In this talk, Swamiji glorifies the most sublime of all relationships – that of the Guru and Shishya. Just as for objective learning one goes to the academic centers and learns from the teachers, in the subjective knowledge also, to attain fulfillment and harmony, one has to go to a Guru with total surrender and humility.
In the Guru Parampara tradition, the Knowledge is wholesomely transmitted by the Guru to make the shishya like himself. The disciple surrenders with his mind and heart to the Guru and gains the trust of the Guru, who takes the shishya on the journey within. Thus, the Guru helps the Shishya discover the goal of life, by removing all his ignorance and realize the infinitude dimension of the Subject Presence within, through comprehensive discussions, and critical evaluations.
The Guru-Shishya relationship is in tune with the infinite harmony. It is very important for the shishya to surrender to the Guru and be completely attuned to the Guru and consider it as the greatest fortune and blessing of his life.
Shlokas Chanted in the Track:
स्वीयं साम्यं विधत्ते भवति निरुपमः तेन वाऽलौकिकोऽपि ।।
(Shatashloki 1)
यतो वाचो निवर्तन्ते। अप्राप्य मनसा सह।
(Taittiriya Upanishad 2.4.1)
PR 26 Aug 2016
The subject of Guru-Shishya relationship is discussed in this track. When the enquiry dawns in the mind about the world, life and oneself, one goes in search of a Guru.
The Guru guides the seeker in the spiritual path, by initiating him. This relationship between the Guru and shishya is sublime and holy and the seeker must make sincere efforts to preserve it.
Spiritual Sadhana consists of three important limbs. There are three items which have to be abandoned/ sublimated–desire, possessiveness and ego. Swamiji says that the ego has to be made flexible. Resistance to Guru’s words or instructions is self-defeating for a sadhaka. Guru-shishya relationship is very sublime but one with a strong ego victimizes his own mind by its rigid standards and options.
Shlokas Chanted in the Track:
विहाय कामान्यः सर्वान् पुमांश्चरति निःस्पृहः ।
निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः स शान्तिमधिगच्छति ।।
Bhagavad Gita 2.71
मुनिः प्रसन्नगम्भीरो दुर्विगाह्यो दुरत्ययः |
अनन्तापारो ह्यक्षोभ्यः स्तिमितोद इवार्णवः ||
Srimad Bhagavatam – 11.8.5
PR 17 Mar 2013
What does Swamiji expect from his disciples? In this talk, Swamiji speaks on this subject.
A teacher imparts the best knowledge to a student. He expects the student to have receptivity, absorb whatever he is being told. The student may have doubts, but he should raise the questions in a very humble and proper manner. Raising questions is an important part in the dialogue. From the questions and enquiries, the Guru would understand how much the disciple is doing his sadhana.
Spiritual wisdom seen in the guru can be imbibed only by fondness one has for the Guru. Fondness makes the disciple an heir to the Guru. Wherever the seeker is, he must be completely wedded to the greatness of spiritual wisdom. One’s mind and intelligence must be given to spiritual enrichment. Close contact and association with the Guru, helps a shishya absorb the qualities he sees in the Guru.
A seeker must wholeheartedly participate in his Guru’s mission of knowledge dissemination. Swamiji urges everyone to ensure that their merits, skills and attunement develop, so that there is a wholesome personality development.
PR 23 May 2012
Swamiji speaks about Brahmavidya Deeksha that he gives to seekers. It is the same Deeksha he got from his guru, Baba. His proximity with Baba strengthened his aspiration for dispassion, to know the truth and live by it.
Swamiji emphasizes the importance of living in the company of the guru. If a seeker wants to know his defects and improve, the only way is to live with the Guru.
Guru bhakti and Guru-Sanga are the only means that can change the inner mind, intelligence and ego. Only in the association of the Guru one will know how to live with Brahmavidya perfection. The mystery of the inner personality will be revealed only in the company of the Guru.
