Santhigiri Ashram - Invitation for Parnasala Dedication

Gurucharanam Saranam 

Santhigiri Ashram Dedication of Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru’s Parnasala At Santhigiri Ashram September 12, 2010

Invitation and Message to Households

Priya Atmabandho,

Respectful Pranams

The construction work of the beautiful ‘Parnasala’ (mausoleum) of Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru at Santhigiri Ashram is nearing completion. Way back in 1968, the Parnasala was a small hut put up by Guru when he established Santhigiri Ashram at Pothencode, near Thiruvananthapuram. Today, it has developed into the tallest lotus-shaped mausoleum in the world built in pristine white Makrana marble. The ‘Parnasala’ is the holy abode where the sacred physical remains of Guru and His Soul Effulgence exist, emitting the vibrations of peace and spiritual joy. Guru through his 72 years of life filled with sacrifice rectified the ‘dharmic’ foundation of society which has degenerated due to a spiritual error in the evolution of man. The Supreme Light informed Guru through revelatory visions certain aspects related to this error. These constitute the ideological foundation of Santhigiri Ashram. On September 12, 2010, the ‘Parnasala’ of Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru is being dedicated to humanity, which will herald a new era of spiritual realization.

The occasion of the dedication of the Guru’s ‘Parnasala’ is most auspicious and forms part of the fulfillment of a glorious mission in the spiritual history of man. Cooperation and participation in the dedication activities mean getting blessed by the love and grace of God. Through this grace of the Supreme, we would be getting ourselves filled by the most valued ambrosial drops from the Supreme Universal Light. We are getting the Guru as our permanent refuge and solace in the life journey. The words from the Supreme Light are ever-memorable that by praying to the Guru, one would get relief from all difficulties and diseases and also will gain all sorts of grace, peace, and luck in life.

We invite you and your family with love and prayers to Santhigiri Ashram, Thiruvananthapuram, on the sacred occasion of the Guru’s ‘Parnasala Dedication’ on September 12, 2010.

With Prayers, 

General Secretary 

Santhigiri Ashram

PARNASALA

The ‘Parnasala’ of Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru at Santhigiri Ashram is the fulfillment of the work and dedication of countless devotees. The self-surrender of thousands of people has bloomed in the form of the lotus in white marble – the Parnasala. This mausoleum in the form of a full-bloomed lotus excels all modern engineering techniques. It had no existing model for its construction. The ‘Parnasala’ of Guru symbolizes universal peace and spirituality beyond all discrimination of caste and religion. Its gates are open to all people in the world for prayer and worship.

Santhigiri Ashram had a modest beginning in a small hut. It was in this hut that Guru lived and this is where the physical remains of Guru were interred after Guru merged with the Supreme Light on May 6, 1999. It was the Will of God that the ‘Parnasala’ of Guru be built in the form of a white lotus. This has been fulfilled by the tireless dedication of the devotees under the spiritual guidance of Sishyapoojitha Amritha Jnana Thapaswini, the present spiritual head of the Ashram.

The Graceful Abode of Dharma

The ‘Parnasala’ of Guru is the symbol of the invaluable self-surrender, prayers, and sacrifices of countless devotees. Each and every disciple of Guru, the devotees, and their families have contributed to the construction and dedication of the ‘Parnasala’. They readily came forward without the consideration of money or other comforts. The materials for the construction were brought by the devotees to the Ashram with heartfelt prayers. This sense of fraternity, which has no parallel, declares the greatness of Guru’s ideology. During the full moon days, the devotees performed prayers and offerings with the observance of vows (vritam) for the sake of the completion of the ‘Parnasala’. 

Guru created a society of people without the differences between high and low or discrimination based on caste, color, and religion. This benevolent model foretells the arrival of good times in the world.

Santhigiri is the abode of spirituality beyond religion. While declaring the purpose behind the dedication of ‘Sahakarana Mandiram’ or the ‘Shrine of Togetherness’ in the Ashram in March 1999, Guru said that “a Guru comes in the world after accomplishing ‘dharma’ through the course of many lives in many ages. He should be able to impart the ‘Dharma’ relevant to the Age. Those who are disposed to this ideology should also understand it.” He further said that “Sahakarana Mandiram is the place where this cooperation is established through the Guru-Disciple Order. There is no place for caste and religion here. This is Dharma - the righteous way of life.”

Santhigiri – the Abode of Dharma! The Eternal Supreme Light embodied in Guru is experienced here through the bliss of spiritual experiences and transcendental visions. Those who love Guru get the vessels of their hearts filled with the ambrosia of Godly love. This is an experienced truth. Santhigiri Ashram works with the aim of guiding humanity through spiritual and physical purity for the progress of mankind and is engaged in life-saving activities such as ‘Annadanam’ (providing free food), ‘Athurasevanam’ (caring for the sick) and ‘Athmabodhanam’ (spiritual emancipation).

The cause-effect principle in Nature is complementary in the spiritual and material growth of man. The mission of Santhigiri Ashram is to enquire into the meaning of spirituality beyond religion founded on the purity of thought and ‘karma’. It is a sacred journey to the unseen dimension of universal peace. It is the ‘mantra’ and nourishing ideology for the deliverance of humanity.

The Aims of Santhigiri Ashram

Facilitate and sustain blossoming of spiritual illumination in children and adults alike, guiding and leading them in the Right Path of Salvation.

Nurture and sustain Divine Grace in people, diffusing the radiance for the benefit of the entire world. Among these love plays the most dominant role.

Cultivate compassion for all beings - humans, animals, and all others alike – fostering divine virtues: selflessness, generosity, fellow feeling, tolerance, and serenity. Thus you love yourselves and God as well.

Strive for absolute purity of mind, word, and deed. Thus you become both a lover and a beloved of the Almighty.

Beware of uncontrolled jubilation or jealousy; both will keep you away from God.

Treat the entire world as your own home; be un-swayed in glory or humiliation, friendship or enmity, praise, or contempt.

Dedicate yourself to compassionate service, care, and charity.

Always regard and give value to the World Teachers and their words.

Hold on to all these in your everyday life. These revelations made here are as destined by the Almighty that always there will be a realized Guru in this lineage.

‘Gurupooja’ at Santhigiri

The ‘Gurupooja’ at Santhigiri Ashram is based on the faith in One Supreme God. It is a spiritual intercession to purify the subtle karmic and ancestral soul entanglements. If the genetic pool of the ancestors is impure and unhealthy, the actions and ‘dharmic’ values of the living become vitiated, which leads to failures and misery in life. The ‘Gurupooja’ of Santhigiri Ashram is a contemplative spiritual intercession (‘Sankalpa karma’) to remove ancestral or genetic impurities that result from meritless and distorted worship. Through this gracious spiritual path founded by the Guru, a new human generation of children will emerge in the world which values righteousness in thoughts and actions. The redemption of humanity in this manner could be done only by Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru, the founder of a new Guru Parampara in the world.

Marriages at Santhigiri Ashram

A society can be healthy only when the people are united in their hearts. Indian society is highly fragmented owing to the division of people on the lines of caste, creed, and religion. These barriers can be removed only when people live together and marry as one community. Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru has created such a model community without the bindings of caste, creed, and religion. The marriages conducted at Santhigiri Ashram are integrating the society by bringing together couples of different castes and religions under the enlightening guidance of Guru. Marriages of matching couples are conducted with the consent of the parents after looking into the soul intricacies (vice and virtue in the soul and in the ancestry) of the couple and the families concerned through extrasensory spiritual perception (darsanam) available from the Light of Guru.

Annadanam at Santhigiri Ashram (Providing Free Food)

Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru was particular that all those who came to visit him should not go back hungry. Even while Guru greatly suffered unable to find the means even for a meal, He was particular to share with others whatever was available. The ceaseless ‘Annadanam’ (three times a day) at Santhigiri Ashram for the past four decades is the result of this endless grace of Guru. Free food is served daily to thousands of people who visit Santhigiri Ashram, and its branch ashrams, from different parts of the world.

Athurasevanam (Caring for the Sick)

‘Athurasevanam’ is one of the fundamental services of Santhigiri Ashram. It is guided by the ‘Nava Arogya Dharma Siddhantam’ or ‘New Doctrine of Healthcare’ expounded by Guru, which takes into consideration the subtle karmic, spiritual and ancestral influences that affect human health adversely. The treatment method promoted by Guru integrates all healthcare concepts prevalent in the world. Santhigiri Ashram produces more than 500 Ayurveda and Siddha medicines in a certified quality and production environment, which makes Santhigiri medicines most sought after. The Healthcare Division of Santhigiri Ashram runs two medical colleges in Kerala (One Ayurveda and one Siddha), hospitals, a Paramedical Institute, Ayurveda and Panchakarma centers and mobile clinics in different parts of the country. The activities of Santhigiri Ashram in the field of Ayurveda and Siddha have contributed to a great extent to the promotion of the Indian indigenous systems of medicine.

