November 15, 2015

Shri Gondavalekar Maharaj


POWER OF 'RAM' NAM 
GONDAVALEKAR MAHARAJ



YOU HAVE TO REPEAT RAM NAM(NAMA SMARAN)
WITH BHAKTI, AS GIVEN BELOW, CRORES OF TIMES 


II SHRI RAM JAYA RAM JAYA JAYA RAM II
|| श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम ||



FOLLOWING HAVE BECOME SAINTS BY THIS METHOD


1) SAMARTHA RAMDAS - SHIVAJI MAHARAJ'S GURUSAMADHI AT SAJJAN GHAD

SAMARTHA RAMDAS - SHIVAJI MAHARAJ'S GURUSAMADHI AT SAJJAN GHAD


2) SRIDHARA SWAMY OF VARADAPURA NEAR SAGAR IN KARNATAKA, HE DID SEVA TO SAMADHI OF SAMARTHA RAMDAS ALONG WITH ABOVE RAM NAM.

SRIDHARA SWAMY OF VARADAPURA NEAR SAGAR IN KARNATAKA, HE DID SEVA TO SAMADHI OF SAMARTHA RAMDAS ALONG WITH ABOVE RAM NAM.



3) RAMA OF KANHANGAD,KERALA. HE RECITED ABOVE RAM NAM WITH ॐ (OM) IN THE BEGINNING. HIS ANANDASHRAM IS THERE AT KANHANGAD.HE HAS WRITTEN HIS EXPERIENCES IN A BOOK 'IN THE VISION OF GOD', 'RAMA TALKS' ETC. 




4) GONDAVALEKAR MAHARAJ - BRAHMA CHAITHNYA
DETAILS IN THIS POSTING.

IS HE AN INCARNATION OF SAMARTHA RAMDAS ?

GONDAVALEKAR MAHARAJ - BRAHMA CHAITHNYA DETAILS IN THIS POSTING.  IS HE AN INCARNATION OF SAMARTHA RAMDAS ?

SRI BRAHMACHAITHANYA MAHARAJ
SRI BRAHMACHAITHANYA MAHARAJ

SRI BRAHMACHAITHANYA MAHARAJ

SRI BRAHMACHAITHANYA MAHARAJ

SAMADI OF BRAHMACHAITHNYA


SAMADI OF BRAHMACHAITHNYA
Gondavale Maharaj at Kashi, prepared food for fifteen people & fed more than Thousand beggars using his powers.He covered his robe on the rice, Thirth proction(sprinkling) on other dishes.


Even today free lodging, free food is served at Gondavale where his samadhi is there. 


When he took his mother to Kashi, he knew that mother won't return(which she didn't know), so he told villagers to take away what ever item they want from their house. The house became empty in half an hour! He told mother she should not have 'HOUSE ATTACHMENT' (GHAR BANDAN) while going to KASHI !


He wanted his Mother to do 'DAAN' to her heart's content, so coins came from under the mat unending(AKSHAY).She asked him how is that coins are not getting exhausted ! He told her not to bother about it !In an ashram at Kashi, his mother had vomiting,motion once or twice & she passed away ! in a matter of few hours. 

When he occupied the same room after three years, he told accompanying people that his Mother went to the other world in the same room & asked anybody interested to join her ? One lady obliged & she also passed away in two or three hours, like his Mother !

-- Gondavale Maharaj was married & after his first wife passed away,he married second time a blind girl by birth. His Guru had advised him to lead a life of a house holder.

-- His GURU THUKAMAI was a great saint, Gondavale Maharaj served him very well & passed in all the tests his GURU gave !

-- Every day Bhajans,kirthans and his stories recited in the Prarthana Mandir there. Samadi is at cellar & Prarthana Mandir above it.

When I visited with two of my friends, about Fifty people came out of Prarthana Mandir when Sath Sangh was going on & stood in balcony waving at us & guiding us to Samadhi for no reason !!

-- A very peaceful place & no questions asked.

"My fond desire is that everyone should sincerely take to the practice of Namasmarana" said Brahma Chaithanya.

There was a person who had lived long with Shri Maharaj. About a fortnight before casting off the mortal body, Shri Maharaj said to him, "Commonly the eldest son stays in the company of his father for a great deal of time. Other siblings often stay in distant places, and are in their father's company for a relatively shorter time. Because of the close association with his father, the eldest son is well aware of his likes and dislikes. In such a case, the eldest son has a duty to perform after the death of his father, that is, to further the prestige of the family, he should inform his younger siblings of their father's likes and dislikes and to behave accordingly. "Shri Maharaj further said, "One can not foretell when Death may strike. You are in the know of my likes and dislikes because of our close association. You should tell others about them. If one were to ask about my likings, then I have only one keen liking, and that is that everyone should sincerely observe Namasmarana, and never fail to remember Rama. Do freely tell everyone about this fondness of mine."

I Know You Better Than You Know Yourself
Some one said to Shri Maharaj, " Maharaj, you are clairvoyant. Please tell us how well you know us." To this Shri Maharaj said, "Are you prepared to believe what I will tell you?" The person said "Yes". Shri Maharaj said, " I know more about you than you know about yourself. It is a law of the world that the longer one has been intimately acquainted with something, the more one knows about it. The most intimate acquaintance that you have had is with your body. You are able to know of only that one. But, by the Grace of Shri Rama, all those forms you have put on in your births since the time you acquired the status of a living being, are known to me. From this you can understand how well I know you.

One’s Body is a Pledged Article, And not an Owned OneTradesmen often possess gold in the form of ornaments. When there is need for money for conducting their trade, the tradesmen pledge the ornaments with a bank and obtain money against them. When the amount can be spared, they redeem the ornaments. Someone happened to mention this to Shri Maharaj. Shri Maharaj queried, “What would happen if one were to bring home for use the ornaments so pledged with the bank?” The bank official said, “It would be a crime.” On which Shri Maharaj said, “When God brings some one into this world, he pledges a body with him, and takes a loan symbolized by one’s span of life. As thelife gets spent, day after day, the loan gets repaid. When the span of life comes to its end one day, the body has to be returned to God. If one says that this body belongs to oneself, and acted accordingly, is the behaviour not like bringing pledged ornaments for use at home? Accepting that the body is an article belonging to God, and only pledged to us, we should constantly maintain an awareness of this. Thereby one’s bodily consciousness will automatically vanish. Then, just as the ornaments are returned when the loan has been repaid, and the banker does not feel bad about it, one ought not to feel anything when God takes the body back at the end of the life time. When this stage has been attained, one will have secured mastery over the dread of the final moment.

The Guru Prescribes only such means for realisation of God as one is capable of practising

A highly placed government officer received instruction from Shri Maharaj in chanting Nama, and he sincerely set about practicing it. After some time he learnt about the views of J.Krishnamurthy. Because of their influence, his observance of the practice of chanting Nama became neglected. His mind was filled wih doubts about Namasmarana. He frankly admitted this to Shri Maharaj. Shri Maharaj said, "Krishnamurthy did not invite you to his lecture.You went there of your own accord.So, you can not blame him for having caused confusion in your mind. A rustic boy who, having passed his school final examination, joined the first year class of a metropolitan college. Out of curiosity, on his own he attended a philosophy lecture for the students of the M.A.class. On listening to the lecture, he felt so confused that he doubted if would ever be able to complete his course of studies in the college.The state of your mind has become similar to his. What Krishnamurthy advocates is the path of contemplation, Jnyanamarga. One needs to have read a lot to be able to follow it. So, forget what you have learned from him, and begin the practice of chanting Nama. I guarantee that by chanting Nama, your mind will attain everlasting bliss.I,too, could have preached what was preached by him. But, what is the point in prescribing a lesson which cannot be assimilated?It is for this reason that it was not prescribed for you by me."

Free lodging, free food is served at Gondavale 

Gondavale Maharaj at Kashi, prepared food for fifteen people & fed more than Thousand beggars using his powers.Even today free lodging, free food is served at Gondavale 
where his samadhi is there. 
Biography of Maharaj

NativePlace : Gondavale, Satara, Maharashtra
Period : 1845
Ravji Inamdar, a great pious man lived in Gondavale (Gondavale is a small town with a population of about 6,000, in Satara District in Maharashtra, about 64 kilometres from Satara, on Satara-Pandharpur road.) with his wife Gitabai. They were affluent with ancestral house, farms etc. In spite of this, the couple devoted to God and engaged in donations. People considered the couple Godlike. A son was born to the couple on Wednesday (Hindu Magha month, Shuddha Dwadashi) in 1845. The child was chubby, fair and very beautiful. They named the child as Ganapati, but called him with the nickname as Ganoba. Ganoba was endowed with enormous intelligence. He would learn the Sanskrit slokas by reciting only once. He learnt reading and writing at the age of four. They used to conduct Bhajans every evening and Ganoba would not sleep without participating in the Bhajans. Soon, his Upanayanam was completed. He learnt Sandhyvandanam, worshipping the God. He used to meditate upon the God for hours at stretch. Once at night Ganoba went to a cave near the graveyard and sat there meditating. He was admitted to the school, but he could not concentrate on studies. He used to write "Shri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram" on the slate. He used to sing bhajans with other children. Sometimes he used to take children far away and worship a stone, as Shri Ram and sing bhajans. Once a Ramdasi (those who follow the path laid down by Samarth Ramdas Swami of Sajjanagad, Maharashtra) had come to Gondavale. He had worn ochre coloured robe. Ganoba asked him why he had worn ochre coloured robe and what he was looking for. Ramdasi told him that he was wandering in search of a Sadguru, who would enable him to meet the God. Ganoba was impressed and then decided to leave his home and go in search of his Sadguru.