Shlokas Chanted in the Track:
सुहृन्मित्रार्युदासीनमध्यस्थद्वेष्यबन्धुषु ।
साधुष्वपि च पापेषु समबुद्धिर्विशिष्यते ।।
Bhagavad Gita 6.9
PR 22 Feb 2017
Interaction and association with the Guru is crucial for a seeker, says Swamiji. The Guru or teacher has the capacity to guide the seeker, and to remove the last doubt in his mind. This guidance will be necessary from a Sadguru, who has realized the truth.
And the seeker, on his part, must be able to develop an unflinching reliance, fondness and restfulness on such a teacher. If this takes place, the seeker fulfills himself and flourishes extremely well in the spiritual path.
Shlokas chanted in the Track:
योगिनो बिभ्यति ह्यस्मादभये भयदर्शिन:।।
Gaudapada Karika 3.39
PR 16 May 2012
Guru Bhakti is most essential in spiritual quest, in order to harness the infinite potential, possibilities and magnitude of the mind. This is the truth that has been progressively disseminated from the ancient times. Swamiji stresses that the Guru who is a Knower of Truth and exponent of the Scriptures, gives the directions to the shishyas, not as mere academic knowledge, but as an experiential truth.
This same knowledge infused mental purity and potential in the mind of Arjuna in the Kurukshetra war. Guru Bhakti is even more potent than Ishwara Bhakti, for infusing psychological sufficiency, inner abundance and fulfillment. The Guru, who is a Knower of Truth, guides all spiritual aspirants to live a life of inner enrichment through experiential Vedanta.
Shlokas chanted in the Track:
प्रत्यक्षावगमं धर्म्यं सुसुखं कर्तुमव्ययम् ।।
Bhagavad Gita 9.2
PR 24 July 2012
This is a special message given by Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha, on the request from a Brahmacharini, for the birthday of Ma Gurupriya.
After Swami Nirviseshananda and Ma Gurupriya came to Narayanashrama Tapovanam, Kerala, their Guru Bhakti, Guru Seva in Guru Sannidhi, reflected great elegance and a personalized touch, as practiced in the North, considering the Guru as a Living God and serving Him like a Living Deity. Swamiji shares very touching, personal anecdotes of Ma’s Guru Seva rendered with utmost purity and devotion.
Swamiji declares that both Swami Nirviseshananda and Ma Gurupriya have grown to such a magnificent dimension, by their Seva. Swamiji urges all present in the Ashram, to take the messages from Ma Gurupriya’s devotional life and live in mutual love and harmony with all.
PR 21 Aug 2018
In this talk, Swamiji addresses students who had come for a Sadhana Retreat to Narayanashrama Tapovanam, Kerala. Swamiji, expresses that he is not freely expressing His love, fondness and endearment to the students, as they are not open with their thoughts and emotions to him.
It is not possible for the Guru to expose the Truth, with no restrictions, if the students have restraints, rigidities and fear in thinkings that prevent them from not laying their mind open, despite coming and living with the Guru for a prolonged time. Sharing openly with the Guru makes the inner personality expansive. One should go to a Guru only to lay his mind open before him, so that he can read it very well and tell the student which are the areas in which he should improve.
PR 20 May 2011
In this talk, Swamiji recounts his life’s journey, which led him to the grandeur of Sannyasa. All blood relations were dropped, to expand into a higher supra-worldly relation, which is the Source of all relations.
Swamiji describes his life of joy, pleasantness, sincerity, zeal, beauty and fulfillment. Despite several challenges, criticisms and adversities, he being in total harmony with the Eternal Truth, treats every hurdle only like a bouquet of flowers.
Swamiji describes his natural fondness for all, with no attachments, with no conflicts or disharmony. He describes the natural course of his life of over 65 years, as a Knower of Truth, disseminating The Knowledge of the Soul, through the Scriptures and living freely and joyfully, completely balanced. He says that this great treasure has been possible only because of his own Guru, saying that living in the company of a Guru is a great blessing and has great value.