Santhigiri Research Foundation (Recognized by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India & Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India) 

Donations to Santhigiri Research Foundation are exempted under Income Tax Rule 35(I)(ii) & 35(I) 

Branches of Santhigiri Ashram Kerala Alappuzha ‘Janmagriham’, Chandiroor P.O, Alappuzha District, Ph 0148-2876267 Eranakulam Santhigiri Ashram, Palarivattam P.O, Kottayam District, Ph. 0481-2552950 Pathanamthitta Santhigiri Ashram, Near Forest Office, Konni, Pathanamthitta District, Ph. 0468-2245294 Idukki Kallar Santhigiri Ashram, KP Colony, Kallar P.O, Idukki District, Ph. 04868-236172 Kumili Santhigiri Ashram, Amaravathi P.O, 2nd Mile, Kumily, Iduki District, Ph. 04869-223937 Palakkad Santhigiri Ashram, Olassery P.O, Kudumbu Via, Palakkad District, Ph.0491-2802526, 0491-2574556 Wayanad Santhgiri Ashram, Nambiarkunnu P.O,Cheeral, Sulthanbathery, Wayanad District Ph.04936262692, 263494, 236494 Kozhikode Santhigiri Ashram, Aravukunnu, Kizhakkemuri P.O, Kakkodi, Kozhikode Ph-0495 2673611, 9744101907 Kannur Santhigiri Ashram, Chendayad P.O, Thalassery, Kannur District, Ph 0490 2550648 Tamil Nadu Kanyakumari Santhigiri Ashram, Leepuram P.O, Vijayanarayanpuram, Kanyakumari, Ph-04652 246464 Madurai Santhigiri Ashram, Viragannur, Madakuanai, North Bank, Andarkottam P.O, Madurai District Ph. 0452 6540752 Karnataka Bangalore Santhigiri Ashram, PB.No.344, Carmalaram P.O, Sarjapur Road, Kodathi Village, Bangalore-560 035, Ph.080 28441144 New Delhi Santhigiri Ashram, Sector VI, Pushp Vihar, Saket, New Delhi Ph.011 29563718, 011 39529718 Santhigiri Regional Offices Delhi (Zonal Office) C-89, Shivalik, Geethanjali Marg, Near Malviya Nagar, New Delhi (South) – 110 017, Ph- (011)32421077, 26681940, E Mail: santhigirinewdelhi@gmail.com Guwahati House No.10, MRD Road, Opp.Assa Eng. Institute Play Ground, Bhamuni Maidan P.O, Guwhati, Assam 781 021, Ph. (0361) 2657536, 2656918, Fax: (0361) 265 7536, E-mail santhigirighty@gmail.com Ahmedabad G-13, The Grand Monarch Near Sheema Hall, 100ft, Anand Nagar Road, Satelite Area, Ahmedabad 380 015, Ph: (079) 26760480, 32991679, 40060489 Fax (079) 26932048, E-mail: santhigiriahmd@gmail.com Hyderabad House No.4, Pavani vilas, Dwarakapuri Colony, Panjagutta, Hyderabad 500 082 Ph: (040) 23323373, 23323387 Fax (040) 30685559. E.mail: hyd2_savhyd@sancharnet.in Thiruvananthapuram Top floor of Santhigiri Bhagini Nikethan Building, No.15/341, SSMC Complex, Pin-695 589 Ph-9287252501, 0471 -271 6279 E-mail: tvmro.santhigiri@gmail.com Eranakulam Santhigiri Building, 36/2625 A, Karanakodam, Thammanam, Ernakulam-682 032 Ph-0484-2344918, Fax: 0484-2344918, E-mail: santhigiriekm@sifi.com, santhigiriekm@gmail.com Kozhikode Door No.EP/18/242, Arsons Complex, NH47, Kannur Road, Elathur P.O, Kozhikode 673 303 Ph: 0495-3204666, 2461347, 9287204666, Fax: 0495-2461347, Email: santhigirikkd@gmail.com Chennai No.1458, H Block, 16th Street, 16th Main Road, Anna Nagar West, Chennai-40 Mob:9962055641, E mail: chennaisanthigiri.assh@gmail.com Madurai 28,Opp.Appolo Hospital, Deputy Collectors Colony, Behind Chitramahal, (IInd Street), K.K.Nagar, MADURAI-625020, E.mail: santhigirimadurai@gmail.com Coimbatore Door No. 103, Opp. Best Babyshop, Ramachandra Road East, D.B.Road, R.S.Puram, Coimbatore-2, Ph: 9944708165, 0422 76552897 E.mail: santhigiricoimbatore@gmail.com Bangalore No.2/2, ARS Mansion, MICO Factory Road, Adugodi, Bangalore-560 030 Ph:080 65721877, Mob:09243029151, D-mail: santhigiriblr@gmail.com Goa 10, 1st Floor, Lakshmi Narayan Nivas Bldg, Above Casa Bhat, Behind Muncipal Office, Vasco Da Gama, Goa 403 802, Ph:0832 2516060 E-mail santhigirigoa@gmail.com Mumbai Sana Bang low, Plot No.251/264, Gorai, Shimpoli Road, Behind Swamy Vivekananda School, Gorai, Sector 1, Borivili West, Mumbai 91 Tel:022 32443433, E.mail: sasvmumbai@gmail.com, santhigirimumbai@yahoo.com Dubai Santhigiri Ayurvedic Centre, #209 Belshalat Building, Karama Ph: +971 4396 6183, Fax: +971 4396 6184, E.mail: santhigiridubai@gmail.com For information and contact: Santhigiri Research Foundation Santhigiri State Nodal Office, Near Dhanya-Ramya Theatre, Thiruvananthapuram Dial – 0471-6459390, 2572777, Helpline: 9037077101 Email: santhigirisnc@gmail.com, Website: www.santhigiriashram.org (Parnasala Dedication Program Notice and Invitation issued from Santhigiri Ashram)

Sweet Reminiscences from the Memory Lane

From the Memoir of Navajyoti Sri Karunakara Guru (Guruvani)

A large crowd of souls, who had lived and died, wandering as devotees completing the first or second stages, is seen reflected in the form of souls yearning to attain the celestial Deva stage as they have completed the stage of two-and-a-half. After crossing the fifth stage, when one enters stages of five-and-a-half, six and seven, the mystical experiences of astral planes would end. When these planes are transcended, one would have crossed the heavenly star clusters. It is said of such people that out of lakhs of people, who have had such mystical perception, only one or two become true seers.

In the fundamental nature of the life of great souls - belonging not only to the Hindu, but also the Islamic, Christian, Jain and all other noble guru lineages - one can invariably see the luminous procession of their dharmic and karmic imprints, aglow with great sacrifices. History stands proof that their contemporaries never understood or respected these great souls. (However), in those lives marked by great sacrifices, in life-times earned by virtuous births that were wholly spent for the sake of humanity, the role played by certain householders who had neither intelligence nor education remains as a stirring memory for the entire world. These humble, virtuous souls observed their dharma, earmarked to householders, as offerings in the model of the benevolent pronouncement of Krishna to Arjuna, ‘Take Refuge in Me Alone’.

In the life of my Guru* also, he had only a few ignorant disciples including me as his sole earning in life. Several people have shared the sacrifices of my Guru. But the hardships undertaken by one or two householders will never get erased from the memory tracks. Only a few householders can perform their dharmic duty truthfully and with total dedication when it comes to playing whatever role they have in the life of a sage, in line with the dharma of a householder. The people who helped me during my spiritual wanderings were possessors of such dharmic qualities as would remind one of the dharma observed by Kuchela.

‘Muthappan’ and his wife were a perfect model for the truthful essence of life. They lived in a street at Petta paying a monthly house rent of Rs. six. Their only means of livelihood was a bullock cart. Both husband and wife were disciples of Guru. They also treated the other disciples of Guru with utmost devotion and respect. Their devotion and reverence had become an epitome of total love that never deviated from the observance of dharma. This couple possessed hearts brimming with sacrifice when it came to fulfilling the wants of Guru and his disciples. Whatever these may be, they were eager to know their needs and fulfill them wholeheartedly. They had four children too.

I remember even today certain things Guru used to do with them. Even while the hunger of those six stomachs existed, the dharmic strictures Guru imposed on them can never be expunged from life’s memories. To play a role in the lives of great sages worthy of the definition of that epithet in the world, it was confined to these two souls. They were wealth in the form of disciples in the life of Guru. When I think about them, the memory salutes (them), filling the mind with overwhelming love and warmth. I think it is essential that the entire humanity should know about them.

Those days, whenever I went to meet Guru, on all those occasions they brought for Guru whatever he wanted to eat. They would also unfailingly and in a just manner feed those accompanying him. They were most elevated karmis (performers) in the principle of ‘sankalpam karma manasa’ (resolve in action and thought) and souls in the forefront of (performing) dharma. Three of Muthappan’s children were studying in school while the fourth was an infant. This bullock carter fulfilled the necessities of Guru and his disciples along with those of his own children. They slept on the floor on jute bags in their makeshift shack which had only sackcloth in the name of a roof. Only memories of great warriors of heroic action could thrill us like this. Those children, though ignorant, possessed an unreserved mind to give. One cannot forget the truth they had shown through their lives.

One day, Guru called them out from a group of disciples praying with closed eyes and said in Tamil mixed with Malayalam. “I want to go to the samadhi of Guru this evening. I don’t have the fare”. Muthappan readily got up and agreed to do the needful. He went and sold the bullock cart and brought the money. From the next day, he purchased the supplies from the traders in Chalai and Pettah and distributed them by head load. We can see him then as the most faithful servant of his master and his most beloved. Those days there were no problems of labour, owner-worker clashes or sabotage. Whatever the owner gave willingly, the worker received with pleasure. It was such a time.

Let me state what I felt about the situation. I felt that Guru had no kindness in his heart. The day that he said there was no money to go to Guru’s Samadhi, he had with him stuffed in his pocket and the four corners of his waist belt a sum of Rs. 674, when counted. Those days this amount was sufficient for two persons to go to the samadhi at Thanjavur and return. With so much money in his hand, he told them that he had no money. Pained by this word, the poor man went and sold his bullock cart and arranged the money for him. What else, but cruelty, could I think of this act. Whenever Muthappan was a little late in coming, Guru would arrive at his house along with the disciples anytime after sunset. They would eat whatever was available in the house – tapioca, black tea or porridge - and lie down on the jute bags and sleep.

In the morning Muthappan could be seen hurriedly going to the shops for buying breakfast for Guru and the disciples. On seeing him thus struggling pitiably, I used to wipe my tears unobserved by Guru. A man who had no name or fame worth mentioning, who had not earned the respect of society, for that man and his disciples, why should a householder, whose life was bare, undertake so much sacrifice, I used to think.

One day Guru told me, ‘Now you may go only after having experience’. Then he called and took money from Muthappan and went to Thakkala, taking me along. He sat under a mango tree in the lawns of the Thakkala Munsif court and called for Sri Parameswaran Pillai who was working as a Process Surveyor in the Munsif court. He came running from a nearby shop. Guru asked Parameshwaran Pillai to call all his disciples there - Meeran Pillai and eight others - who all belonged to different castes and religions. As per Guru’s instructions, all these people were brought there before 9 p.m. He praised me in front of these people and said, “All of you should come and sleep the night here from tomorrow’.

