(This article is published in the book "At the feet of a Himalayan Master" -
Remembering Swami Rama Volume 5, Page 157)
न गुरोधिकं तत्त्वं न गुरोधिकं तपः ।
न गुरोधिकं ज्ञानं तस्मै श्रीगुरुरवे नमः
There is no truer principle than the guru; no greater penance than the guru;
and no jnAnam--knowledge, loftier than the guru; to that guru, my prostrations - Guru Gita 65
If you are ready the Guru will find you
Parã vidyã, or brahmavidyã is the means to ultimate liberation. Everything is included in brahmavidya. All vidyãs are known by knowing it. Therefore, when a disciple named Shaunak asked, ‘कस्मिन्नु भगवो विज्ञाते सर्वमिदं विज्ञातं भवतीति’– ‘Kasminnu bhagavo vignãte sarvamidam vignãtam bhavateeti’ – ‘By knowing which vidyã does one know everything?’ (Mundaka Upanishad: 1/1/3). Replying with the words, ‘अथ परा’ – ‘Atha parã’ (Mundaka Upanishad: 1/1/5), Maharshi Angirã revealed brahmavidyã as the answer.
In the Mundaka Upanishad, the guru has been described as the means to realising brahmavidyã.
‘O Shaunak,’ said Angirã muni, त्व्तद्विज्ञानार्थं स गुरुमेवाभिगत्व्छेत्’ – ‘Tadvignãnãrtham sa gurumevãbhigachchhet’ – ‘In order to realize that brahmavidyã, one must go to the guru’ (Mundaka Upanishad: 1/2/12). This statement by Angirã is the life-line of spiritual endeavour. It is not a merely a suggestion to surrender to the guru; it is an order, a command.
If surrendering to the guru is the lifeline of spiritual endeavour, then it is also necessary to decide who that guru is, and what he should be like. It is not an easy matter to lead someone to realise brahmavidyã. This is not even in the capability of a normal person. Not just anyone can become a guru for brahmavidyã.
So who is that guru? What are his characteristics? These questions have also been answered by Angirã Rushi. Angirã says, “O Shaunak! The guru worthy of surrendering to should be श्रोत्रियं ब्रह्म निष्ठम्’ – ‘Shrotriyam Brahma nishtham’ (Mundaka Upanishad: 1/2/12). ‘Shrotriyam’ means that he should know the essence of all the shastras. This is not about being a storehouse of information, but about having experience. This is not just about knowing, but about practicing. Only one who lives according to that gnãn can be the guru.
Singing the praises of the guru, the form of Brahman, Maharshi Angirã says,‘यः सर्वज्ञः सर्वविद् यस्यैष महिमा भुवि’ – ‘Yaha saravagnaha sarvavid yasyaisha mahimã bhuvi’ – ‘This brahmaswarup guru is all-knowing; he knows everything firsthand by experience. He is educated in everything; he has mastered all vidyãs. In short he has the knowledge, that too experiential knowledge and more than that lives by the essence of experiential knowledge.
I had been exposed to these expositions from my childhood and was inclined towards spirituality form early years of my childhood. My desire to meet such a Guru turned into my life's goal. But in this 21st century where even spirituality is being sold as a commodity it was very difficult to distinguish between the genuine and the fake. There were learned pundits who at the drop of the hat exploded with anger! There were highly knowledgable so called Gurus who were selling the commodity called 'Spiritual Enlightenment' who can be termed as 'Spiritual Entrepreneurs'. In this milieu of 'Spiritual Juggernaut' I was utterly confused and I was in a dilemma to find the elusive 'The Real Guru'. During this dilemma in one of the discourses I attended, the learned person was mentioning that "If you are ready the Guru will find you". With this profound realisation I stopped searching and went on with my sadhana based on the Great Rishi Pantajali's Astanga Yoga. I was a voracious reader of books on philosophy and Biographies of great saints. One of the books I had read was 'Living with the Himalayan Masters' by Swami Rama the Great Himalayan Master, which was very gripping in it's content and substance. It had a great impact on me and was dreaming of meeting such a realised saint. May be due to my ignorance I was under the impression that Swami Rama was not alive.
By profession I was the Director of Science & Technology Entrepreneurs Park (STEP) under the Jagadguru Sri Shivaratreshwara (JSS) Institutions one of the large Educational Enterprise in the country. But as student of yoga & philosophy I used to teach Patanjali's Yoga Sutras to visiting students of University of IOWA USA in my capacity as Visiting Professor at the Dvanyaloka Institute of Indian Studies run by its then Director Dr. Nagaraja Rao. During this period I came across an accomplished Biomedical Engineer of repute Dr.Krishnamurthy who was the then Secretary of the International Seminar on Yoga and Science being organised by Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, jigani, Bangalore.
During 1991 the first conference was held in Bangalore and Dr. Krishnamurthy requested me to Chair a session and he sent an Invitation. When I opened the Invitation, lo and behold the keynote speaker of that International Conference was Swami Rama the Great Himalayan Master. It was a mixed feeling of awe and supreme Joy. Awe because the great Himalayan Master whom I thought 'not alive' was still alive! and Supreme Joy because I will be meeting the great Himalayan Master of my dream!.
I wanted to share this information with His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji who is the Head of the JSS Institutions since he along with his guru and predecessor His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Mahaswamigalu, the 23rd pontiff had visited Himalayan Institute of Yoga, Science and Philosophy in Honesdale, Pensilvania USA established by Swami Rama and had met him there.
I immediately met His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji and appraised him about the first International Conference on Yoga & Science organised by Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana jigani Bangalore and that Swami Rama is coming to Bangalore to provide the Keynote. His Holiness was extremely happy and told me "Shivaram meet Swami Rama personally and invite him to our mutt on behalf of me and the JSS Institutions". I was also extremely happy that I will have the exclusive privilege of inviting a Great Himalayan Master and also will have a great opportunity of accompanying him to Mysore. With instructions from His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji I faxed a letter to Swami Rama to his Honesdale Ashram inviting him to come to Mysore quoting His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji's desire to meet him at Mysore.
