Spiritual Experience of Reshmi Jaimon

Gurucharanam Saranam

Guru Gave New Light to My Life
Resmi Jaimon, Ernakulam

My first visit to Santhigiri Ashram was with my parents on 12th March 2002. This was after my father did a work for the Ashram, unaware of the importance of what he did. We realized several persons in the Ashram knew the work he had done for Guru. My father is running an anodizing plant which processes aluminum extrusions and products like aluminum vessels, to make it last for decades. My father did this process for Guru’s vessels. Till we had the rare fortune to do such a work, we hadn’t even heard of Santhigiri Ashram or Nava Jyothi Sri Karunakara Guru.

Swami Nava Nanma Jnana Tapaswi talked to us for three hours on that day at a stretch. He also informed us we can meet Sishyapoojitha Janani. Throughout our visit, I was sensing a kind of radiance in the atmosphere which I had never sensed anywhere before.

Swami Nava Nanma Jnana Tapaswi explained to us that food in the Ashram is served as Guru’s prasadam (consecrated food). We had lunch and further waited to meet Sishyapoojitha Janani. It was evening when we finally met Her Holiness and she asked me and my mother to come again. It was probably curiosity about what she wanted to convey to us that led us again to the Ashram after two days. Since then we have gone through a range of experiences and a turning point in my life came with my marriage.

Born to parents who had an intercaste marriage in late 1970’s, my brother and myself were taught that factors like region, religion, caste, educational background, career or wealth did not matter much when it comes to selecting a partner. My parents also did not support astrological predictions and hence they hadn’t got a horoscope prepared for me and for my brother.

Later, I came to know, astrological predictions do not always work for various reasons. For example, if the time of birth marked is not accurate, the calculation would go wrong. Lack of insight on the part of the astrologer is another factor. Only a Guru who can see our past, present and future can look into the incarnations we have had so far over the Ages and find a suitable person whose soul will match that of another person. And once such a match is made, it is up to the married couple to abide by Guru’s words and lead their life in accordance with Guru’s wish. Then only one can overcome the obstacles in life and evolve spiritually, as well as form a foundation for a better generation.

In January 2003, my parents told me that they were going to find a groom for me. I told my mother, we had to get Sishyapoojitha Janani’s permission and I would marry only the person my Guru selects for me. But my mother was reluctant to approach Her Holiness without finding at least one proposal. Those days, we did not have any idea about Guru’s concept of marriage. I was left with no choice, while my parents were trying to find a suitable match, after which they would seek Guru’s word and approval. We searched in online matrimonial sites and received several biodatas from which two were finally chosen.

My parents went to meet Sishyapoojitha Janani. Before they could say anything, Janani told them that they should not to go ahead with either of the proposals. My mother then told Sishyapoojitha Janani, one of them looks promising. Again, the reply was negative –even if we were to go ahead with the proposal, it will get cancelled at the last moment. Sishyapoojitha Janani further said that a devotee will bring a good proposal and my marriage will take place after I am 25 when my health is better. (Since my birth I have had a range of health problems which substantially decreased after I started praying and taking Guru’s medicines.) That was the end of my parent’s search for a groom for their daughter.

A couple of months later, to my surprise, Sishyapoojitha Janani asked me if my father was looking for a groom for me. I said no. Then, she called for my parents and asked them to look for a groom. She said that we should find a person who has deep bhakti, education and a job. I got the impression that we were going to find a matriculate daily wage worker. It was enough for me, I thought. I never dreamt of marrying a qualified individual or one with a higher occupation. But, since Sishyapoojitha Janani asked me to pray for a person with deep bhakti, I started praying exactly as I was asked to.

My father didn’t know whom to approach, though Sishyapoojitha Janani said, ‘Maaman, you know a lot of people here. Tell someone.’ Even before we had the chance to pass this message to anyone, Sishyapoojitha Janani again asked us to wait for sometime before proceeding. The same scene was repeated a couple of times. In January 2004, Sishyapoojitha Janani asked my father to consult someone he knows.

As we were coming out, in front of Sahakaranamandiram, the first person we met was Sri Janardhana Menon. Since, my father knew him even before we started coming to the Ashram, my father felt free to talk to him about this matter. Sri Menon asked if we had any demands. My father told him whatever Guru had told us. A week later, Sri Janardhana Menon, who was then in the Ashram branch in Ernakulam met my father again. ‘There are two suitable individuals,’ Sri Menon said, ‘You could consider them.’ He gave details of both and pointed out that one was more qualified. We said, ‘We are to go only by Guru’s words.’ After hearing our reply he talked, giving preference to the less qualified one. A week passed. This time, Sri Menon told us the name of the person.

