Prelude:

Various scriptures reiterate the importance of a spiritual master (sadguru). By the acquired impulses through several births, one becomes inclined towards such personalities and gets in touch with them. It is also said that if one comes in direct contact with a spiritual master, there is no further need for any other scripture. A spiritual master is none other than the Knowledge Absolute. By serving him, a disciple automatically gets charged with the spiritual power. In other words, the disciple also becomes knowledgeable.

A spiritual master remains in truth, conducts himself in truth, maintains intimate relationship with truth. He is himself the Truth Absolute. When a disciple comes in contact with such a spiritual master, he assimilates the truth or the truth in him gets fully blossomed.

This world is full of knowledge. Knowledge expresses itself through every thing, sentient or insentient, atoms and molecules, movables and immovables. But due to ignorance, the true knowledge gets eclipsed. This is called Maya or illusory power. In other words, Maya is nothing but not knowing the truth and knowledge is nothing but knowing the truth. This truth is all pervasive. God is Truth and Truth is God. God manifests as the creation. The One manifests as the creation. The One manifests as many. Brahman manifests as the jiva and the jagat. Jiva and the Jagat are only the appearances. In reality there is only one unitary existence behind all apparent varieties.

The great spiritual master Jagadguru Sankaracharya said, " Only Brahman is true, Jagat is false. The Jiva is none other than the Brahman." The scriptures have tried to extol the Truth in different languages and in different standards keeping in view the social conditions and the levels of knowledge of the recipients. From time immemorial, indications are given in the forms of stone carvings also about the concept of God to educate the people about the Unitary Truth.

That knowledge which has been upheld since time immemorial still remains without any deviation. The essence of those thoughts, although expressed in different languages, is still kept in tact. Knowledge is always expressed based on truth.

Dibya Darshan upholds this eternal truth and expresses itself in its unique style of simplicity for the benefit of people. The seer of the philosophy Divine (Dibya Darshan) is not just an individual. He is the incarnation of knowledge and a complete personality. He had incarnated himself with all divine glories. From his very childhood he had evinced tremendous love for truth, discovery of truth and analysis of truth.

With an inquisitive mind, he had kept himself engrossed with the process of knowing more and more, newer and newer. He discovered knowledge layers after layers, which led him ultimately to the unqualified, formless, taintless and eternal entity. To quote his own words, "By God’s Grace, whatever I was listening, I was retaining in my memory. If I saw any thing once, I was able to easily understand the same. I was acquiring knowledge spontaneously without even any direct teaching from any one."

Apparently he was a householder. But he was a true sannyasi in thoughts and actions. There was purity in his behaviour. Knowledge was flowing through his words. There was love in his thoughts. Noble thoughts, noble deeds, noble instructions were his way of life. All his actions and endeavours were always directed towards the good of all. He practised before he preached. "Serve others. Service to others is the noblest of deeds."

The guiding principle of his life and also one of his oft-repeated sayings was-

This is in fact Karma, Bhakti and jnana, all combined. ‘To live and let others live’ was the fundamental principle of his life. He had tremendous inclination towards knowledge. Knowledge and divine qualities are the basic tenets of Dibya Darshan. Knowledge is a precondition to attain divinity. Without knowledge one cannot understand and appreciate the greatness of divine qualities. Without knowing the greatness or significance of something, one cannot be attracted towards that. A particular level of knowledge has to be acquired. Then only divine qualities will blossom in one’s conduct.

His basic mantra was-

What is your want? First of all, one must know what are one’s wants. Then only appropriate endeavour can be made for fulfilment.

By the help of knowledge one can know one’s inadequacy or wants. In order to acquire knowledge, one has to surrender oneself completely before knowledge. One has to welcome knowledge and accept knowledge. Without welcome, acceptance and surrender, one cannot acquire knowledge. By application of knowledge the problems can be identified and located. By knowledge only actions can be carried out correctly. Desire- less action is possible only by total knowledge.

"Engross yourself in good works. For the rest, leave unto me. Be self-dependent, you will attain freedom. You will be truly independent. Free yourself from your body, senses and mind and intellect. Transcend all those and you shall find your Self only. There is none else. You will rise above nature."

"Who is He, who identifies himself, expresses himself and regulates himself? He is Brahman. Behind all changes in this creation, the causal factor is the One and the Unitary Omnipotent Existence."

Sadguru Sri Sri Arjun has simplified the complex knowledge. He has provided a ladder that can help the followers to ascend from the lowest rung to the highest and ultimately reach the destination.

He had never read the scriptures. He had never tried to interpret the intricacies of the scriptural texts or the philosophical treatises. He was a divine spirit. He was the treasure house of all divine glories. He was an incarnation of the Pure Consciousness. Whatever he uttered and whatever he preached, became The Divine Philosophy or Dibya Darshan, which is dedicated for the good of mankind.

From the childhood, his avowed objective was to "get rid of all fears". A tremendous impulse was in him for doing good to the mankind as a whole. His predominating thought was to discover the real truth behind this changeable creation. All his efforts were directed towards quick acquisition of knowledge.

All his spiritual efforts were based on the divine qualities such as renunciation, restraint, spiritual practice, service, truth, love and forgiveness.

Listening, meditating and repeatedly contemplating are the means to knowledge. He enkindled the flame of knowledge within him. His love for truth and knowledge was duly reciprocated. God’s blessings were showered upon him. All deeds and all his thoughts were directed Godward. Remaining in samsar and apparently leading a worldly life, he was a true renouncer. He got enlightenment and thereafter was called as Sadguru. He identified himself with Truth. He immerged himself in the Supreme Truth. He became one with the Being, the Consciousness Absolute.

