~~ Santhigiri Ashram ~~

Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru – A Life Sketch

The birth and mission of Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru conform to the age-old Indian belief that the SUPREME will incarnate whenever the righteous is in peril and virtues are stampeded. Gurus and Acharyas take birth as corrective force to enlighten on the path of liberation. But in spite of their sacrifice and best efforts by their followers, the desired correction of the past evils and errors could not be achieved. In this back drop Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru was empowered to fulfill the Will of Brahmam and was made to take birth in a humble family in the year 1927, 1st of September (16th of ‘Chingom’ 1103- M.E.) at Chandiroor, Cherthala, Alappuzha District of Kerala state.

The birth of GURU was prophesied by several noble souls, for instance by Nostradamus as ‘Messiah’, by Jesus Christ as ‘Comforter’, by Prophet Mohammed as the ‘Great Imam’, by Sree Buddha as ‘Medhieyah’ and by Aurobindo Ghosh as the ‘Cosmic-mind’ descended to earth. 14 years in the maternal home, more than 17 years in Sivagiri Mutt of Sree Narayana Guru and its branches, Guru spent his early years in great miseries, dedicated service and intense prayers. At the age of 25, Guru got spiritual enlightenment initiated by a Muslim Saint, Quershia Fakir. In the year 1957, Guru left Sivagiri and moved to a small hut made of coconut leaves and tapioca sticks on a hill opposite to Sivagiri, Varkala. This was the beginning of Santhigiri Ashram. Guru spent 12 years at Varkala. He did every thing according to the ‘revelations’ received from the Almighty. Thousands of people came to Guru with many problems. Chronic illnesses got miraculous cure and devotees began to throng at the Ashram. However, following a revelatory direction Guru shifted Santhigiri Ashram to Pothencode, 21 KMs northeast of Thiruvananthapuram. Here also the Ashram had a very humble beginning. Out of single-handed efforts and sacrifice of Guru, the Ashram has developed to the present stage with multi faceted activities and several lakhs of devotees all over the world. After accomplishing the ordained mission, Guru left his corporeal body and merged in ‘Adisankalpam’, the primordial consciousness of God, on 6th May, 1999 (23rd ‘Medom’, 1175 M.E.).

Life History

BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD

Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru, was born in a modest family in the year 1927 on Thursday 1st September (16th of Chingam 1103 ME) at Chandiroor, Cherthala in Alappuzha district of Kerala State , India . He was born to Govindan and Karthyayani. His father passed away when the child was but nine months old. At a very tender age itself He started receiving spiritual experiences. From the very early days onwards, Guru could experience the vision of a celestial appearance wearing a golden crown. It was only when that countenance spoke, Guru could utter even a single word. Hence the child did not speak freely. The serene appearance with golden crown gradually shriveled in size and completely disappeared by the age of nine. Only after that the child could speak fluently and be sent to the village school. Later in life, Guru recognized the vision on that celestial appearance wearing a golden crown to be of Lord Sri Krishna.

The Search Begins

Around this period, the senior members of the family had arranged for the remarriage of Guru's mother. The child Guru had to move with His mother. But the new home was not comfortable to the Child. The Boy did not feel at home and requested his school teacher to take him to an ashram. As a result, He became an inmate of Advaita Ashram at Alwaye near Kochi , which was a branch of Sivagiri Mutt, founded by Sreenarayana Guru. Guru was to spend the next 17 years at Sivagiri Mutt in Varkala and its branches in many parts of Southern India . In Sivagiri Mutt, Guru served in various capacities - performing pooja, cooking, looking after visitors, taking care of the madathipathi (head of the Mutt) and so on.

Guru's contemporaries remember Him as an affectionate, devoted, meticulous, and conscientious boy, ever keen and caring to the well being of the organization and the ideology for which it stood. Often Guru performed His karma ignoring His physical inconveniences. Guru reached Sivagiri 14 years after the samadhi (demise) of Sree Narayana Guru. Guru had always felt the dire need for a living spiritually enlightened preceptor.

Meets His Guru

This prayer was answered when Guru was 25, when a well-wisher took Guru to a Muslim saint, Khureshi Fakir, who lived in the surroundings of the famous Beema Mosque in Thiruvananthapuram. The Fakir perceived the great spirituality inherent in Guru and was happy to receive Guru as the heir apparent. Under his guidance, Guru's inner life became more active. The Fakir realised the greatness of his unique disciple and mentioned it to others: “Here is a great soul”.

Guru remained an inmate of Sivagiri Mutt for sometime after meeting his Guru during which period he had to face enormous difficulties of all sorts including hostilities from His colleagues and superiors. Later, Guru realized the reason for these adversities - the influence of subtle beings in different spiritual planes. Some events in Sivagiri Mutt eventually led Guru to leave Sivagiri.