On 24th February, 2004, two days after the anniversary of Sishyapoojitha’s Avasthapoorthikaranam, we got a message that we should reach the Ashram. On that day I had a glimpse of the proposed person from a distance. I was least concerned about how he looked like, as I had decided to go by Guru’s words. However, the case was slightly different on the other side. Having an unmarried elder brother and a younger sister of marriageable age, the proposal was a shock for my husband. He had never thought of his marriage at that time.

Late one evening, Sishyapoojitha Janani talked to my parents and me separately. Janani told my parents that the boy’s as well as his parents’ response were awaited. Two minutes later, Janani called me near and told me, ‘I am finalizing this relationship’.

It was after a few days, Sishyapoojitha Janani got the response from my husband’s side. He had also decided to abide by the will of Guru. In spite of knowing about my health problems he readily agreed and we got married in the month of August 2004. I cannot forget how my Guru showed me my husband and gave us both a life. Furthermore, I am glad to have a husband who takes care of me and bears with my health problems. He is the person I prayed for because he has deep bhakti, education and a job. Give a thought to this: ‘why should we bother about region, religion, caste, physical looks, financial status, qualification, and career and even of how much dowry one can get in the name of marriage?’ These are of least importance. Only Guru knows what is good for us. Let us leave it all in the hands of Guru to decide the best life for us. The best will follow. Let us silently and obediently with a happy smile and mind listen to what Guru asks us to do.

courtesy: Navapoojitam Souvenir 2009, Santhigiri Ashram

Well Known Neurologist on Health and Spirituality

Santhigiri And Modern Medicine
Dr. Shyam Prasad MD, DM*

People from all walks of life visit Santhigiri Ashram to know about the doctrine of Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru the founder of Santhigiri Ashram. They also want to get relief from the difficulties of their life. Guru tries to correct the misunderstandings among people that miracles are not the fulfilment of Divine attainment. Guru re-established Sanathana Dharma according to Yugadharma and initiated the creation of a new world order.

All science and doctrines which would not try to change according to Yugadharma’s will not exist for long. This new ideology explains not only the importance and drawbacks of modern medicine but also ruined prosperity & stability of human life. The authenticity of this new method which is patented by Santhigiri is dedicated to the world through Guru. Years back Guru started to establish Medical practice and it is being conducted carefully. Santhigiri got permission to start the first Siddha College in Kerala. Ayurveda Medical College of Santhigiri is also formulating new methods in Medical practice.

I remember the occasion when I first reached the abode of Guru. Guru asked me “Is human body a machine with jeevan’ (soul) or does it have ‘jeevan’ in it” as he knew about me as a doctor. This question made me to think a lot. I never had thought about such a matter. But I could not convince Guru that human body is only a biological machine and there is no such thing as this kind of ‘Jeevan’ in it. I felt that my thoughts are directed to a particular area. The ‘I’ in myself predominated in my thoughts.

I remember the interpretation of ‘life’ in the book ‘paralokavum punarjanmavum’ (eternal world & rebirth) written by Acharya Narendra Bhooshan. In that book he explains the meaning & importance of ‘I’. Daily more or less hundred times we use this word. What is this ‘I’ which we always use. Is it our body or any part of it? Who is this socalled ‘I’. All of us, ourselves see it through mirror. We appreciate our beauty. The attractive image which we see through mirror is not ‘I’. Such kind of thinking is wrong. If body is the ‘I’ then what is life? Why fear of death? Why we wish to live? What is the purpose of life and death. All men rich & poor, literate & illiterate, scientists & philosophers have to accepte the truth. Do innocent, dishonest, wicked all men face the same end?

Does ‘I’ mean a visible body with mind? If ‘I’ means not body, then what am I? Anything which is in the body? What is the relation between it and the body? Did it exist before body? Then what is its figure like? What is the ultimate aim of the body? Does ‘I’ end with the body?. If not in which form will ‘life’ exist? Is ‘I’ the life or soul (Jeevatma)?

Now I recollect the story of Nachikethas in ‘Kadopanishath’. Nachikethas asked Yamadeva while he was in search of the secret of Jeeva. “Somebody says after death man remains. I need a solution for this problem. Clarify what is eternal? Advise me about Divine knowledge. “A Guru who got spiritual attainment only can give advise on such matters.” That was Yama deva’s reply.

My thoughts reached a dead end. I told Guru “I believe in the existence of life in human body though I did not learn it from Medical books”. With smile Guru said “If you think so what will you do for that Jeevan”. I have never heard such a question in my life. The man who is working for 24 hours is only for his physical & material aim. Learning, wealth and loving each other, praying God are all for material gains. What will man do to “life” when he doesnot know about Jeevan? We do not know that the aim of human life is for purification of ‘Jeevan’ (soul). Those who knew it never tried to do it. I kept silent without answering Guru’s question. Guru continues his question. “You know that all parts of human body can be attacked by any disease. Can you then clarify the disease which affects ‘Jeevan’? How can you diagnose it? Who can cure it?” I remember the occasions when I could not diagnose some diseases precisely. I became aware of the limitations of modern medicine.

