We are sitting in satsang. It is Swami Muktananda, Swami Chandrananda, Carla and me. I ask Swami Muktananda, “Can you please tell me about Swami Satchidananda’s passing. Swamiji’s appearance is solemn, then he said,
“Yes. At one time, the year is 2003, Swamiji said, “I am leaving on December 3rd.” We could not believe what he was saying. Later on we asked him, “Swamiji, did we hear you right, are you going to leave the body on December 3rd?” He said yes.
“Eventually December 3rd came and we were all quite anxious. At the end of the day, Swamiji said, so childlike [Swami M. and Swami Chandrananda are laughing], “Well (waving of the hand back and forth), nothing has happened!” [We all laughed].
“Then, March or April [2004] Swamiji was having so much angina pain. For proper treatment the doctors all said that Swamiji should be taken to Mangalore. This could be Swamiji’s decision only, so we asked. Swamiji said, “I do not wish to go, but Papa says I should.” So, he was taken. So many doctors were consulted and he was taking medicines, but the pain was intense. It was decided that Swamiji should have angio[plasty]. Swamiji said yes to the procedure, “The pain is so intense it is no use going on like this.” [long pause, there were several long pauses in the telling, at times Swami M. had a lot of emotion while relating these events.]
The procedure was done, and at first it appeared that everything was alright. Then someone noticed that Swamiji had no movement on one side of his body. The doctors said Swamiji has had a stroke. [Long pause]
Afterwards Swamiji was brought back to the Ashram. He very much wanted to walk again. There was physical therapy, he did everything to be able to walk. But, so many times when he tried to walk the angina pain would stop it.
Swamiji suffered so much for four and a half years. So much, nobody knows. Toward the end we knew that the end was near. Body functions were…(shutting down.)
Nalini related at another time: The window at the Centenary Hall was open and all were in the main room chanting Ram Nam. For a long time the chanting was for his recovery. However, Swamiji was in such great pain that we no longer chanted for his life to continue, not for the way things were.
Swamiji’s 13th Day Service is described in a later posting, Satsang with Swami Muktananda.