Educated in Benares – topmost centre of learning
of Hindu religious texts and philosophy, astrology, yoga and allied branches,
Swamiji then a young man of about 18 years in age , first moved to The
Himalayas and later to Mount Girnar in the quest for Self-realisation.
Along with these studies he was also carrying out sadhana in accordance
with the guidance of his mentor. Swamiji had not accepted the order of
any monastery or anybody as his Guru. Living as a celibate he carried out
austerities in a small cave in the midst of a dense forest for 8-9 years
all by himself. During this period, his food was seasonal fruits and boiled
leaves of different trees and plants. He had no fear of wild animals since
he had feelings of love and compassion towards all living beings. He acceded
to the request of his devotees and came down the mountain in 1972. The
devotees cleared an area in the forest and arranged a small canopy for
him. His sadhana for 16-18 hours every day was continuing as usual. After he had completed his sadhana in all for
about 20 years . It was in the evening of Nov. 15, 1975 that he had a vision
of Sadguru Dattatreya sitting calmly on a cliff nearby. Sadguru accepted
him as His disciple and His energy elevated him to the highest stage of
Samadhi-Sahaja Samadhi. Simultaneously He offered him the mantra "Hari
Om Tatsat Jai Guru Datta" for the benefit of humanity at
large. Since then, Swamiji has been propagating this mantra.
Swamiji, now affectionately known as Bapushri,
does not accept the position of a Guru to anybody although is prepared
to guide everybody on the path of attainment of peace and happiness. He
has a large following in India and abroad. Swamiji leads a life in the
ancient Rishi tradition. His consort Guru-ma Shailaja
Devi is a yogini of a very high order.