He met a pious lady, Radhabai at Haripur, a great devotee Annabua at Miraj, Dev-mamledar at Nasik, Samarth Swami of Akkalkot, Shri Manikprabhu at Humnabad, a yogi from Abu hill, many Tapaswis (those who practice penance) from Naimisharanya, Shri Ramkrishna Paramhansa in Bengal near Calcutta, and finally to Tukaramchaitanya at Yehalegaon near Nanded in Maharashtra. Tukaramchaitanya(called as Tukamai) became Ganoba's spiritual master (Sadguru), whom he served with utmost devotion, sincerity and faith. Tukaramchaitanya tested Ganoba in many ways, but Ganoba never failed his master. After nine months of intense training in the spiritual field, once Tukaramchaitanya took Ganoba in a dense forest on the auspious day of Ramnavmi. Both of them took bath. Tukaramchaitanya said, " My child, I have troubled you really, but you served me wholeheartedly. I have realized that you are truly desirous of meeting the God. I would give all my knowledge of Self to you". Tukaramchaitanya placed his hand on Ganoba's head and instantly Ganoba went into a trance (Samadhi). Tukaramchaitanya named Ganoba as Brahmachaitanya and gave him the 13 lettered gurumantra, 
|| श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम || "Shri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram" and entrusted the welfare of the people to him. Since then Ganoba became famous as Brahmachaitanya Gondavalekar Maharaj.

Gondavale Maharaj was married & after his first wife passed away,he married second time a blind girl by birth. His Guru had advised him to lead a life of a house holder.

Once, when Maharaj was walking thro' the jungle of Abu, he was held captive by the tribals (Bhils) and taken to their hutments. Tribals were thieves who started to beat Maharaj, but he was not affected. One of them, an old man told others not to beat Maharaj and thought that the latter had some great mystic power (Mantrashakti) with him, which they could gain. Others started to take food there, but Maharaj told he drank only milk. One of the tribals brought a cow that didnot yield any milk and was not tamed, and asked Maharaj to get milk from it. Maharaj went to the cow, patted it with affection and said,"O mother, I am very hungry. Give me milk to satisfy my hunger." And lo! The cow started to yield a lot of milk, which Maharaj drank. When the tribals realized their folly and asked for his forgiveness. Not only Maharaj forgave them but also advised them to renounce the path of thievery and advised them to chant the Ramnam. All of them were completely reformed.

After completing pilgrimage Maharaj settled in Gondavale, where he constructed a temple for Shri Ram and hermitages for the pilgrims. At the very old and ripe age, he took his mother, Gitabai to Varanasi (Kashi) for pilgrimage. Before leaving for Kashi, Maharaj gave away everything from his home as charity to the poor and needy. He took his mother to Kashi and stayed there for one month. At Ayodhya, his mother became unwell. She stopped taking food and medicines and started to chant Ramnam continuously. She bathed in Sharayu river and gave a lot of money in charity. She was surprised that there was an unending source of money below the mattress over which she was made to sit. On the following day, Gitabai left her mortal coil while chanting the Ramnam on her son's lap. After her demise Maharaj said, "Now Shri Ram is my sole refuge". In Indore, he was fed with laddus (sweetmeats) prepared from chili powder, which he happily ate. Later he was fed with red burning embers, which he gladly consumed like sweets. The lady, Jijibai, who did this, repented for her action and asked for his forgiveness.Once, Maharaj was constructing a Ram temple at Gondavale. Many of his disciples brought bricks, stones, cement, timber, and money as an act of devotion to Maharaj. On one Thursday, Maharaj did not have any money to offer to the construction labourers. The labourers were really disappointed, but Maharaj told them not to get disheartened and offered them food. Later he asked them to chant Ramnam. In the evening, one of the disciples of Maharaj came from Mhasavad and offered Rs. 105 to him. Maharaj told the labourers that Ram was always concerned about their problems and distributed the money among them. Though, the temple was being constructed, there was no sign of the idols of Shri Ram, Shri Lakshman and Shri Sitamai. When people asked Maharaj about the idols, he said, " It is Shri Ram's temple, so He would take care of the idols Himself."

Surprisingly, in a nearby village, Talavadegaon, a rich moneylender had brought beautiful idols of Shri Ram, Shri Lakshman and Shri Sitamai for a temple that he wanted to construct. Around this time, his house caught fire and at night, Shri Ram appeared in the dream of the moneylender and asked him to send all the idols to Gondavale to Brahmachaitanya Maharaj. On a Sunday, the moneylender brought the idols to Maharaj when he was singing bhajans of Shri Ram. As soon as he saw the idol, tears of joy started to flow from his eyes. On an auspious day, Maharaj consecrated the idols after the completion of the temple. Thousands of people were offered food on that day. Maharaj loved all the animals equally. He had constructed many Goshalas (cow sheds) at Gondavale. He used to rescue many barren cows that were sold to butchers and bring them and look after them.

Now Maharaj became 68 years old. His body was tired and there was swelling over his feet. Maharaj called his disciples and said," My dear children, please do not forget my Shri Ram. Please take care of yourself. Wherever name of Shri Ram will be chanted, I would be there. Now I am going to leave." Disciples realized that time had come for Maharaj to shed his mortal coil. Thousands of people came from far and wide, offered their salutations to Maharaj and cried. On the Sunday night, Maharaj started to do Bhajan, there were tears in the eyes of all people. Bhajan and Arti were over. Maharaj said, "O Shri Ramchandra, this is my last service to you, please take care of my devotees." Many people offered their obeisance to Maharaj, but Maharaj only touched the heads of his disciples without speaking a word. Maharaj came back to his room. It was 2 a.m. He sat and chanted," Sri Ram, Sri Ram" and closed his eyes, never to open again. The day was December 22, 1913. Many of his disciples had requested him to write a book that could guide them. But Maharaj said, " I have already written 'DasBodh'." Since Dasbodh was written by Samartha Ramdas Swami in 17th century, it is obvious that Brahmachaitanya Maharaj was a reincarnation of the former.


Shankar Maharaj

Shankar Maharaj

shankar-maharaj-of-pune
Shankar Maharaj was a Perfect Master in the tradition of Nath Siddhas.
Different stories are told about the birth and early life of Shankar Maharaj. But the following story of his birth and initiation by his guru appears to be most authentic, having been told by Maharaj himself to his prime disciple Dr. Nagesh Dhaneshwar of Nagar, about 200 kms from Pune.

