In the Shadow of Grace : A Seeker’s Path to Truth, Tapasya and Bharath!

A Personal Testament from a Sincere Seeker Walking the Path of Sri Ganapati Muni

Prologue

There are journeys we take with our feet, and there are those we take with the soul. Some begin with a moment of insight, others with a question too deep to silence. But the rarest begin with the silent pull of destiny — a force neither seen nor named, but deeply felt.

This is the story of one such soul — a humble, sincere seeker whose path was not paved with ashrams and discourses, but with questions, longing, and surrender. His search did not begin in scriptures or philosophies. It began in the quiet ache of childhood — an ache to know what lies beyond death, beyond destiny, beyond the boundaries of a life lived on the surface.

What follows is not merely a narrative of events. It is the unfolding of grace — how a hidden thread connected a young boy in Shadnagar to the path of Sri Ganapati Muni, how the Divine Mother responded to a heart that cried for purpose, and how not one, but two Gurus came into his life — one through gentle discipline and the other through the fire of truth and tapas.

Through mistakes and miracles, silence and song, tests and transformations, this seeker’s journey is a reminder to all of us:

• That the Divine never forgets a genuine prayer.

• That the Guru does not miss even the most hesitant knock.

• That the Mahāvidyās still walk among us, waiting for sincerity to call them home.

This is not fiction. This is truth lived, grace received, and a life surrendered.

— Vande Gurum. Vande Mātaram.

From a Single Question of Innocence… Began a Journey into the Infinite

A Quest Beyond the Ordinary

I am Partha Sarathi Reddy, born in Shadnagar, Ranga Reddy district. Even as a child, I was cheerful and full of life, yet silently haunted by one recurring question—what happens after death? Whenever someone mentioned death, I would feel a strange pull within and the thought would echo :

“Where do people go? What happens to them?”

This questioning became more intense when my grandfather passed away. We weren't a spiritually inclined family in the traditional sense. Rituals meant visiting temples, breaking coconuts, or eating festive meals—often non-vegetarian—even on Dussehra. I had no exposure to deities, mantra chanting, or anything called ‘sādhanā’.

Yet, something inside me remained restless—yearning for an answer I couldn’t name.

As I grew up and entered college, a fierce love for my country awakened in me. If anyone dared to speak against India, I couldn’t stay silent. My patriotic fire blazed strong, but I didn’t know how to channel it. I just knew that I wanted to do something meaningful—something that truly contributed to my country, to dharma. What I didn’t realize was that this fire of patriotism and my childhood questions were laying the invisible foundation for a spiritual life I was yet to discover.

My First Guru – The Path of Discipline

After I completed my engineering degree, I entered a very uncertain phase. My father’s health began to deteriorate, and while others were settling down in their careers, I felt directionless and confused.

One day, I met a saintly man from my own village — Sri Srinath Guruji. He approached me warmly and invited me to his home. He observed me closely for a few days, noting whether I came on time, whether I was sincere. After about three months of silent testing, he slowly began introducing me to spiritual practice.

He made me read spiritual texts, guided me gently, and eventually initiated me into Hatha Yoga. For two years, I practiced with discipline and devotion.

One day, he gave me a mantra from the Dasa Mahāvidyās. I didn’t know who these deities were. But I had faith. I accepted the mantra with reverence and continued my practice.

After three years, he told me something I’ll never forget :

“I have taught you Hatha Yoga for three years. Each year brought changes. This year, the mantra will guide you. And in this very year — 2022 — you will meet a great Yogi who shall take you further.”

I didn’t know how, but his words came true.

A Journey Begins with Silent Grace

Until then, I had never once searched spiritual content online. To me, the Divine Mother was simply Saraswati, the Goddess of learning.

But chanting the mantra over long hours began to feel mechanical. I felt something was missing.

“Even a machine can repeat a mantra — but that is not true sādhanā. Chanting cannot be mechanical. I knew there was a deeper truth hidden behind the very word ‘Mahāvidyā’.”