Shlokas chanted in the Track:
श्रवणायापि बहुभिर्यो न लभ्यः
श्रृण्वन्तोऽपि बहवो यं न विद्युः ।
आश्चर्यो वक्ता कुशलोऽस्य लब्धा
आश्चर्यो ज्ञाता कुशलानुशिष्टः ।।
Kathopanishad 1.2.7
आश्चर्यवत्पश्यति कश्चिदेनमाश्चर्यवद्वदति तथैव चान्यः ।।
आश्चर्यवच्चैनमन्यः श्रृणोति श्रुत्वाप्येनं वेद न चैव कश्चित् ।।
Bhagavad Gita 2.29
PR 29 Aug 2017
Poojya Swamiji speaks about the prerequisites, qualifications and traits for seeking the supreme truth. To seek and know the supreme truth is to have a glorious gain in our life.
Swamiji speaks of the aspiration for liberation – mumukshutva. Liberation is an inevitable factor for our life in this world. If we want to live freely, comfortably, ready to assimilate any worldly impacts as well as ready to generate outputs for performing in any field and achieving the maximum, we must have a spatial mind. The mind must be free of all constrictions.
Even if we have a low degree of the aspiration for freedom, we can enhance it by generating more dispassion. Through dispassion, the aspiration becomes more and more enhanced and powerful, more deep and profound, provided we have the blessing and benediction of the Guru.
Mumukshutva is an important factor, even if it’s low and mediocre. By Shama and dispassion, and the blessing, guidance of a Guru, it will grow and bear fruit.
Shlokas chanted in the Track:
मन्दमध्यमरूपाणि वैराग्येण शमादिना ।
प्रसादेन गुरोः सेयं प्रवृद्धा सूयते फलम् ।।
Vivekachudamani 28
मनुष्यत्वं मुमुक्षत्वं महापुरुषसंश्रयः ।।
Vivekachudamani 3
वैराग्येण शमादिना प्रसादेन गुरोः सेयं प्रवृद्धा सुयते फलम्
Swamiji addresses a very pertinent question posed by a devotee about what should be done once they have taken initiation or Deeksha. Firstly, we must feel from the depth of our hearts that we are an initiated disciple. How much Guru bhakti we have, in addition to the value we give to Brahmavidya Deeksha and pursuit, will determine the quality of our spiritual life.
Nothing should be a hindrance to our pursuit. This sadhana should be the only focus and we must do nominal participation in other activities. A seeker must follow certain codes of life, like straightforwardness, truthfulness, honesty etc.
Good qualities will creep into us, thrills, exhilaration will all materialize depending on the intensity of our sadhana and the Guru bhakti we display.
Shlokas chanted in the Track:
अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जनाः पर्युपासते ।
तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम् ।।
Bhagavad Gita 9.22
Swamiji speaks about the post Deeksha life in this wonderful talk. Reflecting on his early years, he speaks of his Gurudev, meeting and observing whom brought about a lot of knowledge, enlightenment and inspiration. Dispassion was strong in Swamiji’s mind, and he observed his Gurudev’s day to day mannerisms and behavior intently.
Swamiji was initiated by his Guru and took to sadhana with the fullness of his heart, faith and complete refuge, wanting nothing more. Taking Deeksha is the last thing in human life, and one should want nothing more. We must replace everything in life with the Deeksha and sadhana. The mantra and anusandhana must be the same wherever we go. The mind must only have the mantra. In order to imbibe the good and eliminate the bad, this sadhana is the only way. Once we meet a Guru, our life should change.
One should be inspired by the shastras. Paurasha or self-effort is a must in order to grow and evolve. There is nothing called Daiva, it’s all man’s own effort.
