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What is night for all beings is day for the self-controlled;

and what is day for all beings is night

for the introspective sage.

- Bhagavad Gita 2.69

Like a traveler who is eager to bathe in a cold waterfall after a long day’s journey, the soul is anxious for the crystal clear knowledge that will give it happiness. It is believed by many, that up in the Himalayan Mountains of India millenniums ago the original Truth of the World was spoken. Finding the values of the materialistic world inconsistent, I journeyed to the land of sages in search of some traces of ancient culture. Climbing the “ roof of the world ” seemed to be a good place to get a grand perspective!

The wise men of the East believe that the topmost knowledge is found in the Vedas, ancient scriptures given to humankind, like a manual for the universe upon creation. I was so eager to meet all those carrying that wisdom in their hearts!

And indeed what a wonderful rollercoaster ride India turned out to be: dodging the chaos of metropolitan life, I ventured into the areas where the count of centuries seemed to stop... Moments spend at those holy places were transformational, but what struck me even more was the deep shinning light in the eyes of people living around those temples. Felt like the warmth of true values was reflecting with kind-ness, or was is just my imagination?

Even though I traveled by myself I never felt alone. In fact, the true purpose of this pilgrimage was to take all of you, those that I love and care about to this wonderful land. Always feeling an integral part of it, I always wanted to share with the world what is the most important and of eternal value. The path of Sanatana Dharma is what Vedas describe as eternal universal principle for material prosperity and spiri-tual elevation. Babajis or “ sadhus” are those who decide to lead lives of traveling mendicants. Addressing someone as a Babaji, or Baba for short, is a sign of respect. Absorbed in life’s essence these pilgrims travel from one holy place to another. But most im-portantly, they carry a temple in their heart, reminding those engaged in mundane affairs about the flickering nature of material happiness. Babajis give up household comforts and often beg for their sustenance. However, stretching out a hand and ask-ing for spare change is not an act of desperation. A passerby will always give to a traveling Baba to gain spiritual benefit: the Baba will offer the passerby’s prayers in the many holy places he visits.

I invite you to come along on this journey into the beautiful land of India. Following the advice I was given, to keep my mind swan-like, I spent several months living a life of a pilgrim. Like swans, which have the ability to extract pure milk even when it is mixed with water, I also tried to filter out the dust and chaos of India and share that hidden beauty with you.

I hope you enjoy the journey

Ananta Govinda dasa.

High in the Himalayan Mountains, Kedarnatha is only accessable by foot during warm season. Thousands of pilgrims brave the heights to come worship at the 5,000 year old temple of Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva blesses the pilgrims at Rishikesh a sacred stop on the way to four holy places of pilgrimage in the Himalayas. The sacred Ganges river enters the plains of India from this place.

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An open hand is a gesture of blessing, inviting travelers to a holy place. Always welcoming, babajis are happy to assit you on your journey.

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Retired from family life, Babajis help each other to focus on the deeper spiritual understanding of themselves and the universe, considering this life a short sojourn in their eternal journey.

This baba spends half of the year worshiping Lord Narayan in Badri-natha, the place where the great sage Vyasadeva first put into writing the vast body of knowledge known as the Vedas.

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Morning oblations to the Ganga is a daily practice even for children. Descending from the spiritual realm, Goddess Ganga assumes the form of a great river in order to purify those who seek her mercy.

Despite drawbacks in his material vision this South Indian Baba still seeks deeper insight on life.

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Home to the deity of Lord Ranganatha, the seven-walled temple city of Sri Rangam is considered the most important of the 108 main Vishnu temples.

This Baba just arrived at Kedarnatha to offer respects to the deity of Lord Shiva after completing a month of travel on foot.

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In the ancient ruins of the great city of Hampi, this Babaji sits in con-templation during the early morning hours.

A dfA person whose mind is unperturbed by sorrow, who does not crave pleasures, and who is completely free from attachment, fear, and anger, is called Sthita-prajna - a sage of steady intellect.

- Bhagavad Gita 5.16

When one is illumined with the wisdomby which nescience is destroyed,

this knowledge lights up all things,

just as the sun reveals

the world at dawn.

then

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The sacred tilak markings on the forehead of this holy man signify him as a Vaishnava, a monotheistic follower of the Vedas.

Passing through the city gate on the way to the Sri Rangam temple this woman pauses to offer prayers.

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Hanuman is a hero belonging to the race of celestial monkeys. Known for his devotion to Bhagavan Sri Rama, he is greatly loved for his great acts of valor and chivalry.

In an expression of devotion, this Baba dresses in costume to remind passerby of the glories of Sri Rama, Sita Devi and Their servant Hanu-man.

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Returning from morning worship this Babaji covered his forehead with ashes from the sacred fire.

Laksman Jhula, a place of many temples and ashramas, is the first set-tlement situated on the Ganga at the foot of the Himalayan mountains.

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After worshiping at home with his family this boy heads to school car-rying a ceremonial hand drum.

Sitting on the steps near the sacred lake of Pushkar this man reads prayers. Pushkar is well known for it’s unique temple of Lord Brahma, the first created being in the material universe.

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Brass bells are commonly found at the entrances of temples. Their clear sound brings auspicousness to the atmosphere.

Counting his prayers on beads a Babaji observes a vow of chanting a certain number of mantras every day.

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During the winter months Ayappa Brahmanas travel throughout South India visiting holy places.

