The Guru’s Vibration..
A moving first-person account by KIRAN MUNDKUR mam from San Francisco, California about his journey as a sadhaka and about learning, along the way, to fine-tune one’s sensibility to feel and respond to (October 2026)
In the USA, it was the annual day of sharing the feeling of love and bonding, while in India, it was the Ordination day of our revered Guru – H.H. Sadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji on February 14, 1997. Our local Chitrapur Saraswat community of 25+ people in the Silicon Valley had congregated to celebrate this much-awaited day, with hearts full of joy and spiritual contentment! We could feel the vibrations of our Guru, sense with awe the huge role He took on when He ascended the Peetha to become the 11th Mathadhipati of our Shri Chitrapur Math with such a hallowed Guru Parampara!
In December 2005, on a visit to India with my wife, our son who was just five , and an infant daughter, we were fortunate to receive H.H. Swamiji’s Darshan and Blessings at Talmakiwadi. His charismatic demeanor made us feel instantly connected with our Mathadhipati. My son still remembers the Kit Kat chocolate bar he and his sister received that day and the smile on Swamiji’s face stating He was so happy to see us. My wife recalled Swamiji’s visits , as a young, boy, to Guruprasad, Vile Parle where she then resided, and she burst into tears as she bowed down with reverence to him.
In 2006, Heble Arun Mam of Pennsylvania shared with me H.H.Swamiji’s desire to have our Chitrapur Saraswat community of then 100+ families in USA connected more strongly and meaningfully with our Shri Chitrapur Math and the Guru Parampara. Towards fulfilling that intent of the Guru, Arun Mam formed the Chitrapur Heritage Foundation (CHF) in 2005 in New Jersey . To upscale it to cover all of USA, he then requested me and other individuals across the Unites States to represent different regions. CHF then hosted a touring visit by Late Vinod Yennemadi Mam (erstwhile President of the Math’s Standing Committee , Shri Chitrapur Math), Jayavant Rao Naimpally Mam (then Vice- President) together with Nandan Nilekani Mam (Founding President, Infosys), of our community members across 15 cities in USA. They discussed the history of our Math, Guru Parampara and the awesome celebration of the Tercentenary year, together with the monumental plans to renovate the Math. It was a delightful experience, hosting these leaders and listening to them speak with the need for our USA sadhakas to come together for this historic celebration!
The inspiration from our Guru energized CHF to bring our community together. I spoke with about 75 families in USA, mostly over the phone and some in person. It was delightful to connect and inform them about our Guru and His plans to bring us together to honour our Lord Bhavanishankar, our Math and holy Guru Parampara. There was immediate community support, simplifying the pioneering task of bringing them together in USA.
In 2007, in preparation for my son’s Upanayana ceremony in Mumbai, I had the opportunity to meet with Pujya Swamiji during the Chaturmas at Shri Mallapur Math. I could feel his charisma and vibrant Presence all over again. He offered blessings and the gift of a shawl, the sacred thread, and prayer book for my son. We got to speak about plans and progress in USA for the Tercentenary celebrations. He requested me to invite our USA community to attend the Raga Ranjani, at the Shri Chitrapur Math. From Mallapur, I went to visit our main sanctum – the Shri Chitrapur Math in Shirali, which was in the midst of its major modification- project.
After receiving vantiga and the Math improvement- project donations from our USA community, I was fortunate to be at the heart of the Tercentenary celebrations between December 2008 and January 2009. It brought back fond memories of my visit to Shirali in 1977 for the Teru, conducted after a long time by HH Shrimat Parijnanashram Swamiji III. Our NRI community from USA, Canada, Australia, UK and the Middle East met with H.H. Swamiji on multiple occasions to internalize His goals and desires for connecting our international community with our Math and Guru Parampara. The tea meeting with PP Swamiji was enlightening, as He emphasized the importance of committed leadership in USA to bring the community together.
In August 2012, with my son at an impressionable age of 11, we drove down from Bengaluru to Shi Chitrapur Math for the Chaturmas. The relentless rain seemed to cool us from the heat and wash us clean as we reached the Math for the evening Deepa Namaskar, bhajan, Shiva Pujan and Phalar and most importantly - Swamiji’s darshan. The next morning, after the Jala Abhisheka and prayers, we met with Pujya Swamiji. Swamiji’s lesson was on leadership that morning. He eloquently shared that one must always grasp any opportunity to serve the community and do the very best to serve this purpose, even when challenged, opposed or derailed. Progress is never a straight line. The setbacks are opportunities to strengthen oneself to serve the community better in the future.
In August 2014, my son and I visited the Mangeshi temple to worship our Kuladeva and visit Swamiji during His camp in Goa . The Ranga Puja of Lord Mangesh conducted with devotion and grace by PP Swamiji was a unique experience. Although He had a packed schedule Swamiji met with us to discuss the traditional proceedings at Mangeshi, before Guru Poornima and the commencement of Chaturmas. At Shirali, he arranged transportation and advised us to visit the museum, the Srivali High School, Samvit Sudha, the papier-mâché processing plant, the operation of the village community bank with zero defaulting on its loans in the unique Parimochana initiative, the successful farming projects and Panchavati with its ayurvedic medicinal tree plantings. The visits kept us busy over the next two days, opening our minds to the thoroughness and sincerity of individuals, students and leaders involved in each project, resulting in the success of all of them, thereby providing wonderful opportunities for the rural underprivileged people in and around Shirali!
When a Guru reaches out to us with so much love and concern, we have to be sensitive enough to respond humbly and gradually learn to immerse within and experience that bliss even as we traverse the tough journey of life!
{5 Oct 2026)