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Gurus of the Lineage Guru Aarati (English | Hindi)
TORCH OF SPIRITUAL LIGHT
Sri Devendra Vigyani ji Maharaj
Sri Devendra Vigyani
I (Devendra Vigyani) was
born on December 16, 1918 in the village of Nagla Ranjit Singh, District
Bulandshahar (Uttar Pradesh), India. Childhood name was Devendra Pal Singh.
Father Sri Deep Singh ji was a school-teacher and mother Srimati Narayani Devi
a housewife. Right from the childhood, I was blessed with great interest in
religion, Hindu Philosophy and spirituality. I adored Lord Rama and fondly read
Ramayan daily.Being Yaduvanshi dynasty,
connection with Krishna and his Bal Leelas was very strong and so was with Lord
Rama. My beliefs were so true that I usually cried and insistently asked my
parents to bring home Rama & Laxman to play with. When I was still in
school my favorite entertainment was to recite Ramayana in the evening
gatherings in the village. My father, a staunch Arya Samaji, once scolded me
for such an action and I did not know who spoke from within me but I lectured
him for one hour despite of knowing fully well his strictest disciplinarian
nature. To my amazement, he listened patiently and then asked softly, 'how do
you know so much?' He was totally transformed following this episode.
One famous fortuneteller of ascetic vision
forecasted to his father, 'Your son will be God-realized liberated saint and
redeemer of your family'.
Growing up, I felt a great interest and reverence for sages and seers and
thought about the real purpose of human life. This continued and grew during
college life. When I was in Xth
class, I was shattered and greatly aggrieved by the untimely death of my very
dear younger brother, Kendra Pal Singh. This further precipitated my disbelief
in the world even during studies. I had chosen a down trodden lonely room away
from the main college hostel where no other student dared live for the fear of
snakes and scorpions. I felt so hurt by
the loss of my younger brother and the pain was so intense that one day I
determined (vowed) to call Lord Krishna playing my flute and do nothing until
He appeared. I locked the door and sat on a mat in my room meditating on Lord
Krishna's picture and prayed and prayed the whole night and the next day
passed. I stayed steadfast in rapturous state and, at times, felt His presence
like in a clear dream. As I was absent from the hostel-prayers, warden and a
dear friend of mine, Siya Ram came knocking at the door and compelled me to
come out. This incidence and experience increased my inclination towards
God-realization even more and I decided to remain a Brahmachari (unmarried)
throughout the life.
One day, an
unknown Sanyasi visited the vicinity of my hostel. I requested him to stay in
my room, he graciously accepted. I felt so blessed to feed and serve him. He
left very pleased and blessed me to achieve the main goal of life. I never saw
him again but strongly feel that the unknown sage was a Siddha (self-realized
soul). I developed aversion to English style college education and passed Vedic
Dharma Visharad examinations. Surname Visharad was used by my peers for a
while.
Due to poor financial conditions of the family, I joined my elder brother late
Sri Jagpal Singh ji who became the patriarch of the family. My elder brother
was an extra ordinary Karma Yogi who I was able to motivate in spirituality
along with other family members later on. He himself became not only a very
successful businessman but also a highly spiritual soul.
I had very little interest in
worldly matters, constantly yearned for a Guru who could lead him to Moksha
(salvation), my chosen objective of life. I got a photo of Sri Narayan Dev
Tirth Maharaj from a book and started worshipping him. My devotion to him grew
so strong that Param Guru Sri Narayan Dev Tirth Ji Maharaj appeared in my dream
one day and initiated me in "Swapna Diksha" (initiation in dream). I
remembered this auspicious time of my life as Thursday, November 24, 1938,
between 4-5 a.m. in Delhi. In connection with getting my parents and near
and dear ones in this divine path of Shaktipat I got in touch with Sri
Upaddhyay Ji (an early disciple of Sri Yoganand Brahmachari
who was not only a staunch scholar of Sanskrit and Vedic literature but also a
rare and self-realized Yogi himself in as much as he had ICHHA MRITYU (chose
time of his death, Uttarayan). He stayed in family life away from publicity but
was very affectionate and kind to me. He advised me to approach Sri Yoganand
Brahmachari for higher guidance in my Sadhana.
After my father's death I remained in the service of my mother in the village
but was looking for a living master Guru to attain salvation along with super
natural powers. Having sufficient time, I did deep Sadhan and studied all the 4
Vedas translated and commented by Saayanacharya, Saatvalekar and Swami
Dayaanand.This was also a time of
intense independence struggle. I joined the QUIT INDIA movement in 1942 and
worked as a sincere freedom fighter till independence.
