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HARI
OM
“Akhanda Mandalaakaaram, Vyaaptayam Yen Charaacharam;
Tatpadama Darshitam Yen, Tasmeva ShriGuruve Namah.”
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| One
who is present in all living and nonliving beings in the whole
universe; in whose lotus feet the God is seen, to that spiritual
master I prostrate with utmost reverence. |
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The
Braham Vidyalaya and Ashram was founded by Swamiji Maharaj
in 1955, located on the North bank of River Ganges about 2
miles from Simri which is reached from Buxar via Bhojpur,
Bihar. The Ashram is self-sufficient with its own water, sanitary,
electricity, and farming. |
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A. Swamiji:
The bestower of devotion, love, knowledge, and freedom from
the bondage of life and death, the protector of down-trodden,
the beloved of devotees, the kindest of the kind, the most
merciful, Paramhans, supreme God like, SatGuru, Swamiji
Shri Shivdharamaanandji Paramhans Maharaj (1908-1999) was
of an elite lineage. Near Benaras around 1908, Swamiji incarnated
mercifully as the Lord of their devotees for the welfare
of the mankind. His parents expired in his early age. In
the early childhood he witnessed God’s many miracles
(leelaas) and impressed by these ‘Leelaas’ he
left home at a very early age and traveled southeast of
Benaras. He reached at the south bank of Ganges in Bihar.
He sat in meditation on the bank of Ganges and soon went
in to trance. When villagers of north Bihar and South Uttar
Pradesh noticed him they prayed him for his darshan. From
that time Swamiji advised all people and taught them the
science of spirituality, awakening them and lifting them
spiritually. As a matter of fact the only common blessing
he used to give to all his devotees was “Rise”
(Utha-Jaa). It was so natural that only those who aspire
spiritual yearning did understand its deep meaning because
it was given when the devotee prostrated in reverence to
him. It was natural to get up from that position.
- Initiation: Devotees offer themselves
for initiation and Swamiji advises them secretly in
their right ear. One of the Mahatmas then explains the
science of Braham Vidya or spiritual knowledge. Devotees
are advised to pray and practice spiritual meditation.
As God is ONE, and the spirit in every individual is
also one, therefore, Swamiji gave the same advice (Mantra)
to any of these spirits. The differences in people are
superficial and subservient to the spirit. It is the
spirit in the body which is important and not the body
itself. It is due to the spirit in the bodies that (even
dead) bodies appear alive otherwise without it they
are indeed dead. All these spirits are the part of ONE
infinite spirit, God. So there may be as many different
paths to reach God as there are people, but the ultimate
path or the way leading to His door is ONE.
When spiritual knowledge is received from the spirit
itself –God, the interested zealous automatically
experiences the glimpses of Truth, just like mere going
in to a perfume shop one experiences the smell of perfume
without even buying it or opening the bottle of perfume.
The very atmosphere is serene and pious. People automatically
get answers to their doubts as they step forward upward
to His darshan. Devotees effortlessly learn the “Ajapa
Jaap” or chanting and automatically start shedding
off vices thereby showing up their virtues. They learn
the basic lessons of universal love and brotherhood
and develop ‘Manavataa’ –the humanity,
the very warp and weft of the high denier fabric of
God realization. They become assets to their societies,
nations and their households. Above all they get contentment
and receive endless nectars of bliss and happiness for
which everyone longs.
- Prayer: Aspirants of spiritual knowledge
follow a disciplined life and pray the Lord at all the
times. If they cannot do so then they pray at least
two times a day –first thing in the morning and
last thing in the evening.
- Worship: Most aspirants do worship
at least two times a day –in the morning and evening.
It is called Arti. It is sung aloud.
- Meditation: Meditation is similar
to prayer except that the aspirants sit in a Padmaasana,
Sidhhaasana, or Sukhaasana and meditate on the lotus
feet of the Lord.