It was midnight on the third day from then that I unburdened my ignorance before Guru. It was nothing else, but about Guru’s behaviour of extracting money from Parameshwaran Pillai and Muthappan, causing them much agony.

Suddenly he shouted, ‘Hey!’ He was visibly upset and said, “There is no need to see whether these people are rich or poor. I am making them slog so that they may earn some virtue. Most of these householders come to fulfil their selfish desires and not because they have any aspect of sacrifice. Why did you think that they were like you? You have the experience of running and supervising an institution, undergoing pain and sacrifices in life. They have no such experience. Out of many people, only one or two may have the mind to do something benevolent. Parameshwaran Pillai, before coming to me, had ruined himself by selling his property worth Rs.2.5 lakh and squandering the money on drinking. Though Muthappan was not a drunkard, he had some other drawbacks. Only if they undergo some pain like this, the blemishes in their life will get erased and some blessedness would come, at least in the life of their children. Before coming to me, the life of these people was very bad. Virtuous people should have undergone all this (pain).

Swami gave no importance to rebirth, however he accepted that rebirth was a truth. That night he said, “Only after passing through many births, as per the ways of Hindus or Muslims, a visionary stage could be reached by a householder. Therefore, washing away the dirt of these people is what I do. If you do not understand, you will be realizing it soon.” After speaking thus, he fell silent.

The following day at 3 a.m., some invisible power struck me. Suddenly, I felt myself shrink like a small ball. Every pore was getting torn. My body came apart like a custard seed. That moment Guru strongly hit me and asked, “Were you afraid?” “Not internally, but my body is sapped off all strength,” I said. “Alright, take it easy. But there is hope,” Guru said.

Subsequently, he asked Parameshwaran Pillai to take leave. (At that time), I had memory and awareness but did not know how to act. (For instance), I did not realise that I should move aside on seeing a vehicle coming on the road. I could not understand why Parameshwaran Pillai was asked to take leave. Three of us would wander about. Swami would tell us one or the other story, halting here and there. Sometimes, it would take one-and-a-half hour to cover a mile-long distance. On reaching some temple on the way, he would ask me, “Hey, look there. What do you see?” He would repeat the question to Parameshwaran Pillai too.

On the eleventh day, we were taken to the samadhi of Peerukannu Sahib. At the entrance itself, my legs began to shake. In the ten or fifteen minutes that we sat there, lakhs of evil spirits and gods (devas) were seen arrayed up. A large number of ‘jinns’ also were seen. On seeing all this, I called out to the Swami. Pepper, salt, fruit, jaggery etc. were being brought there as offerings. During our visit itself, eight bunches of banana were brought. From these, we got eight bananas each, which we ate.

Strangely, on our return, Swami was quaking with laughter. He talked about spiritual visions and their aspects till midnight. He said, “This is a work for removing the misery of society. When you get the vision of Chattambi Swami and Narayana Guru, it should be informed to me. You should inform me when you see the pithrus (ancestral souls) and deities ranging from Vellala Chetty to Idiyas (communities). I have something to explain to you.” At that time also, he was praising me, but the others did not like this.

On the 21st day, Swami told us a story about the samadhi on top of Kattuva Sahib hill. He asked Meeran Pillai, who was from Thakkala, whether he knew about the significance of Peerukannu Sahib. He replied in the negative. Peerukannu Sahib was a person who accompanied Kattuva Sahib, a Hindu sanyasi. Both of them lived on that hill. One day Kattuva Sahib attained samadhi. The road was at least two miles away from there. There was no other route. It was difficult to carry the body, as it was heavy. Peerukannu Sahib picked up big stones and piled them up on the body. It took three days to complete the job. It was to protect the body from jackals. What is seen in Peerukannu Sahib is this blessedness.

Eleven days after this, one night, Swami began to praise me again. Some disciples, who were piqued by this, refused to go further with him. A trip was planned to Kattuvasahib hill taking along some provisions of fruit and water. Swami, five others and I climbed up the hill. On reaching the top, we sat under a banyan tree. Parameshwaran Pillai got up and said that the apparitions of countless evil spirits, gods and sanyasis were passing by. But, I could not see anything. I saw only a smoky light filling the entire place. All in the group announced that they had seen some things at several places. However, I did not have any visions.

After this, Swami made hurry for the return journey. Although everyone was tired, all of us began to walk fast. I had been going about without a bath or wash for several days. My sole possessions were the dirty shirt and dhoti that I wore and an umbrella. Swami took away my shirt, dhoti and umbrella. He dug out a cloth from his shoulder bag that looked like the stole of a cabaret dancer and asked me to put it on. I wore it. He then hit me and shouted, ‘Run, you!’ Though wary about my destination, I ran, and looked back only after running for a furlong.

The expenses of all the people on that day were borne by Parameshwaran Pillai. His total salary was Rs. 45 per month. The cost of the purchases in the provision store would have been at least Rs.700. His wife lived at home with only one sari to protect her honour. Thus this Parameshwaran Pillai and Muthappan were the benefactors of Swami. The two families showed such surrender and a disciple’s call of duty, even while living the simple lives of householders. In that manner they upheld the greatness of the Guru-disciple relationship! How did they perform it! In front of the grace shown by these two families, which had neither education nor wealth or anything of significance, I submit this with a prayerful heart.

Muthappan, after the samadhi of Swami, bought land and built a house. The children were married off and all of them now lead comfortable lives. One of them is in the police while another owns a truck and is the leader of head load workers.

When compared with the magnitude of the sacrifices undertaken by my Guru, I did not even know what sacrifice was during my spiritual wanderings. Let me narrate here certain aspects of my Guru’s struggles. He did not in the least forsake the duties as per Islamic custom. Every day, he taught in four Arabic schools by turn. At the age of 27, death had suddenly whisked away his wife and children. For a good devout, it was an opportunity to immerse into a life of renunciation.

Guru had understood from books about the places from which the state of samadhi could be roused. He had thought about a suitable place too for this purpose. Besides, there was the samadhi of a guru at Thanjavur which he had resolved to adhere. Apart from this samadhi, he had mentioned to me about three or four masjids, one of which was Nagoor Masjid in Valapattanam. Which of these places should one accept as the Guide?

There is the Channakara Thodu (a canal) which flows south to Ambalathura and further west to Poonthura. There is a bridge before reaching Poonthura. In the vicinity of this bridge, there is a place interspersed with forests, bushes and barren spaces. This place is known as Samadhikara. If one travels about two miles down the road south of Beemapally going through Samadhikara, Poonthura comes. This is a road in a coastal area with only a few fishermen living on both sides.

To the west of Pettah is Chakkai. To the south of Chakkai lies this barren land. One can hear the prayer calls from Beema Masjid and Vallakadavu sitting here. Guru normally sat at this place. Hardly anyone travelled by this path. People were afraid to walk down south by the banks of this canal. Women never travelled this way. There were reasons (for this). It was a place for dumping the bodies of the people who died in violence and clashes which were common those days in every nook and corner of the town (Trivandrum). This place was also the home of a certain breed of dogs known as ‘Chenkottai Pattikal’. They had extraordinary long tails. The mere sight of these dogs was enough to frighten a person out of his wits. If this dog finds a person alone, it will lunge and place its raised forelegs on the victim’s body and start biting wherever it pleases. That man will collapse dead there itself with extreme terror. Once dead, the dog will drag away the body. It was in this bushy area that Guru performed penance (tapas).

He would observe penance for 41 days without any food. Even for defecation, he would sit in the bush itself. He would not get up from there but would only change positions. After a week, there would be no urine or feces to empty and so no need to move. When 41 days are spent thus without food and water, the body would be desiccated like dried ginger. As there would be hardly any blood, the body would start swelling. Just like the reflection seen on the glistening surface of a brass pot or bowl, reflection of the people walking at a distance could be seen on this body. After another 41 days, the body would again get shrivelled up and appear like a wizened round substance. With this type of penance, he discovered what type of samadhi states could be roused. Within a period of six years, he undertook three such penances and experienced samadhi and discovered different aspects of mystical visions. This was the method Guru adopted for actualizing spiritual realization.

Subsequent to this, he got a book which was the size of a matchbox. This book was a record of the type of places where one could awaken the samadhi. He had shown me that book. The book also described the spiritual states which could be actualized in the samadhi places (tombs) like Nagoor Masjid, another mosque and samadhi at Thanjavur, Beema Masjid etc. It was also seen that there was certain uniqueness to these places. The route north west of Kanyakumari by the sea coast or otherwise lies in the equatorial zone. The Gandhi Memorial is established (there) based on this. Once in a year, through the mirror on top of the memorial, the sun’s rays will pass on to the samadhi. (The equator passes through some parts of Singapore also).

To the north, the equatorial zone covers places like Valapattanam and Nagoor. The luminescence of the equator, which divides the globe into the south and north hemispheres, is felt at some places up to a width of 300 miles. It is in these places of equatorial influence that samadhis and mosques are founded. The scientists had built the Gandhi Memorial keeping this in mind. These places are considered to have a unique spiritual brilliance. After crossing the Arabian deserts, going further north-west, this luminosity will gradually diminish. The avadhootas (spiritual wanderers) travel (there) realizing this enhanced spiritual luminosity in these places. The places where the sun’s rays fall more would be warmer. Avadhootas and their samadhis are situated mostly at such places. Guru had explained this subject to me reading from the aforesaid book.

When we stayed on the seashore, he would wake me up at 2 a.m. and tell me that an auspicious hour was approaching (brahma muhurtam, the auspicious period from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m.) Then he would loosen and spread the wigwam (a shack) meant for keeping fishermen’s nets. Next, he would heap up sands to protect the flame of a big candle, by the light of which he read from that book in Urdu and explain the meaning. We slept in that shack itself.