I had to face so many situations where I failed to suggest a proper treatment. So we treat only for the sake of treatment. Different names of disease went through my mind. How can Medical Science diagnose the disease which affects Jeevan? In the Medical world we can diagnose only diseases at the body with the help of scaning machine. I wish of we got a machine which can scan the disease affecing Jeevan.

I stood before Guru helplessly. Guru said “Jeevan has somany merits which are good & bad. Good is known as ‘virtue’ (punya) and bad ‘vice’ (papa). Human life is a balanced total of these good and bad parts. This is called as fate.

I felt that I am learning the earlier part of Medical Science. “I tried to analyse the meaning of Guru’s valuable words. Virtue oriented life has luck, healthy body, prosperity and a life with papa has bad luck weak body with somany diseases and their lives become tragic. If so, different kinds of diseases will arise. I failed to think about how to diagnose and treat certain diseases.

The divine words of Guru again come to my mind. “Different types of diseases may arise in human body. The reasons are these.

1. Common disease
2. The disease which results because of misworship
3. The disease relating to ‘Jeevan’.

I felt that, I was sitting in a post graduate class in Medical Science. The classification of diseases based on spiritual factors was something new to me. I was totally perplexed to hear ....... and tried to learn about diseases, related to Jeevan which is due to distorated Aradhana (worship). What is the ‘Aradhana Dosham’ (defect of worship). Is praying God a good deed? How is it wrong? Worshipping anything believing it God is not good. I learned from Guru that worshipping any spirit beleiving it as God is foolishness. That is not the proper way to God.

I remember the advice of Sreekrishna to Arjuna that if we worship devil we attain Devi-Devas if we worship Devi-Devas reaches the same we attain them, the worship of evil spirit Guru ‘pithru’ leads to ‘pithur’ & worship of leads us Guru. I remember many patients of which especially five patients - three women & two men. All of them were following the path of worship evil spirits through which they performed certain miracles to the public. They had achieved wealth and fame and finally became miserable. Three of them got paralysis, one man became in sane & other got giddiness. They achieved fame through worshipping false Gods and thus gained for them faith of the public. At certain stages in the prosperous life the grace of their life vanished and they became sick. The false God (Upasana Moorthy) aspired the virtues of their devotees. The evil spirits encourages their devotees and acquire their virtue of Jeevan and then made them sick. I felt pity for the ignorant devotees of evil spirit.

On another occasion when I was in Guru’s presence a family came to see Guru with their 16 year old girl. She was very weak. She always makes a strange sound like bolech. Because of the strange disease she could eat or drink anything properly for the last three months. Her family treated her in different hospitals like Medical College, Trivandrum & Mental Hospital. As she did not get any relief from the treatments they reached here as directed by somebody. Guru asked me about her disease. I replied that it may be because of some mental problem. But they had already treated her for mental disorders but had no good result. I know nothing more to say.

Again Guru asked me to know about their way of worship. They were people from below poverty line and belonged to S/C. They were worshipping an evil spirit in an Amman Koil near their house. This disease is because of the influence of their deity. I understood that if they followed and believed in Guru’s words the evil spirit will be destroyed & thus the girl might get relief. If they do not follow this way the disease will repeat.Human body is formed according to Jeevakarma for thousands of years. The lack of virtue in Jeeva exists as different types of disease. Sages who are Njani’s say about the reason for diseases as “poorva Janmakritham papam, Vyadhiroopena Jayathe”. Disease which is the result of ‘Janmanthar karma’ is called ‘karma vyadhi’.

The knowledge which we learnt from science is not enough to diagnose or treat all diseases. In most cases diagnosis is not apt. Only a temporary relief is got from the medicines. In some cases medicines have no effect. Asthma, Diabetes, B.P., Cancer are such heriditary diseases. If modern science cannot cure diseases properly what then will be a solution. Each and every person has a halo according to their own ‘Jeevan’s merit & demerit. There was a time when sages of India treated diseases according to the colour of this halo. They had asked the plants themselves about their medicinal value. They got a strange light like knowledge of medicine which is bestowed with God’s Grace. The sage imparted this knowledge to people through disciples. This sage culture has been lost since hundreds of years back. If the disease due to the defect of Jeevan or karmadosha we have to do punyakarma. What is the way for that? A Guru to whom Brahmam has given the power to protect all life can only do this correction appropriately.

Achieve ‘punya’ (virtue) according to ‘kaladharma. That is Gurumargam’. Through that punyam (fortune) one may get at Santhigiri’s theory of Health (Arogyadharma Sidhantham) which is dedicated to the world for this purpose. It is a kind of theory which keeps all science with Guru’s Vision. This is rather a life style than Medical practice.If we accept the way to avoid ‘karmadosham’ we can follow the scientific way of treatment for this karmavyadhi. But in most cases one kind of treatment is not enough. Different types of treatment should be practised at different times.

