This section of our website is an offering to The Endless One, a reference to Sri Bhagawan Nityananda of Ganeshpuri, the legendary 20th century sage to devotees and disciples all across the world. This offering is a labor of endless love, a collaboration between Acharya Kedar and Sri GopalKrishna Shenoy, trustee of Bhagawan Nityananda's Kanhangad ashram and a trustee of the Swami Nityananda Ashram Public Trust. It is through GopalKrishna's dedicated effort, that we bring you stories, insights and revelations from four generations of disciples of Bhagawan Nityananda.

In the Puranas it is said that one can quickly attain the spiritual merit necessary to make the journey to Liberation by worshipping and serving the disciples of Lord Shiva. In other traditions, those who want to merge with Lord Rama, worship his loving devotee Hanuman. Those who want to realize Krishna, serve the Gopis, Lord Krishna's devoted consort.

Following in the footsteps of this great Bhakti tradition, we choose to honor ALL of those disciples, successors and Gurus whose lives have been transformed through the Love and Grace of The Endless One, Sri Bhagawan Nityananda of Ganeshpuri.

Bhagawan Nityananda was and still is considered to be Lord Ananta. Many feel that it was Lord Ananta himself (Lord Krishna) who took the form we know as Bhagawan Nityananda of Ganeshpuri, to rescue his devotees from the suffering of worldliness. (To view our article about Ananta Chaturdashi, click here.)

In this regard, there is an important connection. In the Sri Guru Charitra, a sacred text that Bhagawan Nityananda himself told his devotees to read, there is a dialogue between Lord Ananta and Yudhishthira (Dharmaraja), one of the great heroes of the Mahabharata. This dialogue is narrated to a disciple of Lord Dattatreya named Saayamdeva, by Sri Narasimha Saraswathi, an incarnation of Lord Datta. This appears in Chapter 14 of some editions of Sri Guru Charitra and Chapter 20 in others. The Sri Guru Charitra is set forth in question and answer style with the Siddhamuni providing answers to his disciple, Namadharaka's questions about the life of Lord Shiva in his incarnation on Earth as Lord Dattatreya.

The lesson of this Chapter exactly matches the instruction that Bhagawan Nityananda gave to many of his disciples; That one's Dharma as a yogi on the spiritual path is to find the means to serve the Guru while also leading one's life in the world. Bhagawan Nityananda guaranteed the salvation of all those who worshipped him, served him and then remembered him with Love, while fulfilling their family and work obligations and leading their lives in the world. In fact, he granted His overwhelming Grace for the fulfillment of their worldly desires after testing their Devotion to him.

Those of us who have taken Bhagawan Nityananda as our Gurudev, share the experience of this Chapter of the Sri Guru Charitra as a dialogue between Bhagawan Nityananda and each of us individually. It's as if our Nitya is again speaking directly to us.

Below is our Gopalkrishnaji's sharing of his experience of the meaning of this Chapter, as indicated to him through Sri Janananda Baba and Bhagawan Nityananda. Excerpts from the chapter are also included.

Sri Guru Charitra

My friend, Sharad Jaywant used to read Sri Guru Charitra at the Kanhangad ashram in the presence of Baba Janananda. Swami Janananda was considered to be a manifestation of Lord Dattatreya. This was declared by Bade Baba himself. Reading the Sri Guru Charitra at the holy sites and temples is considered to be very effective in fulfilling ones desires. Since he considered Janananda Baba as Lord Datta, Sharad used to read Sri Guru Charitra at the Kanhangad ashram. Bhagawan Nityananda also approved of this. He often advised his devotees to read Sri Guru Charitra.

Maskar Bhatji, who composed the Nityananda Arati and many other devotional songs to Bhagawan Nityananda, used to lead Satsang at Gangapur where the Guru Charitra was read 108 times. It is during one such Parayan that he was inspired to visit Ganeshpuri and met Bhagawan Nityananda. Thus the goal of his reading the Guru Charitra was fulfilled.

