Everybody in this world is looking for true happiness. The search translates itself into forays in many acquisitive directions – money, physical enjoyment, relationships, information-based knowledge, recognition, fame etc. A common realization is that happiness gained through these pursuits is transitory and disappears soon. Eventually, one is left tired and exhausted. This, often futile, search is the fate and also the dilemma of common man. Of course, through this long process of trial and error, spanning many life times, some men, having exhausted available options, start wondering if it is wise to look for happiness in the outside world. They start entertaining serious questions about the essence and purpose of human existence. In due course, such men turn into seekers and become ready for the ultimate journey – the journey within to discover the Self – the source of eternal joy.
Normally, one associates God or the Self with the functions of creation (shrishti), maintenance (sthiti) and dissolution (vilaya). One thinks of the Self as absolute energy with infinite power and intelligence. It not only gives birth to this creation but also maintains it and will eventually dissolve it. After dissolution, this energy will still exist and undertake further cycles of creation, maintenance and dissolution.
The Shiva Sutras say – Atma Nartakah – this creation is one with the Self and is the dance of the Self (Atma). How true! Dance is the only art form, where the art and the artist are inseparable. Despite this oneness of the Self (Atma) and the creation, what we see around us is a world of separates – multitudes of forms and attributes, each different from the other.
We do not see the underlying thread of the energy of the Self. Why? This is because the Self has concealed itself in the heart of every being or thing. This is the fourth function of God – concealment (nigraha). God will be revealed only if this concealment were to be removed. This removal is the fifth function. It is called grace (anugraha). By His grace alone, one is granted the sight to directly experience the Truth, as it is. God has delegated the function of grace to the Guru.
In the present age, the human mind is exceedingly sharp and skilled. Also, there is an explosion of information; tips on any subject can be gleaned within no time from the internet with one click of a mouse. So, it is easy for men of intellect to question the need for a Guru. But, experience shows - knowledge is not knowing. Knowledge is information and precedent based. Knowing is intuitive and experiential. A simple example illustrates this point. One may take many video lessons about how to swim. But, this does not serve much purpose. One has to jump into a pool and start thrashing his arms and legs in water. Only then, there is a possibility that he will pick up the skill of swimming. If he were to find a good coach, he will be able to refine the skill and overcome handicaps very easily. Knowledge can at best be supportive (sahayak). It can never be decisive (vidhayak). Guru is one who not only imparts knowledge but helps convert it into knowing.
In spirituality, the Guru is a Siddha, a perfected being unshakably established in the Truth by the grace of his Master in an unbroken chain of disciplic succession. Siddhas have the unique ability to awaken a seeker to experience of the divine through the mysterious initiation of Shaktipat Diksha – the descent of energy. A charge of Master’s energy enters the disciple. It is a great moment. The disciple’s spiritual energy is awakened. This initiation makes one a dwija (twice born). One receives his physical body through his parents. Through initiation, the Guru gives him another birth. The physical body remains the same. But, the flow of awareness changes its direction – from outside to inside. It marks the beginning of an irreversible process of inner transformation and sadhana that will eventually turn the disciple into a Guru one day.
Transmission of ‘knowing’ from the Guru happens in a very mysterious manner. Initially, a person approaching the Guru may be a keen student. A student essentially looks for academic knowledge from the Guru. He analyses the Guru’s teachings and compares them with those of his own belief systems. Such a student receives very little from the Guru. However, the student may be charmed by the magnetic personality of the Guru and a relationship of trust may begin to build between the two. Now, the student starts putting the teachings of the Guru into practice.
This is how a student turns into a disciple. As discipleship grows, his practice deepens and becomes more intense. He is no longer interested in mere academics. Another change takes place. He gets utterly fascinated by the Guru. He loves to hang around the Guru, soak in his presence. He watches every action of the Guru intently. He is not so much interested in what the Guru does. He more interested in how the Guru does things – how the Guru walks, how the Guru eats his food, how the Guru holds a flower, how the Guru handles questions, how the Guru treats visitors. These moments of intense observation bring the disciple very close to Guru mentally and he begins to receive a lot from him.
As the ultimate flowering, the disciple turns into a devotee. Now, physical nearness to the Guru is not necessary at all. No matter how far away the Guru is, the disciple is continuously absorbed in the thoughts of his Guru. The Guru is his constant inner companion. He sees the Guru in everyone he meets. He considers every situation in his life to be the handiwork of the Guru. There is an inner communion with the Guru. This is a great occurrence. Now, the Guru empties himself fully into the devotee. He walks like the Guru. He talks like the Guru. He becomes the Guru.
