Swami RK Murugesu

2008-10-08T14:42:00.004+02:00

Blessed is the reader who comes across the dynamic spiritual teachings of the great sage, Gayathri Siddha Swami Murugesu Mahahrishi who, so lovingly, spent time among common and ordinary men and women like ourselves as if He were one of us. During his time with us Swami rendered selfless services, relieving thousands from the sufferings of sorrow and pain. Swami founded the vibrant Sri Lankatheesvarar Yogashram and the Sri Gayathri Peetham International Trust, in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. Swami’s divine purpose for such establishments was to render selfless service to suffering humanity and to guide truth-seekers to achieve life’s ultimate goal.

Swami Murugesu used the same teaching methods as the maharishis of ancient times, charging no fees. All his work was done in love for his guru, Dr. Pandit G. Kanniah Yogi, a Sapta Rishi from a hermitage in the dense jungle of the Nilgris Hills of South India. Swami Murugesu is the founder of the Great Gayathri Peedam in Sri Lanka, where He lived and, in April 1998 he consecrated the Gayathri Peedam in South Africa.

Biography of Swami Murugesu

2007-12-18T23:32:00.003+02:00

Swami Murugesu Maharishi was born Raman Kalimuthu Murugesu in Kandy, Sri Lanka on the 26th of October 1933. His family was so poor that Swami had to start work at the young age of twelve as a labourer in the fields. It was during this time that a mahatma appeared to Swami and gave him a mantra book on Lord Ganesha, from which Swami began to recite mantras. When he was a little older, Swami worked in a hotel as a waiter and a shoe-shiner. Sleeping in a railway station, and having no clean clothes, Swami would frequently starve and have to beg for food. There were many times during his life when Swami Murugesu lived the life of a beggar, sleeping outside and eating only what he was given, even if it was meat. He was not even able to wash his hands after he had eaten, but had to wipe them in his hair to clean them. But throughout these times Swami ate and behaved as if he was in a five star hotel!

One day, when Swami Murugesu was still a boy, he was asked by his guru, Sri Kanniah Yogi, to go to the nearest town, which was many miles distant, and buy rice and other necessities for the ashram. Before his departure, Swami was given a piece of copper by his guru and told to hold it between his hands, as if praying. Then, after walking a hundred feet or so into the nearby jungle, he was to look up at the sun, close his eyes and recite a specific mantra, given him by his guru. This was achieved successfully as, when Swami opened his eyes, he was standing outside the jungle about a hundred metres away from the town. When he opened his hands he found that the piece of copper had become gold, which he then used in charity work and to purchase the goods required in the town. To return to the ashram, the same process was repeated, and Swami instantly ‘arrived’ within ten metres of the entrance.

On another occasion, Swami was again in the dense jungle with a friend when a tiger leapt in front of them suddenly. The two immediately thought of their Guru and straight-away a deer crossed their path in front of the tiger so they could escape. One day eighteen rishis (ascended masters) appeared while Swami was with his guru. They gave Swami many things, some of which he was told to find by digging in the jungle. They also taught him great spiritual secrets including how to give life to a dead body. It is because of these experiences that we know Swami’s teachings are not merely a set of beliefs. They are a practiced way of life. Swami teaches that nothing in this world appears by accident or coincidence, but that everything is the consequence of Gayathri.

During swami’s physical sojourn on this material plane, he performed many difficult and rigorous spiritual sadhanas for long periods of time. Through these sadhanas Swami received tremendous spiritual power and, under the guidance of Sri Khannaih Yogi, perfected Cosmo-Mystic Meditation. Swami’s main emphasis was that meditation be the essential factor in spiritual sadhanas for both Self- and God-realization. Swami obtained great delight in sharing his knowledge and experiences gained with those who sought his presence, and always looked forward to giving spiritual guidance and participating in the performance of guru bhajans rendered by South African sadakas.

Swami knew that the thirst to seek God and higher levels of attainment is very strong in man no matter his origins. Many truth seekers from numerous countries - India, America, Sri Lanka, Germany, Malaysia, Europe and South Africa - have visited Swami to learn under his guidance after failing in their efforts to attain under other teachers. All teachings of Swami are for advancement and enlightenment. The ambrosia given in his words is to be shared by spiritual aspirants with individual guidance being obtained from Swami by deep meditation.

