How could I not write this story. It is true that a perfected saint, when he departs, his body remains intact for 21 days. In the recent times, this happened to Yogananda and Sri Aurobindo. If the soul is to descend back, it would happen in 21 days. However, in many instances, a perfected saint will take Samadhi – instruct everyone that they are leaving the body and to bury the body. Some other saints, choose to leave the body in a different way. The perfect spritual eye can be seen within at the Agna chakra but also can be seen with open eyes outside. If they depart within, the body remains intact for a period and that body should be given samadhi. If the saint leaves the body through the spritual eye with eyes open, he leaves the body this body then is subject to the physical forces and decays.
One of Gurudev’s greatest disciples is Prahladbhai. There is his story in the blogs under gautamkaka.wordpress.com. However, I will relate this story in the words, I heard from Dineshuncle. Gurdev told me, Prahladbhai was a Yogiraja. Meaning king of all Yogis. He was Gurudev’s disciple. He was the Mukhi (chief) in a local village in Mehsana. In the day time, he would discharge his wordly duties. He only ate in the afternoon. Throughout his life, he never had an evening meal. After everyone in the household had retired to bed, he would sit in meditation from around 10 or 11 pm and meditate to 3 am. After that he would go to bed and perhaps sleep for 2 hours and then start his daily routine. I describe this, so it maybe clear how a perfected Yogi acts and lives.
When Prahladbhai knew it was time for him to depart, he wanted to leave his body near Narmada river (a holy river in Gujarat) (near Chandod). Gurudev refused permission. This part was related to me by Gurudev. Gurudev, in his usual style knew my question and continued “It would tarnish my reputation if he died somewhere. His family would not forgive me for letting him die elsewhere”. When the destined time of Prahladbhais departure came, Prahladbhai was sitting on his cot and had everyone of his family gathered around him. He even invited the local village doctor. Prahaladbhai said, “I have accomplished what needed to be accomplished in life. Everyone should follow this path and reach perfection, God and liberation. It is very easy to get liberation and never come back” Everyone in the audience was a little taken aback. They had very rarely heard their father / husband etc speak this way. Of course, they had no idea what Prahladbhai was about to do. Prahladbhai continued, “Let me show you how to go into samadhi” Now this piqued the interest of everyone! He closed his eyes and took a breath in. He said, “My prana is ascending and he pointed to the lower chakras. When my prana goes above the Vishudha chakra, I will be gone” Saying that, in a trice, he took his prana above the Vishudha and passed away. According to Dineshuncle, he deceived everyone. If they had known he was about to take Samadhi, they would have begged, pleaded etc and prevented him from doing this.
Now Prahladbhai had left instructions for his body to be buried. However, in India, only the muslims, bury the body. Prahladbhais brother made a tremendous opposition and would not let the rest of the family bury him. He insisted the body be cremated. To the chagrin and dismay of the rest of the family, they reluctantly conceded to the wishes of the uncle. They took the body for cremation. It was a clear evening. There was no rain or thunderstorm. They tried to ignite the pyre but failed 3 times. When the ignorant people persisted in their effort, Prahladbhai finally let them burn it. However, before they could burn it, out of the sky, there was a thunderous sound of OM, OM, OM three times. Then the skull of Prahladbhai cracked spontaneously at the place where the brahmins have their “shikha or chotli”. After that the pyre lit!
Anyone who has doubts about this, can confirm the story from relatives and other villagers who are still alive in the local village. (I dont remember the name of the village right now but it is present in gautamkaka.wordpress.com blog). Some of his relatives are in USA, I believe. This even occured in the 1970’s. So, I am sure there are many people alive.
One more post script : As soon as Prahladbhai took samadhi, with the grace of Gurudev and Kashinathdada, his subtle body was already perfected. He visited in his subtle body, Gurudev and Kashinathdada. After taking their blessings, he went and visited his friend. He spent some time with his friend and then departed. Later, when his friend got the knews that he would not believe Prahladbhai had departed because he had just seen him. Thus, Prahladbhai, left leaving a few miracles.
It would have been nice if his body was given a Samadhi. The advantage is that the soul when in Samadhi can help other souls if they have the right humility and love.
Bhavin