60. ब्रह्मविद्योपदेशकः Brahma-vidyopadeśakaḥ

One who imparted the knowledge of Brahman

Having declared Brahma-vidyā or knowledge of Brahman to be the basis for all knowledge,¹⁵⁶ the Upaniṣad speaks about it thus: “Brahma-vidyā... on acquiring which, the Supreme Being, the immutable Truth, is known.”¹⁵⁷ Elsewhere, Bhagavatpāda clarifies that the utility of brahma-vidyā lies in the eradication of ignorance, and from that, the complete cessation of transmigration.¹⁵⁸

On who can be an upadeśaka, teacher, of brahma-vidyā, it is said, “This cannot be known in the right manner if taught by one of shallow understanding, for It needs to be inquired into variously. There can be no comprehension if imparted by one who sees himself as different from It.”¹⁵⁹

This clearly means that none but a brahma-niṣṭha is competent to impart brahma-vidyā.

Further, compassion is the additional requirement for one to be a Guru who imparts brahma-vidyā (vide nāma 2). In the context of nāmas 1 and 2, it has been decidedly demonstrated that His Holiness was a brahma-niṣṭha and also an ocean of compassion. He was thus pre-eminently qualified to be an upadeśaka of Brahma-vidyā.

His Holiness’s teachings were characterised by absolute clarity, sharp precision, forceful reasoning, tremendous lucidity, intense practicality and the unmistakable stamp of realization. Further, His teachings always came with His infallible grace that would enable the seeker to understand and carry out His teachings and instructions.

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His Holiness accorded high priority to spiritual aspirants. An Italian came to Sringeri in November 1974, hoping to receive some clarifications regarding Gauḍapādācārya’s Kārikās on the Māṇḍūkya-upaniṣad. However, His Holiness was rather busy at that time with the śiṣya-svīkāra ceremony slated for 11^th November. Hence, it was felt that it would be impossible for the foreign aspirant to have a private audience with His Holiness. Yet, in response to his request, He readily consented to spare time and, with Sri Subbaramaiya acting as an interpreter, answered his questions and resolved his doubts. On later being asked about this, His Holiness said, “He is sincere and has come all the way to India to learn. It is my duty to provide him clarifications and, hence, obligatory on me to spare time for him.”

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On an occasion, three brahmacārins from North India came to Sringeri to have His Holiness’s darśana and obtain spiritual guidance from Him. It was around 6.40 in the evening when they reached Narasimhavana. As His Holiness had finished granting audience that evening and was to proceed for His evening bath in a few minutes, His attendant was hesitant to inform Him about their arrival. His Holiness, however, specifically asked him, “Has anybody come for darśana now?” The attendant answered in the affirmative. “Usher them in,” ordered His Holiness.

Accordingly, the brahmacārins were led to the presence of His Holiness. Once they had prostrated and were seated, His Holiness asked them, in Hindi, where they were from, as also the purpose of their visit. They said that they were interested in progressing in the spiritual path and reverentially posed their questions. His Holiness began His reply in right earnest. Since He chose to give elaborate answers, it was around 7.15 p.m. before the first of their major questions was dealt with. The question-and-answer session continued with His Holiness ignoring the attendant’s repeated to reminder

168 61. Bhakta-hārda-tamo-bhettā to Him that it was getting late for the 8 o’clock pūjā. It was around 9 p.m. before His Holiness finished answering all their questions. He then gave them His complete blessings and prasāda. They were visibly overjoyed and expressed their gratitude. They left spiritually charged, with joyful hearts and fond memories. In the middle of the discussion His Holiness turned to a disciple present there and said, “How sincere they are! It is delightful to be of some help to them. It does not matter however much my bath is delayed. Their requirements deserve top priority.”

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One day, His Holiness was not keeping well and darśana had been highly restricted. A spiritual aspirant in his twenties had travelled a long distance to see His Holiness and was to leave the next day. When the matter was made known to His Holiness, He had him called in. Unmindful of strain, He heard the aspirant thoroughly and then gave him invaluable spiritual advice.

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Dr. Gandhi Bai, a retired District Medical Officer from Madurai, was very devoted to His Holiness. On one of her visits to Sringeri, His Holiness asked her what she wanted. She promptly replied that she sought Vedāntic instruction from Him. Pleased, His Holiness remarked to those around Him, “Various people ask for this and that, whereas this Doctor-ammā seeks Vedāntic instruction. While all others seek what is anitya, ephemeral, she seeks what is nitya, permanent, which is what is most essential in life.”

Thereafter, over the next twenty minutes, His Holiness instructed her in the essence of the Upaniṣads, and kindled in her a keen interest in Vedānta. After this initiation, she studied Vedānta deeply and also shared her knowledge with many others who came to listen to her expositions. She had an idol of Bhagavatpāda installed at her residence, which His Holiness graced during one of His visits to Madurai.

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