A Visit to the Shankaracharya

Introduction: Over a thousand years ago(1), Adi Shankara, renowned for
his revival of the knowledge of Vedic Sanatan Dharma or the worship of
God, according to the Vedic Scriptures, and also for his commentaries
on several major Hindu Scriptures, established four major monasteries
in India. These monasteries, or ``Maths'' were located in the North,
South, East and Western parts of India. These Maths or ``Peeths''
(monasteries) were overseen by ``Shankaracharyas'' according to the
tradition and wishes prescribed by Adi Shankara. Shankara was also
widely accepted in India as the descension of Lord Shiva, the Hindu
deity responsible for the final dissolution of the universe. The
primary responsibility of each of the four Shankaracharyas, while
overseeing the four Maths, has been the preservation of the major
systems of Hindu philosophy which form the basis of the Hindu
religion. Within the monasteries, the Shankaracharyas took disciples,
who in some cases, assumed the revered title of Shankaracharya upon
the death of their Spiritual Master. Those Shankaracharyas travelled
extensively throughout India preaching their particular sect's beliefs
to all Hindus.

The title ``Shankaracharya'' is a traditional title handed down to
that person, who according to Adi Shankara, the original
Shankaracharya, is Brahmin by birth, established in Yoga, or in other
words, whose soul is in union with God and who is thereby
Divine. Having achieved this union through lifetimes of spiritual
practice and renunciation, now, as living Divinity, he is ``pujapad,''
his feet are worthy of worship. His Scriptural understanding is so
perfect that he can synthesize the Scriptures of all Religions. He is
Vedanta Incarnate, the embodiment of Hindu Scripture, and further, he
must be recognized as Shankaracharya by the other three
Shankaracharyas, having received proper initiation by them according
to Hindu Scriptural injunctions. Recognized also means that the other
Shankaracharyas are willing to sit alongside him at major religious
festivals.

According to the rules laid down by Shankara, the only possibility of
removing a Shankaracharya is, if, during his lifetime he should become
mentally infirm or prove by his actions or judgment that he is not
qualified to hold the title which is held sacred by Hindus. If such a
case exists, a new Shankaracharya is elected by a learned body of
pundits, called ``Kashi Vidwat Parishad,'' according to the
tradition. In this way, the title of Shankaracharya and these Maths or
monasteries have been maintained and handed down from Master to
Disciple for thousands of years. This lineage is commonly known as the
``Shankaracharya Tradition.''

PART I

In October 1986, several months before my case against the
Transcendental Meditation movement was to begin in Washington, D.C., I
contacted Shree Shankaracharya Swaroopanand Saraswati. Shree
Shankaracharya, reported and pictured in The Illustrated Weekly of
India(2), has the unique distinction of holding the dual title,
Jagadguru Shankaracharya of the Jyotir Math (Jyotish Peeth Monastery)
of Northern India, as well as the Shankaracharya of the Dwarka Math in
Western India.

Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati was a pre-eminent disciple of Swami
Brahmananda Saraswati (Guru Dev). Brahmananda Saraswati, whose picture
is customarily seen behind Mahesh Yogi, was also Mahesh Yogi's
Spiritual Master. Guru Dev held the title of Shankaracharya of Jyotir
Math, the monastery located in Northern India, until his death, by
poisoning, in 1954.

My interest in contacting the Shankaracharya was to attempt to discern
whether or not, from the Shankaracharya's understanding of Indian
Scripture, I had been misled by Mahesh Yogi. Further, as a teacher of
TM, I wanted to know if, in fact, I represented the Shankaracharya
Tradition as I had been told by Mahesh Yogi. Most of all, it was an
attempt to find out what had happened to my mind from the practice of
TM and the TM Sidhi programs.

The Shankaracharya, Swaroopanand Saraswati, had been invited to attend
a five day birthday celebration of Guru Dev's oldest living disciple,
Swami Akandananda, at the Akandananda ashram in the town of Vrindaban,
India. A great tent and stage had been erected to hold several
thousand guests. These guests included Shantinand (seen pictured to
the right of the Shankaracharya Swaroopanand) and Vishnu Devanand (not
pictured with the Shankaracharya), both of whom had previously
attempted to lay claim to the title of Shankaracharya of the Northern
seat.

When I arrived in Vrindaban, I settled into a hotel, then made my way
to Akandananda's ashram. There were several hundred people listening
to a speech on the Vedas. After making some inquiries, I quickly
learned that Shankaracharya had not yet arrived, but was given the
address of the house at which he was staying. I visited with the
family and left my name and hotel address, hoping that Shankaracharya
would contact me when he arrived.