After the death of my parents, I
set out for pilgrimage and finally reached the holy land of Rishikesh in
Himalayas where so many famous Yogis performed their deep penance. As advised
by Sri Upaddhyaya Ji, I met Sri Yoganand Brahmachari (later known as Sri
Yogendra Vigyani Ji Maharaj) on April 15, 1945, a famous Yogi and himself a
disciple of Param Guru Sri Narayan Dev Tirth Ji Maharaj since 1918. I humbly
expressed my highest spiritual ambition and inquired, I only want to know if
you possess what I am looking for?If
you do, I will not beg for it but deserve to get it from you through my extreme
devotion and unique service". Sri Yoganand Brahmachari answered, No one
has come to me yet craving so much for such a thing and asked me such a
question. I shall pray to Lord Shiva to fulfill your desired goal . I became
his disciple and surrendered my lifetime savings, belongings and whole-self in
his feet.As a truest disciple, I
offered him unflinching devotion, performed Shaktipat Sadhana, stayed in his
service whole-heartedly and followed his testing and rigorous orders without
any hitch.
At my behest of
my Sri Guru Yoganand Brahmachari ji, who had himself married, I also married
Smt. Shanti Devi in 1947 and accepted Grahasth Ashram (family life). He clearly
believed that family life is not detrimental in the pursuit of Moksha
(self-realization) but, in many cases, very assuring as it allows one to
conquer worldly passions and Vasanas (desires) by experiencing them first and
then giving up by experiencing their hollowness and falsity. For this reason,
many great pillars of Indian spirituality and Rishis stayed in family life. I
spent many years in service of my Guru. During this time I became very close to
Sri Yogendra Vigyani Ji Maharaj. We were one soul and two bodies. He called me
his best disciple ever in many letters he wrote. I was the one who conferred
upon me the title of Vigyani which will stay with me forever and Guru Power
to initiate in Shaktipat as his successor. We lived in Vigyan Bhawan in
Rishikesh which had been donated to Guruji by a Guruji's Bhakt in Dehradun for
the purpose of making it a ShaktiPeeth. Guruji and I wanted this holy place to
be a center of excellence in Kundalini Shaktipat Mahayog in north India.
In Vigyan Bhawan, I was able to help many
other people in getting initiated in Shaktipat by Sri Yogendra Vigyani Ji
Maharaj who was not easily approachable because of his short temperament and
Yogic Aura. Unfortunately, Vigyan Bhawan was lost to the greed of Guruji's
biological descendants who chose to use it as family property contrary to
Guruji's wishes and objectives stated in the donation papers and deeds. Even Sri Swami Vishnu Tirth Ji Maharaj and
Sri Ram Prakash ji used to hesitate to go and stay there as the place was
abused as an unholy private residence and frequented by unrelated
youngmen. I tried to restore Vigyan
Bhawan to its glory and objective by communicating to Guru Mata and ensuring
her that they will be financially supported and they should let Vigyan Bhawan
be the Shaktipat MahaPeeth as intended and recorded in the property
papers. After this effort failed, I
entrusted my select disciples to accomplish Vigyan Bhawan's objectives through
legal means. Sri Naradev Kothari willingly accepted the responsibility for this
mission and was provided finances needed. Unfortunately, people entrusted could
not persevere the test of time and challenges usually encountered in
Dharm-Raksha. Greed also played its part and money was offered by a business
enterprise that bought and changed the character of the place entirely. This
place, Vigyan Bhawan which was once graced by three Sidh Gurus of Kundalini
Yoga is hollow space filled with concrete. Failing in Dharm-Raksha is
everything but Dharm. I was fortunate to also came in contact with many other
famous Yogis of Himalaya in Rishikesh, Swami Shivananda ji, Sri Mahesh Yogi,
Swami Vedvyas ji, Guru of Shankaracharya Sri Swami Satyamitra Nanda Giri ji to
name a few.
My most valuable contact was with late Sri Swami Vishnu Tirth Ji Maharaj who
had gotten Shaktipat initiation from my Guru Sri Yoganand Maharaj back in 1933
and became a Sanyasi later. Spiritual brotherhood between me and Sri Swami
Vishnu Tirth ji and my respect for him always remained very strong. As a
Sanyasi, Swami Vishnu Tirth ji Maharaj was very affectionate to me. Sadguru
Yogendra Vigyani ji Maharaj called me and waited until his head was in mine lap
and I prayed to Param Guru Narayan Dev Tirth Ji before he relinquished his body
on June 26, 1959 in Rishikesh. I and Swami Vishnu Tirth were upset by the
departure of our Guru and decided to travel to Pashupati Nath (Nepal) together
where Swamiji urged me to initiate genuine aspirants in "Shaktipat".
Swami ji was very devoted to the holy river Ganges in Rishikesh and wished to
spend more time at its banks. Sensing Swamiji 's desire, I donated his
land for the construction of the Ashram 'Yoga-Sri-Peeth ' in Muni-Ki-Reti,
Rishikesh and Swami Ji's many disciples contributed in its construction.