That night I was not able to sleep because of the excitement and joy of meeting Swami Rama and prospect of bringing him to Mysore. Early morning I started my journey towards Bangalore by car and reached Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana jigani Bangalore and proceeded towards the Main Seminar Hall where Swami Rama was to provide his Keynote address at 10:30 am. Entire place was bubbling with yoga seers and aspirants. I was seated by 10:15 am and we all were waiting for Swami Rama. Exactly at 10:25 am Swami Rama appeared on the Stage. There was pin drop Silence. His personality was magnetic with radiant aura and I was looking at him with awe and respect, spell bound.
When he started his Keynote address his baritone voice commanded respect and he started with the line "I bow to the Divinity in you" which was unique and had a great impact across the audience. Keynote was a wonderful treatise on Scientific connotation of Yoga bringing east and west together and practical demonstration of how Yoga has an impact on Mind Body & Soul trilogy.
At around 11:30 am Swami Rama completed his Keynote and retired to his room. Immediately I went on with my errand of meeting Swami Rama and inviting him to Mysore. As expected there was a group of his disciples standing and talking in a hush voice in front of his room. As I was about to knock on the door to enter and meet Swami Rama one of the disciples stopped me and politely asked me "who are you sir and why do you want to meet Swami?" I replied "sir I represent His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji of JSS Institutions, Mysore and I am here to invite Swamiji to Mysore". He immediately said "Swamiji is very busy and he will not be able to go anywhere outside Bangalore". This reply did not deter me and I told him point blankly "look here sir I have come here to invite Swami Rama and won't take your answer for granted please allow me to talk to Swamiji and if he says if he cannot come to Mysore I will accept his answer". Then reluctantly he agreed to allow me to go into Swami Rama's room.
I went in and saw Swami Rama sitting on the sofa and I introduced myself. He immediately said "Oh Shivaram I was waiting for you, I received your fax redirected to me by my secretary at Honsedale Pensylvania USA, when can we go to Mysore?". I was overjoyed and said "Anytime Swamiji". Swamiji said "What about 4 'O' Clock in the morning tomorrow?", I said "OK Swamiji, I will come to your room and pick you up tomorrow". Then Swamiji blessed me and told me that he will wait for my arrival tomorrow.
I immediately called up His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji and appraised him of the situation and informed him that I will be bringing Swami Rama by 7am tomorrow to JSS math starting from Bangalore at 4am. He was very happy and said that he will be organising a befitting reception to Swami Rama when he arrives at his math in Mysore.
I was overjoyed and restless at the same time at the prospect of travelling for 3 hours with the great Himalayan Master Swami Rama. I was not able to sleep and I got up early at bout 2:30 am and started getting ready. Exactly at 4 am as promised I was at the doorsteps of Swami Rama's Room. Lo and behold Swami Rama was ready and standing in the corridor ready to go.
In south we are used to highly orthodox Swamijis of various maths. They have lots of restrictions and protocol. They cannot travel with any other person except their own orthodox associates and they cannot eat outside in a hotel or roadway canteen. I was really concerned with this and I was hesitant to sit by the side of Swamiji and hence waited for Swamiji to get into the car at the back so that I can sit in the front with the driver. Swami Rama was smiling as though he read my mind and understood my dilemma and said "come on sit with me we will proceed to Mysore". I was taken aback and at the same time very happy at the prospect of travelling siting by the side of a Great Himalayan Master.
Previous night I had prepared well to ask several questions about several doubts regarding treading the path of spirituality. But as soon as I came into his magnificent aura sitting close to him all my doubts melted and I was just admiring and basking in his aura enjoying every moment. To say the least I was in Bliss.
Swamiji was meditating for some time after discussing in general about Mysore and JSS Institutions. It was slightly a tedious journey travelling for 3 hours I felt the need of some refreshments, but reminded myself that I am travelling with Swamiji and I cannot stop and have refreshments at a roadside canteen or Hotel. So I kept quite. When we were approaching Srirangapattana a town nearby Mysore he came out of his Meditation and suddenly asked "Can we have some Tea" in his usual Baritone voice. I was totally bowled over by the simplicity of the Swamiji and his concern for others feelings. We immediately stopped at a roadside Canteen and had hot tea and proceeded to Mysore. My perception of Swamijis changed for the better!
We arrived at the JSS Math at 7am. Swami Rama was welcomed with Poorna Kumbha a tradition where the Saints are welcomed with Kalash and pundits chanting Veda Gosh along with Mangal Vādya. Swami Rama was taken in a procession from the Gates of the Math to Math's door, where he was welcomed by the Secretary of the math and we were taken to the Chambers of His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji. JSS Swamiji was very happy and they discussed for sometime remembering with nostalgia there meeting at Honsedale Ashram of Swami Rama. JSS Swamiji had planned a visit to their ancestors place called Suttur about 25 kilometres from Mysore where the Samadhis of the Gurus of their lineage were present. Swamiji requested me to take Swami Rama to his room in the Math for refreshing himself before the journey.
Surrounded by vast fields of rice, a small village Suttur in Karnataka is home to one of Saivism's most dynamic monasteries. It was here, long ago, that a saint founded a lineage dedicated to bringing peace and succour to the people; and it is from here, today, that a guru leads this massive organisation. Grounded in the teachings of Basavanna, a fiery reformer and superb poet, Suttur Math has stood the test of time and fulfilled its dharma as the protector of the needy. Sri Jagadguru Veerasimhasana Suttur Math with a long history of more than one thousand years is a multi-dimensional institution of the Veerashaiva community that has contributed immensely to the cause of societal advancement. The welfare activities of the Math transcend the sectarian limits of the Veerasaiva community and encompass a much wider and larger following of all the sections of Indian society.