Early the next morning, one of Shankaracharya's devotees brought word
that he had arrived in the middle of the night and I was to come at
lunchtime. Arriving at the house, I was taken to a side courtyard.
Having removed my shoes according to custom, my host requested that I
bathe my hands and feet prior to being taken to Shankaracharya's
bedroom. Finally, the moment had arrived. I was taken down a long
corridor and ushered into a bedroom. Shankaracharya was sitting
crosslegged on the bed. He spoke in Hindi, pointing to one of his
disciples dressed in orange. As he spoke, his disciple began
translating. Shankaracharya asked my name and if I was the same
gentleman who had contacted him. He asked if I had eaten and motioned
to one of his disciples to serve me lunch, and we would talk again
later. A traditional Indian lunch was served in the courtyard. By this
time, about fifty people were at the house, including his disciples,
dignitaries and local government officials who had come to receive his
darshan and to welcome him to Vrindaban.

After resting in the afternoon, Shankaracharya once again summoned me
to his room. There were about twenty people in the room sitting on the
floor. After bowing in customary fashion to show my respect, I was
asked to relate my questions to Shankaracharya. I began by telling him
how I had started practicing TM, met Mahesh Yogi (as Shankaracharya
called him), and had eventually become a teacher of TM. In particular,
I read statements from TM literature saying TM came from the
Shankaracharya tradition. I then read aloud the famous statement which
was allegedly written by a Shankaracharya, which described Mahesh Yogi
as the protector of the Shankaracharya Tradition, Rishi of Rishis and
a descension of Shankara himself. I explained that these kinds of
statements were used on courses and during fundraisers by TM officials
to garner financial and emotional support from TM members. Further, I
spoke aloud the sixteen mantras: eng, em, enga, ema, aing, aim, ainga,
aima, shiring, shirim, hiring, hirim, kiring, kirim, shyam and shyama,
and the method of giving them by age as I had been taught by Mahesh
Yogi. Next came the advanced techniques. Finally, I described the TM
Sidhi Program.

Shankaracharya looked physically distressed and his bowed head shook
from side to side as the statements were translated. Then, after what
seemed to be an eternal silence, he began to speak. He stated that his
Master had left a will which clearly stated the names of those
individuals who were to assume the title and responsibilities of
Shankaracharya after his death. After the murder of his Master, the
next in line was Shantinand. He said Mahesh immediately had him moved
into the ashram to assume authority. Then, [Mahesh] used
[Shantinand's] name after leaving India, to show that he taught under
the authority of Shankaracharya.

In the meantime, he (Swaroopanand) said he had been given the title of
Shankaracharya of Dwarka Math and travelled extensively throughout
India preaching. He recalled that Shantinand did not have the proper
training or credentials to hold the title of Shankaracharya, and
eventually, after proving himself unfit to hold the title, the same
learned pundits who had elected Brahmananda Saraswati to the throne
asked Swaroopanand to take the title and responsibilities of the
Jyotir Math ashram, until such time as another qualified person could
be appointed. He agreed, and was given initiation as Shankaracharya of
Jyotir Math.

Shantinand, at the direction of Mahesh Yogi, refused to give up
possession of the Jyotir Math ashram and forced the matter into
litigation. Years later, Shantinand finally gave up the title and
Mahesh had Vishnu Devanand assume the title and possession of the
ashram. In so doing, they also clearly ignored the will of Guru Dev
which had specified the name Dvarikeshanand Saraswati as the second in
line to receive the title. This was to occur, according to the will of
Guru Dev, should Shantinand prove unqualified or leave the
ashram. Swaroopanand continued, stating, it was written by my Lord
(Guru Dev) that ``this is my will and command.'' He said that the
scheme by Mahesh to appoint Vishnu Devanand was clearly gross
disrespect of his own Master's desire. He said all of this was being
done to delude Westerners. Mahesh needs a Shankaracharya to continue
spreading his net of deception. He said, as Shankaracharya, it is my
clear and absolute duty to uphold the true teaching of Shree Shankara.

Fact is fact, he stated, these things you have described to me have
nothing to do with the Shankaracharya Tradition. The so-called mantras
or meaningless sounds as you have described them are primarily used to
gain material wealth and comfort, not for spiritual enlightenment.
Further, my Master (Guru Dev) never gave the mantras you have
described, his mantras were not mantras for material comfort, his were
to uplift the soul, remove his material attachments and for
realization of God.

He invited me to attend the meeting with him in the tent that evening.
As he entered the tent, a loud voice announced the entrance of Shree
Swaroopanand Saraswati, Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth and
Shankaracharya of Dwarka Peeth. There were now about 2,000 people in
attendance. All prostrated as he entered the tent, walked on stage
and assumed the throne of Shree Shankaracharya.