Recently my wife experienced difficult times. We did not know how to handle this situation. We met a holy man named Shirsagar Guruji of Pune. He is known to possess some siddhis (supernatural powers) and is a very pious man. When my wife told him about her problems he told her to read the 14th Chapter of Sri Guru Charitra. Neither of us understands much Marathi and we do not believe in rituals. So it was very difficult to believe that reading a book could change our destiny. I purchased the book anyway and read the 14th Chapter. The story narrated in this Chapter was a bit difficult for me to understand and accept in the context of modern day living. However, both of us began to read it regularly at night without jumping to any conclusions. For us, the story was not impressive.

A Breakthrough By Guru's Grace

A Bhajan session was scheduled at Dongri (Mumbai) in our gymnasium to commemorate the anniversary of Sitaram Shenoy’s passing. I was expected to attend this program, along with my cousin Madhukar Shenoy. I decided that I would go and read the 14th Chapter of Sri Guru Charitra to all my relatives. Since the gathering would also include the younger generation from my family, I suddenly became worried that one of them would challenge the context and relevance of this sacred text for our modern-day society. So, the evening before I was scheduled to attend this satsang, in that state of fear, I approached Janananda Baba and asked him to guide me. That night, as I was reading the Sri Guru Charitra, a whole different world opened up for me.

By Janananda Swami's Grace, the relevance of the 14th Chapter for these modern times was revealed to me. In this Journey some would find it difficult to accept the life of Appa, Lalita Mauli, Sunita Shenoy and the dedication and surrender to Sri Guru that there lives exemplified. The balancing between one’s worldly responsibilities and spiritual dharma may seem difficult. The teachings of Sri Guru Charitra resolve this conflict.

The 14th chapter is indeed the source of the entire Guru Charitra and hence it is called "Merumani," the center bead of the "mala" of stories and teachings. Reading this chapter in the context revealed by Baba Nityananda cleared up many doubts for me. I am thus giving below the revelation of this chapter as directed by Bhagwan Nityananda to me.

In the 14th chapter of the Guru Charitra a conversation takes place between Namadharaka and his Guru. Namadharaka asks his Guru, "Holy one after having explained in detail the Supreme knowledge of Jnana Yoga, which is the highest means to attain Moksha (salvation), why has Sri Guru again explained the intricacies of Karma Yoga in detail? This has made me wonder; If Karma or action is the outcome of nescience, how can it be employed to destroy that very nescience?"

His Guru replied "Namadharaka, just as the crab, at its birth, is said to break open the womb which has conceived it, so too, karma, which is born of ignorance can be employed as the means to destroy its own source. A brass vessel which is used for cooking gathers soot. The same soot, when gathered from elsewhere (like dirt), can be used to clean the very same vessel to reveal its original metallic sheen. So too, the performance of action without attachment to its fruits, and later, by renouncing action itself and passively accepting the experiences of life, a person becomes the repository of such virtues like perfect control over the senses, mind and body. Only such a one can attain perfection in the final, true, renunciation of Karma. In fact, no one can, at any time remain free from action. For life itself, like all other phenomena, is the dynamic function of the three modes, the three Gunas of nature. The ignorant person will get attached to it through desire for its fruit, while the enlightened one remains detached from its results, employing it just as a means of perfecting his or her faculties. The perfect Jnani continues to perform actions in order to teach the world by setting an example. This is Karma Yoga. "I am aware that people follow the path I tread and so I perform all actions meticulously," said the Guru. Now listen to the miraculous acts of the Lord pertaining to Karma Yoga. By listening to them, the fetters of nescience will be broken and Liberation accrues.

One of your ancestors, by name Saayamdeva, served Sree Guru at Gandharvapura and won his grace. At first, Saayamdeva heard of His glory, visited Him, bowed and sang in ecstasy saying;"

"Oh thou Supreme Spirit, the Light that transcends all, O Sri Narasimha Saraswathi, all the holy places reside in thy holy feet. You are the embodiment of the holy Trinity and not a common mortal. You are Lord Brahma, thy Kamandalu full of the holy water of compassion for all creatures. Thou art Lord Vishnu, in the form of a sannyasi, come on earth to restrain the wicked and protect the virtuous. You are Lord Shiva whose yogic look, fixed ever on the tip of His nose, is capable of liberating his devotees from sin, craving and destruction. You, by whose grace a dead man was revived, a barren buffalo had yielded milk, a withered twig sprouted again and the fallen are uplifted again, who can recognize you for what you are?"