The founding of the Math can be traced to a historical event linked with Sri Shivarathreeshwara Shivayogi Mahaswamigalu crusading for peace between two warring kingdoms. The hostility between Rachamalla IV of the Gangas of Talkad and Rajaraja of Cholas was about to break up into a large scale war. It was due to the timely intervention of Sri Shivarathreeshwara Swamigalu the hostility ended and the enemies became friends. Then it was on the request of Rajaraja, the Swamigalu graciously condescended to establish a Math on the banks of the river Kapila at Suttur near Mysore.
The inscriptional evidences support the establishment of Suttur Math during the reign of Chola kingdom. The name Shivaratri is mentioned in many ancient works such as Panditaradhya Charita, Shivacharya Chudamani and Ganasahasranama. The tradition handed down from one pontiff to another indicates that the said Shivaratri Shivacharya is the founder of Suttur Math.
Sri Eshaneshwara Wodeyar, the second pontiff was responsible for further development of the Suttur Math during the times of Rajendra Chola. The Someshwara temple near the Math at Suttur is said to have been constructed by the Chola kings, in accordance with the wishes of Sri Eshaneshwara Wodeyar. An inscription referring to this event dated 23rd October 1032 is still there.
Sri Suttur Veerasimhasana Math has grown over the centuries to be a multidimentional religious, cultural and educational movement, Spearheading the Math's educational iniciativities is Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara Mahavidyapeetha (JSS MVP), founded by the 23rd Pontiff, Jagadguru Dr. Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Mahaswamigalu who met Swami Rama at his Honsedale Pensilvania USA Ashram.
When we reached Suttur along with Swami Rama and Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji it was 11am. Swami Rama was again welcomed with Poorna Kumbha and Mangala Vādya and he was taken in a procession in the streets of Suttur to the Math. We sat there for a while and Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji informed Swami Rama about the history of the Math and the yeomen service to humanity done by the Gurus of his lineage. Swami Rama listened to him with rapt attention. After sometime Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji himself took Swami Rama around to see the Samadhi of his ancestors and the Someshwara temple nearby. My friend Dr.Seethalaxmi who was then the Pricipal of Mysore Medical College was also present. We all went around and enjoyed the Spiritual ambience and the natural beauty surrounding Suttur village.
It was around 1pm when we arrived at the JSS Math in Mysore after visiting Suttur. We had lunch at the Math and we sat with Swami Rama discussing with him about Yoga and it's scientific connotation. He mentioned about the Biofeedback experiments he had conducted substantiating the benefits of Yoga on the individual. After some time Swami Rama was in his playful mood and he put his arm with the palm firmly established on the table and asked about four of us to displace his arm from its position. Myself, one Mr.Chinnappa a close disciple of His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji and two other youngsters in the room together held Swami Rama's arm and tried to pull it away. We tried our best but could not even budge it few inches away from its present position. Swami Rama had a naughty smile and he was demonstrating the power of Mind over Matter! We all enjoyed that very close and intimate moments with the Great Himalayan Master.
In the evening around 5 pm His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji had organised a discourse cum demonstration by Swami Rama at the JSS Math premises for the advantage of the Citizens of Mysore. This event had been announced in the local News Paper 'Star of Mysore' and even though it was at short notice many spiritual aspirants had come and gathered to hear Swami Rama. He mentioned about Yoga and it's scientific connotation. He also mentioned about the Combined therapy Centre he is planning in the Medical City he is building in Jolly Grant near Rishikesh exploiting the therapeutic value of Yoga. He also demonstrated some of the Yoga postures. It was very well received by the citizens of Mysore and after the Q&A session they all requested him to visit once again and give them the opportunity to hear him once again.
After this historical meeting which paved a way for a longterm bonding between two great saints and the organisations, I was asked to accompany Swami Rama to Bangalore Airport for his onward journey to Delhi.
Couple of weeks later when I was still basking in the sweet memory of spending quality time with the great Himalayan Master Swami Rama one fine morning two huge boxes one addressed to me and another addressed to His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji was at my doorsteps through post. I opened the box and I was overwhelmed with joy to know that Swami Rama had sent all his publications to me and His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji. That's when I felt that the 'Guru has found me!'
गढू ावा जगमाया देहशचाानसभवः | वानं यसादेन गु शदेन कथयते ||
The hidden ignorance, absence of the Knowledge of Self, the world- Maya, the body are all caused by ignorance (Ajnana). By whose grace one attains direct Knowledge of the Self- he is known by the name Guru. (Guru Gita 23)
Divinity's plan to strengthen the bond
In 1992 His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji decided to organise a conference on Shiva Gita and he informed me to contact Swami Rama and request him to be the Keynote speaker. I was again thrilled that we will be getting an occasion to meet The great Himalayan Master. I sent the letter of invitation highlighting the conference theme and later the next day I called up Swami Rama's Rishikesh ashram. That's when I first talked to Miss.Maithili. I introduced myself and told her about the conference and informed about the desire of His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji to have Swami Rama as the Keynote speaker at the conference. Swami Rama came on the phone with his soulful baritone voice and in his usual loveable mood enquired "Beta kaisahai?" The power of Guru's love is so strong that it can travel long distances and engulf your heart. I was speechless for sometime and then recovered when I heard him ask the same question. I explained about the desire of His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji to have him as the Keynote speaker at the Shiva Gita Conference being held in November 1992 at Mysore. With lots of overflowing love he enquired about me and about His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji, conveyed his best wishes and agreed to be the Keynote speaker.
I informed His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji about Swami Rama's acceptance as a Keynote Speaker and he was extremely happy. The invitation was printed and sent to all aspirants of Indian Philosophy and yoga. I was eagerly waiting to meet Swami Rama once again!
Swami Rama arrived on the designated date and was received with full honours befitting the great Himalayan Master. That was the first time I met Miss. Maithili in person. She was very young and we at Mysore were discussing that it is very rare that a person so young has the bent of mind to totally dedicate herself in the service of the Great Master. I had organised their stay at "Dasaprakah Paradise" one of the best Hotels in the City of Mysore at that time. This was a great opportunity for me to take my entire family to meet the Great Himalayan Master and get his blessings.