Deeksha is the crowning fulfillment of human life, and we must learn to cherish it, rely upon it and preserve it. One must be connected to one’s own sadhana and consider the mind responsible for everything. This makes our life meaningful purposeful and beneficial.
We all have the same mind intelligence and ego, and the soul is uniformly present. We realize we are full and complete by the very fact of our birth and this realization happens through a Guru in our life.
Shlokas chanted in the Track:
इह चेदवेदीदथ सत्यमस्ति
न चेदिहावेदीन्महती विनष्टिः ।
Kenopanishad 2.5
PR 18 Jan 2015
Referring to the Mukti Skandha of the Bhagavatam, Swamiji shares the last message of Krishna to Uddhava, a message in which he persuades Uddhava to leave Dwarka and Krishna.
Krishna asks Uddhava to drop all his attachments and leave. Sri Rama was also asked to leave for 14 years of forest exile by Kaikeyi. But Uddhava was not ready, whereas Rama went immediately.
Our mind can take the necessary decisions when required. Fervor and perseverance help keep the mind buoyant. Uddhava being indecisive could not muster the resolve to leave Dwarka and thus Krishna initiated a conversation.
Our mind can be guided inspired and led to do anything. After Krishna’s instructions, while Arjuna picked the bow and fought, Uddhava dropped everything and left.
The purpose of the narration is to understand the lofty dimensions of our mind. Uddhava Gita and Bhagavad Gita enable us to introspect within ourselves and work on our thought process and take the mind higher.
PR 18 Apr 2013
Swamiji says that meeting the Guru for the first time and the contact with the Guru, is the most important thing for a seeker of Truth. If one has struck a relationship with the Sadguru, he will be the first and last person to think of his disciple’s welfare. There will be a very natural and irresistible thought and concern in the mind of the Guru for his shishya.
When a seeker goes to the Guru, he seeks the Knowledge of the Self. In addition to the Supreme knowledge, he will also want to discuss how to interact in the world and how to live life without any stress.
Contact with the Guru must be wholesome and special. The disciple must be completely open and straightforward with the Guru. The intimacy with the Guru grows when the disciple is fully open in front of his beloved Guru.
Is it necessary to have a Guru? Swamiji answers this commonly asked question very clearly. The Guru explains Brahmavidya to the disciple, gives deeksha which the seeker can practice. That practice will purify his mind and heart and enlighten his intelligence and he will be able to realize the truth in his own heart.
A seeker of Truth may have a goal in mind but he is, usually, not clear about the path he should take. A Guru is one who will be able to guide him in this path. So, the guidance of a Guru is vital in the Spiritual path.
Shlokas Chanted in the Track:
शौनको ह वै महाशालोऽङ्गिरसं विधिवदुपसन्नः पप्रच्छ ।
कस्मिन्नु भगवो विज्ञाते सर्वमिदं विज्ञातं भवतीति ।।
(Mundakopanishad 1.1.3)
तदेतत्सत्यं मन्त्रेषु कर्माणि कवयो
(Mundakopanishad 1.2.1)
परीक्ष्य लोकान् कर्मचितान् ब्राह्मणो निर्वेदमायान्नास्त्यकृत: कृतेन ।
तद्विज्ञानार्थं स गुरुमेवाभिगच्छेत् समित्पाणि: श्रोत्रियं ब्रह्मनिष्ठम् ।।
(Mundakopanishad 1.2.12)
प्रोवाच तां तत्त्वतो ब्रह्मविद्याम् |
(Mundakopanishad 1.2.13)
अज्ञश्चाश्रद्दधानश्च संशयात्मा विनश्यति |
नायं लोकोऽस्ति न परो न सुखं संशयात्मन: ||
(Bhagavad Gita 4.40)
मुक्तिमिच्छसि चेत्तात विषयान् विषवत्त्यज।
क्षमार्जवदयातोषसत्यं पीयूषवद्भज।।
(Ashtāvakra Samhita 1.2)
PR 15 June 2018
In this short message, Poojya Swamiji speaks about the three kinds of Deeksha (initiation) in Spirituality. He explains śāmbava Deeksha which is the highest of all forms of deekshas in which the Guru creates a kind of a spiritual influence and vibration in the seeker.
