SRI KALI BABU -- MAHATMA

         Close to the Nambur railway station on the Guntur- Vijayawada road, there lies an ashram the serene and salubrious setting of a mango grove. The evergreen trees appear to envelop the entire ashram, casting on it a spell of peace.
        It is Sri Kali Gardens-the abode of Sri Hanumat Kali Vara Prasad Babu also popularly known as Babu garu. More than 100 families of devotees, specially attracted by the personality of Sri Babu, reside there in cottages built at their own cost. They belong to different castes and caste distinctions are not observed in the portals of Sri Babu Vignana Mandir.
        Usually, Sri Babu gets up well before dawn and completes his elaborate worship of the divine Mother by sunrise. Divine sankeertan by ashram inmates would go on during the worship-an inspiring and exhilarating experience.
        Sri Babu is a calm, amiable and inspiring personality. When this writer visited the ashram, he was tempted to put the question how Sri Babu was specially attracted towards the worship of Hanuman and Kali. Immediately he fell into a reminiscent mood recalling his boyhood days.
He was first a devotee of Sri Rama and worship of Hanuman came in as an inseparable corollary to ward off fear in dreadful situations.
         His devotion to Rama was spontaneous. He would always feel the presence of Rama within and around him. He would not take his food without offering it to Rama and without being satisfied that his Rama accepted his offering. He was utterly illiterate but was always attracted towards religious discourses by scholars in those days.
Stories of Tulasidas receiving knowledge from a spirit used to inspire him to gain similar experience and he would boldly go to the so-called haunted place at nights. But spirits never confronted him. He used to feel Hanuman constantly guarding him.
         Stories of Kalidas becoming a great poet by the grace of Divine Mother inspired him to take to Kali worship. One need not know all the thousand names of the Divine Mother; Repetition of even a single name with devotion would suffice to win the Grace of the Divine Mother.
Love and devotion are the things that matter. It must be admitted that Sri Babu possessed them instinctively by latent "Samskara" of his previous births. He intuitively knew the direct way of spiritual approach.
This is how Sri Babu came to be known as Hanumath Kali Vara Prasad Babu and become the instrument of Divine Grace. The very fact that so many devotees are attracted toward him strongly proves that there is really something divine in him. It is a fact of spiritual experience that persons are drawn towards one another by mystic association in previous births.
          Sri Babu was at first quite unwilling to allow himself to be drawn into public and shunned publicity. But ultimately, devotees prevailed upon him and so, the ashram, Sri Kali gardens, came into existence.
Little is known about Sri Babu's parentage and childhood. Inborn spiritual urges made him roam about as a boy until he was discovered providentially by a great soul named Kandarpa Parasuramayya who fondly nurtured him with all the parental love and tried to impart mundane education to him. Sri Babu as a boy, was exhibiting great spiritual powers even by that time.
          An interesting thing is said to have happened during this period. When the boy was asked to practice writing the alphabet on the slate, tears began to trickle down his cheeks. Asked why he was weeping, he replied that as the face of the Divine Mother was appearing to him on each of the written letter on the slate. He was finding impossible to pierce that lovely face with the point of his slate pencil. Sri Parasuramayya at once realized how spiritually developed the boy was.A very intimate relationship developed between them. In later years also, Sri Babu used to refer his loving guarding as ' Nannagaru' (revered father), while that noble elderly soul on the other hand, would speak of him with a sense of fulfillment that the boy was indeed his 'spiritual son '. It was really the case of the foster-parent getting spiritually benefited to a large extent by the son. The child was the father of the man.Propelled by increasing spiritual quest within, Sri Babu later toured all over the country like a recluse, visiting all the sacred places of pilgrimage; Those who happened to be with him tell us how he used to experience his own total identification with the presiding Deities of the various sacred shrines.
         'Upasana' is one thing, but 'Siddhi' in that upasana is quite another, which means the very fulfillment of that upasana, a consequence of which the deity's 'Presence' and "Protection" are ever with the devotee. Facts of Sri Babu's life definitely a how that he is not only a siddha but far beyond that. There are several incidents narrated by his disciples indicating how he saved them miraculously in various difficult circumstances. Such exhibition of powers is common in the lives of all the sadgurus who are siddhas. But Sri Babu never claims the miracles as his own, but in all humility, attributes them to the grace of Mother Kali, Sri Babu takes particular interest in the well-being of his disciples that entirely depend Him.
         He is of firm opinion that performing miracles deliberately will do no good. On the other hand, it would even be a hindrance and distraction on the path. But, relieving the suffering of the disciples spontaneously by acts of the grace can help a great deal.
        Just at the time when this writer was discussing with Sri Babu the question of miracles at an interview, two such incidents were particularly noted. A devotee who got relief from a severe heart-attack and another , who was spared from a deplorable amputation, prostrated before Sri Babu and narrated to him how they were saved after receiving 'theertham' from him in their dreams. Sri Babu said they were simply the acts of grace of Divine Mother.
Sri Babu is of opinion that the essence of spirituality is ' awareness'. This is the gaol of Jnanayoga which is the highest of all. There, "Sivoham " merges into 'Soham' and then again into 'Om', the essence of which is nothing but 'Pure Consciousness'.
        Sri Babu feels that even householders can easily tread the path of spirituality if they can develop true faith in the Divine.

