Friday, December 31, 2010

"An Epitome of love" - (By Vani)



Early in the morning, my mom wakes me up to get me ready to school earlier than usual, my little mind of 10 yrs wonders,Whats up with her today?? why is she hurrying me up?.

I asked her casually as a 10 yr old would," Mom what is it with you? why is it that you want me to get ready early today?".

Then my mom explains I have to visit one "Nannagaru" today so I better get you out my way.

I wonder "Nannagaru" means father in our language, did she mean my "Granddad" by any chance?

She replied, No he is a saint and brushed me off saying I wouldn't understand anymore..

Nevertheless I rushed off to school.I clearly remember it being a saturday and I came home earlier than usual and found my mom missing.



I asked my dad "Where is she?".

He replies to me that she is in swarajyam aunty's house as she was visiting the "Nannagaru".

Bang the word again.As a 10 yr child I was curious to see"the Granddad", who the person is?

I hopped off to the aunt's house which was nearby, playful as much a 10 year old would be.I entered the room which was full of people , absolute silence, all eyes on one person who is sitting on a chair,a warm posture ,a simpleton in white clothes, his eyes closed, his left hand cupped up in shape of an "Ashirwada" as blessing ,and I think is that "Nannagaru"?

He wasn't talking to anyone much, just looking around and looking into people's eyes.I was shocked to see some people who were silently crying with tears running down their cheeks.I was like why are they crying?I went and sat nearby his feet.



He looked at me and gave a smile,I returned it by smiling, I felt special.

His eyes wandered over the room , he spoke to few people mostly inquiring about their families,jobs and insisting are they happy?

His looks again wandering over the room came back to me.

He smiled again, a very warm and compassionate smile, an assuring smile, a smile which still is with me ,this very moment,after 18 years and guides me at all times.

All elders around me were saying words which were difficult to understand, words like "Moksham(Salvation), Atma(Soul) and on and on, but for one thing on that day, I found him just a simple old man who is "An Epitome of Love"



Thank you Vani for such a lovely experience. It is the same feeling that all devotees have when we first look at him. He is an incarnation of love itself.

Purity Brings Perfection

‎# Love and sacrifice are great, but even they reflect duality. We should go beyond them.

# My dear friends! Don’t think that you are wasting your time in listening to my words. The moments that you spent in listening to my words are the sweetest moments in your life.

‎# Sri Rama killed Ravana. Sri Krishna killed Kamsa. I am killing your time.

# If charity brings purity, purity brings perfection. Emotion is not devotion. Act but don’t react. Reaction increases your distance towards reality.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Bhagawan's grace

# Do not think that you don’t have Bhagawan’s Grace; otherwise you wouldn’t listen to these words.

# Can we ever lighten the wet match sticks? We are like wet match sticks. Bhagawan is drying out our wet minds. Once they are dried completely, he will certainly lighten the lamp of Jnana in you.

# Even though all types of water are similar, only certain water is used for drinking. Similarly even though all people look alike be very careful in making friends.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

"Guru Bhyo Namaha" - (By Dr.Mithin)



After having met him in Arunachala nearly 6 to 7 months later I met him in a flat in SR Nagar.

I was waiting for him for a long time outside his room and a common friend called Vasundhara garu promised to introduce me to him. Many devotess during this few months time told me that whenever they mentioned my name to Nannagaru he told them "He is soulmate of mine. Our bond is not of this birth." I used to feel happy whenever I heard that. My arrogance, ego, and pride of being a young successful surgeon did not go though. I remembered a few times in the past few months that I had called him and spoke with him. He was very pleased with that.

One particular time when he came to the phone I said "Guru Bhyo Namaha ...salutaions to the Guru."

There was a pregnant pause from his side and he finally said in ecstasy "Mithin, I will come to your home one day."

Now as I remembered all those thoughts as I was sitting outside his flat I was also thinking of a great medical problem that my family member was facing. It was a life threatening complication and as a doctor I knew it could get worse. I had come to him to ask a miracle from him. I had realized my limitations.

I had prayed till then to all deities like Lord Venkateshwara, Durga and Sri Ramakrishna throughout my life.

For the first time in my life I was going to pray to a Living God to give me a boon.



I was ushered into his presence by Vasundhara garu.

He looked at me and said " You need not wait outside. You can barge into my room anytime. Our bond is such." I was amazed by his love.

I told him the reason why I came. Till then I had prayed to idols to fulfill my needs. For the first time in my life I was praying to a living deity to vouchsafe a miracle.

He folded his hands in concern and pointed at Ramana's photo.

"I will ask Him" he said " He does everything."

At that moment an unknown assurance came into my mind and I knew everything would be well. ( everything did turn out well as in the next few months I saw a medical miracle unfold in front of my eyes!)

I got up to go.

"I consider you as God," I told him.

He craned his neck and said "What did you say?"

"I know you as God. You and Sri Ramakrishna are the same." I said fervently.

He looked at me and smiled "Yes...protect that feeling of yours and cherish it diligently. That is enough."




A few months later I met him again on his birthday ( or guru poornima ) I dont remember.

He asked me about my family member's health.

"By your grace a miracle has unfolded in front of my eyes" I told him.

He looked on disinterestedly.

A few weeks later I got a call from him.

"I have pain in my knees" he said.

I was scared to prescribe a medicine for him.

I could treat human beings but how could I treat God?

I was at my wits end as I prescribed a medicine for him knowing very well that if the pain did not come down I would die of shame that I could not cure his pain!

Thankfully he let me know after a few days that his pain had come down.



It was then on one such occasion that I came to know that he was in Hyderabad and I went to meet him.

On the way I thought 'There are lot of elderly people around Sri Nannagaru. If I become more and more known to him then I would get more number of patients from amongst his devotees and then I could earn lots o money and fame.'

Congratulating myself for my cunningness to use the Guru's name to forward my materialistic success I happily climbed upto the flat where he was staying.

He was having his breakfast.

Surrounding him there were many elderly devotees.

I could see that one of them had an Xray with him. He looked like a man with a hip problem.

This could be a patient for surgery I thought excitedly!

I could make money out of this. My colleagues will be jealous to see me operate.

I will gain in name and fame.

I felt very happy.

I approached the Guru.

