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Sant Shri Asaramji Bapu
Born (1941-04-17) 17 April 1941 (age 83)
Berani Village, Sindh Province of Un-Partitioned India
NationalityIndian
Known forAbout 225+ Ashrams & more than 1500+ Yoga Vedanta Seva Samitis[1] serving worldwide to uplift the society morally & spiritually so that all experience the blessings of God by the means of Karma (Action), Gyan (Knowledge), & Bhakti (Devotion) Yoga.
SpouseLakshmi Devi ji
ChildrenShri Narayan Sai (Son) & Bharti Devi (Daughter)
ParentMehangiba (Mother) & Shri Thaumal Ji (Father)
Websitewww.ashram.org
Signature
File:Bapu sign1.JPG

Asaram Bapu is a Hindu spiritual guru from India, who is considered as a saint by his followers and called as Sant Sri Asaramji Bapu (Hindi: संत श्री आसारामजी बापू),(Sindhi: سنت شري آسارام باپو) or Bapuji.

Travelling extensively in India & abroad, He preaches the message of Vedanta, Yoga, divine love, Bhakti (devotion) & Mukti (Salvation) through His teachings & Satsangs. In 1993, at the Parliament of the World's Religions, Bapuji was elected as a committee member of the assembly of Global Religions.

Biography

Asaram Bapu is a Self-Realized Saint from India. Bapu preaches the existence of One Supreme Conscious in every human being; be it Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh or anyone else.

Bapu represents a Confluence of BhaktiYog, GyanYog & KarmaYog.

Birth

Asaram Bapu was born to father Thaumal Sirumalani and mother Menhgiba. He was born in Berani village of the Nawab district in Sindh (Un-Partitioned India) on the sixth day of Chaitra month (Hindu Calendar), 17 April 1941 (Gregorian calendar), as Aasumal[2] His father was a wealthy businessman named Thaumal Sirumalani and his mother was Mehngeeba. He was named Asumal.[3]

Aasumal was the fourth child in the family. First brother to the three sisters.There was a myth in the society that a child born after three sisters brings trouble & misfortune to the family; but instead this family earned more respect, fortune & happiness.

When Asumal was three years old the spiritual teacher of their family, Parasuram Maharaj, visited their house and professed that this boy Asumal is not an ordinary child & he will be a saint and show light of spiritualism to people living in ignorance.

Childhood

As a child, Asumal was quite inclined towards religious epics. Mother is always the very first teacher of a child. Asumal would listen to stories of Ramayana, Bhagwavata and other scriptures from his mother. The first seed of spiritual life was sown in his life during this period.

One day mother Menhgiba dressed up Asumal in clothes embroidered with silver and gold colored thread (zari) and shining diamonds. Asumal was overwhelmed with this new dress. He kept gazing at the blanket of stars in the night and said, "O Sky! I'm not at all less than you. I'm wearing clothes embroidered with shining diamonds similar to that of yours." Thus, right from early childhood, one could see a different positive vigour and self-confidence in Asumal's attitude...

Young Asumal

Asumal, starded displaying glimpses of prodigious memory at the young age of three. He would often accompany his elder brother to school. Once the teacher asked the students to narrate the poem which was taught a day before, Asumal at such a young age stood up and narrated the complete poem without any mistake. Everyone was surprised.

Due to the unfortunate partition of India the whole family had to migrate from Sindh in Pakistan to Maninagar near Ahmedabad, in Gujarat.

Asumal started going to school again in Maninagar. Six year old Asumal was brilliant in studies. During the recess time, when other childeren used to play, Asumal would sit under a tree for meditaion. The teachers used to praise Asumal for being cheerful, pure-hearted and intelligent. Teachers used to to call him Hansmukh bhai (the one who keeps smiling always). While leaving for school, Thaumal used to fill Asumal's pocket with cashews, pistachios and almonds. Asumal would share these nuts with all other students. At home, Asumal would serve his father by massaging his feet at night. Mother is the first Guru of a child. Mother Mehgiba developed Asumal's interest in dhyaan-bhajan (meditation and prayers) right from his early childhood. Mehgiba would put makkhan-mishri (sweetened butter) in front of Asumal when he would be sitting for meditation with his eyes closed. She would tell Asumal to open his eyes and see what prasaad (blessed food) God had sent for him. Asumal would keep sitting in deep meditation for long hours in a small room. When the neighbours would come to meet Mehgiba, finding Asumal meditating so profoundly, they would attract Menhgiba's attention towards him. Inspired by the neighbours, Mehgiba would ask Asumal to do less of meditation, but nothing could move Asumal's determination.