In January 1989, after he returned from Kumbha Mela (Prayag), he said to some of the disciples, "I have come to impart knowledge but you are not able to recognize me. Afterwards you would say, "He came; he departed; we could not know him." On 28 February 1989, he left his mortal body.

Apart from his duty as a carpenter in the HAL Sunabeda, he spent most of his time in discussing spiritual knowledge. There was simplicity in him. There was also gravity and firmness on his face. Eyes were expressive and bright. A well composed personality, he was a complete man with uncommonness. Whoever had seen him had been attracted by his powerful personality.

In order to eke out his livelihood, he had reached Sunabeda in search of a job. He had earlier developed some scientific theories about wingless planes, sub-marines etc. and many other instruments. This background impelled him towards Sunabeda where aeronautics are manufactured. He got a job of an NMR but he was always engrossed in acquiring more and more knowledge, discovering higher truths.

Ultimately, on April 14, 1967 (Tuesday, Maha Vishuva Samkranti) at the age of 34, he got his enlightenment in that auspicious evening while he was meditating in his friend's quarters at Sunabeda. He hinted upon his realization as follows.

"The non- realisers can't understand that plane of consciousness. Generally, fulfilment of some desire is siddhi or to get the blessings from some personal Godhead is siddhi. But to attain Brahman is Param Siddhi. It was April 14, 1967. I was in meditation. There was light all around. It was something different. There was no shade, only light, bright light. There was nothing other than light. I was not aware where I was. It was a blissful state, inexpressible, inexhaustible. I was unaware that I was meditating. I was unaware of my existence. It was all bliss and bliss. I am He. I am Brahman. This I realized."

He thereafter expressed Dibya Darshan for the good of mankind. During the first Dibya Sammelan (1988) at Sunabeda, he said to his disciples, "I have enkindled the light of Dibya Darshan; you keep it ablaze to welcome Satya Yug. Dibya Darshan shall bring in Satya Yug."

He further said to some of his disciples.

According to Sadguru Sri Sri Arjun-

"Dibya Darshan is not just a philosophy born of intellectual calculations or compositions. It is not something fabricated by mind or intellect just to sound impressive or inspiring. It is rather, in a deep sense, the true life. It is not a community or clan, it is not an organization or institution, opinion or dogma. It does not belong to anybody. It belongs to everybody. Whoever knows Dibya Darshan, it is his. In other words, he who knows, he owns. He who wins, he owns."

During some of his discourses, once he said-

"When you will speak about me, when you will attempt to write my biography, you will be in dilemma. How will you describe me? I become a child with a child. I become old with the old. I become feminine when with the females. I become young with the youth. I have mastered several trades. I have mechanical knowledge. Am I a mechanic? I know science. Am I a scientist? I know farming. Am I a farmer? I know preparation and administration of ayurvedic medicines. Am I an ayurvedic practitioner? I know tantra. I know astrology. I know archery. I know dance and music. I know painting and sculpture. How will you describe me? I am a scholar with a scholar. What is my particular identity? While concluding my biography you will be in confusion. I wear ordinary dress. I have never worn any saffron robes. People more often than not, mistake me for a householder.

I am neither a child nor an old man. I am neither a female nor a male. At the same time I am every thing by my own greatness. Whoever considers me in a particular way, for him, I am that. I am every where in every thing. Yet I remain unattached. For the mankind, I am known as Arjun. But I am different from all these professions, occupations, names and epithets. Only the realizers can know me. Lord Jesus was telling that he was the Son of God. Guru Nanak was telling that he was the messenger of God. I say I am He. I have come to impart divine knowledge for a transformation. I have come to create hundreds of Vyasadevas."

Sadguru Sri Sri Arjun- this is the name by which he is ordinarily known. But He is beyond names. He is beyond any limitations like caste or creed, degree or diploma. Adjectives and epithets are given to some body only to narrate his limited attributes.

Anyone of higher knowledge can test a person of lower knowledge. What specific adjectives or attributes can be added to a great soul in whom the knowledge of Socrates, the love of Jesus, the truth and nonviolence of Buddha were present in totality, all at a time! He was the sage, whose words were carrying the messages of the Vedas, Vedanta and all scriptures. He was the realiser, who was the embodiment of eternal truth, eternal Law and Dharma.

He, the Eternal Being, is the regulator of the ‘Law of Eternity’. His Dibya Darshan lays emphasis on knowledge path. Karma is also a state of knowledge. So is Bhakti. Hence Karma, Bhakti and Jnana are all different expressions of knowledge only.

"I am preaching subtle aspects. Common men may not find easy to penetrate into the subtle concepts. Only a subtle mind can understand and appreciate subtle things." Regarding the acceptability of Dibya Darshan, he said further, "Whether you follow or not, whether you understand or not, whether you know it or not, but a time will come when your children and grand children will appreciate and accept Dibya Darshan."

He was emphatic that persons who appear ordinary can also understand and appreciate the truth. The Truth Absolute is present in every one as the self. No qualification or degree is required to know the self. Carbon when consigned to fire becomes fire. Similarly whoever comes in touch with Dibya Darshan will definitely assimilate the truth and he will be able to regain his forgotten self. Dibya Darshan is a wonderful touchstone. A touchstone converts a piece of iron into gold but Dibya Darshan is such a touchstone that whomever it touches, he becomes another touchstone.

Dibya Darshan does not prompt anybody to renounce Samsar. While leading a Samsaric life also one can live as a renouncer; one can lead an unattached life with mind fixed on God even if engaged in actions. One can very well enjoy samsaric life with a feeling of renunciation. Whatever one owns and whatever comforts are given, all belong to God. He has given us for our enjoyment. He is the owner of all that exists. God manifests as this creation. He expresses himself as Sat-Chit-Anand (Existence Knowledge and Bliss).

