Shivabalayogi in Hyderabad

Shivabalayogi in Sri Lanka

The image of Shivabalayogi installed in Colombo.

Shivabalayogi first visited Sri Lanka in 1971. It was his first trip outside of India. He returned to Sri Lanka on several occasions, including 1972, 1974, and 1978. On his 1981 visit, he installed a Shivalinga at Nuwara Eliya, and his last visit was in 1988. The Shivalinga which Shivabalayogi installed he named Lankadishwara, Lord of Lanka.

R. Raveendran gives us the following description of current Shivabalayogi programs in Sri Lanka:


Here in Sri Lanka when Sri Shivabalayogi Maharaj visited our country there were articles published in our local media about Swamiji’s life history and the bhajan, meditation and darshan programmes arranged during his stay here in Sri Lanka. Since 2011 we had been once again writing articles on newspapers about our Swamiji, for the benefit of new generations, and inform people about Swamiji’s bhajan programmes being conducted in Colombo, Jaffna and Nuwara Eliya for them to participate and get the blessings of our Swamiji. The articles were published during the special occasions like Swamiji’s birthday, mahasamadhi  remembrance day, Guru Poornima, and tapas siddhi (anniversary) day, and in 2011, we commenced publishing the articles with Swamiji’s birthday.

New people, who had not heard about Balayogi before, also attended these bhajan programs. A new devotee who saw the article prior to Guru Poornima celebration in 2012, attended this special bhajan, and continued to attend our fortnightly bhajan conducted in our Colombo centre (Maheswaran Anna’s house). This devotee was very much attracted towards Swamiji, and he got an opportunity to visit the Bangalore ashram during April this year (2013).

Shivabalayogi at the pool of Sita, near Nuwara
Eliya, Sri Lanka, around 1981.

On his return from Bangalore, he continued attending our bhajan, and has told his friends from Batticaloa about Swamiji, and they wanted to have bhajan programs organized in Batticaloa as well. Maheswaran Anna invited the devotee, who will be leading this bhajan in Batticaloa, to attend our bhajan in Colombo this last Guru Poornima day (22nd of July 2013) so that he could learn the way Swamiji’s bhajan is conducted. In the mean time we made all other arrangements to have Swamiji’s bhajan in Batticaloa.

On Guru Poornima day we had a very good bhajan and handed over the blessed photo of Swamiji, along with vibuthi, to the devotee from Batticaloa who will be leading this centre. They have arranged a place in Vinayagar temple in Kiran Hardy Cashew plantation centre.  This photo of Swamiji was installed in this place on the 6th of August followed by bhajan.

On the 7th August they celebrated Swamiji’s tapas anniversary with bhajan followed by distribution of prasadam to all devotees. They told us that they will have the bhajan every Friday from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 noon. Further, they have plans to go to temples in Batticaloa and have Swamiji’s bhajan, so that more people will come to know about Swamiji, and get benefitted.

At present we have Swami Sri Shivabalayogi Maharaj’s bhajan conducted in the following places.

Shivabalayogi offering worship to
Sri Lankadishwara Swami, May of 1981, when
he installed the Shivalinga in Nuwara Eliya.

Colombo:  Colombo Bajan Centre, 28E, 8th Lane, Colpetty, Colombo 3. Bhajan and Meditation programs are conducted on Saturdays starting at 05.00p.m. every fortnight.

Jaffna:  Siva Mahakali Amman Temple, Potpathi Road, Kondavil East, Jaffna. Bhajan on every Saturday from 04:00 to 05:00 p.m. Swamiji’s only statue (made of granite) in Sri Lanka is in this temple, and it was carried from India by one of devotee in a shoulder bag without much effort, even though it was fairly heavy.

Nuwara Eliya:  Sri Lankatheeswarar Temple, “Sri Nagar” 82, Lady McCallum’s Drive, Nuwara Eliya. Special poojs and abhishekam to Sri Lankadishwara Lingam, followed by bhajan and distribution of prasadam, on Swamiji’s special program days.

