Shri Sadguru - Master of Self-Realization: An Ultimate Understanding

Master of Self-Realization

An Ultimate Understanding

Spiritual Discourses of His Holiness

Shri Sadguru Siddharameshwar Maharaj

Recorded by Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj

An English Translation of the Marathi Text

"Adhyatma Jnanacha Yogeshwar"

The Spiritual Science of Self-Knowledge

Also included in this book is the spiritual text titled:

Master Key to Self-Realization

2011 Sadguru Publishing

2011, First Electronic Edition

No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical for commercial usage without written permission from Sadguru Publishing

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Original Cover Design: Kirti Trivedi & Shweta Kathe

A Sadguru Publication

A Note From the Editor:

Contained within the pages of this book you will find the teachings of Shri Siddharameshwar Maharaj. This teaching is identical with that of two of His distinguished disciples, Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj, and Shri Ranjit Maharaj.

Disciples of Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj, and Shri Ranjit Maharaj, and the publisher of this book, have decided to include within these pages the most recent edition of the work of great distinction that was authored by Shri Siddharameshwar Maharaj titled Master Key to Self-Realization .

The book Master Key to Self-Realization provides a foundation for the teaching contained in all of the talks given by Him, as well as those given by Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj and Shri Ranjit Maharaj. This classic text, the writing of which was overseen by Shri Siddharameshwar Maharaj himself, explains the fundamental teaching of Advaita Vedanta in the traditional method used by all of the great Masters of this lineage, or Sampradaya.

Thus, we felt it prudent to include this fundamental text here in these pages as a prelude to the 130 talks given by Shri Siddharameshwar Maharaj that were originally published in the Marathi language under the title of Adhyatma Jnanacha Yogeshwar by Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj in 1961 and 1962. It was then republished at the insistence of Shri Ranjit Maharaj in the year 2001 in Marathi, and is now available in English.

Every effort has been made to present this great teaching in fluid, modern English that can be easily comprehensible by spiritual seekers of all backgrounds, as well as those with no prior spiritual exposure.

Great thanks are offered to Mr. Satish Avhad and Mr. Diwakar Ghaisas, without whom this great text may never have come to be made available to English speaking spiritual seekers. Mr. Ghaisas has drawn on his extensive translation experience of advaitic texts including such great classic works as Dasbodh , to present mankind with a translation that provides the true impact of the words of Shri Siddharameshwar Maharaj.

This book is being given as an offering to all sincere seekers to whom we say "You Are That." May you realize the meaning of this statement with the aid of the words of the Sadguru contained within these pages. Most especially, this text is being laid as a humble offering of devotion at the feet of Shri Siddharameshwar Maharaj, Shri Ranjit Maharaj, and Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj, to whom we can only say:

Jai Sadguru Parabrahman!

David Moe

Editor and Publisher

A Few Words About This Book...

His Holiness Shri Siddharameshwar Maharaj, the Spiritual Master of Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj and Shri Ranjit Maharaj gave very informal, instructional, and thought-provoking discourses on spiritual wisdom during the period from 1934 to 1936. They were based not only on scriptural texts like Dasbodh of Samartha Ramdas, Yogavasishtha , etc. but also based on his own realization. During that time while attending these discourses, Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj used to take handwritten notes. Much later in 1961-62 Nisargadatta Maharaj with the help of Shri Khanderao Sabnis, alias Bhainath Maharaj, got them published for the benefit of devotees and other interested readers. This edition was soon out of print and the publication was not available for many years. A new edition was therefore published in 2001 at the insistence of Shri Ranjit Maharaj.

These 130 discourses were originally published in two volumes in Marathi, the language in which they were delivered. Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj and Shri Ranjit Maharaj, both disciples of Shri Siddharameshwar Maharaj, became prominently known to non-Marathi Indian, and Western spiritual aspirants through the books I Am That (Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj) and Illusion vs. Reality (Shri Ranjit Maharaj), which were published in English. Readers of these books became therefore keen to know more about Shri Siddharameshwar Maharaj and his teaching and often requested for publication of an English translation of these discourses. We have therefore thought it fit to accede to these requests and to publish an English translation of these two volumes and thereby acquaint the non-Marathi Indian and Western aspirants with the teachings of Shri Siddharameshwar Maharaj as well. Shri Diwakar Ghaisas offered to undertake the task of English translation in the spirit of service without any reservation.

Shri Diwakar Ghaisas is an accomplished author as well as translator of a number of religious and spiritual publications. He had the good fortune to listen to the late Shri J. Krishnamurti for over thirty years and to translate several of Shri J. Krishnamurthis books into Marathi. He has also translated Dasbodh of Samarth Ramdas into lucid English. He is also well known in spiritual circles because of his own accomplishments in that field. We have therefore, entrusted this English translation to his experienced and able hands.

This book contains 130 discourses of Shri Siddharameshwar Maharaj, based on scriptural texts and Self-Realization. These discourses are unique and incomparable in their sweep, clarity, directness, and instruction. Being results oriented, they are a valuable aid to devoted seekers and will help accelerate their progress towards Self-Realization. There are many references to Indian scriptures, mythological and historical characters and events, traditions and practices in these discourses, with which the non Indian reader may not be familiar. Necessary notes have therefore been provided separately to clarify the context and aid understanding and appreciation. We hope that the devotees and other readers will welcome this effort and like it. We crave their indulgence for possible errors through oversight although every effort has been made to present a flawless translation.

Satish Avhad

Translator's Note

To translate into a foreign language, the informal talks given in a very tacit and cryptic manner in Marathi of a dialectic nature by a Spiritual Master to his disciples, who are also well-acquainted with the abstract ideas in metaphysical philosophy and to put the whole contents in a followable, lucid manner is in itself not an easy job. When the publisher of this book, having come to know my experience in translating J. Krishnamurtis books into flowing Marathi requested me to translate the book of talks by Shri Siddharameshwar Maharaj, I most hesitantly consented to try my pen, but when I actually started to put the various broken colloquial sentences into the current English, I found the task both exhausting and enervating.

However, the fact that I could finish this job even to this level of accuracy is only due to the great benevolent grace of the succession of the Masters of this Sampradaya right from Rewanasiddha to Shri Satishji Avhad, who somehow stood by my side and without compulsion or intimidation gave me enthusiasm to complete the whole translation of talks from both the volumes to form one book, which is now being presented to the readers interested in direct experience of Reality to the extent which is possible through printed word. To undertake such a work on the terms of any monetary gain is itself like defeating the very mission of imparting the nectar of the teachings of the Yogic Masters of wisdom so, naturally as expressed in Bhagvadgeeta, no thought of fruit has touched my mind, while doing such a duty towards the Gurus on one hand and the readers on the other.