Once Dr. Dhaneshwar asked Maharaj his age. Instead of answering, he asked him to judge his age from physical examination since he was a medical doctor. Dr. Dhaneshwar judged his age to be more than 125 years. Maharaj agreed with him and told him that he was born in about 1800 at Mangalwedha (near Pandharpur) in the family named Upasani.
He used to be a very naughty boy. Once, when he was seven to eight years old, he went chasing a deer. The deer entered the forests on the banks of the river Chandrabhaga towards a place called Machnur. He followed it and soon reached a Shiva temple. When he was about to shoot the arrow a large sanyasi came, lifted the deer and held it in his arms .He said “My child, why do you kill the innocent animals? If you want to hunt, hunt wild animals, but don’t kill this” nevertheless he shot the arrow at the deer in the sanyasi’s arms. It hit him but became blunt and fell down. Another arrow also met the same fate. He become confused but the sanyasi smiled, kept the deer down, came near and fondled him. Thus Maharaj got “ Sparshdiksha” or initiation by touch of the Yogi, who was no other than Swami Samarth of Akkalkot. Maharaj stayed with him for six months during which he gave him all knowledge and instructed him to go on pilgrimage.
He went to the Himalayas where he did a very hard penance. On returning from there he spent his time with Siddha-Yogis in and around Vriddheshwar (near Nagar) which is known as the center for meditation of several Nath Siddhas in the past. Maharaj remembered having received Dakshina from Peshwas hands in Shanniwarwada in Pune, the seat of Peshwas rule. After the British took over Pune, he met a British Collector who developed a faith in Maharaj and considered him his Spiritual guide. He took Maharaj to England where he stayed for ten years teaching the yoga path to this British officer.
Being asked by Dr. Dhaneshwar whether this is how he is able to speak such good English, he said, “No Doctor, He who understand the principle which is beyond the source of all languages and who becomes one with it, knows any language, even the language of animals and birds. He becomes the energy itself therefore he is able to decipher the vibration. I understand the English language perfectly. I have read complete Shakespeare. He had rich experiences of life. Among his plays, I Like Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello and Romeo-Juliet.”
One can surmise therefore that at the time of samadhi Maharaj was about 150 years old. It is not clear when Maharaj came to Maharastra, Pune in particular. From the biography of Dr. Dhaneshwar who was born in 1899, it is seen that Maharaj met him at Nagar when he was a schoolboy, that must have been around 1910 when Maharaj was already past hundred. He used to move frequently between Nagar, Pune, Solapur and Akluj, also visiting in places with Shri Dattatreya influence like Gangapur, Narsobawadi, Mahurgad and Girnar. Wherever he went he attracted devotees.
In appearance Maharaj is described as ‘Ashtavakra’ or bent in eight places. Maharaj had a short stature, but was “Ajunubahu” or having long hands reaching below his knees. Most noticeable were his large and bright eyes and a child like expression on his face. In later years he had a beard. He often had a brandy bottle in his hand and a hunter whip with him. He used to address people by the swear words, but without malice. It was believed that if Maharaj rebuked anybody he got rid of misfortunes. He used to talk with lisp which was due to his unusually long tongue. The immense kindness and compassion of Maharaj were consistent with his being a Nath Panthi in the Guru tradition.
According to what Dr. Dhaneshwar told “The aim of a Nath Panthi is to help people without bothering about his own personal liberation. Because of the compassion for all living, he takes birth again and again all over the earth in all communities and not necessarily ordained as a Nath Panthi during that birth. It is because of such selfless liberated souls that the fabric of human society is maintained.”
Maharaj did not stay long at any single place. He used to move from devotee to devotee. He was fond of smoking honeydew (popularly known as Pilo hatthi) cigarettes. He was also fond of drinking brandy and appeared to be often intoxicated. He used to like the scent (attar) of hina and loved music.
Maharaj used to drink with a purpose. His drunken appearance helped him in keeping unwanted people away. Only those people who saw Maharaj beyond the external looks could come to him. There are instances when Maharaj drank and another person nearby got drunk. Some people to whom Maharaj gave a brandy glass and asked them to drink it told later it was not liquor but nice tasting coconut water. Maharaj was fond of wearing rings and jewels but he could throw them or give to others easily.
The life of Shankar Maharaj has been full of miracles he performed to help his devotees. Such miracles are associated with many Yogis. The miracle includes the knowledge of past and future events, creation of matter going from one place to another instantly, being at several places at the one time, feeding a multitude from the small quantity of food and so on. Maharaj did these miracles to instill faith in them and to draw people to spiritual path. Maharaj had said, “I am a slave of the simple and teach lessons to the scoundrels. I am the blotting paper of egotistic persons. I cannot tolerate ego. I suck it out.”
Maharaj had large number of devotees and disciples world over. Dr Dhaneshwar, Maj. Abhyankar and his son Dattareya , Raobahadur Navale from all from Nagar; G.K Pradhan and Keshavbhai Asher from Mumbai, Raosaheb Mehendale and his wife Taisaheb, Vasudev Pandit, Baburao Rudra, Mamasaheb Dhekane, Yellubahi and Gosavi all from Pune, Mr.Girme and Mr. Vasant Kulkarni from Akluj, are some of well known names from the large family of disciples. Maharaj gave spiritual guidance to millions, who are evolving spiritually under his protection even today. Dr Dhaneshwar was his principle disciple. According to Maharaj, their association was for more than six hundred years. Being Nath Panthis in the earlier births also and closely connected to Gahininath. Maharaj had shown him the place where he i.e. Dr Dhaneshwar used to do sadhana in the caves in the Vrishdheshwar hills near Nagar in the previous birth. He was a very capable person and Maharaj gave him all his knowledge. Maharaj first appeared before Dr Dhaneshwar when the latter was a schoolboy but the real training started just after his Graduation in medicine. Maharaj used to visit him often and throw things around. This used to make the doctor angry. One Day, Maharaj scattered some importance articles here and there. Doctor, who was under tension due to personal worries asked Maharaj to leave and when he did not, pushed him down the stairs. As a result of this outburst the doctor became unconscious.
When the doctor recovered from unconsciousness he found his head was on Maharaj’s lap and Maharaj was gently caressing his head with love of a mother. At that moment he suddenly realised the real nature of Maharaj. He realised that the Guru’s love is deeper than mother’s love. From that moment he completely surrendered to Maharaj.
Raosaheb Balwantrao Mehendale who was a barrister and his wife Taisaheb Mehendale were also close disciples of Maharaj . One of his friends Sardar Mirikar was instrumental in bringing Raosaheb to Maharaj.
Maharaj initiated Tai Saheb and asked her to give discourses on Dnyaneshwari (an exposition on Geeta). The Mehendale couple left Bombay and settled in Pune in their ancestoral house Mehendalewada at the Appa Balwant Chowk in Pune. Spiritual programs like the discourses, bhajans and kirtans were held in Mehendalewada which became a center of solace for people who were frustrated in life and needed a relief. These discourses from Taisaheb used to impart deeper bliss to the listeners and they used to feel the meaning of their life being unfolded. It was as if Shri Shankar Maharaj was speaking through her, for he had already told that “I myself cannot give discourse. I need some intelligent person with pure mind”.
This incident of giving darshan of the desired deity was unique. Sir Chunilal Mehta, once Governor of Bombay Presidency in British Raj was a close friend of Raosaheb Mehendale. He was a a kind natured person and scholar, well versed in both Western and Indian literature. He used to attend the discourses in Mehendalewada. One day he told Raosaheb that inspite of his vast reading, travelling all over India visiting holy places, he felt something was lacking in his life. This was just before Taisaheb’s discourse on Dnyaneshwari was to start. The stanzas Taisaheb had selected that day related to seeing manifested God. Sir Chunilal was considerably influenced and said that he wanted to experience something like that. Raosaheb took him next day to meet Maharaj who was at that time in Mama Dhekne’s house. Maharaj was as usual reclining on a cushion, laughing and talking to himself. Lady Mehta sat with Taisaheb on ground. Sir Chunilal stood and did namaskar to Maharaj. Raosaheb spoke to Maharaj and told him that Sir Chunilal had come with his wife to meet him. Maharaj first ignored him and then fixed his eyes on Sir Chunilal who instantly went into a deep trance, tears started flowing from his eyes. And then Sir Chunilal ran to Maharaj and fell on his feet making them moist with the tears.
Lady Mehta was also in a similar condition. Sir Chunilal later told that in those moments Lord Vishnu his personal deity had appeared before him. Sir Chunilal was still in trance for a long time. The feeling of incompleteness left Sir Chunilal permanently. Thereafter Sir Chunilal continued to remain in that internal trance state. He never went any more on pilgrimage to holy places. A few months before taking samadhi Maharaj had chosen the present site. It was a farmland owned by one Mr. Malpani who had agreed to give him the land. A few days before the samadhi, Maharaj told to his devotees, who had gathered at Mama Dhekne’s house, “These clothes have become old. They must be discarded.” everybody realized he was referring to his body and not real clothes. He then asked them to gather there after four days and that he would make ‘khichdi’ for them. Four days later, when they gathered at Mama Dhekne’s house, Maharaj himself cooked the ‘khichdi’ and distributed it. Then Maharaj said, “Dnyaneshwari is not to be read. One must live by it. This world has been saved only by the advice of the Saints and Dnyaneshwari He who fills his life with Dnyaneshwari will surely have a happy life. I have nothing more to say.” And with that he bid good-bye to those who had gathered, except Dr. Dhaneshwar, Gosavi, Dnyananath, Mehendale couple, Mama and Mami Dhekne. He said, “For Yogis and liberated persons, samadhi should be taken at an auspicious time. This time is coming on Vaishakh Suddha Ashtami. I am going to deposit this material body in the ground that day.”
During the next ten days or so, Maharaj broke all outside contacts. Only the usual group used to visit him at Mama Dhekne’s house. Not a word was spoken. On the seventh day, that is the day before the samadhi, he told Mami,” Give me just a cup of tea. Inside the shelf spread a small mattress and keep a cushion. I am going to take bath and sit here. I don’t want to speak a word nor meet anyone. The door should not be opened.” And they did accordingly. Mama and Mami were sitting the whole night in front of the shelf keeping watch. At four o’clock in the morning voice came from inside the shelf, “Make further arrangements. Take care of this material body. This flame of Dnyanadeo is now leaving it”.
It was April 24th 1947. People gathered to have a last sight of the body of the Master. Next day around noon the body was taken in procession to the place and by the route indicated by Maharaj. Ground was dug at the indicated place for the body. About five o’clock in the evening the body was interred and in no time only a mound of garlands was all that could be seen. An unusual thing about Maharaj has been that even after samadhi he visits his devotees Most visits have been out of a need to save them from calamities or to give guidance.