He mentioned in his diary, "I was worshipping idols. I was worshipping Mother Durga. I considered her as the Goddess of all powers. To get more power, I was worshipping her as mother. When I was worshipping her and chanting her name, tears trickled down from my eyes. I was forgetting all other things. Some super-natural things were also happening at the time of worshipping. By her grace, I could move from 'form' to the ‘formless’. If any one asks me about her form, I would say,

It is true because silence cannot be explained through words. That is why the Silent Existence is beyond words.

In the year 1981 he became bed-ridden. At that time he had scribbled in his diary as follows. (11/8/81)

From his childhood he was possessed of divine qualities. His conduct was found to be different from those of others. He was tenderhearted. When he was 14 year old, at the sight of a poor man shivering in cold, he immediately gave his wrapper and walked bare-bodied. Unless he gave sufficient rice to a beggar, he was not having satisfaction. He was throwing coins on the road so that poor men could collect the same (without knowing him, thereby avoiding any sort of embarrassment). When he was a schoolboy, he was having strong faith about God’s existence. He was throwing challenge to his friends, "Bury me or close me in a room for 21 days. I shall vanish."

Such was the will power he was having in his childhood. By this strong will power, he subsequently strengthened his spiritual practice that led him to the highest plane.

In the year 1948, when he was 15 year old, he came across Socrates’ words; "Ignorance is a great sin."

This statement spontaneously triggered an awakening in him. He wholeheartedly appreciated these words and affirmed these words in his heart innumerable times. He had not seen the photograph of Socrates but still this sentence of Socrates had greatly influenced him. He accepted and adored him heartily as his spiritual master (Guru). After 30 years i.e. in 1978, he came across the photo of Socrates in a friend's quarters at 'J' zone of Hindusthan Aeronautics Ltd, Sunabeda. When he saw the photo, tears of happiness trickled down from his eyes. He had taken a copy of that photograph and kept with him. He was speaking lot of things about Socrates and his philosophy in the satsangs (spiritual classes) at Sunabeda although he had not read any books on Socrates. At that time no book on Socrates was available in Oriya language. He was also discussing on the Vedas and Upanishads although he had never any occasion to read any scriptural texts.

The philosophy of Dibya Darshan is the philosophy of mankind i.e. the philosophy of life. It is essentially on the creator and the creation. It is based on the Eternal Law or the Eternal Truth. Dibya Darshan is therefore eternal. It was there in the past, it is now there and shall remain in future. The seer of Dibya Darshan is also eternal. He was there in the past, he is now there and he will be there in future too.

On 25.07.87, at Sunabeda he spoke thus.

He used to say, "More and more people will know me after I leave this physical form. During my life time people cannot know me. I am speaking of very subtle things, which may not be easily grasped and appreciated by many. It takes time to take cognizance of the subtle. Even it may take thousands of years."

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The river Banshadhara has been flowing as a silent witness to many events. Godiabandha is a little sleepy village near Banshadhara where the divine soul had chosen to descend. Just as morning shows the day, from his very childhood there was ample testimony of his multifaceted talents. In his actions and conducts, divine traits were quite pronounced. He was an epitome of truth, compassion and forgiveness. During his youth he was seen to be an adroit artisan and a talented technician. He had no university degree to be suffixed after his name but he was very sharp and intelligent. He understood things the moment he saw; he assimilated every thing that he heard. He wanted to be a great warrior but God’s design was different. He became the Knowledge Absolute and thereby acquired all powers. To the world he presented Dibya Darshan, an ever-radiant light that is set to dispel the darkness of ignorance.

Time is the greatest healing factor. Time does not wait for any criticism or consensus. Time holds everything, preserves every thing and at the appropriate moment it reveals. Whatever happens in the womb of time, one day or other it shines out. Truth expresses itself as Truth. If any deviations or aberrations occur, by the same truth every thing is rectified and revealed in course of time. Time is the dumb witness of all events.

18^th July 1933 is a golden past now. On this day, who knew that in a low thatched house and in a dim light the greatest light was descending in a human form? Changes or reactions that might have occurred at that time in the outer nature had gone unnoticed. But that divine soul carrying the light of knowledge willed to take birth in the village Godiabandha of Gunupur Subdivision in the family of Sri Odiya Gomango and Srimati Chandrama Devi.

The life that was but a great philosophy grew up unnoticingly. The astrologer’s forecast became a reality. Although his father was Odiya Gomango, his mother Chandrama Devi belonged to a different caste. Hence in the tribal community, his birth to such a parentage was not a very welcome event. This baby was born in a small thatched house, a little away from his own house.

His father was quite rich, religious and a truth loving person. He was the head of the community. He owned quite substantial property in the village. But being basically a kindhearted person, he helped others and in the process he gave away his properties and became poor.

Everyone in the neighbourhood, because of his good qualities, liked the baby. He was naughty and at the same time quite gleeful. He was mixing with everyone.

Beginning of school education:

His father read up to class IV in Telugu medium. His mother was illiterate. His father wanted that his son should get good education. He was admitted into a small school in the village. His teacher’s name was Sri Narshingha Satpathy. The boy was very sharp and intelligent. As he was having an analytical mind and was found to be uncommon, his teacher liked him. The boy was also having unusual inquisitiveness and grasping capacity. At that time in the school, along with study, practical work was also being assigned. Every one was asked to prepare a model garden in a small patch of land. Arjun's model garden was well designed with provision of irrigation facility and culverts etc displaying ample evidence of his innovativeness and creative mind.

