The Inner Life

Such a Sadhu was the late Trailanga Swami, of Benares, who lived over 300 years. He knew of the days of the Emperor Akbar, and performed many weird feats, of which authentic records are preserved. He was known to many distinguished Europeans and Americans of his age.

The late Swami Vaskarananda, also of Benares, was another famous Sadhu. His disciples and admirers numbered legion. Among the latter, I may mention the late General Lockhart, Earl Kitchener, and others.

The late Baba Thakurdas, of Gya District, has left disciples who number about a hundred thousand. His disciples are drawn from prince to peasant. He never refused or turned away any spiritual seeker—man or woman or boy or girl. A year before his death he told some of his attending “chelas” that he would leave this world on a certain date, as his mission was finished. On that date, the great soul passed away in Calcutta.

Baba Haranath is a Bengali Sadhu. At first sight, one will mistake him for an “up-to-date” Sadhu, for he does not wear the usual yellow robe or walk about semi-nude. But talk to him, seek his aid earnestly, and the Sadhu will be found out. He can transport himself from one place to another, and do other feats, not for the delectation of his admirers, but to show them that it is no difficult matter to attain spiritual salvation if one has the will.

Swami Vishudhananda, who mostly resides at Burdwan, is another remarkable Sadhu. He can do most wonderful things, among which I may mention he can bring back the dead and enable them to converse with their relatives, transport himself from place to place at will, and perform other really weird feats. He does not accept anybody and everybody as disciples.

Just now, there is a Sadhu at Comilla (Bengal) who can walk on water or sit on it for hours. Very recently he sat on a tank, cross-legged—a feat which was witnessed by thousands.

There is another Sadhu at Goa, who is about 250 years old. He can appear and disappear at will, lengthen or shorten his body whenever he likes, and break things by his will-power only. Numerous Europeans have seen him, and are satisfied that he is no humbug, but a truly wonderful personality.

Some time ago, a Sadhu asked the guard of a train to wait awhile, as some of his men had not turned up. The man laughed