DOCSLIB.ORG

Guru Dev Legacy Trust

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Guru Dev Legacy Trust “God resides in the heart of every person History at every moment. From time to time great teachers come forth to Shri Shankaracharya guide us on our journey. One such teacher was He is always ready to Swami Brahmanand Saraswati Swami Brahmananda Saraswati (1871-1953). Known to his followers simply as “Guru Dev” or “Divine Teacher”. take care of you. Swami Brahmananda was the Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math, the highest position of spiritual Develop your Guru Dev leadership in north India, and the master of many great spiritual teachers, including Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Swami Shantanand Saraswati. spiritual powers. Legacy Trust “My life truly began 19 years ago at the feet of my master when I learned the secret of swift and deep meditation, a secret I now impart to the world.” This is true knowledge. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Los Angeles, 29th April 1959 And to apply oneself to His service is true devotion.” The Trust Guru Dev‘s Teachings The Guru Dev Legacy Trust is a non-profit organization Guru Dev serves as a teacher of human development Jai Guru Dev whose mission is to locate, preserve and publish the to perfection. His Guidance is invaluable for oral discourses of Guru Dev, along with other materials development of personality and spirit, and His pertaining to his life and teaching. The Trust has Knowledge provides for our personal progress to already placed some of these materials on the Trust’s enlightenment. Guru Dev spoke supreme truth in website and is busy collecting and publishing more. simple words. His words have universal relevance For more information please contact: The Trust is committed to eventually creating a to people of all cultures, religions, and times. The Guru Dev Legacy Trust complete archive of all discourses of Guru Dev. Therefore he often was referred to as a real Jagad attn: Daniel Friedman/ 740 West End Avenue, Guru (universal teacher). Projects in Process Suite 34. NY, NY 10025. USA MFriedman79@gsb.columbia.edu 1. Collecting and scanning materials pertaining “Everyone is part of that permanent consciousness to Guru Dev’s life and teaching and creating (satchitananda), whose essence is purity, All donations directly fund these projects. transliteration files. intelligence, and freedom, the witnesser and experiencer of all.” The Guru Dev Legacy Trust is a Charitable 2. Creating and maintaining the free website Organization registered with the New York State www.gurudevenlightens.com, hosting discourses, Office of the Attorney General and has filed an sound recordings, photographs, and links to “Only by coming into contact with one´s highest Self one can become happy. There is no other way.” application for tax exempt status with the U.S. film footage. Internal Revenue Service. No person represen- 3. Liaising with key individuals in India to share “When the mind gets to Paramatma (highest Self) ting The Trust receives remuneration. existing materials and locate other printed materials. then it becomes still. Afterwards it does not desire 4. Identifying any specific locations associated anything else.” The Guru Dev Legacy Trust current Board with Guru Dev, with a view to creating a guide of Directors include: book, which could be used by visitors to India. “Spiritual practice is a staircase by which the Daniel Friedman (US, Chairman) 5. Translation of ‘Shri Shankaracharya Vaaksudha’, devotee climbs to God, and God climbs down to Lothar Heggmair (Germany) the first book of Hindi discourses produced the devotee. Carry on your spiritual practices re- Umesh Kumar Shrivastava (India) by Guru Dev’s ashram, in 1947. gularly, while conducting your daily life and acti- Premanand Paul Mason (UK) vities in such a way that you always benefit others. 6. Translation of a very early biography of Robert Sanders (US) Spiritual practices will not only give you liberati- Guru Dev, written in Hindi in 1952. on, but wealth and honor also. Become powerful Additional Projects and live out your life.” Daniel Friedman 1. Translation in various languages. With his profound insights into our shared human Chairman of the Guru Dev Legacy Trust 2. Publish material providing background. condition and purpose, Guru Dev offers us a means by which the individual and society at large 3. Organize Conferences, Seminars and Journals. can rise to unlimited achievement and fulfillment. 