But the pattern of syllabus-bound school education did not interest him much. At times he preferred to go to a carpenter, named Sri Ramadas Minaka to learn carpentry instead of going to school. For that he absented himself from school. He started giving more time to learning carpentry. Whatever he was learning from the village carpenter, he was trying to experiment at home always with new ideas. After education in village primary school up to class III, he was admitted into class IV in Gunupur High School. In the new environment, he evinced more interest in his studies. He stayed in a relative’s house at Gunupur and thereafter shifted to a hostel. He was quite a good hand in drawings. He was nicely drawing the sketches of all national leaders.

He was not wasting his time. When he was coming to village, during holidays, he was not sitting idle at home nor he was whiling away his time. To learn more and more crafts, he was regularly visiting the carpenter whom he regarded as his Guru.

His father was dissuading him from going to the carpenter but that could not deter Arjun who was full of inquisitiveness. Father probably could not know at that time that his son was in quest of completeness.

In the science book (in class VIII) he read that iron could be melted. During holidays when he came home, he discussed with his carpentry Guru about how to melt iron. There was prolonged discussion. He forgot his dinner even. His father came to remind him and also gave a bit of his mind. Arjun left home. He had left home thrice due to such misunderstanding.

He became inclined towards Technical education. As he was interested in science, he was remaining more attentive in science class. He was having interest in carpentry. His mind was more preoccupied with technical matters than on other subjects.

When he was a student of class VIII, he had made an artificial waterfall in the canal near school. He had made a novel attempt of extracting electricity by a hand made instrument made of tin. True, electricity was not generated as the instrument was more like a toy than a machine, but his teachers as well as friends were astonished to see his imaginative power and keen interest in developing new things.

After the class was over, while the other students were going to play ground, he was doing something or other relating to practical application of science. He was having the feeling that too much obsession with games might divert his mind from creativity. He was always thinking of inventing something new and useful. He was of the view that if anyone could think deeply over any particular subject, definitely some new truths would come out.

Averse to English language:

When he was a student of class VII, India became independent. The then situation in India had created an ill feeling in his mind against the English. When India won freedom, he gave up learning English language. In English, he had just secured pass mark in Class VII in the annual examination.

End of his school life:

His desire to explore newer and newer things/subjects was growing stronger. When he was a student of VIII standard, he had designed a steam engine made of wood. As it was not made of steel it did not function. Although the principle involved was right, due to want of proper tools and equipment, that engine did not become functional.

As he suffered from fever, he could not appear at the annual examination (Class VIII). He was not granted promotion. He was to read in the same class again. The traditional syllabus did not attract him any further. The financial position of his father had also deteriorated in the mean time but his father was ready to support him, if necessary, by selling some land. But Arjun’s mind was not in school. He was thinking of some thing else. He left school in 1949.

After leaving school, he just stayed in his village and tried to lay his hands on different technical jobs/ artisans' jobs. He wanted to learn more of drawing/ fine art. His father gave his nod of approval. He went to learn drawing from a teacher who was good at drawing.

For his stay and other expenses, Rs.30/= had to be expended every month. The drawing teacher was not taking any money from him, as he was very pleased with the boy who was taking lot of interest in the art. After three months he gave up learning drawing.

He had also learnt some magic and wizardry. He wanted to learn more of it. During village functions he was staging magic show with his friends. He had not learnt magic from anybody. He had himself developed the skill in magic. He was also doing acrobatics/gymnastics. He could acquire various skills by simply observing. He had strong inquisitiveness and will power. So nothing was beyond his reach. Whatever job he was undertaking, he was concentrating and accomplishing the same well and with perfection.

During his childhood he was fearful by nature. He was not going out in darkness till he attained the age of 15. But when he acquired knowledge in science, slowly his fear waned away. By the age of 19 he was bold and fearless.

Mechanic training:

There was an admission notice in newspaper for admission into ITI, Govt of Orissa. For that the required minimum qualification was Class IX. Although Arjun had passed Class VIII only, admission was granted to him.

He joined ITI course (Turner Trade) in Orissa Engineering School, Cuttack during 1950. He was at that time 17-year-old. He was getting a monthly stipend of Rs.25/= per month. Hostel facility was available. One bond was signed to the effect that a student, who will give up the course halfway, has to refund all expenditures incurred on him. He evinced interest in this technical course. Besides his own discipline, he was going to other sections also during his free time and trying to learn other disciplines. Because he was good at drawing he could draw the sketches of different machines perfectly, for which he was liked by every body.

In money matters however, he was never calculative. The stipend money was insufficient for his sustenance. His father was remitting another Rs.10/= or at times Rs.15/=. His uncle was also remitting some money at irregular interval.

He was fond of watching English movies. His main interest was to observe the fighting skill in the English movies. He learnt fencing (sword fighting) from English movies. He had also fairly good idea on shooting.

Other Researches:

During training period, he could learn about different tools and equipment and engineering subjects. He picked up faster as he had no hesitation in getting his doubts clarified by asking others.

During the training period, he was in quest of inventing some thing. In fact he did. During 1950, he had an idea of water driven engine. Just as petrol has the property of combustibility, water, which is composed of oxygen and hydrogen could also be made combustible, he thought. On this principle he did a lot of research works. During training he could design a pistol which although looked like a toy was quite effective.