Swami Murugesu Maharishi attained mahasamadhi on the 24th September 2007 at 4.10 pm. This day, a Wednesday, was Nakshatra Dhamituta with Ekhadasi and Trayodasi overlapping each other, will be remembered forever. Mahasamadhi shrines have been erected for Swamiji in both the Nuwara Eliya and South African temples.

Fortunate are those who have come in contact with Swami Murugesu during his physical stay on this material plane. More fortunate are those who meditate on Swami and receive spiritual guidance.

The Science of Karma

2007-12-03T18:17:00.000+02:00

Past experiences and actions are not immediately erased, but things that happened a decade ago will remain in the mind as if they happened yesterday. But before such events or actions are recorded in the mind, they are also recorded elsewhere in existence. Likewise, an unconscious action will also be recorded in the mind and will create an impression that will last throughout one’s life. If a person falls into a water tank during their childhood and is saved, he may manifest a fear of water throughout his life, and even though he makes up his mind not to be afraid, he will still b affected, unable to be released from his fear consciousness.

In addition to physical organs, a person also has subtle organs. The mind is one such organ; ‘chitta’ or subconscious mind is another. It is in the sub-conscious mind that all experiences are recorded in the form of ‘samskaras’. The mind reflects the impulses affecting man through the five senses. When a person sees a tree, the mind creates within itself the shape of a tree and no other shape. Old experiences (samskaras) are recorded in the subconscious mind - experiences not only of the present life time, but also experiences of previous incarnations. In deep states of hypnosis, the conscious mind is subdued and the experiences of the sub-conscious mind begin to unfold.

The subconscious mind acts like an audio and video recording device, expressing stored information through the fore-mind as good or bad samskaras, or revealing it as good and bad thoughts respectively. As man acts on the dictation of his mind, he is confronted with the good and bad thoughts revealed by his subconscious and acts accordingly.

Man has not yet realised that all of his thoughts are not originated by him. One who is relaxing at home might have a sudden thought to go out, when he could either become involved in an accident or meet a good friend. The cause of these thoughts originate from the subconscious mind.

While in the womb, the subconscious acts as the conscious mind and it is the samskaras in the subconscious mind that mould the required character and form of the child initially. This explains why siblings born into the same family can manifest vastly different characteristics, and only later adopt the habits of their parents.

These experiences of the subconscious are what we call ‘karma’. All of ordinary man’s entire projections are the result of stored subconscious experiences. One may be well-read and a deep thinker but may still be unable to understand the functioning of the subconscious mind. Because of this, he will find it difficult to overcome Karma, but the subconscious mind will continue to store information and influence the conscious mind without any control of the individual. Karma which has been recorded from previous births and which shows its effect in a current birth is called ‘prarabda karma’. Experiences freshly recorded in the subconscious mind are called ‘agamya karmas’. Thus strong samskaras of previous births form the basis of one’s current lifestyle.

A group of good people may live together and, similarly, a group of bad people may also live together, but both good and bad people cannot live together harmoniously as both groups have different samskaras.

Nevertheless, there are ways to change one’s samskaras. If one wants to give up smoking, the mere thought of smoking is not enough to cause one to quit, nor will a forceful manner of quitting work as it may lead to other negative situations. Negative prarabda karmas cannot be changed by mere thought. Individual karma can only be changed or destroyed by its originator. There are two ways of overcoming this. One is to experience and expend it, and the other is to induct very powerful positive samskaras to destroy or counteract the negative ones. One of the best methods of doing this is by practising yoga and meditation.

When one wants to win over karma, divine force does not act against it. As we know, electricity can be used for both good and bad. If Godly Samakaras are recorded, one will travel a Divine path. Many karmas undertaken while discharging our duties, go unrecorded. If one does his karmas in this manner he will become a ‘karma yogi’. In the Gita Krishna advocates performing duties as a yogi, being equipoised in joy and sorrow. By regular spiritual practises, karmas do not form and in this manner, one can reduce past karmas causing the mind to eventually become pure; and one will break the cycle of birth and death. Thus fate can be overcome by one’s intelligence. Let peace be there.

