Career
1956 was a year of great significance in Guruji’s life. He had completed his education at Andhra University that year. It was in the same year Guruji got married to Srimathi Annapurna. The same year he joined Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Bombay as a Research Assistant for a monthly pay of Rs.175/- . All the three were major accomplishments for a young bachelor; education, marriage, job opportunity took place in the same year.
Since then and until 1977 for almost 22 years, Guruji was deeply associated in the field of research. During that period, he also became the proud father of 3 daughters.
When Guruji joined TIFR there were around 40 scientists who were experts in their own fields. Dr. Homi Babha was the head of TIFR.s In addition, he was also the Head of the Atomic Research Institute.
When Guruji was at TIFR, he was not only involved in research, but had also presented many papers in Nuclear Physics, Material Sciences, Solid State Physics, Solid State Electronics, etc. For the first time in India, under guidance of Prof. Ramanathan Guruji was involved in designing and building Integrated Chips in India. Later this technology was transferred to Bharat Electronics Limited located in Bangalore.
Over a period of time, Guruji gradually got involved in computer design. Slowly, Integrated Chips followed by 8- bit processor. Using TTL technology, he devised Floating Desk Calculators. Guruji’s quest for knowledge was never ending.
With utmost enthusiasm, Guruji involvement in research on Moss Bauer Effect of Nuclear Gamma Resonance leads to his Doctorate from Bombay University. Guruji mentions, “TIFR led to Atomic Energy Institute, and that in turn led to Electronics Corporation of India, and then ISRO, and then Thumba Rocket Launch Station, and so on. In this way, atomic power projects developed in India.”
After 23 years of Guruji’s service in TIFR, he had to get involved in Air Defense projects. At that stage, Guruji questioned himself “Why am I in this division? Are the projects in this group constructive?” These questions were causing him concern and his conscience wanted him to go against it. It was at this critical stage of contemplation that a life-turning, memorable event occurred. Second experience of consciousness.
Though Guruji was living in Bombay, he was traveling all over the country and had opportunities to meet intellectuals, industrialists, and interact with scientists and physicists engaged in various research organizations. It was in 1977 he was in Hyderabad, visiting ECIL (Electronics Corporation of India) for discussions on mini computer programs. Though he was tired, being busy at work all day, he did not get sleep one night. Guruji decided to step out for a walk.
It was around 5 a.m. and the streets were still deserted at that time. Guruji saw a temple glowing as bright as Iravatham at an elevation. There were steps leading to the top into this temple.
Guruji started walking towards the temple that interested him, and realized that it was a Hanuman Temple. Unknowingly this abode of worship reminded him of the Hanuman Temple opposite to Prabhat Talkies in Visakhapatnam. He remembered his childhood when he used to go that temple daily for prasadam. Guruji started climbing the steps towards this Hanuman Temple. Having never visited temples since 11 years of age, and being 45 years old at that stage, Guruji felt as if someone was pushing him from behind.
Guruji observed that there were hardly four or five devotees in the temple. He then found an old man offering respects by prostrating to Lord Hanuman. Having hardly visited any temple, Guruji also offered his respects by prostrating before Lord Hanuman. It was at this moment that unexplainable joy and happiness flowed through his body like electrical current. Guruji later said this experience could not be explained in words.
It was at the same time Lord Balaji dressed as male as well as female approached Guruji and energized him. Balaji—as Bala, Bala Tripura Sundari (Gopaala Krishna in male form) gave the divine blessing at those auspicious moments.
An old Telugu saying indicates, “No one knows when it rains or when one becomes lifeless.” To this day, though technology has advanced great strides, and can predict rains it still remains an unsolved mystery to determine when one may lose life. For that matter, no one even knows what may happen the next minute. On a similar note, Guruji never ever expected the visit to this Hanuman temple that day would change his life forever!
Guruji experienced exactly the same as he had as a young boy. The whole universe was going around him in circles fast and merging into him. Guruji recalled that this experience at a young age led him to become unconscious. He felt again his head was spinning. Guruji questioned himself, “Is this real happening to me once again?”