It had been mentioned in that book that the excessive crowding of avadhootas near samadhis was owing to the beneficial effects of the sun’s rays. Among his disciples, Guru taught this knowledge only to me. He did not show this book to the others but only said that there was such knowledge in books. In comparison with the extreme pains undergone by Guru, it is needless to mention that in my whole life until then, I had not even known what was struggle.

Avadhootas, after wandering a lot, die sometimes without reaching the goal. There are many such people who lacked the self virtue to reach the goal. Some would reach up to a small aspect in samadhi. Some others may reach a quarter-way on the path. There are some who fulfil this through two or three life times. In the life time of a person, samadhi could be experienced only three times at the most. The time length for awakening the samadhi is eighteen-and-a-half years. Even if a soul is born virtuous, at least seven-and-a-half years would be required (for this).

‘Pratyakshavaham Dharmam’ – this saying in the Gita discloses that through a variety of mystical (visionary) aspects, samadhi could be experienced. Whatever it is, only a person who has roused a samadhi state at least three times in this manner could fulfil the mission in this direction. My Guru explained to me these matters while the other disciples were not near. He taught me after midnight between 12.30 p.m. and 6 a.m. There are some hidden aspects in the nature of secrets in the process of awakening the samadhi. However, those things cannot be explained here. What I am trying to explain here as sweet reminiscences from the memory lane is the truth of a life which bloomed in gracious munificence and in the depth and expanse of love. It is with the desire that if at least some people, to their measure of virtue, realise this, be there that much good.

Normally what happens is that when the avadhootas reach a thousandth part of the sun’s brilliance at the equator, they face death somewhere down the path. Few out of the billions of such souls reach the second, third, fourth or fifth stages (in spiritual realization). There are a few samadhi places of such souls. From the 3rd stage onwards, there will be less trouble (for the spiritual aspirant) from the people.

A large crowd of souls, who had lived and died, wandering as devotees completing the first or second stages, is seen reflected in the form of souls yearning to attain the celestial Deva stage as they have completed the stage of two-and-a-half. After crossing the fifth stage, when one enters the stages of five-and-a-half, six and seven, the mystical experiences of astral planes would end. When these planes are transcended, one would have crossed the heavenly star clusters. It is said of such people that out of lakhs of people, who have had such mystical perception, only one or two become true seers.

The souls, dead and stagnant after attaining the second stage, are those who have died displaying wonderful feats or those who were made to display miracles after being tricked by visions (by inimical spirits in spiritual planes) when it is found that the person is an avadhoota progressing in the path of vision. Such souls having become insensitive to honour and dishonour present themselves as the storehouse of great and wonderful teachings. It is about such yogis, who perform miraculous feats, Kumaranasan said thus:

‘Like the winds, like toddling infants,
Like maniacs, like a stark illiterate,
Transcending delusion, discrimination and the miraculous,
The Yogi Strides on’
(Free translation from Malayalam)

The majority of the populace knows about only such persons. These people live for 700 or 800 years through ‘kalpaseva’ (a medico-mystical method used by siddhars). They wander about thus performing miracles and get trapped in some spiritual chasms. Those who do not have the knowledge of ‘kalpaseva’ take to the life of a renunciate performing miracles in the aforesaid manner and go about as if they were beyond all rules.

If we travel in the direction of South Travancore from Kanyakumari we could meet people who narrate several wondrous tales, relating to such yogis, shrouded in mystery and miracles. An example is the miraculous depiction of a person known as Komba Swami. It is said about him that he took samadhi at seven places. They mention that finally he took samadhi at Thengapattanam and after that nobody saw him.

Another person who has been depicted in this way was a woman called Mayi Amma, who wandered like an avadhoota. When Sri Narayana Guru slept under the chariot of Sucheendram temple, it was seen that the organs of this woman were caught in flames. With this narration, she became a historic figure. There is also a story that Sri Narayana Guru gave her a mango. There exists a similar lady in Kanyakumari who goes about naked and lives in many ways. I have heard people calling her too by the name Mayi Amma. A rich man had even built a memorial (mandap) for this Mayi Amma to the north of the road going west from Kanyakumari.

There are innumerable such stories to my knowledge about Kattil Swami, Vatti Swami, Chatti Swami, Mannenna Swami, Kesavan Sanyasi, Ayya Swami, Sambrani Swami, Samadhi Thopp, Manakkad Samadhi, Kalladi Masthan and Kaniyapuram Thangal in Thiruvananthapuram region.

There are several popular myths about certain other elevated souls who have undergone ‘kalpaseva’ and also about Pakanar of Parachi Petta Panthikuralam, Naranathu Bhranthan and Thiruvalluvar. Apart from them, Subramanian, his spiritual mentor Bhogar and Hidumban et al are protagonists belonging to this miraculous tradition. There are so many people throughout Tamil Nadu who narrate such wondrous stories. There are the Subramanya devotees who take out big processions displaying wondrous performances such as piercing themselves with different types of tridents, walking on nail sandals, pirouetting with various types of ‘kavadi’ (decorated temple carriages) like Agni Kavadi, Pal Kavadi, Matsya Kavadi, Garuda Kavadi etc. People consider all these as significant performances.

Narayana Guru and Chattambi Swamikal had performed miracles, though for a short period. There are also some ascetics, who following the examples of the great gurus, have performed certain miracles. Thrissur Pampu Swami, Shubhanandan and Swayam Prakashini are people belonging to this group. Prior to the present lady known as Vallikkavilamma, there was another woman who in a state of trance did divination. Some swamis who had lived with her for two or three years could be seen wonderstruck by their own narration of the several stories about her.

The history of Ochira also is no different from this. A group of masseurs known as Ochira Vaidyas built a mutt there with a statue of Kabir Swami. It could be seen from the Ochira ground (Patanilam). It seems that the mutt is now hidden because of the (surrounding) buildings. Like this, people with some degree of mystical perceptions have been hooked by the wondrous feats narrated by pundits. The history of such people, who have spent their life desiring to master miraculous performances and mystical visions, are available throughout India. Due to the aforesaid spiritual perception, one can see billions of souls who have got stuck spiritually without reaching the goal. What had been pointed out earlier is this fact mentioned by some. There is no dearth of Vedantic scholars who, giving importance to magical tricks, siddhi (miraculous acts) and the methods of pranayama (Hathayoga), eulogize such persons as seers in their writings.

Ishavasya Upanishad mentions the allegory of a sealed golden vessel from which luminous rays are reflected. The Mandukya Upanishad also mentions a similar simile of a large lighted torch, which when rapidly whirled around in the night and seen from a distance, gives the feeling of a big fireball. We have scribes and scholars who get greatly amazed by the talk of such miraculous occurrences. It is through such writers and scholars that the Devadasi tradition, which existed till recently, got cemented by the tapestry of mythical stories authored by them, leading to the giving away of girls into debauchment under a Deva. There are such places even today, known as ‘Koothambalam’, where libidinous singing, dancing and story recitals take place. One such place is Koothuparambu in Thalassery.

I mentioned these matters for the realization of all those with a spiritual inkling. Persons who take to the spiritual path aspiring for self-realization go astray by the visions of such fallen souls. Therefore, I seek forgiveness from the souls, thirsting for self-realization, for the delay in conveying the reminiscences from this memory trail. I utilize this occasion to remind you of the blunders that might happen while you proceed to honour the blessedness of the duty of gratitude to God.

This erroneous position has come up to (the level of) the myth of Padmapadar, who came to save Sankaracharya, the one extolled as the universal Guru, from a murderous sorcerer wanting to behead him. I wish blessedness to you in the name of God, reminding the truthful servants of God once again not to be like ordinary persons, who wriggle in some make-believe pit, and not to become baffled by losing the sense of direction with the illusory sighting of water owing to a mirage and also not to get misled entering into erroneous ways mentioned above in this memoir.

*Sufi saint Khureshia Fakir popularly known as Pattani Swami, who lived near the Beema Masjid south of Thiruvananthapuram, guided Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru in the initial stages of His spiritual quest.

The Spiritual Path of Santhigiri Ashram

By Mukundan P.R.

Gurucharanam Saranam

The phenomenon of Spiritual experiences in Santhigiri Ashram is and will be its strong foundation, on which the faith of thousands of people is built. For over four decades and even after the physical departure of Navajyoti Sri Karunakara Guru, the founder Guru, this phenomena is in tact and continue to be experienced by the devotees, new and old. Guru is at the centre of this experience. Guru is experienced in various ways by the devotees and disciples. Guru as the Omniscient, Omnipotent force; Guru as the Light and Guide; Guru as Truth and God; Guru as the Protector and Enlightener; Guru as the Savior of the family and the ancestral souls; Guru as the liberator of even gods and goddesses worshipped by one. This is the spiritual experience of Santhigiri Ashram. These experiences explicitly declare to us the omniscience and omnipotent nature of Guru and as a fatherly figure.

Spiritual experiences are fruit, born from the soul-tree. According to the differing qualities of the soul-tree, we reap the fruit. Life experience, therefore, is related to the quality of one’s soul. Spirituality is the science that seeks to understand the inner essence of the soul and its qualitative status in order to improve, nourish and fulfill its existential purpose. It requires the medium called Guru, who knows this subjective science of the soul. Santhigiri Guru Parampara is blessed with such a Guru of soul vision and soul intercession.

Guru helps a soul to evolve from a state of inaction and agitation to a point of bliss and spiritual realization. The secret behind the Guru-Disciple relationship is this soul processing. Guru makes the disciples aware of his or her negative traits, not only in their soul, but in their family and ancestry, and instructs them ways and means to overcome those shortcomings. Obviously, the grace of Guru is the only means. The all knowing Guru knows the soul of a disciple and also the way to liberate him from these hurdles. Santhigiri Ashram is a place where this soul science is in practice.

India has a long history of mystics, who through their life of concentration receive occult visions and experiences and also the power to perform miracles. At this scientific age also, there are such men and women in India and elsewhere in the world. Spiritual visions are experiences and intuitions otherwise not known through sensory perceptions. They are clairvoyance seen through the inner mind or the mystical eye. Spiritual visions encompass everything in its scope, subtle and gross. It includes past, present or future incidents related to people and the universe and visions of ghosts, ancestral souls, deities, angels, saints and sages, different types of light, sound, smell, sight, etc. These are all part of the mystic tradition and experience.