4. Establish a critical complete edition of all of Invitation Guru Dev´s teachings and make it available. We cordially invite you to join us on this journey. 5. Sponsor research into the life and teaching of Please visit our website www.gurudevenlightens.com Guru Dev. to learn more. 6. Coordinate with other organizations with “His spiritual teachings are simple and clear and complementary goals. go straight home to heart.” 7. Construct a monument honoring Guru Dev Bal Brahmachari Shri Mahesh Ji, at his birthplace in Gana, near Ayodhya, U.P. 15th October 1952 Jai Guru Dev.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Why I Became a Hindu
    Why I became a Hindu Parama Karuna Devi published by Jagannatha Vallabha Vedic Research Center Copyright © 2018 Parama Karuna Devi All rights reserved Title ID: 8916295 ISBN-13: 978-1724611147 ISBN-10: 1724611143 published by: Jagannatha Vallabha Vedic Research Center Website: www.jagannathavallabha.com Anyone wishing to submit questions, observations, objections or further information, useful in improving the contents of this book, is welcome to contact the author: E-mail: jagannathavallabhavedic@gmail.com phone: +91 (India) 94373 00906 Please note: direct contact data such as email and phone numbers may change due to events of force majeure, so please keep an eye on the updated information on the website. Table of contents Preface 7 My work 9 My experience 12 Why Hinduism is better 18 Fundamental teachings of Hinduism 21 A definition of Hinduism 29 The problem of castes 31 The importance of Bhakti 34 The need for a Guru 39 Can someone become a Hindu? 43 Historical examples 45 Hinduism in the world 52 Conversions in modern times 56 Individuals who embraced Hindu beliefs 61 Hindu revival 68 Dayananda Saraswati and Arya Samaj 73 Shraddhananda Swami 75 Sarla Bedi 75 Pandurang Shastri Athavale 75 Chattampi Swamikal 76 Narayana Guru 77 Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru 78 Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha 79 Ramakrishna Paramahamsa 79 Sarada Devi 80 Golap Ma 81 Rama Tirtha Swami 81 Niranjanananda Swami 81 Vireshwarananda Swami 82 Rudrananda Swami 82 Swahananda Swami 82 Narayanananda Swami 83 Vivekananda Swami and Ramakrishna Math 83 Sister Nivedita
    [Show full text]
  • Shankaraachaarya: Life and Works
    Shankaraachaarya: Life and Works Introduction1 thereafter, the couple was blessed with a wonderful son Let us offer our praNaams to Adi Shankara, one and they named him Shankara. According to historians, of the greatest philosophers, mystics, and poets to grace Shankara was born in the year Nandana (26th year of bhaaratavarshha and this planet. the sixty year cycle or sa.nvatsara) in the lunar month of Vaishaakha (corresponding to May/June) under the According to various historians, Adi Shankaracharya Zodiac sign of the Archer on Monday in the year 805 was born at a time when Buddhism held sway in India, AD.3 and the philosophy of Buddhism had come to be inter- preted as a denial of God. Hinduism was divided into Once Aryamba was shocked to find a large co- various sects and the ritualistic practice had taken a pre- bra coiled around the neck of Shankara. While she was dominance over actual philosophical practice. watching, it turned to a garland. It is said that Shankara could read, write, and speak Sanskrit at the age of one. Shankara, in his indisputable style, set out on a Once some children were arguing about the number of difficult mission and changed the outlook of the country seeds inside a melon. Young Shankara said that the and its people by revamping the vast hindu literature number of seeds inside that melon would correspond to into simple, easy to understand language. the number of gods who created the universe. When The life of Shankara the children cut open the melon, they found only one seed !! Once, Shankara was collecting alms from vari- Among numerous biographies of Shankara, the ous families in the village.