Sri Nannagaru was having his breakfast.

His attender told him that I had come.

It was as if Sri Nannagaru was expecting me.

He nodded slowly as he wiped his hands on the towel.

He looked down at the floor for a minute and then looked up and said "Ah Mithin!"

He looked at the devotees now and said suddenly "If anyone of you have an orthopaedic problem go and show it to Dr Mithin."

He looked at me and smiled knowingly.

I hung my head in shame in front of the Pure Being.

What a Great Guru I have and what silly things I desire I thought.

Since then whenever I see devotee of Sri Nannagaru I started to see them free of cost as a service to Guru.

He found out about this a few months later when Gopika told him.

"Dont see free of cost" he said.

"Tap the rich and pat the poor" he said and smiled.





Dr.Mithin Aachi is an orthopaedic surgeon by profession. He is a star-gazer, painter, and writer. He is an amalgamation of all kinds of arts and activities. He is a happy go lucky person, who just sees love in everything. From the very tender age, he had an quest to know the truth. He admires and worships Rama Krishna and believes Nannagaru is an avatar of Rama Krishna and worships him in this form. He is a simple person who is an embodiment of love.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Understand my words

# As your body needs food, your mind needs my words. If you digest the food that you intake your body becomes healthy. If you understand my words, your mind becomes healthy.

# If you understand my words, it’s not me who gains; it is you who will gain. My words will help you to know yourself. You will not get happiness in knowing me but you will definitely get happiness in knowing yourself.

# If you are told that a snake bites, you will definitely recollect these words when you look at a snake. Similarly you may not understand the importance of my words today but you will understand them on some day, in some or the other birth.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Purify your hearts

# If I cannot consider your sins as mine, I am not eligible to preach. Try to reform others instead of addressing others as sinners.

# My Dear Friends! Your intellect cannot grasp the spiritual help or progress that you receive from me.

# Whatever name you may take or whatever form you may worship, I always wish for your welfare wholeheartedly. It is only for this good quality that God has given me Jnana. You also try to purify your hearts. "Blessed are the ones who are pure at heart, for
they shall see God. They are consoled who cry for God", said Jesus.

# I don’t expect your money, prostrations and garlands, if you understand my words properly, that itself is the real honor to me.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

"My Connect with Nannagaru" - (By A.R.Roop Kumar)


I was 12 years old. It was through my grandfather that I heard of Sri Ramana Maharshi. He told me that he was fortunate to have met him at Tiruvannamalai. As per him, mostly Ramana Maharshi was a man of few words and very short tempered. He used to say that “God is within you, search for him within rather than look for him in the polluted outside world”. As per my grandfather, it seems that when Ramana Maharshi died people saw a shooting star, as it happens when very great souls leave this physical body. It was witnessed with Lord Krishna too. As per my grandfather, he also said among many rishis, only Sri Ramana was as addressed as Maharshi – a title only befitting him.

Years rolled by as I grew up, completed studies, got employed and married Shanthi who comes from a very religious background. Pooja phat gained prominence at home ever since.



We came to know about Sri Nanna Garu in the year 1998, through Mr K.V.K. Raju who was my colleague, friend and our neighbour. My wife started attending satsangs and Sri Nanna Garu lectures as and when he was in town. Since I was occupied with my work I could not accompany Shanthi, but she would come home and narrate his preaching of Ramana Maharshi. This was also the time when we were going through a lot of mental stress regarding my daughter’s preference of her marriage, for which we had our own reservations. Then, we were not matured enough to understand that only God’s will prevails, not ours.



One early morning during those days of turmoil, I went to meet Sri Nanna Garu in private, at Smt Lakshmi’s residence (Madhuranagar). I expected to meet someone with flowing hair, long orange robe and weathered beard. But he was a simple man who could have been my elder brother in a plain dhoti and banian with a towel flung across his shoulder.

My very first meeting with Sri Nanna Garu attracted me to him like iron ore to that of a magnet. His simplicity, calm face, gracious presence impressed me. As I sat at his feet he looked into my eyes and asked me if I was happy in life. I do not know how these great people can read one’s mind. Though that was my first meeting with him, I felt like sharing my feelings - about my daughter’s preference – with him. He listened to me without interrupting and in the end just closed his eyes for a while. He then looked into my eyes with a smile and said “ROOP, ANTHA BAGHA AVUTHUNDI” (Everything will be alright). I came out a relieved soul. Believe me, that within a week I agreed to perform my daughter’s marriage as per her choice. Today she is happy and so are we. It was a win-win situation for both. It was Sri Nanna Garu who convinced me to see the reality in life.



I do not know the connection but each time he sees me he calls me near to him and I am blessed by him.

Since then, every time I attend his lectures, it gives me a new HIGH that I have never felt before. Our visits to the Ramana Ashram at Tiruvannamalai have drawn us closer to Sri Ramana Maharshi.

We all pray God more as a routine and chant slokas and mantras that we learn from our parents and teachers. Mostly, we are confused between so many Gods we have, that we sail and drift in life like a rudderless boat. We may know that path but due to the darkness cannot navigate. This is where we need a guru, who like a rudder gives you direction in life and also sheds light in darkness for you to navigate the right path of life. In our case Sri Nanna Garu has done it for us. Let us make the best use of it.



Thank you Roop Kumar for sharing such a simple and profound experience. Guru brings or calls his devotees at his place at his will. His connections and ways are beyond our imagination.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Bhagawad Gita