Manipay:  Ithiyaddi Pilayaar Temple, Navaly South, Manipay.  Pujas and abhishekam to pilayar followed by bhajan on Swamiji’s special days, and distribution of prasadam.

Batticaloa:  Vinayagar Temple, Hardy Cashew Plantation, Kiran, Batticaloa.  Bhajan conducted weekly every Friday, commencing at 10:00 A.M.

[Batticaloa is on the east coast of Sri Lanka; Colombo is on the west coast, and Nuwar Elya is in the center. Manipay is close to Jaffna which is to the far north.]

Recently published newspaper article on Shivabalayogi in Tamil.

Tapas Anniversary, August 7

Wednesday, August 7, 2013, is the 52nd anniversary of Shivabalayogi completing tapas, twelve years of meditation in samadhi.

The anniversary is celebrated in ashrams and centers and by devotees throughout the world. The real celebration is by the Yogi within celebrating the Yogi in all lovers of the Divine.

Guru Purnima 2013

“Guru Purnima is the day on which Sage Vyasa was born.  Sage Vyasa was born on a full moon day.  It is in remembrance of that event that all disciples and devotees worship their own gurus on Guru Purnima.”

— Shivabalayogi

Photos of the Hyderabad ashram during Guru Purnima, Monday, July 22, 2013.  More photos can be seen on Facebook at Shivabalayogi - Greatest Yogi of His Time.  Devotees around the world celebrated Guru Purnima and there were special celebrations in Adivarapupeta and Jhansi.

There was a large Guru Purnima program at the Bangalore ashram. As every year, panchamrutha abhishekam was performed to Swamiji’s paadukas (ritual bathing of Swamiji's feet symbolized by ceremonial slippers) by all devotees in the meditation hall of the ashram in J P Nagar. After bhajans, there was a mass feeding for some three or four hundred devotees.

Passings: Bhadra Rao & S. Veereshaiah

We remember Kaleakanda Bhadra Rao (left), who was a childhood playmate of Swamiji in Adivarapupeta, and Mr. S. Veereshaiah (right), who hosted Swamiji in Dombivli (Bombay suburb). Both recently passed away. The links are to pages about these devotees in the Soul Connections section of the Shivabalayogi website.

Diwali Experience

On the day of Diwali (13 Nov, 2012), having celebrated the evening with friends, I came back to my house and was sitting on the bed in the pooja room, when on seeing Swamiji's photo, I kind of complained to my wife that Swamiji gives experiences to so many people but he has never given me an experience even though I had been initiated over a year ago and have been doing one hour of dhyan every day. I forgot about the casual remark made and carried on with other activities and went to sleep thereafter.

In the wee hours of the morning I  was suddenly overcome by a force which pulled all my attention to the bhrikuti (point between brows) and my body went into an euphoria. I had a feeling that Swamiji was around. Then a distinct and clearly audible human voice started chanting Om. I could not see Swamiji but could sense him around and the human voice was distinctly continuously chanting Om. I soon pulled out of the sensation but was zoomed into the same state again. This happened three or four times. I can only thank and wonder at the magnanimity of our beloved Swamiji.

-- Harminder

Tabla Thatha Thimmappa

Tabla Thatha Thimmappa passed away peacefully at about 6:00 PM on April 23. He was about 110 years of age.

Tabla Master, so known because of his skill playing the tabla drums during bhajans, was an ardent devotee of Swamiji since 1963 and a very active member of the Bangalore bhajan group. He could often be seen at the Bangalore ashram, encouraging the bhajan group, singing, and driving the beat playing cymbals. He was a short man, well built, and of seemingly timeless age.

It was Tabla Master who helped instigate the practice of the Bangalore and other pilgrims parading through Adivarapupeta village behind a photo of Shivabalayogi on their way to the ashram for Mahashivaratri.

He was quite healthy right until the end -- besides being hard of hearing and cataract in both eyes. He stopped taking solid food for the previous few days and lived on fluids.

