A Rite of Passage

‘beneath a banyan,’ is about lessons learned, experiences had, and an attempt towards the manifestation of latent potential.

 It is only befitting that the first post is dedicated to the grandest figure of my life- my Guru, Swami Dayananda Saraswati.

 One need not elaborate on Swamiji’s contributions, his achievements, insights and uniqueness.  Any description will surely fall short of the magnitude of this larger-than-life personality who traversed the earth from 1930-2015.

 Swamiji was a Guru because he was mahavakya upadesha karta.  He was a shrotriya, and for those who interacted with him (even in my limited knowledge), could know that he was a bramha nishta.  Therefore, as per the traditional definition of “Guru,” Swamiji fit the bill.  He could identify the void in anyone who came to him, and would work to make him whole.  One may not even know of one’s limitations and strengths, but Swamiji could see what was there and which notions about oneself needed correction, and in a totally leisurely manner unbeknownst to you, would change you completely.  He could transform a previously insecure person into a secure person just by his mere company!  The best part was that he never asked you to change anything about yourself.  Changes would take place automatically.

 Swamiji lived what he taught- freedom.  He was free and could remove you from your inner shackles provided you were ready for it.  Even if you were left in doubt, Swamiji had no doubt when his job was done.  Then he set you free, to revel in this freedom.

 Each moment spent with Swamiji, either in his classes or personally, saw the suspension of time and space and all that exists therein.  Being with Swamiji meant being with love in its purest form: unadulterated, uninhibited, ancient and eternal.  A love so intense, it could envelope everything else until love alone remained.  Swamiji’s gift of love lives on in all whom he touched, all whom he helped.  He not only taught the meaning of love, but made sure that living in love was the reality of your life.  The rest was up to you.

 My humble prostrations to Guru, who resides in the core of my heart, as the self-effulgent reality of existence.