However, spiritual visions and experiences are not the only yardstick for spiritual realization. Spiritual visions and experiences vary in its source. They occur in waking, dream and deep sleep states of consciousness. It may occur through the medium of ghosts, ancestral spirits, yogis and saints. Certain ancestral spirits appear in the form of gods and goddesses which these ancestors worshiped while living.

There are the spiritual experiences of several saints in the recent history like that of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Ramana Maharshi, Swami Vivekananda, Yogananda Paramahamsa, Anand Mayi, Franklin Merrell-Wolff, Hazrat Inayat Khan and others. Those experiences belonged to individualized phenomena belonging to established traditions such as Yoga, Tantra, Mantra, Sufism, Mysticism etc. It involved the experiences of altered states of consciousness, mystical trance, possessions and performances involving yogis, gods and goddesses. For example, saints like Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda, Paramahamsa Yogananda had the vision of goddess Kali and experienced spiritual trance. Sri Ramana Maharshi had an altered state of consciousness in which he experienced the disembodied nature of his soul. These sages followed a rigorous spiritual life involving years of spiritual practice.

Against this, the spiritual experiences of Santhigiri Ashram are entirely a phenomenon different from the established traditions. The persons had not undergone any rigorous spiritual practices following any established traditions. Their experiences were spontaneous and belonged to a different category altogether. Their experience took them to a new discovery in spirituality. It established a radically different path from the traditional ones. Through their spiritual visions and experiences, they were being guided to the understanding of Guru Concept and to the awareness of certain pitfalls in the practice of spirituality. Therefore, the spiritual experiences of Santhigiri Ashram are in the nature of a spiritual revelation and renaissance.

As per the Indian cosmic time calculation, Kaliyuga began more than 5200 years ago. Saints and sages in the past have predicted about a Supreme Soul, a spiritual authority incarnating during this age. In the Koran there is a mention about a ‘Mahadi Imam’ – a Supreme Guru. The ‘Gospel of Buddha’ by Paul Carus says that Buddha had foreseen the birth of a great soul. Once Ananda, the disciple of Sri Buddha, asked Buddha who will guide them (Buddha’s disciples) once he left his mortal body. Then Buddha said that another Buddha would arise in the world in due course of time and he would teach the same truth that he taught. When asked how they would recognize him, the Buddha said that he would be known as ‘Mettayya’. The meaning of the Pali word Mettayya is one who is Merciful (Karunakara).

Jesus Christ also made such a prediction. On the last day of Jesus’s sojourn on the earth, he tells his disciples that he has to go, but the ‘Father’ would send another ‘Comforter’ who would be with them for ever and who will speak of the truths that he had taught and ‘who would show you the things to come’; i.e. teach through spiritual visions (St. John, Ch 14-16). Guru’s life fulfils this prophecy as well.

The spiritual vision of Aurobindo and the Mother in Aurobindo Ashram on 24th November, 1926 would suggest the descending of the Supreme Soul accompanied by Sri Krishna. Navajyoti Sri Karunakara Guru was born on 1st September, 1927, after 280 days of this experience, the normal period of gestation. Guru as a child had the vision of Light and a face in his heart till the age of nine. The figure was of Sri Krishna. During the spiritual completion of Navajyoti Sri Karunakara Guru, it was Sri Krishna, who elevated Guru from a certain spiritual plane after the Trimurty.

There can be many more such prophesies, heard and unheard. However, they are all interpreted in different ways, buried in theological jargon and cannot be and necessarily be taken as to prove or disprove anything related to the birth and ideology of Navajyoti Sri Karunakara Guru. The ideology of Guru stands on its rock bottom of truth, experienced by thousands of his disciples. The mention of the predictions is made here only to point out the fact that the birth of a supreme spiritual authority was awaited in many cultures and religious traditions throughout the world and such expectations of a divine intervention are all the more relevant in the present time. Several devotees had the vision of Guru even before they actually met Guru.

India had a dharmic structure based on the teachings of the Rishis. In the ancient times, the rulers administered the country according to the wisdom and guidance of the Rishis. But with the appearance of Brahmanical Hinduism in the social scene of India, instead of the all knowing Seers and Rishis, the Brahmin priests took over and became the authorities on dharma. They perpetuated a highly unequal and oppressive social system with the help of the rulers. The misery and fall of India had begun then; its chariot of dharma began to run on lamed wheels. If the backwardness, the sickness and the inglorious social problems of India have to be rectified, India should heed the words of a ‘jnani’ – an all knowing seer, who could re-establish India’s dharmic structure as per the spiritual experience of the Rishis – the Sanatana Dharma, which is distinctly different from the divisive Brahmanical Hinduism, wrongly projected today as Sanatana Dharma.

A restructuring of the society based on the teachings of the Rishis is required to uplift India to its pristine glory. It is exactly with this mission Navajyoti Sri Karunkara Guru was born at Chandiroor, in Alappuzha district of Kerala. Guru lived 72 years (1926-1999) building the new social edifice of India and also of the world in the time to come. Guru has built up a foundation for this future society, silently, through a group of ordinary ignorant people. He taught them the high ideals of the Rishis through their practical experiences in life. He taught them how to think and act and live according to the lofty ideals of Sanatana Dharma. The spiritual experiences of Santhigiri Ashram highlight this noble work of Navajyoti Sri Karunkara Guru that how Guru saved a society of ignorant people from their spiritual, karmic and social weaknesses and how he taught them to live in unity, without any distancing barriers of caste, creed and religion and follow a spiritual path that enrich their souls, not degenerate and devolve them into a state of brutes.

There is a very little thought about aspect in the spiritual practice of Hindus, i.e. the consequences arising out of the worship of low spirits, deities, serpents etc. In the Bhagavat Gita, Sri Krishna cautions Arjuna about the consequences arising out of deviated worship. Krishna said that those who worship Devi-Devas (deities), ghosts, goblins etc. or ancestor souls, their souls after death go unto those spirits and not unto the Light of God. What happens in such cases is that the souls get stagnated in very low spiritual planes unable to get elevation, which becomes the root cause of trouble by way of family curses, diseases and misfortunes.

The problem of Hindus today is that they mistake the worship of God as devotion to deities, serpents and spirits as followed by their ancestors. These ignorant and inferior practices were thrust upon the lower castes by the Vedic priests in order to decimate their virtue and progress in society. Due to these inferior forms of worship, the families of the lower castes always remained in the dark cell of ignorance, physical and mental debilities.

Guru had a fundamental concept on health. Guru pointed out that the diseases could be categorized into three: (1) Common disease (2) The disease which results because of wrong spiritual practices (3) The disease relating to ‘Jeeva’- the soul. The classification of diseases based on spiritual factors is something unique. Diseases related to Jeeva are due to ‘Aradhana Dosham’ or distorted spiritual worship. Worshipping anything believing it as God is not good. That is not the proper way to God. Let us remember the advice of Sree Krishna to Arjuna (Bhagavat Gita) that if we worship the ‘devi-devas’ (celestials), we attain devi-devas; if we worship ‘bhootas’ (spirits & goblins) we reach the same; if we worship the ‘pitrus’(ancestral souls) the soul is lead to ‘pitrus’ and not to the Supreme God. Majority of Hindus follow the path of such deviated worship and believe that performance of miracles is the sign of divinity. They achieve their goals through such deviated worship. At certain stages in life the grace in their life vanishes and they become sick and miserable. The success in life depends on the inherent virtue in the soul. Those who lack virtue should cultivate virtue, which is possible only through the guidance of an all knowing Guru.

Another aspect which is less thought about is the truth of ancestral or familial curses and its bitter consequence in the life of a family. Power and status of a person do not help when such problems strike, which can be termed as parental curses. In scientific terminology, it is known as genetic problems. Mentally retarded children, physical and mental debilities, untimely deaths, suicides, sudden fall of fortune and luck – these are all genetically encoded messages that run contrary to one’s expectations in the course of one’s life. Only a Seer, the all knowing Guru can decipher the genetic imprints in the soul and in a family lineage and suggest remedies. Navajyoti Sri Karunakara Guru through such a graceful spiritual intercession resurrected thousands of ill-fated families.

Is there any relationship between the concept of God, way of worship and the ups and downs in life? Several studies had been done to analyze the cause and effect of social and cultural disintegration of this country which once enjoyed unparalleled supremacy in the areas of knowledge, education and wealth. Scholars and social reformers assign caste and age-old family traditions as the reason behind the decay of socio-economic and political system and progress. They do not probe into the other dimensions of this phenomenon. But Guru through his own experience revealed that it was the pattern of faith and the way of worship contrary to the age which played an important role in the disintegration of families and social order. Guru not only stated this untold truth but also fulfilled the Will of Brahman by restoring Yuga Dharma. Nobody ever knew that the decay and disintegration of families have been caused by wrong worship and faith inappropriate to the Dharma of the Age. Families thus degenerated are aplenty in our society.

Home is the centre of one’s life and the great divine institution invented by God to groom humans into perfect beings from the state of brutes. It is from the institution of Home one learns to live for the sake of one another and learn virtuous qualities such as love, sacrifice, respect, discipline and sense of duty. In that way, there is no greater university than one’s home. Those who have not learnt well from their homes, become empty speakers. They won’t be able to practice in their own house what they preach outside. Nevertheless, home is the cause of greatest worry and trouble to majority of people today. The concern of all parents today is about the fate of their children in a highly contaminated world, physically and morally. Navajyoti Sri Karunakara Guru said that if the nation is to improve first the home should improve and to improve one’s home, the mother in the house should have gained knowledge about the dharma in life. Therefore, family is the basic pillar of the society and an institution where three important incidents take place - birth, marriage and death.