Name was cut off:

Classroom teaching was confined only to a particular syllabus. Arjun was not interested in such a limited syllabus. He was also facing financial difficulties. He had to go without food due to want of money. Monotony in the classroom coupled with his financial stringency made him irregular in the class. Absence resulted in cut in stipend that deteriorated his financial position further. A situation came when he had to go without food for seven days at a stretch. He wrote a letter to his father mentioning his difficulties but by the time money reached him, it took seven days. Because of his irregular attendance his name was struck off. He requested the Superintendent and ultimately the Superintendent allowed readmission. But Arjun did not want to start afresh. He gave up the course. But at that time he had no money to come back to his village. He went to a carpentry shop and worked there. He was getting 50 paise per day. He wrote a letter to his father. His father's financial position was also weak. His father and uncle came to Cuttack to take him back. In terms of the bond executed, a drop out was to make good the stipend availed. A notice came to his house demanding refund of Rs.300/=. It was a terrible shock to the family as the amount was too big for them to pay.

He joined Kujendri Ashram School in 1951 as a carpentry teacher. One of the teachers was indulging in some corrupt practices and was misusing the Govt grant. Arjun could not tolerate this. He protested and reported the matter to the higher authorities. But that was not paid any heed to. Rather he got a punishment transfer order to Gumphakonda Ashram School near Kalimela of Koraput District. It is a hilly area mainly inhabited by a tribe called Koya. Reluctantly he joined Gumphakonda Ashram School in the year 1952.

The tribals being illiterate, used to move with a bows and arrows. Arjun within no time adjusted himself to the new environment and mingled with them. They knew Telugu. Arjun could understand and also speak Telugu language. Hence he could communicate with them. They were having guns for hunting purpose. Arjun being technically quite sound, could repair their guns free of any charge. The people belonging to Koya tribe were very simple and honest. Arjun liked them and became quite closer to them.

Arjun once suffered from severe malaria. No educated man was there in that village. That village was about 150 kms from his native place. One has to walk down a distance of 35 kms to reach that remote village. For two months in a year a bus was plying in that route. As there are many small rivulets and water channels crossing the road at different places it was not suitable as a regular bus route. Arjun wrote a letter to his father. But the local people took him to Malkangiri hospital and got him admitted. By the time his uncle and father reached, he was already cured and was back at Gumphakonda.

One of his colleagues belonged to Koya tribe. Once he was suffering from urine problem. He took turmeric and almond powders twice daily and got himself cured. Arjun was impressed with the miraculous effect of the local medicine. He took interest in learning Ayurveda. That place was full of hills and forests. In that environment he became quite bold and started moving in the jungle alone in search of different kinds of herbs and also to study nature.

He was transferred to Bamuniput Ashram School. There he kept himself busy in reading lot of books in science. He was always thinking of inventing some thing new and useful. He was deeply contemplating on water driven engine. He had also discussed this subject with his colleagues but none could trust his ideas. That was because he was not sufficiently qualified. He was also young and inexperienced. He was spending time on drawings. He could repair gramophones, gaslight, clocks etc. His colleagues were taken aback with his innovative genius.

Once while he was discussing with his colleagues on science, he toyed with the idea of running an engine with air. The vacuum system of applying brake, if developed and fine-tuned further could also be helpful in driving engines, he opined.

Arjun during his childhood was afraid of ghosts or spirits but at his adult stage there was no such fear in his mind. He had dug out two skulls from the engraved human bodies and was trying to make deep study on that.

Good luck! The leopard did not come that day:

There were two pet dogs in that Ashram school. He liked them. The two dogs were also responding and reciprocating well. He was playing with them. He was hiding himself but the dogs could discover him. He was inquisitive to know about the smelling power of the dogs. Once a leopard staying in the nearby forest killed one of the dogs. Arjun became very sad at the death of the pet dog. He decided to take revenge. Normally the leopard visits the same place again and again where it had its prey before. Arjun was quite good in the art of wielding swords and knives. He took two knives with him and went to that spot calculating that the leopard will come again. A leopard attacks upon the neck first. Therefore, he firmly tied a thick strip to his neck. But whether his luck was good or the leopard's luck was good, the leopard did not come that day.

Days at Bamuniput School:

There was a canal near the ashram school. Arjun knew swimming. During rainy season, when the canal was overflowing he was swimming across the strong current under water without taking breath. He was very helpful to others. Although in the village feeling of casteism was quite rampant, he was treating every one alike.

Once a student after being punished by his teacher jumped into a well at about 6.30 P.M. There was about 5 feet water in that well. People gathered there. The boy was standing inside the well. He was not making any efforts to come out. No one ventured to enter into the well. It was already dark and nothing was visible. Arjun was sent for. He came and without any second thought, with the help of a rope, he immediately glided himself into the well. The boy was not cooperating. Arjun convinced him, tied him with the rope and the boy was pulled out.

With one of his colleagues, he was discussing different subjects. Both of them were making knives and swords etc. They were also practising sword fighting. Arjun was reading not only science books but also detective books in order to learn different techniques. He had taken oath not to grow moustache until he mastered all knowledge. The detective books had great influence on him. He had had revolutionary thoughts. He wanted to be a gang leader to rob the rich and help the poor.

Although always thoughtful and investigative, he was at the same time quite humorous also. He was acting in different roles in school drama. He was quite good in acting.

The fourth state of matter!

When he was going through a science book, he came across a topic on X' ray. A scientist had written, " On passing electricity through a vacuumed tube, he had observed a feeble ray inside the tube. He could not cognize it fully. But he had a conviction that there was a fourth state of matter." This term, "fourth state of matter" made Arjun inquisitive. There are normally three states of matter, i.e. solid, liquid and gaseous. The fourth state if any, is not discussed or comprehended. He started inquiring into the four state of matter. Arjun had tremendous respect for knowledge. Who could have fathomed the depth of his ideas! At times his friends ridiculed him but Arjun did not pay any heed to such ridicules.