He gave discourse on the special teaching responsibilities of
Shankaracharya and those who claim they belong to the Tradition. He
described how the world, particularly the West, had no understanding
of Indian spiritual traditions or Scriptures. Further, he stated to
mislead Westerners was a grave insult to India and to those Westerners
who relied on such misrepresentations.

I returned that evening to Shankaracharya's house and was immediately
taken to see him. He asked, did you see Shantinand on the stage? I
replied yes. He said, word came to me that he (Shantinand) had
requested to be allowed on the stage. I allowed him to be present only
because he has given up this nonsense of claiming title to
Shankaracharya. He said Vishnu Devanand, Mahesh's so-called
Shankaracharya, was also here in Vrindaban, he also requested to come
onto the stage, but I refused. Then, he (Vishnu Devanand) stated he
would sit on a lower, undecorated seat if I allowed him to attend. I
refused him. Then, he again begged to simply sit on the floor of the
stage at my feet, if I allowed him to be publicly present. Again I
refused. He said, if I allow him to be seen with me, and all the while
wrongfully claiming title as Shankaracharya, it will appear as if I
approve of his activity, and I do not. Therefore, he said, I have
ordered that he may not even come into the tent to sit in the
audience.

He went on the describe how some mentally disturbed man in India had
put on saffron robes and claimed to be a Shankaracharya. He said he
travelled throughout India and gathered a few disciples who innocently
were being deceived and who followed him. He said, anyone can build a
throne, put on orange robes and claim the title of Shankaracharya--who
would stop them? However, the true test of the title is whether the
other Shankaracharyas, who initiate the new Shankaracharya, will sit
publicly with him. During special spiritual ceremonies, all
Shankaracharyas must be present and sit together. He said no other
Shankaracharya will publicly sit with Vishnu Devanand, nor would he.

Shankaracharya then warned me that Mahesh now knows you are here in
Vrindaban with me. He has sent Nadikishor and his spies here with
others to watch you, you must be very careful. He placed a guard
outside of my bedroom door at night and had someone travel with me at
all times. Much to my amazement, I discovered that, in fact, I was
being followed.

The next time, we met with the local press present. There he wanted
the world to bear witness against the gross misrepresentations and
disrespect which was being perpetrated against the Shankaracharya
Tradition. On a warm Autumn evening, in Vrindaban, India, he answered
the following questions, which I and others asked him. Robert
Kropinski~


-TO BE CONTINUED-

1--Shankara, 788-820, Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion,
Schuhmacher, Woerner Editors, Shambhala, Boston

2--The Illustrated Weekly of India, September 13, 1987

From TM-EX Newsletter, Volume 4, Number 1, Winter, 1992

http://minet.org/Documents/shank-1

INDIA -- A Visit to the Shankaracharya, Part II

On a warm Autumn evening, in Vrindaban, India, he answered the following
questions which I and others asked him:

[The following transcript is taken directly from the taped conversations.
Translations were provided concurrently by an interpreter.]

Questioner: The religion that Guru Dev (Mahesh's teacher) preached
was connected with five forms of God--Devatas--such as Pancha Devupasana
and so what relation has it with Vedic Sanatan Dharma (worship of
God) as well as in regard to the ``Varna'' (caste system) and ``Aashram''
(four stages of life) systems?

Shankaracharya: The Lord, Adi Shankara was a great exponent of Vedic
Sanatan Dharma. God, he taught, is grouped into six forms. He preached
six types--five based on forms of God like Shiva, Shakti, Vishnu,
etc. and one, Nirakar, without form. However, the worship of God without
form being extremely difficult was reserved for renunciates. That
is what Adi Shankaracharya had instructed.

Bhagavan Shree Shankara revived Vedic Sanatan Dharma. He said God
has six forms. So accordingly, Maharaji (Guru Dev) gave ``upadesh''
(initiation) to meditate upon those forms for the sake of our worship.

Questioner: My Lord, Shankaracharya Brahmananda Saraswatiji Maharaj
(Guru Dev), who is our ``pujapaad'' (whose feet are worthy of our
respect), who is ``brahmaleen'' (absorbed in Brahma, the omnipresent
form of God) who is presiding over the Jyotish, who is the teacher
of the entire universe--that he (Guru Dev) used to instruct mantras
to his disciples. I would like to know which mantras were those?