Hazrat Tajuddin Baba

Hazrat Tajuddin Baba

Tajuddin Baba of Nagpur
Tajuddin Baba of Nagpur
Hazrat Tajuddin Baba was one of the five Perfect Masters (Sadgurus) of his Age. Such is the play of nature known as maya (illusion) that this Perfect Master was declared a lunatic and kept in confinement in the Nagpur Lunatic Asylum for more than sixteen years. However, Baba Tajuddin started his divine play from this place and virtually converted the asylum to a place of worship. Baba Tajuddin was born on the 21st of January in the year 1861 at a place called Kamthi situated near Nagpur in the state of Maharastra, India.
From the birth itself, there was something unusual about the child, for the new-born baby would not at all cry. He would, at times, open his eyes and look at people and again go to sleep. All normal methods to induce the child to cry having failed, the parents took recourse to a traditional shock method of touching hot iron to the forehead and ear of the child. With the application of this method the child jerked out of its stupor and started crying. The burnt marks thus made on the head and ears of the child remained on his body till the last.
More often-than-not, it is seen that highly developed souls become orphans in their early childhood so that they become free to operate in their spiritual world. This had happened with Shri Shirdi Sai and this also happened with Baba Tajuddin. His father expired when he was about one year old and his mother expired when he was only nine years old. The care of this orphan was taken over by his maternal grandmother and maternal-uncle Abdul Rahman. As a child, Baba started his education at the age of six in a local madrasa in Kamthi. During this time a spiritually – developed soul, known as Hazrat Abdulla Shah, visited the madrasa and saw the child Tajuddin.
He immediately told the teacher – “Why are you teaching this child. He has got all knowledge from his past life.” Saying thus, he took out a dry fruit (Khumani) from his bag, ate half, and put the other half in the mouth of the child saying “Eat less, sleep less and speak less. Read Quran”.
As soon as the child ate the dry fruit, God – consciousness dawned on him and for about three days he remained in a state of spiritual ecstasy. Obviously Hazrat Abdulla Shah had given Tajuddin the spiritual power or consciousness known as “Shaktipata” in Hindu Yoga system. Thereafter, the child was found to be always in a state of contemplation in secluded places.

At the age of 18, the financial condition of his maternal – uncle’s house deteriorated due to floods. As a result, both Baba and his maternal – uncle searched for a job. In 1881, at the age of 20 Baba joined the Nagpur Army Regiment. Soon a contingent of the Regiment, where Baba was serving, was sent to a place called Sagar. At Sagar, Baba used to manage his duties as an army sepoy (soldier), somehow spending the best of the time in doing namaz and contemplation. Most of the nights he used to spend with a highly developed spiritual soul known as Hazrat Baud Saheb under-going spiritual practices. Hazrat Baud Saheb is, therefore, recognised as one of the spiritual masters of Tajuddin Baba. His absence from the army camp at nights, and his least regard for the service created problems from the higher authorities. One day, in a God-intoxicated state Baba suddenly submitted his resignation from the army and left the camp.
He then roamed about in the streets of Sagar like a mad man; without any sense of body. Soon his maternal grandmother heard of the news and took him away to Kamthi. She tried to get him cured through doctors and Hakims thinking that he was mad. The doctors and Hakims could hardly improve his condition as Baba Tajuddin‘s consciousness had, by that time transcended the gross and subtle body and was floating in the vast ocean of divine consciousness – beyond multiplicism and dualism of Nature. As the destiny of many spiritual seekers, children started throwing stones at him to which he would never react. The society around him discarded him to be useless for their purpose and declared him as mad and, therefore, humiliated him whenever and wherever they could.
However, miracles also started taking place around him. He would suddenly tell people about their past and warn them about future problems. One day in that Videha State (Beyond body state) he went near a British woman in a naked state. The horrified woman complained to the army authorities about such uncivilized behaviour. An army officer caught hold of him and got him admitted in the lunatic asylum of Nagpur on the 16th of August 1892. This is one of the biggest illusions of Nature (Maya) the mad people of the mad world declaring the Knowledge- Incarnate, who had come to redeem them of their worldly madness, as mad. But how could the authorities, confine a soul that is in a state of pure consciousness within the four walls of a lunatic asylum. As was the practice, the inhabitants of the asylum used to be locked up in barracks and cells at night. Similarly, Baba was also put in confinement under strict vigil.
Soon after he was locked up in the asylum that a strange incident took place that spread Baba’s name far and wide. Baba was admitted in the lunatic asylum on the 26th August 1892. On the same day many people saw him moving freely in the streets of Kamthi, even after he was locked up. On the next day i.e. 27th an army sepoy, who, under the orders of the magistrate had brought Baba to the lunatic asylum the previous day, saw Baba roaming in the street. The shocked sepoy ran back and informed the British officer of the regiment, about it. The officer immediately rode his horse and searched for Baba. He ultimately found him sitting under a tree smiling at him. British officer was so enraged at seeing him moving freely that he straight away rode to the lunatic asylum at Nagpur situated at half an hour distance from Kamthi. He asked the doctor on duty “Where is that insane whom I sent here yesterday?” The doctor informed that he was in a locked room and also showed the officer where Baba was locked, and behold, the officer found the Baba Tajuddin was sitting inside the room in the same posture in which he had seen sitting under the tree only half on hour back smiling at him. On seeing the officer, Baba said. ” Brother, you are doing your work and I am doing my work”. The officer was so influenced by the divine personality of Baba that he instantly became his disciple and started visiting Baba on every Sunday with his family members. Thereafter, the asylum authorities were reconciled with Baba moving at various places inside the asylum compound and outside. Gradually, Baba’s name became so famous that thousands of people from near and far started lining up before the lunatic asylum everyday to have Baba’s darshan, blessing and help.
During his 16 years stay in the asylum, Baba cured thousands of people of diseases , granted children to the childless and took on his shoulders the responsibilities (both temporal and spiritual) of lakhs of his devotees.

Miracles are the way of functioning of the Masters. Since more often, they work through the subtle and mental mediums than in gross which ordinary mortals cannot perform, they are termed as miracles. The forces creating miracles are subtle forces of nature not yet discovered. Since the work of the Perfect Master precipitates hundreds and thousands of actions at different place at the same time, they employ the subtle methods. Those who have become mediums of miracles know for sure that there are definite principles on which the so called miracles operate. For them they are not miracles but a normal way of functioning at their levels of consciousness.
The Perfect Master are not confined by any religion, any creed, caste or even by scriptural injunctions or prescribed methods of worship etc. They are in a state of total ‘freewill’ without any limitations of nature. This is not to be misunderstood, as a negative state of assertion for free will. Baba’s fame and love for people had been drawing thousands of people daily to the lunatic asylum. Even the staffs of the asylum including the doctors were his devotees.
The doctor gave report that Baba was not mad but a person of unusual qualities which medical science cannot explain. In the meantime, Maharaja Bahadur Shrimant Raghoji Rao Bhonsle, the Maharaja of Nagpur had become an ardent devotee of Baba and started visiting him regularly. One day, in the evening, he thought of getting Baba released from the lunatic asylum and bring him to his palace at Shakardara. The same night, he saw a vision in the dream in which Baba appeared and pointing towards Red Palace said “Oh, elder brother, let me stay here.” It was early morning- (3.00 AM) of 9th July 1908, a Thursday. The Maharaja immediately called his officials and discussed about the steps to be taken to get Baba released. The Council decided that the Maharaja should immediately make an application for release to the Governor, Central Provinces. Ultimately after depositing a security money of rupees two thousands, the Maharaja secured the release of Baba on the 21st of September 1908 and brought him to his palace. From his palace Baba started his divine work.