Let me point out an experience of one of my relatives. It was in 1990. She got breast cancer. Papilaridikt carcinoma which can spread through blood. She went to Guru after diagnosing the disease through Biopsy. Guru said it was due to lack of ‘punya’ in ‘Jeevan’ (years back when asked about the delay of her marriage then also Guru said this. Besides this Guru intimated them that some problems may arise later. But at that time they did not take it seriously.) Guru directed them to pray for God’s Grace and start Allopathy treatment. Operation was conducted. Doctor of R.C.C. concluded that the germs did not spread in other parts of the body. So no more treatment was needed. Knowing this Guru said ‘the disease has spread to other parts and it will come soon. Siddha medicine should be taken in order to prevent this.

As directed by Guru they started taking Siddha medicine with prayer staying at Santhigiri Hospital. Then for sometime Homeo Medicine & finally Ayurveda for a long time. On some occasions Guru gave her Bhasmam & theertham only with special Sankalpam. Guru advised her to pray continually with the sankalpam’ of ‘Appa Guruve’ always. About ten years later she was suffering from back pain & leg pain. They went to R.C.C. and did all tests including bone scan. The report was that she has no disease. Guru said she had disease but it will not apper now. Again started taking Siddha medicine.

Two months later when they repeated the bone scan it was clear that bone cancer had affected her. Guru told them to start treatment in R.C.C. Still they are taking medicine from R.C.C. Besides that ‘Bhasmam’ & ‘theertham’ from Guru and some Ayurveda Medicine. With the Grace of Guru she still lives in good health. She goes for office work and does household work properly. She is coming to Ashram & doing some ‘karma’ there when ever she gets time. I am eagerly wishing that modern Medical Science should be changed according to Guru’s ideology for the well being of the world. Praying always for it.

*The author is a well known Neurologist and Secretary, Santhigiri Ashram Advisory Board)

(Courtesy: Santhigiri International Conference on Health, Peace and Spirituality Souvenir)

For the Liberation and Enlightenment of the Fallen Classes

Gurucharanam Saranam

Amrithavani
(Malayalam, First edition - April 1990)

This book is based on a few birthday messages of Guru which were published in Santhigiri monthly. It is the confirmation of the experiential truth of Guru which he earned through the struggles and sacrifices spanning several births. The book ponders over the age-old Dharmic fissures in the lives of Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaisya and Sudra classes and the path of action suitable to liberate them from this disaster. Along with this the book also throws light on the concept of Yuga Dharma, the changing Dharmic codes relevant to this particular age, a large extent to which the societal cohesion is based.

Guru said:
‘The self-comforting conclusions on an analysis and evaluation of the human problems do not, on its own, provide fulfillment to our life. The dilapidation of the dharmic backbone of the eighty percent of people in the world and of the twenty percent who were responsible for the ruin of the majority was due to the disregard for Yuga Dharma, owing to which the dharmic path relevant to the age was lost’.
(P No. 1)
The concept and views of Guru are distinctly different from the hue of existing ideologies. In the primordiality of bygone ages, exemplified through the concept of Manvantara- the cosmic chronometer, there occurred conceptual as well as applicational error in the Trimurthi tradition. The book narrates the consequent decadence in the dharmic structure of India. Read the following observation of Guru.

‘It was due to our diminished virtue we have lost our heritage. Through the lack of virtue, we became slaves to other infiltrators. They had both knowledge and capabilities. There was a language here similar to Hindi or Pali. Sanskrit came probably as a combination of these or as a subsequent refinement. The scriptures - puranas, epics, Upanishads and Vedas were written in Sanskrit and through this the Brahmin was made a god, an immortal deva. Because of this, the majority of people became ‘Asuras’. Through some of them the `Sakteya’ tradition was developed and through some others, the Saiva and Vaishnava traditions. None of them was inferior in comparison. All were excellent in their own way. But how would you discover which one of these is correct and incorrect?'
(P No. 131)

This book contains those great liberating thoughts of Guru which could revive us from the age-old frigidities and traditions that destroyed the significance of leading life according to the true dharma of the age. India has a rich and vast storehouse of knowledge gained through the observance of Yuga Dharma - the evolutionary concepts of the four-dimensional ages - Krita, Treta, Dwapara and Kali. But the people of India have been unable to get benefitted from this for earning virtue or self-fulfillment for the soul. Read how Guru explains the decadence of Sanatana Dharma in the following lines.

