Vykuntha Yekaadashi (28-12-09)

On Vaikunta Yekaadashi day,28-12-09, Monday, after Kakadarathi in the morning, Thousands of devotees had the darshan of the lord through the northern door. Vishnsahasra naama was chanted without break up to 6-30 p.m. At 7-00 p.m. a group of singers lead by Kum.Vani Narayan, chanted Bhajans.

Sri G. Venkannaiah-Sri Maharaj's Direct Desciple

Sri G. Venkannaiah.

(Founder of Sri Brahmachaithanya Sri Rama Mandir,Chintamani)

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Sri G. Venkannaiah,(1883 to 1969) is a direct disciple of Gondavalekar Sri Brahma chaithanya Maharaj. He belonged to a place called Ganjur, near Chintamani, about 75 kms from Bangalore. This is an attempt to tell how he came into contact with Sri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj.

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Sri G.Venkannaiah,was the eldest son of Sri Timmappaiah and Smt.Putta Lakshmma . Sri Timmappaiah was a teacher. He had  lands in  Ganjur village near Chintamani.. Venkannaiah studied civil engineering in Govt. Engineering School in Mysore. He was appointed as Sub-Overseer in the Government public works department. In 1913 he had been transferred to Chikkanayakana halli Taluk. He was posted to supervise the construction of a tank in Malligere village,about 22 miles from Chikkanayakana halli. to supervise the construction of a tank.

 One day, in November,1913, during lunch break, when Venkannaiah was meditating on Sri Ram, sitting under a tree, he heard a big shout  of “Maha Purush, Maha Purush”. When he opened his eyes, he saw a Saint standing with two disciples, before him. When Venkannaiah prostrated before him, the Saint  asked him to come to Gondavale (Gondavaleyaave), and vanished immediately. Sri Venkannaiah did not know what was said as he did not know Marathi. So, he noted it down in his dairy. In the evening, he returned to Chikkanayakanahalli, where he was residing. One of his friends who knew Marathi, said the word expressed by the saint was, “ come to Gondavale”. But, neither Sri Venkannaiah nor his friends knew where Gondavali was. That night he dreamt of a Sri Vaishnava reading Bhagavadgita, and some one pointed out to him that his doubts will be cleared by the Sri Vaishnava. A few days later, when he was returning from the morning walk, he suddenly came across the Sri Vaishnava of his dream, coming in opposite direction. Sri Rangachar, that was his Name, took Sri Venkannaiah to his home. After learning about his experience, Sri Rangachar, went to the pooja room, closed the door, and sat for meditation. Sri Rangachar, was a yogi, and after an hour, he came out from the Pooja room, and told Sri Venkannaiah that the Saint who gave him darshan was Sadguru Sri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj of Gondavale. He said, that he met Sri Maharaj, in his meditation and Sri Maharaj asked both of them to go to Gondavale. He told that Gondvale was a place in Maharashtra, and explained the route to reach the place. Both, Sri Venkannaiah and Sri Rangachar started for Gondavale with in 8 days. When they reached the place, some of the devotees staying there told them that Sri Maharaj had cancelled his programme of going to some other place stating that he has to meet two devotees from a far off place, on that day. They had a nice welcome and they were allotted a room to stay.

In the morning, Venkannaiah, who was standing behind the group of devotees surrounding Sri Maharaj, was called by Sri Maharaj .

  Sri Maharaj  initiated him to Ram-nam, by whispering the Taraka Mantram in his ear.. He asked him to do: 1. Do Namasmarana without break. 2. Spread or propagate Rama-nama. 3. Construct a small Ram-Mandir.4. Carry on Upasana.

Sri Venkannaiah returned to his place and started his Anusthan. After a month, Sri Venkannaiah received a telegram intimating   Sri Maharaj’s departure from his mortal body. Immediately, he went to Gondavale and participated in the funeral ceremony.

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Sri  Venkannaiah, who was in the Government service,  could not plan to construct the Sri Rama Mandir  early, as he was being transferred from place to place. But, he did Bhajans and japaanusthan and pooja to Sadguru paduka, at home. He participated during functions in Gondavale and he even went to functions arranged by Sri Brahmanand Maharaj in Venkatapur and Beladadhi. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj used to call him ‘Mysore Buva’.

 Where ever he was transferred on duty, many friends of those places, became devotees of Sri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj. Later on, when he was transferred to Chintamani, his work was in many surrounding places like Hindiganal, Jangamakote, Sidlaghatta, etc where his devotion to Sri Maharaj, secured him many followers,

In the year 1939, a garbha gudi and a hall with thatched roof was constructed in the site previously bought for constructing Mandir, and pooja was carried on with photos of Sri Ram and Sri Maharaj, and Sri Sadguru Padaka.

Then, on 13-6-49, the marble idols of Sri Ram, Lakshman, Seetha, Maruthi and Sri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj, were installed in the divine presence of  Sri Tatya Saheb Ketkar Maharaj, and Sri Kundagol Narayanappa Maharaj.

