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