In that phase of inner search, I happened to watch a video of Bhagavān Avadhūta Polayya Swami. I was deeply moved and decided to visit Venkatapalem for his darśan. Although he had already left his body, I felt something subtle and powerful touch me — an unseen grace that stayed in my soul and would later manifest in ways I could not yet understand.

Finding the Words of a Seer

Still searching for deeper understanding, I came across a rare PDF of Sri Ganapati Muni’s Dasa Mahavidya Sūtrāvali. The moment I read his exposition on Matangi Mahavidya, something awakened in me.

His writings on the four levels of speech, the mystical states of consciousness, and the secrets of Mahāvidyās were astonishing. It was hard to comprehend. I read it again and again. But I knew — this was the true path. This was real.

The Turning Point — Meeting Guruji

One day in 2022, I discovered a video by Sri Phani Madhava Sharma on YouTube.

"His words pulled me inward — I was mesmerized, completely glued to every word he spoke."

Soon after, I saw a community post about a Mahavidya Diksha at Ghūṭika Siddheśwaram on June 24th, 2022. Without hesitation, I registered. I reached Sitarampuram and called Guruji. He told me to wait at the farmhouse.

But I was restless. I walked to the proposed site of Vasiṣṭha Vedic Tapovanam and sat under a neem tree, reflecting on everything that had led me to this point.

And then, Guruji arrived.

He saw me and asked gently, “Did you eat?” I said “No.” Without another word, he took me along and fed me.

Later he told me, “I thought you wouldn’t come. But I see now that you are sincere.”

That day, my life changed.

The Test That Many Failed

About 10–15 seekers gathered at SR Puram. We were given accommodation. Some had already received preliminary dīkṣā in April at Sri Pakalapati Guruji’s ashram and were doing their sādhanā accordingly.

We were all new to each other, but a few became friends. That night, some planned to sing songs on the terrace, enjoying the spirit of gathering.

But Guruji gave us a clear instruction : We were to go to Ghūṭika Siddheśwaram that night, meditate, engage in satsang and make arrangements for the next day’s Indra Yajña.

Some hesitated. It was deep in the forest. They began asking, “Will there be proper accommodation?” “Can’t we go early morning instead?” They tried to persuade Guruji.

It was a test. And many failed.

They chose comfort over obedience, forgetting the sacred purpose they had come for.

I wanted to tell Guruji, I was ready to go. But I didn’t have a vehicle. I hesitated, afraid of what others might think.

Guruji left quietly, saying, “Do as you wish.”

That night, I couldn’t sleep. Abhilash and a few others like me were restless. We had all wanted to obey, but none of us spoke up. We were simply too afraid to speak before Guruji.

The next day — June 24th, 2022 — we reached Siddheśwaram, but it was already 10 AM. We couldn’t look into Guruji’s eyes. We had failed.

While Sri Medhātithi Ganapati Śāstri had travelled over 1000 km from Karnataka to perform Indra Yajna, we who were just 20 km away, could not pass the Guru’s first test.

To Love the Nation is Divine — To Be Initiated into That Love is Destiny.

Mahavidya Diksha in Suddhopasana

Everyone expected Guruji to initiate them into the Mahāvidyā of their choice.

But Guruji announced:

“There will be no initiations today. You failed the test.”

The group pleaded. Eventually, out of compassion, he agreed to initiate seekers into Śuddhopāsanā — the path of pure upāsanā.

I was blessed with Matangi Śuddhopāsanā. I was already chanting the Mātaṅgī mantra from my first Guru. So, the moment felt perfect. Yet, no mantras were given to anyone that day.

Disappointment spread. Many thought Guruji was not “fully initiating”.

But Guruji clarified:

“Sri Ganapati Muni’s true path of Dasa Mahāvidyā is not mere mantra‑chanting, but pure tapas known as Śuddhopāsanā — that alone is authentic Mahāvidyā Sādhanā.”