  1. In this world, we celebrate birthdays of people but not that of books. This fame only belongs to Gita. Even though this is a small book, it has got great reputation.
  2. Gita Jayanti implies the birthday of Bhagawad Gita. Gita has been orated and preached by God himself nearly 5000 years ago. “The one who preached Gita, the one who listened to Gita and the one who wrote Gita is Narayana himself” said Lord Krishna himself in Gita.
  3. Krishna preached the Gita to Arjuna just before the commencement of Mahabharata war in Kurukshetra which is located in Haryana now. Many people have questions like how can anyone preach in the battle field? Is it really possible to do so? Impossibility may exist for us but is there anything that is impossible for God? If there is anything that is impossible then how can he ever become God? One who is attached is ever bound. One who is bound has fear. But how can God be bound or have fear? If Krishna had any attachment for his nephew Abhimanyu, would he allow him to die? He (Krishna) has become God because he is unattached, and doesn’t have any bondage.
  4. Sri Madvacharya said - “It was initially Bharata only, but since it was encompassed of Bhagawad Gita it was renovated as Mahabharata”
  5. Mahatama Gandhi said - “Bhagawad Gita has filled up the emptiness of loss of my mother”
  6. Sri Sant Jnaneswar said - “The whole world can be converted to gold or all the salt water in the sea can be transformed into fresh water, but one can never understand the Bhagawad Gita, it is very difficult to understand”
  7. Piling up all the valuable diamonds in the world at one place, becomes Bhagawad Gita.
  8. Bhagawad Gita is the compilation of the goodness of all the good hearted people in this world.
  9. Tilak said – “Just as Hanuman somersaulted from one end of the sea to the other end of the sea to reach Lanka, even I jumped from the first chapter to the last chapter of the Gita, but I never understood the depth of it”
  10. Krishna said in the Gita, “Bhagawad Gita is his abode. In Gita, God exists in the form of Akshara (letters). Akshara implies that never perishes. It is a sin to separate God from Gita. They are never separate.
  11. Gita may contain that which doesn’t exist in the world, but which doesn’t exist in Gita cannot be found in the world.
  12. If you just read 18 chapters of the Gita you might get punya (fruit of virtuous deeds) but if you understand and practice the same, you will get Jnana.
  13. Our lives are being driven very fast by the great tides of ego, then how do we have place for the Gita in our hearts? That’s the reason we are unable to understand Gita. Is it not true that, only when we give our heart that the Gita gives heart?
  14. I take the courage in saying that Arjuna did not get Jnana just by listening to the Gita from Krishna. Arjuna implies a white man (with pure heart). Krishna said – “O Arjuna! You are anasuya (one who don’t know what jealous is) hence I am preaching you the Gita. Jealousy is the foremost bad quality amongst all of us. Arjuna mourned for the sake of the world (society) this made him Jnani, this Jnana took birth in his heart only. Arjuna’s Shoka (grief) became his yoga (path), but why does our shoka (grief) lead us to Roga (disease)? It is because Arjuna grieved for the society and we grieve only for our selfishness.
  15. My Dear Friends! Arjuna’s punya (fruit of virtuous deeds) is that God himself became his Guru.
  16. Lord said in the beginning of vibhuti yoga that I reside in the heart of all shining as the self. All the further sayings in vibhuti yoga are only for understanding the body minded people like us.
  17. Lord said in Gita – “Work but don’t expect any result.”, but he never said that – “I will not give you the fruit of your deeds”. God resides in the heart of those who work without any expectation. What is worth achievable than this in the world?
  18. The Lord said – “O Arjuna! None can overcome my maya. I am revealed only to them whom I select”. Why? This is because Maya is in the hands of God and we are in the clutches of Maya. Therefore Maya releases (shows the path) only to those who take refuge at the feet of God.
  19. My dear friends! When Krishna promised in the 9th chapter that – “Self-knowledge will reveal the self here and now “Why don’t you believe the same? Though God repeatedly says that –“Leaving all your duties surrender unto me/ I will cleanse you of all your sins and liberate you. “Why do we still not trust his words?
  20. We cannot get Jnana until we have a collaboration of God’s Grace, Gurus Grace, Shastras (spiritual science) grace and the time.
  21. In Gita the Lord preached –
    • “Karma Yoga to those who always want to work”,
    • “Bhakti Yoga to those who get emotional very easily,”
    • “Jnana yoga to those who always try to find reason behind everything”
    The goal of all these yoga’s (practices) is to “know thyself” as preached by Bhagawan Ramana.
  22. Lord says Kama (lust), Krodha (anger) and Lobha (misery) are the three big gates to enter into hell.
  23. In Gita Lord said – “It is only the Jnani who obtains my swarupa. There is nothing in this world that equals the Jnana. All the people are nothing but puppets in my hands”
  24. In Gita God has narrated all the qualities of a Stitah Prajna (one who maintains equanimity in all conditions) and all the divine qualities (Daivi Guna), further he said that the greatest dirtiness is being weak at heart. The dirtiest thing is the weakness of heart. He also said this world is temporary and it is the residence of all miseries. He never said this world is a temple. It is the body that takes birth and dies. The atman neither is born nor dead. He further said – “You are that Aatman”, and then are we considering ourselves as Aatman or the body?
  25. My Dear Friends! We can never understand the Gita as long as we have perception as Krishna is mere body. God and Gita are not different. God said in Gita – “People are considering themselves as just bodies, and they are also limiting me to a body by doing so they are insulting me”
  26. As we clear dirt on our faces using a mirror we have to clean the impurities of our mind by taking Gita as the basis. Gita is the upadesa grandha (Greatest Preacher) and is very useful to purify the mind. If we abide by the teachings in Gita our weakness and sins perish automatically.
  27. God asked us to love him, remember him and believe him but what will he get by saying this? My dear friends! It is only out of love and grace he spoke. He further promised that even a greatest sinner will be liberated by him if he has unwavering faith in his existence.
  28. My Dear Friends! It is only the work that is in your hands and not the result which is in the hands of God. Therefore if you do your duty selflessly and with utter concentration, God will certainly give the appropriate result. God is always thankful and not thankless. Friends! Do believe my words, if you do your work with doership you are bound and if you do your work without doership you will be released by the work. If you love Krishna in your hearts wholeheartedly, he will purify and liberate you. What we need to have for him is Bhakti (devotion) and what he gives in return in Mukti (freedom). Is there anything worth achievable than this in the world?