His angle of vision changed:

Once his mind was inclined towards fourth state of matter, he got inclined towards the subtlest subject of spirituality. He thought behind the creation, there is some invisible power. This thought haunted him again and again. All his previously nurtured obsessions slowly vanished. He became keen to know about the eternal truth. He was not taking mutton. At times with his friends he was taking fish. He left that also. He controlled his food habits. He also reduced the intake of salt. In other words, he started taking sattvic foods.

He married Surama Devi:

When he was in Bamuniput School, he got married. He was very shy in nature. His father selected a match for him at a distance of about 5 kms from his village. After Arjun saw the girl, he gave his nod of approval. The girl was Surama, daughter of Minaketan Sabar and Smt Champa Devi of Jatili village. Arjun's marriage was held on 12^th May 1954 when he was 21-year-old. Surama was at that time only 14.

From Bamuniput, Arjun got a transfer back to Kujendri Ashram School. His samsaric life began at Kujendri. His wife was only 14-year-old without any experience of worldly life. But she was quite sincere and devoted. She was also endowed with different virtues, such as, sense of morality, compassion, piety etc. Hence Arjun loved his wife very much.

Arjun was worshipping mother Durga. His wife also joined him with all sincerity and devotion. Tears were trickling down while worshipping. They were attaching more importance to offering flowers, incense etc than to prasad. The photo of Durga was quite beautiful. While worshipping, they were being completely absorbed and spontaneously they were uttering Maa. The Head Master of that school was a devotee of mother Kali. Arjun was listening to him about Kali tattva and exchanging his ideas.

While praying to Mother Durga one sloka is very popular.

That means-

The Goddess who dwells in every one as energy,

The Goddess who dwells in every one as mother,

The Goddess who dwells in every one as consciousness,

I prostrate before her again and again.

Arjun got the insight that the universe is full of energy; knowledge is nothing but energy/ power and by knowledge power all other powers are understood, appreciated and acquired. Whether it is energy or matter, the fourth state must be identical and homogeneous. He developed a conviction that the super sensual state starts from this stage. Why it happens? How it happens? Who is the cause behind all these happenings? All these questions repeatedly haunted his mind and he started deep inquiry into those bewildering questions.

Normally the scientists who deal with physical science do not believe in God. According to them, the matter is converted to energy and energy to matter. This is the natural law which is final, they believed. According to them there is no need to believe in another power called God. There is no such existence as God.

But Arjun's thinking was different. He did not want to put a stop to further enquiry. He wanted to unfold things more and more. According to him, it is true that matter is converted to energy and vice versa. But how? For this process of transformation, there is definitely some independent principle, law or some power that is at work. That principle, remaining independent of matter and energy but presiding in the matter and energy, must be governing the process of transformation. In other words, there is some external impressed force that also remains internally but independently to trigger the process of change. The spiritualists called him God, Brahman, Atman or Self. The energy that is talked about in the domain of physical science is termed by spiritualists as apara shakti (lower power). There is still a higher power called para shakti which causes and controls apara shakti. With such inquisitive mind, he was carrying on his spiritual pursuits, without the notice of any body.

Sufferings! thy name is samsar.

He was facing financial difficulties for which there was a lot of mental pressure on him. His wife was in an advanced stage. She was staying with her parents. There was no proper care or nourishment available in that remote village. She was visibly anaemic with her limbs swollen up. Arjun got the message about her illness. He took leave and went to see her. She had become very week and debilitated. She was blessed with a daughter but his wife's condition deteriorated. Arjun could not control his emotions and started crying. He prayed to Maa Durga, (in his diary he had made some notings) "If per chance, my wife passes away, I shall jump into the funeral pyre. I love her. I cannot stay without her. By the grace of Maa Durga, she recovered."

In the mean time quite a lot of money was expended for her treatment. He had to run into debt. Due to want of money he could not even pay fees to the physician. His father-in-law's financial position was also weak. They had also spent a lot for her treatment.

Extract from his diary-

"We loved each other intensely. I had taken oath that I will not look for any other woman. When I see a woman, I take her as my mother or sister. Maa Durga is appearing in such forms."

Respect for knowledge:

An old man was residing near Kujendri School. He was quite proficient in ayurveda. Arjun had interest in learning ayurveda. His idea was that by acquiring this knowledge he could help more and more people. Once in an evening the old man was carrying some load on his shoulder. Being tired he sat down near the school. Arjun thought that when the old man was rendering so much service to the people by his ayurvedic knowledge, he should also serve him. Arjun approached him and carried his load up to his house. He learnt ayurveda from him.

He resigned from Government service:

Financial crisis became intolerable. It was difficult for him to maintain his family. His wife was staying with her parents. At times he was availing leave and going to see his wife and daughter. His wife was also not comfortable there. Arjun was not in a position to send them to his native place. He could not bring them also to his place. He decided to resign. His wife did not agree to this. In spite of her resistance, he resigned from service on 17.6.57.

He thought he would look after cultivation of his landed properties in his village after resignation. His resignation was not accepted. He took his family to his village and came back to join his duty. He had received a notice from the District Office to deposit Rs.2/= towards some arrear tax. He deposited the money but again unfortunately for the same dues the District office, claiming 14 annas, started a case. He remitted 14 annas but as he was not personally present a warrant was issued against him. He showed the money receipt and thereafter the case against him was dropped.

Once he had not received salary for three months. He was not able to provide the basic needs to his family. He was feeling very much embarrassed. At that time he received a medicine parcel by V.P.P. He had to borrow money to release the parcel. On the other hand his resignation was not being accepted. He was not able to leave Kujendri. Although his other brothers were there in the village, they were not looking after cultivation properly. His wife was not keeping well. He was not able to support his family, as he was not receiving salary regularly. He was silently tolerating all these. His mother was also unhappy. Arjun was helpless. He resigned every thing to fate.