Once Baba was lying down on the sands of the river Kanhan when two ladies by the name of Shantabai and Subhadrabai fromAmaravati, approached him. While touching the feet of Baba they mentally prayed to him for children, as they were childless. The omniscient (Pragyan Ritambhara) Baba heard their inner prayers and gave a ladoo (a type of sweetmeat) to each after testing them. He blessed them to have sons. While they were returning, Shantabai ate the ladoo as a blessed prasad, but Subhadrabai did not because Baba had tasted the ladoo and was Muslim by birth. She quietly got the ladoo buried in the sand. As the Divine Will could have it, Shantabai got a son nine months later. When the child was about two-month-old, she came to Baba with the child for his blessings. Subhadra, who had not conceived even by that time, accompanied her. When Shantabai put her child at the feet of Baba, Subhadra could not control herself. She fell at the feet of Baba and cried -“Baba where is my child?” Baba told her to search the child from beneath the sand (indicating that he knew where the ladoo was) Subhadra immediately realised her mistake and repented profusely before Baba. The Perfect masters are incarnation of kindness. Her repentance and plight moved Baba. He blessed her to have a son, which she got after a year. The perfect master is a wish- fulfilling tree Kalpvriksha who even shower unconditional grace (Ahetuk Kripa).
A poor scheduled- caste woman called Tara once wished to feed Baba but since Baba was staying in the palace. Tara did not know how to approach him and was also afraid that some people may not take it kindly. So, she cooked the food and tied the food in a piece of cloth with a tree near the palace. Sometime later, people from high classes kept the best of dishes before Baba for his lunch. Baba Said, ” I will not eat all these. Get my food tied in the Jamun tree”. Everybody started searching but could not find the food. Ultimately Baba got up from his seat, brought the food from the tree and ate only that with utter satisfaction. The Perfect Master are hungry not for the food offered by the people but for the love behind such offer. The spiritual masters never encourage anyone to change his religion. They are above all religions. They only see the theme of humanism, which is the basis of all religions.
There was a prostitute by the name of Giriji who was a devotee of Baba. Suddenly, she caught some disease and remained sick for long. Another devotee of Baba, Kashinath Patel, one day sent a person to the house of Giriji to enquire about her health. The man came and found Giriji dead and informed Kashinath accordingly. Kashinath directed him to go and ask Tajuddin Baba whether to bury the body of Giriji or to burn it. On his way to Baba’s place, he found a close attendant of Baba carrying tea in a pot. During discussion, Patel’s man told the attendant of Baba that Giriji is dead. When Baba’s attendant heard that Giriji is dead he told the other persons that Baba has asked him to ensure that Giriji drinks that tea. Therefore, he insisted on carrying the tea to Giriji, Both of them reached Giriji house and found her body surrounded by mourning women. The attendant of Baba, said in a loud voice – “Giriji, Hazur has sent tea for you. Take it.” He repeated the sentence thrice. After the third time Giriji opened her mouth and little by little tea was poured in. After taking the tea, she came back to life and lived for a few years more.
The love of a Perfect Master for his devotees is somewhat like but more than the love of the mother towards the child. Whosoever surrenders to him, he takes care of his biggest and even the smallest problems. Since his words are the ultimate truth, whatever they promise is fulfilled, even after they have left their body. Let us see one example. Sometimes, Baba used to travel in a horse-driven cart to distant places. One devotee named Hiralal used to be his driver (coachman). When Baba once declared that he would leave his body in few days (he left the body on the 17th of August 1925), Hiralal started crying. He asked Baba “Huzur, under whose protection are you leaving us and going”. Baba told him “you always stay in front of me (the driver sits at the front in a horse cart) and I will always stay behind you”.
It so happened that in 1965, on the day of the Moharram, the annual procession i.e. Baba’s Tazia started from Baba’s place by now name as Tazabaad and moving towards the main square (called Jhad Square) with people shouting ‘Allah ho Akbar’. Suddenly the people carrying the Tazia heard the cry ‘Ram naam satya hai’ from another procession moving in front of them. Those who knew what Baba had told Hiralal during his last days, found that the procession in the front was carrying the dead body of Hiralal. Tears rolled down from their eyes when they saw Hiralal’s body going in front and Baba’s Tazia following a promise kept by Baba forty years after his departure. One of the main functions of a Sadguru is to stand by his devotees at the times of their death, in gross or subtle form, to lead the soul towards further evolutions. None else – i.e. no other Guru, parents, relatives, or even yogis have the power to render such help to the souls once they have left the body.
By 1925, Baba had completed his 64th year. In the month of August his health started deteriorating. Maharaja Raghoji Rao pressed the best doctors for service, but which doctor could cure Baba who only had decided about his departure. Raghoji Rao understood that Baba is getting ready to depart. He asked Baba to allow people to have darshan even if medical advice did not permit. The ever-benevolent Baba just smiled and agreed. As the news spread thousands of people came to the king’s palace and had last sight of their beloved master who had served and protected them for decades. The stream of visitors continued till the last moment of Baba’s departure on the 17th August 1925. On that Monday, Baba lifted his hand as blessing to all, looking at them lovingly and quietly laid his body on the bed. By the time doctors could check him he had already left the gross body for its universal abode. But, today the experience of people visiting the Samadhi of Baba establishes the truth that the Perfect Masters always exist, in whatever form, in the time continuum for they are in the Beyond state.

Narayan Maharaj

Narayan Maharaj

narayan-maharaj
Narayan Maharaj was born on 20th May 1885, at Bagalkot in Karnataka. His early childhood was full of calamities. He lost his father, when he was hardly 14 months old and lost his mother when he was four. As a worldly duty his grandmother looked after him. His sacred thread ceremony was performed at the age of nine. His grandmother was planning to appoint Narayan as her heir, but it created problems with the other relations and he was also not interested in any material acquisition. He left his grandmother’s place and all his relations, as he was keen on establishing the only relationship with Lord Dattatreya. After leaving home he took rest for the night in Shiva’s temple, but no one came to enquire about him.This proved to be an important event to break all the worldly ties for him. Whatever is destined to take place must take place. Suffering is a great blessing in disguise, it has the ultimate objective to bring sufferer on the path of love and realisation.

His life was full of hardships, trials and traumas but he had the absolute and unflinching faith and devotion for Lord Dattatreya, hence he had no fear of any kind.
There are many incidences which prove that the unseen divine hand was constantly guarding him in many ways. When he was just 12 years of age, he was residing in Lord Shiva’s temple. Everyday for more than a week a tiger was coming to the temple, bowing to the Lord and touching Narayan’s feet, who used to be meditating in the corner. Once when he was deep into meditation, the roof of temple collapsed. He protectively covered over the Shivalinga. The Shivlinga (Lord Shiva’s Idol) and Narayan, both were saved. Once while meditating in the riverbed seated on a big rock, the river got flooded all of a sudden, water level was increasing menacingly, however instead of flowing over the rock, water currents took the detour leaving Narayan safe and untouched.
He was going through a dense forest, where leave aside human beings even animals were hesitant to stir out. Narayan was extremely thirsty. Suddenly a horse rider came from nowhere showed him the spring water and disappeared. Once he was sleeping under the tree and a large snake encircled his legs. Fear did not enter Narayan’s mind. After a while it started raining incessantly and the snake loosened its grip from his legs and went away.
Hundreds of incidents like these happened in Narayan Maharaj’s life, which gave a glimpse of the Divine power standing behind him. He was asked by a Saint to go to Gangapur and serve Lord Dattatreya. He was in Gangapur for about 10 months and Lord Dattatreya showed him the definite and fearless path to achieve his cherished goal. At Gangapur he completely and earnestly surrendered to the Lord and the Lord made His abode in his heart.

While moving from place to place, he came to Bet and heard the conversation of a pair of Pingla birds, “This place was sanctified by the brief stay of Lord Ram. This is a Holy Land, where thousands will get food and true satisfaction”. So the 4 hectares of land was taken by Maharaj to create the place for his divine service rendered to humanity.

He created a magnificent township in 4 hectares of land at New Bet, which was known as Narayan Nagri, adorned by the majestic temple of Lord Dattatreya. The place was abound with spiritual bliss. Lord Shiva’s temple, Sadhana (Practice) place for Maharaj, a large Dharamshala (Rest house) for devotees and many small cottages were built by the devotees, who wanted to live near the Master. Distribution of free food everyday to thousands of people and chanting the Lord’s name made the whole place pristine and divine.
Maharaj had all the ‘siddhis’ or spiritual powers at his command, but he never used them for himself but there are many instances where these spiritual powers came into use on their own as result of his spiritual perfection.
The voice of Smt. Anjanabai who was a singer of reputed fame was miraculously restored, a ship and its owner were rescued from the cyclone storms with his divine intervention. A famous doctor was pulled back from jaws of death by a mere glance from him. Limited food was prepared for few, when covered by Maharaj with a cloth was more than sufficient to feed thousands of people and still remained in the utensils. Drunkards were inspired to leave the alcohol forever by the mere glance. He saved a devotee and his car from falling into river by physically appearing in front of the car. He cured many incurable diseases and helped thousands of families by giving food, clothes, medicines and education.
He organised many religious ceremonies at New Bet between 1928 to 1935, when communication and transport facilities were non-existent in this remote place. He had outstanding organizational skills. The ceremonies were so flawless, perfect and divinely inspired. The scale, grandeur, serenity and purity was so profound on all these occasions that everyone felt, that God Himself was present there.
His message was very simple and practical, “Treat every being as God.” Chanting of Lord’s name was so dear to his heart that his basic advice to his devotees was “Chant God’s name and experience the bliss”.
His devotees were renowned Doctors, Advocates, Professors, Artists, Kings of erstwhile Indian States and Nepal and a number of foreigners. But he was a Saint for the under privileged, weaker and poor people.
He was a Perfect Master and was known far and wide. He traveled to religious places – Varanasi, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Nepal, Omkareshwar, Mahakaleswar, Rameshwar, Madurai, Chidambaram, Shiv Kanchi, Vishnu Kanchi, Tirupathi, Ramakrishna Ashram, Calcutta, Banglore, Mysore, Dwarka, Somnath, Dakornath, Shri Gokarna Mabaleshwar and host of other places.
From 1942 his health started falling, for a change of weather he decided to go to Ottacmond. Whenever he used to leave on earlier occasions his parting words used to be “I will be back soon”; but this time while leaving his words were, “I am going”. But no one could grasp the meaning at that moment.
Ottacmond did not suit him. He came to Bangalore and in spite of failing health he decided to organize ‘Ati Rudra Swahakar’ to Lord Mallickarjun (a form of Shiva). State of Mysore made outstanding arrangements. He performed the Maha Pooja (grand worship) and gave Mantra for chanting to the large gathering of the devotees and returned to his chamber without visiting ‘Yajnashala’ (a place for fire sacrifice) due to complete exhaustion. The whole ceremony was conducted in an exquisite style, without any slackness in the presence of around 1,00,000 devotees. After the completion of all Poojas (worships), Maharaj was given the message. He was in Padmasan (Lotus posture in Yoga).
Before anyone could realise, he took a long breath and finished his mortal journey on 3rd September 1945.

