Siddharameshwar was born in 1888 in the villagePathri, Solapur, India. Since his childhood he was very intelligent and had very sharp imbibe abilities. In 1906 he was initiated by his guru 'Shri Bhausaheb Maharaj' in Inchagiri in Karnataka India, who taught mantra meditation as the way to reach Final Reality. He was one of the contemporaries of Sri Ramana Maharshi. In 1920 Siddharameshwar started to set out on "the Bird's Path", the fast way to attain realization, six years after Bhauhaseb maharaj had died. His fellow-students opposed, but eventually he succeeded by himself. Siddharameshwar died on 9 November 1936, 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.
Teachings
Atma Vidya
Atma Vidya is the central theme in Siddharameshwar Maharaj's teachings. In Master Key to Self-Realization he describes how the teaching of Vedanta is transmitted to a student. It starts with the meeting with a guru, who tells about the teachings. Thereafter a mantra is being used by the student to meditate and make the mind more receptive. Then the guru explains the teaching further, which has to be realized experientially by the student. The student has to turn away his mind from external objects and the gross body, and "turn within". By realizing that objects have only a temporary appearance, it becomes possible to develop detachment and to clear one's mental attitude from pride. This is a necessary step to develop Self-Knowledge, and the renunciation of the impermanent, and the acceptance of the permanent.
The koshas
To realize this Self-Knowledge, an investigation of the four bodies has to be made to discover whence the notion of "I" comes. Siddharameshwar Maharaj discerns four bodies:
The Causal Body, characterized by "emptiness", "ignorance" and "darkness"
The Great-Causal Body, the knowledge of "I am" that cannot be described, the state after Ignorance and Knowledge, or Turiya state
By subsequently identifying with the three lower bodies, investigating them, and discarding identification with them when it has become clear that they are not the "I", the sense of "I am" beyond knowledge and Ignorance becomes clearly established.
The Bird's way
The teachings of Siddharameshwar have been called Vihangam Marg, "the Bird's Way", the direct path to Self-discovery, in contrast to Bhausaheb Maharaj's teachings, which have been called Pipilika Marg , "the Ant's way", the way of meditation:
Usage of classical texts
Siddharameshwar Maharaje used four books to give sermons on:
Golden Day is a 10-page publication by Siddharameshwar Maharaj from 1925.
Adhyatma Jnanachi Gurukilli - Master Key to Self-Realization
The most well known book in India containing Siddharameshwar Maharaj's teachings is Adhyatma Jnanachi Gurukilli. It was transcribed by Shri Dattatray Dharmayya Poredi, a distinguished disciple of Shri Siddharameshwar Maharajs, from Siddharameshwar's teachings as spoken in the Marathi language. It was originally published by Shri Ganapatrao Maharaj of Kannur. Shri Ranjit Maharaj received verbal permission from 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 Shri Siddharameshwar Adhyatma Kendra, Mumbai under the name "Master Key to Self-Realization". 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", also published by Shri Siddharameshwar Adhyatma Kendra, Mumbai). It was republished by Sadguru Publications in 2008, and also included within "Master of Self-Realization" and "Amrut Laya: The Stateless State".
Adhyatmadnyanacha Yogeshwar - Master of Self-Realization: An Ultimate Understanding
Adhyatmadnyanacha Yogeshwar Vol I & II consists of 130 talks of Sri Siddharameshwar Maharaj. They were transcribed, edited and published by Nisargadatta Maharaj in 1961-1962 in Marathi language, who also wrote the preface to the book. It was translated in English and published as "Master of Self-Realization: An Ultimate Understanding".
Amrut Laya: The Stateless State
Volume 1 of Amrut Laya is composed of transcribed notes from 50 talks given by Siddharameshwar Maharaj on various themes from Dasbodh. Volume 2 of Amrut Laya consists of notes taken from 88 talks of Siddharameshwar Maharaj where he elaborates on various spiritual principles from three main classic texts, namely Dasbodh, Yogavasishtha and Eknathi Bhagawat.
Quotes of Siddharameshwar Maharaj
"As is your concept, so will you see." - Dasbodh: Chapter 12, Subchapter 8, Verse 1
"If you go beyond the source you will find that there exists nothing".
"Spiritual science is the science where self is considered to first and foremost".
"Mind is a collection of determinants and doubts".
