Sri Sadguru Mahime

Author: Charana Dasa

Translator: Shri.Ganesh Prasad 

Chapter 1 - Birth

Our Gurunatha came to this world as a son of Kudlur Srinivasaiah and Sharadamma during the later part of 1940(Magha Shuddha Shashti according to the lunar calendar). His family included five sisters and a brother. It had been almost four generations since they settled in Sakharaya Patna from their native called Kudlur near Tarikere in central Karnataka

The family was doing well and was always looking forward to help those in need and was run by his father who was well known for discipline and a sound knowledge of astrology. Each of his words conveyed a lot of wisdom/knowledge Gurunatha used to say. Gurunatha was in Bangalore to study Bachelor of Science in Vijaya College under the guidance of veteran Professor G Venkatasubbaiah. But, he had to cut short his studies on account of his father’s ill health.

Though he seemed to lead a normal family life after having married a girl from the same town and having two daughters and a son from her, Gurunatha used question himself about the happenings and the things around him and strived to understand the inner meaning of these happenings or what caused them. He had fond memories of his childhood days when his father used to imbibe moral values in them through short stories.

His father had rightly predicted that many people will visit his house in future and had told him he should never send back anyone empty handed. His father’s death put the family responsibility completely on him. He fulfilled these responsibilities well even as his mind was always in a search for the inner meaning/real essence of life. But, untimely death of his beloved brother became an important turning point in his life. Once a progressive farmer, he slowly started losing interest in farming, he was heard working as care taker in Saguna Ranganatha and Ballaleshwara temples. He even had a short stay at a relative’s house in Bangalore doing odd chores, selling small fancy items part-time.

Gurunatha used to say ‘Locking oneself in a room is not true Adhyathma, fulfilling all of our duties, having no expectations, facing life’s hurdles, ignoring all misgivings, and leaving all our worries to Eshwara is called real Adhyathma and not running away from your responsibilities’.

Guru will only expect a pure mental state from his disciple, his caste and clan won’t matter, as they have no significance for Guru. They were created by men to serve their interests. The following incident will illustrate this...

A person belonging to a different caste used to do chores at Gurunatha’s house right from his father’s days. Though an illiterate, he used to hear Ramayana and Mahabharatha recitals from Gurunatha’s father from a distance. He was so much influenced by these that one day he decided to leave everything behind at night,came out of his house holding a single blanket. Just when he was about to lock the door, he realised that, he should not be doing it, as caring for his house would be right against what he had set out to do. So he left the door unlocked and set out into the darkness.

Later on he continued to serve Gurunatha for many years leading a pious life. This is one such incident that illustrates the values and ethos imbibed in everyone who was associated with Gurunatha’s house.

Later on Gurunatha himself became very engrossed in his sadhana, his family, relatives or neighbours didn’t have clue about this. He used to wear a simple shirt and a dhoti; he used to keep a small towel and a bag with himself always as his constant companions. His wife used to wash and dry the same clothes for him by the time he finished his daily worship. The couple used to visit shrines in Kudli, Sringeri and other holy places while it seemed they were going through their normal routine life of a house holder. Gurunatha might have attained Athma-Jnana (spiritual enlightenment) or the world got a first glimpse of his powers when he was 48, probably around 1988.

Eashwara means the lord who gives what you ask for... Never ask him for anything. Just be in his service and fulfil your duties and he will give you everything you need were Gurunatha’s words…..,,,,,

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