And in my heart — I rejoiced.

The prophecy of my first Guru had come true. I had found my second Guru — my true guide.

Silent Grace Awakening

Later that year, during a simple conversation, Guruji casually uttered the name “Sadguru Deva Polayya”. The moment I heard it, my heart trembled. That was where my journey had begun — with the video of Avadhūta Polayya Swami that had first stirred something deep within me.

Only then did I truly understand: It was Polayya Swami’s silent, invisible grace that had guided me to Guruji.

Guruji himself is the śiṣya of Avadhūta Polayya Swami. In his satsangs, he often speaks of how Polayya Swami’s power transformed his life, shaping his tapas, his vision and his destiny. Out of that profound reverence, Guruji has composed more than sixteen soulful songs in praise of the Avadhūta — each carrying the vibration of gratitude and devotion.

In that moment of realization, I felt the unseen thread of grace that had always been holding me, silently leading me from one lamp to another — from the Avadhūta to the Guru.

Silent Nights at Tapovanam: Where the Mind Ceases to Stir

After my initiation, I began attending Guruji’s regular satsang sessions and it was during these moments that I truly began to understand the depth of Guruji’s ideology and inner mission.

He often used to say —

“Very few will walk this path till the end.”

And I saw how true that was. Between the two initiation programs — at Lammasingi and Siddeswaram — and countless phone calls and requests that came from aspirants across the country, Guruji must have been approached by hundreds of seekers. Yet, as time passed, only one percent remained. The rest simply vanished.

Guruji never expressed disappointment. He would simply remind us:

“The goal is not to attract more disciples. I don’t seek numbers. Even if there are only a handful of śiṣyas, I only want those who have the sincerity, the inner strength and the right intention to walk this path.”

And indeed, in all his work — not once did Guruji ask for money, not during initiation, not in any form.

I had the rare blessing of spending several days with Guruji in Tapovanam. At that time, there was no proper building. Only the concrete slab and walls had been laid. There were no doors, no windows, no electricity, no washrooms — and no sense of worldly security. Tapovanam stood on the slope of a dense forest, surrounded by majestic hills and nestled within twenty acres of remote farmland. And during those days — it was just Guruji and I, living there.

I watched in awe as Guruji himself cooked lunch and dinner — simple meals, yet so delicious, they felt like prasādam to me. Many nights passed in silence, with nothing but deep meditation and long satsangs that would stretch into the early hours.

During those days, I observed Guruji very closely. He never sought entertainment or engagement. There was no distraction in his eyes. He was always absorbed in his inner tapas, mostly silent — yet overflowing with presence.

And there was one inexplicable experience I had, again and again:

In Guruji’s presence, my mind would automatically become still.Thoughts would halt. The urge to think simply faded. I later discovered — I wasn’t alone. Even the humble watchman once told me, “In Guruji’s presence, it’s hard to think anything. The mind just becomes quiet.”

That experience of Tapovanam with Guruji — in the rawness of nature, in the shelterless solitude, in the spiritual intensity of his silence — remains, to this day, the most powerful force behind my spiritual progress.

It wasn’t just a stay. It was a recalibration of my entire being.

My Family and Inner Transformation

My family never stood in the way of my spiritual journey — in fact, they supported me with love and trust. When I slowly transformed from a playful young man into someone who meditated for hours and practiced austerities, my mother was deeply moved.

Since 2022, we began celebrating Navarātri at home, with sincerity and reverence. We would install the Divine Mother’s idol and worship Her with devotion.

Guruji’s teachings on cleanliness, order, and śuddhatva gave me a whole new perspective. He taught me that the Divine Mother awakens only in sanctity, not in convenience.

Coming from a background where I used to consume meat even on festivals, this shift was not easy. But as I began following Guruji’s instructions, I felt a deep inner transformation.

Soon, I started having divine visions — not imagined or vague — but clear Lakṣya forms of the Mahāvidyās themselves, as revealed in Śuddhopāsanā. Guruji recognized these experiences and lovingly instructed me never to speak of them publicly.