My wife Yogini was a great individual who was spiritually evolved and Was very eager to meet great saints (She is no more and as a great tribute to her great personality I have created a website www.yoginamma.weebly.com in honour of her). I went to Dasaprakash Paradise to meet Swami Rama along with my wife and two sons Manjesh Bhargav who was 8 years old and Akhikesh Bhargav who was 3 years old. It was indeed a great experience. We were fortunate to have had one hour of uninterrupted moments with the great Himalayan Master. My wife had written an article on' Mind' and she read it aloud to Swami Rama. He appreciated and signed her dairy where she had written that article in appreciation and blessed her and told me "she is a great soul take care of her very well". My first son Manjesh Bhargav demonstrated his skill by reciting Srisukta and Swami Rama appreciated it very much. He was very fond of children and he cuddled both of them and blessed them.
Next day when I went to Hotel Dasaprakash to take Swami Rama to JSS Math I felt Swamiji seems to have been little upset over the fact that Miss. Maithili had not packed his shaving kit and he had taken Miss.Maithili to task as a stickler to discipline. She was disturbed and had not taken her breakfast and Swamiji said "You have to be disciplined in your execution of work you have been assigned and if your guru tried to discipline you you should not get emotionally disturbed and abstain from taking breakfast and go on strike like this, I cannot cajole you and take care of you all the time, you should control your emotions and take care of yourself". I thought Swamiji was training his close disciple to take an important leadership position in future and this was her training ground. As envisaged Miss.Maithili is heading now a prestigious and pet project of Swamiji called 'Rural Development Institute' which has been recognised world over now through her exemplary leadership engraved in her character by her Guru Swami Rama .
I took Swami Rama and Miss. Maithili to the venue of the Shiva Gita conference at the JSS Math. During the inaugural along with Swami Rama, His Holiness Jagadguru Shivaratri Desikendra Swamiji (JSS Swamiji) was presiding and Sri Siddeshwar Swamiji of Gyan Yogashrama of Bijapur, who is fondly referred to as the "modern day Basaveshwara" by his devotees was the other main speaker. It was a well attended conference.
When we came back to the hotel a strange and funny thing happened. When we entered the lobby of the Hotel a local Swamiji dressed uniquely and strangely with a Mysore peta (a unique headgear) and a green long cape (Like the one worn by HE-MAN) was sitting with his personnel carrying a basket on his head covered with a green velvet cloth waiting for Swami Rama. I enquired about him and he said he is Gangadhara Swamiji of the local math in a nearby village and he wants to meet Swami Rama.
When Miss.Maithili informed Swami Rama about the Swamiji, he said he did not want to meet him. The Swamiji with the Green Cape nevertheless persisted. Finally when he stood at the door of the hotel room, wanting to barge in, Miss.Maithili used her hand to block his entry within. With his followers behind him, and with a young lady blocking his path, he went back.
When he left, with me and Miss.Maithili seated on either side of Swami Rama, every now and then during the conversation he would turn to us and in a hush voice ask us with a child like naughty smile "why was he wearing that Green Cape?". We held back our strong involuntary urge of laughing out loud and sat there listening to the conversation. The long and short of it was that the Swamiji with the Green Cape had come there with a basket full of fruits and ornaments to offer it to Swami Rama in exchange of initiation. Swami Rama politely refused the offer. My respect for Swami Rama grew several notches up for his indifference to the offer of riches and sticking to his real Guru consciousness of initiating the deserving.
I was introduced to one Mr.Pattabhiraman of Sadana Sangama a spiritual aspirant by Mr,Shivalingaiah fondly known as Shivu who was a family friend who used to visit our house regularly. He was with Sadana Sangama then assisting Mr.Pattabhiraman's wife Smt.Jyoti in her dance performances in various cities. During Dasara Smt.Jyoti's team performed in Mysore and during that time Shivu had brought the team to my house and they stayed with us. That's how Mr.Pattabhiramans family became close to our family. Mr.Pattabhiraman on that day called me and requested me to introduce him to Swami Rama. I took both Mr.Pattabhiraman and Smt.Jyoti to Swami Rama at Hotel Dasaprakash and introduced them to Swami Rama. He requested Swami Rama to address the spiritual aspirants associated with his organisation Sadana Sangama at Town Hall in Bangalore. Swami Rama accepted his invitation. I took swami Rama and Miss.Maithili to Bangalore. On the way to Bangalore in Maddur we had refreshments at a restaurant.
At the Town Hall in Bangalore we were received by Mr.Pattabhiraman and a large group of enthusiasts of yoga. Swami Rama was on the stage giving his discourse and myself and Miss Maithili was at the back stage waiting for the Swamiji to complete his discourse.
Swami Rama after completing his discourse called me to his side through Miss.Maithili. He invited me to come to Rishikesh and mentioned that he is building a Medical College and needed to interact with JSS Medical College so that he can send the selected nurses, technicians and Medical personnel for training. I assured him that I will pass on the information to JSS Swamiji and took leave of him and Miss Maithili to go back to Mysore. Before leaving Maithili said that Swamiji wishes that I should visit Rishikesh.
With the second interaction with Swami Rama my urge to go to Rishikesh and to be with the Swamiji in per suit of Spirituality grew. In the meantime after few months Swami Rama wrote a letter to me expressing his desire to get his Medical personnel recruited to get trained in various departments of JSS Medical College & Hospital. I met JSS Swamiji and discussed with him and he in turn instructed the Medical Director to do the needful. That was the beginning of the Association of two great organisation HIHT and JSS Maha Vidyapeetha which created a platform for me to frequently go to Rishikesh & Jollygrant.
