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The Master’s sole intention is to reveal and help us recognize the infinite treasure within ourselves. There is no ulterior motive or compulsion on his part; rather, out of compassion, he wants us to attain the highest spiritual glory, which is truly our birthright.

(During Covid when we started the online talks in the Ashram You Tube channel “Global Gita”, we noted one Praveen was writing a summary of all the talks in the Comment section of each video within half an hour. The summaries were extremely well written and caught our eyes.
Very soon we got in touch with him and found although we did not know him personally, he has been following Swamiji’s teachings for quite some time and even attended Śrīmad Bhāgavata Satram in Naimisharanyam, Kerala regularly.

Praveen P Kammath, an engineer, stays in Alappuzha (Alleppey) with his mother. He lost his father recently. He is a person who endears himself to everybody because of his gentle, humble and pleasing nature.

As he started coming to the Ashram, very soon he took up a major responsibility in our new Website which was launched some time back. Also, he volunteered to take charge of the administration of the publication department, mostly from home.

Subsequently, Praveen started coming to the Ashram and staying for a few days every month. Slowly, the frequency of coming to the Ashram and duration of stay started increasing. Whenever Praveen came, apart from doing his administrative work during the day, he used to always be present near Swamiji in the early mornings and at night. Just to be of some Seva to Swamiji. I have always watched a radiance of blessedness in his face while standing silently near Swamiji or listening with rapt attention if Swamiji spoke to him on some matter or other.
Because of Swamiji’s health condition, as advised by the doctor, always one attendant has to be with him. As Swamiji’s Malaysia trip came up, we asked Praveen quite hesitatingly whether he would accompany Swamiji as his main attendant. Our hesitation was because he would have to leave his mother alone at home. But his pious mother felt it was a great blessed opportunity for her son to get attuned to his Sadguru. It really has been so.

I have observed him in Malaysia taking care of Swamiji with great love and attention. His distinction is his soft, gentle and humble demeanour and a smile on his face. That remains etched in my mind.

Praveen not only served Swamiji closely with love but has silently observed a Jñānī in his day to day natural moments and has learnt many a lesson seeing the ‘Sahaja’ (natural) state of a Self-realized Sadguru in his ‘jeevanmukta-vyavahāra (jeevanmukta’s behaviour) ’.

We are happy that Praveen has penned down his feelings and experiences which we are now sharing with our readers. – Ma Gurupriya)

Dear Swamiji, Praṇāms:

It has been about a week since our return from Malaysia after the conclusion of Jñāna Yajña. I wished to write to you about the learnings and experiences from the trip soon after my return to home, but it eventually got delayed due to other engagements.

To have a close association of a Mahatma is very rare in one’s life and to have an opportunity to do personal service to him is even rarer. I truly consider myself blessed for this chance, having been able to do whatever little seva that was possible by me. These few days will certainly remain as a fond memory for the rest of my life.

The journey to Malaysia began with mixed emotions. There was curiosity about the new country, its people, and their ways, alongside a touch of anxiety about adapting to the unfamiliar weather and food. I felt nervous about whether I would be able to contribute meaningfully to the service. At the same time, there was also a profound joy in the rare opportunity to live close to Swamiji, serve him in any way I could, listen to his teachings, ask questions, and seek clarity.

The days in Malaysia were very busy as usual for you, Swamiji, filled with meetings, constant review and editing of articles for ashram Malayalam magazine Vicharasarani, responding to letters, preparing notes and conducting daily satsangs. Amidst all this activity, I had the opportunity to ask questions and interact with you during brief intervals. I have reflected on a few of these interactions that left lasting impressions on me and am sharing them below along with my personal observations.

Importance of having a ‘Routine’

It is truly remarkable to observe how Swamiji’s day unfolds with such precision and consistency. From the early morning chanting of Vishnu-sahasranāma to the structured routines of walking, exercising, taking medicine and managing water intake, everything is executed meticulously despite a busy schedule of official work and meetings. This smooth flow is maintained thanks to a thoughtfully designed carechart and well-organized processes.