Since then Anusthan is being carried on.  In early days, with a view of Annadaan, Mandir provided weekly Meals ( vaaraanna) for different students, hailing from different places, studying in Chintamani. His desire of starting a Vidyaarthi Nilaya (Student’s Hostel) was carried out in 1966, by his youngest brother Sri G. Honnappa..

 He left his mortal coil on 13-4-1969.

He led a saintly life that inspired many to take up Ram-nam. 

Consider your success to be a result of the Grace of God.

A person was a very important officer in a prison. He used to brag about his cleverness. He once met Sri Maharaj. When asked what his occupation was, he described the importance of his authority and his ability. Sri
Maharaj said to him, "There are many prisoners in your prison. They have been sentenced to varying terms of imprisonment for their various crimes.One such prisoner had committed burglary, for which he had been sentenced to three years' rigorous imprisonment. He remained on good behavior during the term. After he was released, he  began to boast that he never drew upon himself anyone's reproach during the three-year term of imprisonment. How appropriate will his boasting be? It will surely be laughable. Just so, it is a kind of imprisonment to be brought into life. Does it not appear similar to the prisoner's boasting to say that one is so very important and clever? I believe that the true object of existence as a human being is to be discharged from Rama's indebtedness, in the knowledge that all success is by the Grace of Rama."

Sadguru Brahmananda Maharaj's letter

A Sadhaka must maintain morals as a strong base.

A disciple of Sri Maharaj was a Sub-registrar. He once visited Sri Maharaj. After inquiring about other things, Sri Maharaj said to him, "Do not employ both your hands for the work you do in your office. What you do with your left hand is not acceptable to Rama. It should be scrupulously avoided." (The Sub-registrar registered the documents with his right hand, and accepted bribe-money for it with his left hand.)

Having ignored the warning from Sri Maharaj, the person was removed from service after a few years for accepting bribes.

Bhajans & Utsav

Aradhana Programme

HH Sri Namadevanda Bharathi Swamiji gave discourse on Sri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj's Pravachan, every day.

What can be gained by going to Naimisharanya unless self-control has been ingrained in oneself

A person was an important officer in the railways. He was in sound health, and liked to travel. He had seen most of the interesting religious places in India. It occurred to him that just like Shri Maharaj, who had visited Naimisharanya two times, he might also once see it. He was in the habit of having morning tea in bed. If it was not served on time, he used to get angry with his wife. He met Shri Maharaj and said, "Please give me guidance about going to Naimisharanya". Shri Maharaj said to him, "your idea is indeed a good one. But there is not much habitation in Naimisharanya, nor many comforts. You need your morning tea in bed and lose your temper if you do not get it. So first let us make an attempt to get rid of this habit. We will decide upon the plan of visiting Naimisharanya after this is successful. For it is difficult to get a square meal in Naimisharanya, let alone getting bed tea."

Sri Maharaj's Pravachan - Audio (CD4 T3)

The following is one more recording of Sri Maharaj's Pravachan in Poojya Tatya Saheb's voice. This is from 1966 and is about 10 minutes long.
Our humble thanks again to Poojya Kashikarji and all the devotees who recorded the speeches.

(Please click on the Play button - the triangle one - below)

Aradhanotsav. Music concert by Smt Soudamini Venkatesh

Sri Maharaj's Pravachan - Audio (CD4 T1)

The following is one more recording of Sri Maharaj's Pravachan in Poojya Tatya Saheb's voice. This one is about 3 minutes long.
Our humble thanks again to Poojya Kashikarji and all the devotees who recorded the speeches.

(Please click on the Play button - the triangle one - below)

One should carry out the work fallen to one's lot with sense of Duty, considering it to be "God's Wish"

A bank officer working in a senior position was, instead of being allotted work o his liking, assigned work of a different kind which was not to his liking. He therefore felt displeased and was dejected. While he was visiting Sri Maharaj in this state of mind, the latter said to him, "Let us suppose there is a dinner ceremony at our house to which, say, fifteen to twenty persons have been invited. On this occasion, suppose we are given the task of purchasing vegetables from the market. We then go to the market, and, as the total quantity of vegetables is rather large, we hire a porter to carry them. We then purchase vegetables and load them into the basket of the porter. We pay him when he delivers the goods at our house. Will it not be laughable if, while carrying the basket home, he were to question complainingly, "You shouldn't have purchased these particular vegetables in a large quantity.' Likewise, it is ridiculous to be displeased with your office work. Servitude of anyone other than Rama is merely respectable begging. In such a situation, rather than insist upon what one would, or would not, like to have, it one's duty to carry out whatever work is allotted, in the best manner possible, as though allotted by God's wish."

After having done one's duty, one should leave the outcome to Rama.