    [Show full text]
  • Meeting Adi Shankara Works
    Jyotirmaṭha Pīṭhaṃ Trotakacharya (IAST Troţakācārya) (c. 8th century CE) was a disciple of Adi Shankara, the Advaita philosopher. He was made the first Jagadguru (head) of the Jyotirmatha Peetham, the northern matha founded by Adi Shankara near Badrinath. He founded a matha by name Vadakke Matham in Thrissur, Kerala. Meeting Adi Shankara The Mādhavīya Śaṃkaravijayam states that when Adi Shankara was at Sringeri, he met a boy named Giri. Adi Shankara accepted the boy as his disciple. Giri was a hard-working and loyal servant of his Guru, Adi Shankara, though he did not appear bright to the other disciples. One day, Giri was washing his Guru's clothes, when Adi Shankara sat down to begin a lesson on Advaita Vedanta. He however did not start the lesson saying he was waiting for Giri to come back from his chores and singing lessons. At this, Padmapada pointed to a wall and said that it would be the same if Adi Shankara taught to this dumb object as he taught to Giri. Now, Adi Shankara wanted to reward Giri for his loyalty and devotion. Thus he mentally granted Giri the complete knowledge of all the śāstras (sciences). The enlightened Giri composed extempore the Totakashtakam, a Sanskrit poem in the toţaka metre, in praise of the Guru Adi Shankara. Thus the dumb disciple Giri became Totakacharya. Works Śrutisārasamuddharaņa — Published edition: Edited with a commentary titled Girisambhutaratna, by Swami Vidyananda Giri, Sri Kailash Ashrama, Rishikesh, 1972 Toţakāşţakam Transliterated Lyrics of Toţakāşţakam Thodakashtakam By Ananda Giri (Thodagacharya) Disciple of Adhi Sankara Translated by P.R.Ramachander Vidhithakhila sasthra sudha Jaladhe Mahithopanishath kadithartha nidhe, Hrudaye kalaye vimalam charanam, Bhava Sankara desiga may saranam.
    [Show full text]
  • Shankara: a Hindu Revivalist Or a Crypto-Buddhist?
    Georgia State University ScholarWorks @ Georgia State University Religious Studies Theses Department of Religious Studies 12-4-2006 Shankara: A Hindu Revivalist or a Crypto-Buddhist? Kencho Tenzin Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/rs_theses Part of the Religion Commons Recommended Citation Tenzin, Kencho, "Shankara: A Hindu Revivalist or a Crypto-Buddhist?." Thesis, Georgia State University, 2006. https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/rs_theses/4 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Department of Religious Studies at ScholarWorks @ Georgia State University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Religious Studies Theses by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks @ Georgia State University. For more information, please contact scholarworks@gsu.edu. SHANKARA: A HINDU REVIVALIST OR A CRYPTO BUDDHIST? by KENCHO TENZIN Under The Direction of Kathryn McClymond ABSTRACT Shankara, the great Indian thinker, was known as the accurate expounder of the Upanishads. He is seen as a towering figure in the history of Indian philosophy and is credited with restoring the teachings of the Vedas to their pristine form. However, there are others who do not see such contributions from Shankara. They criticize his philosophy by calling it “crypto-Buddhism.” It is his unique philosophy of Advaita Vedanta that puts him at odds with other Hindu orthodox schools. Ironically, he is also criticized by Buddhists as a “born enemy of Buddhism” due to his relentless attacks on their tradition. This thesis, therefore, probes the question of how Shankara should best be regarded, “a Hindu Revivalist or a Crypto-Buddhist?” To address this question, this thesis reviews the historical setting for Shakara’s work, the state of Indian philosophy as a dynamic conversation involving Hindu and Buddhist thinkers, and finally Shankara’s intellectual genealogy.