ग ु भ ा व ः प र ं त ी थ म य त ी थ ि न र थ क म ् | सवतीथमयं देव ीगरु ोरणाबजु म ् ||
GuruBhakti is the greatest kind of pilgrimage. Others are worthless. All places of pilgrimage are present, O Devi, at the sacred holy feet of the Guru. (Guru Gita-159)
Pilgrimage to Rishikesh to be at the feet of the Guru
One day I was meditating in my house in Mysore and I had a strong urge to meet Swami Rama. Immediately I called up Rishikesh Ashram. The phone was answered by Miss.Maithili and she passed on the call to Swamiji. I was thrilled by hearing his baritone voice. I told Swamiji that I had a strong feeling and that I want to come to Rishikesh and take his blessings. Swamiji after enquiring about JSS Swamiji and my family said "Beta thu aajaavo I will be waiting for you". When he said "I will be waiting for you" I thought it was a figure of speech. Nevertheless I was thrilled and I went to Delhi by flight and took train-Shatabdi from Delhi to Haridwar. During that time there was agitation going on for a separate state Uttaranchal to be formed out of north-western districts of Uttarpradesh. The agitators stopped the Train at Roorkee and some miscreants set ablaze a bogie. The passengers including me got down in a hurry while the fire brigade came to put off the fire. I immediately called up Rishikesh ashram and explained to them about the happenings and informed them that I will be reaching ashram on my own from Roorkee. They said that Swamiji is in Jollygrant at the HIHT campus.
I hired a taxi at Roorkee and went to Jollygrant at 11:45 am. I entered from the side gate into HIHT and at the gate when I introduced myself they said I should go to Swami Rama's quarters. When I reached his quarters low and behold Swamiji was waiting at the Door. (On phone when I phoned from Mysore he had said "I will be waiting for you" which I thought was a figure of speech!). I was totally moved. I immediately got down from the car and did my pranams. He embraced me and took me inside and enquired about my family and JSS Swamiji. He then called for his Tata Safari SUV and took me round the huge Medical City campus by making mr sit by his side. He explained each and every building under construction as though explaining it to a little child. I felt the strong compassion and the kind of attention he gave. After this long drive we came back to his quarters. He then asked a person standing by his side (Later I came to know that his name was Mahesh)to take me to my room in the guest room and bring me back after refreshing myself.
After refreshing I came back with Mahesh and met Swamiji. He with lots of love told me "Go to your ashram and come back we have to discuss a lot". He instructed Mahesh to take me to his Rishikesh Ashram and bring me back in the evening. I never thought this visit of mine will be a most memorable visit of my lifetime.
Mahesh took me in the ashram's car to Rishikesh Ashram. The road to Ashram was winding and we went through thick forest nestled in the mountain ranges of the Himalayas. It was serene, scenic and soulful. Mahesh told me that one Swami Vedabharathi will be in the Rishikesh Ashram who is the disciple of Swami Rama.
The small lane into the Sadhana Mandir Ashram lead us to an expansive Spiritually vibrant Ashram on the banks of the great river Ganga, with a Japanese Garden exclusively Designed by Swami Rama. It was lunch time when we reached the Ashram but I wanted to meet Swami. Vedabharathi before partaking lunch. A brahmachari near the Swami Vedabharati's room above the library told me that Swami Vedhabharathi was resting since he recently had an eye operation. He requested me to have lunch in the Ashram and come back.
I finished my lunch and came back and the Brahmachari took me to Into Swami Vedabharathi's room. He was siting in the padmāsana posture. He looked up and said "Bright eyes come and sit down" "Do you know Meditation?". I sat down by his side and said "yes and no Swamiji!" (Yes-I was practicing meditation and no- I was not sure Whether that was the right way!). Swamiji said "that was smart answer!" Then he said "Take that blanket, roll it and sit on it". Then he started taking me through the process of Meditation with So-ham mantra "Resolve that there will be no other thought except the feel of the breath in both nostrils, inhaling with soooo, exhaling with haaammm" then he took me through the process of relaxation and thoughtlessness. (I had no clue why he was teaching me this without being asked. I could only connect the dots latter when I was back in Mysore!). After the entire process which took almost one hour we started talking. He started asking me about my profession and the organisation I am coming from. During the discussion He asked me to take initiation from Swami Rama. I thanked him for his suggestion. Then I told him that I am chanting Lalita Trishathi and that I wanted to know that if he has the bhashya of Lalita Trishati by Sri Adi Shankara. He said "let's go to the library below and let's search together". We climbed down the stairs from his room and started searching for the Lalita Trishati Bhashya. While searching he said "If you get the book you can go through that here, but you cannot take any book out of this library" and went to his room to attend to his routine leaving me alone with the brahmachari at the library. At that moment some how my intellect determined to take one book out of that library for my personal use with Swami Vedabharathi's permission and Signature. I was not able to find Lalita Trishati Bhashya but I saw a book titled 'Sayings' by Swami Vedabharati about his inspirational spiritual quotes. The library had several copies of it. So I picked up one and requested the brahmachari to get the signature of Swami Vedabharati so that I can take it with me as his blessings. The brahmachari went up and came back with the book and said that Swamiji had signed the book and that I can take it. I was happy and when I flipped the pages I saw his signature with a message written "Shivaram, May you be so inspired that your sayings be read for the next millennium". The significance of this I was not able to recognise till I started writing lyrics with the grace of the Gurudev and one CD by name 'Nada Bindu'- 'Srividya Nadopāsane' is pending release the details of which I will be giving at the appropriate time of this narrative.
I went back to HIHT Jollygrant along with Mahesh and went straight to Swami Rama's Cambers as instructed by Swamiji. That was the first time I met Ms.Barb Bova a close associate and desciple of Swami Rama who requested me to sit in the anteroom and went inside to inform Swami Rama. I was ushered in to the drawing room by Ms.Barb Bova. I met Swamiji in the drawing room and we had a long discussion on Medical College and Hospital and possible support of JSS Medical Institution in terms of training of the selected employees of his Medical Institution. He also mentioned the he is very keen to take up establishment of the Engineering Institute after this project and he wanted me to get involved in this project. I was totally moved and honoured by his love and said that my services will always be there at his beck and call. During the discussion I remembered Swami Vedabharathi's advice of requesting swami Rama for initiation. At the end of our discussion I requested Swamiji to initiate and take me as his disciple. He said with lots of love and compaction "Beta you are already close to my heart" he embraced me and touched my head and said "Beta you are already initiated" he looked at me directly into my eyes and it was a tremendous feeling of Bliss rushing up my spine and filling my entire being making me go blank, tears started rolling and after some time I was able to say only "Thank you Swamiji" and prostrated at his feet.