Shankaracharya: The Lord, Shankaracharya Brahmananda Saraswatiji
Maharaj (Guru Dev) strictly adhered to the ``Varna'' (caste) and ``Aashram''
(four stages of life) systems. He believed in one's Varna (caste)
by birth. Whosoever came to him to become a disciple, he used to ask
him which form of God he was in love with. Whichever form the new
disciple had an interest in, that form he would explain to the new
disciple. [Guru Dev] used to explain, Either you should depend on
your own inclination or else, he, after understanding your previous
life and which form of God you worshipped then, would instruct the
initiate accordingly.

Without having an ``IshTadevataa'' (a personal form of God), no one
could have a ``Mantra'' (name of God) from him. The very meaning of
Mantra is IshTadevataa (a personal form of God). Therefore, along
with every mantra, thinking or reflecting over the form of the IshTadevataa
is essential. Therefore, in all the modes of worship, one reflects
over one's IshTadevataa before chanting or meditating with one's mantra.

Questioner (to interpreter): Can you explain to Maharaji (The Shankaracharya)
that I was trained by Mahesh Yogi as a teacher of TM, and I can explain
to him what I was taught. I don't understand whether or not what I
was taught is correct. Explain to him that I was given 16 mantras,
by Maharishi that I can pronounce to Maharaji. I will pronounce them
one after the other as I was trained. They are to be given out by
certain ages. I can read them to Maharaji and then he can comment
whether they are correct or incorrect. If he can explain how they
are supposed to be used, or whether they are supposed to be used or
not. Eng, em, enga, ema, aing, aim, ainga, aima, hiring, hirim, kiring,
kirim, shiring, shirim, shyam, shyama.

Shankaracharya: It's like this. Here we have each mantra connected
with one god. There lies the bija mantra. That bija mantra is for
that god.

Questioner: Mahesh Yogi's mantras are of one [sound] each, for instance,
eng, em, enga, ema, aing, aim, etc. These are given by age or sex.
This is not the teachings of the Vedas or Scriptures, what is your
opinion?

Shankaracharya: We do join Bija Aksharas (single syllabled names/sounds)
to the mantras. But, Bija Aksharas also mean IshTadevataas (names
of the personal forms of god). The kind of process you just described
is purely imaginary and it has no connection with our Scripture of
the Shankaracharya tradition.

Bija Akshara is connected with IshTadevataas to make it a mantra.
These have relevance with the Scriptures, a tradition. Whatever Mahesh
does in this respect has no relevance to Shastra (Scriptures).

Robert Kropinski

-TO BE CONTINUED-

[Editor's note: The Author is a former teacher of TM. He filed a
lawsuit against the TM movement on the grounds of fraud, which was
settled out of court in 1991. After leaving the TM movement in 1983
he joined another Eastern group, International Society of Divine Love,
ISDL. He has since left ISDL, and is no longer interested in pursuIng
his spiritual life under the control of a guru.]

http://minet.org/Documents/shank-2

A Visit to the Shankaracharya, Part III

[Editor's Note: The following transcript is taken directly from the
taped conversations between Robert Kropinski, a former TM teacher
and follower of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and Shree Shankaracharya Swaroopanand
Saraswati, a pre-eminent disciple of Swami Brahmananda Saraswati (Guru
Dev), who is considered Mahesh Yogi's Spiritual Master.]

Q: So, in other words, explain to Shankaracharya, that what he (Mahesh)
gives is, for example, my mantra was aing, and I paid $400 and I received
the word ``aing.'' So, mentally, I closed my eyes with aing, using
that mantra, repeating it mentally, passively. In other words, passively,
just saying it, repeating it like that. Mahesh claims these mantras
came from Shankaracharya.

Shankaracharya: Shankaracharya (Guru Dev), whose disciple he (Mahesh)
calls himself, I was also his disciple, Brahmand Saraswati's (Guru
Dev). He (Brahmand Saraswati) was my Guru. He would not accept any
offerings from his disciples.

Disciple should be such that he gives to his Guru everything. Then
nothing belongs to the disciple, everything is Guru's. Guru should
be such that he does not take anything from the disciple. He thinks
only good of his disciple.

Q: Lord, we have heard that Mahesh Yogi instructs mantras himself,
and some people believe him as their Guru. He is a kaaystha by birth
(lower caste). Do you think it is appropriate for him to instruct
like this?

Shankaracharya: My first information was that he used to place a picture
of Guru Dev and had people worship the picture, and then he would
give out the mantras. I have met many persons who, in reality, had
their mantras from Mahesh, but they consider themselves to be disciples
of Brahmaliin Jagadguru Shankaracharya (Guru Dev). But, no matter
whom they consider their teacher, the fact of the matter is that a
person who gives a mantra is to be considered the real Guru. If Mahesh
thinks that he is backed by Shankaracharya, then what is proper on
his part is to tell people to take initiation from Shankaracharya.