I am continually impressed by Swamiji’s unwavering dedication. No matter how stressful the previous day might have been, Swamiji always rises early and engages in the activities with great interest and attention. Even at this age, very rarely would Swamiji miss out on doing anything! I believe it is this steadfast resolve and disciplined approach that contributes significantly to maintaining Swamiji’s excellent health.

Swamiji mentioned to me the importance of having a regular spiritual discipline and austerity in daily life. The chanting of Vishnu-sahasranāma early in the day, reading the Bhagavad Gita, and regularly engaging with spiritual texts – all of these practices are integral to this discipline. While various types of austerities are there, truthful introspection, reflecting again and again on the Ultimate Truth is the best austerity, Swamiji said.

P: I understood that just like the physical exercises to the body, unfaltering spiritual disciplines are essential to keep the mind ‘fit’ and attuned to ‘Godliness’. I will certainly incorporate them in my daily life from now on.

When taking a bath becomes a ‘Tīrtha-yātrā’

Every day, as part of the bathing routine, Swamiji applies a special oil to his entire body, ensuring that every muscle and joint is gently and thoroughly massaged. Instead of using soap, Swamiji uses a towel to cleanse himself. I hold the hand shower, keeping it synchronized with the towel’s movements to ensure that each part of the body remains moistened and wet while Swamiji rubs himself. It is a very unique and a wholesome bath, which takes quite some time to complete. One day after the bath, Swamiji looked at me smilingly and said: ‘To have a bath like this, is it not like going on a Tīrtha-yātrā?’

P: I never thought bath can become a holy pilgrimage! Yes, indeed! It is the attitude of our mind and the care, importance and joy with which the task is performed that makes even the most mundane job beautiful, enjoyable and divine. What a wonderful reminder!

Chant the Mantra but without any expectation

Once while Swamiji was in the bathroom, I asked, what should be the thought in the mind when I chant my mantra? Swamiji said, “Know what the mantra means and represents, and chant it without any particular desire or expectation. That is the best and most effective way of chanting it.”

The attitude should be, “To the God, who is all-pervading and the source and substratum of all, the motivator of all actions, I offer my obeisance”.

P: I remembered Swamiji’s words, “I may be a nothing, but with God I have everything”. What an apt advice!

Can one say, ‘I have realized the Self?’

Swamiji was talking to me about an instance where a devotee told him that he has realized the Self, and then asked me, “Will anybody say so?” To this I enquired, “Swamiji, isn’t Self-realization just another concept?”

Swamiji responded that everything is a concept alone! and then quoted the sloka:

न निरोधो न चोत्पत्ति-
र्न बद्धो न च साधकः ।
न मुमुक्षुर्न वैमुक्त
इत्येषा परमार्थता ॥

(Gaudapada Karika 2.32)

There is no dissolution, no birth, none in bondage, none aspiring for wisdom, no seeker of liberation and none liberated. This is the absolute truth.

P: It was a truly revealing and revolutionary statement. I thought; yes indeed, it is true. The ideas of being bound or needing to become something are merely constrictions of the mind. The mind creates the illusion of a non-existent problem, clings to it as if it were real for no valid reason, and then struggles to find a solution. Once this illusion is recognized and these notions are let go, the mind becomes calm and restful.

There is only one ‘Awareness’

At one point Swamiji was sitting on the bed, closing the eyes and tapping his right hand on the thigh. Observing that for some time, I said, “Swamiji, I can see the movement of your hands and simultaneously there is a steady ‘Awareness’ witnessing the movement of the hand. Is this ‘Awareness’ same as the Self or is it something different?”.

To this Swamiji answered – “How many ‘Awarenesses’ can there be? There is only one ‘Awareness’! I close my eyes and I can feel the whole body is full with the Spiritual Presence”.

P: Isn’t this a precise instruction for me? For everything like seeing, hearing, thinking, feeling, experiencing etc, the witness is just one – same for all functions. Once this truth becomes clear, every time I see, think, feel or experience, won’t I feel the touch of the Self, the witness in all these functions? All other factors change, but this singular witness, the Self, will always remain! So beautiful!

