Guru Dharshanam
While these divine visions were happening to Guruji at regular intervals, he visited Visakhapatnam. On hearing about his experiences, Guruji’s maternal aunt advised him to seek the guidance of a guru, and warned him not to pursue the spiritual path on his own. She had intentions of taking our Guruji to her guru. Since her guru was a staunch follower of the Dakshinamoorthi tradition, Guruji was a little uncomfortable with the associated customs of this tradition. So Guruji declined the offer.
Guruji’s maternal aunt’s nephew, Sri Gunturu Subrahmanyam, who happened to visit Visakhapatnam at that time, mentioned his spiritual master, Sri Svaprakashananda Thirtha or Guru Garu, residing at
Anakapalle, and wanted Guruji to meet him. He also mentioned that this spiritual master, who was 60
years old at that time, had been highly devoted to God since he was 8 years old. Hearing this, Guruji jotted down all his unanswered questions on a piece of paper and gave it to his cousin. He said to the cousin, “Please pass these questions to your master. Upon receiving his answers, I will come with you to meet him.”
Guruji’s questions were many:
· What is the difference between visions of imagination, and the actual
divine occurrences that happen?
· Did the divine occurrences happen as a matter of fact or was there strong
reason behind it?
· Were these occurrences a way to show me the unseen divine?
· Were these divine occurrences my imagination or real happenings?
· What is the difference between sleep, unconsciousness and death?
· How different is the experience of unconsciousness from death?
Along with this lengthy list of unanswered questions, Guruji mentioned about the scriptures he read, and the subsequent divine experiences he encountered until then. Guruji’s cousin approached Guru Garu and handed over this questionnaire from Guruji. Upon reading this Guru Garu said, “Who is he? Before I respond to these questions, I would like to meet him in person.”
So, Guruji was left with no alternative but to meet Guru Garu at Anakapalle. Once Guruji approached Guru Garu, he said, “Do you have answers to my questions?” Instead of responding to his questions, Guru Garu said, “Please come and meet me at 4 a.m. tomorrow.” Guruji went to meet Guru Garu at 4 a.m. the next morning. Guru Garu cordially invited him, and said, “I wish to give you some mantras. Are you willing to accept them?” Guruji said, “I am not here for mantras. I am here for responses to my long unanswered questions. Please give me answers to my questions.”
Guru Garu said, “No! I will not give answers to your questions. I wish to give you something else. Are you willing to take?”
Guruji was in a fix. He felt that by saying yes, it would bring an additional responsibility to him, which he did not want. At the same he also felt by saying no, it would mean he lost a great opportunity. He did not know what to do.
Ultimately, Guruji gathered courage and asked Guru Garu, “By accepting these mantras, what will it do? Good or bad?” Guru Garu said, “Only good! These will do you no harm!” Guruji responded, “What happens in case I don’t chant these mantras? Are there any compulsions or restrictions associated with these?”
Guru Garu said, “You need not worry about the consequences. I am giving them to you. I will bear the consequences, if any.” Hearing that, Guruji readily agreed to get the diksha from Guru Garu. Contrary to the divine diksha Guruji received at Balaji temple, this time he was receiving mantra diksha from a human.
It was then that Guru Garu gave Guruji nine mantras. They were Maha Ganapathi, Subrahmanya, Chandi, Surya, Dattatreya, Prasada Panchaakshari, Guru Mantram, Baala Tripurasundari, and Sowbhagya Vidya. Guruji then asked Guru Garu, “Okay! You have given me all these mantras and I have taken them. Can you please tell me the number of times I need to chant each mantra?” Guru Garu said, “I will not impose any restrictions. I will not teach you any traditions. You are unique in your own way! Meditate with these mantras whenever you want to. If you don’t feel like doing so, please don’t. You need no regulations on place or day or time! Even if you don’t practice that is fine with me!”
Guruji then asked, “In case I have any doubts can I write to you? Will you reply to me?” Guru Garu said, “You need not write to me. Answers to your questions will come from within you! These mantras are powerful. They will generate the response and clear your doubts.” The Yoga Sakthi Mission Guruji, having been initiated by Guru Garu, returned to Bombay.(present-day Mumbai). Once coming back, Guruji was fully involved in his daily routine. Research work and dedicated meditation kept him busy.
During those days, Guruji had a small photograph of Santoshi Maatha. Occasionally, he would stare at this photograph of Santoshi Mata, particularly at the sword in her right hand. There were few occasions when this sword would turn into a flower garland.
Guruji was not the one who prayed regularly, but was well familiar with rituals. Beloved mother taught Guruji that the one who offers the prayers and the one to whom the prayers are
offered are both one. Sri Santoshi Mata enlightened Guruji with Sree Suktham, Purusha Suktham, Puja rituals, and many other mantras.
Yoga Sakthi Mission was a spiritual organization located in Bombay. This mission functions from a location on Nepean Sea Road. During those days, this was the premier location in Bombay for anyone to learn yoga. They also conducted spiritual retreats, Durga pujas, and meditation classes on a regular basis.