Though Mysore State arranged an aircraft for carrying the body to Bet, devotees of Bangalore were not ready to part with the body and wanted to have his Samadhi Mandir at Bangalore. Mysore State gave two acres of beautiful land near the lake, where his mortal remains were buried and now a beautiful Samadhi, where the Sadguru is resting, came into existence. Even today at Bet, the vibrations can be felt of the presence of this Master and He is still helping scores of devotees, who ardently call on him.

Vidyaranya swamy

Vidyaranya swamy

Introduction

Vidyaranya - A Great and Famous Saint who is known as the founder of KarnatakaA great and famous saint who is known as the founder of Karnataka. When people had lost all hope, he provided inspiration to Hakka and Bukka who tilled the people with hope and courage. He adorned the Sharada Peetha of Sringeri. He strove to strong then the foundations of the Empire of Vijayanagar.

Vidyaranya

This happened about six hundred and fifty years ago. One morning in the city of Kanchi, the chief of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetha, Sri Vidyateertha, was seated among his disciples. The ruler of the kingdom was also seated among them close to the Swami. The Swami had decided to test the ability of these disciples. He put the same question to every one: "What is the ambition of your life?"

Service of the People


Each student answered the question differently.

One said: I wish to seek t patronage of a king at his court."

It was now the turn of Venkatanatha: "I have decided to popularize the teachings of Sri Ramanujacharya. I want to write commentaries on his works. I have also decided to become a teacher of the Vedas and Upanishads."

"What is your view, Sudarshana Bhatta?"

"I wish to go to Srirangam and devote the rest of my days in the worship of Sri Ranganatha."

"Bhoganatha, tell us about your plans."

"I wish to become the king among scholars."

"Sayana, what is your desire?"

"When I grow up I wish to write commentaries on the four Vedas. The aim of my life is to collect the essence of all the systems of philosophy."

The master asked finally: "Madhava, tell me what your ambition is."

Madhava said: "Gurudeva, it is difficult to give an answer to your question."

"Why is it difficult, child?"

"As long as the insolence of ego survives in man, it is difficult to achieve anything. But God willing. I would like to spend my days in the service of mankind, the visible expression of God. I wish to utilize my life to awaken the power of the nation, which is now put to sleep as a result of ignorance. I wish to devote my life for the protection of my country and my religion and the freedom of my country," said Madhava.

When Vidyateertha heard these words, he felt proud of Madhava. He embraced his disciple and said, "Child it is sacred to devote one's life for the good of others, for one's own country and religion, and for protection of the freedom of the country. Be successful in your ideal. May the world be better on account of your service!"

Madhavacharya who was thus blessed by his Guru became famous as Vidyaranya later.

Parentage and Childhood

Madhavacharya's father was Mayanacharya. He was a pious
 man of a quiet nature. He had settled down in Pampakshetra (modern Hampe) and  lived peacefully and happily teaching his disciples.
I would like to spend my days in the service of makind, said Madhava
He had an equally good wife, Srimatidevi. She too was of a quiet and pious nature. For a long time they had no children. They went on pilgrimage to many holy places. They performed many rituals and religious ceremonies with devotion. At last they had a son, about the year 1268. After observing the necessary rituals he was named Madhava.

After the birth of Madhava, they had two more sons and a daughter. The boys were named Sayana and Bhoganatha and the daughter was named Singala.

Education


The parents decided to get Madhava educated by good teachers. There was a saint called Shankarananda living on the banks of the river Tungabhadra. He was a learned man. Mayanacharya took all his sons to Shankarananda and begged him to accept his children as -his disciples. 
Shankarananda accepted students very selectively. But if he were convinced that a particular aspirant was interested in real knowledge, he would agree to teach him. Madhava, Sayana and Bhoganatha prostrated at his feet. Shankarananda was pleased with them and he accepted them as disciples.

These children studied under him for many years. They were intelligent. They were devoted to learning. The teacher taught them very willingly. After a few years Shankarananda felt that he had taught them all that he could. He called them one day and said, "Children, you have learned all that I taught all these years with devotion. Now you must go to my teacher, revered Vidyateertha. He lives in Kanchi. I shall request him to accept you as 
his disciples."

The boys agreed to do as they were told. They took Shankarananda's letter and went to see Vidyateertha at Kanchi.

In the meantime Mayanacharya had passed away. Srimatidevi, not wanting to interrupt the children's education, willingly saw them off to Kanchi.

In the meantime Mayanacharya had passed away. Srimatidevi, not wanting to interrupt the children’s education, willingly saw them off to Kanchi.

At Kanchi

At that time Kanchi was famous as a great centre of learning in Dwaita, Adwaita and Vishishtadwaita systems of philosophy. There were competent teaches in different centers of learning who taught all the six systems of philosophy. Having heard of the fame of the teachers there, students from far-off places came to learn at their feet. Besides being the center of learning and culture, Kanchi was the capital of the Pallava kingdom.-

By Madhava's good fortune, he had a good teacher. Along with his brothers Madhava studied the six systems of philosophy, literature and art. He became an expert in the vedas and Upanishads.

Vidyateertha

The preceptor of Kamakoti Peetha, Sri Vidyateertha, was also called Sarvajna Vishnu, Vidyesha, Vidyananda and Vidyashankara. He was a mine of worldly and other worldly knowledge. People believed that he was the incarnation of Dakshinamoorthy. It was the good fortune of Madhava to have had him as his teacher, and he earned his good will.

There was another piece of good luck awaiting him at Kanchi. That was the friendship of Venkatanatharya, Sudarshana Bhatta and Akshobhya Teertha, stalwarts in the Dwaita system.

During his childhood Madhava felt that he was born to achieve great things. He 'felt that he was not born just to get educated, to marry, beget children and to meet his end as usual like others.

His life had been shaped by teachers like Bharatikrishna. Shankarananda and Srikanthanatha. His ability had been greatly perfected by his teachers. He had patriotism, firmness, and service mindedness. Practical sense, tolerance towards other religions. Righteousness, political awareness and the desire to work for the good of the world.

The Desire of His Heart

Madhava was troubled by one particular idea on the day he was blessed by his teacher: 'I must try to remove the dangers which Hinduism and its culture are facing in South India. I must establish a kingdom in the Kannada soil by the grace of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, I must found a kingdom in the South and drive out all invaders. There is nothing greater than tapas to fulfil my ambition. Therefore I must worship Bhuvaneshwari and receive her blessings,' he thought. When he shared his desire with his teacher he said: "Child, you are not an ordinary man. You are born to perform a great deed. You will serve and save the land and the language." He then bade him farewell.

In this way Madhavacharya and his brothers spent the days at Kanchi and returned to Pampakshetra. They had taken the responsibility of looking after their mother and sister. Madhava was able to marry off his sister Singala, who had come of age, to a suitable young man. He married Vaitihotri, daughter of Veetihotri. He had been working as a priest to earn a living. Besides, he earned a little by teaching. But there was no peace of mind for him in this kind of living. He was discontented.

Again and again the ideal which he had declared before his teacher Vidyateertha beckoned to him.

Calamity at Srirangam

There was no sign of joy on the faces of devotees who had assembled at the temple of Sri Ranganatha Swamy at Srirangam. Every one feared the worst and did not know how to avert the impending danger.

The pilgrims who had come to the temple had just heard that Mallik Kafur, the general of the Delhi Sultan Allauddin Khilji, was advancing with a large army to plunder the riches of the temple of Srirangam.

Srirangam was an ancient place of pilgrimage for the Hindus. The temple had three or four enclosures and was surrounded by a strong fort. There was neither the necessary army nor the weapons to protect it. The citizens had assembled in the temple to plan for the defense of the town and its sacred temple. One of them suggested that the valuables should be transported to a safer place. Some one suggested that they should fight till the end to protect the town, the temple and its valuable jewels.