िनयं िनराकारं िनगुणं बोधयते ् परम ् |
भासयन ् भावं च दपो दपातरं यथा ||
The Guru is one who instructs the disciple about attributeless, eternal Brahman, and there by reveals the Brahmanbhava (feeling of being Brahman) in his heart just like one lamp kindles another lamp is the Guru. (Guru Gita-75)
Revelations by the grace of the Guru
I took leave of Swamiji and went back to my room at the guest house at about 8 pm after my
dinner. I read the book the Perineal Psychology of Gita by Swami Rama which I had bought earlier before going to bed. I never thought that night will be the turning point of my life because of the blessings of Gurudev Swami Rama.
I am blessed with sound sleep and new places does not pose any problem for me in getting sound sleep. This was the first time in my life that when I lied down on the bed to sleep some profound sentences kept on popping up in my consciousness continuously without allowing me to sleep. This was so powerful that I felt strongly to note it down. I took a piece of paper and a pen and started noting down. The sentences kept on flowing and I kept on noting down. This went on up to 1 pm. Then it stopped. It was altogether 22 profound sentences which had a great impact on me. Later I collated it with some notations which dawned upon me with the grace of Gurudev. Those are;
"Wearing the mask of Death why are you afraid of Death?" Note: Skin consists of three layers. The layer on the outside which you can see and feel is called 'epidermis' what you see outside is the dead skin cells. There whole human being is covered with skin containing dead skin cells (representing death). We are actual lying wearing the mask of death which actually protects us.
"Death protects Life" Note: again take the case of Skin,the visible top layer is nothing but dead cells representing death. Without the skin the living being dies so death protects life. With these revelations the fear of death is taken out.
"There is nothing called death YOU never die"
"When water is heated it becomes steam, you never say water is dead, it's only a change of state"
"Every thing is energy, even matter is energy, you are energy personified"
"Human being is an animal but has the capacity to transform from animalhood to manhood and manhood to godhood through Sadana"
"There are two centres of consciousness one within yourself and another outside of you. One within is the source of wisdom, another outside is the potential source of creation"
"When you are an observer, you are the Self"
"Voluntary loneliness leads to Solitude leading to peace, forced loneliness leads to isolation leading to frustration"
"If you have the right eye of the eye and the ear of the ear you can see and hear the messages/instructions of the Guru who is omnipresent"
"Every sound has a unique form, Sound contains the form like the seed contains the Tree, through proper utterance of the sound the form has to manifest, that's the essence of bējākśhara"
"Truth dawns when the senses sets"
"Use intellect to go beyond intellect"
"Perception is a product of senses, existence is beyond perception"
"Your ability to perceive does not lead you to THAT, your ability to go beyond perception lead you to THAT"
"Preaching liberation is bondage"
"Love without owning the object of love is liberation, Love with ownership is bondage"
"Trying to become some thing the being is lost"
"You and the Self are one and the same, the Ahamkāra separates them"
"When I die I am born"
"My body limits my reach, without the body I am limitless"
"I am always there with you and when you need me I manifest"
I was really perplexed by this gush of revelations and I got the answer to this unique experience in my life at a later date when I was reading the book 'Yoga Sutras of Patanjali' - Volume I Samādhi-Pada by Swami Veda Bharathi (then known as Pandit Usharbudh Arya). Where he had mentioned in his Prologue "Some times the Guru might flash an experience into the consciousness of a select disciple alone while enunciating the rules orally to the less prepared. This is the experience of select disciple even now. And even now it is thus that a few disciples have learnt at the feet of a guru".
Even though I slept late in the night I got up early by 5pm and looked at the note I had created out of my revelations by the grace of the Guru. I myself was amazed at the great message received by me by the grace and rewrote every thing orderly in my dairy for my reference. I was in a state of ecstasy. I was getting ready to go to breakfast and there was a knock at my door. I opened the door and I was surprised to see Miss. Maithili. We exchanged greetings and she said "Shivaramji Swamiji is calling you to his quarters and he has instructed me to escort you and to serve you with breakfast". I was overjoyed at the unconditional love Swamiji was showering on me and accompanied Miss.Maithili to Swamiji's quarters.
Miss.Maithili served me breakfast and I thanked her profusely. As I completed my breakfast Swamiji walked in majestically from his room with his typical long Maroon red gown and a strong spiritual aura eliciting a sense of awe and respect in me. I immediately remembered the love, compassion and the great feeling of liberation I experienced the previous day in his presence and the great revelation I received that night with his grace. I spontaneously got up and embraced him and with tears rolling down my cheeks whispered in his years "Thank you Swamiji for your unconditional love and grace". Swamiji with his all knowing smile said "It's alright beta, my blessing are always with you". That was my turning point in my life. I was born!
This was the beginning of my journey in the path of fire and light with the guidance of the great Himalayan Master. A journey with a purpose to experience THAT. I became a frequent visitor to Rishikesh and Jollygrant, every time enriching my soulful experience at the feet of the great Himalayan Master. This is the time when I met Mr.Vijaya Dasmanaji the mānasa Putra of Swamiji in one of my visit to Sarvapriya apartment , a flat where Swamiji is to stay whenever he was in Delhi.
I was fortunate to have had the great opportunity of not only spending valuable time with Swamiji but also as a disciple being trained by the great Himalayan Master through not only his instructions but also through his books. From the year 1991from the day when I met him to 1996 when he left his mortal body it was a great spiritual journey guided every step by Swamiji when he was in his Sthula Shareera. This journey has become immortal journey guided every step now by Swamiji in his Sukshma Shareera. As he had promised in my revelations "My body limits my reach, without the body I am limitless" and "I am always there with you and when you need me I manifest". This I am experiencing every day and this is substantiated through my life's experience after Swamiji left his body! Which I have elaborated in my further narrative.