On 15^th September 1957, his resignation was accepted. Agricultural season was over. However he cultivated some vegetable. But there was no rain. His cultivation became a failure. His daughter was ill. She expired when she was seven months old.

Repairing shop:

He started a repairing shop. Not many orders were coming for repairing. Whatever small things he was manufacturing it was difficult to find buyers in the village. Although he was carrying on repairing job, all were not paying for it. At times his expenses were more than he charged. He purchased a grinding stone for Rs.10.80 but that did not work. He himself made a grinding stone. People were coming to him for sharpening their knives, cutters etc and paying some money. Thus with difficulty he was maintaining his family.

In spite of all these difficulties, he never banished from his mind his ideas of inventing something for the benefit of people. From the local newspaper he read that in Russia one type of battery had been invented by which electrical energy could be collected from sunrays. Russia had implemented this in their satellites for energising the equipment.

He felt sad when he came to know this. He had given this theory to Orissa Govt in 1957 but as he did not possess any qualification, his theories were not given any importance. He was also not having money to implement his theories.

He got a chance to undergo compost training. There were 50 participants in that training camp at Gudari village. Along with compost training, village leader training was being imparted. By his innovative ideas and leadership qualities, he could distinguish himself in the camp. His compost pit was adjudged as a model one. To carry the compost, he had designed a small cart. Thereafter, he also got orders from other farmers for supplying carts. Arjun manufactured such carts and supplied those at a reasonable price so that the compost scheme could be a success.

Japanese system of farming:

He thought of going for progressive farming. He knew that by proper transplantation, application of fertilizers, availability of adequate water and light, the paddy plants could grow luxuriantly and give good yield. He wanted to demonstrate to other farmers about the efficacy of the Japanese system of farming. No body took interest in such new system. They clung to their traditional system. He was therefore ridiculed. His father also did not evince interest in the Japanese system of farming. As the farmers of the village had tried with Japanese system of farming twice earlier and were not successful, they were not interested.

The farmers were under the impression that in the Japanese system of farming more application of chemical fertilizers would be needed which would spoil the natural fertility of land. In spite of his father's unwillingness, he started Japanese system of farming in three plots. The paddy plants grew luxuriantly and started yielding quite a number of bunches. No chemical fertilizer was applied. Even the natural fertilizer was also not applied. The other farmers were impressed by that and started implementing the Japanese system of farming. He explained to them that under the Japanese system of farming the plant got more light and air. That is why more bunching was there. Fertilizers helped in growth but not necessarily in more yields.

Indian farming normally depends upon the vagaries of monsoon. In order to obviate this problem, he was always thinking of inventing something by which the atmosphere could be cooled down so as to form vapour. Further cooling might lead to condensation of the vapour and ultimately to rain.

In the atmosphere, to cool the vapour so as to get sufficient rainfall, vast area has to be covered. Hence a very big mechanical device would be required to create such cooling effect. He was therefore toying with the idea of a mechanical device through which in a second 50 cubic feet of air could pass through in a zig zag pipe of about 50 ft long (2"x2"). Outer side of the pipe should be covered with ice. The pipe should be non-metallic so as not to allow outside heat inside. For that, the pipe should be insulated or coated by nonconductor. In this process the air passing through the pipe will be cooled down and yield water at the end.

Other observations:

Radium emits rays of light. If it gets light, more rays will come out of radium. Thus radium can give multiplier effect. Further by using different kind of lens and reflectors, the effect of light could be multiplied/enhanced.

In quest of service he went to Jeypore:

He sold some gold and on 18.3.1960 went to Jeypore to join a private firm with a monthly wage of Rs.80/=. He was designing some agricultural implements there.

Not being satisfied with such a private service, Arjun wanted to start a small industry by taking some loan. But he could not fulfil the condition of mortgage. He was staying in his friend's house at Jeypore. After staying there for a few months he came back to his village.

Organized a dance drama troupe:

He started organizing the young talents in the village and started imparting training to them on dance and music. Every one in the village liked him for his sincerity and parts and proficiency. He was not a good singer but he could compose lyrics and he had fairly good ideas on musical subtleties, rhythms etc. In the dance drama troupe, there were four girls in the age group of 4 to 9. Their performance was highly commended by the audience. The variety show comprised comics, record dance, circus dance, odissi dance and chhau dance etc. Many of the young artists were awarded different kinds of medals (total 35 silver medals and one gold medal). The dance drama party earned good name in the area. Arjun was also admired for his creativity.

He left the village again.

His financial position continued to be in a bad shape without any sign of improvement. In the family, there were quarrels and disturbances. On 25^th June 1961, he came to Jeypore with his family. He and his friend opened a cycle shop. His friend's financial position was also not good. With meagre income he managed his family. His friend Nilakantha was quite helpful and Arjun was staying in his house without paying any rent. Among his other close friends, one was a radio mechanic, one an electrician and another a welder.

After 5 months at Jeypore, he designed a paddy-winnowing machine, which could winnow 13 bags of paddy in one hour. Arjun was trained in operating lathe machine. He wanted to establish a factory to manufacture winnowing machines. Arjun applied for a loan under Govt sponsored schemes. Towards, margin money Rs.600/= was required which he did not have. He went to his village to arrange the money but his father also could not support him. Hence he could not set up the lathe shop.

During his stay at Jeypore, the then Chief Minister of Orissa had visited Jeypore to inaugurate the airport. Arjun had prepared an aeroplane model made of wood and tin and had presented the same to the Chief minister. He had also submitted a note in which he stated that such type of aeroplane was not there in the world. Its speed could be more than the jet plane and was long lasting. There was some basic difference in the technique used. The wings of the model plane were parallel to each other from front to back. It would require less space. Its weight being less, the speed would be high. During war also it would not be damaged easily. But the Chief Minister due to his busy schedule could not pay much attention to the matter.