    [Show full text]
  • SUPREME COURT of INDIA Page 1 of 29 PETITIONER: SRI KRISHNA SINGH
    http://JUDIS.NIC.IN SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Page 1 of 29 PETITIONER: SRI KRISHNA SINGH Vs. RESPONDENT: MATHURA AHIR AND ORS. DATE OF JUDGMENT21/12/1979 BENCH: SEN, A.P. (J) BENCH: SEN, A.P. (J) FAZALALI, SYED MURTAZA CITATION: 1980 AIR 707 1980 SCR (2) 660 ACT: Hindu Law-Whether a Sudra can enter the order of Yati or Sanyasi-'Sant Math' Sampradaya, denomination of Dasnami Sect-Whether a Sudra cannot enter the order of sanyasi in the Sant Math and whether a Brahman alsone can be a sanyasi among Dasnamis-Essential ceremonies for the initiation of Dasnamis-Performance of Atma Sradh and reciting Pravesh Mantra Sant Math Sampradaya-Mode of succession among the Sant Math-Raght to after-acquired property of a Mahant out of Math funds, whether accrues to natural son. Abatement of appeal-Maxim of "actio personalis moriture cum persona", applicability of in the case of suits by Mahant for the recovery of Math property -Order XXII Civil Procedure Code. HEADNOTE: Respondent Mathura Ahir alias Swami Harswanand, the Mahant of Garwaghat Math filed a suit for declaration of title to and possession of house No. C/27/33 situate in Mohalla Jagatgunj, Varanasi, for arrears of rent and mesne profits in respect thereof. The said property was purchased by his Guru Atma Vivekanand Paramahans (ne Baikunth Singh) from out of the income of the Math i.e. the offerings (Bhent) made by the devotees. The appellant who was impleaded as defendant 5 to avoid further litigation claimed that this property acquired by his late father Baikunth Singh alias Swami Atma Vivekanand, after he became a Guru and out of Math funds devolved upon him the natural son and disciple.
    [Show full text]
  • A Sage Par Excellence
    A Sage Par Excellence Biography of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Narasimha Bharati Mahaswamiji, the 33rd Acharya of Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri www.sringeri.net © Sri Sri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri - 577 139 www.sringerisharadapeetham.org A Sage Par Excellence Published by: Vidya Bharati Press (An in-house publication wing of Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham Sringeri - 577 139, Karnataka Ph: 08265 250123) © Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri First Edition: May 2010 (1000 copies) ISBN: 978-81-910191-1-7 Printed at: Vidya Bharati Press Shankarapuram, Bangalore - 560 004 Contributionwww.sringeri.net value: Rs. 25/- This book is distributed at a highly subsidized value for the sustenance© and propagation of Sanatana Dharma, and to reach all sections of the society. The contribution value received for this book is used for charitable purposes. Copies available at: Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri – 577 139 ii Preface Twelve centuries back, Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya established His first and foremost Peetham, the Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Sri Sharada Peetham for the sustenance and propagation of Sanatana-Dharma. Since then, the Peetham has been adorned by an unbroken chain of Acharyas who have been erudite scholars and dispassionate saints. Out of their innate compassion, the Jagadgurus have been incessantly teaching the path of Dharma to the multitude of Their disciples, through Their very lives, Their teachings and by the establishment of temples, Pathashalas and other charitable institutions. The 33rd Acharya of the Peetham, Jagadguru Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Narasimha Bharati Mahaswamijiwww.sringeri.net was a great yogi, a repository of Shastraic knowledge, an expert in Mantra-Shastra and an epitome of compassion.© A life sketch of the Mahaswamiji was first published in Kannada by the Peetham in 1924.
    [Show full text]
  • Sri Adi Shankaracharya
    Sri Adi Shankaracharya The permanent charm of the name of Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada, the founder of the Sringeri Mutt, lies undoubtedly in the Advaita philosophy he propounded. It is based on the Upanishads and augmented by his incomparable commentaries. He wrote for every one and for all time. The principles, which he formulated, systematized, preached and wrote about, know no limitations of time and place. It cannot be denied that such relics of personal history as still survive of the great Acharya have their own value. It kindles our imagination to visualise him in flesh and blood. It establishes a certain personal rapport instead of a vague conception as an unknown figure of the past. Shankara Vijayas To those who are fortunate to study his valuable works, devotion and gratitude swell up spontaneously in their hearts. His flowing language, his lucid style, his stern logic, his balanced expression, his fearless exposition, his unshakable faith in the Vedas, and other manifold qualities of his works convey an idea of his greatness that no story can adequately convey. To those who are denied the immeasurable happiness of tasting the sweetness of his works, the stories of his earthly life do convey a glimpse of his many-sided personality. Of the chief incidents in his life, there is not much variation among the several accounts entitled 'Shankara Vijayas'. Sri Shankara was born of Shivaguru and Aryamba at Kaladi in Kerala. He lost his father in the third year. He received Gayatri initiation in his fifth year. He made rapid strides in the acquisition of knowledge.