Even when Sri Maharaj exposed a person's faults, he did so with such tact that the person's feeling was not hurt. Because the mind is an aspect of God, hurting someone's sensibility is tantamount to hurting God. Sri Maharaj used to say that a Sadhaka (seeker) should never hurt the feelings of anyone.
A young boy, although grown to twenty years of age, did not engage himself in any work, nor was he interested in pursuing studies. His mother therefore used to suffer mental anguish. Sri Maharaj spoke to a well-meaning bank officer, who got the boy a job in a factory. After some days the owner of the factory said to the officer, "The boy left the factory without informing anyone. Besides, he also misbehaved. You should not have recommended such a boy to us." These remarks hurt the officer. He decided that he would never again get involved in finding employment for anyone. He felt that he had been insulted for no reason at all. Soon after, he happened to meet Sri Maharaj, when the latter said, "Suppose we build a large bungalow and employ a gardener to raise a garden. The gardener plants many saplings. Some of them die. He therefore becomes dejected, and decides that he will no longer plant any trees.Will this make practical sense? It is his job to plant flowering shrubs. He should carry it out. He should not feel sorry because some of those may wither and die: he should, on the other hand, consider that those that flower do so by the Grace of God."With these words of Sri Mharaj, the officer quickly overcame his dejection and regained normalcy of nature.

Sri Maharaj's Pravachan - Audio (1966 CD3 T5)

The following is one more recording of Sri Maharaj's Pravachan in Poojya Tatya Saheb's voice. This one is from November 27, 1966 and it is about 8 minutes long.
Our humble thanks again to Poojya Kashikarji and all the devotees who recorded the speeches.

(Please click on the Play button - the triangle one - below)

Sri Maharaj's Pravachan - Audio (CD3 T2)

The following is one more recording of Sri Maharaj's Pravachan in Poojya Tatya Saheb's voice. This one is from Sunday, Sep 25, 1966 and it is about 12 minutes long.
Our humble thanks again to Poojya Kashikarji and all the devotees who recorded the speeches.

(Please click on the Play button - the triangle one - below)

Namasmarana is more advantageous than the practise of Yoga.

A man from south India was a practitioner of yoga. He had the ability to journey to Mars by his ethereal body (Sookshma-deha). During the return journey he used to suffer from pain while entering the earth's atmosphere. He consulted many persons to find a way to get rid of this pain, but without avail. Finally, he came to meet Sri Maharaj. To begin with, Sri Maharaj described the stages encountered during the journey from the earth to Mars.  Then he said, "During the return journey, a fault develops in your practice of Kumbhaka, and therefore you suffer from pain. You will not suffer from this pain if you further your study of Keval Kumbhaka.". Sri Maharaj further said, "However,do not think that you have accomplished much in being able to journey to Mars by virtue of knowledge of Yoga. It only means that your body and your mind have been purified to a great extent. If you were to give up your fascination for journeying to Mars and utilize your energies for Namasmarana it will go a long way towards acquiring lasting bliss. Take up Namasmarana determinedly and you will surely receive Rama's blessing. Else this may turn into a mere conjurer's performance, and human life's main purpose will remain unfulfilled."

Murugumale trip during Vajramahotsav, June 2009

pictures of Murugamalla trip during Vajramahotsav.June 2009

More important than what is said, is , by whom it has been said.

At the time of initiation ( अनुग्रह ) Shri Maharaj used to impart to the initiate the mantra ( Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram) and bestow on him a copy of Rama hriday and a rosary (japa maala). He used to insist upon chanting of the mantra, while turning the rosary at least once fully, and on at least one reading of Rama hriday, after the daily ablutions. Vaman Rao Jnyaneshwari, who used to teach reading and memorizing of Ramahriday ( which is in sanskrit), once said to Shri Maharaj, "Sir, Ramahriday is written in Sanskrit, and most people do not understand it. What can be accomplished by merely parroting it ?" Shri Maharaj said, "Vaman Rao, what has been asked to be recited is not so very important as who has asked it to be recited. The authority of the person who asks for the reciting to be done is at its back. When a sick person visits a doctor, the doctor examines him, ascertains the cause of the disease, and gives him a medicine. The patient does not know what the medicine contains, but his faith, that he will get better because of the medicine cures him. Similarly, if a Sadhaka recites Rama hriday even without understanding, but with faith, his task gets accomplished automatically.

Sri Maharaj's Pravachan - Audio (CD3 T1)

The following is one more recording of Sri Maharaj's Pravachan in Poojya Tatya Saheb's voice. This one is undated and it is about 12 minutes long.
Our humble thanks again to Poojya Kashikarji and all the devotees who recorded the speeches.

(Please click on the Play button - the triangle one - below)

Sri Maharaj's Pravachan - Audio (1966 CD2 T5)

The following is one more recording of Sri Maharaj's Pravachan in Poojya Tatya Saheb's voice. This one is also from 1966 and it is about 10 minutes long.
Our humble thanks again to Poojya Kashikarji and all the devotees who recorded the speeches.

(Please click on the Play button - the triangle one - below)

Sri Maharaj's Pravachan - Audio (1966 CD2 T3)

The following is one more recording of Sri Maharaj's Pravachan in Poojya Tatya Saheb's voice. This one is also from 1966 and it is about 14 minutes long.
Our humble thanks again to Poojya Kashikarji and all the devotees who recorded the speeches.