Q: Brahmananda Saraswati did not charge any fees when he used to initiate?

Shankaracharya: This is a principle. A quotation from Goswami Tulsidas:
``The guru who charges or takes money from his disciples in return
for initiation, steals disciples property and goes to damnable hell.''

For that reason Guru Deva used to give `upadesha' (initiation) without
any fees. He used to say ``If I accept any gift from the disciple
(or fees), then his sins are transmitted to me.'' In India, dharma,
yoga, knowledge, specialized knowledge can never be sold for money.
That is priceless. Anyone who puts a price on it insults it. So, a
mantra is also never given for money. Knowledge cannot be sold for
money. Therefore, the process that is being employed by Mahesh is
merely for the sake of making money, and this is entirely against
the canons of Indian culture and civilization.

Where money is involved that becomes a business.

I am telling you what is good for you without any vested interest.
This is the rule followed here. We do not have a class of people as
he (Mahesh) has created there...You don't need a class for giving
a mantra.

Ashtanga Yoga--Yama, niyam, aasan, praanayaam, pratyaahaar, dhaarnaa,
dhyaan, samaadhi, theses are the eight limbs of yoga. A Guru takes
a disciple into these one by one. In return, the Guru does not accept
anything from his disciple. He does it out of kindness and out of
a feeling for doing good to his disciple.

The second thing is, when one practices yoga, then he attains sidhis
(supernatural powers). But, these powers are of no use. One who is
asking for a price for a mantra, it shows, he did not have anything
to give out to anyone else.

Q: My Lord, it is reported that he (Mahesh) is giving ``Sidhi initiation''
and is charging a minimum of RS 20,000 ($10,000 US approx.) for what
he teaches. His Sidhi mantras are Sanskrit verses of the Yoga Sutras
and he has promised Sidhis (supernatural powers) as an achievement
of the practice. To me it looks like cheating, what is your opinion?

Shankaracharya: So far as `Yoga Darshan' (the Yoga Sutras of Maharishi
Patanjali) is concerned, the first step of the `Yoga Darshan' is `Chitta
vritti nirodaha' or control of the fluctuations of the mind. Achievement
of Yoga practice is the state of `Samadhi' and `Samadhi' is the goal
of the practice. When the Sadhaka (practitioner) reaches the state
of `Samadhi' then he may attain some Sidhis like travelling through
space, seeing distant objects, etc. But these are obstacles and one
should not be attached to these Sidhis, for they do positive disservice
to the Sadhakas and their use can cause reversal of spiritual achievement.
These Sidhis come of their own accord, naturally to anyone engaged
in meditation. But, if the goal is to obtain and use Sidhis then it
is a perversion. These are obstacles in the way of samadhi and one
should not have any sense of attachment with them, otherwise something
undesirable may happen. Any attachment with them is not expected of
any yogi.

Who disciplines himself and concentrates (dharana) on `Surya'--``Surya
Sanyama Bhubana Jnanam,'' meaning who disciplines or contemplates
on Surya, he attains the knowledge of the universe. To get this knowledge
one has to concentrate on `Surya.' But, prior to that stage of dharan
(one pointed concentration) `pratyahar' is necessary. Pratyahar, realization
of Divine Truth in perfect form at all times, is necessary. That stage
comes after yama, niyama, asana, and aprnayama. All these stages mean
complete discipline of body, mind and emotions with no attachment
or aversion of any kind in the world.

Whoever goes in straightaway for meditation for a little while without
these preceding stages, cannot get `pratyahar' which is an abstraction
of worldly enjoyment and he cannot come to the stage of `dharan' (one
pointed concentration). And one who cannot concentrate of discipline
himself, how can he attain Sidhis (supernormal powers)? so all these
talks are just cheating and an Indian yogi should not do that. This
will tarnish India's image.

What Mahesh Yogi need is to show others how to fly. He should fly
in the sky in front of everybody. It would be nice if he once flies
from America to India without any airplane. Then perhaps what he says
can be accepted. Otherwise, he will be like those who entrap people
in their net of forgery.''~

Robert Kropinski

----TO BE CONTINUED -----

http://minet.org/Documents/shank-3

A Visit to the Shankaracharya, Part IV

[Editor's Note: The following transcript is taken directly from the
taped conversations between Robert Kropinski, a former TM teacher
and follower of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and Shree Shankaracharya Swaroopanand
Saraswati, a pre-eminent disciple of Swami Brahmananda Saraswati (Guru
Dev), who is considered Mahesh Yogi's Spiritual Master.]

