The madman is chanting the name of Rama to himself. ‘Rama, Rama, Sitaram, Jai Jai Rama, Sitaram.’ There is no pause or interval in the chanting of the Name. He chants the name of Rama incessantly and also breaks into a dance. People call him mad because of this dancing and chanting the name of Rama. The madman does not pay heed to anybody and always goes on chanting the name of Rama.

Haladhara came and said to the madman: Well, mad father, why do people go to see sadhus. Is it just a fad?

Madman: Rama, Rama, Sitaram, Jai Jai Rama. Visiting a sadhu is not like going to an entertainment show that people will follow the others. Only some will do that.

The fruit of visiting a billion places of pilgrimage can be had just by reading the shlokas of the Gita, by singing to the memory of Govinda and by having a darshan of a sadhu. Man can be rid of his sins by touching or visiting those who read the name of Purushottama, meditate and bow to Him.

Kenopanishad says, ‘That Brahman is well known as worthy of being worshipped by creatures as the Highest and worthy of best possible devotion. All creatures pray to the one who worships Brahman in this way.’ Rama, Rama, Sitaram. All creatures will want him who makes God his sole stay. Rama, Rama, Jai Jai Rama, Sitaram.

Haladhara: These sadhus gain such strength by worshipping God with undivided attention that all people run towards them, mesmerized?

Madman: Rama, Rama, Sitaram. People who are pious are more attracted than ones with base nature. But these still join in criticism. Rama, Rama, Sitaram, Jai Jai Sitaram.

Haladhara: Well, mad father, what comes of worshipping God?

Madman: Rama, Rama. What happens if iron is kept in fire?

Haladhara: The iron becomes like fire.

Madman: Rama, Rama, Sitaram. Similarly, it is said in Mundak Upanishad, ‘He who knows that supreme Brahma becomes Brahma himself.’ Taittiriya Upanishad says, ‘He who knows that supreme Brahma, reaches eternal joy which is Brahma.’ Rama, Rama, Sitaram, Jai Jai Rama, Sitaram.

Haladhara: What does knowing Brahma mean?

Madman: Knowing with the help of shastras that Brahma exists, is called indirect knowledge. Knowing ‘I am Brahma’ is direct knowledge of Brahma. Rama, Rama, Sitaram.

Haladhara: Brahma himself is God. Can he be seen? In this age, can a man see him?

Madman: Rama, Rama, Sitaram. Surely he can. When a devotee gives up everything, even his love for life, and calls out to Him, He cannot remain unmoved. He appears before the devotee and grants him boons. Rama, Rama, Sitaram.

Haladhara: Is seeing this God, seeing Brahma?

Madman: Rama, Rama, Sitaram, Jai Jai Sitaram. The jnani calls this knowledge; ‘Brahma’, the yogi calls it the Highest Soul and the devotee calls it God. Rama, Rama, Sitaram.

Haladhara: Can a man get what he wants, from one who has found God?

Madman: Rama, Rama, Sitaram. With firm faith, one can get what one desires from a knower of Brahma. Mundaka Upanishad says, ‘Men with pure and untainted mind attain the worlds of their desire or whatever they aspire for.’ Therefore, those who desire wealth should worship the one who has the knowledge of Atma.

Haladhara: What is the reason for going to see sadhus?

Madman: Rama, Rama, Sitaram, Rama, Rama. Jai Rama. A sannyasi devoted to the drinking of the nectar of Brahma through his samadhi, is Paramahansa Avdhoot. It is said in Mandal Upanishad that the sight of him purifies the whole world. Even his mother, father, wife and descendants are liberated.

Chhandogya Upanishad states, ‘Then, that light of Brahma that is blazing in the worlds of Supreme Truth above heaven and earth, also burns in the centre of the body of Purusha.’ When this body can be touched in such a way that warmth can be felt, then it is a means of seeing that light of Brahma. When, by covering the earholes, the sound of the wheels of a chariot, the sound like that of the bellowing of an ox, or the sound like that of the kindling of fire is heard, it is the sign of hearing that Light of Brahma. That Light should be worshipped as something seen and heard. He who does that becomes respected and famous in the world. Rama, Rama, Sitaram, Jai Jai Rama, Sitaram.

Haladhara: How will people understand that he is a worshipper of Light and Nada?

Madman: Rama, Rama, Sitaram. He himself is taking the form of everything and putting on this act. He will indicate, you don’t have to worry. When it is seen that people are automatically attracted to any sadhu, it is to be understood that that sadhu has found light, nada etc. and worships God with undivided attention. Rama, Rama, Sitaram, Jai Jai Rama, Sitaram.

