STORY - Bhagwatpad Shankaracharya - Part V

Only that person can enter into Siddhashram who has all the divine centres of his body activated. Outwardly the person might look like just another human being but he would be overflowing with divinity. Such a person has the capability of taking his disciples to this holy land and activating their energy centres when he so wishes.

Can one really find such a great Guru? Can one win the favour and grace of such an accomplished master? Can one rise high in life with the help of such an Divine Being? Can one fuse completely in the divine form of such a Guru? Can a disciple attain to divine powers through selfless service to such a master?

Shanker was never doubtful that one can surely do this. But for that it is necessary that the Guru must be a divine incarnate, who has appeared on this earth in order to lead people of this world to totality in life. Such a person appears to be an ordinary human to most, to the family man he appears to be a happy family man, to those in power he appears to wield a lot of power and to Yogis and Sanyasis he appears to be a great Yogi and Sadhak.

He shall live like an ordinary family fan. He shall have a wife, son, daughters, friends, wealth, fame respect and high position in life. Yet he shall not be affected by any of these. Just as a lotus flower rises from mud and remains completely untouched by the mud around similarly such a great Yogi lives in family but is not at all affected by the materialistic life. A lotus remains in water but not a drop wets it. Only such a pure flower is worthy enough to be offered to the deities.

The Guru appears to be very ordinary from outside. Can an ordinary human being pierce his outer form and realise his true divine form? Can an ordinary human be curious enough to delve into the ancient sciences which the Guru possesses and master them? Can an ordinary disciple free himself of passions and devote himself totally to the Guru in order to attain to success in Sadhanas? Can such a disciple fuse fully in the divine form of the Guru?

Even the gods, Gandharvas, Kinnars cannot be so devoted. This is why it is said that it is very difficult to offer selfless service to the Guru. The Guru is supremely divine and he is well above all gods and goddesses. It is not possible for an ordinary human being to fathom the depth of the knowledge of the Guru. But it is necessary that he know about the greatness of the Guru otherwise he will not be able to benefit from him.

If one fails to recognise a true Guru one shall lose a chance of getting rid of a life full of tensions, worries and problems. It is hence necessary to be unbiased and try to recognise a true master.

Of course for the Guru it does not matter whether he is recognised or not. He is a divine being who has incarnated upon the earth with a special purpose. Having accomplished the task for which he has appeared he would leave for some other place of existence.

And once he has gone then the ordinary human beings shall be left with no choice but to repent. Too late they would realise what they have missed and then they shall feel sorry and curse themselves for not availing the golden opportunity.

And then they shall have to wait for an other 2500 years before another such great Guru is born. Even then they might fail to recognise the new master and gain something worthwhile from him.

It is at this juncture that Bhagwatpad Shankaracharya feels very anxious when expressing his feelings in the verses. It is here that he seems to be perturbed at the thought that it would then be impossible for a disciple and a Guru to be one.

Still Shankaracharya expresses hope that some time or the other some true disciples shall appear on earth who shall be able to recognise a true Guru and gain precious knowledge from him. He hopes some Guru would surely be blessed with true disciples who would be able to completely fuse in the Guru element. And he says that when this happens his souls shall feel really joyous and satisfied wherever it might be.

It is with this very thought that Soundarya Lahiri was written that some day some person would be able to get to the real meaning of his words. Through the medium of these verses Bhagwatpad Shankaracharya has tried to explain about this world, about the Supreme element, Brahm, about Maya and about the divine land of Siddhashram.

Through the description of beauty of the Goddess Mother Parvati, Shankaracharya has gifted to mankind a unique and precious spiritual gem for which the entire humanity shall remain indebted to him for ages and ages to come and they shall always revere him and remember him as one of the greatest Gurus of all times!

I bless you all so that you could be true disciples like Shankaracharya and attain to totality in your lives.

Bless you from the heart!

- Revered Gurudev Dr. Narayan Dutt Shrimali.

