest under a roof. Whether it was fierce winds or the scorching sun, he would always sleep beneath a tree or simply under the vast blue sky. During his life as a wandering monk, he never stayed at any one place for more than three days. On his way back from pilgrimage to Ganga Sagar and Puri Dham, he arrived at Dakshineshwar. In fact he was inspired by Divine Mother Kali to impart the knowledge of Vedanta to her devotee.

First meeting with Sri Rama Krishna
In the thirtieth year of his life, Sri Ramakrishna, the ‘mad priest’ of Ma Kali’s temple at Dakshineshwar, was taking rest after intense sadhana to realize the spiritual mysteries. During that time on a winter morning of January 1865, he was sitting on the steps of ghat of holy Ganga leading to the canopy of Dakshineshwar Temple. On both sides of the ghat are 6 temples of Lord Shiva in a row. Below that the Ganga is flowing from north to south. Sri Ramakrishna was seeing the beautiful scenery. Before long however, his mind which was introverted by nature became engrossed in self-bliss, which was quite natural for Sri Ramakrishna in those days.

In those days, most people called him the ‘mad priest’. Some people at the temple called him ‘Chhote Bhattacharya’, and elders and relatives would address him as ‘Gadadhar’. Very few people addressed him as ‘Ramakrishna’.

After a short time, he happened to notice a wandering sanyasin who appeared to be new to the place. The priest looked at the sanyasin observantly. The sannyasi was tall, robust and handsome. He looked to be spirited and endowed with indomitable courage. He resembled a rock in the shape of a lion. At this time, Totapuriji was about fifty years old. Behind his long beard, and below the locks of hair, was an imposing countenance shining with great peace, typical of an enlightened soul. He was a wonderful Pramhansa. He had nothing to call his own other than a pair of tongs, a brass jug and deerskin to sit on.

As soon as Totapuriji glanced at Sri Ramakrishna who was sitting in one place unmindful of his surroundings, and with a glowing countenance radiant with devotional love, Totapuriji was filled with surprise and joy.