‘In the fragmentation that took place in spiritual practices (dharma) having diversified into Saiva, Saktheya and Vaishnava traditions, the glorious edifice of Sanatana Dharma propounded by the sages and rishis in the lineage of Manu was lost to mankind’.
(P No.7-8)

Similarly, observe how Guru asserts the urgent need to look at the present afresh, not through the opaque and fragmented mirror of the past.

‘The things happened in the past are only for our cognition and not for today’s observance. What we require today knowing thus is the righteousness to work in unison for the present time’.
(P No.13)

Guru informs that the seers who fathom the three-fold time should work living in the midst of people and thus inspired, the scientists, scholars, as well as ordinary people and workers can exemplify goodness in their respective fields.

This book also expounds the concept of Guru for the liberation and enlightenment of the fallen classes of people through his own life of sacrifice and unique ideology that delink religion and caste structures from the spiritual pursuit of man. Guru’s words emit the fragrance of the purity of Rishis and reverberate with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the mercy of Prophet Mohamed, the essence of the teachings of saints and sages like Sri Buddha, Sri Sankara, Sri Narayana Guru, Chattambi Swamikal, Sri Rama Teertha, Sri Aravinda Ghosh, Sri Ramakrishna Parama Hamsa and Swami Vivekananda.

The book opens the doors to the path of enlightenment and the divine intercession willed by God through Navajyoti Sree Karunakara Guru, the epitome of highest Guru-hood and spiritual elevation. Amrithavani intercedes with the concept of Dharma through the light of knowledge by which one can ensure liberation.
Mukundan PR

Guru Never Disappoints a Devotee

Gurucharanam Saranam

Bangalore, Year 1995. Mrs. Anand Ram, mother of Janani Rishi Retna Jnana Tapaswini called me in the office informing that those who have ‘experiences’ should reach Kanyakumari. I was surprised because she had rarely any reason to call me. Guru would be arriving there for the performance of a special sankalpam. Sitting in the boredom of office, the news was exhilarating. I reached Vivekananda Kendra at Kanyakumari, the venue, early in the morning. Guru was expected to reach in the afternoon. Sri Iyer and other organizers were present.

Arrangements for Guru’s accommodation were done at two places, one at Travancore Maharaja’s House on the seashore and the other at Vivekananda Kendram. Sri Kottayam Babu and Sri Surendran (Now brahmachari) were cleaning and preparing the rooms for Guru at Vivekananda Kendram. The rooms and bathroom were thoroughly brushed and cleaned with water and surf powder, then detoxified with fumes and then scented. I also contributed my might in cleaning and preparing the accommodation of Guru. I felt an inner satisfaction while rubbing the floor that I could get such an opportunity. I earnestly prayed that Guru should feel comfortable and pleasant in the room that I cleaned. The rooms at Travancore House too were getting ready simultaneously. No one knew to which place Guru would go. As I had sincerely prayed and exerted much cleaning the room at Vivekananda Kendram, I expected Guru to come to Vivekananda Kendram. But soon information came that the cavalcade of Guru has approached Kanyakumari and that Guru would be going straight to Travancore House.

Soon the cavalcade arrived and I knew that Guru went to Travancore House. Some of us went to Travancore house and met Guru. After sometime or the next day morning (regret my failing memory) all people were asked to immediately assemble at Vivekanada Kendram for the sankalpam. Thousands of white clad devotees sat down wherever possible in the vast lawns of Vivekananda Kendram and did the sankalpam. I do not remember the lines of sankalpam Guru gave us that day, but it was a major sankalpam Guru did for the spiritual uplift of India. A procession was also taken the same day through Kanyakumari town to the sea beach, where Guru spoke to the assembly of devotees from a dais built for the purpose on the beach. Guru spent the night at Travancore House. The room arranged for Guru at Vivekananda Kendram was occupied by few ladies in the night as all other rooms in the centre were occupied. I felt irritated by this fact. I had cleaned the room with extreme devotion and prayers for Guru. But now it was all futile.

The following day Guru came to Vivekananda Kendram. A welcome was arranged by the staff and devotees at Vivekananda Kendram for Guru. Guru spoke to the assembly and gave prasadam to all people at Vivekananda Kendram. Devotees also received prasadam from Guru. After the function, Guru stepped down the dais, the usual disciples holding his hands in accompaniment. Guru walked through the pandal to the vehicle parked nearby on the road. Devotees thronged both sides to have a glance at Guru. I still remember the gentle and tender figure of Guru walking, exuding more light than the brilliant daylight around. His was truly a divine form. Though I was enjoying all this, I still felt a vacuum in my heart thinking about the vain job I have done for the sake of Guru in preparing his room. It was all over now.