How are we to develop that faith?
           Sri Babu says: " Be good to all, since the Divine is all-pervasive and resides in all of them. Never think or talk ill off others. Avoid selfishness and indolence in your daily activities. Faith in the Divine would then naturally develop and also spirituality along with it".
"Meditation in the heart-center is quite essential for the growth of spirituality. Meditation between the eye-brows naturally accompanies it. The Yoga-marga of 'Khumbhaka Pranayama' is very difficult. It assists in arresting the mind of the Sadhaka. But , Bhakti, if one learns to love the divine, is the easiest of all and leads to jnana which is permanent.
"Spirituality is the only panacea for the ills of the world and without faith in the Divine, spirituality cannot develop. How can there be peace without spirituality?
But, one must establish peace with in oneself before expecting it outside. Selflessness and equal regard for others make one's mind peaceful and in that mental state, spirituality develops. The movement for world-peace must begin with peace in ourselves".
It has all along been the mission of Sri Babu to work for establishing peace in individuals through development of spirituality in them. The Ashram at a Sri Kali Gardens is developing solely- with this aim under his inspiring guidance. The congregational prayer of the ashram-inmates day-in and day-out ringingly vibrates with this collective aspiration.
Since Bhakti is the hand-mind of spirituality, Sri Babu has taken every care to see that it develops in all possible ways. Devotion of Guru is an essential factor in this sadhana. Devotion of God is necessary corollary to this because Guru and God are inseparable and essentially identical. The Guru is a representative of the divine and a mediator between God and men. For rapid progress in Sadhana man has to look upon the Guru as God and the Guru on this part directs the mind and heart of his disciple towards God not only within himself but also pervading in all things outside.
Worship of the Divine in his various Saguna forms helps the sadhaka a great deal for spiritual progress. It is mainly for this purpose that Sri Babu has got constructed shrines for Rama and Sita, for Radha and Krishna and also for Siva and Kali whose beautiful idols have been installed strictly according to Agama Sastras. The idols of Mother Kali is of a very rare kind found only at the Dakshineswar temple in Bengal, which has become world famous because of its association with that great spiritual personality, Sri Ramakrishana Paramahamsa.
Sri Babu's knowledge of temple architecture and of the divine images of different Gods and Goddesses that have to be installed according to sastra is astounding. Sanga Trivedacharya Sri Tangirala Balagangadhara Sastri of Kapileswarapuram, East Godahvari District, to whom Sri Babu is an embodiment of Divine Himself, conducted all the installations with utmost devotion, inspired by Sri Babu's presence. From the first entrance gate on wards, Sri Kali Gardens bristles with artistic sense expressed in forms of mystic symbolism.
Vasantha Navaratri, Devinavaratri, Maha Sivaratri and such other festivals are celebrated at Sri Kali Gardens with great devotion and thousands of people attend these functions to hear the inspiring discourses of Sri Babu. Invited by devotees, he has also held many satsangs in neighboring places also to enable more and more people to reap the benefit of his message.
Tours all over India as well as foreign countries have also been made by Sri Babu. Asked about his experiences about these tours he has said that, comparatively speaking, North India is a Yoga Bhumi, while south India is a Bhoga Bhumi. In the North, we do not find such huge temples as in south India except for the recent beautiful construction of the Birlas here and there whose mode of construction is wholly different. Due to the predominance of Vaishnavism in the south, we find ornamental decorative exuberance in the temple ceremonials, which is rare in the North. In one way we can say that the North follows Nirguna Bhakti while the Bhakti of the south is more Saguna.
Asked about the future of India, which is to occupy the status of Guru of the world, Sri Babu said that it will take time. One need not feel perturbed at the perversions that one sees all around. Indeed, from 1978, a period of great disturbances and disasters has started, not only for India but also for the whole world. But the blessings of great souls would always be there to get over the difficulties.
Decidedly, Sri Babu is one of those great souls, a real Mahatma born to play an important role for spiritual regeneration of mankind.