(Please click on the Play button - the triangle one - below)

Sri Maharaj's Pravachan - Audio (1966 CD2 T2)

The following is one more recording of Sri Maharaj's Pravachan in Poojya Tatya Saheb's voice. This one is also from 1966 and it is about 15 minutes long.
Our humble thanks again to Poojya Kashikarji and all the devotees who recorded the speeches.

(Please click on the Play button - the triangle one - below)

Sri Maharaj's Pravachan - Audio (1966 CD2 T1)

The following is one more recording of Sri Maharaj's Pravachan in Poojya Tatya Saheb's voice. This one is from 1966 and is about 5 minutes long.
Our humble thanks again to Poojya Kashikarji and all the devotees who recorded the speeches.

(Please click on the Play button - the triangle one - below)

Sri Maharaj's Pravachan - Audio (1964)

The following is one more recording of Sri Maharaj's Pravachan in Poojya Tatya Saheb's voice. This one is from 1964 and is about 15 minutes long.
Our humble thanks again to Poojya Kashikarji and all the devotees who recorded the speeches.

(Please click on the Play button - the triangle one - below)

Satsang in Sri B.C.Prasad's Chaithanya Bharathi

Sri Maharaj's Pravachan - Audio (Sep 25, 1966)

The following is one more recording of Sri Maharaj's Pravachan in Poojya Tatya Saheb's voice. This one is from Sunday, Sep 25 1966 and is about 9 minutes long.
Our humble thanks again to Poojya Kashikarji and all the devotees who recorded the speeches.

(Please click on the Play button - the triangle one - below)

Sri Maharaj's Pravachan - Audio ( Nov 26, 1966)

The following is another recording of Sri Maharaj's Pravachan in Poojya Tatya Saheb's voice. This one is from Sunday, Nov. 26 1966 and is about 9 minutes long.
Our humble thanks again to Poojya Kashikarji and all the devotees who recorded the speeches.

(Please click on the Play button - the triangle one - below)

Aradhana invitation

Sri Maharaj's Pravachan - Audio (1965 Track 3)

The following is another recording of Poojya Tatya Saheb's Sri Maharaj's Pravachan in the year 1965 and is about 12 minutes long.
Our humble thanks again to Poojya Kashikarji and all the devotees who recorded the speeches.

(Please click on the Play button - the triangle one - below)

Sri Maharaj's Pravachan - Audio (1964)

The following is a recording from the year 1964 and is about 12 minutes long.
Our humble thanks again to Poojya Kashikarji and all the devotees who recorded the speeches.

(Please click on the Play button - the triangle one - below)

Sri Maharaj's Pravachan - Audio (1965)

During the recent Vajra Mahotsav celebrations at the Mandir, Poojya Kashikarji, gave a C.D. containing Sri Maharaja's Pravachan in Sri Tatya Saheb Ketkar Maharaj's Vaani. These are recordings of the Peti sessions and recorded by many/different devotees. The recordings are in Marathi. Our humble thanks to Poojya Kashikarji and all the devotees who recorded the speeches.

The following is a recording from the year 1965 and is about 14 minutes long.

(Please click on the Play button - the triangle one - below)

Kabir on Guru

Kabir's Teachings

tanslated by shri Lalchand Doohan 'Jigyasu'

गुरु को कीजै दंडवत, कॊटि-कॊटि परनाम ।
कीट न जानॆ भ्रुंग कॊ, गुरु कर लॆ आप समान ॥१॥
Prostrate yourself at the feet of Guru Maharaj and offer your salutations innumerable times. A Guru's greatness is infinite. Like an insect is unacquainted with a beetle, but a beetle, with its deftness, makes an insect look like itself, and fills the insect with its own qualities with its rhythmic sound, in the same manner, a Guru also, under the influence of his true knowledge, takes his dear disciple to his own heights.

गुरु गॊविन्द करि जानिये, रहिये शब्द समाय ।
मिलै तो दण्ड्वत बन्दगी, नहिं पल-पल ध्यान लगाय ॥
One should consider Guru and God one,because,indeed, both are one and the same. One should remain in the sphere of true knowledge imparted by the Guru. So, as soon as one comes across a Guru, one should prostrate himself at his feet and pay obeisance to him. And if it does not happen like that, one should keep remembering this Guru every moment; this will keep his thoughts sacred.

गुरु गॊविंद दॊउ ऎक है, दूजा सब आकार ।
आपा मॆटै हरि भजै, तब पावै दीदार ॥३॥
Guru and God are one and the same; the difference lies in the name only. A Guru may look different in appearance from outside, but from inside there is no difference. In the outside world everything is enveloped in the shroud of Maya. One may come in contact with a God-like Guru only by practising spirituality and casting aside one's ego.

गुरु गॊविंद दॊउ खडे, काकॆ लागूं पांय ।
बलिहारी गुरु आपनॆ, गॊविंद दियॊ बताय ॥४॥
If a Guru and God, both, are standing before someone, at whose feet should he fall first? Under this circumstance, one should bow down before the Guru only, because it is he who caused the great fortune of being face to face with God.

