The Levitating Saint Bhaduri Mahasaya

Dadi: "Guddu, have you ever seen someone float in the air?"

Guddu: "Float? Like a balloon?"

Dadi: "*smiling mysteriously* Not a balloon, beta. A person. A real human being, sitting in the air with nothing holding them up!"

Guddu: "*eyes going round* That's impossible, Dadi!"

Dadi: "For most people, yes. But there was a saint in Calcutta named Bhaduri Mahasaya who could do exactly that. Young Paramahansa Yogananda, who later became a great guru himself, met this extraordinary yogi."

Guddu: "How could he float? Was it magic?"

Dadi: "Not magic, beta - yoga. But not the yoga you see in parks, with stretching and poses. This was pranayama - the ancient science of breathing. Bhaduri Mahasaya had practiced special breathing exercises for so many years that his body became light, almost weightless."

Guddu: "Breathing made him float?"

Dadi: "Our bodies are heavier than we realize because we carry so much tension, so many worries, so much heaviness in our minds. But Bhaduri Mahasaya had released all that. His mind was so pure, so focused, that even his body became like a feather."

Guddu: "That's amazing! Did he show this to everyone?"

Dadi: "Ah, here's the interesting part. Bhaduri Mahasaya hardly ever left his house! For twenty years, he stayed indoors, deep in meditation. Only during holy festivals would he come as far as his front door."

Guddu: "Twenty years inside? Didn't he get bored?"

Dadi: "*chuckling* For people like him, meditation is more exciting than any movie or game. Inside, he was traveling through entire universes, experiencing joy that we cannot even imagine."

Guddu: "But then how did people see him float?"

Dadi: "Sometimes, during special gatherings, he would demonstrate. Yogananda's friend actually saw him sitting several feet above the ground, no strings, no tricks. When the friend told Yogananda, he immediately knew it must be Bhaduri Mahasaya."

Guddu: "Did Yogananda meet him?"

Dadi: "Yes! He visited the saint and found a very simple man who had given up all wealth. You see, Bhaduri Mahasaya came from a very rich family. He could have had anything - big houses, servants, jewels."

Guddu: "But he gave it all up?"

Dadi: "All of it, beta. Because he understood something important. He told young Yogananda: "Those who give up worldly things for God gain much more than they lose. But those who only chase wealth lose the greatest treasure of all - peace.""

Guddu: "What's the greatest treasure, Dadi?"

Dadi: "Inner peace, beta. Knowing who you truly are. Feeling connected to something greater than yourself. Bhaduri Mahasaya had that, and no amount of money could buy it."

Guddu: "Did he teach others?"

Dadi: "Many disciples learned from him. And before Yogananda left for America to teach yoga to the West, Bhaduri Mahasaya blessed him with these words: "Go to America. The noble distant people will receive you well.""

Guddu: "And did they?"

Dadi: "Yogananda became one of the most famous spiritual teachers in history! Millions of people around the world still read his book and practice his teachings. And it all started with blessings from saints like Bhaduri Mahasaya."

Guddu: "Dadi, can I learn to float too?"

Dadi: "*laughing warmly* Maybe not float, beta. But you can learn the real lesson - that the most valuable things cannot be bought. Love, peace, kindness, wisdom - these are the true treasures. People who chase only money often feel empty inside, while those who develop their hearts feel full."

Guddu: "I'd rather feel full and happy!"

Dadi: "That's my wise grandson. And you don't need to sit in a room for twenty years. Just remember to be kind, to be peaceful, and to never think money is the only goal. The lightness will come to your heart, even if your feet stay on the ground!"

Guddu: "*yawning* Dadi, I feel light already... like I could float into dreams..."

Dadi: "*tucking him in* Then float away, mera bachcha. Float to beautiful dreams, and tomorrow we'll talk about more wonders."