In the current era, many people are immersed in sinful deeds, the fear of God is diminishing in people's hearts, and some view everything related to the divine merely as fantasies. However, according to religious beliefs, even in Kali Yuga, God revealed personal visions to many devotees. This article presents some great saints and devotees who are believed to have seen divine manifestations of their patron.
Religious beliefs of Hinduism
Maharishi Arindo Ghosh is known not only as a great yogi and spiritual teacher but also as an activist in the country's independence movement. After the partition of Bengal in 1905, he became part of the revolutionary movement. Later, between 1908 and 1909, a case was brought against him regarding the Alipur bomb incident, and the British government imprisoned him.
According to legend, while in custody, he engaged in deep practice and meditation. It was during this period that he had personal visions of Lord Krishna. It is said that after this spiritual experience, the direction of his life completely changed. Gradually, he moved away from revolutionary activities and dedicated his entire life to yoga, practice, and spiritual contemplation.
The next figure is the great saint and author of Ramcharitmanas, Goswami Tulsidas. According to beliefs, he was named Rambola in childhood. He married Ratnavali, and it is believed that Tulsidas loved his wife very much. One day, Ratnavali went to her native place. The separation from his wife distressed Tulsidas so much that he went to her despite the difficulties. When he somehow reached her, Ratnavali, seeing his state, explained to him that if even a part of the love and attachment with which he followed her was directed towards Lord Shri Rama, his life would become blessed.
These words from his wife deeply touched Tulsidas's heart. It is said that serious changes occurred in his life at that moment. He renounced worldly temptations and completely dedicated himself to the worship of Lord Shri Rama. After this, he dedicated his life to Bhakti Rama and the propagation of religion. There is another well-known belief about Tulsidas: he had visions of Hanuman. It is said that when he narrated stories of Rama, Bajangbali himself was present there in some form.
The third person is Ramakrishna Paramahansa. Swami Ramakrishna Paramahansa was a devotee of Maa Kali. For him, Maa Kali was not just a goddess, but the mother herself. It is believed that he spoke to Maa Kali as a person speaks to their mother. His devotion and practice were so profound that he had divine visions of Maa Kali. Later, Swami Vivekananda made him his guru.
Once, when Swami Vivekananda asked Ramakrishna Paramahansa if he had ever seen God, he replied that yes, he had seen God, and he could see Him with the same clarity as a person standing right in front of them.
Now we come to Mirabai, the greatest devotee of Lord Krishna. In religious beliefs, Mirabai is considered one of the most exceptional devotees of Krishna. It is said that from childhood, her mind was absorbed in devotion to Krishna, and over time, her devotion grew deeper until Krishna became everything to her. Mirabai was consumed by hymns and devotion to Krishna day and night. Due to her Krishna-bhakti, she had to face many difficulties in life, but she never abandoned her patron.
There is a famous legend about Mirabai: in the last days of her life, she arrived in Dwarka and immersed herself in devotion before the statue of God in the Krishna temple. It is said that one day the temple doors closed, and when they were opened later, Mirabai was not there. Only her sari, wrapped around the statue of Lord Krishna, was visible. It is believed that Mirabai dissolved into her patron Krishna.
Not only Maharishi Arindo, Tulsidas, Ramakrishna Paramahansa, and Mirabai, but also Guru Goraknath, Samart Ramdas, Vallabhacharya, and many other saints have similar legends. All these saints were born in this world, just like us, but thanks to their deep practice, asceticism, and unwavering devotion, they attained a special place in the spiritual world. According to religious beliefs, if a person's devotion is true and selfless, the path to God begins to open up on its own.