Before Guruji could realize what was going on, Lord Venkateshwara appeared before him in the masculine form with feminine aspects. He said, “I am Venkateshwara, Bala, Balaji, and Bala Tripura Sundari.”
Guruji did not know what happened to him. Lord Venkateshwara touched Guruji and a bright spark of divinity pierced him through his forehead. Guruji was speechless and lost in tranquility. It was at this time, that he heard in a clear and soft voice, a verse from Isaavasyopanishad recited in his ears. Guruji lost track of time and presence, and continued to just keep staring at the presence of divinity near him.
Lord Balaji delivered enormous knowledge to Guruji. This strange experience led Guruji to believe he was lost in an ocean of divinity, and was enjoying every moment of what was happening to him.
By the time Guruji regained his composure and knew what was happening to him, he found that many had already left the temple. Realizing this, Guruji went and had darshan of the Lord, and slowly made his way back home. Many consider that it was this occasion that transformed Guruji into a divine soul. On his way back from the temple, there were many thoughts going on in
Guruji’s mind. “Why did I ignore and gradually lose the spirituality in me all these days?
When I have spent so much time and energy conducting research in my field, why not I allocate more time for spirituality? Are my current Air Defense projects that important? Counter acting to enemy’s air attacks may be great, but at the end of the day, these are weapons of destruction. When destruction can occur on a large scale at the switch of a button, why should I be a partner in crime?”
Childhood memories started coming to the forefront in Guruji’s mind and kept bothering him once again.
“I have a decent job. Having settled in defense research life is sailing smooth. So far, so good. So should I continue status quo? If I continue to delve deeper in research, to what extent is it appropriate? To defend my country from enemies is it valid to destroy fertile lands? Is it valid to harm and let innocent civilians suffer? As a consequence, huge fortune perishes.
What is more relevant? Why not this effort be spent to save lives instead of perishing them?”
These restless thoughts added fuel to the fire in Guruji’s mind. As a matter of fact, Lord Balaji’s darshan can be considered a turning point in Guruji’s life. It further invigorated him to think deeper.
“Should I continue with my modern sophisticated life style? In this lifetime, will spirituality lead me to higher levels? Is it possible? If so, should I pursue this? Possibly, I should delve into this deeper without any hesitation.”
Upon his return to Bombay, Guruji got fully engrossed in his daily activities, and never had an opportunity to explore his earlier thought process on spirituality.
Even in case, he had the opportunity to think about it, he did not know how to proceed further in that path.
Since then and until 1977 for almost 22 years, Guruji was deeply associated in the field of research. During that period, he also became the proud father of 3 daughters.
When Guruji joined TIFR there were around 40 scientists who were experts in their own fields. Dr. Homi Babha was the head of TIFR.s In addition, he was also the Head of the Atomic Research Institute.
When Guruji was at TIFR, he was not only involved in research, but had also presented many papers in Nuclear Physics, Material Sciences, Solid State Physics, Solid State Electronics, etc. For the first time in India, under guidance of Prof. Ramanathan Guruji was involved in designing and building Integrated Chips in India. Later this technology was transferred to Bharat Electronics Limited located in Bangalore.
Over a period of time, Guruji gradually got involved in computer design. Slowly, Integrated Chips followed by 8- bit processor. Using TTL technology, he devised Floating Desk Calculators. Guruji’s quest for knowledge was never ending.
After 23 years of Guruji’s service in TIFR, he had to get involved in Air Defense projects. At that stage, Guruji questioned himself “Why am I in this division? Are the projects in this group constructive?” These questions were causing him concern and his conscience wanted him to go against it. It was at this critical stage of contemplation that a life-turning, memorable event occurred. Second experience of consciousness.
Though Guruji was living in Bombay, he was traveling all over the country and had opportunities to meet intellectuals, industrialists, and interact with scientists and physicists engaged in various research organizations. It was in 1977 he was in Hyderabad, visiting ECIL (Electronics Corporation of India) for discussions on mini computer programs. Though he was tired, being busy at work all day, he did not get sleep one night. Guruji decided to step out for a walk.
It was around 5 a.m. and the streets were still deserted at that time. Guruji saw a temple glowing as bright as Iravatham at an elevation. There were steps leading to the top into this temple.