When Asumal saw that school education could be used merely for the purpose of winning bread and fulfilling worldly enjoyment, he became disenchanted to education. Nevertheless he continued going to school. Whenever there was any time to spare, he would go to a lonely place and meditate.

Youth and Spiritual Quest

At a very young age Asumal lost his father and the family business started dwindling. Asumal had to discontinue his education and shoulder on the family's responsibility along with his elder brother. Asumal's presence in the business improved the profits, but his mind was far away from the business. He always yearned for spiritual knowledge.

After his father's demise Asumal's discrimination towards life intensified. He increased the time for mediation and realized that God alone is one reality & essence of life. His concentration increased greatly due to regular, pure meditation. No one could stop the fire of renunciation that was enveloping him completely. As Asumal grew into youth his meditation and search for Truth intensified. Asumal's growing detachment to the world worried his family and they decided to get him married. Asumal's family got him engaged.

Marriage

Aasumal kept postponing marriage for two and half years. Eventually, his family fixed a date of his marriage but he ran away from his home eight days before the day of marriage. His family started searching for him and found him in Ashok Ashram in Bharuch and took him back to home. After reaching home Aasumal was married to Lakshmi Devi.

Aasumal told his wife that his ultimate goal is to self realise. He made her understand that he'll come back to home for a normal life after getting the state of self realisation.

In order to understand the spiritual books properly he joined a Sanskrit school. Four days before the final exam he was influenced by a shloka which meant "The one who has disowned expectations & materialistic desires & has adopted the desireless state, the penances & worship of such a person has reached completion." His desire to attain God got intensified again. He made up his mind to break from family so as to realize God.

Journey to Spirituality

After leaving his dominions, Asumal went from place to place and at nights slept on the grass, homeless and alone. He did spiritual practices in deep forests, on hills, in deep caves, in various great temples. At Kedarnath, the priest blessed Asumal to become a millionaire, but Asumal did not appreciate this. He told the priest to do prayers again and bless him to attain God.

Asumal then went to Vrindavan, the land of Lord Krishna. Here he was inspired to goto the ashram of the Guru, Swami Sri Lilashahji Maharaj. He had to wait for 40 days in the Ashram to get the glimpse of the Guru. There he stayed and served his Guru with devotion. He waged war with so many troubles. He used to take just boiled Mung as food, sleep in a small 4.5 feet room. Lilashahji made Asumal go through several hardships for another 30 days & then finally Asumal was blessed. Swami Sri Lilashahji Maharaj asked him to go back to home & continue his spiritual practices at home.

While coming back to his home, he left the train and went to Moti Koral (A place in Gujarat). His mind was attuned to only self-realization. No one can stop a man who is on his way to Paramapada (Ultimate Realization). He started doing dyaan at the bank or river Narmada. A local saint Shri Lalji Maharaj got impressed by Asumal's intense spiritual practices. Lalji Maharaj made arrangements for Asumal to stay in Datt Kutir of Ram Niwas (Lalji Maharaj's Ashram). Asumal started the 40 day Anushthan here.[2]

When Asumal's wife and mother came to know that he was staying at Moti Koral they visited him. They requested him to come back. But Asumal told them without completing the Anushthan he cannot come. He successfully completed the Anushthan. The whole village & Lalji Maharaj himself came to the railway station to see them off to Ahmedabad. As soon as the train started moving from Miyagaun junction, Asumal jumped out and boarded a train towards Bombay to meet Guru Swami Sri Lilashahji Maharaj.