    [Show full text]
  • Aya Setu I Or
    AYA SETU I OR F t«iiT9ft^ff«t^tireis^*re*|cfi erf? ^g' tfear f li # / sfi^Rr^tf?BtRf WT^^m^ateransf^i^^ifl car • OF SRIMAD JUGAD URU ADI SANKARACARYA ALONGWITH SARDA BHASVAM OF PARAMESHWAR NATH MISHRA ' Mathamnay Setu OR Mahanushasanam (Sharada Bhashyam) @^—afcr- u 2 Nj Commentator ^ ' ^ 3 SHRI PARMESHWARNA^H MISHRA Advocate High Court Kolkata& Supreme Court ofBharat, New Delhi Published by : SHRI SADANAND BRAHMACHARI Mantri SHAMCARACHARYAMEMORIALTRUSXDWARKA : : Mathamnay Setu or Mahanushasanam (Sharada Bhashyam) Commentator SHRI PARMESHWAR NATH MISHRA Advocate First Edition 2001 : 1000 Copies Price : Rs.50.00 Published by : SHRI SADANAND BRAHMACHARI Mantri SHANKARACHARYAMEMORIAL TRUST DWARKA Printed by Shrimata Compusys Pvt. Ltd. B. 4/60, Hanuman Ghat Varanasi - 221 001 Ph. 2542 - 275272, 275274 — — PREFACE Acharya Shankara (507-475 BC), the great philosopher ascetic, religious reformer and the great omniscient, is regarded as an incarnation of Lord Sadashiva. In the very short span of his life, he performed so many miraculous works, which are not possible for an ordinary human being today. He wrote on the one hand, very scholarly commentaries on the 'Prasthana Trayf—Upanisads, Brahma-Sutra and Gita, authored so many original works, explained the meanings of the Vishnu Sahasranama, and established on the other, the four monasteries Religious Empires—on the four important places of the four parts of the country. Among them, the Samavediya Pascimamnaya Sarda matha—Westem Empire—was established in 490 BC in Dwaraka. The Rigvediya-purbamnaya—Eastern Dharma Empire, Go^ardhan matha—was established in 486 BC in Puri, The Atharvavediya Uttaramnaya—Northern Dharma Empire was founded in Jyotirmatha in 492 BC, in Badarikashrama on the Bank of Alakananda and the Yajurvediya Dakshinamnaya—Southern Darma Empire, Sringeri matha in 490 BC in Sringeri (Kamataka) After extablishing the mathas Shankara, Bhagvatpada, the great thinker crowned four Acharyas on the Dharma-Pithas, as follow 1.
    [Show full text]
  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism the Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism
    The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism James G. Lochtefeld, Ph.D. The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. New York Published in 2001 by The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. 29 East 21st Street, New York, NY 10010 Copyright © 2001 by James G. Lochtefeld First Edition All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Lochtefeld, James G., 1957– The illustrated encyclopedia of Hinduism/James G. Lochtefeld. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-8239-2287-1 (set) ISBN 0-8239-3180-3 (volume 2) 1. Hinduism Encyclopedias. I. Title BL1105.L63 2000 294.5'03—dc21 99-27747 CIP Manufactured in the United States of America Nachiketas poetry are dedicated to Krishna, a dif- ferent form of Vishnu. This seeming divergence may reflect her conviction that all manifestations of Vishnu are ultimately the same or indicate the dif- N ference between personal devotion and literary expression. The thirty poems in the Nacciyar Tirumoli are told by a group of unmar- ried girls, who have taken a vow to bathe Nabhadas in the river at dawn during the coldest (c. 1600) Author of the Bhaktamal month of the year. This vow has a long (“Garland of Devotees”). In this hagio- history in southern India, where young graphic text, he gives short (six line) girls would take the oath to gain a good accounts of the lives of more than two husband and a happy married life.