Guru was seated in the car and it began to move round the curve, the devotees still following him. I lazily stayed behind watching the disappearing vehicle of Guru. I turned back trying to figure out about my return journey. After a few minutes, I found people still thronging in the pathway Guru’s car went. The people were crowded near the room which I had cleaned the previous day for Guru’s stay. I immediately went up there to find out what was happening. Then the devotees said that Guru was resting in the room. After sometime, the cavalcade of Guru moved on again its way back to the ashram. The room Guru got into and rested was the one I cleaned and prepared for him the previous day. Guru never disappoints a devotee in the matter of sincere love and devotion.

The Mission of Santhigiri Ashram

Gurucharanam Saranam

The Mission of Santhigiri Ashram

Mukundan P.R.

In the process of a fundamental evaluation of spirituality, in a life dedicated to godly love and realization of truth, it was revealed to Navajyoti Sri Karunakara Guru that a catastrophic error in regard to god realization had happened several ages ago, which has affected the moral and spiritual edifice of mankind adversely. This error is not only in reference to India but encompasses the whole world in its consequence.

Navajyoti Sri Karunakara Guru explained about the division of cosmic time zones into Yuga, Chaturyuga, Manvantara and Kalpa and the variations in dharma – the values, way of life and god realization applicable to each yuga or era which happens according to the will of Brahman. It is called the Sanatana Dharma or Manu Dharma. Sanatana Dharma means the eternal and universal dharma of mankind. Navajyoti Sri Karunakara Guru interprets this concept in a new light and angle.

In the present Manvantara, i.e. in the 3rd chaturyuga of the seventh Manvantara, contrary to divine ordination, human logic was weaved into the practice of dharma and god realization. This error or ‘original sin’, if it may be called so, had happened 25 chaturyugas back, i.e. several millions of years ago, in the long history of the rise and fall of civilizations that may even go beyond our present solar system. What followed was a spiritual barrenness in the subsequent ages, eclipsing the awareness about the divine ordination for human evolution.

The cosmic plan of human evolution as exemplified by Sanatana dharma, the eternal religion of mankind, through the transcendental vision of rishis and sages was subsequently altered to suit the trimurthi system which followed after the great spiritual cataclysm. Trimurthi system or Hinduism, as it is popularly known today, is but a distortion and misinterpretation of Sanatana Dharma through interpolations, mystic tales, superstitious beliefs and discriminatory practices and rituals which have weaned people away from a righteous life.

Guru critically evaluates the absurdities of caste system and the negative mental and physical consequences resulting from degraded worship and social customs such as worship of evil spirits, pagan rites and rituals including sorcery, magical spells, tantric practices, untouchability, casteism, social embargo of various nature etc, all of which caused the downfall and disintegration of society.

Several sages and prophets have come in the world to lead humanity, but the religions founded in their names have, as may be seen, lost their internal cohesion and have been fragmented into many conflicting sects stifling the process of human transformation against the will of God. Instead of germinating peace, harmony and good will people have been alienated in the name of religion and castes and are being tormented. A situation prevails here that thwarts the unity of people because of the age old religious and social structures and prejudices.

The mission of Navajyoti Sri Karunakara Guru is to warp a new generation of people with mental and physical prowess to live up to the ideals as ordained by God exterminating social barriers and discriminations of all sorts. It calls for unshakable faith in truth, a sense of sacrifice and limitless love and faith in the oneness of humanity holding on to the guidance of Guru, the medium.

Faith is the firm determination of the mind to fix it on the merciful experiential Light of the Divine. It also means the faith in Guru, the personified Godhead, through whom the experience of the divine is imparted. One identifies and submits himself or herself in word and deed with the benevolent mission of Guru. This is the essence of Guru Margam – the Path of Guru.

Non-believers mean those who have not yet reached the above said state of mind and who follow the blind observance of tradition as well as those who are atheists. No goodness can be derived from the practice of and allegiance to degrading principles and lifestyle as it causes the destruction of virtue in the soul and the consequent fall of the individual and society.

The progress and fulfillment of a person depends on the quotient of goodness, virtue or blessedness in the soul. The merciful Guru is ever concerned about the uplift of such souls and advises the path for earning of virtue in this short span of human life. Guru exhorts us to work together for the obliteration of filth in our soul and society, accumulated by the past deeds of our ancestors and ourselves so that our progeny will be freed from the pollutions of culture and tradition.

Pollution of culture has its root in the thoughts and actions of several generations of our forefathers molded through tradition and way of god worship. Unless those cultural and soul imprints in the psyche of the society are cleansed, the transformation of the society in the desired direction becomes difficult. This goal of cultural cleansing cannot be achieved through socio-political means, as it requires the spiritual guidance of an epochal preceptor, who comes as the authority of the age by divine decree. Such a preceptor perceives the riddles of time and space, light and energy, life and death in perfect tune with the cosmic reality.