Sri Krishnamurthy was the individual responsible for the astounding popularity of Yoga Sakthi Mission in those days.
Whenever possible, he would invite sadhus, spiritually enlightened people, poet laureates, and other well-respected individuals to offer lectures and workshops at this mission.
One day, Guruji along with his family visited the Yoga Sakthi Mission. Sri Krishnamurthy introduced himself to Guruji, and quickly developed a close bond with him right from the first meeting. He encouraged Guruji to offer lectures on a regular basis at the mission. Guruji also developed a liking towards this organization, and started visiting the Yoga Sakthi Mission on a regular basis. He started showing keen interest in the activities going on there. Sri Krishnamurthy was performing Durga pujas and homams on a very elaborate scale in those days. Generally they were an all-day affair.
After having seen all this, Guruji wondered why these rituals should be an all-day affair when people need to go to work, and when ladies toil for hours to make necessary arrangements. So, Guruji referred to multiple books and other references to provide necessary material for completing Devi puja in 90 to 120 minutes.
It was not just in Bombay, but Sri Krishnamurthy was performing pujas and homams all over the country. Once, he was going to Kollur Mookambika Temple to perform a homam and had invited Guruji and Ammah to join him. As Guruji was busy in a conference he could not join Sri Krishnamurthy immediately. He was able to be at the Mookambika Temple for purnahuthi on the fourth and final day. Upon the completion of purnahuthi, Sri Krishnamurthy gave purna diksha to Guruji and Ammah.
As Guruji had been given purna diksha, Sri Krishnamurthy said that Guruji could initiate others into Sri Vidya. Sri Prahlada Shastri henceforth became popular as Sri Amritanandanatha.
Guruji went back to Anakapalle to meet his first spiritual master Guru Garu, and conveyed to him everything that that transpired. Guru Garu patiently listened to Guruji, laughed and said, “Don’t worry, I am going to perform Purna Kumbabhishekham to you!” Guru Garu then sprinkled water on Guruji’s head. From then on, Guruji had two gurus. Initiation by two masters boggled Guruji’s mind. Sri Svaprakashananda Thirtha (Guru Garu) was considered a siddha, a yoga purusha. Professor Krishnamurthy was considered an expert and a well-versed laureate in spiritual sciences and the Vedas. In addition, he was a true practitioner of Kaulachaara (the left-handed path). Gradually, Guruji grew closer to Sri Svaprakashananda Thirtha. Yet, Guruji retained his unconditional devotion and
dedication to his first spiritual master.
It was around this time that Guruji was appointed as Professor at Lusaka University in Zambia. At this time, he was unable to concentrate and manage both work and his spiritual endeavors. Since his conscience was also against his research being used for military defense, Guruji considered this offer as a blessing in disguise and immediately left India for Africa.
While these divine visions were happening to Guruji at regular intervals, he visited Visakhapatnam. On hearing about his experiences, Guruji’s maternal aunt advised him to seek the guidance of a guru, and warned him not to pursue the spiritual path on his own. She had intentions of taking our Guruji to her guru. Since her guru was a staunch follower of the Dakshinamoorthi tradition, Guruji was a little uncomfortable with the associated customs of this tradition. So Guruji declined the offer.
Guruji’s maternal aunt’s nephew, Sri Gunturu Subrahmanyam, who happened to visit Visakhapatnam at that time, mentioned his spiritual master, Sri Svaprakashananda Thirtha or Guru Garu, residing at
Anakapalle, and wanted Guruji to meet him. He also mentioned that this spiritual master, who was 60
years old at that time, had been highly devoted to God since he was 8 years old. Hearing this, Guruji jotted down all his unanswered questions on a piece of paper and gave it to his cousin. He said to the cousin, “Please pass these questions to your master. Upon receiving his answers, I will come with you to meet him.”
Guruji’s questions were many:
· What is the difference between visions of imagination, and the actual
divine occurrences that happen?
· Did the divine occurrences happen as a matter of fact or was there strong
reason behind it?
· Were these occurrences a way to show me the unseen divine?
· Were these divine occurrences my imagination or real happenings?
· What is the difference between sleep, unconsciousness and death?
· How different is the experience of unconsciousness from death?
Along with this lengthy list of unanswered questions, Guruji mentioned about the scriptures he read, and the subsequent divine experiences he encountered until then. Guruji’s cousin approached Guru Garu and handed over this questionnaire from Guruji. Upon reading this Guru Garu said, “Who is he? Before I respond to these questions, I would like to meet him in person.”
So, Guruji was left with no alternative but to meet Guru Garu at Anakapalle. Once Guruji approached Guru Garu, he said, “Do you have answers to my questions?” Instead of responding to his questions, Guru Garu said, “Please come and meet me at 4 a.m. tomorrow.” Guruji went to meet Guru Garu at 4 a.m. the next morning. Guru Garu cordially invited him, and said, “I wish to give you some mantras. Are you willing to accept them?” Guruji said, “I am not here for mantras. I am here for responses to my long unanswered questions. Please give me answers to my questions.”