Banks of Ganga is a perfect place for a chit-chat.

- Bhagavad Gita 3.42

The senses are superior to matter,

mind is higher than the senses,

and higher than the mind is

intelligence,but the soul is higher still.

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Babaj is believe that the human form of life is a rare opportunity to inquire about the Absolute Truth. Traveling through so many cycles of birth and death the spirit soul finally gains a human body and with it a chance to break out of the wheel of samsara.

Born in the families of tradtional dancers these children are trained up as performers from an early age.

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Considered as one of seven mothers of mankind, the cow is often deco-rated and worshiped throughout India.

Goodness, passion and ignorance are the three energies pervading the material cosmos. Those who take to the spiritual path learn how to grad-ually transcend the influence of material nature.

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The Brahminical culture has been passed down from father to son for many gernerations. However the qualification of a Brahmana is shown by ones character, not simply his heritage.

Sometimes during the rainy seasonit is full of bubbles, foam and mudHowever, charged with the blessings of the Transcendental Worl theGanga’s water does not become polluted. Those who are wise will

bathe in it to become advanced in spiritual understandingwithout considering the condition of the water.

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This woman is a housewife of a large family living near the sacred mountain Govardhan near Vrindavan. The Vedic culture teaches that all women other than ones wife should be addressed as “Mother” out of respect for their chastity.

A learned sage sees with equal vision a soul within the body of an el-ephant, a cow, a human being, or a small insect.

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The life of a Babaji is one of freedom and joyfulness, based on the prin-ciples of simple living and high thinking.

Walking up the many steps to the temple might not be easy but always rewarding.

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Carrying a trident is a sign of those who worship Lord Shiva, known for being the most merciful amongst the demigods.

As the blazing fire reduces wood to ashes, similarly, the fire of Self-knowledge reduces all bonds of Karma to dust.

For the soulthere is neitherbirth nor death

at any time.

He is

unborn,

eternal,

undyingprimeval, and

ever-existing.He is not slain

when the body

is slain.

- Bhagavad Gita 2.20

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The Shiva Linga represents the divine combination of the original male and female energy in the material cosmos. This Linga in Hampi is among the largest in the world.

Accepting whatever comes of its own accord, a Babaji is satisfied knowing that the Lord will always provide protection for His devotee.

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Having very few possesions of his own a Babaji values the association of spiritually-minded people over anything else.

God will accept anything you offer with love and devotion, be it a leaf, a flower or water. The body of the devotee should be the leaf, the flower is the heart and the water is tears of joy.

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According to the Vedic custom a visitor should always be treated as a welcome guest and offered at least a kind word, a place to rest and water to drink.

For his daily sustenance a Babaji will go on Madhukari, a process of collecting food from various places, just as a honeybee gathers nectar from many different flowers.

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Babajis are known for carrying their prayer beads with them. Worship-ers of Lord Shiva chant their mantras on the beads made from Rudraksa berries, whereas followers of Lord Vishnu use the beads made from the Tulasi tree.

Beautiful beaches of Goa is a perfect place to watch the sunset.

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The heavenly bull Nandi is the devoted carrier of Lord Shiva. Sacred tilak markings declare that the body is the property of the Lord and should be respected as a sacred gift to use in His service.

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Coming together for worship with music and dance is recommended by the Vedas for this day and age.

An elaborate nightly ceremony at the bank of the holy Ganga is cel-ebrated by giant oil lamps and chanting of sacred hymns.

Lord Sri Krishna said:

the ability in man.

The sound in ether and

Vedic mantras,

I am the sacred syllable Om in the

- Bhagavad Gita 7.8

the light of the sun and the moon,

I am the fresh taste of water,

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Arriving at Nila Kantha Mahadeva temple, pilgrims eagerly take bath in a mountain spring before entering.

The material world is described by the Vedas as a perverted temporary reflection of the original spiritual reality.

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The morning hours are saturated with the quality of goodness and are considered to be the most suitable for spiritual practices.

Some Babajis take a vow to not cutting their hair for decades and are said to store the potency of their austerities in their matted locks.

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Lord Narasimhadeva, the half-man half-lion form of Lord Vishnu, is well kno wn for giving protection to His devotees in times of hardship or difficulty.

All species of living entities inhabiting this material world are engaged in four categories of activity: eating, sleeping, mating, and defending. But the ability for self-realization is the only quality that distinguishes humans from the animal kingdom.

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This ornate sandstone wall, surrounds this 15th century Lord Shiva temple in Kanchipuram. It served as a place for many monks to live and meditate for centuries.

Beyond mystic perfection and pursuit of knowledge lies the plane of uninturrupted devotional service to the Supreme Bhagavan. Only un-motivated loving service can bring true solace to the heart.

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Transcendental knowledge which is beyond the grasp of the mind and senses can only be realized by the grace of the Divine. The more one advances on the spiritual path, the more one realizes how much more there is to know.

The snow peaks of the mountains are like the highest truths. Climbing to the top might take a long time but the journey is made worthwhile when you achieve a clear perspective of the world around you.

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From the first step until the last, life is like a journey. Let the wisdom of the Vedas help us turn every moment into our next step ahead.

There always will be another moment to live, another place to discover, another friend to find, and another love to give.

One who truly understands My transcendental

appearance and activities of creation,

maintenance, and dissolution,

attains My supreme abode and is not born again

afterleaving this body,

O Arjuna.

Bhagavad-Gita