The Gurupooja of Santhigiri Ashram is this karmic, genetic, spiritual and cultural cleansing, through the spiritual intercession of Guru. Guru pooja holds out the promise and hope for a global cultural and spiritual renaissance through the birth of a new generation of children unaffected by physical, mental, cultural, spiritual and hereditary negativities. Today thousands of families from a society divided by the walls of caste, religion and class have migrated to a new spiritual movement of equality, spiritual experience and guidance. Guru created for them an enviable model of self-sufficient community living that has become the succor and hope of thousands of people, engaged in various professions, trade and enterprises in Santhigiri Ashram.
The fundamental aim of Santhigiri Ashram is thus a cultural and spiritual regeneration of humanity as expected of this ascending age of Kali Yuga in the process correcting the fundamental error occurred in the practice of Sanatana Dharma that led to societal degeneration and fragmentation worldwide, threatening the peaceful existence and growth of human society.

Gurucharanam Saranam

SANTHIYATHRA- WATER ENVIRONMENT & PEACE
[a movement for global peace]

BRAINSTROMING WORKSHOP
SUNDAY 28th JUNE 2009, 10 AM to 5PM

Venue: Kanakakunnu Palace Auditorium, Thiruvananthapuram

Key Address: Sri. K.Jayakumar IAS, Additional Chief Secretary & Home Secretary

Valedictory Address: Sri Mullakkara Rathnakaran, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture

In connection with the dedication of Parnasala (the shrine of global peace) to humanity, Santhigiri Research Foundation proposes to organize a SANTHIYATHRA from Kashmir to Kanyakurai from September 2009 to January 2010 upholding the major cause of global peace.

The yathra arranges platforms for serious discussions and public awareness programmes in all states of the country on peace related subjects like land, water, environment, health, lifestyle, communal harmony, national integration, anti-terrorism etc.

The brainstorming workshop intends to discuss mainly the strategies for;

· Event Organization
· Fund Mobilization
· Public Attention
· Partnership & Collaboration

Athmabandus & Well-wishers who wish to participate in the brainstorming exercise may contact State Nodal Centre, Thiruvananthapuram most immediately.

Sugestions on the points for discussions are also welcome

SANTHIGIRI RESEARCH FOUNDATION
DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES OF SANTHIGIRI ASHRAM (DISA)

STATE NODAL CENTRE, SANTHIGIRI ASHRAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
[Phone: 0471-6459390, Mob 9249422026, E-mail santhigirisnc@gmail.com ]

The Sadhu from the Himalayas

Gurucharanam Saranam

The Sadhu from the Himalayas

Babu was a young boy when he left his home in a village in Kerala. Unlike other children, he disliked to be at his home. He visited unknown households and offered his service to the family. As he was only a small boy, the householders would accede to his strange request and allow him to stay. Eventually his whereabouts would be found out and his parents would arrive to take him back home. Once, his outings became serious when he reached Crawford market in far away Mumbai. From there fate whisked him away to a group of spiritually thinking men. And it was serious again.

One fine morning, Sri Babu became a no-nonsense Sadhu in orange cloths with a heavy burden of matted hair and an equally long beard, wandering in the Himalayas in the manner of ascetics. He was in the race for the spiritual trophy like many other ascetics atop the Himalayas. But the trophy never came in his hand leaving him languid and mirthless. Then he took up a seven year long vow of annual visits to Ajmer Darga in Rajasthan. Now his desperation became uncontrollable, for his years long vow has ended, but the doors to spiritual attainment weren’t still opened. He was furious and caught the neck of the Fakir guarding the tomb in Ajmer Darga. ‘Give me the clue’, Babu Swami thundered. ‘I am on this vow for the last seven years’.

The Fakir quietly took him to an inner recess. After offering some drinks, he mentioned that the clue will be available only at another Darga connected with Ajmer Sahib Family nearby. Collecting the information, he set out immediately and reached the Darga a few KMs away. There too a fakir was guarding the tomb. He took permission from the fakir to tell his prayers. He asked the question of his life to the tomb. ‘You will get it at Kanyakumari’. The tomb said. When I asked him how the tomb gave him the clue, he said it was in the manner of soul communication. Unbelievable, but true! I would not have said so, if I had not got such experiences myself. I have had such experiences with Guru.

Babu Swami then headed towards South and took abode at Kanyakumari, but even after three years, the promised spiritual breakthrough still eluded him.
Babu Swami’s brother had a marble show room near Vyttila in Ernakulam town so he decided to visit him once. He reached Vytiila at the predawn hours. After walking a little he decided to wait at the veranda of a shop. While sitting there thus, he saw a vision of Christ. He thought to himself that the vision was significant. He got up and asked somebody the way to Shanthi Marbles, the brother’s marble show room and went in the direction shown and reached at the gate of Santhigiri Ashram, Ernakulam branch near Palarivattam. The person had directed him to Santhigiri Ashram instead of Shanti Marbles. Babu Swami saw a water pipe near the road that went to the Ashram. He bathed sitting under the pipe and felt fresh. The morning was still in its meditative mood and the bustle and hustle of life was yet to begin in the area. Babu Swami entered the Ashram stepping his right foot first. He had felt some genuine spiritual vibration in the place and a tender hope flickered in some roughened corner of his heart.