By Swami RK Murugesu Maharishi

The Science of Initiation

2007-12-03T18:15:00.000+02:00

One may be poor, but at the same time very capable. In order to over come such a position of poverty, some business could be conducted in order that such a person may prosper. The problem in such an instance may be lack of funds. One may be eager to learn sanskrit, but needs the help of a teacher to learn it in order to develop it to a high standard. For an emaciated person, good food and a tonic is required to attain optimal health. For a tottering man, a walking stick is needed. Thus, in order to strengthen his body, mind and knowledge, man is dependent on the help of others.

A man in need of money should be given money, and not a sermon on how to get the money. In this way, he will be able to multiply it and become rich. For one who is in need of education, it is of little use giving him a lecture on education; he should be taught. A sick man needs medicine and not a talk on how to cure his ailment.

In order to attain the grace of God and acquire siddhis and know the secrets of the universe, mere mental powers are not enough for the ordinary man. Only that which can be learned through his five senses can be attained as his solitary capacity cannot exceed that level. In order to attain knowledge of a more subtle nature, a person requires the help of subtler vehicles. But these vehicles are dormant in most individuals. In order to experience spiritual subtleties, man’s dormant vehicles need to be aroused by channeling energies directed at his dormant powers. The only powers currently available to most men are those of science which act only on physical objects.

In order to activate one’s dormant subtle power, one has to have it activated by one who has such power of activation. Should one manage to attain this subtle power from who has acquired it, then it can be further developed. It is this process of activating the subtle power, which is called initiation.

It was explained that Initiation is the acquisition of subtler powers and that those who receive such Initiation should be able to accept it. If they do not absorb what they are given, the power will be frittered away. One’s mind should be completely one-pointed in concen-tration, controlling one’s thoughts and not allowing the mind random rule. Generally, those who have great devotion also have this ability. Such people, initiated in the proper manner will, by practice, improve in meditation, mental prayer and other spiritual disciplines.

Generally people are initiated if they have mastered concentration. To grasp the powers of subtler initiation, the mind should be fit enough to grasp the physical scientific powers or energies and the mind should be strengthened. For such strong-willed people, ‘self initiation’ is taught. In this practice students are able to gaze at a luminous object and develop dormant subtler energies. Those who undergo Yoga Vidya training before being ‘self initiated’ can strengthen their minds still further. To those who are regular in practice in the right path and do Japas (prayers) for a long time, the above process is still necessary but, because their mind would have attained the power of concentration, they can take the initiation straight away.

To attain moksha, one has to awaken his dormant subtler energies. One who wants to be at home in the seven worlds should awaken all seven energies. Therefore, initiation differs in seven ways. In each of the seven initiations, one will be able to awaken subtle energies pertaining to that aspect.

An initiate is one who has been properly initiated and who is following his practices regularly. In the present day, some have read books and have started practicing or have seen others and copied them. These kind of people will not see the light of day in spite of many hours of practice. This is because practice does not mean following certain rituals, but is a one-pointed concentration of mind on any object thought of. To achieve this, training is given in mental meditation and mental prayer. Unless one succeeds in these, he will not be able to absorb the divine magnetism through his practice. To achieve this stage, one has to be initiated by a fit person. It starts with a physical scientific initiation whereby the teacher imparts a new magnetic power to the disciple. If they are able to attain perfection in this, then they will be able to go to the next stage or absorbing divine magnetism. Further training for them will be initiation into pranic techniques and they should be in a position to control pranic energy. Following is the initiation of the mental aspect and if they succeed, then Jnana initiation is given in which one is able to control one’s ‘chitta’ and experience great bliss. Brahma initiation allows one a view of the spiritual world and strengthens the further control of chitta. By practice, such an initiate can learn to see Brahma (God) face-to-face (Brahma Satshatkara). The physical, prana and mental initiations are given by living teachers. Unless one is first initiated into these states, one cannot attain Brahma Satshatkara.