Q: My Lord, it is reported by some that with this type of meditation
many people have harmed themselves physically and mentally. I think
people give huge amounts of money to buy some sickness for themselves?

Shankaracharya: For correct meditation it is necessary to control
the emotions of the mind (Chitta). Mind should be free from `raga'
and `dweshara' or attachment, likes and aversion, dislikes. So long
as mind is not indifferent to outside objects, is not rid of its impurities,
free from desires, material objects, etc., wavering mind continues
to exist and mind does not stop thinking about them. This process
that Mahesh Yogi teaches, there is not place for such a spiritual
pursuit. Anyone who comes to him, whether he is a meat-eater, or an
alcoholic, he is initiated into dhyaan [TM]. In minds, where attachment
and aversion continue to be present, they try to concentrate on outside
objects. Because, the process of his yoga is that you sit quietly,
let the mind wander wherever it goes, you just repeat the mantra I
gave you.

For example, when mother-in-law and daughter-in-law quarrel with each
other and after that sit for transcendental meditation (Vabatita)
in transcendental meditation center, what will they meditate on? Mother-in-law
will meditate on daughter-in-law and vice versa. The reason is simple,
both of them are still full of hatred for each other. Without accomplishing
the kind of ability needed for meditation, if one meditates, it can
be fatal. This is true, however, making the people who are physically
very tired, sit peacefully and make them do some yoga posture like
shavvasan, etc. can provide temporary peace. But, such a process is
not at all helpful in destroying our sins. This ™ is a worldly
Yoga. For people who are distressed by worldly objects, or by worldly
problems, they can temporarily forget the world. However, even this
much is not achieved if they sit without control over their minds.

One should be qualified for meditation or in other words show them
the necessary prerequisites to do meditation.

Who comes to practice this so-called `yoga' ™, and comes with all
anxieties, worries and filled with all worldly thoughts.

Q: [The following paragraph was then read to Shankaracharya from a
TM brochure]: Furthermore, there is a specific set of mantras handed
down for centuries in the Shankaracharya tradition that seems to have
a special property of becoming increasingly pleasing as they are perceived
a finer stages. These particular sounds are mantras in Sanskrit. The
Shankaracharya tradition has preserved not only these sounds but also
a system of rules or formulas by which they are to be assigned to
individuals.

And this is what he (Mahesh) is saying in print. These are the mantras
he gives to people.

Shankaracharya: He (Mahesh) made them up. These are not given by Guruji
(Guru Dev). He (Mahesh) was an ordinary clerk.

People here in India are concerned. He (Mahesh) cheated millions of
rupees from people like him (Kropinski). Because of his cheating practices,
people might lose faith on Indian Spirituality. Swami Vivekanand and
Swami RamTirth left a good impression in America. We wanted that impression
to continue. It makes me sad that some people from here like Rajneesh
and Mahesh went there (to America) and they destroyed those good feelings.
Mahesh has caused a severe blow to Indian culture.

Q: [The following statement was then read to Shankaracharya from a
TM brochure. It was explained that this brochure was allegedly spoken
by Shankaracharya about Mahesh. Later, Bevan Morris, the President
of MIU, read the statement to TM participants by when attempting to
raise money from donations.]

He (Mahesh Yogi) comes from the tradition of Shree Shankaracharya.
He (Mahesh) is a disciple just like the Master (Guru Dev). He is the
bestower of light and is the incarnation of Shankaracharya, the (Mahesh)
is the Rishi of the Rishis (Divine Seers), greatest of the great,
greater than greatness, he is the reason of the welfare of the tradition
of Shankaracharya...

Shankaracharya: Only he can dispel darkness who does not want anything.
Only such a person can drive people out of darkness to light. But
he himself (Mahesh) is in darkness.

We want that people like you should tell others that he does not know
anything about yoga. Neither he is serving American people nor Indian
people.~

--TO BE CONTINUED--

http://minet.org/Documents/shank-4

A Visit to the Shankaracharya, Part V

[Editor's Note: The following transcript is taken directly from the
taped conversations between Robert Kropinski, a former TM teacher
and follower of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and Shree Shankaracharya Swaroopanand
Saraswati, a pre-eminent disciple of Swami Brahmananda Saraswati (Guru
Dev), who is considered Mahesh Yogi's Spiritual Master.]

Q: We have heard that Mahesh Yogi instructs mantras himself, and some
people believe in him as their teacher. He is a kaaystha (lower caste,
not a Brahmin) by birth. Do you think it is appropriate for him to
instruct like this?

