Shirdi Sai Baba Stories,Leelas and Teachings.: B.V Narsimha Swami Ji -Chapter-6

Dear one's,
In continuation with biography of Pujya Shri B.V Narsimha Swamiji ,today I am uploading the Chapter-II (part-1) but I shall number it as chapter 6 keeping the sequence of the post .This chapter narrates about initiation of spiritual quest and journey of Shri Narasimha swamiji .Readers who have missed earlier parts of biography can read by clicking on the links which are given below here at the end of post chapter by chapter .Jai Sai Ram.(Posted below is portrait of Pujya Shri Narsimha Swami ji .)

CHAPTER-II (PART-I)
IN QUEST OF GOD
AT SRINGERI

Narasimha Iyer had two options before him, after he gave up his family ties.

The first one was to go over to the Ashram of Sorakkai Swamiji, a mystic who lived near Kalahasthi or take up “Sanyas” from his “Kula Guru” the Jagadguru Sri Shankaracharya of Sringeri. Since by then, Sorakkai Swamiji had cast off his mortal coil, Narsimha Iyer decided to go over to Sringeri in September 1925. Jagadguru Sri Narasimha Bharathi Mahaswamigal, who had blessed Narasimha Iyer as a school boy, had attained ‘Mahasamadhi’ in 1912 itself and Sri Chandrasekhara Bharathi Mahaswamigal had succeeded him as the pontiff.

At present traveling from one place to another is easy. But in 1925, the situation was different. Travel from Salem to Sringeri-a stretch of over 400 km was a Herculean task. Earlier, Narasimha Iyer used to visit Sringeri in his personal car. Now that he was a mendicant and had left Salem penniless, we can understand how much of hardship Narasimha Iyer would have faced in reaching Sringeri.

The authorities of the Shankar Mutt at Sringeri were pleasantly surprised when on a fine morning in October 1925, Narasimha Iyer landed in Sringeri. They were anxious at his stony silence and the mute manner in which he participated in the religious functions of the mutt. After spending three to four months in this manner, Narasimha Iyer poured out his problems to the Jagadguru Shankarachary Sri Chandrasekhara Bharathi Mahaswamigal and requested him to initiate him into “Sanyas” at the Shankar Mutt.

Jagadguru Shankaracharya was known for his clairvoyant vision. He must have discerned in his clairvoyant vision the prominent role Narasimha Iyer was going to play by working for the spiritual uplift of

the world. The rigid discipline and the limited sphere in which an initiated monk should function afforded little scope for what was expected of Narasimha Iyer. Accordingly, the Shankaracharya initiated him to chant “Panchakshari” mantra, “OM NAMA SHIVAYA”, and directed him to go over to Tiruvannamalai and to join Ramana.

From now onwards it is appropriate to call Narasimha Iyer as Narasimha Swamiji, as Jagadguru Sri Shankaracharya swamigal initiated him into the “Panchakshari’ mantram.

At that time, Ramana was little known outside Tiruvannamalai, but had a small band of devotees and was living at Skandashram on the hill, a little above the base. He was known among devotees as “Brahmana Swami”.

WITH RAMANA BHAGAWAN

Tiruvannamalai is a highly sanctified place. Here, Lord Parameswara Himself is in the form of a mountain and blessing the devotees. In his holy place, a number of siddhas, sages and sadhus have sought spiritual recluse. It is authoritatively claimed that if the very name “Tiruvannamalai”were uttered, one would be emancipated from the cycle of births and deaths. Sri Ramana had chosen this holy place as his abode. Narasimha Swamiji arrived in Tiruvannamali in January 1926.

After visiting the Lord Arunachaleswara temple and seeking the Lord’s blessings, Narasimha swamiiji went in search of ‘Brahmana Swami” at Skandashram on the slopes of the hill. He paid his obeisance to Ramana Maharishi and submitted to him the directions given by Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Sringeri and requested him for spiritual guidance. Ramana Maharishi showed him a cave, which was behind him and directed Narasimha Swamiji to meditate in that cave on Self-enquiry- “WHO AM I ?”

Ramana Maharishi held that happiness came from within as a ‘subjective realization of the mind’, though many had misunderstood that it depended on external conditions. By wisely adapting to changing conditions and environment one might preserve a balanced mind. Ramana’s answer to any problem was invariably to direct the person concerned, to trace the source of the problem and ask-‘Who is affected? Who am I?”

Narasimha Swamiji fitted within this circle and he benefited by developing awareness withing. Ramana Maharishi had composed hymns of Lord Arunachala-Aksharamanimala, Arunachala Stuthi Panchakam and Arunachala Ashtakam. He was summed up his teachings in the verses entitled ‘Upadeshasaram’.

Narasimha Swamiji actively took part in the daily routine at Ramanashram like contemplating ‘Who am I?” reciting Ramana’s compositions and going on ‘Giri Pradakshina’. He also came in contact with Mahan Seshadri Swamigal, who used to visit Skandashram quite frequently to meet Ramana Maharishi. Narasimha Swamiji’s spiritual ‘sadhana’ was quite intensive.

Narasimha Swamiji was an adept in gathering information and interpretation. He collected all available information from the inmates of the Ramanashram, such as Kavyakanta Ganapathy Sastry and other visitors. He also collected adequate information about Mahan Seshadri Swamigal and had made copious notes on his life.

One day, Kuzumani Narayana Sastry made a casual remark to Narasimha Swamiji about his plan to publish a book on Mahan Sehsadri Swamigal. Immediately Narasimha swamiji handed over the copious notes made by him on Mahan Seshadri Swamigal to Kuzhumani Narayana Sastry and requested him to make use of them while preparing the biography of Mahan Seshadri Swamigal. Kuzhumani Narayana Sastry has acknowledged this contribution of Narasimha Swamiji in his book on Mahan Seshadri Swamigal.

Narasimha Swamiji spent three years at Ramanashram. His mind did not attain quietness. It was as confused as it was at the time when he left Salem in September 1925. Still he had a ray of hope that his mind would become still some day or the other.

In January 1929, Mahan Seshadri Swamigal cast off his mortal coil. Narasimha Swamiji took part in his final rites. Later in February 1929, Justice Shri K. Sundaram Chetty, a Judge of the Madras High Court and an old classmate and later companion of Narasimha swamiji at the Salem Bar visited Tiruvannamalai. He was surprised to see Narasimha Swamiji among the devotees of Ramana Maharishi. The old friends met at one place after a long time. They reminisced the good old college and professional days. While Justic Sundaram Chetty was taking leave, Narasimha Swamiji handed over the notes he had made on Ramana Bhagawan. To be continued.....

Chapters Posted:

To read in Tamil click Here.

If you enjoyed this post and wish to be informed whenever a new post is published, then make sure you subscribe to my regular Email Updates. Subscribe Now!