  29. Trust God to find treasures otherwise you will just dust. He who does friendship with God will obtain him. But are you doing friendship with God or with worldly people? Can’t you abide by his words spoken in your welfare? God is embodiment of love. The love showered by your wife or husband or children or relatives is not even a one percentile of the love showered by God.
  30. My dear friends! Lastly I would like to say a word that even Gita is a VEDA. Bhagavad Gita compasses of the words uttered by God himself. Who among us has the capability to speak about God? We will not understand him if he doesn’t speak about himself. Therefore he spoke about himself, thereby killing his self-respect, why? It is because until and unless if we don’t understand his greatness we cannot love him and respect him, further loveless hearts are like godless temples. Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa said “A person who cannot become a tyagi (one who sacrifices) can never understand the Gita”
  31. Sri Malayala Swami said Gita comes into the hands of those whose fate is good.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

No coming, No going

One who thinks who is leaving, will definitely come again, where there is going there is always coming. But once you reach that Brahman state, there will be no going, no coming because there is no person who goes and comes.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

"Offer thyself to him" - (By Hima)

AUM NAMO BHAGAVATE SRI NANNAYA




Once I was sitting right in front of Nannagaru holding fruits in my hands. I was waiting for the opportunity to offer the fruits, after he finishes the speech.

As soon as Nannagaru finished his speech he bent forward and laid his hands in front of me, as if asking for the fruits.

Immediately I passed the fruits onto Nannagaru’s hands, then

He asked me – “what are these called?”

I just kept quite as everyone could see that they are bananas.

Nannagaru said –”These are called offerings”.

He took them and closed his eyes for few seconds and then opened his eyes and said –

“You take these fruits to home, children will eat. “

H was about to give them. I laid my hands forward to take them, then he again asked me “what are these called “? I was silently looking into his eyes.

He repeated the question again.

I felt Nannagaru was trying to convey something else to me and my heart was dying to know what it was as I continued to stare into his eyes.

After few seconds he said –
”This is called prasadam”.



I felt Nannagaru was trying to convey that "He is ready to accept anything that I offer, and he will turn it into prasadam and give it back to me, and in this case let it be my mind."

All the way back home I was thinking why I am not able to give a little place to my Guru in my heart so that he could turn it pure and make it into prasadam or like a butter, that butter which lord Krishna loves to eat. I tried to find out the reason and I came to know that my heart is already filled up with so many people, and then I started to beg and fight with my mind to give a little place to my Guru.



I tried to formulate this battle in the form of a poem.

















When we go to Nannagaru, some of us may offer bananas, some may offer apples and others sweets. Whatever they are, once they go into the hands of our Guru they are turned into prasadam that’s the greatness of a guru.

I wish there would definitely come a day in the life of every devotee when he or she could completely offer (surrender) his or her heart to the Guru.



Thank you for the beautiful poem and sharing your inner thoughts with us. Your words are inspiring and very near to practicality. It is true that we need to make friendship with mind, and educate with goodness.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

"Fault is mine, not yours"

God has explained about Bhakti, Karma, Dhyana and Jnana as different yoga’s (practices). But if you ask me, even mere understanding is a great yoga (practice). Don't you get faith (Shraddha) by only understanding?

My Dear Friends! If your mind doesn’t divert towards self, by just looking at me then the fault is mine not yours. If you cannot grasp my words then the fault is mine not yours. If I have true purity in my heart, my words will chase you even if you want to forget them. My words work on you only if I have peace in my heart. If you are unable to receive the peace by remembering me, then it implies there is lack of purity in myself. If you don’t have love for me, it is my responsibility to propagate that love.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

"Great transformation by Guru's Grace" - (By Abhishek)

I would like to share my experiences, about thy grace Sadguru Nannagaru .



From my young days I and my family were devoted to Bhagawan Sri Ramana Maharishi.Though I was blessed with all material comforts in my life, yet personally I felt I lacked some thing within me. My first meeting with Sri Nannagaru happened in the year 2001, when I was introduced to Sri Nannagaru by my uncle Mr Marish at Banjara Hills. In the first meeting itself , Sri Nannagaru gave me an insight that he was none other than the manifestation of Bhagawan himself.

I could understand that there were inherent tendencies of my mind that was really preventing me to get really closer to Nannagaru. In my subsequent visits towards the guru, the guru himself hinted out some of the tendencies directly and indirectly that I needed to get rid of. Guru's words really inspired me to work on some aspects which I needed to change. Nanna said to me that ," if you really have the urge to get realized you need to first get rid of the tendencies that is
stopping you" .



Shravanam and Mananam were two important aspects that made me to work within myself, that is continuous listening and repeating the teachings of Nanna. Gradually I could find that there is lot of change within me. Nanna , as helped me to develop serene feeling within myself. My heart could experience bliss many a times in his divine presence.

All I would like to mention is Nanna's grace is beyond words, it can only be experienced.His love .and compassion is boundless and it showers on us by a way of a word , a touch and a look .We are not able to really sustain the bliss experienced by Nanna's presence continuously, though our heart longs for his
divine presence , but the mind camouflages to back its worldly pursuit Nanna's grace as had a great impact in my life. There is been a great transformation within me from an aggressive, mentally disturbed state to a peaceful serene human being.





Thank you Abhishek for sharing your wonderful connect with Nannagaru. Sravanam Mananam (Remembering and Understanding) was the way that Nannagaru greatly focuses on his teachings and it is a great practice for real Sadhaka.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Guru's ways

A lady (a devotee of Shirdi Sai Baba) had a dream in which Baba asked her to follow Sri Nannagaru. She questioned him saying that, ‘He comes to Arunachala very rarely, what to do?’ Then Baba replied, ‘Even if Nannagaru comes only once a year, that is enough for you. Don’t leave Nannagaru.’

Jnana Deshikar got spiritual training at Chidambaram and then came to Arunachalam. He attained samadhi at ‘Isanya Matham’, He accrued about a hundred acres of property for Arunachaleswara Temple.

At Virupaksha Cave at Arunachala there lived a saint Guha Namasivaya. Once he vomited and told his disciple Guru Namasivaya to throw it away at a place where people don’t move around, the disciple swallowed the vomit. He attained self-realisation and the guru said, ‘Two elephants (jnanis) shouldn’t be in the same place,’ and sent him to Chidambaram.

Jnana Deshikar came from Chidambaram to Arunachalam. Guru Namasivaya went from Arunachalam to Chidambaram. These are God’s ways.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

"Ramana is him, he is Ramana" - (By Dr.Mithin)

I returned to Arunachala in the month of December just two days after the MahaDeepam. My stay was in Nannagaru Ashram. There was a good crowd still lingering in the ashram despite the conclusion of the Deepam festivities. The main reason though was that Sri Nannagaru was still there in the ashram.

