Date Posted:13:31 Author: Rishikesh-29Aug02 Subject: Re: New Version - Biography of a Yogi In reply to:
Hendrik-29Aug02
's message, "Re: New Version - Biography of a Yogi" on 13:30
Dear Hendrik,
I think I owe a fuller explanation of what exactly transpired. I am sorry that I was not clear enough in my previous post.
I might end up making no one happy about a post like this, disclosing private information, but still I will take a chance.
I will try to present facts here, as I perceived them.
During my visit to Calcutta about a year back, I had the opportunity to meet a disciple of Sri Dasgupta. He was the publisher of his book “Kriya Yoga” when it was published in 1979. I approached him as somebody interested in buying books, which were written by Sri Dasgupta. I was told they used to publish of this book, but it was currently out of print.
I mentioned to him that I knew of Mr. Ned Waller from America. There was a sea change in his demeanor when I mentioned his name. During the conversation, which followed, he told me things that have been mentioned on some of the message boards here on the Internet. About his coming to Barrackpore in ’83-’84, the problems which he encountered with his kriya before coming to Dasguptaji, and also his intention to stay in India permanently, which could not happen due to his father’s illness, due to which he had to return to America.
I was blunt enough to ask him, “How a person coming for a duration of 2-3 months could receive all 4 kriyas?” (He had mentioned during the conversation that 4 kriyas were given to kashiji)
The answer I received was, “ He had practiced Kriya for a long time before coming to India”.
This person produced a picture of Kashiji (the one which is there on ‘Ted and Kashi: Brothers is kriya). I found this revealing enough that he should have preserved a picture of a person for 17 years, somebody he has no chances of meeting again in this lifetime. I think this speaks volumes for the regard, which he must have felt for Kashiji.
In Barrackpore, I met a maidservant cum cook of Sri Dasguptaji. She was able to recognize him from the pictures and mentioned that this “foreigner” had stayed with Mr.Dasgupta. It seems they were into some “dhyan”
He stayed with them for months, not years.
At Sevayatan, I asked Swami Virajanandaji, if Sri Dasguptaji was authorized to give kriya. The answer was “yes” although they did mention that they personally haven’t heard of any disciples from Dasguptaji’s lineage. (From his publisher-disciple in Calcutta, I found out there were only about 6 or 7 people who have received kriya from Dasguptaji)
I also met a neighbor of his who was actually surprised to find out that Mr.Dasgupta, as he called him was a yogi. However I must also state that he was not aware of Dasguptaji’s profession or any other details of his personal life.
I believe I am being candid enough, trying to describe these things, as they appeared to me.
I must say that it important to look at these events as objectively as possible. In trying to be objective, I personally believe, that one should not cling to any beliefs or prejudices.
In the past you might have had a few arguments with kashiji, but as a trained historian , one cannot let emotions stand in the way.
