1. The Course is rooted in teaching traditional wisdom in a Gurukula system as far as possible, imbibing practical aspects of internalising what we learn. There was strict discipline with reference to punctuality, food habits and regular sessions for meditation and satsang by the Swamijis of Ashram. They were extremely sympathetic towards our ignorance of scriptures and had a genuine commitment to impart this divine knowledge by coming down to our level.
2. The challenge was that it had to be taught to modern minds who learnt everything through Western method of education and it took some time for us to get used to this methodology. Right from sitting on floor and listening with lots of absurd queries arising in the mind, we struggled in the beginning. The restlessness in all of our queries, scepticism towards our traditional knowledge was apparent and in spite of this, the Swamijis were very patient to mend us from the beginning.
3. In an actual Gurukula system, one would just listen and contemplate deeply; Sravana, manana and nidhi dhyasana is the most important requirement and the methodology to learn. But we are all set for showing off our limited knowledge and grab attention of the speakers. This habit got reduced during the course of time and then the flow of knowledge became very smooth and enriching.
4. HH Padmanabhaswami was very specific and clear in his approach. In his class, we are not supposed to take notes and to ask unnecessary questions which would block the flow of thoughts. A bird’s eye view about the scriptural studies from their origin and order of Vedic knowledge was given for about three to four classes followed by specifics of Patanjali Yoga Sutra.
We listened to him with rapt attention and mostly without even blinking eyes. We just laughed and smiled when he addressed us as “Ok My boys” and we all felt as if we are his little kids learning in the kindergarten of the Academy. Swamiji was too good in reciting the Veda mantras/slokas and explain them with great sense of humour and clarity at the same time. We enjoyed every second of his sessions and we didn’t even know when the bell rang for closing the class.
5. Patanjali yoga sutras were explained in a brilliant manner and at the beginning of every class, there would be a recap of previous Sutras and explanation in summarised form. This made us remember every Sutra by heart. While preparing for exams, I just recited all the mantras contemplating on the meaning of every Sutra in succession. The benefit of learning in a Gurukula system with absolute attention to what is heard, was soon realised and our questions remained answered from deep within.
6. HH Swami Yoga Swaroopananda ji Maharaj handled Bhagavadgeetha classes and Swami ji gave great insights into the teachings in a very practical way. He would make us read the Slokas with commentary and connect different slokas in various chapters to hammer concepts of Geetha in a very structed manner. His way of asking questions and more questions if no answer comes or not, kept us thinking throughout the class.
7. Gopiji with his humble exposition of the Upanishads gave us very good foundation of concepts and pointers towards further learning. The significance of Prakarana Granthas were also made known and we all loved the way he would greet us in the beginning. He was also very candid about limitations of teaching Upanishads in this way without proper preparation by the students. We were made to think deeply as to how we can approach this subject in future.
8. Kanchan Mataji with her 40 years experience as a professor of Philosophy was full of energy and passion to teach us Indian and Western Philosophy. The way she would evoke response and reaction from us was awesome. We could see her deep scriptural knowledge combined with academic brilliance in teaching this difficult subject to our structured minds without much exposure to philosophy. There were some heated arguments with regard to concepts seen from secular and religious points of view.
Mataji was able to evoke keen responses and stirred up our minds by her forceful and passionate teaching ability. I got inspired to study more intensely, Shat Darshanas in a proper perspective and also make
a comparative analysis for better understanding of what the Shad matha Acharyas are trying to tell the humanity. The contradictions, divergence of thoughts in analysing the nature of world and its objects, human quest for knowing was very well brought out making us think deeper.
9. We had some brilliant sessions by Professor Nataraju on “Hard problems of Vedantha” and it was so interesting to listen to his expositions. He was quite successful in creating more doubts and left us with enormous amount of inquisitiveness to think deeper. In addition to his regular classes, we had Satsangs on the banks of River Ganga at Shivananda Ghat. It was a quite inter active and he could relate with each of us, as if we are his long time students. His method of making us think and answer was quite Socratic and left us with more introspective contemplation.
10. Surendran ji took a few classes regarding Sadhana panchakam and he was quite specific in his discourses. We loved the say he would put things in nut shell and made us understand the importance of Sadhana. We only wished to have more time to learn from him and inter act on many important concepts of Vedantha. He was found to be a treasure house of knowledge acquired over a period of time in a very systematic manner.
11. This is about the knowledge part imparted on us. However, the more important experiential knowledge was made possible by Devabhakthananda ji maharaj through his meditation sessions, exposition of Narada Bhakthi Sutra and evening Yoga Abhyasa. Swamiji Maharaj is a very passionate and compassionate in moulding us in more ways than one.