गुकार गणु ातीतो पातीतो कारकः | गणु पवहनवात ् गु रयिभधीयते ||
The letter “Gu” denotes that He is beyond the three Gunas and “Ru“ denotes that He is beyond forms. Because He is free from Gunas and forms, He is called the Guru. (Guru Gita-35)
Continued guidance through Sukshma Shareera
During 1996 myself and few of the professional friends came together to organise a National Seminal on 'Indian Ethos in Management' to collate the experience of many eminent captains of Industries, eminent Professors of Management Studies and Saints who have established huge organisations to serve the larger cross section of the populace in blending the essence of wholistic management principles from Indian texts like Bhagavad Gita, Vedanta, Manusmrithi and Arthashashtra with the main stream Management principles creating 'Indian Ethos in Management'. The first person who came to our mind whom we thought will be very appropriate as a Keynote speaker was Swami Rama. We were planning to have the seminar in first week of December and hence I went to Jollygrant in March with the details of the Seminar on 'Indian Ethos in Management' to invite Swamiji. Swamiji went through the information of the Seminar on 'Indian Ethos on Management' and he highly appreciated our efforts. He accepted our invitation. During the discussion I felt Swamiji was weak physically. I enquired with Miss.Maithili and she said Swamiji was not keeping well for some time but was attending to all the work as usual.
On 13 Nov 1996 I got the information that my Gurudev was no more. As soon as I heard the news I was shocked. I immediately called up Rishikesh Ashram and learnt that the cremation was on 15th Nov. I attended the cremation, conveyed the condolences of Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji to Mr.Vijayadasmana and Miss.Maithili. It was a great physical loss for me but I felt his presence and I remembered the revelation I had that eventful day when I had met him for the first time at Jollygrant "I am always there with you and when you need me I manifest". This was a great solace and it uplifted my spirits. From then on wards I have attended every Mahasamadhi day of my beloved Gurudev without fail. Since then he has guided me in my journey in the path of fire and light.
In the year 1999 Vijaya Foundation had organised a series of invited lectures on Yoga and Spirituality. It was a week long program and the chairman of the foundation Mr.B.R.Pai requested me to give a talk on any one day. Whenever people request me to talk on spirituality I usually ask them to give the topic since I always feel my Gurudev will work through them and suggest an appropriate topic. I did the same thing with Mr.B.R.Pai. He said he will think and get back to me. The next day he called me and requested me to talk on 'Silence' and it's impact on the spiritual evolution of an individual. I was really taken by surprise and I had no clue how to go about but I accepted since I firmly believed that it is coming from my Gurudev and he will definitely guide me.
I strongly prayed to my Gurudev. Lo and behold the next day morning there was a knock on my door and the postman delivered a package from Swami Vedabharathi containing a series of small publication and on the top a small booklet with the heading 'Silence' was staring at me. That was the first and the last time I received any parcel from Swami Vedabharathi. I thanked profusely my Gurudev and got several inputs from that booklet and my presentation was very well received by the audience. This is one of the several instances of Gurudev's omnipresence.
In my young and formative years I was introduced to Hatha Yoga and also Patanjali's yoga sutras. I was highly disciplined in my food habits. I was one of the healthiest person in the organisation I was working. In 2002 April suddenly there was health problem and I lost both my kidneys. But due to my family's strength and Gurudev's grace I was able to take it boldly and went through Dialyses for 3months before getting the Kidney transplant done. I actually knocked the door of death experiencing it. I felt the strong presence of my Gurudev all the time and to substantiate his presence a strange thing happened. One day without announcing my friend Sri.Pattabhiraman whom I had introduced to Swami Rama and he was also a staunch disciple came to my house when I was going through the Dialyses. He said I want to talk to you in private and I have been instructed by Swami Rama to meet you and convey his blessings. He then said that when he sat for meditation Swamiji came in his consciousness and told him to convey that "nothing will happen to him and he will live long and he has to contribute to the society a lot". During that time getting Kidney for transplant was very difficult and we have to go through a tribunal. With my Gurudev's Blessings and the support from my family I came out of that situation hale and healthy. Then I started connecting the dots how Swamiji had prepared me for this eventuality with the earlier revelations on death "Wearing the mask of Death why are you afraid of Death?"and "Death protects life" giving me the strength to endure. He also gave me this death experience which completely changed my perspective on life.
The third instance of his strong presence was felt when I was in Tarakeshwar for a silent retreat on my sixtieth birthday. During the Brahmi mahurath (early hours in the morning) I felt as though Swamiji was caressing my head and behind him I perceived Devi smiling and blessing. Least I knew that was the indication of my future exposure to Srividya by my Gurudev.
Coming back from Tarakeshwar whenever I was In the meditative state he used to guide me towards Srividya of which I was not at all aware of. Slowly day by day he introduced me towards Srividya which is an ancient and influential school of Goddess-centered Shakta Tantrism. Centering on the goddess's three manifestations,The beneficent deity Lalita Tripurasundari, Her mantra and the yantra known as Sri Chakra in the Samayachara tradition. He gave very good insight into Srividya creating a systematic, esoteric discipline combining elements of the yogas of knowledge, of devotion, and of Kriyas. He introduced me to my istadevata Sri Bhuvaneshwari and gave her Gayatri. Over the years through Gurudev's guidance, Sadana and Swadhyaya I was given the insight into the practical aspects of Srividya. With his grace I was invited to make presentation on Scientific connotation of Srividya In the first International Seminar on Srividya. In the 2nd international conference held recently in December 2014 I made a presentation on 'Srividya a doorway to the Energy of the Universe' which was well received by Srividya Sadakas and the erudite scholars present.
गु वे थतं ायते तसादतः | गरु ोयान ं सदा कु यात ् पु षं वै रणी यथा ||
Brahman resides in the mouth of the Guru i.e.; his words, and one attains Brahman by the grace of the Guru. One should meditate on His Guru at all times, just as a devoted wife thinks of her husband only. (30)
Gurus grace is the underlying factor for spiritual growth
During one of the Mahasamadhi Mr. Prakash Keshavaiah and Dr.Ganasan close associates and disciples of Swami Rama had organised a seminar and I had the great opportunity to be a resource person and that is the time when I met Sri Panchaseel a brahmachari from the Hansada Ashram in Nepal who was a participant. We became very close and he invited me to Nepal. I never had the clue that this interaction is being subtly being planned by Gurudev.