Sri Chidambaran, former Dy. Director of Education, Kerala published a booklet on the ideology of Navajyotisree Karunakara Guru. He mentioned that an ardent follower of Santhigiri’s Guru Margam, who prays and acts with full dedication and surrender, after facing a lot of obstacles, is sure to get protection from miseries, relief from diseases and also guidance and help in all activities by the grace and blessings of the Guru and this self experience is the secret of the firm faith, deep devotion and self discipline found in the followers of Santhigiri. ‘I do experience it myself in all my activities and feel the bliss of the grace and blessing of Guru. I have also the bitter experience of failure and loss due to non-compliance with the guidance and caution from Guru’. Sri Chidambaran wrote.

Brahman empowers and entrusts an Eternal Guru to purify the spirits of our ancestors, devi-devas and the other spiritual powers we and our ancestors worshipped, making them eligible for rebirth leading to liberation. Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru is the first Eternal Guru who got permission from Brahman to perform such purification. Guru, who has reached the zenith of divine wisdom, sees the virtues and sins of a person and his family for generations through his divine transcendental knowledge and purifies the manes and the spiritual powers we and our ancestors worshipped as per the direction of Brahman, without performing any rite or ritual.
These spiritual powers are brought to the divine light of Guru by a disciple having the power of darsan and purified by the spiritual brilliance of Guru. They are then placed at appropriate planes, after liberating those worthy of liberation, if any, and annihilating those deserving annihilation or destruction. The purified souls kept apart will be given birth through the union of well-matched couples having harmony in Jiva (not star) selected by Guru. The children so born will grow as a new pure lineage blessed with punya, fortune and ability for action free from the thoughts of hatred, malice, caste, creed and religion.

Guru informs us that in seven generations this pure lineage will spread throughout the world bringing peace, happiness and harmony. It is to be noted that Guru Pooja is done not for gaining any immediate material benefit for a person or his family, but for the rebirth, growth and spiritual uplift of our ancestors and the spiritual powers we have worshipped. Guru will remove the obstacles from the path of our karma and show the right path. It is our duty to do karma and gain virtue (punya) and fortune. The uniqueness of this Guru Margam is that activities performed strictly following the directions of Guru’s help to gain virtue and fortune, by blending materialism and spirituality, fulfilling the duties of family life.

Gurupooja - A Unique Experience

Gurucharanam Saranam

Guru is My Life
Chidambaran Harippad (Dy.Director of Education, Govt.of Kerala, Retd.)

Thirty one years ago Guru came to my maternal home and got the noble Guru Pooja done with the aid of a disciple (a small girl) having the power of darsan. This was performed through meditation and sankalpa (divine mental conceptualization) by the disciple and the troublesome spiritual powers, deities and serpents we worshipped for generations were removed without any rite or ritual. We tested and were convinced of the effectiveness of this karma in the presence of Guru employing the astrologer who had suggested homas, rites and rituals for a solution. Thereafter, the temples of worship and serpent grove were removed under my leadership. The old house could be renovated. I am happy to say that we do not have any trouble now from the serpents or the spirits that troubled us a lot. In the beginning, I had no belief in it. Then I got the Guru Pooja conducted as a research work and test case as the idea and method were quite strange to the known spiritual realm.

In fact we were quite ignorant of the greatness of this noble act then. We mistook it only as a substitute for homas and rituals. Guru told us that Rishis would take birth in our family in future. But we didn’t understand any thing then. Now we realize that Guru was clearing the ground and laying the foundation stone for a pure lineage in our family. I am glad to state that my children, who are post graduates, are ardent followers of Guru.

It is to be mentioned that the Guru Pooja performed in the ashram now is many times more powerful than that performed in my home. It is a wonderful phenomenon not found anywhere else that, since the merger of Guru with the Almighty, becoming a Navajyothi, Guru has been giving more powerful darsan through the principal disciple, the Revered Sishya Poojitha Janani Amritha Jnana Tapaswini, controlling all the activities of the Ashram and giving guidance to devotees and lineage as per the direction of God.

The gist of Guru Pooja performed in Santhigiri is as follows: The spirits of our ancestors and the spiritual powers we and our ancestors worshipped will have great influence on our life, virtue and fortune. If they are at a mean position or in an adverse situation, our children will be born under mean and unfavorable star positions with a jiva deficient in virtue, fortune and ability. This will adversely affect our activities and those of our children and will ultimately result in failure in action, miseries due to diseases, and experiences contrary to our expectations leading to perpetual worry and grief. The offerings and oblations and the rites and rituals we generally do for a solution will not produce the expected result. They will provide only a temporary relief like a first-aid given when met with a serious accident. Still we believe they are effective. But the misfortune will continue. The Guru Pooja in Santhigiri is done for a permanent solution to this problem.

Brahmam empowers and entrusts an Eternal Guru to purify the spirits of our ancestors, devi-devas and the other spiritual powers we and our ancestors worshipped, making them eligible for rebirth leading to liberation. Nava Jyothi Sree Karunakara Guru is the first Eternal Guru who got permission from Brahmam to perform such purification. Guru, who has reached the zenith of divine wisdom, sees the virtues and sins of a person and his family for generations through his divine transcendental knowledge and purifies the manes and the spiritual powers we and our ancestors worshipped as per the direction of Brahman, without performing any rite or ritual. These spiritual powers are brought to the divine light of Guru by a disciple having. The power of darsan and purified by the spiritual brilliance of Guru. They are then placed at appropriate planes, after liberating those worthy of liberation, if any, and annihilating those deserving annihilation or destruction. The purified souls kept apart will be given birth through the union of well-matched couples having harmony in Jiva (not star) selected by Guru. The children so born will grow as a new pure lineage blessed with punya, fortune and ability for action free from the thoughts of hatred, malice, caste, creed and religion.

Guru informs us that in seven generations this pure lineage will spread throughout the world bringing peace, happiness and harmony. It is to be noted that Guru Pooja is done not for gaining any immediate material benefit for a person or his family, but for the rebirth, growth and spiritual uplift of our ancestors and the spiritual powers we have worshipped. Guru will remove the obstacles from the path of our karma and show the right path. It is our duty to do karma and gain virtue (punya) and fortune. The uniqueness of this Guru Margam is that activities performed strictly following the directions of Guru help to gain virtue and fortune, by blending materialism and spirituality, fulfilling the duties of family life.

What are the requisites for getting good crops from our cultivation? - Suitable land, high - yielding seeds, tilling or ploughing, sowing the seeds, watering and manuring. These factors are essential for a good yield. Similar is the case for getting good offspring. Here Guru will provide us with high-yielding seeds (purified jivathma through Guru Pooja) and will select and show suitable land for cultivation (matching couples). It is our duty to till the land, sow the seed at the right time, and give water and manure properly. That is, to pray and do karma as per the direction of Guru. We are fortunate in seeing and hearing such a great soul in person, who could remove the obstacles in the subtle plane and clear the way for human race to gain liberation.

Now, human race is blessed with the golden opportunity for rectifying and getting rid of the evil effects of its past karma through Guru Pooja or pithrusudhi in Santhigiri and by following Guru Margam. An ardent follower of this Guru Margam, who prays and acts with full dedication and surrender, after facing a lot of obstacles, is sure to get protection from miseries, relief from diseases that and also guidance and help in all activities by the grace and blessings of Guru. This self experience is the secret of the firm faith, deep devotion and self discipline found in the followers of Santhigiri Guru Margam. I do experience it myself in all my activities and feel the bliss of the grace and blessing of Guru. I have also the bitter experience of failure and loss due to non-compliance with the guidance and caution from Guru.

(Courtesy Santhigiri International Conference Souvenir)

Navapoojitam Celebrations - Press Release issued from Santhigiri Ashram

Gurucharanam Saranam

PRESS RELEASE

PRANAB MUKHERJEE TO INAUGURATE NAVAPOOJITAM CELEBRATIONS OF SANTHIGIRI ASHRAM

Santhigiri Ashram, Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 21: Union Finance Minister, Sh. Pranab Mukherjee, will inaugurate on August 23rd, Sunday, the month-long ‘Navapoojitham’ celebrations, marking the 83rd birthday of Navajyothisree Karunakaraguru, the founder of Santhigiri Ashram.

The function, to be held at the A J Hall at Ernakulam, at 6.30 p.m. will be presided over by Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Prof. K V Thomas. The keynote address will be delivered by KPCC President, Sh. Ramesh Chennithala. The release of a book containing ‘1001 Guruvanis’ will also be done on that day. Kochi Corporation Deputy Mayor, Sh. C K Manishankar, CPI district secretary, Mundakkayam Sadasivan, BJP district president, Nedumbaserry Ravi, Santhigiri Ashram Director, Swami Navananma Jnana Thapaswi, actor-director, Sh. Madhupal and Santhigiri N N Communications AGM, Sh. G Jayakumar, will also speak on the occasion.

The main programmes connected with ‘Navapoojitham’ will be held at the Santhigiri branch ashrams at Ernakulam, the birthplace of Guru at Chandiroor, Alappuzha, and at New Delhi besides the main ashram premises at Pothencode, Thiruvananthapuram.

A function to formally declare the ‘Navapoojitham’ programmes and to mark the 9th anniversary of the consecration of the ‘parnasala’ at the Ernakulam branch ashram will be held on August 22nd, Saturday. Kerala High Court Justice Haroun Al-Rashid will inaugurate the function at 10 a.m. at the Ernakulam ashram premises. Kochi Mayor, Prof. Mercy Williams, will preside over the function. The programme declaration will be made by Swami Satyaprakasha Jnana Thapaswi, President, Santhigiri Ashram. The keynote address will be delivered by the Ernakulam District Collector, Dr. M Beena. Santhigiri Ashram General Secretary, Swami Chaithanya Jnana Thapaswi, Kochi Corporation Councillor, Sh. P J Vinod, Ernakulam Santhigiri Ashram Advisory Board President, Sh. C K Venugopal, Santhigiri Vishwa Samskarika Navothana Kendram (VSNK) president, Sh. D Pradeep Kumar, regional manager, Sh. Subhash Chandra Bose, Santhigiri Mathrumandalam secretary Girija Chandran and Advisory Board secretary R Satheesan will also speak on the occasion.