Sri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj

Sri G. Venkannaiah

Sri G. Venkannaiah.
(Founder of Sri Brahmachaithanya Sri Rama Mandir,Chintamani)
.
Sri G. Venkannaiah,(1885 to 1969) is a direct disciple of Gondavalekar Sri Brahma chaithanya Maharaj. He belonged to a place called Ganjur, near Chintamani, about 75 kms from Bangalore. This is an attempt to tell how he came into contact with Sri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj.
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Sri G.Venkannaiah,was the eldest son of Sri Timmappaiah and Smt.Putta Lakshmma . Sri Timmappaiah was a teacher. He had lands in Ganjur village near Chintamani.. Venkannaiah studied civil engineering in Govt. Engineering School in Mysore. He was appointed as Sub-Overseer in the Government public works department of old Mysore State. In 1913 he had been transferred to Chikkanayakana halli Taluk. He was posted to supervise the construction of a tank in Malligere village,about 22 miles from Chikkanayakana halli. to supervise the construction of a tank.
One day, in November,1913, during lunch break, when Venkannaiah was meditating on Sri Ram, sitting under a tree, he heard a big shout of “Maha Purush, Maha Purush”. When he opened his eyes, he saw a Saint standing with two disciples, before him. When Venkannaiah prostrated before him, the Saint asked him to come to Gondavale (Gondavalyaave), and vanished immediately. Sri Venkannaiah did not know what was said as he did not know Marathi. So, he noted it down in his dairy. In the evening, he returned to Chikkanayakanahalli, where he was residing. One of his friends who knew Marathi, said the word expressed by the saint was, “ come to Gondavale”. But, neither Sri Venkannaiah nor his friends knew where Gondavali was. That night he dreamt of a Sri Vaishnava reading Bhagavadgita, and some one pointed out to him that his doubts will be cleared by the Sri Vaishnava. A few days later, when he was returning from the morning walk, he suddenly came across the Sri Vaishnava of his dream, coming in opposite direction. Sri Rangachar, that was his Name, took Sri Venkannaiah to his home. After learning about his experience, Sri Rangachar, went to the pooja room, closed the door, and sat for meditation. Sri Rangachar, was a yogi, and after an hour, he came out from the Pooja room, and told Sri Venkannaiah that the Saint who gave him darshan was Sadguru Sri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj of Gondavale. He said, that he met Sri Maharaj, in his meditation and Sri Maharaj asked both of them to go to Gondavale. He told that Gondvale was a place in Maharashtra, and explained the route to reach the place. Both, Sri Venkannaiah and Sri Rangachar started for Gondavale with in 8 days. When they reached the place, some of the devotees staying there told them that Sri Maharaj had cancelled his programme of going to some other place stating that he has to meet two devotees from a far off place, on that day. They had a nice welcome and they were allotted a room to stay.
In the morning, Venkannaiah, who was standing behind the group of devotees surrounding Sri Maharaj, was called by Sri Maharaj .
Sri Maharaj initiated him to Ram-nam, by whispering the Taraka Mantram in his ear.. He asked him to do: 1. Do Namasmarana without break. 2. Spread or propagate Rama-nama. 3. Construct a small Ram-Mandir.4. Carry on Upasana.
Sri Venkannaiah returned to his place and started his Anusthan. After a month, Sri Venkannaiah received a telegram intimating Sri Maharaj’s departure from his mortal body. Immediately, he went to Gondavale and participated in the funeral ceremony.
.
Sri Venkannaiah, who was in the Government service, could not plan to construct the Sri Rama Mandir early, as he was being transferred from place to place. But, he did Bhajans and japaanusthan and pooja to Sadguru paduka, at home. He participated during functions in Gondavale and he even went to functions arranged by Sri Brahmanand Maharaj in Venkatapur and Beladadhi. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj used to call him ‘Mysore Buva’.
Where ever he was transferred on duty, many friends of those places, became devotees of Sri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj. Later on, when he was transferred to Chintamani, his work was in many surrounding places like Hindiganal, Jangamakote, Sidlaghatta, etc where his devotion to Sri Maharaj, secured him many followers,
In the year 1939, a garbha gudi and a hall with thatched roof was constructed in the site previously bought for constructing Mandir, and pooja was carried on with photos of Sri Ram and Sri Maharaj, and Sri Sadguru Padaka.
Then, on 13-6-49, the marble idols of Sri Ram, Lakshman, Seetha, Maruthi and Sri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj, were installed in the divine presence of Sri Tatya Saheb Ketkar Maharaj, and Sri Kundagol Narayanappa Maharaj.
Since then Anusthan is being carried on. In early days, with a view of Annadaan, Mandir provided weekly Meals ( vaaraanna) for different students, hailing from different places, studying in Chintamani. His desire of starting a Vidyaarthi Nilaya (Student’s Hostel) was carried out in 1966, by his youngest brother Sri G. Honnappa..
He left his mortal coil on 13-4-1969.

He led a saintly life that inspired many to take up Ram-nam.