Advayataraka Upanishad says, ‘The inward-focused uninterrupted sight is called Shambhavi Mudra. The land is sanctified by the presence of a wise man that has attained this Mudra.’ Everybody is purified by visiting him. He, who gets the fortune of worshipping such a great Yogi, becomes emancipated.

Haladhara: What good does it do to the people?

Madman: Rama, Rama, Sitaram, Jai Jai Rama, Sitaram. In Advayataraka Upanishad, the disciple asked, ‘O Lord, what good does it do to the people?’ Rama, Rama, Sitaram. The preceptor said, ‘Good is of three kinds.’ Rama, Rama, Sitaram. The disciple asked, ‘What is that?’ Rama, Rama, Jai Jai Rama. The preceptor replied, ‘Seeing, Worshipping and Speaking. Seeing leads to the destruction of sin, Worshipping leads to the gradual increase of welfare and Speaking leads to final emancipation. One realizes ‘I am ever pure, wise and true natured’. One becomes wise by the grace of the preceptor and thus becomes specially liberated.’ Rama, Rama, Sitaram, Jai Jai Sitaram.

Haladhara: Then the fruits from visiting a sadhu are not insignificant! What are the characteristics of a sadhu?

Madman: Rama, Rama, Sitaram. In Mahabharata it is said that that sadhus have three attributes of sadhupadas; they do not cherish enmity towards anyone, they give and they speak the truth.

They are not gladdened by honour. And they are not angry at dishonour. If ever they pretend to be angry at something, they do not utter harsh and cruel words. Rama, Rama, Sitaram.

Haladhara: What is the symptom of a siddha?

Madman: Rama, Rama, Sitaram, Jai Jai Rama, Sitaram.

According to Bodhayana, being the giver and the enjoyer of mantra siddhi as per Tantra and being free from desire are the three attributes of a siddha. Rama, Rama, Jai Jai Rama, Sitaram, Jai Jai Rama. As per Mahopanishad, ‘He, who enjoys the world without having hostility towards anyone and has no desire for anything, is emancipated during his lifetime.’

Yogavashishtha says, ‘He who considers decrepitude, death, danger, kingly enjoyment, poverty and such other things as the same and goes through each with equanimity, is emancipated in his lifetime.’

‘He, who is emancipated, does not ignore the sorrowful condition or hope for happiness. He is neither elated at success nor regretful at failure.’

According to Garudapurana, a wise man approaches and controls a person, using the very emotions and feelings the person has.

Adhyatmopnishad states, ‘He who treats alike, the honour by sadhus and persecution by the wicked, is emancipated.’

Rama, Rama, Sitaram, Jai Jai Sitaram.

Haladhara: How is one liberated in this lifetime?

Madman: Rama, Rama, Jai Jai Rama.

Ramarahasyopnishad says, ‘A sadhaka becomes liberated in his lifetime if he has succeeded in fulfilling his mantra. He is liberated in his lifetime if he ceaselessly utters the name of Guru.’ According to Mundamalatantra, ‘He who always utters the name, ‘Durga, Durga, Durga’, gets liberated in this lifetime. He, who performs the japa always; audibly or mentally, is liberated.’

Rama, Rama, Sitaram, Jai Jai Rama, Sitaram.

Aditya Purana states, ‘The man who always utters the name of Sri Rama becomes liberated as a wise man; with Rama in his soul.’

None of the men, who always chant the two letters ‘Rama’ day and night, have any fear and they become liberated while they live. Rama, Rama, Sitaram, Jai Jai Rama, Sitaram.

Haladhara: O mad father, is that why you always chant the name of Rama? I have finally come to know you after so long. Please find me a way, mad father.

Madman: Rama, Rama, Sitaram, Jai Jai Rama, Sitaram. Only chant the name of Rama. If you hear of the arrival of a sadhu, go and visit him. You will not have to do anything else. If the sadhu just turns to look at you with grace, you will be fulfilled. According to Varahopanishad, ‘Those who come into the line of vision of a holy man will be rid of all sins. Simply by coming into the sight of a knower of Brahma, the birds flying in the sky, the men, women, animals, insects and such other creatures, are instantly absolved of their sins from billions of lives. Rama, Rama, Rama, Jai Jai Rama, Rama, Rama.

Haladhara: Jai Rama. Just a glance of grace from a sadhu or an emancipated being, destroys the sins of billion lifetimes of not only men but also of animals and birds! What joyful tidings! Let me go running and relate this to all.

Listen! It does not matter if you are not able to follow a practice, just visit a sadhu. Glory to the presence of sadhus!