He conveys a spiritual influence to the seeker by means of three processes–through sight, touch and words. Through his words, he will convey the presence of the soul, the need for realizing it, and what are the qualities one must have in order to realize this truth.
Shlokas chanted in the talk:
दर्शनात्स्पर्शनाच्छब्दात्कृपया शिष्यदेहके ।
जनयेद्यः समावेशं शांभवं स हि देशिकः ।।
(Yogavasishta Ramayanam, Nirvana Prakarana Poorvardham 6.128.61)
न कर्मणा न प्रजया धनेन त्यागेनैके अमृतत्वमानशुः ।
(Kaivalyopanishad 1.3)
उत्तिष्ठत जाग्रत प्राप्य वरान्निबोधत ।
क्षुरस्य धारा निशिता दुरत्यया दुर्गं पथस्तत्कवयो वदन्ति ।।
(Kathopanishad 1.3.14)
वेदान्तविज्ञानसुनिश्चितार्थाः संन्यासयोगाद् यतयः शुद्धसत्त्वाः।
(Mundakopanishad 3.2.6)
ब्रह्म तत्त्वमसि भावयात्मनि॥
(Vivekachudamani 254)
PR 14 Mar 2017
In this audio, Poojya Swamiji speaks about what Acharyopasana is and how significant it is in the life of a seeker of Truth. Acharya (the teacher) is a vibrant, sentient and articulate God. A seeker has to be in his association with him, absorb and assimilate his teachings.
The worship of an Acharya (Acharyopasana) is in the form of seeking, knowing, interacting with and serving the Guru. In this process a seeker absorbs whatever the Guru says and becomes what the Guru wants him to become.
Shlokas chanted in the talk: अ
शोच्यनन्वशोचस्त्वं प्रज्ञावादांश्च भाषसे ।
गतासूनगतासूंश्च नानुशोचन्ति पण्डिताः ॥
Bhagavad Gita–2.11
अमानित्वमदम्भित्वमहिंसा क्षान्तिरार्जवम् |
आचार्योपासनं शौचं स्थैर्यमात्मविनिग्रह: ||
Bhagavad Gita–13.8
PR 14 Jan 2014
Why should a good seeker have a sadguru? Taking examples from his sadhana life and his relationship with his Guru, Poojya Swamiji tells us how he is unparalleled today only because of that association with the Guru. Swamiji says that to understand jeevanmukti, we need to see a jeevanmukta, else how will we understand it? Without such association, whatever we learn remains theory, or at least there will be a lot of stumbling in the path. A sadguru irons out these obstacles with ease.
Slokas chanted in the track
भिद्यते हृदयग्रन्थिः छिद्यन्ते सर्वसंशयाः ।
क्षीयन्ते चास्य कर्माणि तस्मिन् दृष्टे परावरे ॥
(Mundakopanishad 2.2.8)
PR 10 May 2016
The Guru-Sishya relationship is unique in that it not only bestows spiritual enlightenment on the sishya, but transforms him into another like his Guru. Swamiji delves into his own past, referring to his relationship with his own Guru, to explain what Guru-bhakti is.
PR 05 Apr 2016
Guru-bhakti shines as the topmost quality in a seeker, in the absence of which, all other austerities lose their sheen. That fondness, humility and weddedness to the Guru, this is the only attainment worth having in human life, Poojya Swamiji says.
Slokas chanted in the track
मनश्चेन लग्नं गुरोरङ्घ्रिपद्मे ।
ततः किं ततः किं ततः किं ततः किं ॥
(Guru Ashtakam by Adi Sankaracharya)
PR 12 May 2016