Foreword to the PRAVACHANS by Prof.K.V.Belsare

FOREWORD

Learned persons delivering discourses on spiritual matters are quite popular in Maharashtra. There are three types among them. The first type consists of liberated souls or persons who have attained self-realization; the second consists of seekers, studying the spiritual sciences on their path to attain self-realization and the third includes professionals in this field. Shri Maharaj belonged to the first type. These discourses have been delivered by Shri Maharaj for the benefit of those who were keen to lead a spiritually rich life, full of internal happiness and contentment, therein explaining what is a spiritually rich life and simple ways of attaining the same.
We take immediate care of our body if it suffers from any disease. In fact we are dwelling in this body. Our mind is closer to ourselves than the body. The mind usually suffers due to sorrow, worry, fear and temptation. As a result, we lose mental peace and happiness. In spite of this, we do not care for the health of our mind. Observing that we do not even try to find- a way for a healthy mental life, Shri Maharaj felt compassion. It is this compassion which gave birth to these discourses. Just as diseases damage the physical body, the human mind is devitalized by desires, anger, avarice, hatred, envy, worldly fame, selfishness, suspicion and perverse thinking and one becomes restless or perturbed. Shri Maharaj has explained through .these discourses in extremely simple language, how to purify our mind from these undesirable factors and make it healthy to lead a relaxed, peaceful and benevolent life. Externally medicines' and internally life-force are needed for the cure of body diseases. For the cure of diseases of the mind, a constant remembrance of God and a profound internal faith in God or sadguru are required.
The name of God stores in itself remembrance of Him. The confluence of name of God and faith in Him gives rise to devotion to God. Devotion means fondness for God and fondness means intense love. The intense love to God or sadguru is an elixir which is a storehouse of great energy. This elixir of intense love reaches the bottom of the mind and by destroying the layer of ignorance existing there, embraces the pure self. It removes all the obstacles on the path of God-realization. These discourses contain extremely clear and dependable guidelines for achieving that intense divine love.
Shri Maharaj used to say that in the heart of every human being is hidden a spot of mystic beauty, the lustre of which never withers, the flavour of which is never spoiled. With the help of God's name human being can reach it. The joy arising out of its vision gives divine light. The person then reaches the timeless stage. Death, ignorance, sorrow find no place in his life. There is no limitation or dependence for him. Shri Maharaj used to stress that everyone has a right to

Gondavale (Budruk) of Sri Maharaj

ABOUT GONDAVALE (BUDRUK)

Gondavale (Budruk) is a small town with a population of about 6,000, in Satara District in Maharashtra, about 64 kilometres from Satara, on Satara­Pandharpur road.
The nearest International airport is at Bombay, and the nearest National airport is at Pune. The distance from Bombay to Gondavale by road, via Pune, is approximately 340 km, Pune being about 160 km away from Gondavale. There are a number of daily bus services operated by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation from Pune to Gondavale or beyond. The journey takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes. It is possible to make a one day return journey from Pune. Bus services are also available from Bombay, Sangli, Solapur, Pandharpur, Karad, Thane, Satara etc. There is no rail connection direct to Gondavale, The nearest railway station is Koregaon on Pune-Miraj line, which is 47 km away from Gondavale.
The Samadhi Mandir of Shri Maharaj, the place where he was cremated, is about 200 meters from the bus stand of Gondavale. The sacred Samadhi is in the basement, and on the floor above it, the idol of Shri Gopalkrishna is installed, symbolising that the place was originally a stable of cows. Shri Maharaj was very much devoted to cows and had expressed his wish to rest there. In this campus surrounding the Samadhi Mandir, are the temple of Shri Aaisaheb, the second consort of Shri Maharaj, meditation halls, stable of cows, kitchen hall, book-shop, etc.
The daily programme in the Samadhi Mandir begins at 4-45 am. with prayers, and continues almost throughout the day with a variety of prayers, recitations and periods of nama-smarana, till about 9-45 pm.
Besides the daily routine, special celebrations are held on the following occasions - (Month and date as observed at Pandharpur)-­
(1) Shri Rama navami-Chaitra Shuddha 1 to 9 (Approx - March-April).
(2) Shri Guru Pournima- Vyasa Puja-Ashadha Shuddha 8 to 15 (Approx.
June-July).
(3) Janmashtami. - Gokul Ashtami - Shravana Vadya Krishna Bahula 1 to 8 (Approx. August- Sept.).
(4) Shri Maharaj Punyatithi - Departure Day Anniversary. Margashirsha
Vadya Krishna - Bahula 1 to 10 (Approx, December - January)
There is usually a very large turn out of devotees during the above festivals, especially, Guru Pournima and Shri Maharaj Punyatithi. There are frequent and regular visitors on each Thursday and Pournima (full moon) day.
The devotees belong to all strata of society and they are from all castes and other religions also.
Nearby, in the town, is the house where Shri Maharaj was born and lived. The idols of Shri Rama, Laxman and Seeta were installed by Shri Maharaj himself, and were a part of his residence, and the place is called 'Elder' Ram Mandir. It completed hundred years of its existence in 1992 and the temple has been beautifully renovated on the occasion. Shri Maharaj had great devotion and love for these idols. He had the firm conviction and faith that they were not idols but God Himself. He always used to earnestly urge everybody to see 'his' Rama first on a visit to Gondavale.
In addition to the above, the town has other three temples established by Shri Maharaj, like the 'Younger' Ram Mandir, Shri Datta Mandir, Shri Shani Mandir. The idols of Shri Vitthal-Rakhumai, the deity of Pandharpur, found by the grand- father of Shri Maharaj by the grace of God through a vision, are also in the same campus around the 'Elder' Rama Mandir.
Shri Maharaj had made his will for the management and maintenance of these sacred places. According to this the Board of Trustees is looking after these places.
Shri Maharaj was very particular during his life time, not to demand, not even to expect anything from the visiting devotees or for that matter from anyone. On the contrary, he saw to it that everybody visiting him was fed properly without any distinction. His only expectation from the visitors was that they pick up and adhere to chanting of nama. By the grace of Shri Maharaj, this tradition has been maintained till today. Strict punctuality in the programmes, voluntary services of all kinds by the devotees and the overall discipline based on mutual respect, love and understanding are some unique features of Gondavale.
The climate of Gondavale is hot in the summer months and moderate in most part of the remaining months. However, during December- January it is quite cold and woolens are required. Rains are scanty and usually occur in August-September.

