Despite being one of India’s best recognized saints of the 20th century, Sadguru Nityananda also known as Baba Nityananda or Avadhut Nityananda, remains relatively unknown to the Westerners interested in spiritual work. In my case, it was the studies of Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj’s teachings that alerted my curiosity.

Sadguru Nityanandas life, although relatively well documented, including audio recordings films and photos, originated in mysterious circumstances. He was found an abandoned baby in a forest, at the end of the 19th century. He was christened Ram, which means God. Pretty soon another name was adopted – Nityanand, which means ‘always in the state of eternal bliss’.
As he travelled widely through India and Asian countries like Burma and Malaysia. Finally, in 1936 he settled in Ganeshpuri. His power to do ‘miracles’ was frequently witnessed by his disciples.

Sadguru Nityananda

Sadguru Nityananda’s spirituality was of the purest kind – he was recognized as a Universal Consciousness covered by the physical body. Some of his words of wisdom:
“One must seek the shortest way and the fastest means to get back home – to turn the spark within into a blaze, to be merged in and to identify with that greater fire which ignited the spark.”
And this, quite accurately reflecting Sadguru Nityananda’s ‘personality’: ‘”Once one is established in infinite consciousness, one becomes silent, and though knowing everything, goes about as if he does not know anything. Though he might be doing a lot of things in several places, to all outward appearance, he will remain as if he does nothing.” This is not to say that he ‘did nothing’. Well known are his works for the benefit of the poorest, particularly children.

Sadguru Nityananda lived ascetic life, showing no interest in his body’s needs. It was well known, that he wouldn’t take food or water for himself. Seeking the common ground between his teachings, of which “Chidakasha Gita” is the best known, and those of Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, much is revealed in these words of Nityananda: “”There are various tests to which a devotee is subjected: they could be of the mind, or the intellect, of the body, and so on.  A number of such tests are there. In fact, God is conducting tests all the time; every occurrence in life is a test. Every thought that crops up in the mind is in itself a test to see what one’s reaction will be. Hence one must be always alert and aloof, conducting oneself with a spirit of detachment, viewing everything as an opportunity afforded to gain experience, to improve oneself and go on to a higher stage.” Click on the link below, to see video od Sadguru Nityananda on his daily walk.

nityananda

Nisargadatta Maharaj couldn’t put it better himself. That’s why, when asked if he thinks about Avadhut Nityananda, he answered: “Not a day goes by, that I don’t think of him.”
Although they have never met, as enlightened persons they shared the same Universal Consciousness. As the Absolute, they talked the same language of Truth that resonates so strongly with spiritual seekers of today.

Other Links to this Post

1. Sadguru Nityananda and His Influence on Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj. — March 5, 2010 @ 3:07 AM

2. Nisargadatta Maharaj — April 9, 2010 @ 1:59 AM