At 11.30 a.m. on August 23rd, Sunday, Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Prof. K V Thomas, will inaugurate a public meeting at Chandiroor Santhigiri Ashram, following a ‘Janmagriham Teerthyathra’ (procession around the Guru’s birthplace) at 8 a.m. Kerala Agriculture Minister, Sh. Mullakara Ratnakaran, will preside over the function. Advocate A. M. Arif, MLA, will felicitate local agricultural families who have been tirelessly working for the development of agriculture in and around Chandiroor. Chandiroor Santhigiri Ashram ‘karyadarshi’, Swami Gurumithran Jnana Thapaswi, Aroor grama panchayat president, Smt. Leela Thanjan, district cooperative bank president, Sh. C V Chandrababu, Janata Dal state committee vice-president, Sh. Varghese George, Aroor grama panchayat member, Sh. P P Sabu, BJP district committee member, Advocate V Padmanabhan and VSNK secretary, Sh. V Ajithkumar, will speak on the occasion.

The Navajpoojitham function at the New Delhi Santhigiri Ashram will be inaugurated by Delhi Legislative Assembly Speaker, Dr. Yogananda Shastri, on August 23rd. Delhi Health and Family Welfare Minister, Prof. Kiran Walia, will preside over the function. Dr. Syed Zafar Mehmood, President, Inter-faith Coalition for Peace, and Ms. Annie Raja, general secretary, National Federation of Indian Women, will also participate in the function.

The ‘Navapoojitham’ celebrations at Santhigiri Ashram, Thiruvananthapuram, will commence at 3 a.m. on August 25th, Tuesday. ‘Pushpanjali’ will be held at 5 a.m. followed by prayers and flag hoisting at 6 a.m. ‘Gurupadavandanam’ and floral offerings at the Guru’s feet will take place from 6.30 to 9 a.m. The ‘Navapoojitham’ public meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Prayers and ‘Gurupooja’ will be held at 12 noon and ‘Deepapradakshina’ at 7 p.m. The functions will conclude at 11.30 p.m. with floral offerings and ‘pushpanjali’ at Guru’s feet.

The ‘Navapoojitham’ public meeting will be inaugurated by Kerala Food Minister, Sh. C Divakaran, and presided over by Devaswom Minister Kadanapally Ramachandran. Sh. A Sampat, MP, will release the ‘Navapoojitham Souvenir’ on the occasion. Former MP, Sh. Varkala Radhakrishnan, will deliver the keynote address. Felicitations will be offered by Smt. J Arundhati, Advocate M A Wahid, and Sh. Thomas Chandy, MLAs, Sh. J Alexander, former Karnataka Tourism Minister, Sh. Srinivasalu, IAS, Labour Commissioner, Andhra Pradesh, Sh. G Vamadevan, president Pothencode grama panchayat, Dr Kiran, zonal manager, Santhigiri Ashram, New Delhi, and Dr. P A Hemalatha, secretary, Mathrumandalam. Sh. K Satheesan, secretary, VSNK, will give the vote of thanks.

On September 20th, Sunday, the concluding day of the ‘Navapoojitham’ celebrations, Guru Mahima, the young women’s organization of Santhigiri Ashram, is organising a youth meet at 10 a.m. This will be inaugurated by union Food Processing Minister, Sh. Subodh Kant Sahay and presided over by Leader of the Opposition in Kerala, Sh. Oommen Chandy. The keynote address will be delivered by Sh. N Peetambara Kurup, MP. Sh. Kadakampally Surendran, secretary, CPM district committee, will release a special edition of ‘Umminithankam', an ashram publication. Felicitations will be offered by Sh. Koliyakode Krishnan Nair, president, State Cooperative Bank, Sh. P K Krishnadas, president, BJP Kerala unit, Advocate B Balachandran, president, Manickal gram panchayat, Dr T S Somanathan, treasurer, VSNK, Sh. V Subhash Chandra Bose, Project Chief, DISA, Santhigiri Ashram, and Brahmacharini Dr. Anu, secretary, Guru Mahima. Sh. T K Unnikrishnaprasad, DGM, Operations, Santhigiri Ashram, will offer the vote of thanks.

The month-long ‘Navapoojitham’ celebrations will conclude with a ‘Poorna Kumbhamela’ procession around the ashram complex, commencing at 4 p.m.

Swami Gururethnam Jnana Thapaswi
Organising Secretary, Santhigiri Ashram

Spiritual Experience of Brahmacharini (Dr) Anu

My Life - Gift of Guru
Brahmacharini Anu

My Guru, Navajyothi Sri Karunakara Guru is the reservoir of love and kindness. And this has given me my life for a second time. And the experience, which I met with, is beyond what modern science is able to explain. My name is Anu Kureethara and ‘Kureethara’ refers to my family which had its own position in our village. My grand father Dr. Sreedharan was well known to each and everyone in our locality. But by the time I was born, the family had lost most of its glory. My father was a Section Officer of ‘CUSAT’ and my mother hails from an equally well known family. But unfortunately, most of the members of my family died at an early age and this included my grandfather, father and uncle. All died around forty years. Now my family consists of my mother, who is working in CUSAT, and my brother. The incidents which occurred when I was 9, compelled me to believe in fate, or what is known as GOD’s wish that is written even before one’s birth. But all my beliefs were proved wrong when GURU-gave back my life or else I would have left this world as per my family’s history.

After completing my tenth standard exams, I continued my studies staying in the Ashram. It was according to my GURU’s wish. I did not understand why GURU told me to stay here, but now, I know that GURU knows everything - what has happened in the past, is going on in the present and what is to happen in the future. And GURU knew that my life-span was short, so kept me near HIM and saved me from death. I consider the moment when I decided to stay in this ashram as the luckiest of all, because it was the turning point in my life.

Once when I was with Guru, Guru asked me - where is the seat (position) of Sishya (disciple)? I had no answer and Guru explained that the place for disciple is always on Guru’s lap. He again asked me where Guru should be? For this also I had no answer and Guru told - The position of Guru should be in the sacred (holy) chamber of disciple’s heart. In later years, I was able to experience the endless love of Guru towards me.

I had not suffered from much serious ailments even though there were severe headaches that would last for only one night. The next day or after sleeping, I would be okay. But the severity of the pain was in high. On one such occasion, I went to Guru and told about this. To this GURU told... “YOU SHOULD COME TO ME WHEN the pain HAPPENS TO BE INTOLERABLE”.

On hearing this I felt like crying, thinking how could I tolerate even more pain than this. Years passed, and there were occasions of severe headache and they were all tolerable. Then on 6th May 1999 - Guru merged with “Adisankalpam” we were all left alone. But Guru did not want us to be alone and gifted us with Guru’s Sishya Poojita Janani Amrutha Jnana Tapaswini. And from that day, I have felt Guru’s presence everywhere.

On October 2nd 2001, around 3 pm, the most dreadful thing happened. For some reason, I had to bend down and it so happened that I had some irritation in my nose - especially the left one. And then a drop of blood came followed by an outflow of blood. I was frightened and within minutes my dress and my towel all were smeared with blood. Every one around me was frightened and they rushed me to Janani.

Janani was calm at first but suddenly rose from the seat and gave me some medicine (homeo). My nose was bleeding severly and when someone told me to raise my face in order to decrease the flow of blood, I felt the blood flow through my throat. Then Sishya Poojita Janani gave some oil, which was applied over my nose. Suddenly, the blood flow decreased to one or two drops. I don’t know what had happened to me, except that I was going away from this world. I felt I had no relation to the outside world.

I was rushed to the nearby hospital first and then to Dr. Radhakrishnan (ENT specialist). By that time all the people in the Ashram prayed for my life on Janani’s advice. When I reached the hospital, the bleeding had stopped, but suddenly I had a vomiting sensation, but only one or two drops of blood came out of my mouth. Later, I came to know that at the same time Sishya Poojita Janani had vomited blood.

The doctor made a detailed check-up but was not able to diagnose anything. I was given a few medicines and was asked to come only if I bled again. This never happened again because Janani gave me some medicine (Balasarvangam). But today I know how I was able to survive that day - only through my GURU’s unlimited kindness. How GURU through Sishya Poojita Janani has given me a second birth. And now I realize - GURU and Janani are one. Guru acts through janani and what Janani speaks out are the Divine Words of Guru”.

Sishya Poojita Janani had done sankalpam for me and had diverted my disease. And it was as a result of this that Janani had vomited blood when actually I had to. I consider this as the greatest example of Guru-Sishya relation. Guru takes care of every one, every child, even when his/her parents are left helpless. GURU can do much more than blood relations can.

Spiritual Experience of Janani Divya Jnana Tapaswini

Guru - Boundless Store house of love and grace
Janani Divya Jnana Tapaswini

I consider the day on which I got the darshan of my Guru for the first time as the most blessed and auspicious day in my life. It was in 1990 and I was studying in standard III. A disciple of Guru told my father about Guru and asked him to go to meet Guru. Accordingly, we had gone to the Ashram. Fortunately when we reached, it was time for Guru-darshan. Guru was not well at that time. He gave darshan in a recumbent state. The sight of Guru and the ambience endeared me to the Ashram. A unique sense of comfort and freshness dawned within me. Guru asked mother if she was having any problem. She answered in the negative.

When we came out, Guru asked Amrutha Janani to find out from mother if she had any ailment. Now mother opened up and told that during monsoon season she could not raise one hand. It was a chronic problem and all attempted treatments were of no avail. When Guru was told about this, he beckoned mother and talked about the issue. He then gave a pack of bhasma (vibhuthi) and asked it to be applied on the affected hand with prayers. “It’ll be cured” Guru assured mother. Mother was less enthusiastic about this suggestion and left it at that. But when the pain exacerbated she applied the bhasma and prayed. After sometime, she felt that the pain subsided and then it was gone forever! We developed great love, affection and reverence towards Guru. We started visiting the ashram once or twice a year.

Guru visited our house on 20th May 1994. This was during the pilgrimage to Kuthuparamba. He stayed at our house for more than three days. But during those days, I could not go near Guru and had to be away in a relative’s house. However, whatever ‘prasadam’ Guru would give others, he made it a point to keep my share thereof. When I returned (after the monthly periods), mother handed over these things to me. I could discern Guru’s love and care for me and felt that I must be having a bond of relationship with this Acharya.