Sri Babu Vignana Mandir - A Spiritual Complex

With the proposed installation of idols in the two newly constructed temples in its sacred precincts, the ashram of Samardha Sadguru Sri Kali Vara Prasad Babu will emerge as an integrated spiritual complex, providing equal facilities for the various forms of worship saguna and nirguna;Saiva and Vaishnava.
It is well-known that, like Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Babuji is a strong advocate of religious catholicity and an ardent believer in the university of spiritualism. Paths may be different but they lead to the same goal. The devotee can choose the road he likes, A real Sadguru allows freedom of choice and guides the devotee all along the path.
Sri Kali Vara Prasad Babu got two temples established in the Kali gardens in the past. One was that of Sri Rama, flanked by Sita and Lakshmana with Hanuman in the front. The other shrine contains the idols of Radha and Krishna. These are symbols of Vaishnavism.
The new temples are of Iswara and Kali Matha meant for the adherents of the Saiva Cult. It does not, however, mean that one should not follow both the faiths. In fact, as one reaches higher levels of spiritual attainment, such distinctions vanish, and one begin to realize that Parabrahma is one and the same.
Though structurally separate the new temples form two wings of a single block beside the Vignan Mandir, the abode of Sri Kali Vara Prasad Babu, who is looked upon by the inmates of the ashram as the visible manifestation of the Almighty.
The architecture is basically South Indian, with appropriately selected and exquisitely carved figures of divine forms adorning the conical-shaped outer portions culminating in the usual gopurams. Though not imposing the modesty built shrines as designed by Sri Babuji, have some special features of great spiritual significance.
When did the idea occur to Sri Babuji? How did He get the inspiration? It was during His pilgrimage to Varanasi and other holy places; Sri Babuji explained in an interview.
He had some unusual experiences during that pilgrimages. For instances, on alighting at Varanasi He had the vision of the Divine couple, Parvati and Parameswara. Later when He offered worship in the famous Visweswara temple He had the unmistakable feeling of the Lord and His consort bestowing special grace on Him. A still more rewarding experience was the chance discovery of a grey-coloured Siva linga in the bed of river Narmada at Omkar Kshetram. No wonder, Sri Babuji saw in the providential find, a divine directive to erect a temple for Iswara in the Kali Gardens. It is appropriate that this lingam and the small-sized one said to have sprouted up from the flowers offered by a devotee at the time of padapuja on a Sivaratri day years ago, in the ashram are identical in color and tonal texture.
Christened Ramalingeswara and placed ever since, in Sri Babuji prayer room, the lingam will also be shifted to the new temple. A unique feature of the new Siva temple is that it is modeled on the ancient shrine in Iragavaram of West Godavari district, which in architectural design, is said to be the only one of its kind in the country.
The divine couple is inseparable, The Lord must have His consort by his side. There is hardly a Siva temple without an idol of his Consort occupying a place of honour in a special corner. Parvati is known by different names in different temples. In Sri Babu Vignana Mandir she assumes the name of Kali Mata, because she is the favourite goddess of Babuji.
The idols of Kali Matha being installed in the new temple in the Kali Gardens is identical to the one in Dakshineswara temple complex in Calcutta from where Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa spread His divine message to the nook and corner of the world. Specially made in Calcutta under Sri Babuji’s personal supervision, the idol depicts Kali Matha at Her aggressive best, Her tongue stretched out fearfully, a garland of skulls adorning Her neck, the slain head of rakshasa (demon) and weapon of destruction in her left hands, and the postures of Varada and Abhaya in her right hands.This was the all-powered, awe inspiring aspect; she assumed when She destroyed Mahishasura and other demons who became a menace to heaven and earth. For this divine mission, on the advice of the super diplomat Lord Vishnu, the Divine Trinity as well as the other gods and goddesses made over their powers to Parameswara. But after the purpose was achieved, a new problem cropped up. The destructive posture put on by Parvati in the dreadful form of Kali matha threatened to become a permanent aspect posing a new danger especially the wide-open third eye emitting rays of destruction. How to modify, and propitiate the Goddess and bring Her back to the original aspect characterized by motherly love, affection and divine grace? Again, it was Lord Vishnu who came to the rescue. On His suggestion, Lord Siva lay stretched on the ground in such a way as to make His consort put Her feet on His chest. This incident brought Her remorse and she began to calm down. In fact, She was now anxious to discard all the powers She assumed for ridding the world of the menace of the demons.
At the opportune moment, the divine Trinity withdrew their powers. The idol portrays this restorative process also.
Another interesting feature of the new temples is that special yantras supercharged by years of penance by Sri Babuji will form the foundation upon which the idols of Lord Siva and Kali matha will be erected. In addition to the principal deities, the temples will house the idols for other gods like Vighneswara an Kumaraswamy. The navagrahas will be placed in an Eka chakra ratham (single wheel chariot).
The idol installation ceremony is slated for May 24,1981 and the preparatory program consisting of special abhishekams, homams and such other will commence from the early morning of May 20, The ashram will thus be humming with great religious activity for full five days.

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