In those moments, I knew this was no longer just a path — it was grace manifesting.

Initially, I had little interest in Vedic rituals. I used to question them: “Why so many rituals? Why pour so much ghee into a fire?”

But Guruji changed my understanding. He revealed to me the intense tapas of the Ṛṣis, their oneness with Agni and how mantras were not composed but received.

The Vedas were no longer dry texts. They were living flames.

Indra Yajna and the Humbling Grace of the Devas

In 2023, during Guruji’s 51-day Indra Yajña, I had an experience that shattered my ego completely.

Guruji was in deep penance, performing yajña with unwavering dedication. The presence of Lord Indra wasn’t metaphorical. It was real — so tangible that many of us felt it physically.

One day, during the yajña, a surge of power entered my body — I could not bear it. My body collapsed under the weight of divine energy.

Until that day, I prided myself on my Hatha Yoga strength. But in that moment, I realized — nothing compares to the descent of Devatā Śakti. It was not exhaustion. It was pure force.

Later, Guruji told me:

“You don’t realize the power of a Vedic mantra when it truly activates. When it does — nothing can stand before it.”

I had seen it. I had lived it.

I once asked Guruji:

“Guruji, when you call, the deities appear. I too have had experiences, but not like yours…”

He replied with words that became my mantra:

“If Satya (Truth), Bṛhat (Vastness), and Ṛtam (Cosmic Order) are in your heart — even you can call the deities, and they will come.”

Those words echo in me every day.

Miraculous Experiences : Proofs of Grace

1. My Father’s Healing

During a yajña at Guru Bandhu Jayaprakash’s home in Chittoor, I got a call — my father had fallen and was bleeding heavily. He had previously suffered a brain stroke, so this was serious.

I was 500 kilometers away and panicked. I told Guruji, and he calmly said:

“Don’t worry, my son. Let’s pray.”

Even though doctors expresed serious concern of the injury, to my amazement, my father’s condition stabilized and he healed in just 2–3 days. It was a clear intervention of grace.

2. The Exact EMI Amount

Once, I defaulted on an EMI. I had no money, and the person who owed me hadn't paid me back. The deadline approached.

In desperation, I prayed to Guruji and Sri Ganapati Muni.

A day before the deadline, I received exactly ₹48,000 — the precise amount I needed. From that day on, my devotion to Sri Ganapati Muni deepened immeasurably.

3. Job Without Interview

In 2023, I was without a job for months and had to borrow money for EMI payments.

I called Guruji and explained. He smiled and said:

“You’ll get the job soon.”

After I hung up, I called an old colleague — and to my surprise, he offered me a job the very next day.

No interview. No process. Just grace in action.

4. My Sister’s Marriage

In June 2024, Guruji began performing Indra Yajñas in disciples’ homes. Though many requested him, he chose our house as the first. I still consider it a divine blessing.

The yajña went beautifully. Afterward, when we were taking his blessings, Guruji blessed my sister:

“Amma, your marriage will happen next year.”

My mother and I looked at each other in surprise. We were shocked — we had planned to wait 3 years due to finances. Yet within months, a wonderful alliance came. And soon, the marriage got fixed.

But by then, the funds we needed for marriage were not adjusted. We applied for loans through multiple sources and three banks, but unfortunately, all were rejected.

I prayed intensely to Sri Ganapati Muni and when I explained the situation to Guruji, he assured me, “Everything will be fine.” 

To my utter astonishment, just a day before the wedding, we unexpectedly received Rs. 5 lakhs! The wedding took place smoothly — truly conducted by divine grace.

Guruji accepted my invitation and attended the ceremony. When my sister met Guruji, she joyfully said, 'Guruji, as you blessed, exactly within one year, I got married!'

Guruji silently smiled. I wept inside with gratitude.

5. Encounters with Avadhūtas

When I first met Guruji at Tapovanam, he said to me:

“May Dattātreya’s grace be upon you.”