Several of Thatha Thimmappa's children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren are Swamiji’s devotees now.

We know that Shri Swamiji will guide this devotee on his onward journey with much peace.

Hari Shreeyam Experiences

Namaste.

I have had a dream vision several months ago where I met Shivabalayogi. I have been familiar with him for years. I think about ten years ago I was sent vibhuti from his Mahasamadhi shrine. I would very much like to have some more if that is possible.

I first started my spiritual practe in yoga at age ten when I received my first shaktipat. I went through about ten years of automatic kriyas, mantras, etc., before reeiving another shaktipat from Swami Mukhtananda two years after he took mahasamadhi. He came as a ball of brilliant white light one night into my room, took me out of my body and gave me shaktipat again. Again I went through automatic kriyas - the bandhas, prnayama, hearing Om, seeing the various lights and sounds of nada.

I practiced at that time between four and six hours a day. I also did a three year mahamantra tapasya with the MahaMrytujaya Mantra. After three years Shiva appeared to me in a Golden Body and spoke to me and said he would grant my wish (but I'm not sure which one he was talking about).

My main devotional practice has been for the last six years shanting the Chandipat (the whole book - 400 pages). When I first committed to worshipping the Goddes Chandi this way she appeared to me smacked my face and said: "What are you doing here?" She initated me with the smack and instructed me with her question as to what I must answer inside myself. The practice has been very successful.

I have deep spiritual experiences on a regular basis and this last January when in Vajeshwari/Ganeshpuri I met a Nath who gave me diksha into the Nath order in the Vajeshwari Temple. While there I sat in meditation as the Chandipat was being chanted by the Brahmins and I could see out my third eye/forehead and I saw the Goddess Bahglamuki enter about ten feet from me through one of the doors. She was dressed in brilliant yellow with a pointed hat. Thereafter I have also had a vision of her coming to me and introducing me to her sisters.

Since then is when I have had the dream vision of Shivabalayogi and understand I am connected to him and have to develop this connection.

Language Translation Shivabalayogi Website

The Google Translation
button

The Shivabalayogi website can now be automatically translated into scores of languages through Google Translate. Look for the Google button on the bottom of the left margin menu column. These languages include Telugu, Hindi, Tamil and other Indian languages in addition to European, Asian and African languages.

Try this translation service on this Shivabalayogi Currents blog site. The button is on the bottom of the right menu margin. Please share this information with other devotees who may prefer to read about Shivabalayogi in their own, native language. 

Dehradun Ashram: New Rules Restricting Admission

Devotees considering a visit to the Shivabalayogi ashram in Dehradun should be aware of the new rules imposed by the ashram management and prominently posted on the Shivarudrabalayogi website:

1. Security cameras have been installed inside the Ashram premises.

2. Hereafter no outside vehicles are to be allowed inside the Ashram premises other than those vehicles approved and listed by the Dehradun Ashram Administration.

3. Only medical emergencies vehicle shall be allowed for immediate medical assistance such as 108 ambulance and or any ambulance from recognized and authorized hospitals or ambulance services providers.

4. All visitors be it members/devotees or any other visitor must strictly enter their name and other details as required in the visitor's register which will be available at the main entrance gate. Failing to comply with the above, no entry will be allowed for such persons.

5. Hereafter all members, devotees and visitors to the Ashram who need to take long term/short term shelter (if more than 24 hrs) within the Ashram campus give a written application along with complete ID details to the Ashram administration (Saadhvi Ambaji) seeking Ashram permission to stay the required period. The Dehradun Ashram administration, especially Babaji reserve the Right to accept or Reject any such request application without giving any reason or explanation.

The website identifies Baba as the “Spiritual Head” of the Shivabalayogi Trust and that “[t]he Dehradun Ashram is the spiritual home of Babaji’s inspirational sadhana and Tapas, and the base from which He carries out His Guru’s Mission.”

We hope to be able to report soon that these restrictions have been lifted and the ashram will again be generally open to Shivabalayogi's devotees and to the public in general.

