PTHC: What was your experience of Papa Ramdas when you were 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 years old?
Premanand Trikannad: As stated earlier, Anandashram was the only place where my parents would go during any holidays or vacations. Papa Ramdas had great love for children and children too were totally free and playful with Papa. We too had the same privilege but by nature, personally I used to be quite shy and almost nervous as a child but it was always a very happy time to sit close to Papa.
PTHC: Did you get to spend a lot of time with him at Anandashram when you were young?
Premanand Trikannad: I think the last answer covers this question too. My father, as an educational publisher, was employed in Bombay. So, even though we may have visited Anandashram at least twice every year, I do not recall spending a lot of time with Papa Ramdas. However, at the age of 18 I got permission from Papa and Mataji to spend a couple of months at Anandashram. Those 2 months extended to 6 years!
PTHC: Did you feel like he was just like any other grandfather?
Premanand Trikannad: Honestly, no. For all of us, he was the same Papa, absolutely same as he was to all others; and, to him we were same as children of any devotee. We always felt an awe in his presence. However much playful he was with all children including me, still in truth we were aware that he was a great saint, who was deeply revered by thousands who came to the Ashram to touch his feet in respect.
PTHC: At what point did you realize that he was not considered to be an average person, but in fact a great Indian saint?
Premanand Trikannad: Right from my childhood. We were raised in a house where every wall had large photographs of him and his photos were in our shrine where we offered our daily worship.
PTHC: Have you found that many people relate to you differently because Papa Ramdas is your grandfather?
Premanand Trikannad: Undeservedly some people tend to. But in Anandashram, I am like any other resident there.
PTHC: Why did you choose Papa Ramdas as your Guru?
Premanand Trikannad: The moment I was born, I was blessed that Papa Ramdas became my Guru. Mother had all her children named by Papa – so Papa blessed me with the name Premanand. As I grew up and continue to do so, with every moment I feel an utmost gratitude to the Divine that Papa Ramdas became my Guru.
PTHC: What are the aspects of your sadhana that have produced the best results?
Premanand Trikannad: May I be absolutely truthful? In reality I ought to have done sadhana very intensely but unfortunately I have never done any sadhana. So, I totally lack in any spiritual practice. I repeat, whatever bhajans I enjoy to sing, is only the sheer grace of my beloved Gurus, Papa and Mataji.
PTHC: What advice or guidance would you offer young people who are interested in art and spiritual development?
Premanand Trikannad: I feel it is essential to have a Guru to guide one for spiritual development. I wish and pray that every person is as fortunate as I have been in finding a Guru like my Papa Ramdas. I conclude this with my favorite quote of Kabir’s couplet on the greatness of a Guru;
“Guru and Govinda (God) both stand side by side, before me. To whom do I pay my respects first? I bow before my Guru first because he brought me to my God.”
Namaste. Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram.
