Bhaiyaji's journey of sadhana
In an age lost to the darkness of tamoguna, materialism and ignorance, Jagatjanani Maa sent her beloved Shri Nandkishore Sharda to this earth to kindle the light of knowledge and give humanity a simple, universal spiritual path suited to this age.
A resolve to carry humanity from darkness to light
In this age, tamoguna grows strong while rajoguna and satoguna wane. Humanity is lost amid the dazzle of materialism, the spread of vice and the darkness of ignorance.
In such a time, to dispel that darkness through knowledge that is simple, effective, universal and suited to this age, and to fulfil her mission, Jagatjanani Maa sent two of her beloved children, Shri Nandkishore Sharda and Ms. Basanti Manihar, into this world.
A radiant life begins on the sacred ground of Jodhpur
Shri Nandkishore Sharda was born on 16 July 1944 in Jodhpur, into the prosperous and devout family of Smt. Tulsi Devi and Shri Vijaykishan Ji Sharda. From childhood he carried a strong thirst for knowledge, sharp intellect, and a love of sacred literature.
His thinking was philosophical, scientific and logical. Remarkable eloquence, expressiveness and an uncommon charm were distinctive features of his personality. Because of his simple, pure thoughts and warm nature, everyone affectionately calls him Bhaiya or Bhaiyaji.
A diary begun in childhood reveals his essential nature
From childhood, Bhaiyaji was filled with qualities of renunciation, love, simplicity, firm resolve, compassion, selflessness and passion for his goal. His handwritten diary offers a glimpse of these qualities and the purity of his inner world.
"Today's society judges a person only by a few of their self-interests. If a person is skilled at serving their own interest, they are called clever; if not, a fool. In this way society has placed me in the category of fool. I do not truly wish to become 'clever' — there is no inner peace in that."Nandkishore Sharda
Bhaiyaji's diary is an important document of his divine journey of consciousness. Written from the tender age of 12, this authenticated original diary is a pure reflection of his contemplation, reflection, sadhana, surrender, self-experience and inquiry.
A search for truth that began with "Who am I?"
In 1959, when Bhaiyaji was just 15, his father passed away. This event brought about a fundamental change in his life. What he wrote in his diary that same night makes clear the fundamental questions that arose within him.
"Before me today are the same flames rising from the pyre. It is our illusion. No one belongs to us. No one is mine. Even this body is not mine. Who am I, where have I come from, where will I go. I must search out who I am and who moves me. Where has my father gone. Who are my true parents."
Even in those circumstances, questions arose within him about the transience of the world, human helplessness, human existence, and the power that keeps the body in motion. He had never before set foot in a cremation ground — watching his father's mortal remains dissolve into the fire shook his entire being. There, at the cremation ground, he made a firm resolve that he would discover the reality of the conscious power that drives this physical body.
He studied various religions, sects, saints, tantrics and spiritual texts, but found no satisfying answer. In the course of this search, he came into contact with a tantric who would have currency notes delivered inside a sealed matchbox — this experience strengthened his belief that unseen forces truly existed. He reasoned that behind such countless powers there had to be one supreme power — God, or Jagatjanani Maa. In the end, he resolved that he alone would have to find the solution to this mystery. With no guru, no scripture and no guide, he set out alone on an unknown path, and despite many obstacles kept moving steadily towards his goal in the spirit of 'Ekla Chalo Re' — walk alone.
Boundless peace found in an awakened temple, and a pull towards Maa
One day, wandering in reflection around the Jodhpur Fort, he found himself drawn, without quite knowing why, towards a hill and the Tekri temple upon it. The moment he entered the cave-like temple he felt boundless peace, and upon seeing the image of Maa Tripurasundari he fell into deep meditation.
The Tekri temple held the immeasurable power, radiance and consciousness of Jagatjanani Maa. In Bhaiyaji was a firm resolve to find truth, complete surrender, renunciation and passion. Fully surrendered at Maa Tripurasundari's feet, taking her as his guide, he began rigorous sadhana day and night.
"Maa Bhavani, accept my salutations. From today you are my guide. I have now placed my whole burden upon you."Your son, Kishore
Bhaiyaji would stay at Tekri through the night, lost in Maa's sadhana and worship. Sometimes going hungry and thirsty for days at a stretch, sometimes surviving on just a quarter-pound of spinach a day, he would shed tears longing for Maa's darshan.
Even his signature changed to match his inner state: Nandkishore Sharda, then Kishore, and finally Kishore, Maa's beloved. This was a sign of the ever-deepening bond with Maa and the maturing of his sadhana.
When Maa gave darshan, Bhaiyaji held fast to her feet
Bhaiyaji, with a selfless heart, established a mother-son bond and surrendered himself completely to Jagatjanani Maa. Restless in separation from Maa, he would cry out, "Maa, give me your darshan."
After prolonged sadhana, he came to understand that even spiritual desires can become an obstacle in sadhana. He surrendered to Maa not only his wish for darshan, but the very purpose and resolve of his life. His feeling was that he only loved Maa, and would go on loving her.
"The loving Maa whom I call sometimes Parvardigar, sometimes Mummy, and sometimes Maa — she is my birth mother and my guru. She is my everything. I have offered my body, mind, wealth, life and all the love of my life at her feet. Truly, worship of her feet and love for her feet is my life's purpose. When she gave me her darshan, I ran and held only her feet. She alone is everything."
This passage makes clear that Bhaiyaji took Maa as his guru and offered his all at her feet. He had no existence separate from Maa. He dissolved into Maa as milk dissolves into sugar.
Self-realisation of consciousness, the cosmos and the divine realms
After the darshan, Maa accepted him as her son and, becoming his guru herself, had him undertake the highest levels of divine sadhana. Maa gave him self-realisation of consciousness and the structure of the cosmos, the structure of divine particles, the concept of the two bodies, the origin of the conscious body, and the creation of the divine realms.
In time, Bhaiyaji had this very nectar-like knowledge set down in the divine, original text "The Wonderful World After Death." This knowledge is not mere thought, but the light of realisation attained through his austerity, surrender, sadhana and Maa's grace.
Bhaiyaji's journey of sadhana still guides seekers today
His sadhana was never confined to personal welfare alone. It flows to countless people as divine knowledge given by Maa, a simple method of sadhana, and selfless service for human welfare.