Guruji started walking towards the temple that interested him, and realized that it was a Hanuman Temple. Unknowingly this abode of worship reminded him of the Hanuman Temple opposite to Prabhat Talkies in Visakhapatnam. He remembered his childhood when he used to go that temple daily for prasadam. Guruji started climbing the steps towards this Hanuman Temple. Having never visited temples since 11 years of age, and being 45 years old at that stage, Guruji felt as if someone was pushing him from behind.
Guruji observed that there were hardly four or five devotees in the temple. He then found an old man offering respects by prostrating to Lord Hanuman. Having hardly visited any temple, Guruji also offered his respects by prostrating before Lord Hanuman. It was at this moment that unexplainable joy and happiness flowed through his body like electrical current. Guruji later said this experience could not be explained in words.
It was at the same time Lord Balaji dressed as male as well as female approached Guruji and energized him. Balaji—as Bala, Bala Tripura Sundari (Gopaala Krishna in male form) gave the divine blessing at those auspicious moments.
An old Telugu saying indicates, “No one knows when it rains or when one becomes lifeless.” To this day, though technology has advanced great strides, and can predict rains it still remains an unsolved mystery to determine when one may lose life. For that matter, no one even knows what may happen the next minute. On a similar note, Guruji never ever expected the visit to this Hanuman temple that day would change his life forever!
Guruji experienced exactly the same as he had as a young boy. The whole universe was going around him in circles fast and merging into him. Guruji recalled that this experience at a young age led him to become unconscious. He felt again his head was spinning. Guruji questioned himself, “Is this real happening to me once again?”
Before Guruji could realize what was going on, Lord Venkateshwara appeared before him in the masculine form with feminine aspects. He said, “I am Venkateshwara, Bala, Balaji, and Bala Tripura Sundari.”
Guruji did not know what happened to him. Lord Venkateshwara touched Guruji and a bright spark of divinity pierced him through his forehead. Guruji was speechless and lost in tranquility. It was at this time, that he heard in a clear and soft voice, a verse from Isaavasyopanishad recited in his ears. Guruji lost track of time and presence, and continued to just keep staring at the presence of divinity near him.
Lord Balaji delivered enormous knowledge to Guruji. This strange experience led Guruji to believe he was lost in an ocean of divinity, and was enjoying every moment of what was happening to him.
By the time Guruji regained his composure and knew what was happening to him, he found that many had already left the temple. Realizing this, Guruji went and had darshan of the Lord, and slowly made his way back home. Many consider that it was this occasion that transformed Guruji into a divine soul. On his way back from the temple, there were many thoughts going on in
Guruji’s mind. “Why did I ignore and gradually lose the spirituality in me all these days?
When I have spent so much time and energy conducting research in my field, why not I allocate more time for spirituality? Are my current Air Defense projects that important? Counter acting to enemy’s air attacks may be great, but at the end of the day, these are weapons of destruction. When destruction can occur on a large scale at the switch of a button, why should I be a partner in crime?”
Childhood memories started coming to the forefront in Guruji’s mind and kept bothering him once again.
“I have a decent job. Having settled in defense research life is sailing smooth. So far, so good. So should I continue status quo? If I continue to delve deeper in research, to what extent is it appropriate? To defend my country from enemies is it valid to destroy fertile lands? Is it valid to harm and let innocent civilians suffer? As a consequence, huge fortune perishes.
What is more relevant? Why not this effort be spent to save lives instead of perishing them?”
These restless thoughts added fuel to the fire in Guruji’s mind. As a matter of fact, Lord Balaji’s darshan can be considered a turning point in Guruji’s life. It further invigorated him to think deeper.
“Should I continue with my modern sophisticated life style? In this lifetime, will spirituality lead me to higher levels? Is it possible? If so, should I pursue this? Possibly, I should delve into this deeper without any hesitation.”
Upon his return to Bombay, Guruji got fully engrossed in his daily activities, and never had an opportunity to explore his earlier thought process on spirituality.
Even in case, he had the opportunity to think about it, he did not know how to proceed further in that path.
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