Sri M - Jewel in the Lotus: Deeper Aspects of Hinduism

Forthcoming Titles from Magenta Press

How to Levitate and Other Secrets of Magic by James Talbot

Wisdom of the Great Sages: Conversations with Sri Guru, Babaji and Other Masters by Sri M

Other Books by Sri M

The Little Guide to Greater Glory and a Happier Life,published by Hima Communication

Wisdom of the Rishis:The Three Upanishads: Ishavasya - Kena - Mandukya,published by Magenta Press

Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master: A Yogis Autobiography,published by Magenta Press

For more details log on to www.magentapress.in

The author, 1997.

Reprinted in 2004, 2007.
This edition, 2011.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system or transmitted by any means, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright holders.

eISBN: 978-81-910096-1-3

Book design: J. Menon. www.grantha.com

Typeset at PACE systems & graphic communications, Chennai.
Printed at Saibond Print Systems, Chennai.

Published by Magenta Press and Publication Pvt Ltd., Cauvery Towers, College Road-Madikeri, Kodagu, Karnataka 571 201. Tel: +91 9845831683.
www.magentapress.in

Contents

Foreword

Hinduism is a many-splendoured and multi-faceted edifice, containing and reflecting an endless array of possibilities for spiritual growth and integration. Based essentially upon the sublime teachings of the Upanishads, the secret of Hinduisms continued vitality down through the long and tortuous corridors of time, despite repeated invasions and repression, lies in its capacity for creative reinterpretation. Indeed, the whole history of Hinduism can be viewed as a series of challenges and creative responses, a process which continues down to the present day. In the emerging global society it is my conviction that the universal principles of Hinduism are becoming increasingly relevant as we hurtle headlong into the third millennium A.D. astride the irreversible arrow of time.

Theoretical formulations apart, Hinduism involves treading a spiritual path, and there are many. It is these individual pathways involving a creative interaction between the Guru and the disciple that provide the circulatory life-blood of Hinduism, making it a powerful vehicle for inner growth and spiritual realisation. In this context, the experience of individuals who have trodden the path is of great value. The present book Jewel in the Lotus revolves around the life experience and teachings of Mumtaz Ali, better known as M. Some may find it surprising that a person born a Muslim should have such a deep insight into and experience with the Hindu tradition, but the real spiritual path knows no boundary of race or religion, sex or creed, language or nationality. And the mystics of all the worlds great religions the Rishis, the Siddhas, the Tirthankaras, the Bodhisattvas, the Sufis, the Gurus and the saints have all illuminated one or other facets of the immeasurable resplendence of the Divine.

I have had occasion to know M over the last few years, and we have spoken together on several occasions including a three-day workshop on the Kena Upanishad over which I presided. He combines an excellent grasp of the Upanishadic teachings with deep insight into the heart of the spiritual tradition, based on his own remarkable experiences. This book in which he has dealt with some of the deeper aspects of Hinduism will, I am sure, be of great interest to students of contemporary religion, as well as seekers of truth around the world.

Dr. Karan Singh

A Profile of M

The boy was a little more than 9 years old when he saw the strange being. He was the son of a Deccani Muslim family, settled in Trivandrum, the beautiful capital of Kerala. Having heard stories of angels coming down to bless Mohammed and other prophets and saints from his devout grandmother, he thought at first that it was an angel.

One evening, the boy was wandering around the courtyard of his house in Vanchiyoor, doing nothing in particular. At the far end of the courtyard, he saw someone standing under the jackfruit tree. The stranger gestured to the boy to come forward. The boy felt no fear whatsoever, but was eager to go closer to the stranger.

The stranger was tall, fair and well-built and was bare-bodied except for a piece of loin cloth worn around his waist. He put his right hand on the boys head and asked with kindness, Do you remember anything? in Hindi. To the boys answer that he didnt, the stranger said in Deccani, You will understand later. You will not meet me for many years after this, but you will have to finish the studies that you have left incomplete. You will not be allowed to tell anyone about me until the time is ripe. Go home now. With that he vanished.

That was the first initiation. Two years later, while playing hide and seek, the boy experienced what may be described in yogic terms as Keval Kumbhak the suspension of inhalation and exhalation. Bliss filled his heart. The breathing resumed in a few minutes.

Soon he could get into it at will with a deep sigh. The bliss that he experienced convinced him that a greater world existed within his being a world of spiritual bliss.

In his outward appearance he was just like any other boy except that he loved religious scriptures and philosophy no matter of which religion, devotional songs and discussions on God, saints and sages.

When he was eleven, he used to go in the evenings to a certain house which belonged to one Mr. Pillai, whose nephew and son-in-law tutored him in mathematics. One evening he entered Pillais house as usual and found himself face to face with a venerable, sturdy man of about sixty, clean shaven and with closely cropped silver grey hair, wearing a half sleeved shirt and loin cloth, sitting cross-legged on a bench. The room smelled of incense.

Hello! said the old man in Malayalam, Come, come. Dont be afraid.

M walked up to him. The man patted his back and caressed his neck and head and said, Umm. Good! Everything will be all right in good time.

Again the breathless condition and greater bliss. M stood up and went straight home. The guidance had begun. He was the first of the great souls M was to meet in the course of his spiritual journey.

Much later M came to know that the man was a great self-realised soul who lived in Atma Bhava and was simply called Pujapura Swami since he lived in Pujapura. He was unmarried but not a formal monk. In his youth he had been initiated into yogic practices by a great teacher and ever since had lived a model life, his heart absorbed in the blissful, Supreme Brahman while he performed his duties like an ordinary mortal.

M also learnt that the Swami used to hold midnight Satsangs on certain days, which a great sanyasin, who had renounced even his loincloth, would sometimes attend. Pujapura Swami was not known outside a small circle because he forbade propaganda.