Shankaracharya: My first information was that he used to place a picture
of Guru Dev behind him, that during initiation he would have people
worship it and then he would give out mantras. I have met many persons,
who, in reality, had their mantras from Mahesh, but they consider
themselves to be disciple of Brahmaleen Jagadguru Shankaracharya Brahmanand
Saraswati (Guru Dev). But, no matter whom they consider their teacher,
the fact of the matter is that a person who gives a mantra is to be
considered the real Guru (dispeller of darkness, Spiritual Master).
If Mahesh thinks that he is backed by Shankaracharya, then what is
proper on his part is to tell people to take initiation from Shankaracharya.

Q: Lord, Mahesh Yogi considers Vishnu Devanand Saraswati as
Shankaracharya of the Jyotish peeth. As far as I know he was not
consecrated according to Vedic ritual. Also, Mahesh is reported to
pay his monthly expenses?

Shankaracharya: I do not have any evidence of his giving money. This,
however, is certain, that he, Vishnu Devanand does not have offerings
which are enough for his living. Therefore, it seems that he gets
income from outside. Moreover, he calls Mahesh Yogi as puujya (revered),
as Maharishi (great seer) and stands up on his arrival, these are
all things which indicate that he is dependent on him for money. So
far as the question of Shankaracharya is concerned, only he is made
Shankaracharya who has all the qualities of Mahaanushasan (great discipline).
According to Mahaanushasan, Shankaracharya is he who has conquered
his senses, knows all the other scriptures. Only such a person, who
has all these qualities should sit on the seat of Shankaracharya.
In case a wrong person is found to be occupying that seat, he should
be dethroned. As far as I know, the scholars from Baneras had held
him unable for this seat. Even after that statement, he has not acquired
any competency.

Again, the so-called will of the deceased Guru Dev prescribes the
name of Dvarikeshanand Saraswati as the second person, not him. It
is written in that will (of Guru Dev) that this is clearly my order,
that so far as Dvarikeshanand Shastri is alive, there is no one who
has the right to make anyone else succeed to that seat unless Dvarkishanand
becomes mentally incompetent or else relinquishes the seat himself.
Depriving him of his seat is disobedience of the teacher's order.
Therefore, neither according to the Mahaanushasan, nor according to
the will of Shankaracharya (Guru Dev), is he (Vishnu Devanand) the
rightful successor.

When a Sammelan (conference) of all the four seats was called, he
(Vishnu Devanand) was not invited there as one presiding over the
Jyotish Peeth. Moreover, no other Shankaracharya of any seat allows
him to sit next to him.

He knows that in the days ahead he will be exposed. Before that moment
arrives, he wants to make sure that he will not have financial difficulty
in life. He created on Shankaracharya here. There is Shantinand sitting
there (pointing to Shantinand sitting on the stage). They, Shantinand
and Vishnu Devanand have no influence on the public. They are raised
by Mahesh's money. They just sing his glory.

Q: Mahesh Yogi claims that he preaches yoga according to the instruction
of his Guru. The truth of the matter, however, is that Guru Dev never
asked anyone who is not a Brahmin by birth to go and spread his teachings.
What is your opinion?

Shankaracharya: This is true. In reality, preaching, initiating, guiding
people engaged in spiritual pursuits, is the duty of those who are
born in a Brahmin family. If he is a follower of Sanatan Dharma (the
Hindu religion), he should not do what he is doing. This is against
the orders of his Guru. Moreover, making others write puujya (revered),
calling himself Maharishi (a great seer) is totally inappropriate.
No assembly of saints has either conferred upon him a title of Maharishi
nor has announced him puujya.

In the ashram he was doing the work of typing and writing and translation.
Then he became a sadhu. However, he has never practiced yoga.

It is said that Guru Dev was given poison. Who gave that poison we
don't know but we know that there was poison in his body. When Guru
Dev's body became unwell, then we wanted him to go to Kashi to rest.
But he (Mahesh) removed him from that trip forcibly and took him to
speak in Calcutta. There he died.

After that, this man spread his net. He went abroad. First to Singapore.
The expatriate Indians there, thinking that he is the disciple of
Shankaracharya, received him well and got him a ticket for the United
States. After going to America, he brought the Beatles back here.
It was rumored that he did inappropriate things with them and that's
why they left him and went away.

He later opened many camps and pretended that he could teach people
to read minds and levitate. No one, however, succeeded in learning
the things he promised. He himself does not know or practice yoga.
He does not know anything about those things. Robert Kropinski, 1985~



http://minet.org/Documents/shank-5

Jijiji, Thanks for all the background history of SwamiBrahmananda Saraswati (Guru Dev). Anyone who ever practiced TM is familiar with his photo, but very little of his actual story.