After years of association, the Fakir indicated that he could guide Guru no more. For further attainment Guru had to strive on his own. But Guru would get everything, Fakir said.

Accomplishment of Realization

For the next few years, He stayed in a small dwelling donated by a well wisher,Sri.Gangadharan Mudhalali, near Sivagiri Mutt. The hill on which Guru stayed came to be called “Santhigiri. After seven years,Guru, as per the revelations from Brahmam, moved to the present site at Pothencode in 1969. A thatched hut was built there, marking the beginning of the present Santhigiri Ashram.

Guru was to keep away from people for some time. Guru continued His prayers and meditation. Ultimately His disciples received visions from the Supreme Light (the spiritual radiance of the Absolute). Through these visions, the mission of Guru, the secrets of creation, the Manu (the first preceptor of human race) lineage, the Sanathana Dharma (a way of life through Guru- disciple lineage) , the intricacies of Manwanthara (the period of one Manu comprising of 306,720,000 years) and Chathur Yugas (quartet of yugas comprising of satya, tretha, dwapara and kali), the Great Error in the spiritual history of mankind, short comings of the Trimoorthy system, the implications of Yuga dharma (code of conduct for each of the four yugas), the evolution of the soul and the Will of Brahmam were revealed to Guru's disciples. Of all the revelations, the one about the Great Error occurred twenty five chathur yugas back to a great rishi in the Manu lineage, which caused deviation in Yugadharma and the resultant pollution of human actions that lie at the root of human sorrows and sufferings, was unknown and unheard of in human spiritual history.

The disciples were informed through visions that the restoration of Yugadharma and the implementation of Kali Yuga dharma through Guru-Disciple lineage according to the will of Brahmam is the real mission of Guru. Guru is the most glorious manifestation of the Supreme Self - Parabrahmam - or in other words “Guru Sakshat Parabrahmam”; He is the very embodiment of Supreme Reality, and He is the most adorable manifestation of Brahmam.

On 20th September 1973, it was revealed from the Supreme Light : “What I had been waiting for, through Yugas, is realized”. At the age of 46, Guru thus completed the ascendancy through all spiritual planes and attained fullness. Guru is the true refuge for those seeking true spirituality. During the early days, Guru had to confront a lot of hardships and sufferings. He was alone in his strife. His austerity, compassion, dedication, determination, sacrifice, universal love and the ‘watchful care' of Brahmam led him through all the hurdles for realising his mission of incarnation and actualising the Will of Brahmam.

GURU IN REVELATION AND PROPHECIES

GURU'S MOTHER REMEMBERS

When Guru commenced His Ashram-life His contacts with the parents and relatives became rarer. For a time they knew very little about His whereabouts. But when Guru began to magnetize discerning devotees and when His teachings came tolong be prevalent, some of His relatives were able to identify Him. Guru's mother, by then of advanced in age, recollected with tears that when she was carrying her “ Swami Son”, she used to see in vision a great many Rishis (sages), Sanyasis, Sanyasinis, gorgeous Devas, Devis paying oblations to her.

AUROBINDO

On 24th Nov 1926, Sri. Aurobindo had a vision of the “Supermind” descending to the earth escorted by the “Overmind”. Sri Aurobindo described the “Super mind” as the descent of Supreme Light into physical body. Exactly after 280 days, the normal period of gestation, Guru was born in Chandiroor.

NOSTRADAMUS

The Sixteenth century, French Seer, Nostradamus has spoken of a Messiah. “He who is born at a place where three seas meet. He will conquer many things and will become famous through out the world. He will act like a whirlwind and will take Orient India to the highest point. A person, not from a Semitic religion - not a Christian- not from white race- not a European - and who considers Thursday as a Holy day will become the conqueror of this world”. This description fits Guru's life.

JESUS CHRIST

Jesus Christ, on the last day of His sojourn on the earth, tells His disciples that He has to go, but the ‘Father' would send another ‘Comforter' who would be with them for ever and who will speak of the truths that He had taught and who would “show you the things to come” (i.e. teach through Darshans). ( St. John , Ch 14-16). Guru's life fulfils this prophecy as well.

PROPHET MOHAMMED

Prophet Mohammed had talked to His disciples about the great teacher (Mahdi) who would come to talk of the glory of God and give the law to man. The Mahdi, ipso facto, is, Guru.

SREE BUDDHA

The ‘Gospel of Buddha' compiled by Paul Carus, notifies that Buddha had predicted that a Great Guru by the name of ‘Mettayya' (meaning, ‘Kindness' or ‘ Karuna') will manifest in due time to reveal the Eternal truth, establishing pure and perfect lineage of human race to this world. (P 210, Mettayya)