- Health and Yoga: After meditation
aspirants should do some Yogaasna. These may be one
or few of many. Personal hygiene and vegetarianism is
stressed for good health.
- Services and Work: During Guru Purnima,
Diwali, and Holi there is a special celebration and
many devotees assemble at the main Ashram. There is
a plenty of opportunity to serve them, Mahatmas, and
Swamiji. Services can be done by performing physical
work, talking and teaching fellow devotees sharing each
others spiritual experience, and offering flowers and
gifts in cash and kind.
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B. Disciples
and “Kutia’s”:
Swamiji had many disciples –both mahatmas who were
living in various branches of the Ashram called “Kutia”,
as well as other householder devotees.
- Disciples: Mahatmas are disciples
or dedicated devotees who have renunciated (Sanyaas)
householder life. In 1995 there were over 60 Mahatmas
and countless devotees. Mahatma Darshananandji, Mahatma
NamSatyanandji, Mahatma GyanVairagyanandji, Mahatma
Satyanandji, Mahatma Vishveshwaranandji are to mention
a few.
- Kutia’s: In 1995, Swamiji
had a main Ashram in Chhot-ka-Rajpur. He had approximately
30 branches (Kutias) around the Country. These are at
Balia, Raniganj, Parsupur, Chaukee, Bisampura, Dehgaavaa
- Gazipur, Buxnaa –near Bhadara, Lahuau, Adasar,
Bhabhania, Vevada near Chandoli, Hinoti, Mehdhi, Simri
near Mirzapur, Haraiya near Robertganj, Jarvararia near
Robertganj, Lucknow, and Benaras, all in Uttar Pradesh;
Khalwa, Pokar, Tikaardi –near Gaya, Nandana near
Bhabhua, Swapna Vatia, Bhitti, Lilari near Sasaram,
and Patna in Bihar; Muraripur in Orrisa; Bombay; Bhuj
in Gujarat; and at Makreda (Ajmer) in Rajasthan.
Over 60 ‘Sanyasi’ Mahatma at these centers
(“Kutias”) pray the Lord and spread the
word of God to all interested people irrespective of
their age, gender, caste, color, religion, place of
birth or citizenship, language, or any other differences.
As a matter of fact there are some Moslem Mahatmas,
Oriyaa Mahatma, and many noteworthy devotees from Punjab,
Assam, Bengal, South India, and abroad. They are from
all walks of life living in the supreme Ashram –the
Grahasth-ashram. Among them are attorneys, college professors
of mathematics, physics, and doctors of philosophy,
university deans, college principals, engineers, medical
doctors, businessmen, and politicians. These devotees
pray the Lord and talk about spiritual sciences among
themselves and public alike. People from all parts of
India and abroad visited the main Ashram ‘Braham
Vidyalay and Ashram’ at Chhot-Ka-Rajpur for seeing
Swamiji (darshan) and taking advantages of his satsang
pravachan.
One must do everything humanly possible to find the
answer to the question "Who am I?" as early
as possible in his or her life and certainly before
the end of their life. It seems that the purpose and
the reason of human life and birth is to do so. To do
so is not selfish as long as having done so one helps
others to do so.
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C. Teachings:
Although the glory of a saint is infinite and can not be
written in any words even if the whole universe is made
as paper with all the oceans made as ink and all the forest
made as pen, it is attempted in the following few verses:
- “Mahajano Yen Gatah Sa Panthaah”
The way is that by which great people have gone in the
past.
- “Pragyaan Braham Tatvamasi; Aham Brahamaasmee;
Ayamaatmaa Braham.”
Pure knowledge of God is the knower of the Truth -God;
I am in God. My soul is God.
- “Koti Naam Sansaar Me, Taate Mukti Na Hoy;
Aadi Naam Jo Gupta Japa, Biralaa Bujhe Koy.”
There are millions of names of God in this world, none
of them delivers us; secret chanting of the name of
God which was in the beginning is useful but that is
known by a few elite only. John said in Bible, “In
the beginning there was Word (Aadi Naam), the Word was
with God and the Word was God.”