Initiation up to the mental level was previously only given in the ashrams of the Rishis, but now it can be given telepathically from an ashram to a disciple in his or her own home. This is done through vibhuti and kunkum, which are charged with the magnetism of teachers and can be carried out through any other means that can be absorbed by the student. The magnetised ‘prasada’ enters the body of the disciple and gives the desired effect. With regard to pranic and mental initiation, the teacher keeps the student in a receptive state and sends waves of initiation through pranic and mental space and this is absorbed by the student. Thus students can receive initiation without physically seeing their teacher. Without proper initiation in spiritualism, one cannot achieve progress in athma jnana.

by Swami RK Murugeshu Maharishi

The Power of Affection

2007-12-03T18:12:00.000+02:00

There is no speaker who does not touch upon affection, and no writer goes without writing about it. All faiths preach affection but sadly most do not know the meaning of affection of love or use it correctly. Many words are used by us without knowing their meanings. We merely use such words out of habit, while those listening pretend to understand what is being said.

Those who really know the meaning of love or affection will certainly put it to practical use. The Yogis are able to make wild animals docile and poisonous snakes stunned by a mere glance. All this results from Love. Our ancients found out the truth that even a very wicked person can be converted to a good man through love. But before we begin to analyse the benefits of Love, let us see what Love is in actual practice.

Like emotions of anger, greediness, happiness, pity and compassion, so is Love an emotion. When one is governed by emotions, they perform certain things without full knowledge of what they are doing. We are all aware of what a man gripped by anger is capable of. Those who are under limitless happiness do certain things which we have seen. Once a man is governed by the emotion of Love, he will perform many rare things. Let us see what such a person is capable of.

If a mother has a deep love for her child, she will fast and feed only the child with what little food she has and will attain satisfaction by doing so. A son who is very affectionate towards his father will turn a deaf ear to his wife, relatives and others and with his meagre earning, will try to satisfy his father. If a wife loves her husband who is in financial debt, she will not mind parting with her ornaments and other material possessions to help him overcome his difficulties. If a husband loves his wife, he will spend all his earnings on her and be satisfied spending nothing on himself. If one sees a dear friend in difficulty, he will overlook the difficulties his own family may have to undergo in order that he may help his friend and will from this derive great satisfaction. If one is devoted to his Ishta Deva, he will not enjoy any worldly pleasures but will derive satisfaction and joy thinking about his Ishta Deva. Thus those who bestow genuine love or affection upon others expect nothing in return from them.

Expecting something in return for help is not a reflection of true love and affection as true Love is derived from real sacrifice. Such a person who does not expect anything in return obtains a peace of mind which cannot be measured, like a very poor person who obtains enormous wealth, or a chronically ill person becoming cured. Spiritually, it is said that the entire world will be indebted to one who loves truly. Test this yourself. Extend love to your pet, or to the pet of a neighbour. Look at it with the ‘bhavana’ of affection of love. See that the rays of your love meet the eye of the animal, then feed it well. You will find it showering affection and love on you, even when you do not feed it.

Yogis kept animals around their ashram under the control of manthras or siddhis. Wild animals controlled by the affectionate look and love of the yogis shed their fierceness and became very docile. In explaining Ahimsa (non-violence), yogis tell us that enmity does not exist in the presence of non-voilence. Within their influence, a tiger will not kill a cow. They may fight with each other, but the moment they come under the influence of such yogis, they become friendly. A mongoose and a snake will play with each other - this does not happen due to special powers of such yogis, but because of the love and affection emanated.

In the same way, a wife or a friend who does not act according to your dictum, will kindle anger in you, resulting in endless tension between the two, but if one continually shows love and affection towards such associates, they will in due course become friendly and will listen to what you say, like a man under the spell of a manthra. They will follow your dictums. To those who have no experience, this may seem an impossible proposition, but let them do as we have outlined above, once or twice, and they will know the secret of controlling all the things in the world. Dear student, be kind to those who hate and do not listen to you. Love those who act against your thinking and shower affection on those who are antagonistic towards you. you will find, in due course, that they have turned over a new leaf, which could not be achieved by manthras or even tanthras. They will become people who will be prepared to do anything for you. This is the rare power of Love. Experience it and make your life a pleasant one.

by Swami RK Murugesu Maharishi

Articles by Swami Murugesu

2007-10-18T23:51:00.002+02:00

The Science of Karma
The Science of Initiation
The Power of Affection

Moments with Swami

2007-07-29T09:58:00.000+02:00

2007-07-15T17:02:00.001+02:00

2007-07-15T16:55:00.001+02:00

2007-07-15T11:04:00.001+02:00

2007-07-15T10:04:00.001+02:00

2007-07-14T10:32:00.001+02:00