2011 march I saw an advertisement in a spiritual magazine that a group is organising the Soma Yajna in Nepal at Panauti between November 6 and 11. It was very rare and hence I decided to go there. Suddenly I remembered Sri.Panchasheel and Hamsada Ashram. I checked up and to my surprise Hansada Ashram was at Banepa and it was about 4 km from Panauti the place of Soma Yajna. Immediately I called up Sri Panchasheel and expressed my desire to visit his Ashram to go to the Soma Yajna site in Panauti. He was very happy to receive me. I planned my trip so that I can attend Mahasamadhi of Swami Rama at Jollygrant after visiting Nepal.
Sri.Panchasheel received me at the Nepal airport and took me to the Ashram it was an experience of a life time. The ashram was situated on top of a hillock from where you get the glimpse of the Himalayan Ranges. As soon as I entered the ashram lo and behold there was a big photograph of my Gurudev Swami Rama. Till then I never had a clue that I was going to an ashram started by Swami Rama. It was clear in my mind that all this was very well planed by my Gurudev to bring me to the land of the great Tantra after introducing me to Srividya to be exposed to the grace of Pasupathinath and Unmattabhairava the deity of Khatmandu Nepal. I was also introduced to Agnihotra. Nepal, especially the Kathmandu Valley, has been a nodal point of Tantra worship since ancient times. Even today, Tantra practice is alive in temples like the Pashupatinath in Kathmandu. It has been mentioned in Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda that Pashupati is a form of Shiva, a principal deity of Tantric worship. Pashu means the animalistic tendencies in a being, and pati, the lord who liberates beings from their base nature, frees the beings from shackles that bind them down. It was really blissful experience and I was blessed. It was a full circle from guidance to Srividya knowledge, Srividya practice, and pilgrimage to the centre of tantric practice to get the blessings of Pasupathinath principal deity of tantric worship. I was overwhelmed with joy and bowed to my Gurudeva in reverence.
When I came back my spiritual practice intensified and in the course of Srividya Practice guided by my Gurudeva in his Sukshma Shareera I used to get inspiration to compose krithis on Navavarana Puja, Dashamahavidya, the experience of a Srividya Sadhaka, Panchadashi Mahime under my Pen Name 'ShivYogi' with the grace of my beloved Gurudeva. I am now coming out with a CD titled 'Nāda Bindu-Srividya Nadopāsane'. I have requested Mr. Sharath a famous singer/ Music Director and a disciple of Dr.Balamurali Krishna to be the music director. This CD will be released shortly with the grace of my Gurudeva. I owe a lot to my Gurudeva and I am convinced that I am nimittamātra and every aspect of my spiritual ascendency is the handy work of the my Guru who is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient.
I had been to Mahasamadhi in November 2013 after Swami Veda Bharathi went into a vow of Silence In the spring of 2013. During that time Dr.Samuel a Disciple of Swami Rama and a Radiologist by profession at HIHT was leaving for Malaysia and he wanted to pay his respect to Swami Veda Bharathi before leaving for Malaysia. He asked me whether I would like to accompany him to Sadana Gram. I gladly agreed since I was very keen on meeting Swami Veda Bharathi after he had taken his vow of silence and take his blessings. We met Swami Vedabharathi and he communicated by typing on to the computer screen. After enquiring about the welfare of the family of Dr.Samuel he turned his attention to me and enquired about me and Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji. He gave few books of his both to me and to Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji. During the discussion I shared my experience of how Swami Rama was providing inputs on Srividya and guiding me in the kriya and acquisition of knowledge in his Sukshma Shareera and needed his blessings for the continuation of Gurudev's blessings. He went into meditation for some time and told me that Gurudev has directed him to initiate Shodashi to me and I should come for the same on Sunday the17th Morning which happens to be a full moon day. I was overjoyed and immediately accepted the offer and went back to Sadhaka Gram on Saturday evening. On that auspicious morning I was initiated that too breaking his silence and he also mentioned that based on the instructions of Gurudev he is passing on the tradition of the Himalayan Masters. I felt the strong presence of my Gurudev and I considered myself so fortunate to have become worthy of this Initiation. Swami Veda Bharathi also gave the entire process of the Kriya.
This was a memorable day for me and after the initiation he gave a book on Kundalini and signed with a note "May you uncoil". This was an experience of a lifetime and during the moment of initiation I felt the Shodashi mantra reverberating through sushumna and culminating in the Sahasrara. This was a blissful experience and whole day I was in that elated mood enjoying every moment.
Swami Chidananda of The Divine Life Society says "We have been told by our scriptures that guru kripa is a wonderful, mysterious factor that will enable the aspirants to seek and to attain the summum bonum of life, Self-realisation, darshan of God, or moksha. Whether the disciple does sadhana or not, whether one is deserving or undeserving, guru kripa sets aside all normal laws that operate in the spiritual plane and takes one to transcendental bliss. If we are to believe the scriptures, we should say that there is nothing except guru kripa needed for us to attain perfection in life".
My Beloved Gurudeva
Taught Shiva Rama the way of yoga life through sthula shareera
Continued to guide and nurture through sukshma shareera
He is a yogi of repute
Without any dispute
He is the Patanjali of modern day
To be remembered with reverence every day
Cause he gave yoga science to East and West
For the people to understand their best
"That all of the body is in the mind, but all of the mind is not in the body."
He gave knowledge that you are beyond body
Communicating not only through his books
But also initiating the deserving just through his looks
And also seeding the mind of the seeker the essence
Whether they are near or far irrespective of distance
He gave healthcare for all
Especially for the poor people of Garhwal
He is the greatest of the great sage of the Himalayas,
Swami Rama
Beloved Gurudeva who changed the life of
Shiva Rama
-ShivYogi-