The MahaDeepam would be lit for a few more days on Arunachala peak and I wanted to see it.

I arrived by afternoon in the car and went around Girivallam road capturing some pictures of Arunachala. Then on returning to the ashram I was informed that Sri Nannagaru would be leaving to Ramana Ashram at three in the afternoon.



I went to the ashram with some local friends and found Nannagaru surrounded by devotees. He first went to the Mother shrine and then to Ramana hall. I first tried to see him through the windows of the Hall. A few elder devotees seeing me gestured to me to come nearer and see the master.

"Ramana is Him, He is Ramana. There is no difference" one woman told me. I nodded not knowing what to say.

As the master entered the Ramana shrine, I saw devotees take strategic places around the samadhi so that they can come in line when the master sees them.

I too decided the same and hoped that the Sadhguru would remember me from our meeting in Hyderabad.

And so I stood with bated breath as the great man circumbulated Ramana Samadhi. Finally when he came close to me he looked at me. I watched him and willed him to smile at me. There was no hint of recognition from him. And then he walked past.

I chided myself for having a 'Vivekananda Complex'...that is hoping for the Sadhguru to smile at me and say with love "Where were you all these years my beloved disciple? I have been waiting for you.":)

I decided to meet the master later in the ashram in the evening.

I respectfully saluted him and left the place for a car girivallam.



I met the great man in his chambers that evening after returning from pradakshina (by car).

I was introduced to him by a common friend and the saint smiled and asked me to come in.

He asked me to sit beside him and enquired about my well being and my profession. Knowing that I was a practising joint replacement surgeon at a young age he expressed surprise and joy.

"Are you happy then with your life?" he asked

I did not know what to say but blurted out a 'yes'. His question was more of a prod for me to introspect rather than a question searching for superficial confirmation.

He looked at me.

His eyes were reputed to be piercing, purifying.

But as I gazed into his eyes I felt a different emotion. I could see a little surprise, a little enquiry and a little mirth in them. I could also see changes in them due to old age.

What was he seeing in me? Was he seeing in me all the sins I had ever commited? All the people I have cheated? All the people I have lied to?

What was he seeing in me?

The very thought was scary.

Finally the saint smiled at me.

And in that moment I knew that, despite my sins, my shortcomings, I had been accepted.



"Manasa Bhajore guru charanam, dusthare bavasaagara taranam.

Guru Maharaj, Guru Jai Jai. Sri Sadhguru Nannagaru Jai Jai."

( O mind chant the glories of the Guru's feet, they take you across the ocean of phenomenal existence, the Guru is Emperor, Victory to the guru, victory to Sri Nannagaru."





Dr.Mithin Aachi is an orthopaedic surgeon by profession. He is a star-gazer, painter, and writer. He is an amalgamation of all kinds of arts and activities. He is a happy go lucky person, who just sees love in everything. From the very tender age, he had an quest to know the truth. He admires and worships Rama Krishna and believes Nannagaru is an avatar of Rama Krishna and worships him in this form. He is a simple person who is an embodiment of love.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Nannagaru Live Feed



Nannagaru live feed available. Please don't miss this opportunity.

Reduce the use of mind

If we don’t have God’s Grace even our thoughts won’t be proper and there will be madness (mental illness). Without poorva punya (past good karma) we can’t get good thoughts.

By criticizing others again and again our respect is lost and then we don’t become purified or become mahatmas. The respect that is already accrued will be lost by criticism. If we don’t have respect for God, we will feel that we are very great. Although you use the mind to go to the source it is better to reduce the use of the mind. If we stop listening to the mind we will get knowledge.

A person came to Vivekananda and asked to be initiated through mantra. Then Vivekananda told him the nature of duties of a sishya, that he should get up earlier than the guru, take care of all his needs etc., then the man said, ‘It seems to be better to be a guru than a sishya.’

Saturday, November 20, 2010

"My first encounter with Karunachala" - (By Dr.Mithin)

I saw Arunachala for the first time on Nov 22, 2008. It was a few days ( ? month
) after having been touched by Sri Nannagaru that I finally was able to see the
Hill.

After a few hours drive from Chennai, my cousins and I could make out a form of
a hill in the distance. We immediately stopped our car and made salutations to
it. However when we rechecked it with our binoculars we found to our dismay that
it was not Arunachala. Later we came to know that we could see Arunachala from
that point and our salutations were not in vain.

I was praying in my heart to Arunachala.

"Please dont be covered in clouds. I am coming to see you. Please."


We continued for some time whence suddenly the great Hill could be seen with the
temple towers in the far distance.

It was covered with a rain clouds! :)

Only the portion of it from base to the middle could be seen. We made our
heartfelt salutations to it, though I was a little disappointed.



We continued into the town with the Hill growing larger every mile we crossed.
We got down into Nannagaru ashram from where the Hill looked magnificent and
mind numbingly infinite.

That night I slowly crept to the terrace of Nannagaru ashram to spend some time
with Arunachala. But seeing the overpowering infinite form of the Hill with a
magnificent cloud hugging its peak, my knees shivered in fright and my spine
gave way unknown power, prostrating before an unknown Power which was emanating
from the Hill.

I felt that I was seeing the Himalayas.

Infact I was soooo scared to see it that I asked my cousing to come up and be
with me. lol

After that everytime I think of Arunachala...the first time I saw it and more so
whence I saw it from the terrace of Nannagaru Asramam in the night, all
alone...I shiver.

I pleaded to the Hill to show me its form.

But the clouds did not relent.

Next day we woke up at 4.00 am for Girivallam.



It was Nov 23 2008

My fist day of Girivallam and it was Sathya Sai Baba's Birthday.

I was happy at that coincidence.

I rushed out to see whether the Hill was free of clouds.

It was not.

Dejected I started the Girivallam.

It was at a place near Adi Annamalai that I finally lost my control and
prostrating to the Hill I beeged it to reval to me its form.

And finally the Hill relented and the clouds moved away and I saw Arunachala for
the first time near Adi Annamalai.




And then I thought...

I have seen the most beautiful monsoons hit the parched soil of the western
coast bringing with it a joy unlimited to my heart when in Mangalore...

I have swam in the beaches of Iran dancing as a child with jellyfish surrounding
the shallows with their unmatched beauty...