Guru had instructed my parents to take me to meet Guru when he reached Kozhikode en-route the pilgrimage. We did accordingly and listened to Guru’s discourses on various topics. But, I was poor in listening. Although I would be looking at Guru, my attention used to drift to other things and people around. Many a time, Guru had caught me wandering around by saying “Look here and listen to me”. When we left, Guru gave me sweets and other prasadam. We were also told to let Guru know about any developments in the house and to accompany Guru’s entourage back to the Ashram. We joined Guru at Ernakulam. When we stayed at the Ashram there, two girls were introduced to me as kids with the power of darshan (spiritual vision). I wondered what the darshan was about.

Within a month of our return home, I experienced ‘darshan’. It was at 6.30 pm on 25th June. I was a student of class VII. It was like this: I was habitually not good at praying. When we - my sisters and myself - sat together for prayers, I used to take it lightly and engage in mischief. Not because I did not respect and love Guru. I was simply like that. On the day of the experience, when we sat for lunch, I didn’t have proper appetite. When mother compelled, unwillingly I took some non-vegetarian food. After sometime everything was vomited. There was no illness and I felt okay. In the evening, when we sat for the regular prayers, I felt pleasant. At the end of the prayers, we were on our feet chanting Guru Gita. At that time, I was transported to some other plane of consciousness. In that state, figures and scenes appeared and vanished in front of my closed eyes as if in a movie. I could see clearly those standing on either side and the lamp and pedestal in front. After a few moments, I involuntarily took steps and bowed before the lamp and fell unconscious.

Internally at that time I was seeing a black cat, frightful as it was, staring with its luminous eyes at me. I cried aloud. Mother and sisters were simply watching me taking steps and bowing in front of the lamp, thinking that, as usual, I was being playful. Hearing my cry, father came down from the upper floor and those around me were also upset. I lay unconscious for about five minutes. Kumbatheertha (holy medicated water of Kumbamela) was sprayed on me and vibhuthi was applied on the body. I was sweating all over, was stiff and could not tell anything.
Father contacted Ashram and told Amrutha Janani about the matter. Janani informed Guru and was asked to advise us that what was seen was good and that Guru would speak to me over telephone. I was nervous about talking to Guru over phone. Two minutes later Guru was on the phone, asking me what I had seen. I explained everything. Guru told: This is the beginning of darshan for you. The cat was a tricky sanyasi who was stealthily trying to bag everything from Guru. Your darshan is good and this is beginning of spiritual advancement. I was told that I would be seeing such things again and again. And I did. The following day, while praying, I could see not only the black cat but various other things as well. When Guru was informed about this, we were told that continuing at home would not be okay for me and that I was to be brought to the Ashram for proper interpretation of my darshan. We were also instructed not to take any food en-route to the Ashram. Upon reaching Ashram, I was given a detailed account of the various aspects of the darshan and was enabled to experience the subtle aspects. I got spiritual vision, which unfolded the reasons for Guru’s incarnation; the grace of Guru thanks to which I was with him for several incarnations; how the devis, devas, rishis, prophets and other great souls have been prostrating before and worshipping Guru etc. Needless to say, all these are the most treasured experiences of mine.

Guru could actualize great and noble tasks, unattained by the innumerable prophets and great souls who descended on the earth so far, through his arduous penances and ‘tyaga’ (sacrifice). The said prophets and great souls revered Guru and told me thus: “Dear, take to this path and tread it with all attention, unerringly. We were not fortunate to have a Guru like yours. Till last breath, hold this firm to your heart”. I had the darshan of my maternal grandfather as well who said: “Baby, hold this precious spiritual line rapturously, as it is perforce needed for our salvation. It can happen only through this Guru”.

I used to frequent the Ashram at monthly intervals, with a view to get my darshans interpreted. During such visits, we used to stay for about a fortnight at the Ashram. When this practice started affecting my studies, as per Guru’s direction, I joined Santhigiri Vidyabhavan and stayed at the Ashram for proper interpretation of my spiritual experiences. This was on 5th June, 1996, and I was in standard IX. While studying in IXth and Xth standards, there were moments when I desired to return home. Obviously, my mind was not stable in the new path during such periods. While in Xth standard, I had told Guru that I envisioned the life of a sanyasini. He responded, brushing aside such ideas, asking me to concentrate on the studies. But Guru had told my mother that he would tell about my future course after two years. When I was studying for Plus Two, Guru left his body and merged in Adisankalpa. As destined, after 72 days Guru gave me sanyasa-initiation and the new name in the sanyasa-robe.

Beyond description is the greatness of our Guru who is now above us as Navaoli! Unfathomable is Guru’s love and affection for his disciples! Guru’s divine light is all pervading in this Universe. His greatness, as experienced by me, is the ultimate truth beyond anybody’s comprehension. The cardinal mistake which occurred aeons ago was corrected by Guru with his unparalleled spiritual power. This was unimaginable for all the acharyas of yore.

Guru has merged in Adisankalpa. But the same love, affection and care I’m experiencing now also through Guru’s Sishya Poojita Amrutha Jnana Tapaswini. And the whole of Santhigiri lineage would vouch for the fact that Guru is always with us. Welfare of the world through his disciples is Guru’s mission. And that’s the Will of God.

(Courtesy: Santhigiri International Conference Souvenir)

The Role of Spirituality in Health

Dr. Bahuleyan

The place focality in the science of Ayurveda is unique. They are inseparable because the bond between them is very firm. This divine form of Science has penetrated deep in to the spiritual and material aspects of life.

If we want to bring forth the spiritual aspects of this science of life, we have to explore the personal experiences. I have a lot of personal experiences with Guru. Santhigiri came to the field of health under the guidance of Guru to alleviate the sufferings of the poor and the needy. The people who came to the ashram could get tranquility and peace of mind at the very sight of Guru. I was much graced to witness innumerable exciting moments during my association with Guru. A lot of people came to Guru after undergoing treatment for many serious diseases but without any recovery. I can recollect many instances where such people got relief and cure by adhering to Guru’s words. In such cases, doctors will only be instruments.

Here, I would like to narrate an instance from my personal experience. A person, who had fallen from a big tree, was brought to the ashram. He had many fractures, injured muscles and dislocations. Guru asked me to treat him even though I was very inexperienced at that time. Only because of Guru’s grace he got quick relief and could walk and go home. That instance aroused much satisfaction and happiness in me. Once a twelve-year-old boy was brought to the ashram who had lost his eyesight, as the reaction of a medicine given for curing fever. According to the doctor treating him, there was no chance of regaining the eye sight since the optic nerves had been damaged. The entire family was in a terrible plight. At that time, late Mr. K.P.Vaidyar, Karuvatta and myself were in charge of the Santhigiri Hospital. Guru asked me to give all the necessary treatment for the boy and I started the treatment on the usual prescribed way. In addition to that, we gave the medicines prescribed by Guru after Sankalpam. The boy recovered very soon and was advised to continue the treatment for a certain period every year for a length of time. That boy regained full eye sight and has completed more than two decades and now heads a Panchakarma Centre at Malappuram. Thus Guru’s grace and kind words give motivation and strength to every deed. Guru fulfilled His mission through me, I felt . The boy and his parents were very happy . They brought some gifts but I refused to accept these. But when they brought these home, I was forced to accept them. I submitted the gifts to Guru. At that time, Guru looked at every one and commented ‘what use of money for a Swami, I am the one who treated him’. Later on, I realized that Guru quoted this as a reminder of an experience which Sree Narayana Guru had from his Vaidya disciple at Aruvipuram.

When hundreds of experiences come to my mind in a row, I cannot forget my bitter personal experiences that affected my family. My wife, Mrs. Lalitha Bahuleyan, was a victim of the dreadful cancer during 1984-85. Even after giving various treatments, there was no sign of recovery. I was in a very pathetic situation. But I never told Guru about it. Once Guru asked me why I was worried. Guru knows everything but a disciple has to tell his grievances to Guru and beg for Guru’s mercy. That awareness is lacking in us and that itself is the grief of Guru. When I told Guru about my wife’s ailment, he instructed Janani to find out the details through vision. The ailment was of a defect in the jiva and there was no treatment for it. The entire family has to pray, and only through that, the defects in the jiva can be rectified, that is what Janani had seen in the vision. We strictly followed the advice of Guru and were deeply involved in prayers, sankalpa and offering of flowers on every Monday and Friday. Janani had also seen in the vision that no secondaries were formed. After a period of time, Guru told us to remove the tumour through surgery and take medicines afterwards to prevent it from recurring. Doctors in the R.C.C. commented that I was doing research with my wife’s tumor. It was because of their ignorance about jiva and soul that they commented like this. After surgery, my wife is enjoying good health.

According to the Ayurveda philosophy, diseases are the result of Karmadosha. These cannot be cured by medicine alone. Those doshas can be removed through prayers and these should be done under the guidance of a fully realized Guru. By the grace of the ultimate Brahmam, through Guru, the disease was completely cured. My wife wrote an article about her experience under the title ‘Guru - God for us’ in the 65th Gurujayanthi publication of the year 1991.

One day in Nov. 1998, I had a heart problem at one O’ clock in the night. I could not breathe. When I came out and started vomiting, the sound awoke my family and they were frightened. I prayed strongly to Guru and I felt his presence. I got some relief and did not have much problem later. I was taken to Sree Chitra Medical Centre and all the tests were done. They identified three blocks in the heart and told us that an urgent bypass surgery is required. If not, there is possibility of heart attacks. I reached ashram and informed Guru. After listening to me Guru asked me to postpone the operation and to take some medicine which was identified through vision by Janani. I started that medicine and still continue it.

In the present context, I do remember the words of Guru. He once told us that He was an Ayurveda Acharya and we devotees were the disciples in one of the previous births. Let these words be accomplished always. Let the renaissance of Ayurveda occur through the research at Santhigiri.

(Courtesy: Santhigiri International Conference Souvenir)