Poojya Swamiji's Gurupoornima Message

Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha

To the Seekers of Brahmavidyaa:

Harih Om Tat Sat. Forty three years back in Narayanashrama Tapovanam, Mataji Sulabha Devi observed Gurupoornima in a simple, austere manner. The day was then hardly known in these parts of the country. Sulabha Devi heartily did a paadapooja for the Guru.

From then on Gurupoornima has been a significant annual day in the Ashram. I have explained over years through Vicharasetu, how great and holy is the message Gurupoornima brings to us. For some years, we have been arranging a five or six day Retreat as part of the Gurupoornima and Caaturmaasya (the four-month period following Gurupoornima). And many seekers and devotees have been coming here during the period.

For an ardent seeker of Truth, Gurusanga is the first and the last word. Brahmavidyaa becomes easy to actualize when transmitted by the Sadguru to the earnest disciple, as Govindapaada did to Shankara.  

The little lad of Kerala made his lonely trek from the bank of Poorna river in Kalady to the holy Narmada bank in Central India only in search of this knowledge from a realized Guru. Leaving everything, including his most beloved widowed mother, inspired by the thirst for Supreme Knowledge, he landed in the hermitage of Govindapaada. Initiated fondly by the Teacher into Brahmavidya, the disciple was soon embraced by the Soul, the inmost Presence in every one.  The release, joy and fullness this inner union brought unleashed an untold spiritual vigour, whereby he stood with a resolve to fulfil the wish of his Teacher.

Govindapaada too was anxious to meet such a disciple, who had the dedication and resolve to take his message across the whole subcontinent.  It was thus that the seeker Shankara became a young Knower, bubbling with spiritual vigour and determination. Carrying the Soul’s message together with the undaunted inspiration it generates, he began his triumphant parivraajana across the country, visiting all the distinguished citadels of spiritual wisdom. Bringing to light the unsurpassable glory of Upanishadic Wisdom, he breathed a new vigour and purificatory correction to the contemporary religio-spiritual culture of the land. 

It is such a wholesome transformation that the Guru brings in his disciple, imbuing virtually a new birth, revealing the great mystery and potential of the Guru-sishya relationship and the unique felicity it bestows upon humanity. 

Govindapada-Shankara episode transpired over 1200 years ago.  But its sublimity and power lives in the land and inspires its people ever since.

Bhagavadgeeta, Upanishads and Brahmasootras constituting the Prasthaana-traya, came to new life in the hands of enlightened Shankara.  Gurupoornima marks the beginning of the four months, when these Brahmavidyaa Texts are generally read, discussed and disseminated.

Spiritual growth is governed by the ‘mind-hours’ the seeker spends on Scriptural Truths. For, by that reflection (manana) alone the mind grows in purity and expansion. Vedantic manana is always on the spiritual presence, called the Soul, that activates the senses, inspires the mind and illumines the intelligence. Guru instills the process of manana in the seeker. 

Scriptures emphasize time and again how indispensable the association with the Guru is. To point out how ignorance deludes the human heart and how spiritual contemplation redresses the plight is the one task of the Teacher before the seekers. This he does relentlessly and variously when the seekers begin to interact with him in close quarters. Far from just listening to the lectures, the closer association enables the seeker to get into the unseen chambers of the mind and imbibe purity and elevation.

I feel fondly for all of you. I would like every one of you to become a torchbearer of Brahmavidyaa and the great benefits it bestows, whether you are at home, in professional front or anywhere else.

Remember the Day yourself and also tell others of the message it brings. Let the great culture grow, strengthening and gracing more and more people. In your life, let saadhana become deeper and more endearing. 

Love and ashirvaad.

Antaraatmaa,

Swamiji.

*  *  *