Adivarapupeta Meditation Hall

Recent photo of the new Dhyana Mandir,
Adivarapupeta ashram.

Architect's drawing showing the spire over the Samadhi
and the larger dome of the Dhyana Mandir.

Photo taken from the guest building shows the roof of the
temple, then the tower of the Samadhi itself, then the
concrete dome of the new Dhyana Mandir.

Recent photos taken at the Adivarapupeta ashram show the development of the new Dhyana Mandir (meditation temple or hall) being constructed next to the Samadhi.

The space inside is carpeted and already being used. It was the venue for the annual devotees' meeting conducted by the International Trust this.

The Samadhi is where the sacred body of Shivabalayogi was interred on April 2, 1994. It is a relatively small space which will be connected to the much larger Dhyana Mandir.

The large hall will allow many devotees to attend and participate in the various functions and pujas that take place in the Samadhi.

Tapoleela, March 2013

The inaugural issue of Tapoleela ("Divine Play"), the Telugu language magazine devoted to Shivabalayogi, was published in Adivarapupeta this Mahashivaratri, on the occasion of the Annual Meeting of devotees.

The complete, 36 page magazine can be viewed at the Tapoleela page of the Shivabalayogi website, where a full-sized PDF copy can be downloaded without charge.

Much of the credit for this new magazine belongs to Balakrishna, a third-generation devotee now living in Hyderabad. His initiative and work helped bring this publication to the public.

Mahashivaratri 2013

You are invited to celebrate Mahashivaratri in Adivarapupeta.

Mahashivaratri, the Great Night of Shiva, falls on March 10 this year. It is the main annual function at the Shivabalayogi ashram in Adivarapupeta, the sacred place where the great Yogi of Yogis sat for almost all of his twelve-year tapas — meditation in samadhi, the state of enlightenment.

Mahashivaratri is the most auspicious time of year for the presence of Lord Shiva, Shivabalayogi's Divine Guru, God in the form of a yogi. It is also a celebration of the presence of Shivabalayogi, a manifestation of Lord Shiva Himself.

Those who visit the Mother Ashram know his presence there can be felt physically, just like his own physical body. That presence is even more profound during the Great Night of Shiva.

Before Shri Swamiji dropped his own physical form, he always returned to his native village of Adivarapupeta to celebrate Mahashivaratri. His presence in that ashram is as important as it is powerful.

Now that Shivabalayogi is in mahasamadhi — the great or ultimate samadhi — he gives even more experiences to assure us that he is ever present. "You need experiences. That is what I give."

Photo taken on March 13, 1994, when Shivabalayogi took devotees

bathing in the ocean at Kakinada, near Adivarapupeta. Knowing

Shri Swamiji's love of boat rides, local devotees borrowed a

fishing boat. You can see video taken on this same occasion

at YouTube, Shivabalayogi Kakinada Sea Bath.

The trustees of the Adivarapupeta Ashram Trust and the trustees of the Shivabalayogi International Trust warmly invite you to experience and celebrate the profound blessings of the Great Night of Shiva in Adivarapupeta.

Guests can be assured of hospitable accommodations. There is never any charge for His blessings!

Shivabalayogi is a great ship, an ark of unlimited capacity, carrying one and all across the ocean of existence.

Celebrating Mahashivaratri in Adivarapupeta reminds us that the journey of life can be blissful.

Swamiji's Treasure

A young man of 23 here in Fairfield, Iowa, contacted me about a month ago asking to receive Shivabalayogi's initiation.  He had come to Fairfield about five years ago, took the TM initiation, and also the siddhas (an advanced TM initiation), which he had been practicing until . . .

About a year ago he was at the Fairfield library and saw this big book called "Swamiji's Treasure." He took it home and read it very quickly.  Within a very short time, he was doing Swamiji's meditation took Swamiji as his Guru. He has watched all the videos of Shivabalayogi on YouTube and read everything about Swamiji available online.