From then on, I began to encounter the Datta tradition in miraculous ways.

I visited nearly 20 Datta temples. I had darśan of 8 living Avadhūtas and more than 20 mystical encounters — all uninvited, unexpected and graced.

Strangely, I had never done Guru Charitra Pārāyaṇa, nor did I chant Datta mantras. Yet Avadhūtas would come to me, call me aside, and bless me — sometimes even touch me.

Onlookers would say, “They never touch anyone! Why you?”

Once, an Avadhūta handed everyone a piece of paper — but gave ten to me. People asked why. I just smiled and remembered Guruji’s words.

6. Another Job — Guided by Guruji

In Navarātri 2025, as Guruji performed yajñas in Kothapet, Hyderabad, I got to serve him more closely.

He once casually asked, “Is your job still there?” I told him it might end in December.

Just two days later, I was suddenly asked to return my laptop — my job was over.

Dejected, I met Guruji. Over lunch, he shared his own experiences and said:

“When the Guru protects, why do you worry?”

That evening, I revised my CV, applied to a few jobs and immediately received an interview call.

I informed Guruji. He said with a smile, “Groom yourself, go happily.”

I went for the interview the next day — and was selected with a significant hike in CTC.

Who else could do this — except the Guru and Divine Mother?

My Gratitude and Surrender

As I look back, it becomes clear to me that every turn in my life was shaped by unseen grace. The moment I met Guruji in 2022, a silent vow awakened within me — to walk this path with sincerity. From that day onward, I became a complete vegetarian, despite initial resistance from family members. Over time, my family too lovingly accepted the change.

One day, with a heart, full of longing, I asked Guruji:

“I want to learn Vedic mantra chanting… I want to perform Yajña…”

He looked at me seriously and said:

“Then you must follow strict vegetarian food, uphold truthfulness and righteousness, and above all — remain in complete obedience.”

I agreed.

From then on, Guruji began guiding us step-by-step. He taught us the pronunciation of Vedic mantras, corrected our intonations, and encouraged us to chant boldly during yajñas. He didn’t just teach us how to recite — he taught us how to offer. He showed us every detail of yajña karma, not as a priest, but as a loving father guiding his children into sacred fire.

This journey is still just beginning. What lies ahead… I know not. But what I do know is this — grace is walking ahead of me.

There have been days when I stumbled, made mistakes, faltered in my discipline. But Guruji never punished, only corrected — sometimes with a fierce look, sometimes with unbearable silence, and sometimes with a love so overwhelming that it brings tears even now as I write this.

In these past three years, I have witnessed visions, darśans, miracles, and profound mystic experiences — more than what words can hold. Only a few have found space in this article.

Because the purpose of this reflection is not to glorify myself — but to sing the praises of the Guru Śakti that surrounds me like an invisible, invincible shield.

Guruji often reminds us:

“Surrender doesn’t come by words. It is not something you speak — it is something you realize within.”

Today, I stand here not with achievement, but with surrender. Not with pride, but with gratitude. For all that I am, all that I have become, and all that I will ever be — I owe to my Guru.

Let the world forget my name. But let the world never forget that I belonged to Him.

And often, in moments of stillness, I ask myself —

“What merit have I truly earned to deserve such Gurus?”

One came looking for me. The other, I was led to by unseen hands.

Neither sought wealth, name, or favor. In a world crowded with illusion, imitation, and noise, I found the rarest treasure — authenticity.

True Gurus. True path. True purpose.

My childhood wonderings about death and destiny, My youthful fire to serve Bharath, My silent prayers to the Divine Mother…All led me here —To this path, To this Truth, To these two divine Masters who continue to shape me with compassion and resolve.

With folded hands, With unwavering love for my nation, And with absolute surrender at the feet of my Gurus, I offer all the fruits of my sadhana to Bharath —My sacred motherland, my eternal vow.

|| Indro Viswasya Rajati ||