The Swami in charge welcomed him and offered breakfast. After breakfast the Swami instructed the mother of Sri Balakrishnan (now Swami Vishwabodha Jnana Tapaswi) to talk to the Sanyasi about the ways of the Ashram. They were speaking in Malayalam. But he feigned ignorance as they had already took him as a North Indian Sadhu, who did not know the local language. As instructed, Swami’s mother explained about the Ashram. She told him that the Ashram followed a system different from that of temple worship and that they followed the Guru in all matters concerning life and death. The Ashram even differed radically with the traditional sanyasa concept in some important aspects.

Babu Swami then asked her where their Guru was available. She gave the detail of Santhigiri Ashram, Pothencode. Babu Swami took her leave and fixed up a meeting with his brother in Shanti Marbles. The family members had forgotten him, but his brother recognized him. He called his brother out from the shop. ‘I require some money urgently’, the Swami said to his brother. ‘I shall be hanging around. You may come with the money to Marine Drive. I shall be there in the park. I require the money to go to a place in Thiruvananthapuram ’. As agreed, the brother came and handed over the money to him.

At the serene gateway of Santhigiri Ashram, Pothencode stood a dark looking Sanyasi with heavy matted locks perched on his head and equally long beard flowing down to the chest. His eyes had a fierce expression. His rugged appearance and manners bespoke of the rigor the life of a sanyasi is subjected to living in the wilderness, wandering from places to places. The person at the reception was startled at the sight of the Sadhu. He guided him immediately to the Ashram office.

The Sanyasi was not very communicable. One person by the name Vinayakan came there and asked him, ‘Swamiji, what is your name? Where are you from? What are you doing?’ The Swami ignored his questions and asked him to tell the Guru that one of his devotees had come to see him. The sanyasi waited and waited, but the Guru did not see him. Suddenly the Swami disappeared from the Ashram. Everybody looked for him in the Ashram but all at once he was missing.

The Swami went straight to the nearby town and entered a barber shop. He asked the barber to shave off his matted hair and beard. The barber was taken aback. He was afraid to cut his locks and therefore asked the Swami few times for confirmation. Then he proceeded with his solemn job and transformed the Swami beyond recognition. The Swami now was clean shaven with short thick disobedient hair. He bought a white dhoti and shirt too and wore it discarding the sanyasi dress. Now he looked like any other youth on the road. He was now Sri Babu from Kottayam, not any Babu Swami from the Himalayas.

At Santhigiri Ashram, the youth was welcomed as any one of the people visiting the Ashram daily. After little waiting, the meeting with Guru also took place. He prostrated before Guru in full length. Guru asked him to tell him in brief about his life. He told his story in brief. Guru then advised him to join his family at Kottayam. Understandably it was a difficult option for Babu and a totally unexpected advice. He was reluctant to go back home. Guru called him in his room. With folded hands, Guru requested him to go back to his house. It was a begging. Sri Babu could not bear this sight. A great soul begging a wretched soul like him! He immediately fell on the feet of Guru and said, ‘Guro, I will go to my house immediately’.

Thus Sri Babu went home at Kottayam and lived with his family for a few years during which period he lost all his spiritual charisma. Petty quarrels and fights at home dragged him cruelly to a world highly detested by the Himalayan sadhus. The sadhus had only one bond, the bond with the Supreme. Babu endured all troubles of family living and mellowed down to become a normal worldly person.

Year 1995. Spirited preparations to receive Navajyoti Sri Karunakara Guru at Kanyakumari were going on at Vivekananada Kendram and at the Travancore palace adjacent to the seashore in Kanyakumari. The rooms earmarked for Guru both at the Palace and Vivekananda Kendram were being thoroughly cleaned, wiped, fumed and perfumed with all other paraphernalia in place. Three persons were also instructed to offer ‘thattam’ (a platter with offerings) to Guru on his arrival.

Guru and his entourage came in thousands at the destined hour. The ‘thattam’ was offered to Guru by the three persons in an atmosphere charged with devotion and the chanting of Guru Mantra. Guru, after accepting the thattam, offered ‘prasadam’ to them. One among those three persons was Sri Kottayam Babu, the erstwhile Babu Swami.

While he offered the thattam to Guru and prostrated, the oracle he heard from the Darga near Ajmer came running to his mind in a flash. ‘You will receive it at Kanyakumari’. The experience was so striking. Guru benignly smiled and gave him the prasadam, which he received with both hands. Somewhere in the depth of his heart, a turbulent ocean became calm, very calm like a divine milky ocean.