Self Realisation

Asumal reached Bombay (Mumbai) and met Guru Swami Sri Lilashahji Maharaj. Swami Sri Lilashahji Maharaj was very happy to see his disciple's keen interest to attain the truth. Hence, on 2nd Day of Ashwin month in Samvat 2021 at 2.30pm in the afternoon Asumal was transformed into Sant Sri AsaramJi Bapu by the blessings of Swami Sri Lilashahji Maharaj. After this Asaramji went into samadhi for next two and a half days. [2] [4]

Swami Sri Lilashahji Maharaj instructed Asaram to serve the humanity by staying as a householder. After Self-Realization Asaram Bapu stayed in solitude for seven years.[5] Asaram Bapu used to give religious discourse to all those who came to meet & see Bapu. Bapu spent His solitude in various places like Disa, Naareshwar Dhaam, the Himalayas, Mt. Abu & so on.

Life as a Householder

Asaram Bapu met Swami Sri Lilashahji Maharaj in Haridwar in Vikram Samvat 2028, & by the commands of Guru, in order to provide a good example to common householders, Bapu entered the life of a householder. It was the day of Guru Punam in Vikram Samvat 2028 when Asaram Bapu reached Ahmedabad after staying in solitude for seven years.[2]

Asaram chose a peaceful place in the Motera village on the banks of Sabarmati river. Later on some of the devotees constructed a small room for him which is known as "Moksha Kutir". Slowly, the number of devotees coming to Motera kept on increasing and in a very short time the place became a great spiritual centre. Today Motera is the main spiritual centre for the devotees coming to Sant Sri Asaramji Ashram.

Foundations

Sant Sri Asaramji Ashram

There are 200 ashram's working under the guidance of Sant Sri Asaramji Bapu.[6] These ashrams organise spiritual and social activities on a regular basis. Some of these activities include Weekly Satsang, Distribution and sale of Rishi Prasad and other spiritual publications. Read Sant Sri Asaramji Ashram for more information.

The aim of all Ashrams and Yoga Vedanta Samitis is to show the path of real peace and happiness to the masses. Their involvement in various activities are targeted towards the spiritual, moral, educational, and health related uplifting of the society. These organizations provide financial aid to the poverty-stricken as well as engage in many humanitarian relief efforts. All the Ashram and Samiti efforts are carefully scrutinized and diligently managed with Pujya Bapuji at the helm.

Ashram Activities :

  1. Temple for Spiritual Practices (Maun Mandir)
  2. Charitable and Educational Activities
  3. Mobile Ayurvedic Dispensary
  4. Ashram's Publications which includes :Audio/Video Cassettes and CDs
  5. Satsang and Shibirs (Meditation Intensives)including Special Programs for Youth/Students and Satsang For Prisoners
  6. Spreading Universal Brotherhood

Sri Yoga Vedant Seva Samiti

There are over 1200 Sri Yoga Vedanta Seva Samiti's established by the guidance of Sant Sri Asaramji Bapu around the world. [6] These Samities are responsible for the spiritual and social activities in their local area by the guidance of Sant Sri Asaramji Bapu. Read Sri Yoga Vedant Seva Samiti for more information.

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Bal-Sanskar Kendras

Bal Sanskar Kendra or BSK for short are sessions and camps conducted for all-round & comprehensive development of children/students. BSK is inspired by His Divine Holiness Sant Asaramji Bapu and coordinated by Bal Sanskar Kendra Dept., Shri Akhil Bhartiya Yoga Vedanta Seva Samiti, Sant Shri Asarmaji Ashram, Ahmedabad, Gujrat, India. The FIVE guiding principles of BSK are:

  1. Teach Yogic Practices to awaken Dormant Spiritual Powers.
  2. Share Inspirational Anecdotes & Stories from Scriptures & History of India .
  3. Instill Good Sacrament & cultural values for character building & success.
  4. Provide Health Care tips & precautions for all seasons for healthy bodies.
  5. Knowledge gain while having fun & playing games.