He knew Swamiji was his Guru, but wanted to "seal the contract" by receiving the actual initiation from one of Swamiji's devotees. He looked online and saw my name in Fairfied and made the contact. The initiation took place at my home on January 25, 2013.

He lives a very simple, reclusive life here, meditating at least 4 hours daily.

Birthday Darshan

I spent the day of Swamiji's Birthday (January 24, 2013) quietly at home.  Late afternoon I sat to meditate and I asked Swamiji if Swamiji would come to me in a dream that night for Birthday Darshan.  It then came to my mind so clearly, that I DID receive Swamiji's Darshan early morning of the 24th in a deep sleep  . . .

"I was in the back of a huge auditorium with a large stage, waiting for Swamiji to appear on the stage where Swamiji's Darshan would begin.  There were thousands of people lined up waiting to go up for Darshan.  I was standing by myself in the back with no one else around.  I turned my head and there Swamiji was standing by himself.  I went to Swamiji and Swamiji said "Namaste Sally" and I replied "Namaste Swamiji".  I then went to my knees and placed my hands and forehead on Swamiji's feet (Swamiji was wearing some type of red bootie socks.  Swamiji then slipped off these socks and put His bare feet back under my forehead.  I continued on my knees holding Swamiji's Holy Feet with my hands for a very long time.  My mind was without thought, and my heart filled with the most incredible joy . . . "

After remembering this dream and Swamiji's darshan, it was so clear to me that this truly was Shivabalayogi physically coming to me.  Why:  Since meeting Swamiji in 1987.....and to this day, all I have ever truly wanted was to always and forever be at His Holy Feet of Shri Shivabalayogi Maharaji....to hold on and never let go.  What else is important in this life

— Sally

Birthday Invitation Adivarapupeta

Adivarapupeta trustees and devotees cordially invite you to attend Shivabalayogi's 78th birthday celebration this January 24, 2013.

The festivities include puja worship and mass feeding, then bhajans in the evening.

[Double-click on any image in this blog and you will get a full-size image on your screen.]

Happy birthday Swamiji!

Swamiji's blessings to all!

Birthday Invitation, Jhansi

This year's invitation to attend the annual function in Jhansi to celebrate Shivabalayogi's birthday on January 24. He would have been 78 this year.

Devotees in Jhansi organize the largest annual mass feeding in honor of Shivabalayogi outside of his established ashrams.

Our thanks to Mr. R. C. Nanda who helps organize these functions and prepare the invitations that are sent to devotee saround India and the world.

Hyderabad Ashram

All are invited to attend free meditation and bhajan programs at the Shivabalayogi ashram in Hyderabad this January 13 to January 14.

Festival of Goda Kalyanam

Goda Kalyanam (the wedding of Goda devi) celebrates the marriage of Goda devi, an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, with Lord Ranganatha, an aspect of Lord Vishnu. Lakshmi and Vishnu are the female-male aspects of God in the form of the Sustainer of creation. The festival is being celebrated in the Adivarapupeta ashram this January 13 to 14. All are invited and welcome.

Goda devi is an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. She was found as a child under a basil tree by a great devotee named Nammalvar who raised her in Sri Villiputturu. Goda devi was very attracted towards Lord Vishnu in the form of Lord Ranganatha Swami. She refused to marry any human being. She used to make garlands for Lord Ranganatha, and before sending them to the temple, she would wear them before a mirror to see whether it would be nice on Lord Ranganatha. One day the father saw her wearing the garland before sending it to the temple and scolded her for it. (Garlands made for deities are not to be worn by another.)

Goda devi felt very sad about what she had done. But Lord Ranganatha appeared in her father's dream and told him that he likes the garlands to be worn by Goda devi. The god instructed the father to bring garlands to the temple every day only after Goda devi had tried them on.

Lord Ranganatha informed the king and the priests of the temple that he would marry Goda devi in Sri Rangam. Goda devi went to Sri Rangam with her father. The Lord appeared in the form of divine light married her. Finally Goda devi merged into Lord Ranganatha.