Shri Mathre Namaha, I was told that Amirthanandanatha Saraswathi guruji had a guru before gurugaru but not much information about the other guru is available, could I humbly understand why guruji changed guru and what happened to the other guru? Thank you so much
EnglishAmirthanandanatha Saraswathi Swami Guru
Śrī Mātre Namaḥ,
Please read the Goddess and the Guru book, you will get your answers as it is difficult to explain.
Śrī Matre Namaḥ. You can find this story in the 9th chapter of Guruji's biography. Below is a short synopsis:
Guruji met Sri B.S. Krishnamurthy at the Yoga Shakti Mission in Bombay. Their initial encounter occurred during a "Sunshine Lecture," where Krishnamurthy garu, known for his deep orthodoxy in Vedic and Sri Vidya rituals, recognized Guruji's exceptional spiritual potential despite his unassuming demeanor as a scientist.
Krishnamurthy garu invited Guruji to assist with complex rituals like the Navavarana Puja, during which Guruji learned and eventually simplified these intricate practices to make them accessible to modern households. This collaborative work initially brought them close, as Krishnamurthy garu admired Guruji's innovations and even adopted some of his methods. However, their relationship gradually soured due to diverging philosophies. Guruji's subjective and intuitive approach to spirituality contrasted with Krishnamurthy garu's rigid adherence to ritualistic orthodoxy.
Tensions heightened when Guruji's other guru, Anakapalle Gurugaru, reinitiated Guruji and redefined his spiritual path. This led to a "diksha war" between the two mentors, with both attempting to assert their spiritual authority over Guruji. Ultimately, Guruji gravitated toward Anakapalle Gurugaru, whose unconventional and empowering guidance resonated more with his evolving spiritual practice. Despite their eventual estrangement, Guruji expressed gratitude for Krishnamurthy garu's influence, acknowledging the foundational role he played in shaping his early public and spiritual endeavors