- “Tantra Mantra Sab Jhootha Hai, Mat Koee Bharmo
Sansaar;
Saar Shabad Jaane Bina, Koee Na Utaare Paar.”
All mantras and tantraas are false, O’ people
please do not be lost in those; without knowing the
True Word of God no one can help complete the journey.
- “Naam Milaave Roop Ko, Jo Jan Khojee Hoy;
Jab Yah Roop Hraday Base, Kshudhaa Rahe Nahi Koy.”
The name of a godly person enables you to meet that
person if you are a real seeker searching hard; when
you love that person immensely, only then all your hunger
is satiated.
- “Raam Raam Sab Koee Kahe, Naam Na Chinye Koy;
Naam Chinye SatGuru Mile, Naam Kahaave Soy.”
Everybody says the word of god Raam Raam, but nobody
(a few) knows the Name of the God; When one knows the
name of God one meets with SatGuru, then one is known
by that Name.
- “Maheshaanaam Paraadevaa, Mahimnaanaam Paraastutee;
Aghoraanaam Paramamantrasya, Naastitvam ParamoGuru.”
The biggest god’s name is Mahesh –the one
who is biggest in all gods, the biggest prayer is singing
His glory; the biggest Mantra is one which is not spoken,
and the biggest guru is God who has no physical existence,
yet omnipresent.
- “Shata Chakra Shodasaa Dhaaram, Traya Lakshyam
Vyoma Pachakaaram;
Svadehena Jaanaati, Tasya Siddhi Katham Bhavat.”
There are six centers (Chakras) and sixteen places,
there are three goals, and five elements; without knowing
these in the body of the self or spirit or soul how
can one achieve perfection?
- “Dhyaanam Moolam GuroMoortih, Poojaa Moolam
Guroh Padama;
Mantraam Moolam Gurorvaakyaam, Moksha Moolam Guroh Krapaa.”
The fundamental of meditation is to meditate on the
masters’ form, the fundamental of worship is to
worship Lord’s lotus feet; the fundamental of
all mantra is Guru’s advice and the basis of deliverance
is only due to master’s kind blessing.
- “Jeeva Anek Ek ShriKantaa, Parabasa Jeeva Svabasa
Bhagavantaa.” Tulsi Ramayan, Aranyakand.
There are many lives in this world but there is only
one God. Lives are controlled by their actions but to
realize God is in your self control.
- “Karandhaar SadGuru Dradha Naavaa, Durlabha
Saaja Sulabha Kara Paavaa.” Tulsi Ramayan.
When the spiritual master becomes a sound boat and the
skillful mariner, one obtains the most difficult and
impossible task in an easily assimilating form.
- “Guru Reejhe So Keeje Kaamaa, Taa Peeche Reejhegaa
Raamaa”
Perform those actions by which the spiritual master
becomes happy, thereafter God will be happy, i.e., without
a spiritual master one can usually never realize God.
- “No one can go to my Father unless through Me”.
Jesus in BibleClearly said in plain English, Jesus the
spiritual master, the son of God, says that no one can
realize God unless they go through me.
- “Raam Krishan Se Ko Badaa, Tinhun To Guru Kinha;
Teen Loka Hai Dhani, Guru Aage Aadheena.”
Who is bigger than Raama or Krishan? Even they had to
have their spiritual master; the whole universe, earth,
and heaven are strong and rich due to being under the
command of the spiritual master.