Shri Thakur Sitaram Omkarnath and Kinkar Vitthal Ramanuj Maharaj are Siddha Masters from a great lineage that has not only harmonised the streams of bhakti (devotion) and gnan (knowledge) but has also transformed innumerable lives by imparting naam (the Holy Name). They are living embodiments of the eternal principles of Sanatan Dharma that resonate in and find harmony with teachings of all faiths. It is in this lineage that Shri Raj Supe (Kinkar Vishwashreyananda), a perfect disciple and ‘manas putra’ of Shri Vitthal Ramanuj Maharaj, has received rigorous training to become a worthy torch bearer for Omkarnath Movement.
Kinkar Vitthal Ramanuj Maharaj went to UK on a two month long visit to impart the teachings of Shri Thakur Sitaram Omkarnath. Shri Raj Supe accompanied him as his close companion and assistant. Also, as Omkanath Movement’s representative, it was Shri Supe’s responsibility to speak to various congregations. “Pilgrim of the SKY” is an account of happenings during those two months. One sees all persons and events through the sensitive vision of Shri Raj Supe, who does not miss even the smallest detail.
“Pilgrim of the SKY” is no ordinary account. It brings out the greatness of Vitthal Maharaj – his immense humility, his compassion towards everyone, his acceptance of everything around him and his great insights. One can see how Vitthal Maharaj is totally surrendered to his Guru, Thakur Sitaram Onkarnath as effortlessly quotes gem after gem from the latter’s utterances to give convincing answers to intriguing questions. Maharaj’s words of advice on various topics – comparing one Guru with the other, recognising and abiding by the intrinsic teachings of all prophets, internal and external worship, connecting to one’s own Guru, secret of seva (service to humanity), sanyas (as smyak nyas), consumption of prasad (food items offered to God or received from the Guru), commitment to intense self-effort rather than just depending upon grace – kindle true understanding that will steady any distracted mind. What strikes most is the universality of approach of Vitthal Maharaj, which no one will have any issues with.
At another level, this book is about inner growth of Shri Raj Supe. He provides a frank view of how Vitthal Maharaj helped him recognize certain distracting tendencies, he needed to work on. As the book shows, the required work is done. It results in the ultimate flowering of Shri Supe through the sublime initiation (diksha) of Maha-Shaktipat through Shri Thakur’s Padukas. Shri Raj Supe becomes Kinkar Vishwashreyananda and receives the authority to spearhead Omkarnath Movement. The final culmination comes in the momentous revelation of Siddha Kundalini Yoga (SKY). Born out a Siddha’s samkalpa (intention), SKY is sure to bring similar flowering in the lives of so many others, bringing about a great spiritual revolution.
To conclude, this book is no different from the Guru or his instructions. As such, it is permeated with the Guru’s subtle vibrations. Reading the book is Sat-sanga (the company of the Truth). This will surely plant and nurture seeds of discipleship amongst many. The readers will find their lives changing for the better in many miraculous ways.
Before parting, I must offer my humble salutations to the Guru Principle. I choose to do this through the following verse of Shri Guru Gita:
Mannathah Shri Jagannathah
Madguruh Sri-Jagadguruh,
Mamatma Sarvabhutatma
Tasmai Shri Gurave Namah.
Jai Guru.
There is a background to the above post that I feel like sharing with my readers.
ReplyDeleteMr Raj Supe (Spiritual name: Kinkar Vishwashreyananda) is a saint, currently based in Rishikesh. I met him a few years ago through a friend, who was a professor at St Xaviers at Mumbai. The association with Mr Supe has been hugely beneficial for me. On one occasion, my Guru's Guru, Baba Muktananda, chose Shri Supe as a channel to convey certain instructions to me.
In 2010, Shri Supe authored a book titled - Pilgrim of the SKY. It is a heart warming account of three months, Mr Supe spent in UK, travelling with his Guru, Vitthal Maharaj. Somehow, Mr Supe insisted that I should write the preface to the book. I was reluctant to do so. But, Mr Supe did not give up. Eventually, I wrote something and sent to him just two days before the book went into the press for printing. The above post is a copy this preface.
I got a very pleasant surprise, when a month or so after the publication of the book, Mr Supe wrote to me to tell me that Vittal Maharaj had liked the preface. This was a reward, far beyond any expectation that I might have had from my writing.
Those interested can get a copy of the "Pilgrim of the Sky" from Leadstart Publishing by contacting them at gangadhar.menon@leadstartcorp.com
Respected Sir,
ReplyDeleteThe preface is truely a pleasent voyage which gives the experience of spritual journey, from the germination of spritual quest to its fruition.
The difference between knowledge and knowing and the subtle distinction amongst student,disciple and devotee is something beyond the thought capacity of a common minds...
Heartfelt gratitude and salutations for providing such insight.