Sri Siddharameshwar Maharaj (1888–1936)[web 1] was aguru in theInchagiri Sampradaya founded by his guruBhausaheb Maharaj,[1] a branch of theNavnath Sampradaya,[web 1] the 'Nine Masters' tradition in India.[web 2][2] His disciples includedNath teachersNisargadatta Maharaj,Ranjit Maharaj,Kaadsiddheshwar, andGanapatrao Maharaj Kannur.
Siddharameshwar was born in 1888 in the villagePathri,Solapur,India, making him one of the contemporaries of SriRamana Maharshi. Since childhood, he had been credited with a sharp intellect and a natural ability to learn and absorb knowledge; in 1906, inKarnataka,[web 3] he was initiated into Inchagiri by his guru Shri Bhausaheb Maharaj, who taught mantra meditation as the way to reach Final Reality.[web 4]
In 1920, Siddharameshwar started to set out on"the Bird's Path", the fast way to attain realization, six years after Bhauhaseb Maharaj had died.[web 4] His fellow-students opposed this course of action; but, eventually, Siddharameshwar succeeded in attaining realization by himself.[web 4]
Siddharameshwar died on 9 November 1936 (Ekadashi, 11th day in the latter half ofAshwin), at the age of 48, giving his understanding to his disciples. It is said that dozens of his disciples became self-realized through his clear and lucid teaching. His samadhi shrine today is located atBasavan Bagewadi,Vijaypur inKarnataka.[citation needed]
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Atma Vidya ("Self-Knowledge") is the central theme in Siddharameshwar Maharaj's teachings. InMaster Key to Self-Realization[3] he describes how the teaching of Vedanta is transmitted to a student. It starts with a meeting with a guru, who tells the student about the teachings. Thereafter, amantra is used by the student to meditate and make the mind more receptive; when this has been accomplished to the guru's satisfaction, he explains the teaching further, which has to be realized experientially by the student.[4]
The student has to turn away his mind from external objects and the gross body, and "turn within".[5] By realizing that objects have only a temporary appearance, it becomes possible to develop detachment[6] and to clear one's mental attitude from pride.[7] This is a necessary step to develop Self-Knowledge, the renunciation of the impermanent, and the acceptance of the permanent.[8]
To realize this Self-Knowledge, an investigation of the fourbodies has to be made to discover whence the notion of "I" comes.[note 1] Siddharameshwar Maharaj discerns four bodies:
By subsequently identifying with the three lower bodies, investigating them, and discarding identification with them when it has become clear that they are not the "I", the sense of "I am" beyond knowledge and Ignorance becomes clearly established.[13]
The teachings of Siddharameshwar have been calledVihangam Marg,[web 4] "the Bird's Way", the direct path to Self-discovery,[web 5][note 3] in contrast toBhausaheb Maharaj's teachings, which have been calledPipilika Marg,[web 4] "the Ant's way",[web 4] the way of meditation:[web 5]
Ranjit Maharaj: There are two ways to realize: the bird's way or ant's way. By meditation (or ant's way) one can realize. The word or name has so much power. The name you were given by your parents has done so many things. Mantra is given by the master, but it is a very long way for the understanding. By chanting or saying the mantra you can go to the final reality. There are only two things: one is reality, the other is illusion. One word only can wipe out illusion.
So one thought [i.e. mantra] from the Master who has realized is sufficient to realize. It is a very lengthy way, that's the only thing. So my Master found the shortest way, by thinking. By unthinking you have become the smallest creature, and by thinking you can become the greatest of the great, why not? If you don't have the capacity to understand by thinking, the bird's way, then you can go by way of meditation. It is the long way and you have to meditate for many hours a day. People say they meditate, but most don't know how to meditate. They say that God is one and myself is another one, that is the duality. It will never end that way.
So one word is sufficient from the Master. Words can cut words, thoughts can cut thoughts in a fraction of a second. It can take you beyond the words, that is yourself. In meditation you have to eventually submerge your ego, the meditator, and the action of the meditation, and finally yourself. It is a long way, and in this world now people have no time to do that. The world is going so fast now. So my Master found the shortest way.[14][note 5]
Siddharameshwar Maharaj used four core texts upon which to give sermons:[web 6]
Siddharameshwar Maharaj's preachings were further spread around the globe by his most revered disciples:
Golden Day is a 10-page publication by Siddharameshwar Maharaj from 1925.[note 6]
The most well known book in India containing Siddharameshwar Maharaj's teachings isAdhyatma Jnanachi Gurukilli. It was transcribed by Shri Dattatray Dharmayya Poredi, a distinguished disciple of Shri Siddharameshwar Maharajs, from Siddharameshwar's teachings as spoken in the Marathi language. It was originally published by ShriGanapatrao Maharaj of Kannur.
Shri Ranjit Maharaj received verbal permission from Shri Ganapatrao Maharaj to have the text translated into English. Ranjit Maharaj entrusted the translation responsibilities to Dr. Mrs. Damyanti Dungaji. The completed English translation was then proofread and subsequently published by Shri Siddharameshwar Adhyatma Kendra, Mumbai under the name "Master Key to Self-Realization". When all of the copies of that original English text were sold, the text was incorporated into another book of Siddharameshwar Maharaj's talks entitled "Amrut Laya", also published by Shri Siddharameshwar Adhyatma Kendra, Mumbai). It was republished by Sadguru Publications in 2008, and also included within "Master of Self-Realization" and "Amrut Laya: The Stateless State".
Adhyatmadnyanacha Yogeshwar Vol I & II consists of 130 talks of Sri Siddharameshwar Maharaj. They were transcribed, edited and published byNisargadatta Maharaj in 1961-1962 in Marathi language, who also wrote the preface to the book. It was translated in English and published as "Master of Self-Realization: An Ultimate Understanding".
Volume 1 of Amrut Laya is composed of transcribed notes from 50 talks given by Siddharameshwar Maharaj on various themes from Dasbodh. Volume 2 of Amrut Laya consists of notes taken from 88 talks of Siddharameshwar Maharaj where he elaborates on various spiritual principles from three main classic texts, namelyDasbodh,Yogavasishtha andEknathi Bhagawat.