The knowledge acquired could be properly internalised only through these teachings. The emotional culture during meditative sessions, Bhakthi culture in Narada Sutra s and Physical culture in Yoga classes. He very affectionately and patiently taught us way to love God at all times and see everything in life as the Will of God.
It was a great divine experience to listen his soulful rendering of Slokas and explanation of Narada Bhakthi Sutra. All our ego would melt down, when we hear stories of great Bhakthas and made us very emotional and soft at heart. His patience in answering our child like questions with a very witty mind was amazing.
12. As a corollary to what we experienced with Deva bhakthananda ji maharaj, our Bhajan and Bhojan Maharaj made our souls happy by rendition of Bhajans. We learnt how to sing Bhajans with Bhava and piety. His way of taking care of everyone in the Anna kshetra is simply extraordinary feat and he never missed anyone on any day!!.
13. Finally, from the day one to the last day of our departure from Academy, the fatherly figure was Shivabhakthananda ji Maharaj who took care of all of us in the most compassionate and understanding way. He was quite firm in enforcing discipline and more compassionate when it comes to individual difficulties.
With all the humility at his command, he joined us in Karma Yoga every day and inspired to do Self less service every single day. We learnt how to work well even when no one is supervising and even observing what we are doing. This is a great lesson for doing self less service in our practical life which is the ONLY way of purifying the mind to be able to climb up the ladder in spirituality. A pure heart can only perceive Godly qualities and all our knowledge look subservient to such a state of mind.
14. Finally, I would say we got great insights on a variety of topics from Poorna Bhodananda ji Maharaj who taught us Philosophy of Sivananda. He was quite candid and authoritative in his approach and imparted some unique knowledge and removed many of our misconceptions. We enjoyed the way he expressed these unique concepts and cleared our doubt.
The topics covered varied from common issues we face in day-to-day life to a great insight into Upanishadic teachings. He was a store house of knowledge and none of our questions remained un answered
in his Sessions. We were greatly benefitted by his sharp acumen and intellect in resolving many doubts regarding metaphysical aspects of philosophy/religion, rebirth, karma theory, peculiar practices of Naga Sadhus to mention a few. Swamiji was kind enough to answer all our questions and in his unique way, taught us some amazing things.
To my great surprise an awe, I listened him playing Harmonium, a melodious tune on the last but one day of Course, in Bhajan Hall. I really missed this all these days since we were very busy getting back to Academy and never had a chance to listen. Swamiji also was also kind enough to guide me as to the future course of action and I sincerely hope to follow.
15. Over all, we had a great LIFE time experience in these two months. Whatever scriptural studies I could do in the last one decade and thought to have understood so far, appear to be too small compared to what I internalised in these two months with practical exposition to scriptural knowledge, combined with the wisdom of teachings received in a Gurukula. Some great experiences include visit to Kailasa Ashram and listening to a few lectures on Brihadaranyaka in a pure Vedic form and visits some prominent Ashrams in Hrishikesh and Haridwar.
16. Last but not the least, I would fail in my duty if I do not mention Br. Santoshi ji who is our Conscious keeper throughout the Course, right from waking us at 4 am and disciplining in the Class room. He has a deep sense of duty and devotion to Gurudev and serving the cause of Academy. As a Jnana prasada, I got really benefitted by a great collection of books due to his keen observation of individual needs of all participants. We remain very grateful for this young monk in the making.
17. The experience of Course is incomplete without mention of co participants who eventually became lifelong friends. Lots of intellectual discussions and insights based on life experiences was available in abundance from each and every one. We had a great bonding in these two months of seclusion and away from family.
These intellectual discussions would have been more beneficial had we got some group assignment for the week ends. It would have also made us read more and fruitful discussions with specifics, right from the beginning of the Course. Initially we could not get connected well, may be due to our own male Egos playing the spoil sport.
However, each one took care of the other, in so many ways and we met some of the brilliant minds with loving hearts. Some of our expositions to temples, Ashrams, and some unique places in Hrishikesh will remain in memory for long. These explorations really made our journey very interesting and insightful.
We had a good mix of young and old, technically brilliant and people with exponential life experience amongst us. It was good to see young brains melting in heartful exposition of Scriptures making us sometimes jealous that we started little late. We felt younger day by day with the interactions and joyful classroom interactions. I was also very fortunate to have a very decent room mate with lot of common interests between us. He was also an official Homeo healer for many!!
18. Two months went off just like this and now I am on my way back home and couldn’t resist writing this sitting in Delhi Airport. I would conclude with my sincere Pranams to Gurudev and all those in his lineage who made this wonderful and insightful experiential knowledge possible in our lives. This has kindled the path to Sadhana and would definitely elevate us in more ways than one.
S Srinivas, Mangalore.
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