Swami Vishnu Tirth ji left his body on Oct.
2, 1969.
I retired from my
business/family responsibilities in 1992-93. I wanted to become a Sannyasi. At
that time, Sri Swami Narayan Tirth Ji Maharaj (different from the lineage GURU
His holiness Sri Narayan Dev Tirth ji Maharaj) was the only bodily Guru he admired.
He was Sannyas-Guru-Brother of H.H. Sri Swami Vishnu Tirth Ji Maharaj and was
equally kind, affectionate to me. So, in 1995 I went to Uttarkashi, with a
check-book in my pocket for the expenditures of Sannyas-Diksha (Bhandara or
feast of Sannyasins etc.) accompanied by Swami Govindananda Tirth and Nardeva
Kothari and requested Swami Ji for Sannyas Diksha. Swami Ji said, 'Devendra Ji,
you have been leading an exemplary life like Raja Janak and have already
achieved the very main goal of being a Sannyasi. This Ashram and Sanyasi life
is no more meaningful for a person like you. Take my advice and give up this
idea of becoming a saffron-robed Sannyasi. You are already a Sannyasi
internally '. Honoring his sincere advice I returned back and decided to remain in
the family intensifying the real vision of Supreme Knowledge and Bliss
absolute. But I still thought that the fourth order of life (Sannyas Ashram)
may be more beneficial for better experiences of the universe and divinity.
I started visiting my eldest son Narendra Kumar in the USA who resided at 1600,
Squire Drive, Maple Glen, PA 19002, USA. There, the quiet atmosphere and lack
of distractions suited me well in taking my spirituality to new heights. On my
Bodh Diwas (day of self-realization), November 3, 1993 in the evening (Indian
time, Nov. 4, Thursday, ~ 5a.m.) I had the divine experience of
self-realization and felt my absolute eternal consciousness (Sakshatkar,
Granthi-Vedh), the ultimate goal of human life. I continued to pursue many
other spiritual endeavors including efforts for the upliftment of 'The divine
science of Shaktipat ', inspiring people to pursue goals of human life, guiding
genuine aspirants in their quest for self-realization and writing books. I
initiated some 90 disciples in 'Shaktipat '. I was very concerned about the
decline, commercialization and misuse of Lord Shiva 's divine science of
'Shaktipat ' and deterioration in its effectiveness and power. I wrote to most
of senior Shaktipat Gurus in 1994 and appealed to them to take corrective
actions. My earnest desire was to restore this divine tradition of 'Shaktipat '
to its former glory and to help, mentor and guide genuine seekers only in
achieving the highest goal of human life - Moksha (self-realization, absolute
eternal bliss). Books written by me 'Yogavaashisthasaar Sangrah ',
'Bhaagawatsaar Sangrah ', 'GeetaSaar Sangrah ' 'Parampara-utkarsha-yagna',
'America-Pravas', 'Pattrottar-saar-sangrah' and 'Atmagyan-muktak', are already
published in Hindi. The English translation of 'Yogavashisthasaar Sangrah ' is
also available. Many articles, collection of answers and directions to the
aspirants are awaiting publication.
I knew many
heavenly calls for me to leave this world in my eighties but got extension from
Lord Shiva for the benefit of my devotees. I will leave this mortal body at the
appropriate time.
Shri Devendra
Vigyani Ji Maharaj indicated the time period of departure to Narendra Kumar
and Digamber Singh but they could not understand. Eventually, he left his body
in the morning of September 17, 2016 at 4. a.m. His last words were chants of
"Ram". Guru Mata Srimati Shanti Devi was the last person to talk to
him in his physical body. He firmly believed that outside Ashram structures
Gurupad is something that is earned through genuine Sadhana. His Shaktipat
Diksha work was very successfully continued most notably by Shri Nardev Kothari
ji and Shri Mohan Biswal Ji both of who are not in this world any more.
Narendra Kumar, Upendra Kumar, Smt. Ritu Singh, Shri Digamber Singh, Mata
Kamala Devi, Shri Vidyanand Ji Kale are among those who are intently active in
carrying forward his mission of guiding genuine seekers as necessary. Genuinely
interested aspirants are encouraged to contact as follows:
Addresses :
INDIA
Address:
61-JEEWANI MAI ROAD
RISHIKESH - 249201
(Dist. Dehradun) U.A.
E-mail: gurubhakt@adhyatmajyoti.org
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Digamber Singh:
123A, MIG, Pocket-6, Mayur Vihar Phase 3, Delhi-110096
E-mail: sevakds@yahoo.com
Phone: +91 99580 06123
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U.S.A.
Address:
8-COURY ROAD
HILLSBOROUGH, NJ 08844 USA
E-mail: gurubhakt@adhyatmajyoti.org
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