SPIRITUALITY: Finding sublime transcendence

Would you believe that spirituality and naturopathy could be a transformative combination? His Holiness Gurudev Brahmarishi Sri Lakshmanacharyulu (Prof. Dr. M. R. Lakshmipathy) shares his discovery of his inner wisdom and how anyone can live an inspired life and create positive change.  The ashram (SLVF Brahmarishi Sri Lakshmanacharya Viswa Santi Foundation –International Spiritual Organisation) situated in Dubreuil fits well for this type of enlightening conversation. Tucked away in the former tea village, surrounded by lush green vegetation, the ashram offers a serene atmosphere. Draped in his orange attire, Brahmarishi Sri Lakshmanacharyulu welcomed us warmly. Although he is a Master of Wisdom, his understanding of life and Cosmic laws far exceeding those of the average person, the holy man is the personification of humility. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"15689","attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter wp-image-26393","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"1146","height":"150","alt":"paronamic-view-of-the-temple-in-Dubreuil"}}]] “I originate from India. I served in the Indian army. I am also a doctor and a professor. I used to be the Principal at Gandhi Medical Institute and Ayurvedic Training College in India. My ancestors were king’s gurus. I also worked as the King’s doctor”, shared Brahmarishi Sri Lakshmanacharyulu, in a bid to set the background for the interview. He told us that he first came to Mauritius in 1985 and that he went back to India after this first trip. “From 1992 onwards, I came here definitely”. How did somebody with such a professional track record decide to devote his life to spirituality? “For twelve years, I stayed in a thick forest in India, practicing yoga sadhana. I ate nothing else but leaves during these twelve years. I drank only water. I did not even consume fruits. During this period, I did lots of research work on plants”, said the spiritual master. At first, when he came to Mauritius, Brahmarishi Sri Lakshmanacharyulu used to stay in La Flora. He contributed to the spiritual development of the area by installing a shivling and a nine-feet tall murthi of Durga Maa. Each time his devotees would keep asking him about his twelve years spent in thick forests. The holy man decided to share some of his precious spiritual knowledge. He had a hole dug at Beau Climat, near the river bank. He went into “nirvakalpa samadhi” for ninety-two days and came out safe and sound. He began to win the admiration of the common man, the rulers and the diplomats. Some devotees even made statues of the spiritual master and placed them in temples. Brahmarishi Sri Lakshmanacharyulu keeps a file where he has carefully collected testimonials and other messages from personalities like the former President of the Republic Mr. Cassam Uteem, the former High Commissioner of India Sri Shyam Saran and several former ministers and leaders of socio-cultural associations. These letters of recognition have to do with his work as a naturopath. At that time, Brahmarishi Sri Lakshmanacharyulu had treated ten thousand patients at his ashram. He was received at the State House by the then President of the Republic Mr. Cassam Uteem. “I have published extensively on herbal medicine. I earnestly wish to set up a Natural Herbal Medicine Centre in Mauritius. Already I cultivate more than two hundred varieties of herbals in the yard of the ashram. Each of these plants carries a plate with its botanical name, Sanskrit name and local or common name”, shared the spiritual master. “Two hundred years ago when your forefathers came here on this island, there were no doctors. Whenever they had a medical problem, they used herbals to cure themselves. In those days, they had to adapt to nature. There was hardly any disease. Today, Man has slowly detached himself from Nature. Everything is polluted, even the water and milk that you drink”. Recalling his first days in Mauritius, Brahmarishi Sri Lakshmanacharyulu explained that shortly after he went into “nirvakalpa samadhi” and came back safely, he applied for a plot of State land to develop a spiritual centre. As such, a plot of land at Dubreuil was allotted to his organization. “It used to be thick forest. I cleared it and transformed the place with the help of volunteers. The ashram here is not only a place where you grow spiritually but also where you learn how to live peacefully and a happy long life”. The holy man , who is also a qualified practitioner of Ayurveda and homeopathic system, insists that any disease can be cured with natural herbals. Brahmarishi Sri Lakshmanacharyulu travels the world, spreading messages of love and peace but also sharing his extensive knowledge as a naturopath. He has won respect, honours and acclaims in all the countries he has visited so far. In Australia, the title of “Greatest Hero in Spiritual World” was bestowed upon him. In Switzerland, he was given the title of “God Messenger. He bagged a similar award in Egypt. An Islamic University in France gave him the honorary title of “ Sheik Noor Mohammed”. “I have made comparative studies of the Bible, the Quran, the Bhagawad Gita, and other holy books on Sikhism, Buddhism and so on. I like indulging in comparative studies of eastern and western philosophies also. I am always teaching. I do not split people in religions”. Other distinctions include “Best Teacher”, awarded by Zendo des Lampes and “Divine Soul Awakener” awarded by the Association Voies d’Eveil des Consciences (AVEC), which has its seat in Paris. In Morocco, the King’s family attended his lectures and thereafter honored him. In India, the holy man healed cardiac diseases and the Chattada Srivaishnava Association gave him an accolade. He was bestowed with the title of “Jagadguru” ( universal master). He also participated in the international event known as NASA Travels. In his collection of pictures of his travels worldwide, one picture is indeed striking. A halo can be seen surrounding his head. Asked about this phenomenon, he replied that he was receiving Cosmic energy. “The aura is a manifestation of real yoga. I am a practical yogi. Other only give lectures, I teach and practice real yoga. I can sleep on water and enter Samadhi and come back “. In line with this wish is the project for the setting up of a Vedic Science University. “We will offer degree courses and even courses leading to a PhD in “vedic sciences”. We have already submitted a detailed project proposal to the Government of Mauritius. Professor Murthy is in Mauritius to monitor the project. The foundation headed by the spiritual master already manufactures its own Ayurvedic medicines. “I want to cure Mauritius of its epidemic diseases. Natural herbs can cure all diseases. I am travelling all through the island to educate the people”. People come to the ashram daily from 6 am to 10 am and from 4 pm to 7 pm to receive free medical treatment. A unique temple has been built adjacent to the ashram but additional works need to be undertaken. “This is a scientific temple built using scientific technology so that we can receive cosmic energy. Once the construction of the whole building is completed, several other facilities will be available, namely a multipurpose hall, anm administration block, an ayurvedic hospital, an orphanage, an old age home, a museum, a library, an ayurvedic research centre and staff quarters. “Here every service is free. We offer free boarding, free meals (on Sundays) free education, free yoga classes and free medical treatment”, said Swami Sri Lakshmanacharyulu. Another unique feature at the ashram is a rock and a statue representing Shani Dev. On Saturdays, hundreds of devotees flock to the shrine of the deity to offer prayers.