Sree Guru said, "My son, I am pleased with your devotion. May all thy descendants be blessed with faith in me. I am seeing you again after such a long time! Where are you living? How are your wife and children?"

Saayamdeva replied, "Lord, by your grace, all of us are safe. I am living at Kanchipura. I have come to serve your holiness."

Sree Guru said, "It is hard to serve me. For I move about from one place to another. Now I stay in a village, now I live near the river and again, in the midst of a wild forest. I stay where my whim takes me."

Saayamdeva submitted, "Lord, I shall serve you wherever you are."

Sree Guru consented. Later, one day, he went to the Sangama along with Saayamdeva. In order to test the latter's devotion, the Lord caused it to rain untimely. It was a heavy downpour with loud thunder and lightning. It was very cold in the open. Even though his teeth were chattering in the biting cold; Saayamdeva covered his Guru with his own garments and served him. After about five or six hours, the rain abated. Then Sree Guru said to him, "The cold air is troubling me much. Go to the nearby village and get some fire."

Saayamdeva proceeded in the darkness, amidst the drizzle and the biting cold. He had to find his way only in the occasional flashes of lightning. He proceeded to the Muth and was returning with fire. When he stood in one place, looking around for the spot where the Guru stayed, he found two enormous serpents on either side! In fright, he chanted the name of his Guru and ran about. Then, at a distance, he heard the vedic chant emanate from the Sangama. Inferring his direction there from, he ran ahead and soon reached the spot. He found the Guru seated, totally unaffected by the cold and rain, and was amazed at it. The Guru said to him, "Don't fear! I have sent the serpents to guard you on the way." Even before his eyes, the two venomous creatures approached the Lord, bowed their hoods to him and vanished. The Guru added, "It is hard even for the gods to come by such service of the Guru. Saayamdeva was happy at his words and said, "Supreme Lord, expound to me the way of service to the Guru which is the highest means of salvation."

Sree Guru began; "Saayamdeva, listen! A true disciple ever follows the guru like his shadow, never leaving him, and serves him whole-heartedly. He dedicates everything he has, including his body, for the service of the Guru. He looks upon his guru as the embodiment of the Supreme Lord of creation, and delights to take only his Prasad as food and the washings of his feet as the all-sanctifying drink. He loves to listen to the divine acts of his mission on earth and makes his life a continuous meditation on him. When the Guru enjoins a piece of work, the disciple stakes all to achieve it, however difficult it might seem. Having once commenced his efforts to that end, the true disciple, at all costs, sees it through. Even the Lord of Death will be afraid of laying his hold on such a faithful one.

Often, Saayamdeva sang the praise of the Guru; "Oh Lord, of the three modes of existence, you are the omnipresent Spirit, without a beginning and an end. By virtue of my meritorious acts in the previous lives, I am blessed with your darshan. Even at the touch of the dust of thy feet, I am purified of all my sins. I, who am burnt by the flames of discontent, am made tranquil at the sight of thy face. Like iron which is transmuted into gold, at the very touch of the philosopher's stone, I who was caught up in the miserable plight of phenomenal existence am uplifted to the state of blessedness."

Beginning with such a hymn of praise, Saayamdeva wrote the story of Sree Guru in Kanarese. Sree Guru was pleased by this and said, "Saayamdeva, your first son Naganatha is my chosen devotee." Sri Guru placed his hand on the boy’s head. Young Naganatha, who was dumb at birth, immediately was able to speak and became as wise as the sage Brihaspati. Then Sri Guru said to Saayamdeva, "Your wife is virtuous. She shall be blessed with four sons. As you are wealthy, do not think of serving the foreign King and you shall be blessed. Sri Guru continued, "There is a religious vow called Ananta Vrata which burns out the sins of those who observe it. At the instruction of Sri Krishna, Dharmaraja observed the vow and thereby won divine pleasures and bodily passage to Heaven. You should observe it." Saayamdeva replied, "Oh Lord! You are indeed Lord Ananta to us. And your service is Ananta Vrata. Who then is the Ananta you speak of? Please expound the details of this observance to us."