Isn’t the Truth so simple?

One afternoon, Swamiji was talking about the Self and Sanjayji and I were listening with rapt attention. Then Swamiji asked, “Isn’t this Truth so easy to understand? What is the difficulty in it?”

We answered, “Yes, it is so. It is clearly understood when Swamiji speaks about it, but it has not become a realization, a living experience for us.” Swamiji responded that just as we say 8 multiplied by 3 is 24 when asked, immediately, without a hitch, we should also be able to say, “I am the Self.” To this I enquired, “What should we do to attain that, should we keep introspecting about the Self?”

Swamiji smiled and said, even after understanding, realization does not happen due to the desires. There should be no desire. As long as the slightest desire is present, this knowledge will not shine in its glory!

P: Who can reveal this subtle secret, other than the One who has risen above all desires and attained perfection? Seemingly, behind every agitation of the mind there is some desire or expectation, even a slightest one. If placidity or permanent bliss is the nature of the Self, why is it not felt by me? It is obviously because my mind is tainted by some subtle desire or expectation. So, what should be done? Carefully identify the desire each time and dissolve it in the fullness of the Self!

Be concerned about the welfare of others

It was the day when Swamiji was preparing the notes for the second day of the talk ‘Sarva-bhūta-hite-ratāḥ’. Swamiji suddenly turned to me and asked, “Do you know why Arjuna became weak and helpless in the battlefield? It is because of his selfish and constricted vision. He should have had the concern for the welfare of all.” Swamiji later added that even for an ascetic, only when the feeling of welfare of others is incorporated, life becomes glorious!

P: Isn’t this concern for welfare of others, I see in my Gurus? Throughout the day, everything they think, speak and do is for the welfare of all fellow beings.

Poojya Swamiji has written over a hundred books, given thousands of talks, transformed the lives of numerous people, spearheaded so many societal reformation movements and has many other monumental achievements in his life, yet even at this age Swamiji tirelessly, without any hesitation strives for welfare of others in every possible way. What a selfless life! Truly a guiding light for the whole world!

No bothering thoughts

One day while Swamiji was dressing up, I was wondering how Swamiji is so elegant in everything he does, and I asked, “What is Swamiji’s mind like? Do you have any specific thoughts?” Swamiji replied: “There are no specific thoughts, none that bothers me. But yes, when there is a matter that needs attention, I do think about it.”

P: It is very clear that one will be cheerful and poised and all interactions with the world will be natural, smooth and wholesome if the mind is not tainted by likes, dislikes, desires and expectations. They alone produce unnecessary chatter in the mind.

For a spiritual seeker, just like climbing the steps of a ladder, he has to eventually rise above every like and dislike, desire and expectation. Mind alone is the field of play for him and the intelligence his trusted guide. It is good and also necessary to think about a matter to the extent necessary, any excess is uncalled for and should be avoided.

Sadguru instills self-reliance and unaffectedness

It was noon, and Swamiji was resting on the cot. After a while, Swamiji began to speak gently, “I am speaking all these things; do you think people will understand it? Will they find it beneficial?”

P: What a profound question! What is the purpose of these communications and interactions with a Saint? Is there something he hopes to gain from them? No, the Master’s sole intention is to reveal and help us recognize the infinite treasure within ourselves. There is no ulterior motive or compulsion on his part; rather, out of compassion, he wants us to attain the highest spiritual glory, which is truly our birthright.

While our physical existence is limited and we rely on the world for many things, psychologically and emotionally, we can achieve self-reliance and independence. We need not look anywhere else. Brahmavidya, or Self-knowledge, is so comprehensive and complete that it promises emotional and intellectual fulfillment for one who seeks it. However, the Guru can only bring us to the shore of this ocean of joy; it is up to us to immerse ourselves and experience the bliss for ourselves.

Swamiji, my humble gratitude for your continuous inspiration and guidance.

Praṇāms to Nutan Swamiji and Ma.

Sincerely, Praveen

Praveen P Kammath

(Vicharasethu Nov 2024)