Discourses, by Shri Sadguru Brahmachaithanya Maharaj (Gondavalekaar)

By the Grace of Sri Maharaj, all the day to day Pravachans have been posted.
Any reader can now go to the Pravachan of the Day by clicking on the Sri Brahmacaithanya Pravachans on the left top. Also, there is a Sri Brahmachaithanya Grid, which also enables the reader to go to the Pravachan of any day by clicking on the date of the callendar.
I wish to thank Sri G.S. Gokhale for compiling Sri Maharaj's Pravachans in to a book form. The Pravachans given in this blog are only copy of the Book 'Discoursses by Shri Sadguru Brahmachaitanya Maharaj (Gondavalekar) compliled by Shri G.S.Gokhale with a foreword by Prof.K.V.Belsare. English rendering done by : Shri V.C.Kelkar, Shri N.S.Jamadagni, Shri S.C. Marathe and Shri V.T. Jumde.

The Preface by the author is also posted here.

PREFACE

With great good fortune, I got access to the notes, made by some devotees, of the discourses of Shri Maharaj delivered in Marathi. I was charmed by the simplicity of language, the depth of thought, the straightforwardness arising from pure selflessness and direct experience, the skill of explaining abstruse propositions with the use of easy but appropriate illustrations, and words overflowing with love of God. I felt sure that this invaluable treasure would provide guidance to everyone, and so I found myself compiling these notes. In this undertaking, I received encouragement of revered Shri Tatyasaheb Ketkar, my respected father Shri Panditrao Gokhale, and some brother devotees. It took the present form of a page for daily reading, and saw the light of day in 1966.
Readers favorably responded to these Discourses, due to the simple, practical approach and the relief they bestowed on the mind in the turmoil and confusion caused by individual problems. In many cases, the life-style of readers slowly changed in approach, and took a different turn altogether. According to individual nature and circumstances, the readers discovered guidance, and a sense of peace and contentment. Many readers were drawn towards chanting nama which they could easily do while outwardly continuing their worldly activity. This could be easily gauged from the increasing number of devotees coming to Gondavale. The true mark of having visited a holy place consists of an increased love for God, that is, more frequent remembrance of Him, and an increased desire to chant nama. Many sadhakas have testified that a visit to Gondavale creates, and eventually stimulates, the desire to chant nama. .
All the first five editions of this book, totalling 45,000 copies, have been welcomed by readers and read with avidity. The book has since been translated and made available to readers in Hindi, Kannada, and Gujarati; the Discourses are therefore popularly read also outside Maharashtra. After the first five editions, the complete rights of this compilation were handed over to the Trustees of Gondavale Sansthan. The trustees accepted the rights, and decided to make the book available to the public In excellent quality at a rock-bottom price. A total of almost one and a quarter lakh copies of this compilation in Marathi have so far been sold out and the demand is growing continuously.
Judging by the wholesome effect of the direction by Shri Maharaj, as propounded in the Discourses, there grew an increasing desire among certain people for a version In English, a language known widely to the educated in this country, to those born and bred in English-speaking countries, etc. A concrete shape was given to this desire by the late Shri V.C. Kelkar of Sangli, then ninety years old, in the form of a type-written translation of the original. Another such complete translation was later presented by the late Prof. N.S. Jamadagni, the
widely-known Professor of English and Principal of Abasaheb Garware College of Pune. The present publication is an attempt, by Shri S.C. Marathe, at co-ordination of both these, blending his own flavour. Shri V.T. Jumde also rendered valuable assistance in the present publication.
I consider it my duty to thank my brother devotees, in particular, Prof. P. N. Wartikar of Ahmedabad, for the affectionate help in the original compilation; and also to the late Shri Anantrao Vaidya, who published the first five editions. Subsequent to the initial publication of this compilation, many devotees and well wishes had 'suggested some modifications in the presentation. At the time of the first publication by the trustees of Gondavale, they entrusted the task of revision based on these suggestions to three devotees: Shri N.V. Atre, Shri P.V. Patankar and Shri S.C. Marathe. In executing their onerous task, they took care to see that there is a minimum disturbance of the text, that not a word not uttered by Shri Maharaj enters in the text, and that no utterance is cited out of proper context. It is this slightly revised Marathi edition which has been used as the basis for the present English version. I thank Shri Rantnakar Joshi of K. Joshi, Block Makers, for their co-operation in printing this edition.
Those who had the opportunity to listen to the original discourses were indeed fortunate. We are immeasurably indebted to those who preserved them in the form of the notes, which are available to present-day readers as Discourses in Marathi.
It is sincerely hoped that this English rendering will be found useful by readers and seekers who could not avail of the contents due to language barrier. One can achieve uplift and contentment by reading even a single discourse of Shri Maharaj, and practising it with faith and sincerity. What loving compassion and sincere urge with which Shri Maharaj has tried to impress upon us the prime importance of chanting nama! He spent his whole life creating amongst people the love for nama. On the basis of his own varied and meaningful experience, he holds out an unfailing promise that if one practises the easy path of chanting of nama and thus remembers God continuously, one will definitely experience that God comes to without taking the trouble of searching for Him. "Whatever has fallen to your lot, perform your duty honestly, and ever remain in the company of nama. Assign all doership to Rama. Whatever be the difficulties do not forget nama. Do not forget till the last breath that God will certainly confer His grace on him who recites nama." This is the essence of these Discourses.
I pray very humbly at the feet of Shri Maharaj that whatever strength, blessings, and grace, he showered on me during the compilation of these Discourses, may continue till my last breath. Let nama be on my lips continuously till the end of my life. I earnestly and sincerely hope that those who read these discourses would feel attached to the chanting of nama, and thereby obtain peace of mind in worldly life.