Lord Hanuman's Grace On A Village

THE POWER OF HANUMAN TANTRA SADHANA

There was a small village in coastal Andhra (one of the state in India) where a strange thing happened few years back. Everything was fine and cool before the advent of the deadly epidemic. All means had failed to put a check on the strange epidemic which had sent almost half the village to the other world since it had struck some three months back. Children were the easiest prey but adults too succumbed just as easily once it had them in its destiny.

Strangely neighbouring villages seemed immune to the queer malady that had checkmated even the best medical succour. Much frustrated and angry the village folk had barred entry to all doctors, and it was surprising to see them welcome the young Sanyaasi so readily.

But on second thoughts it did not appear quite as odd, for an empyrean effulgence radiated from the spiritual saint's face. The hypnotic looks had them dumbstruck and when he politely asked for permission to stay there, the village headman lost no time in saying yes. "But" he added, "our village has been plagued by a deadly disease. So for your own good suggest that you make the Hanuman Temple on the outskirts your home."

A youth led the ascetic to the ancient shrine of Hanuman Temple. As soon as he was there the Sanyaasi lit a holy fire and was soon immersed in a ritual. The youth stood there motionless for about an hour listening to the Vedic incantations and then returned home with a new spark of hope ignited in his heart that there would be no further deaths in the village.

Yes he did not convey his hope to anybody. His own kid was in jaws of death and having tended to it he went to sleep. Cries of joy woke him up in the morning. It was his wife dancing with the child held high above the head. Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes he looked at his son whose pale face had gained a glow of health overnight. He simply could not believe his eyes. "Baba" cried the lad, "Hanumanji gave me Darshan. He said soon I would be well and playing again"

Tears of joy ran down the man's face and suddenly he recalled Sanyaasi who was staying at the temple. "It sure is his work," he said to himself as he rushed out of his home. Outside the whole village seemed to be on streets. Everybody's face was lit with joy and the news was the same everywhere he went. The ill were recuperating fast and the shadow of death which loomed over them till the very last day was receding.

As he related his son's divine experience and his opinion about the Sanyaasi, the air was rent with the chants of "Jai Hanuman". Soon a procession was on its way to the temple. There they found him deep in meditation. His dark long tresses hung loose over his shoulders as he sat calmly in the lotus position. A divine aura seemed to surround his entire form. Quietly the village folk sat down awaiting his return to the conscious state.

It was almost mid day when he finally opened his eyes, yet in his divine presence one felt as if only a few moments had passed. Even before anyone could begin the thanksgiving he spoke, "Your village is safe now. With Gurudev Paramhans Swami Nikhileshwarand's grace I was able to propitiate Lord Hanuman and he blessed to ever protect this place in the future."

The youth who had guided the Yogi to the temple was much influenced by the power of Sadhanas and he requested the Sadhu to reveal the ritual to him, which the kind Yogi readily did.

A simple yet quite as effective form that Powerful Tantra Sadhana is being revealed here. It must be started only on a Tuesday after 10 pm. Have a bath and get into red robes. Cover a wooden seat with cloth. On it sprinkle some vermilion. In the centre place Hanuman Yantra (हनुमान यंत्र). Sit on a red mat in Veerasan, i.e. as Muslims sit for prayers, facing South. Pray to the Guru for success. Light a ghee lamp. Bath the Yantra with water. Wipe it dry and put a mark of vermilion on it. Put a similar mark on your forehead. Offer a red flower and fruit on the Yantra. Next with a Red Coral rosary (लाल मूंगा माला) chant 21 rounds of this Mantra.

Om Namo Bhagawate Anjaneyaay Mahaabalaay Hanumate Namah

॥ ॐ नमो भगवते आंजनेयाय महाबलाय हनुमते नमः ॥

After Sadhana go to sleep at the very spot. Do this daily for 11 days. Eat the fruit offered yourself. This Sadhana wins the grace of the Lord for the Sadhak and his family members. Once concluded successfully the Lord protects one from all dangers, diseases and misfortune in the future. It is necessary to maintain celibacy during these 11 days.

-Mantra-Tantra-Yantra Vigyan Magazine, December 2007