So the Maharishi may have been involved in his guru's poisoning? Amazing story.

The TM Siddhi fraud is pretty amazing! I practiced these siddhi’s for around 4 years and it was the proof that not all was well with that particular movement. I remember being at a mass flying event to bring about world peace through group coherence that was held in the Washington D.C. convention center. There were about 2000 men flyers in this big auditorium and I ended up in a roomed off area with Mike Love of the Beach Boys, magician Doug Henning and TM bigwig spokesmen Bevan Morris, all individuals who spent a lot of personal time with the Maharishi. I thought for sure these guys would get off the ground, for they were not like most of us guys who never got close to MMY, but they flopped around the foam cushions just like everyone else, sitting in lotus positon where the flyer would grab the ankles and lift themselfs off the ground by the pressure and purpulsion of knee and thigh usage.

The TM movement would use PR pictures in trying to prove to the world that people could levitate, so they would pick the most limber athletic siddha’s and use stop motion photography to show them up a foot or two off the cushion, making it look like they were hovering above the ground when in fact they were pushing themselves up with their hands, knees and thighs, propelling the body up and then straightening their legs and arms to look like it was some effortless anti gravitational pose in midair.

It was hype…pure hype, but who wouldn’t want to be able to fly like a bird? Because the meditation worked so well in lowering blood pressure and relieving stress, many bought the possibility that one could actually levitate. When I was learning my siddhi's in the foothills of the Galilee region of Israel, I remember one aeronautical engineer who worked for NASA in my group who was developing a flying suit for him to deal with the low temperatures at higher altitudes. Really intelligent people were dead serious that this was going to work...but it took about 1- 5 years for most to realize that it as just not possible!

Then I came to my senses and became a devotee...out of the flying frying pan and into the fire! Fool me once, fool me twice....but never... and I mean never...will I be fooled again!

Click to view attachment

Guru Dev - Shankaracharya Swami Brahmananda Saraswati

'The Teachings of Guru Dev - The Roots of TM'

Quotations of Shankaracharya Swami Brahmananda Saraswati

Compiled by Paul Mason

In early 1968 The Beatles pop group flew out to India to study philosophy and meditation in Rishikesh with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and their visit immediately became front-page news across the world. But for many it is still unclear what The Beatles actually learned, and where the teaching originated from. However, a clue is offered in the lyrics of 'Across the Universe', a song written by John Lennon containing the oft-repeated refrain 'Jai Guru Deva', a Hindi phrase meaning 'Victory to Guru Dev', sung in praise of Guru Dev (the guru of their meditation teacher).

In 1959, when Maharishi Mahesh Yogi first arrived in the West he proclaimed:-

'My life truly began 19 years ago at the feet of my master when I learned the secret of swift and deep meditation, a secret I now impart to the world.'

His master was Shankaracharya Swami Brahmananda Saraswati, a spiritual leader famous in Northern India, held in high esteem by his many disciples and devotees both young and old. Apparently Mahesh first met the guru in the city of Jabalpur in central India (this being Mahesh's hometown where he worked as a clerk at the Gun Carriage Factory):-

'And I was asked to complete my studies. And then I did not argue with him because once I saw him, I know he knows best and whatever he said was my action.'

'Then Guru Dev was gone back to the lonely forests. It was hard to locate from where he had come and where he had gone, because those who knew him were strictly prohibited to tell others his whereabouts. There was no way to keep contact with him.'

'About three years later, I saw him in the market of a big city of north India, being carried in a big procession. And this was when he visited the city as Shankaracharya of north India.'

Link to Full Article and Website

Sexy Sadie

On YouTube..! Great footage of Sexy Sadie and the Fab Four!
This song was written about the Maharishi and contains footage from the Beatles trip to India in 1968.

watch here

"Sexy Sadie Lyrics"

(Lennon/McCartney)

Sexy Sadie what have you done
You made a fool of everyone
You made a fool of everyone
Sexy Sadie ooh what have you done

Sexy Sadie you broke the rules
You layed it down for all to see
You layed it down for all to see
Sexy Sadie oooh you broke the rules

One sunny day the world was waiting for a lover
She came along to turn on everyone
Sexy Sadie the greatest of them all

Sexy Sadie how did you know
The world was waiting just for you
The world was waiting just for you
Sexy Sadie oooh how did you know

Sexy Sadie you'll get yours yet
However big you think you are
However big you think you are
Sexy Sadie oooh you'll get yours yet

We gave her everything we owned just to sit at her table
Just a smile would lighten everything
Sexy Sadie she's the latest and the greatest of them all

She made a fool of everyone
Sexy Sadie

However big you think you are
Sexy Sadie