I have driven in an auto on winter evenings in surreal Delhi the evening street
lights throwing out a yellow orange color of supreme beauty as the cold winds
lashed my face and I felt warm in my heart...

I have watched with awe as the great river Ganges slowly joined the sea carrying
in its bosom a billion sins on the banks of Kolkata...I have seen the city of
the Goddess saturated with her, everywhere Kali...everywhere the Mother Goddess
in Kolkata...

I have watched with fascination at the beauty of the deity in Tirupathi with my
heart beating wildly out of pure love for Him...everytime I saw Him...

I remember my first time when I saw the Taj Mahal, the first time I saw my
college mates on a rainy day, the first time when I trekked across the dense
jungles of South Karnataka discovering virgin waterfalls and lush greenery...

I have seen Frankfurt in the snow, I have gazed stunned and amazed at the
Universe and varied galaxies, stars from my telescope, went boating across the
lake district in Cambria, UK.

I have seen the London Bridge, I have seen a child laugh, I have seen friends
cry as they departed at the end of college...

I have seen beautiful butterflies...

.
.
.
.
.
but I have never seen anything like Arunachala.



It is beyond beauty, beyond speech, beyond thought to even describe its presence
in front of my eyes.

Tears well up, the mind melts, the heart is aware.

Friends, in all my life with an infinite experiences...I have had the greatest
of all...

I have seen GOD.

Its name is Arunachala. It exists in the form of a rocky Hill 200kms from
Chennai.

It is the SOURCE, the Alpha and the Omega.

It is the spiritual heart of the universe (Ramana Maharshi)

It is my Arunachala...my darling Arunachala.




Dr.Mithin Aachi is an orthopaedic surgeon by profession. He is a star-gazer, painter, and writer. He is an amalgamation of all kinds of arts and activities. He is a happy go lucky person, who just sees love in everything. From the very tender age, he had an quest to know the truth. He admires and worships Rama Krishna and believes Nannagaru is an avatar of Rama Krishna and worships him in this form. He is a simple person who is an embodiment of love.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Videos on Nannagaru - Part 1

Sadguru Nannagaru - "At Geetha Chanting Ceremony"



Sadguru Nannagaru - Sai



Sadguru Nannagaru - Aarti



Sadguru Nannagaru - Vandemantaram



Sadguru Nannagaru - 'The Self'



Sadguru Nannagaru is Saravam (Everything)



Sadguru Nannagaru as Badhrachala Rama



Sadguru Nannagaru, The Essence of Mahakavyas



Sadguru Nannagaru, The Absolute



Sadguru Nannagaru, Sarvam Madhuram



Prayer to Nannagaru AUM TAT SAT




Nannagaru, Padalu(feet)



Nannagaru, Amazing Grace



Nannagaru, to him we bow



Omniscient Nannagaru



Nannagaru Suraj Ki Garmi Se



Nannagaru as Shiva Shambho



Nannagaru as Poorna Jnani



Nannagaru with Devotees at Arunachalam



Nannagaru Blessings


Showers of blessings.

Nanna Pahi


A dedication at his lotus feet.

Nannagaru Hanuman


Nannagaru bowes to Hanuma.

Nanna Mahanubhava


A tribute to Nannagaru.

Nannagaru Shivoham


Nannagaru indeed a form of Shiva.

All in One and One in All


Nannagaru is present as Brahmam in all of us.

Nannagaru in Kasi


Nannagaru doing Japa of Shankara.

Nannagaru, 'Oh God Beautiful'


Nannagaru sung this song. - (Shared by Nanna Das)


Nannagaru in Tiruvannamalai


Nannagaru during Arunachala Pradakshina


Nannagaru during Deepam


Voice of God!


Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Three yagnas

Daiva Yagna Meditating on the Lord, hearing good words about God.

Nara Yagna God gave you at least something, so share it with others whenever possible. If he has put you in a giving place you should help others. We study in a school, but we didn’t build that school. Someone else built it by sacrificing something. In the same way you can also do something for society.

Pitru Yagna Our elders brought us up with great effort. Even if they say something, which hurts us, there is nothing wrong if we bear it. We should respect our elders. Disrespect isn’t proper. Suppose our elders give us a plot of land we shouldn’t say, ‘They gave something but not much!’ We should have gratitude. That we exist is due to the sacrifice of our elders.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

"Moments spent with him" - (By Gopika)



I met Sri Nannagaru after some time in a marraige reception. I came to
know that he was going to Sri Sailam.

I asked him eagerly whether I could come.

He nodded and gave his permission happily.

I went with him to Sri Sailam and spent 3 days in absolute bliss. I
would accompany him wherever he went and he too was loving and caring
towards me.

I remember that he was very particular about Vruddha Mallikarjuna
Swamy temple in Sri Sailam.

Whenever he went to Sri Sailam he would spent a lot of time sitting
near the sanctum sanctorum. The idol of Shiva here was a linga which
bore the destruction of a muslim invasion.

The linga was a special attraction to Sri Nannagaru.

He would sit near it and one day he said " I like this Old Man very
very much." He would be in a different mood whenever he was with the
linga.



Subsequently I joined college in Chidamabaram for my degree. The first
year passed away quickly and it was in the beginning of second year
that I felt I should go and visit Arunachala one day. On coming to
know from my parents that Sri Nannagaru was supposed to be coming to
Arunachala soon, my desire to see the Hill increased manifold. I made
enquiries in my hostel and amongst my friends regarding the directions
to reach Arunachala. None of them had even heard of that place.

It was on one such day when I had asked my friend Sarah about
Arunachala.. She was a Christian from Pondicherry but had never heard
about Arunachala. I asked her to let me know if she came across anyone
who did and quietly left for my dinner.

It so happened that Sarah was ragging some juniors later and one of
them was from Tiruvannamalai. She sent her to my room to meet me and I
was very happy at this oppurtunity given by God to fulfill my desire.

I accompanied the junior girl and their family that weekend to Tiruvannamalai.

It so happened that Sri Nannagaru was there in Tiruvannamalai then and
so were my sisters.



My sisters were conversing with the Guru and saying " Gopika stays in
Chidambaram. If she knew she would have come here."

Sri Nannagaru smiled and said " But Gopika is coming."