Guru Garu said, “No! I will not give answers to your questions. I wish to give you something else. Are you willing to take?”
Guruji was in a fix. He felt that by saying yes, it would bring an additional responsibility to him, which he did not want. At the same he also felt by saying no, it would mean he lost a great opportunity. He did not know what to do.
Ultimately, Guruji gathered courage and asked Guru Garu, “By accepting these mantras, what will it do? Good or bad?” Guru Garu said, “Only good! These will do you no harm!” Guruji responded, “What happens in case I don’t chant these mantras? Are there any compulsions or restrictions associated with these?”
Guru Garu said, “You need not worry about the consequences. I am giving them to you. I will bear the consequences, if any.” Hearing that, Guruji readily agreed to get the diksha from Guru Garu. Contrary to the divine diksha Guruji received at Balaji temple, this time he was receiving mantra diksha from a human.
Guruji then asked, “In case I have any doubts can I write to you? Will you reply to me?” Guru Garu said, “You need not write to me. Answers to your questions will come from within you! These mantras are powerful. They will generate the response and clear your doubts.” The Yoga Sakthi Mission Guruji, having been initiated by Guru Garu, returned to Bombay.(present-day Mumbai). Once coming back, Guruji was fully involved in his daily routine. Research work and dedicated meditation kept him busy.
During those days, Guruji had a small photograph of Santoshi Maatha. Occasionally, he would stare at this photograph of Santoshi Mata, particularly at the sword in her right hand. There were few occasions when this sword would turn into a flower garland.
Guruji was not the one who prayed regularly, but was well familiar with rituals. Beloved mother taught Guruji that the one who offers the prayers and the one to whom the prayers are
offered are both one. Sri Santoshi Mata enlightened Guruji with Sree Suktham, Purusha Suktham, Puja rituals, and many other mantras.
Yoga Sakthi Mission was a spiritual organization located in Bombay. This mission functions from a location on Nepean Sea Road. During those days, this was the premier location in Bombay for anyone to learn yoga. They also conducted spiritual retreats, Durga pujas, and meditation classes on a regular basis.
Sri Krishnamurthy was the individual responsible for the astounding popularity of Yoga Sakthi Mission in those days.
Whenever possible, he would invite sadhus, spiritually enlightened people, poet laureates, and other well-respected individuals to offer lectures and workshops at this mission.
One day, Guruji along with his family visited the Yoga Sakthi Mission. Sri Krishnamurthy introduced himself to Guruji, and quickly developed a close bond with him right from the first meeting. He encouraged Guruji to offer lectures on a regular basis at the mission. Guruji also developed a liking towards this organization, and started visiting the Yoga Sakthi Mission on a regular basis. He started showing keen interest in the activities going on there. Sri Krishnamurthy was performing Durga pujas and homams on a very elaborate scale in those days. Generally they were an all-day affair.
After having seen all this, Guruji wondered why these rituals should be an all-day affair when people need to go to work, and when ladies toil for hours to make necessary arrangements. So, Guruji referred to multiple books and other references to provide necessary material for completing Devi puja in 90 to 120 minutes.
It was not just in Bombay, but Sri Krishnamurthy was performing pujas and homams all over the country. Once, he was going to Kollur Mookambika Temple to perform a homam and had invited Guruji and Ammah to join him. As Guruji was busy in a conference he could not join Sri Krishnamurthy immediately. He was able to be at the Mookambika Temple for purnahuthi on the fourth and final day. Upon the completion of purnahuthi, Sri Krishnamurthy gave purna diksha to Guruji and Ammah.
As Guruji had been given purna diksha, Sri Krishnamurthy said that Guruji could initiate others into Sri Vidya. Sri Prahlada Shastri henceforth became popular as Sri Amritanandanatha.
Guruji went back to Anakapalle to meet his first spiritual master Guru Garu, and conveyed to him everything that that transpired. Guru Garu patiently listened to Guruji, laughed and said, “Don’t worry, I am going to perform Purna Kumbabhishekham to you!” Guru Garu then sprinkled water on Guruji’s head. From then on, Guruji had two gurus. Initiation by two masters boggled Guruji’s mind. Sri Svaprakashananda Thirtha (Guru Garu) was considered a siddha, a yoga purusha. Professor Krishnamurthy was considered an expert and a well-versed laureate in spiritual sciences and the Vedas. In addition, he was a true practitioner of Kaulachaara (the left-handed path). Gradually, Guruji grew closer to Sri Svaprakashananda Thirtha. Yet, Guruji retained his unconditional devotion and
dedication to his first spiritual master.
It was around this time that Guruji was appointed as Professor at Lusaka University in Zambia. At this time, he was unable to concentrate and manage both work and his spiritual endeavors. Since his conscience was also against his research being used for military defense, Guruji considered this offer as a blessing in disguise and immediately left India for Africa.
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