:: SANNYAS ::

BEING IN THE WORLD YET NOT OF IT

On September 26, 1970, Osho initiated his first group of disciples as sannyasins in a meditation camp in Manali. This Neo Sannyas movement gave a new meaning and dimension to the world of sannyas. Giving a new thrust to the concept of sannyas, Osho shared his vision of celebration and meditation in the marketplace as the foundation of Neo Sannyas to spiritually awaken the world. This section is dedicated to the experiences of sannyasins:

Swami Vairagya Amrit is a long time disciple of Osho and for nearly 35 years he has been engaged in spreading the message of Osho through meditation camps.
In 1971, Swami Vairagya was initiated into Osho's neo sanyas movement and ever since has been dedicatedly associated with the world of meditation.

Q- Namaskar Swamiji

A- Namaskar

Q- What is your Legal name?
A- My legal name is Vishwabandhu Shukla

Q-Sannyas Name ?
A- My Sannyas name is Swami Vairagya Amrit

Q- When did you take Sannyas?
A- I took sannyas in 1971.

Q- Where did you take sannyas?
A- I took sannyas in 1971 when Osho visited Gadarwara and He was initiating people into sannyas at his home. I was young at that time and many of Osho’s close and childhood friends with whom He studied and played together, were taking sannyas.  All the people were sitting in chairs in front of Osho, so I got this advantage of sitting next to Osho. Since all the chairs were occupied, Osho Himself called me and made me sit next to Him. Not only that all the time He kept one of His hand on my head and tears kept flowing from my eyes while he went on speaking to people and initiating them into sannyas. Many people took sannyas that day and I wondered whether my turn will come at all. I was very much looking forward to take sannyas as I had the opportunity to go to Manali but it could not materialize due to some reason. I was studying in college. I had missed that opportunity. Osho Himself had written a letter to my elder brother asking him to come to Manali. So this time I was a bit apprehensive whether I would be able to take sannyas. Many people were initiated into sannyas and I kept watching them with a tearful face and then I said that I also want to take sannyas. Osho said, you are already a sannyasin, only a name has to given to you. Then Osho gave my name and this is how I got initiated as a sannyasin in Osho’s home.

Q – You lived in close association with Osho. Can you tell us something about your family and since your elder brother was a friend of Osho. What is your date of birth and  how old were you when you got initiated into sannyas?
A- My date of birth is 25th April, 1948. I took sannyas in 1971. We had a family relation with Osho since my elder brother was one of Osho’s close friends and since their childhood they have studied and played together. All the stories that Osho narrates about His childhood, my brother was a part of it. My brother’s closeness with Osho is in itself unique though I wouldnot like to elaborate but I was much benefited by it. As far as I could remember since the beginning Osho was reserved by nature. He was not approachable to many people and in those days He did not even want a crowd near Him and it did not happen also because Osho was not very famous at that time. Due to my brother, I could go near Him and since I knew everybody in Osho’s family and often visited each other, it turned into an occasion to be near Him. Both our families were living close by. I could see that even Osho wanted that I should come to Him. There was a deep yes from Him for me to come. There have been many a occasions when I felt that He wanted me to come close to Him. I felt from my very childhood and ever since I was aware that Osho is my beginning and my end. I never felt any other attraction that I have to do something else or become a somebody. Ever since I saw Osho, I realized that He is my beginning and my end. There is much to say but I will not elaborate because it doesnot have any end. Many times He had asked my brother about me. There is a beautiful garden in Gadarwara where Osho used to have talks. I used to be present there amidst other friends and a little gathering. I used to get a message that I could come there and I used to be present there. Once it so happened that one of Osho’s close friends just like my brother and whom I knew was surprised to see me in the gathering and asked me how I was present there as I was a kid. What Osho was talking about was not understable to me as I was very young. I did not say much to him but just said that you can ask Osho. I come with His permission and yes I cannot understand what Osho is saying but I am attracted towards Him and my connection with Him cannot be described in words and that is why I come. Then he said nothing to me but there is another episode related to this one. A few years after my sannyas initiation when I reached Gadarwara as a part of Kirtan Mandali, the same person was not in good health. He had invited us for lunch at his place. He had not taken sannyas till then. During our conversations, I very tenderly reminded him to take sannyas from Osho since he was not well and such a moment was not to be lost. I also reminded him that “You might remember that when I was young, you used to tell me that when I cannot understand Osho’s words, how come I used to come to Him. I don’t know how but it feels that I have understood Him but it seems that now you have to understand and that’s why you have come nearer to Him.” My words touched him and after that he took sannyas from Osho. This is how my sannyas had began. After the sannyas Osho told me that “now you have to come and live with me and get involved in my work”. I was not clear what His work was, what I can do and what was the scope of His works. Osho said to my brother that take him with you to Mt. Abu where a camp was being organized and I went to Mt. Abu. It so happened that my brother went to meet Osho early without me and as soon as he was with Osho, He did not ask how are you or good that you have come here but the only question He asked to my brother there was “where is Vairagya, have you brought him or not”. My brother said “yes I have brought him with me and he is where we are putting up”. Osho said, “Go and bring him here now”. So somebody was sent to fetch me and soon I was in His presence. The three of us were there, Osho, my brother and me and Osho said to my brother that now you give him to me and he will stay with me only. My brother said, he is yours only and since then and till now I am with Osho.