Lord Rama’s spiritual master was Vashishtha while
Krishna’s was Durvaasa, their ‘shiksha’
guru were Vishwamitra and Sandipani respectively. Both
have never stopped acknowledging the glory of their
spiritual masters. Rama said, “Guru Bashishtha
Kula Poojya Hamare, Inhin Ki Kripaa Danuja Ran Maare;
Guruhi Pranaam ManHiMan Keenhaa, Ati Laanghva Uthaee
Dhanu Leenhaa; Pooje Guru Pada Kamala Bahoree, Keenhi
Binaya Ur Preeti Na Thoree; Puni Puni Bandata Guru Charana,
Deta Ashisha Muneesu; (Guru) Mantra Parama Laghu Jaasu
Bas, Bidhi Hari Hara Sura Sarva; Tumaten (God) Adhika
Guru hi Jaanee, Sakala Bhaayan Sevahi Saanmaanee; Ehi
Sama Nipata Neecha Kou Naahin, Bada Bashishtha Sama
Ko Jaga Maahee; Maathe Para Guru Muni Mithileshu, Hamahi
Tumhahi Sapanehu Na Kalesoo; Guru Bina Bhava Nidhi
Taraee Na Koee, Jo Biranchi Shankar Sam Hoee;”
its never ending.
- “SatGuru Shishya Kee Atmaa, Shishya SatGuru
Kee Deha;
Lakhaa Jo Chaahe Alakha Ko, Inhi Me Lakha Le.”
The spiritual master is the soul of the disciple, the
disciple is the body of the spiritual master; if one
wants to know the unknown it can be known between these
two. There is nothing other than this, as said “Jo
Brahmaande So Pinde”
- “Akkal-O-Dila Dono Ko, Too Mere Tasavvar Me
Lagaa;
Raaja Khula Jaayegaa Tujh Pe, Manjile Makasooda Kaa.”
Gita
The knowledge and the heart both you engage in my prayer,
the secret of the goal and purpose of human life will
be unraveled to you. The same is as per Gazal Gita,
“Sagun Braham Kaa Sugam Upaaya, So Me Tujhako
Diyaa Bataay; Yagya Danaadi Karma Apaara, Mere Arpana
Kara Kara Saaraa.” Krishna said in Gita, “Sarvadharmaanparityajya
Maamekam Sharanam Braja, Aha Tvaa Sarvapaapebhyo Mokshayishyaami
Maa Shuchah.” Leave everything come in my shelter,
O Arjun, I will deliver you from all sins and sorrows.
Kabir also said the same thing more or less, “Eka
Ke Sadhe Saba Sadhe, Saba Sadhe Nahin Eka.”
- “Jo Baata Davaa Bhee Kara Na Sake, Voha Baata
Duaa Se Hotee Hai;
Jab Murshid Kaamila Milataa Hai, To Baat Khudaa Se Hotee
hai.”
What can not be cured by medicine, can be cured by blessing
of a saint ‘Fakir’, when we meet a true
spiritual master we begin talking with the God.
- “Har Jagah Mojuda Hai, Lekina Najara Aataa
Nahee;
Yoga Saadhana Ke Binaa, Usako Koee Paataa Nahee,”
The God pervades everywhere but IT is not seen, without
the practice of Yoga (unity) no one gets IT.
- “Idaa Peengalaa Sukhamanaa, Teena Base Ik Dhaaee;
Beni Sangama Tahaan Prayaaga, Mana Majjana Kare Tithaaee;
Santo Tahaan Niranjan Raama Hai, Gurugama Chinhe Virala
Koee.”
There are three main ‘Naadis” –Idaa,
Peengalaa, and Sushamnaa, but all three lies in only
two and half; Prayaaga (Pra+ yaaga) is where all these
three ‘Triveni’ meet, there the mind having
cleansed rests; O’ Saints, there lives God, only
exceptional devotees who merged with the God know the
God.
- “Guru Brahmaa Guru Vishnu Guru Devo Maheshavo;
Guru Shakshaata Par Brahma Tasme Shri Guruve Namah.”
The spiritual master is creator, the spiritual master
is sustainer, the god in spiritual master is the supreme
of all gods; the spiritual master is benevolent embodied
God beyond God, I prostrate to such a spiritual master.*****HARI
OM*****
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| D.
Library:
There is a modest personal library of spiritual books
(as of 1995) at Swamiji’s Ashram. These books are available
to all devotees for reading. |
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