My sisters were surprised at this statement.

The Guru got up to leave and went to his room.

It was at that point of time that I landed in Tiruvannamalai and
reached the guest house.

My sister's were surprised and wideeyed they said " no wonder the Guru
said you were coming. Hasten fast before he retires for the day!"

I had taken a bunch of flowers on the way and with that I rushed
towards Nannagaru's room where in he opened it and saw me and smiled.

"Oh! So you have come Gopika." He smiled.

I nodded happily and spent a blissful six days with him in Tiruvannamalai.

He used to treat me like his child and showered me with Love and
blessings. Infact everytime he came to Tiruvannamalai from then on I
would spend the time with him irrespective of my college and studies.



The second time I came to Tiruvannamali Sri Nannagaru along with
other devotees including me went to Skandaashram and Virupaksha Cave.

He was barefoot.

We requested him to wear chappals.

But he said " There is no problem if you wear chappal. But I wont wear."

That showed his unalloyed respect for Arunachala.

In Virupaksha cave Sri Nannagaru spoke a lot on Bhagawan, his days at
the cave and his teaching. The peculiar trait of him that I saw was he
would become the saint about whom he would be talking in a piligrimage
centre..

Whether it be Shankaracharya, Buddha, Ramakrishna or Ramana.

He would become That.

That day in Virupaksha cave he looked at us solemnly and said " I used
to play here as a child." (Sri Nannagaru saw Arunachala much later in
this life of his)

It was on rare occasions like these that he used to give glimpses of
his past lives.



He used to have his food always in Ramanashram.

He would keep me always by his side. He used to have a sugar box which
he used to sprinkle some sugar on his idly.

He would do the same for me in my plate. He would also pour coffee
from his cup into mine and asked me to drink it.

Thus he would shower me with Love and Affection. I used to cry seeing
his love for me.

Where were you all these years? Why were you so far away? Why did you
come in so late into my life? How could I miss you so long? How come I
am so impure and you are so pure?

Many such questions would run in my mind as I kept on crying.

My Atmananda experience had made it clear to me that Sri Nannagaru was
my everything. He was inside me and I had to attain him. He was mine.

The love he showered on me during those times would make other
attractions pale into insignificance.

Even if he was surrounded hundreds of devotees he would single me out
and shower his love.

It was extreme compassion. Even after leaving him and coming back to
Chidambaram I would be in his thoughts and would radiate happiness and
peace. My friends and teachers were so impressed by the changes they
saw in me that many of them subsequently visited and met Sri Nannagaru
and got his blessings.



Once in Tiruvannamalai I was with Sri Nannagaru doing Giripradakshina
in a devotees car.

I was looking at him with open eyed wonder and even though his face
was turned away from me he said suddenly

"Gopika! look at Arunachala not me."

I said ok but continued to look at him.

"Gopika look at Arunachala" he said again.

I nodded again but kept looking at him.

He turned and faced me now and said " Make Arunachala your pillar of
support. It will always be there. It is an Ocean of Grace, Bliss and
Peace. Karunodaya Samudram Aayana, If you see Him, you will develop
Love for Him."

I thought in my mind "You are enough Sri Nannagaru."

--

Thank you All!


Gopika is one of such profound devotees of Nannagaru who always wish to be in company of Nannagaru. She is near and dear to Nannagaru. Ever since she met Nannagaru, she has set the goal as him, and only him. Such pure devotion and love towards Guru is exemplary for any devotee.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Self,God,Guru, all are same

Whether you say Self, God, Guru, all are the same. Bhagavan didn’t have a Guru in physical form. The Grace of Self as Guru gave him the death experience. In order to reveal to the world his knowledge in the immovable state, Arunachala granted Bhagavan his state. You should have devotion, respect, and proper faith in God. You should do your duty without disturbance.

All thoughts arise from the ego. Where there is doership, there is a result - good for good and bad for bad. If there is no doership, there won’t be anyone to experience so where then is the experience? Krishna told us to leave attachment, fear and anger. If we remember somebody a lot, it means we have attachment. We get misery due to attachment and also due to fear and anger.S

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Faith in God

Theism is important. If you have the belief that God exists; fear reduces, self-confidence increases, problems get solved and thoughts and imaginations get reduced. If you have complete faith in God, then there is no need for sadhana. Even atheists have a nagging fear, ‘What if God exists?’ If you think of God the mind rests in the heart cave. Faith in God gives you the strength of a thousand elephants. Even if there is no one else in creation one can live alone that is the strength you get by belief and complete faith in God.

Sabari is a great example for guru-bhakti. She underwent spiritual training under Matangi Maharshi, who on his deathbed promised her that an avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu would give her moksha. Though many years passed she waited patiently with deep belief in her Guru’s words. In the end Rama came and ate the fruits tested by her and given to him as prasad and gave her mukti.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

"Either show me what you are or take me away" - (By Gopika)

AUM NANNA GURAVE NAMAHA


I became spiritually inclined the day I identified myself as having a body. It was a tender age of young adolescence, the time when I didn’t know about Sri Nannagaru that many spiritual queries used to be a part of my life.

I used to wonder What am I? Where do I come from? Why do I exist? To what purpose is this life of mine?

Many times I used to become silent in thought and wonder about these questions. My family members would ask me why I was silent and I had no answer for that.

These bouts of Silence were followed by alternating phases of jubilant behavior and socialization.

Many times I would gaze myself in the mirror and stop combing. I would ask myself ‘Is what I see as a body in the mirror me? Or is it the thinking faculty? What am I? What is this God? Where to know? How to know?’



I gradually got introduced to Shirdi Sai Baba and I used to pray to Him internally to clear my doubts. I asked Baba who are you? What are you? Who is the Guru? How to find him?

I used to have wonderful visions but none assuaged my grief completely.

I used to spend many evenings on my terrace enjoying Nature and its Silence.

Again I used to wonder Is this Silence God? Or Is God something more?

Slowly as age progressed Baba became my everything. I used to pray to him like a friend.

It was on one such occasion that I journeyed to Shirdi with my aunty and friends. The thoughts that were uppermost in my mind then was Why do you give life? Why should we suffer?