    [Show full text]
  • Four Basic Principles of Advaita Vedanta
    Four Basic Principles of Advaita Vedanta by Swami Bhajanananda (The author is Assistant Secretary, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission.) Source: Prabuddha Bharata -- Jan/Feb 2010 Table of Contents Preliminary Considerations..............................................................2 The Illusoriness of Individuality.........................................................4 A Two-level Reality........................................................................5 Unreality of the World ·..................................................................8 The Non-duality of Knowledge........................................................11 Ātma-jñāna, Self-knowledge ..........................................................11 Viṣ aya-jñāna, Objective Knowledge .................................................12 * * * * Advaita Vedanta is the dominant and most well-known school of Indian philosophy. In Indian culture darśana is the word which corresponds to the Western idea of ‘philosophy’. Darśana literally means vision or insight. There are six darśanas, each of which provides a particular view of, or insight into, Reality. From the standpoint of the principle of harmony taught by Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda, the six darśanas may be regarded as forming a six-tiered pyramid, the tiers providing higher and higher views of Reality, with Vedanta as the topmost tier. Vedanta itself consists of several schools. These schools of Vedanta may also be visualized as forming a pyramid with Advaita occupying its pinnacle. Vedanta,
    [Show full text]
  • Advaita Vedanta
    Newsletter Archives www.dollsofindia.com Adi Shankaracharya, Madhvacharya and Ramanuja Pioneers of Vedantic Thought in Hinduism Copyright © 2018, DollsofIndia The highly secular and all-encompassing philosophy of Hinduism is ever-evolving. Adopting religious views of innumerable schools of thought and adapting rapidly to the changing times, it is known to be one of the dynamic systems of philosophy and religions in the world. Hence, Hinduism is not merely a religion or a philosophy - it is veritably a way of life. Its teachings are relevant then, now and forever. Hinduism discusses all aspects of life and living, giving followers practical and workable tips on living a peaceful, joyful and prosperous life, without putting in too much effort into it all. According to the philosophy, self-realization is the key to understanding the secrets of life and, ultimately, living a life full of peace and joy. This concept of self-realization; the understanding of reality and decoding the "I" factor, gave rise to three main streams of philosophy, which now make up the entire fabric of Hindu thought as a whole. These three sub-schools of Vedanta or Vedantic thought constitute Advaita, Dvaita and Visishtadvaita. Simply put; the basic difference between the three Vedantas lies in the way they define the concept of reality and nature. All Vedantic philosophies are based on Prasthaanatrayi, or the three axioms of Vedanta, as follows: 1. The Upanishads, known as Upadesha Prasthana and the Sruti Prasthana 2. The Brahma Sutras, also known as Nyasa Prasthana or Yukti Prasthana 3. The Bhagavad Gita, also known as Sadhana Prasthana and the Smriti Prasthana All the three Vedantas rely on these Prasthanas.
    [Show full text]
  • List of Sevas at Sringeri Sharada Peetham
    शश्रीगणशश�रद�गण 셁भभ्योग नमम INFORMATION ABOUT SEVAS PERFORMED AT VARIOUS SHRINES AT SRI MATH, SRINGERI SHARADA PEETHAM APRIL 2017 For the latest copy of this booklet (with updated information), please log on to the official website at http://www.sringeri.net Temples 1. Sri Torana Ganapati..............................................................................................1 2. Sri Sharadamba Temple.......................................................................................1 2.a Sri Sharadamba..............................................................................................1 2.b Sri Shakti Ganapati.........................................................................................2 2.c Sri Shankaracharya........................................................................................2 2.d Sri Malayala Brahma......................................................................................3 2.e Sri Kodanda Rama..........................................................................................3 3. Sri Sureshwaracharya..........................................................................................3 4. Sri Janardana Swami Temple................................................................................4 4.a Sri Janardhana Swami....................................................................................4 4.b Sri Sudarshana Chakra...................................................................................4 4.c Sri Anjaneya...................................................................................................4
    [Show full text]