Sri Guru went on, "Once upon a time, the architect for the demons, Maya, had built a unique palace for Dharmaraja in which he could perform the famous sacrifice of Rajasuya. The palace was of such uncanny nature that Duryodhana who entered it saw water where there was none, and hard ground where there was indeed water. So, he slipped and fell down. When the whole assembly of royal princes laughed at him, the proud prince felt insulted. He took revenge on the host by winning for himself all the brothers and wife of Dharmaraja, and finally Dharamaraja himself, in an unfair game of cards. Then he commanded all of them to live in the wild forest. Accordingly, Dharamaraja went to the forest and there lived in suffering and danger, along with his brothers and wife. After sometime, when Sri Krishna visited him, Dharamaraja poured out his tale of misery and said, "Lord, you are hailed as the Protector of Thy Devotees. Do you not know of our suffering?"

Lord Krishna said, "Oh Dharmaraja, the fruition of one's previous karma is indeed relentless. However, it cannot torment those who are devoted to me. So you observe the vow called Ananta Vrata. Indeed, I am Lord Ananta and the vow is dear to me. I am the Lord of all that is; for I am in all the forms of existence. I am above karma, motive and the modes of existence. This vow has to be observed on the 14th day (chaturdashi) of the dark half of the lunar month of Bhaadrapada. This vow can bestow infinite blessings on the observer. Listen:

Once there was a sage named Sumanta who belonged to the Vasishta gotra. His wife Bhaargavi died immediately after giving birth to a baby and the sage married again. But his second wife was an ill-tempered shrew and she troubled him much. At the proper time, Sumanta gave his virtuous daughter in marriage to one Kaundinya. Once young Kaundinya visited her father's house and stayed there for two months. At last, unable to put up with the wild temper of his mother-in-law, he
got ready to return home along with his wife. The shrew of a lady refused to give him the customary gifts due to a newly wedded son-in-law. She even refused to allow him the expenses of his journey. Sumanta was helpless. At last, he gathered up a small quantity of wheat from the heap outside the hermitage and gifted it to Kaundinya. The latter set out along with his wife and by noon, reached the banks of a river where he rested for a while.

There his wife saw a few housewives observing a religious vow and asked them what it was. They said that they were observing the Ananta Vrata. At her request, they told her the details of the observance: "After taking bath, one has to put on red clothes and prepare a ritual bracelet with fourteen pieces of thread. Then, keeping darbha grass over a pot, one has to worship it as the very form of Lord Vishnu. Fourteen special dishes have to be prepared and gifted away to pious brahmins. The new bracelet has to be worn in place of the old. Married couples have to be fed sumptuously. This vow has to be observed on that particular day for 13 consecutive years. In the fourteenth year, at the end of the observance, pious brahmins and poor people have to be fed. This is the best of religious vows. You will do well to observe the vow yourself." The young lady observed the vow to the best of her means and gave away half the store of their wheat and returned to her husband.

Kaundinya and his wife resumed their journey. As they passed through a village, the wealthy inhabitants of it requested him to settle down in their village, which he did. In course of time, by the grace of Lord Ananta, he became rich and was much honored for his learning and piety. One day, he had an argument with his wife and, in his pride, he plucked away the ritual bracelet from her wrist and, despite her warning, threw it in the fire. Shortly after, his house caught fire and all his wealth was destroyed. Robbers stole away whatever was left behind. He realized that it was all a result of the wrath of Lord Ananta at his misdeed. In bitter despair and repentance, he roamed about the forest, asking every cow, tree and mountain that he encountered, regarding the whereabouts of Lord Ananta. At last, the merciful Lord Ananta appeared in the form of an old brahmin, consoled him, led him to a town which he created by his divine power and there revealed his true form. Kaundinya glorified the Lord thus:

"Oh Supreme Lord Ananta, omnipresent Spirit! Pardon the sacrilege I have committed in my ignorance." The Lord was moved and blessed him saying, "By my grace, may you be freed from misery. May you enjoy riches and, at the end of your mortal existence, may you adorn the sky as the constellation Purnavasu!" Kaundinya submitted, "Lord, earlier I have perceived some mystic signs. The first was a mango tree, the fruits of which were not eaten by anybody. The second was a castrated bull that could not eat fodder. The third was a pair of lakes from which no creature ever slaked their thirst. I have also seen a miserable donkey, elephant and an old brahmin. Please explain their significance to me."

