Saints and Sages

Bhagwan Gopinathji

The Great Aghoreshwar

"Guides his devotees even now, as he did when in human form"

Shiva Nath Katju
Koshur Samachar

Bhagwan Gopinathji KASHMIR has produced many Sanskrit scholars of renown. Its savants and sages who expounded Kashmir Shaivism, such as Utpaladeva, Somananda and others, and, to crown them all, Mahamaheshwar Shrimad Abhinavagupta have made lustrous contributions to our philosophy and their fame has spread all over the world. Kashmir is the fountain-source of Kashmir Krama in Shiva-Shakti worship, the other two being the Kerala Krama and the Gour Krama. It has also produced Kaulas and Aghoreshwars of the tallest stature, the last of whom was Bhagwan Gopinath who left his mortal frame in 1968. His spiritual stature could easily be compared to Maharishi Raman, Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Shri Aurobindo.
Cloistered Life
Bhagwan Gopinath lived a very cloistered life. He was known only to a few close devotees. He never moved out of the valley. Gradually, his fame spread and saints and sadhus from different parts of India used to visit him. By his intense Sadhana he had become a Kaul and an Aghoreshwar of the highest order. He talked little and never preached but he was full of compassion and love for all who sought his protection and blessings. He had the healing touch and gave boons to the needy. Occasionally, he exercised his spiritual powers in the interest of the nation. Pandit Shanker Nath Fotedar in his Biography of Bhagwan Gopinath was given a vivid account of the life of the Great Kaul. The biography has been translated into Hindi by Pandit Rama Dutt Shukla, the General Secretary of the All-India Shakta Sammelan.
Savants and sages in India have experimented in the realm of the spirit since time immemorial. By following diverse paths they have sought to see the ultimate truth face to face. In all ages many have attempted to seek spiritual knowledge but only a few have succeeded in reaching the top. The Shastras describe such spiritual giants as Kauls and Aghoreshwars. In popular parlance, Kaulachar or Aghor is regarded as indicating some kind of a sect or order. Kaulas are regarded as persons belonging to an order who use wine and women in their spiritual practices and Aghories as those who live in utter disregard of normal social behavior of cleanliness in matters of habit and diet. If such were the case then every drunkard and debauch and every person who wallows in filth and consumes huge quantities of Ganja and Bhang would be a spiritual giant. Suffice it to say that such popular conceptions are ridiculous and absurd.
Last Climb
Both among the Shaktas and the Shaivas the last climb is indicated with clarity and the way up and the means to reach the summit are clearly shown. It is the stage prior to the start of creation or when creation ends and before it starts all over again. At this point Shiva and Shakti are wrapped in together and are One and there is nothing besides that One. In that stage He cannot be seen because there is no one to see Him or bow to His majesty and certainly He is beyond any ritual worship. No Yantra, circle, triangle or Bindu can adequately symbolize the absolute void or blankness when manifestation itself remains an idea in the mind of the Creator -Param Shiva as the Shaivas and Shakta Agamas call Him. The Sanskrit word 'Shunya' is the only word that can be used to express such utter nothingness. An artist's canvas while portraying this stage of "Total Nothingness" except Him would remain blank, may be with a background showing absolute void, if there could be any such background. He in that stage is beyond any portrayal because even Gods do not know Him in His aspect as Param Shiva.
It is the glory of Shakta and Shaiva Sadhana that it takes the Sadhak to the highest point which is humanly possible to reach in his quest of the unknown. It is sufficient in this context to say that the most elite of the Shaiva and Shakta Sadhaks are instructed in the knowledge of Aghora and Paravidya.
Highest Summit
In this climb to the highest summit the Devi is seen as gradually withdrawing Herself from Her play (Lila) and merging Herself into the prime source from where She has emerged. Unlike the earlier stages in the Sadhana where the Sadhak sees Her in Her dazzling cosmic play the focus of attention now turns more and more towards Shiva In Aghora and Paravidya the Sadhak's thoughts are directed towards Param Shiva. Realization of Para and Aghora, which can be equated, the highest stage which a Sadhak can attain and having attained it he becomes a Kaul or Aghoreshwar and a Shiva or Bhairava himself and is entitled to say Shivo. Bhagwan Ram of Varanasi, one of the greatest Aghoreshwars of present-day India, has described the state of a Kaul or Aghoreshwar in the following words (the English rendering is mine):-
"An Aghoreshwar reaches a state where he is totally freed from all Karmic bonds. For him there is neither Moksha (liberation) nor rebirth. He becomes a burnt seed which cannot sprout. When he leaves his mortal frame he lives and directs from the astral plane or he may enter the body of a living person and make him an instrument of his line of action. He is not subject to the currents of cause and effect which bind the ordinary mankind. He is law unto himself". In short he becomes the sun of his own solar system and performs acts either directly or indirectly which may appear to be baffling.
Bhagwan Gopinath belonged to this spiritual line (Parampara) of Kauls and Aghoreshwars. He had reached the highest stage of self-realization and what he did and .said during his life-time have become the subject matter of a legend. He could perform wonders but he lived the life of a recluse and an ascetic.
Bhagwan Ram of Varanasi has now brought him to "Kreem Kund", one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in Varanasi, and he now sits in the midst of a galaxy of Aghoreshwars there. The significance of the awakening of ,the great invisible galaxy in Kreem Kund will only be known as the future unfolds itself in the present stormy and tumultuous period. Besides the Satsang Mandal in the Kreem Kund, Bhagwan Gopinath Jee Satsang Mandals have been established at Allahabad and other places in India. Bhagwan Gopinath seems to be more alive now after leaving his mortal body. His influence, guidance and direction are being increasingly felt all over India.

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