Having been in the company of a spiritual master, whom I had so far (until the year 1969) regarded as an intimate friend, I was slowly drawn into the spiritual way of life. Sometime in 1971, standing in the waters of the Holy Ganga at Haridwar, I was initiated and formally became his ‘shishya’. Soon after that, I had the proud privilege of having darshan of almost all the symbols of Lord Shiva that appeared, one after the other, in his hands and body. He had Aum, Jyoti, Shivlinga, Trishul, Crescent Moon, Padam, Ganapati, Nandi, and three ‘pindis’ of Maa Vaishnodevi (Shakti) and I was completely overawed. Later on, quite a few ‘shishyas’ and many persons from the public also had the proud privilege of having ‘darshan’ of these divine symbols from time to time.

During my initiation ceremony, I had an awe-inspiring experience. Revered Guruji was standing in the waters of the Ganga and there was a strong current. Guruji asked me to lie down horizontally in the water in a posture that my head touched His feet (Dandwat pranam). I hesitated because the water current was too strong and I did not know how to swim. At that point of time, Guruji commanded me to follow his instructions, and to my utter surprise the gushing waters of the Ganga became still and I obeyed his command and the initiation ceremony was performed. Overawed by this happening, I ventured to ask him how the gushing waters of the Ganga came to a stand-still for a while? Very calmly he replied that these objects of nature were under his control.

Ek se Anek

In the early 1970s, Guruji used to say “Guru knows where his shishyas is, but shishya is not capable of finding his Guru, howsoever hard he may try.” One by one, Guruji collectecd his shishyas. Some had links with him from the previous births and some were picked up from the present birth and thus he formed a Shiv Parivar.

In Guru parampara, disciples of a Guru are referred to as ‘shishyas’, but Pujya Guruji was the rarest of the rare Gurus who declared that he does not make ‘shishyas’, he makes ‘Gurus’ and that is why his ‘shishyas’ are also addressed as ‘Guruji’.

Some of the Gurubhais are ‘sadhaks’ of a very high level who have been continuing ‘sadhna’ from the previous births, while others are making steady progress. This reminds me of Guruji’s words: “Wherever you left your ‘sadhna’ in the previous birth, you have to continue it further from that level in the present birth, till you attain salvation.” To achieve that ultimate goal, it is absolutely essential to rise above ‘kama’, ‘krodha’, ‘lobha’, ‘moha’ and ‘ahankara’. Regard yourself an ‘Atman’. This body is just a temporary abode of the soul. But what is important to know is that it is in this abode alone that you are capable of practising ‘dhyaan’ (meditation) and evolve your ‘atman’ to be one with the ‘Paramatman’ – which is attainment of ‘nirvana’, the eternal quest of every soul.