Defence

The discussion made Venkatanatharya who was present there very unhappy. He was at the moment thinking of how to save the invaluable treasure: the idol of Sri Ranganatha Swamy. After a great deal of discussion, at the suggestion of Venkatanatharya, they decided to cover the sacred place of worship and build a new place of worship resembling the old one in all respects in order to save the original idol of Ranganatha Swamy from   destruction. They also decided to remove the valuable Jewelry and the other idols used in the processions to Tirupati and conceal them there and thus save the wealth of the temple.

When they were thus engaged in self-protection and defense of the town and the temple, the army of Mallik Kafur invaded the town like a whirlwind.  Hundreds of residents were killed in battle and thousands were wounded.

Venkatanatharya

At this critical moment Venkatanatharya, along with his friend Sudarshana Bhatta, was engaged in saving the valuable library.

Venkatanatharya was also called Vedanta Deshika. He hailed from a place called Satyamangala. He had come to Srirangam on a visit to his friend, Sudarshana Bhatta. It was at that moment that the invasion took place most unexpectedly. He came to the help of other residents in the sacred duty of defending the town and its temple. The invaders plundered the temple, they mutilated the imitation idol of God Sri Ranganatha, looted all the available valuables and returned satisfied. During this time Venkatanatharya and Sudarshana Bhatta concealed the valuable books in the sands on the banks of Cauvery and lay concealed for the whole night in a bush on the bank of the river.

People who Lost Hope

Venkatanatharya was not the same person after he saw the razing of Srirangam. He had seen the vandalism of enemies. What surprised him was that people were not roused to any kind of activity even after this threat to their religion and culture. They were still inactive and full of apathy, The rulers who were supposed to protect the honor and lives of their subjects were selfish, lustful and miserly. Mallik Kafur had erected a pillar of victory at Rameshwaram as a symbol of his Victory. He had appointed his Governors at all places he had conquered and returned to Delhi with great wealth.

Sudarshana Bhatta at Srirangam, Venkatanatharya at Satyamangala and Madhavacharya at Pampakshetra were helpless. They did not know what to do.

Battle-cry of Fearlessness

Madhavacharya heard all about how the invading army had plundered Srirangam. His blood boiled when he heard the details of their inhuman and uncivilized conduct during the invasion. He came to Srirangam and made Enquirer about Sudarshana Bhatta. He could not find him. Then he went to Satyamangala to see Venkat- natharya. Madhavacharya asked him about the whereabouts of Sudarshana Bhatta.

He replied: "There is no news of him lately. It is said that he died of shock. It is not surprising also. Only people like me who have not died are sinners. I do not know what worse things are in store for us to see."

Madhavacharya said: "Deshika, what a source of courage and hope you were when you were young! Why are you crying now like a coward? Where are your fearlessness and courage? Where is your self-confidence?"

Deshika replied: "You would have understood my condition if you had witnessed what I witnessed at Srirangam It is a nightmare for me. I can never 
forget it."

"What do you want to do now?"

"I am resolved to rouse the common man from his sleep and inactivity. I am also firm in my decision to devote my life to the cause of our nation and its reconstruction. With this object in view I have composed a war song called 'The Song of Fearlessness' (Abheetistava).

He then produced the manuscript of that poem before MadhavaCharya. It was a composition of verses (in Sanskrit) which aimed at rousing the people to activity and courage from state cowardice and hopelessness into which they had fallen after the invasion of Mallik Kafur.

The Aim of Life Made Clear

Madhavacharya read it, read it again and again. His eyes brightened A firmness appeared on his face. He addressed Venkatanatharya and said, "My good friend, the holy purpose for which I had come is fulfilled today. I understood the goal of my life. By composing the Poem on fearlessness, you have taught me the goal of my life. I am indebted to you." He saluted him, with his eyes full of tears of joy.

Both friends reminisced about happy days of their childhood. In particular they enjoyed recalling their student days under Sarvajna Vishnu Sharma, at his academy. They felt sorry for the unhappy condition of the country. They discussed about their duty to the country in those days of hardship and indecision. They also discussed ways and means of removing ignorance and fear that were prevalent and to begin an era of hope and courage in the country. It was a decisive stage in the history of Karnataka.

Will the Divine Architect Arrive?

The political conditions in the South were very bad. The people had become spineless. The Hindus were so fear- stricken that they were afraid of protesting against injustice. The rulers were conducting themselves in me most unbecoming way. They were plundering the temples.

But there was no united protest anywhere. There was need for a leader who could inspire the people to fight for ideals like love for the country, their religion and culture. The country was waiting for the appearance of a leader who could unite the people for the sake of those ideals. An architect of divine stature was needed who could infuse courage and hope into the hearts of the people by his admirable character.

People of Karnataka had shown their courage by conquering the whole of South India and ruling over it in past. Dynasties like Gangas, Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas, Kadambas and Hoysalas had shone in the history of Karnataka like jewels in the c of Bhuvaneshwari; they had taken literature, music, art and architecture great heights.

Loyalty to Religion; Welfare State

Times had changed. There were many changes among the ruling class at the Delhi Court.

The Khilji dynasty had made room for the Tughlaqs. Mohammad Bin Tughlaq had occupied the throne after causing the murder of his father. The kingdoms in the South owed allegiance to him only nominally. But everywhere there was misrule.

It was at this juncture that Madhavacharya wished to lay a firm foundation for a stable empire. He wanted the empire to be founded on the principles of loyalty to religion and welfare of the people so that the citizens could live in peace. He wanted to infuse a spirit of self-respect and fearlessness into the hearts of people who had lost their self-respect and were unable to protest against injustice. He did not get help and co-operation for this task from any king or administrator.

Every one who heard of his dream of such a state ignored it, as it was difficult to make it a reality. Madhavacharya waited eagerly. He had no wealth and no support of the people. But he had confidence that this task would be performed. He knew that by the grace of God and the blessing of his teacher this task would be accomplished. He thought that a task like this could not be achieved without the accumulation of the merit earned by tapas. Therefore he bade good-bye to his worldly ties of family and decided to undertake austerities.

The Ascetic

Having decided to perform tapas, Madhavacharya went in search of a suitable place. He traveled in many parts of the country and came back to Pampakshetra. By this time his mother had passed away. His wife also had died prematurely. Fate had freed him from the family ties. There was nothing left in the family to tie him to the world. He devoted his life to the service of his motherland.

One day, after worshipping at the temple of Virupaksha of Pampakshetra, Madhava- charya came to the banks of Tungabhadra and rested under the shade of a tree for sometime. He dozed off for a while. There was an indefinable feeling of joy in him. The anxiety and sorrow which were present in his mind so far had disappeared. 

He opened his eyes for a moment and looked around. Nature was pleasant here. Tungabhadra appeared to be dancing as she flowed in the midst of mountains and forests. The golden rays of the sun glowed on the waves in the river. The trees in the forest stood tall concealing the sky above them.

As he sat there his sorrow disappeared and light seemed to fill his mind. He bathed in the river and sat under the tree in 'Padmasana' (the 'lotus' posture) and meditated.

Holiest of the Holy Places

It was famous as a holy place. During the puranic days Pampambika sat in tapas at Hemakoota in order to earn the grace of Parameshwara and had succeeded in her effort. Anjanadevi bore her son Anjaneya to Vayu at Anjanadri here. It was here that Rama and Sugreeva became friends, Rama killed Vali and the Kishkindha kingdom was given to Sugreeva. Thus Pampakshetra had become famous as a place where ambitious people could attain what they wished.

Besides, the place was famous as the land of heroes. It is said that once a hunter came there hunting, and his dogs were chased away by the deer. It was also famous as a lapped of warriors. It was supposed to be the land where heroism and fighting spirit had been embodied in men and women born there.

It was at this place hallowed by the sacred river Tungabhadra and made holy by the temple dedicated to Virupaksha that Madhavacharya decided to sit in tapas.

Gradually his tapas became severe. At first he ate only roots and fruits, then he gave up even that and lived on water. In the final stage be lived only by air. These tapas went on for twelve years. But the Goddess on whom he meditated did not appear before him.

His body had become thin on account of his austere tapas. But there was the effulgence and strength derived from tapas on his face and in his limbs. He did not feel the pangs of hunger and thirst nor did he feel tired. His mind was concentrated on Bhuvaneshwari. He was supremely satisfied.

Let Your Auspicious Presence Be Ever Present in Me
In order to test Madhavacharya, Bhuvaneshwari came in the form of terrible heat, storm, rain, lightning, fire and huge floods. But Madhavacharya's firmness was least affected by any of these forces and his mind was firm. In the end Bhuvanesh- wari appeared before him as a mother hearkening to the cry of her infant.

Mother Bhuvaneshwari addressed Madhavacharya and said, "Child, I am pleased with your austere tapas. Get up from your tapas. Ask what you want." Her voice was sweet and full of love.

Madhavacharya opened his eyes and saw the auspicious face of his Goddess. His eyes were brimming with tears of joy. With folded hands he prayed, "Mother, what is there which you do not know? After seeing you, I do not feel the need to ask for anything worldly. Give me faith, wisdom and renunciation. Grant that your auspicious figure will always reside in my heart."

