Sri Siddharameshwar Maharaj (Kannada) (1888–1936) [1] was one of the head gurus of the Inchegeri Sampradaya founded by his guru Shri Bhauseheb Maharaj[2], which is a branch of the Navnath Sampradaya[3], the 'Nine Masters' tradition in India[4][5]. He is most well known as being the Guru of Advaita Vedanta teachers Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, Sri Ranjit Maharaj, and Sri Kadsiddheshwar Maharaj.
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Sri Siddharameshwar Maharaj was born in 1888 in the village Pathri, Solapur, India. Since his childhood he was very intelligent and had very sharp imbibe abilities. He studied with his guru 'Shri Bahausaheb Maharaj' in Hinchgiri in Karnataka India, whose goal was to educate people on "Final Reality" or "The Eternal Truth". He was one of the contemporaries of Sri Ramana Maharshi.
Siddharameshwar Maharaj was a master of meditation and spent time understanding nature and eternal reality in Bhagavadi, and Hinchgiri with his Guru and then in Sholapur and Basvana Bagevadi after Bhausaheb Maharaj passed over. He began spreading the teachings to his disciples in Basvana Bagevadi, Sholapur and Mumbai in the 1930s.
Siddharameshwar Maharaj died on November 9, 1936 (Ekadashi in the later half Ashwin), at the age of 48, giving his understanding to his disciples. It is said that dozens of his disciples became self-realized through his clear and lucid teaching. His samadhi shrine today is located at Banganga, Walkeshwar in Mumbai [6].
Sri Ranjit Maharaj (1913-2000) was with Sri Siddharameshwar Maharaj for 12 years from the young age of 12 until the age of 24 [7], and Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj (1897-1981) was with him for a two and a half years, 1933-1936 [8]. Shri Muppin Kaadsiddheshwar Maharaj met his Guru Shri Siddharameshwar Maharaj in 1935 and was with him for a period of about 2 years.
There are currently Four published books in English and Two books written in Marathi language containing the recorded teachings of Shri Siddharameshwar Maharaj. Of these, one of the books, a small text entitled Golden Day is the only book written by Shri Siddharameshwar Maharaj himself. The most well known book in India containing his teachings is called Adhyatma Jnanachi Gurukilli which was published by Shri Ganapatrao Maharaj of Kannur (a brother disciple of Shri Ranjit Maharaj and Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj). This book was originally written as it was being spoken in the Marathi language by Shri Dattatray Dharmayya Poredi, a distinguished disciple of Shri Siddharameshwar Maharaj. The English translation of this book is entitled "Master Key to Self-Realization"
The book "Master Key to Self-Realization" presents the core foundation of the teaching of Siddharameshwar Maharaj in a methodical step-by-step manner which is representative of the way in which the teaching of this great Sampradaya is traditionally presented by the Sadguru. Upon humble request from several of his disciples, Maharaj narrated the simplified instruction for Self-Realization for the benefit of aspirants which was written down by Mr. Poredi as it was being spoken. Upon completion, he received confirmation of its correctness from Maharaj as well as a pat on the back for a job well done. [9]
Two books, 'Adhyatmadnyanacha Yogeshwar' Vol I & II, comprise the 130 talks of 'Sri Siddharameshwar Maharaj', were transcribed, edited and published by Nisargadatta Maharaj in 1961-1962 in Marathi language, who also wrote the preface to the book. The books were later translated in English, and printed under the title "Master of Self-Realization: An Ultimate Understanding" [10].
Many years later, Shri Ranjit Maharaj received verbal permission from his co-disciple, Shri Ganapatrao Maharaj to have the text translated into English. Ranjit Maharaj entrusted the translation responsibilities to Dr. Mrs. Damyanti Dungaji. The completed English translation was then proofread and subsequently published by Ranjit Maharaj under the name "Master Key to Self-Realization"(Published by Shri Siddharameshwar Adhyatma Kendra, Mumbai). When all of the copies of that original English text were sold, the text was incorporated into another book of Siddharameshwar Maharaj's talks entitled "Amrut Laya" (Published by Shri Siddharameshwar Adhyatma Kendra, Mumbai). More recently this has been included in the book named "Master of Self-Realization written by Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj." (Published by Shri Sadguru Trust, Mumbai India)
Two books, 'Adhyatmadnyanacha Yogeshwar' Vol I & II, comprise the 130 talks of 'Sri Siddharameshwar Maharaj', were transcribed, edited and published by Nisargadatta Maharaj in 1961-1962 in Marathi language, who also wrote the preface to the book. The books were later translated in English, as "Master of Self-Realization: An Ultimate Understanding (D.A. Ghaisas, Tr.), Mumbai: Sri Sadguru Trust, Mumbai-57, 2006.
In addition to this, there are currently two other books available which are a compilation of several of his disciples handwritten notes and are called, "Amrut Laya: The Stateless State" and "Amrut Laya Volume II," as well as another small book entitled "Golden Day" which was written by Shri Siddharameshwar Maharaj, and is a basic introduction to his teachings. The book "Master Key to Self-Realization" which was also written by Shri Siddharameshwar is included within the covers of "Master of Self-Realization" and "Amrut Laya: The Stateless State" and presents the core foundation of the teaching of Siddharameshwar Maharaj in a methodical step-by-step manner which is representative of the way in which the teaching of this great Sampradaya is traditionally presented by the Sadguru.
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