Sri Shivapuri Baba

Parampujya

I teach three disciplines -
spiritual, moral and physical

Parampujya Sri Shivapuri Baba lived 137 years and was one of the first spiritual teachers of Bhaarat who travelled the world on foot.

Parampujya Sri Shivapuri Baba was born in 1826 as Jayanthan Nambudiri in the state of Kerala, Bhaarat. He was raised by his Grandfather Achyutam, a well-known astrologer, before retiring to a forest as a hermit.

God-Realization

Parampujya Sri Shivapuri Baba received His initiation in sanyasi order by the head of the Shankara Mutt in South Bhaarat. He took the sanyasi name, Govindananda Bharati and went deeper into the jungle along the Narmada River. He followed the Ritambhara Prajna, the absolute knowledge of God beyond all forms and ideas. He went deep into Tapasya, living only on wild berries and root vegetables, a yogic sadhana. He continued for 25 years. At the age of 50, He became a Self-realized or God-realized soul – an enlightened one. He described this moment as “God came like a flash, and all questions were answered, and all problems were solved forever”.

Shivapuri-Baba-at-dhrubasthali-pashupati

Travelling the World

Parampujya Sri Shivapuri Baba had come to the end of His quest after meditating in the forest along the Narmada river. He now started on His world pilgrimage, as instructed by His grandfather. Parampujya Sri Shivapuri Baba travelled to more than fifty countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Greece, Italy, and England, as well as nations across North and South America, the Atlantic Islands, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and China. He was warmly received in sacred and historic centres such as Mecca, Jerusalem and Vatican City. During his journeys, he met world leaders, eminent scientists and people from all walks of life, sharing with them the teachings of Yoga and the light of awareness. Queen Victoria of Great Britain was among His close devotees.

How Paramapujya Shivapuri Baba got his name?

After completing His world pilgrimage, he finally decided to go to Nepal. But before doing so, He went to Kashmir. There, a few miles away from Srinagar, was an ashram beside a river. The place was called Shivratnapuri. The ashram had a tradition of pontiff sages, a great spiritual lineage. When Parampujya Sri Shivapuri Baba went there, the then reigning pontiff welcomed Him and, coming to realize His greatness, appointed Him as His successor. It was thereafter that His name was changed to Sivapuri by giving up His earlier name, Govindananda Bharati. The place is now in ruins.

He then travelled to Nepal and lived the last thirty-seven years of His 137-year life in the mountainous forest ranges of the Shivapuri peak, not far from Kathmandu. It was here that He got the name Shivapuri Baba.