I Cannot Wait till My Next Birth

You will remedy the deplorable condition of karnatakja, said goddess bhuvaneswari to MadhvacharyaBhuvaneshwari said, "Child, I know what you are longing for. From today you will be a master of all knowledge and its branches and you will be called Vidyaranya in future. You will remedy the deplorable condition of Karnataka. You will do well to the world. But..."

"Why mother? Do you doubt it?"

"Child, you cannot achieve it during this lifetime.,,

"Mother, I cannot wait till my next birth," pleaded Madhavacharya with the Goddess.

"In that case, you must renounce this world and become a monk," the Goddess said.

"Yes, I shall take the vow of a saint right now," said Madhavacharya.

Bhuvaneshwari smiled and said, "So be it. Your wish will be fulfilled" anddisappeared.

The Vow of a Saint

Madhavacharya, took the vow of a saint and saffron robes from Bharati Krishnateertha of Sringeri and was named Vidyaranya.

He was now middle-aged. He used to get up early in the morning. He bathed in Tungabhadra, came to the temple of Virupaksha and after worshipping at the temple, he came to his hermitage and engaged himself in studies and religious discourses. All his time was spent in this way and he was regular like a clock. He waited for the coming of the Man of Destiny who would establish the empire.

Years rolled by. There was no sign of his ambition getting fulfilled. Every night before going to bed he wept like a child and prayed with eyes full of tears, "Mother, one more day is wasted.

How many more days are you going to test?"

The Dawn

At last one day, like sunrise in the sky, two handsome youths appeared before him. They rode on horses. Tired from the journey, they entered the hermitage of Vidyaranya. They saw the saint and prostrated at his feet.

They were both about thirty or thirty-five years of age. They appeared to be brothers. There was the stamp of royalty and dignity in their bearing. Since Vidyaranya was waiting for the arrival of the Man of Destiny, he felt that the man had arrived at last. He welcomed them with affection.

The youths said, 'Gurudeva, we are blessed by meeting you. The clouds of darkness which hung over our life have cleared with this blessed meeting. Bless us and save us."

We are Hakka and Bukka

Vidyaranya asked them, "Who are you? What are your names? Tell me without hesitation why you have come here."

The elder of the youths said, "Gurudeva, we are brothers. My name is Harihara (Hakka). My brother's name is Bukkaraya (Bukka). We were once the rulers of this land. We have lost all and are now wandering without a place to claim as our own."

These youths were the sons of Sangama Deva. He was the son-in-law of Kampila Raya, King of Kummatadurga. Sangama Deva was the treasurer of the State. Enemies laid siege to Kummatadurga. They killed most of the residents mercilessly. Out of the surviving relatives of the King, eleven were taken prisoners by the soldiers of Mohammad Bin Tughlaq's army and were taken to Delhi. Hakka and Bukka were among the eleven prisoners taken to Delhi.

Later, on account of the bad administration of Tughlaq there was lawlessness in the southern states. In order to suppress it, Tughlaq freed able young prisoners and sent them to the South with his army. It was then that these two young men made use of the opportunity and escaped. They were now at the hermitage of Vidyaranya.

Having heard their story, Vidyaranya gave them shelter. He had come to the decision to build the new empire through these youths.

Anegondi Captured

Mohammad Bin Tughlaq, Sultan of Delhi, had defeated Jambukeshwara Raya, King of Anegondi, and had him imprisoned in his own palace. He had appointed Mallik Nayab as his representative to rule over the State.

Hakka and Bukka organised a band of patriotic youths according to the advice of Vidyaranya. They entered the fort of Anegondi very cleverly and took Mallik Nayab prisoner when he was fully drunk. They had freed Anegondi without bloodshed from the enemies. They set free the King and his family. The flag bearing the symbol of Lord Vishnu in his incarnation as Varaha (Boar) was hoisted on the fort of Anegondi.'

Vijayanagara

By making use of the celebration of this victory, Vidyaranya selected a suitable place in Pampakshetra and laid the foundation for a new city named Vidyanagara. At this time he found a hidden treasure. This helped him to build the new State. The common people believed that Vidyaranya prayed to Bhuvaneshwari and made her rain goId fora few hours.

As a fulfillment of the long cherished desire of the people, Vidyaranya laid the foundation for this new city on Thursday, the seventh day of the first half of the month of Vaishakha, during the year Dhatu (1336 A.D.). Hakka and Bukka wanted to name it Mdyanagara' (the city of education). But Vidyaranya named it 'Vijayanagara' (the city of victory).

By the grace of Bhuvaneshwarii the city grew to enormous size and was able to attract travellers from all parts of the world. The city grew to the size of 64 square miles and was the capital of Karnataka for three and a half centuries. As desired by Vidyaranya, Harihara (Hakka) became the king of the new State. Bukkaraya ruled over it after the death of Hakka. Vidyaranya guided the Kings as Prime Minister and Preceptor. Vidyaranya was called the Founder-Preceptor of Karnataka by the people.

Devotee of Sharada, Goddess of Learning

Revered Vidyaranya became the architect who shaped an empire. Though he was the Prime Minister of the State, he remained a saint primarily. He wrote with the help of his brother Sayana a treatise called 'Sarvadarshana Sangraha' which is of great help to scholars.

Once he held a discussion with Akshobhya Teertha, a great scholar, and expressed his respect for his scholarship. He met Akshobhya Teertha's disciple Jayateertha in the cave of Yaragola and came under the influence of his work 'Pramana Lakshana'. He invited Jayateertha to Vijayanagara and took him out in procession on an elephant. Such was the respect he showed to scholars.

Vidyaranya became the twelfth head of Shankaracharya's Sharada Peetha in 1331 A. D. at Sringeri after the passing away of Bharati Krishnateertha. He was the head of the Adwaita Peetha for fifty-five years and attained eternal bliss in 1386 A.D.

Vidyaranya wrote commentaries on the four Vedas and the Upanishads. He enriched the world of learning by writing works like 'Panchadashi, Jeevanmukti Viveka', 'Anubhuti Prakashika, Parashara Madhaveeya', 'Devi Aparadha Stotrd and others. These are celebrated works on Adwaita philosophy. He dealt with the essentials of fifteen Ragas in his 'Sangeeta Sara' and thus became the founder of the Karnataka style of music. It is a classical music.

Guidance

vidyaranya laid the firm foundation of Vijayanagar empire with piety and righteousness as its cornerstones. He guided the kings properly by imparting correct knowledge regarding religion and faith, during the reign of Bukkaraya.

After the death of Harihara, there was a conflict between the Jains and Srivaishnavas of Vijayanagar on account of some difference of opinion. Vidyaranya solved their problem at that time. He advised Bukkaraya to call the leaders of both religions and tell them that there was perfect freedom to all people to follow the tenets of their religion as prescribed in their religious books; he had a royal proclamation issued which became the law of the land. It fostered a feeling of tolerance among different religions in Vijayanagar Empire.

Vidyaranya was a great saint who hard renounced everything. There was a proper blending of both militancy and other worldly approach. After the founding of the Vijayanagar Empire he felt that the mission of his life had been fulfilled. He rid the internal and external enemies, returned to Sringeri and adorned the Sharada Peetha by becoming its chief.

Uncommon Saint

When Vidyaranya breathed his last, he was probably 118 years old. He dedicated his entire life for welfare of the people. And it was his main aim.

What he hated was injustice and tyranny; and what he achieved was fearlessness and willingness on the part of people to respect other religions. Those that wish to serve people must first earn the merit to serve. To achieve anything worthy it is not enough to have strength of muscle only. Along with it we must have purity and loyalty to the cause. Such people should always have before their eyes the ideal of large-heartedness.

Vidyaranya meditated long. He did not ask for personal happiness or power from Bhuvaneshwari. He begged for wisdom and the power to renounce the world. He became a monk. It was not to draw away from human suffering that he became a saint, so that he might reach the highest point of enlightenment. It was to warn the people who had lost the sense of dignity and self-respect so that they might together build a mighty empire. By the time the empire of Vijayanagar was firmly established, he had already adorned the Sringeri Sharada Peetha as its head. He made over the merit of his tapas to the newly founded empire and guided the Kings in the proper administration of the empire. He made the Kings understand that they should administer the State with the sole object of the welfare of the citizens at heart. He guided the people also to give up hatred and jealousy. He gave a very good support for all the learned people. Through this work he also learnt many things. He became the true devotee of Sharada. In reality he was a saint only so far as his personal life was concerned and practiced renunciation, clean life, loyalty and fidelity to his religion. But in public life he joined hands with kings and Common men to work for the welfare of the People.

People of Karnataka have shown their respect for this great saint and founder of Vijayanagar by installing his idol in the temple of Virupaksha in Pampakshetra (modern Hampe).

Even today we can see this statue of Vidyaranya in the temple of Virupaksha at Hampe.