Gondavale Govind Sitaram Gokhale
7th January 1994 Compiler

Gurupournami Day Pravachan - 1.

Shree Guru-Pournima – 1

In the name of God I solemnly affirm that I always feel that everyone is activated by Rama, even the one approaching to me for initiation. The disciple may be inferior, deficient, humble, ignorant, and yet I have looked upon him as no less than Rama. I see no one as evil-minded.
I prefer little children and retired persons because both have no inhibitions. I have respect for the learned, but little love or preference for them; I respect the Goddess of learning, Saraswati, that inspires them. I have scant regard for the rich, because they tend to lean on the strength of wealth and to connive at God. Simple-minded, little-learned people are dearer to me than pedants. I prefer village life to urban life. I have stated my preferences, but these may vary from person to person. If you ask a person to set his eye aside before coming to see you, he can not comply. Similarly, I simply cannot exist in the absence of nama. Wherever nama exists, I am there. If there is anything to learn from me, it is to give up worry, in the faith that God is the sole doer. To young boys and girls, my exhortation is that they should obey parents and elders, learn to be sincere in whatever they do, never swerve from honesty and integrity, and never lose sight of God. Good, disciplined conduct in young age will make a really responsible unit of society in due course.
I know what goes on in the innermost thoughts of a visitor. I listen to everything with your ears. When anyone of you feels depressed, I feel disturbed; then I search for and discover source. I sincerely feel sorry when anyone of my people worries; everyone who calls himself mine should have unquestioning trust in me. I say as a matter of personal experience that if you conduct yourself in life with trust in God, you will lose nothing. Resolve to follow my guidance, and leave all care and worry to me. When I assure you that I am by your side, I do not mean that I am there in physical form; it means that God Himself is with you. Be sure that I am doing everything needed by you. On your part do what you can, but never pine for anything. Why not believe that I reside in your heart and prompt you in your thought and action? You should have firm faith that whatever you do is by my will, by me. I never feel despondent about anybody, for anyone born as a human being is bound to attain to God one day or another.
* * * * *

Satsang on 21-6-09

Sri Chakrapani of Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Bangalore, invited Chintamani Mandir devotees to his house for a Satsang in his house. Japanusthan, Bhajans and special poojas were performed. Maha Prasadam was served.

Sri Brahmachaithanya Grid

I have a great pleasure to mention here that one Sri Srinivasa Shastri has made a grid named as ' Sri Brahmachaithanya Grid', which will take the reader to the Pravachan of a particular date required at a single click.

Sri Brahma Chaitanya Grid

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All the links in the grid below refer to posts on the Sri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj blog and open in a new window/tab. About Sri Brahma Chaitanya Grid. Hover over the link to see the title of the discourse (enabled for all links). Please let me know if you notice any discrepancies. Thanks.

Discourses on Rama Navami: One

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Sayings are from

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Maintained by Rāma ShastriX