During the era of Achyutananda, the region encompassing Kakatpur, Astarang, and Konark was known as “Dandakaranya.” In this area, numerous ascetics, practitioners of severe austerities, and renunciants resided in caves and simple huts within the ancient villages. Among them, certain spiritual aspirants sustained themselves solely on air and leaves. These individuals were known as Yogaruda Sadhakas. Monasteries were constructed in this region by Baligaon Das and Lohi Das. Mallikanath diligently pursued the practice of yoga under the guidance of his Guru.
Achyutananda’s Sunya Samhita vividly depicts this milieu:
“ichchhae jaanti tapi khaye juna kshane
Shrikrushnanka niyoga je aananti pratidine.
Emaane yogaarudha sadhanti e brahmajnana moola
Kebala pindhanti muni burkshara bakala.
E sabu rushi ashrama ke rahe ke kshane
Badha je durgama kala buluthaanhi bane.
Kehu phalamula khaanti kehu khaanti jala
Kehu khaanti patramaana ke rahe nirjala.”
“ ଇଚ୍ଛାଏ ଯାଆନ୍ତି ତପି ଖଏ ଯୂଣ କ୍ଷଣେ
ଶ୍ରୀକୃଷ୍ଣଙ୍କ ନିଯୋଗ ଯେ ଆଣନ୍ତି ପ୍ରତିଦିନେ ।
ଏମାନେ ଯୋଗାରୁଢ଼ ସାଧନ୍ତି ଏ ବ୍ରହ୍ମଜ୍ଞାନ ମୂଳ
କେବଳ ପିନ୍ଧନ୍ତି ମୂନି ବୃକ୍ଷର ବକଳ ।
ଏ ସବୁ ରଷି ଆଶ୍ରମ କେ ରହେ କେ କ୍ଷଣେ
ବଢ଼ ଯେ ଦୁର୍ଗମ କଳା ବୁଲୁଥାଚି ବନେ ।
କେହୁ ଫଳମୂଳ ଖାନ୍ତି କେହୁ ଖାନ୍ତି ଜଳ
କେହୁ ଖାନ୍ତି ପତ୍ରମାନ କେ ରହେ ନିର୍ଜଳ । ”
It mean to ..
“Desires vanish in a moment, yet Krishna’s divine guidance arrives daily.
These Yogaruda Sadhakas delve into the essence of Brahmajnana,
Existing solely on the sustenance of the mystic’s tree, like ascetics of yore.
In this timeless abode of ascetics, where rare arts flourish abundantly,
Some consume fruits, some sip water, and some subsist on leafy greens,
While others dwell in silent meditation, their abodes serene and tranquil.”
During Achyutananda’s era, teachings from Gorakhnath, Veerasingh’s commandments, Mallikanath’s yoga, the vow of bavali, and the mantras of Lohidas and Kapil profoundly influenced society. Through their mystical practices, Sadhakas performed awe-inspiring feats.
However, conflicts among disciples sometimes led to the misuse of sacred knowledge, even endangering the lives of revered Gurus. At such critical junctures, the Panchaskhaya, in a magnanimous proclamation, declared the #Shrikshetra as Martya Baikuntha, the earthly abode of the divine. They unequivocally affirmed the Chaturadhamurthi seated upon the Ratnasinghasan as the heart of human society and the entire universe. Devotees fervently beseeched the Lord, knowing that His grace would bring happiness to the world. Removing ingrained prejudices from society’s collective psyche was recognized as the key to resolving myriad challenges.
In essence, Achyutananda’s era was characterized by a rich tapestry of spiritual practices, divine interventions, and societal transformations, all contributing to the pursuit of enlightenment and harmony.