Q- Initially you came in contact with Osho as a friend of your brother.
A-Yes, in the beginning, since Osho was eldest in His family, we all used to call him brother. For a long time I have been addressing Osho as brother (“bhaiya”). In our place we call the eldest son brother, a very revered word. I was connected to Him even before sannyas and there was a family friendship and we used to meditate with one of His brothers, but slowly I felt a difference. When I started traveling after sannyas and during one of these travels in Bombay Osho called me to Woodlands for some reason and I was there with Him, I saw a different glory of Osho. It was not long after sannyas when I went to His room, I felt that this address of brother will not be applicable anymore. I could not imagine how to address Him whether as Bhagwan or as master, then I never addressed Him with any title. I have spoken to Him many times after that but never addressed Him by a title. After dropping to call Him Brother, I dropped to address Him totally. Then I used to speak to Him without addressing Him and I felt that He is such a big incident that no address is enough for Him.

Q- After that you stayed in Poona ashram?
A – Yes, from 1971 onwards, on Osho’s advise and with His permission and blessings we about 10-15 sannyasins toured India till 1974 or 1975, then emergency was declared in the country. When the emergency was declared we were in Lucknow. So it became very difficult under emergency after 1974 to continue traveling. We were doing kirtan on the streets of Lucknow, and we were stopped and taken to a police station and they inquired what we were doing gathered as a crowd. We remained in the Police station and kept talking to them but they were not ready to listen and they thought that we were anandmargis. Osho was not known to many people at that time. Then one senior officer came who knew Osho and I asked him to let all the sannyasins of Osho free. I told him that I am the leader of this group so I can be held back but there is no need to hold the others. I also told him that we are not anandmargis and showed him the mala and the round locket with Osho photo that we were wearing. We told him showing the locket that He is our guru and we are His disciples and that we are traveling to spread His vision and meditations. He had read Osho and knew all about Osho, so he let us go and advised us that it will be good if we stop our tour because of the emergency and that we will not be able to hold any public meeting. We then called Poona and asked Osho. Osho said that if it is not possible to hold the programmes then return to Poona. After returning to Poona we went to meet Osho. It was not like an ashram in Poona at that time. Only one house has been taken for Osho. That was House No. 33 and Osho renamed it as Lao Tzu house and the negotiations were in progress about House No. 17.  We met Osho and the discussion went on for a long time. Osho asked about everything in details. Osho also felt that now these tours are not possible but He also felt that His work should continue. Osho did not want us to stop the work we were doing. So He said to us that now you all spread over the whole country and especially to the big cities and start spreading His work individually. Or else He advised us to go to the centers in different places and start working there. Osho told me that you decide where to send whom after speaking to my people all over India. Then I asked Osho where do you want me to go? Osho said you go to Calcutta, it is a big city. Though we have been to Calcutta earlier yet it was His wish that I should again go there.  I along with 1-2 sannyasins went to Calcutta and stayed there for almost two months  and a lot of work was accomplished there. Many new people got connected to Osho. Osho had told me before I left for Calcutta that “I am taking a house for you very soon, when you return, stay there.” Since many people were not there, it was almost a personal matter. Then Jesus house was bought and I got a message that to return to Poona and I returned and stayed in Jesus House. Soon we bought 17 No. House.  Only two people were staying at Jesus house, myself and one Ma. It was a big house. Then slowly the work of ashram began from there and then it became an ongoing process.
 
Q- Any other experience you want to share.
A –I realized that a master gives many exposures to His disciples to grow. I feel that the commune was also a device of Osho where one could stay with Him and He can give exposures, where one could grow under His guidance. I have observed that with that kind of exposure we get to learn so many things altogether. We also learn from each other.  We could also observe different disciple’s in different exposures and their growth and we could see how a particular disciple acts or reacts in a certain situation. We could witness our own selves and at the same time get to see how His other disciples and our fellow travelers are transforming from inside themselves.
When we came to Delhi, we have not planned anything that we are coming to Delhi, we have to reach here and stay here. We had no plans. I have observed with my life and also with anyone else who got connected with Osho, became a true disciple, I believe that the master directs their course of life. It has happened in my life as far as I could feel whether He is in His body or not, the master always guides the disciple. Everyone can be guided and the existence is available to everybody but to take that guidance depends on the person. As far as my understanding goes, I have in me surrender and dedication towards my master, affection and reverence and if one has these qualities then one is able to take that light of guidance. I have observed many disciples by staying with Osho, in whom such an incident has happened and they blossomed and attained. The common thing that I have observed in all of them is that their surrender and dedication towards their master was total. Osho gave what He wanted to give to them who had these qualities. So it all depends upon the disciple how much he has bowed down and opened and how much he is ready to take.