The Lord explained: "The mango tree you saw is a man of learning who did not impart his wisdom to his disciples. A wealthy man who gifts away a worthless piece of land is the bull. The pair of lakes are people who merely exchange things in the name of giving away religious gifts. The donkey you have seen is a man who is enslaved by rancour. A man who is wild with lust is the elephant. I am the old brahmin you have seen. All those you have seen have just now been freed from their previous karma."

The sage Kaundinya glorified Lord Ananta and secured all the wishes of his heart. "Therefore, oh Dharmaraja, you too observe the Ananta Vrata. You will be benefited," said Sri Krishna. Dharmaraja did accordingly, vanquished his enemies, enjoyed the pleasures of kingship and entered heaven even with his physical body. Saayamdeva observed the Ananta Vrata and spent the rest of his life in the service of the Guru and, at last, attained liberation. Indeed, by the grace of Lord Nrisimha Saraswathi, all his descendants attained liberation, as well. Oh Namadharaka, you are born in such a family. Therefore, you shall surely cross this ocean of misery and reach the Lord of Immortality," said Siddha.

As embodied beings, each of us has to face our Karma. No one can escape this. One has to perform one's Dharma. You will have to go out there and do what is expected of you. You have to take care of your life, build your family and earn money. All this indeed you will have to do. There is no escape from this commitment of a householder. If you do not face your Karmas, you will fail on all fronts. From this there is no escape.

The Guru responds to your Love, Devotion and Surrender. Lord Shiva is always favorably disposed to his devotees; to their Bhakti. The Guru ensures that, while doing your duty, you will never ever get separated from Him. You will be able to keep your commitment to your daily spiritual practice, as well. Nothing shall take you away from the path of Bhakti, as long as you are willing to renounce the limitation of your ego.

In the Sri Guru Charitra, Gurunath says to his faithful disciple, Saayamdeva, "Go, be bold and do what is expected of you. Have faith in me, I shall never let you down, I shall never abandon you. You will win in all situations. I can assure you that, in performing your worldly duties without the pride of the ego, you shall meet with great success and earn name and fame worldwide. So have full faith in me as you perform your daily, mundane activities. Make your worldly life a blessed sacrament to me. Believe me, I shall wait for you on the outskirts of the village, until you return successfully with your task completed. Until that time, I shall be waiting for you and I will take you all the way home."

Thus Siddhamuni completed the narration to his disciple Namadharaka, the 14th Chapter of Sri Guru Charitra. By the Grace of Baba Janananda, by the Grace of Bhagawan Nityananda, the deeper meaning of this chapter was revealed to Gopalkrishna. Know from my experience that this chapter, which is the Merumani of Sri Guru Charitra, when read daily, shall help the disciple attract the unconditional Grace of his/her Guru. It also causes seekers to find their true path. Your life will be full of abundance and joy. In this journey of Gurukripa Yoga, this revelation made by Baba Janananda shall give confidence and inspiration to all sadhakas to pursue the path of the Siddhas.

Avadhoota Chintan
Shree Gurudeva Datta
Shree Gurudeva Datta
Shree Gurudeva Datta

The Endless One, The Lord Is Waiting For You, Seva. The Mystical Spiritual Practice, Gurukripa Yoga, The Guru, Discipleship, Japa and Chanting, Shaligram Swami, Shaligram Swami-Part Two, Tulsi Amma, Sunita Shenoy, Sunita Shenoy-Part Two, Shaligram Swami-Part Three, Lalita Mauli, The Compassion of the Sadguru, Sitaram Shenoy, Lalita Mauli-Part Two, Sri Guru Charitra,