Literary Works

The sacred knowledge of our ancient vedas( scriptures) has been brought forward by pujya Gurudev in his various discourses. From those holy words few have been selected to be printed in form of various books. The subjects covered in these books cover all aspects of healthy, joyful and respected life. They all motivate the fatalist to march towards glory with confidence and pride. Few of them are as listed below

  • Arogya Nidhi Part I,II :- this contains valuable and simple ayurvedic methods of curing diseases with out any side effect.
  • Youvan Suraksha :- this is treasured granth among the various holy publications. It emphasis on celibacy and teaches ways to attain that as well as describes the importance of doing so. A must read for all youths.
  • Ishwar ki Aur :- this books is for all those who wish to reach the god and want to become one with him by developing vairagya from sansar.
  • Madhur vyavhaar:- For all those who need to meet to many social people, this is a must read to know the decent ways of meeting.

Alike these there are hundreds of other publications that are equally revered by sadhaks and other who get a chance to read them even once. Many people have found peace and joy of living after reading these pearls of wisdom. They are available in hindi, english, marathi, telegu, kanaada, punjabi, gujrati, sindhi and many more languages. They can purchased from ashrams in your area or can be obtained by post from Ahemdavad ashram. A few most popular of those books are listed below:

  1. Vyaas Purnima
  2. Ishwar ki Aur
  3. Mahaan Naari
  4. Youvan Suraksha
  5. Nirbhay Naad
  6. Yogasan
  7. Jeevan Rasayan
  8. Ishtsiddhi
  9. Avtaar Lila
  10. Purusharth Paramdev
  11. Mangalmay Jivan Mrityu
  12. Nashe se Saavdhaan
  13. Jeevan Vikas
  14. Tu Gulab Hokar Mahak
  15. Prabhu! Param Prakash ki Aur le Chal
  16. Saamarthya Srot
  17. Madhur Vyavhaar
  18. Jo Jaagat hai so Paavat hai
  19. Sri Krishna Darshan
  20. Prasad
  21. Daivi Sampada
  22. Param Tap
  23. Aatmyog
  24. Sadhna me Safalta
  25. Mukti ka Sahaj Maarg
  26. Samta Saamrajya
  27. Ananya Yog
  28. Rishi Prasad
  29. Alakh ki Aur
  30. Jite Ji Mukti
  31. Sahaj Sadhna
  32. Nishchint Jeevan
  33. Sada Diwali
  34. Panchamrit
  35. Shighra Ishwarpraapti
  36. Sachha Sukh
  37. Sri Krishna Avtaar Darshan
  38. Arogyanidhi-1
  39. Arogyanidhi-2
  40. Satsang Suman
  41. Antar Jyot
  42. Swasthya Samraat
  43. Gems from Bapu
  44. Sansaar me bhi Sukhi
  45. Antar ji Kunji
  46. Darvesh Darshan
  47. Sant Ain Sanija Sabaaja
  48. Saptsarita
  49. Geeta Prasad
  50. Jeevan Saurabh
  51. Brahmbaavni
  52. Mantrajap Mahima evam Anushthan Vidhi
  53. Noorani Noor
  54. Shraadh Mahima
  55. Yuvadhan Suraksha
  56. Youvan Suraksha-2
  57. Chintamani
  58. Bal Sanskar
  59. Sadgatane Shradhhanjali
  60. Gurupoornima Sandesh
  61. Bhagwannaam Jap Mahima
  62. Shri Krishna Janmashtami
  63. Gyani ki gat Gyani jaane
  64. Parvon ka Punj
  65. Humare Adarsh
  66. Gagar me Sagar
  67. Kalyan Nidhi
  68. Jeevanopayogi Kunjiyaan
  69. Karm ka Akaatya Siddhaant
  70. Naari tu Narayani
  71. Sadhna Nidhi
  72. Mahakte Phool
  73. Kaavya Pushpanjali
  74. Sadguno ki khan


References

  1. ^ http://www.ashram.org/newweb/bsk/home/aboutbapuji/index.html
  2. ^ a b c d "Ashram.org - The Guru". Retrieved 2008-03-02. Biography of Sant Sri Asaramji Bapu on Ashram's Website
  3. ^ http://spirituality.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1666784884.cms
  4. ^ http://spirituality.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1666784884.cms
  5. ^ http://spirituality.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1666784884.cms
  6. ^ a b "Ashram.org - About Ashram". Retrieved 2008-03-02. About Ashram Page on Ashram's website

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Further reading

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