A Mystic introduced

Here I am going to introduce a mystic called Swami Balananda and his book "Spiritual Enquiry".Now he is no more physically.He happened to get samadhi around 70's.Once I was fortunate to visit the ashram some 25 years back,on the request of a friend.It was then in a dense forest amidst the high rising mountains and water falls.One has to cruise at least some hours to reach there.No modern amenities were there and no flux of disciples or followers were seen.Haunting peacefulness everywhere.the echoes of unknown birds were lulling the heart.A small ashram was there  and we found two persons there on maintenance.One lady was called Repalle talli.Must be around in her sixties.

The place is named by Perantalapalli among Papi kondalu,these are part of Eastern ghats.Now it's in East Godavari district of Andhra pradesh.Then ,in those 25 years back of time,no transport was certain to reach there except one boat in the morning and another boat in the evening.Animals were common to be seen.And colossal mountain ranges.And the gushing sound of Godavari in that eerie silence.Why this swami built his ashram in this dense forest ,if any epidemic engulfs ,any wild animal wants to strike,no doubt the human being should have died there and then without any outside help.

After getting there,A book that was written by Swamiji found by me there and asked the lady to let me purchase that.She accepted.For some years I never opened that book.Unintentionally recently flipped through it,really I was aback to think of his dedication,penances and his chosen path.We can't certainly know what happened to him to go to that dense forest to embark unusual things spiritually.

Swamiji, He elaborated many things in his book in the form of discourses.Surprisingly he never quoted any religious utterances or any prescribed text.All he told was what he came to understand  through his penances.He cited it in his foreword.The topics he discussed were from rebirths,human activities,nature and its role,demons,ghosts,Gods,human consciousness,and many many more.Very interesting.The first print seemed to be in 1963.So it was very old and pages ( 450 plus) almost are loosening its strength.Anyhow I am giving here some glimpses of that one.By the way Swami Balananda did not mention his real name or his whereabouts anywhere in the book,titled Spiritual enquiry .One must admit that Balanandaji's English is impeccable and the subject chosen was a matter of depth to assimilate.