I was insecure when I went to Shirdi. I had many questions and confusions. It was then that one fine morning at darshan my friend asked for a rose from Baba idol’s decoration. The priest smiled and gave her a rose garland! My aunt asked for a lilly and she was given a garland of lilies from the idol!

I smiled to see their happiness. I wondered What Baba should we ask for you to give something? Wont you give without asking? I chided Baba internally like a friend.

It was then that I went to Chaavadi. Here Baba had meditated looking at the wall.

I stood there watching. I wondered. Baba is God. Then why did he meditate here? I was thinking thus when someone jabbed me on my shoulders. I turned and looked at a man who was dressed with a head scarf resembling the one which Baba wears. He gave me a garland and asked me to offer it to the altar in the Chaavadi. I asked is it for me? But he persisted. I took the garland and offered it. I turned back immediately and he was not there! I was stunned and ran out searching for the man but he was not to be found. I sat down and cried.

I jubilantly thought ‘You are dynamically present Baba! You will respond to every call! You have to protect me always!’



On the way back in the train I had a beautiful vision. I was standing in vast field and numerous dark forms were approaching me. I cried out in fear, Baba please help me. Baba suddenly appeared by my side and drew a circle around me with his staff. The circle blazed with fire and none could approach me. I hugged Baba and the vision ended.

As the years rolled on and I was completing my intermediate studies. My inner quest continued and I was wondering that time was passing by.

I came into contact with Swami Rajarajeshwarananda of the Swami Shivananda ashram near my house.

One day when he was giving initiation I refused and told him “I want God as Guru.”

He smiled and said “ But my child God is everywhere. How can I say that the same Pure Power will come as your Guru?”

I was adamant. He nodded and asked me to read Lalitha Sahasranama sthrothra once a week and Sri Suktham daily and chant OMNAMAHA SHIVAYA.

I did the recitation reluctantly because I didn’t understand it.

When it comes to God I needed to understand.

I used to disrespect customary approaches to worship and many times argued that changes in body physiology should not dictate devotion. My mother seldom agreed.



One day my sister came and told me to come and meet Sri Nannagaru as he speaks very well about God.

I asked her ‘Is he God? If he is not I have no reason why I should see him.’ She was nonplussed.

Another day Sri Nannagaru had come to my neighbor’s house. After sitting he had asked pointing to my house

“Who lives there?”

On finding out he immediately got up and came directly into my house without invitation! He introduced himself to my mother and sister and myself and then nonchalantly went around inspecting the house and its rooms! After that he sat on the sofa and talked to me for one hour regarding my schooling.

“Tell me your school prayer” he said

I recited the famous sloka Purnamidam etc.

“Oh,” he exclaimed “you have been worshipping consciousness since childhood it seems.”

And then he smiled and said to me

“Keep meeting me often”

I forgot about the incident later thinking that here is a Godman who did not talk a single thing about God.



One day on Shivarathri ( 16/17 yrs of age ) I was crying. I have been seeking you and you haven’t answered. What are you? Either show me what you are or take me away.”

I woke up crying and went to the refrigerator for some water. On the fridge I saw some audio cassettes of Sri Nannagaru. I paused and decided to listen to them.

I was claimed!

Every doubt that had vexed me since childhood was answered in them in sequence! Every thing was laid bare before me and I woke up to life giving teaching.

“You are not the body for it dies. You are not the mind or the thinking faculty for they don’t exist in deep sleep. You exist in all states. The peace of deep sleep in the waking state is realization. You are the eternal Truth. It is within you. To realize this is jnana. You have no death or birth. You are all pervasive.”

I wondered! ‘Nice words! But where is the experience? How should I achieve that? Unless I experience it how am I to try for it?’

Thinking thus I went back to sleep crying.

And then I saw!

Something in me opened up. I was very very happy. I could see that my body was crying and tears were flowing down my eyes, but it was not me. I was not the mind also. I was that Blissful state. I was Peace,Bliss, Blessedness.All adjectives could only give a hint of that Pure State. This is the state that Sri Nannagaru talked about, I understood. Let me be. This is the doorway of jnana! I tried to ask my family members to come and enjoy this bliss. But none heeded in the vision. The state continued for some time and then abated.



In the morning I asked my sister as to what was it that I experienced.

She shook her head and said “ Sri Nannagaru is coming in three days. Why don’t you ask him?”

I decided to do just that.

I went to him with my sister.

He looked at me from far and told the devotees happily

“Make way, make way she is coming.”

I went and sat near him. My sister tried to tell Sri Nannagaru about my experience.

He interrupted her.

“Let her tell, let her tell” he smiled.

I explained to him everything that had happened to me.

“What was that experience Nannagaru?” I asked.

“That was the Bliss of Brahman. Atmananda.” He said solemnly. “It was momentary but many do not get it after hundreds of years of sadhana..”

“Why did I get it without any sadhana?” I asked.

“You asked for it 'wholeheartedly' and God gave you a taste of it. You don’t know your past life and punya. Now you will live your life in trying to reattain that experience.”

“Even if thousand people come and argue with you that this doesn’t exist will you be convinced?” He asked.

“How can I be convinced when I have experienced it?” I answered

“You felt you were on top of an elephant?” he asked smiling.

“There is no comparison” I said.

“I just asked in a slang that’s all” he said and smiled again.

“Why was the experience momentary?” I asked. “ I would love to continue to be in the same state.”

“That was just a drop in the ocean.”

“I have known meaning of life. I don’t want to study anymore” I said.

“All at once, the experience will kill you. You will achieve it gradually.” He said.

“I do not crave for attractions of the world but I feel I am highly body conscious. How do I get rid of this?” I asked

He smiled and said “If you get rid of this you will be a jnani.”

After that for the next two years whenever I was with Sri Nannagaru I used to weep inconsolably.

One day he looked at me weeping and putting aside his newspaper he said

“Look at her! This is Akaarana Bhakthi…love with no cause. When this love awakens in a time when temptations are more especially in teenage life God cannot be without giving Jnana.”



Thank you all.

Eventually will share more experiences.



Thank you Gopika, for sharing such an wonderful experience. There are some devotees that Guru selects, and brings them along with him. It is no doubt that you are one among them. This is an exemplary that Guru searches for you, follows you until you reach that state where he is in. His grace cannot be narrated.