On 1^st January 1962, he along with his radio mechanic friend Sri Satya Narayan Mohapatra had designed a machine by which the battery power could be enhanced. 6 battery cells could light a tube light of 230 volts.

He came back to village again. The situation in the village was very disturbing. The crop loan from the Cooperative Society had gone up to Rs.5000/=. There was misunderstanding among his brothers. The dance party was no longer there. There was family partition. Arjun got, besides some landed properties, a small and dilapidated house towards his share. Even there were no doors and windows. He arranged a door made of bamboo strips.

In 1963, he left the village again and came to Jeypore. He opened a repairing shop for repairing mike set, motor, fan, typewriters, musical instruments, harmonium, violin and veenas etc. He was himself making violins and selling. He was teaching dance and music to small boys and girls. He had some Christian friends with whom he was going to Church. He had a friend, namely Sri Satya Narayan Pattanaik who was a Head Clerk of Jeypore College. He was interested in art, literature and music. He liked Arjun very much. From him, Arjun collected some old palmleaf documents on tantra and ayurveda. After going through the same, Arjun became more and more inclined towards tantra and ayurveda. He had great respect towards Sri Baba Saheb of Jeypore who possessed good knowledge on Tantra. Baba saheb was also a good sportsman, good actor and director. Arjun had, at Jeypore, a muslim friend named Jiru Mian who was quite good in tantra. Arjun had developed intimate relation with these persons and used to have long discussions with them on Tantra and various other subjects. His mind was always preoccupied with the scientific investigation and spiritual contemplation.

Sri Ayarana Relli, the Guru in archery:

He was meeting different persons and collecting palm leaf documents on tantra and ayurveda. He had a chance to meet Sri Ayarana Relli of Gunupur who knew tantra science, ayurveda and also archery. The then king of Jeypore had given him the title "The Arjun of Kaliyug" being pleased with his wonderful skill in archery.

Arjun had heard of that person when he was a student but at that time he had no interest to learn archery. But subsequently he approached him to learn tantra, ayurveda and archery. At that time Sri Ayarana Relli was 70 year old. He was reluctant to impart the archery skill to any body. According to him, archery involved an element of cruelty. Unless a man was pure hearted and of sattvic mind, if he acquired skill in archery his ego would be bloated and he would misuse the knowledge and skill. But Arjun was so much interested that he fell at his feet and showed his genuine intention to learn archery. He learnt archery, tantra and ayurveda. From him he had also collected some palm leaf documents on ayurveda and tantra. He was going to him almost once in a year. Even after he became Sadguru, he had gone, along with some of his disciples, to meet his guru and pay his regards.

Sri Ayarana Relli had very deep knowledge. With eyes closed he could, following only sound, hit the target. He could wield two bows at a time. With arrows pointing to opposite sides also he could hit his targets. He could hit seven targets (not in one row) in one shot. Seeing the reflected image on water below, he could hit the moving target above. But Sadguru Arjun did not get the opportunity to learn all the tricks of archery. He had already reached the spiritual climax and therefore he did not proceed further in the art of archery but he was all along in touch with ayurveda as he could bring relief to many through this.

His spiritual guides:

In 1948 itself, after coming across the touching words, i.e. "Igorance is a great sin", of the great Greek philosopher, Socrates, Arjun accepted him as his Guru. At that time he was a student of class VIII. Arjun heartily concurred with this statement of Socrates and repeated the same several times as if it were a great mantra for him. He was convinced that by acquiring knowledge only, ignorance could be dispelled. That means, not acquiring knowledge is a sin. Sins are committed due to ignorance. By welcoming divinity, man can get rid of all sins and attain divinity. By knowledge only man can raise himself to a greater height, i.e. to the stage of Supreme. The divine knowledge is therefore essential.

In 1963, while going through the bible, he was greatly impressed with the teachings of Lord Jesus. Arjun accepted him as his Guru.

These sermons of Lord Jesus Christ inspired him to ask, seek and knock which were essential for any seeker of knowledge to go further and further.

Lord Jesus emphasized on Love. "Love thy neighbour as thyself." Even when he was being brutally nailed to the Cross, he prayed to the Lord to pardon the wrongdoers as they did not know what they were doing. This was the climax of his glory indicating his infinite spiritual stature.

In 1965, he happened to come across Lord Buddha's teachings. He could understand and appreciate what is truth. Lord Buddha had envisioned sorrows and sufferings everywhere. Sorrow is entangled with birth and death. Sorrow is there with decay or disease. Sorrows according to him follow every one just as the wheels of the bullock cart follow the hooves of the bullocks.

According to him, the first truth is – There is suffering. Second, there is a cause behind the origin of suffering. Third, suffering which has come shall also go. Suffering which has started off must come to a close. Fourth, there is a cause for the suffering, which has rolled up. There is also a cause for its cessation. Once the cause is known the sufferings shall vanish. Once the cause is diagnosed, the effects can also be controlled. Pointing to the cause, he stated, "Craving is the cause of sufferings." Annihilation of cravings will lead to cessation of sufferings. Annihilating cravings means extinguishing the fire of desires. That is the state of Nirvana. Hence Lord Buddha’s first discourse at Sarnath is known as the Fire Discourse.

He accepted Lord Buddha as his Guru.

In a nutshell, Socrates represented knowledge and truth; Buddha represented Truth and non-injury (love); Jesus represented Love and Forgiveness.

Sadguru Sri Sri Arjun (1933-1989), the diamond of the hills, appreciated and realized the essence of these three apparently diverse discoveries. He accepted the three masters as his Guru and drew inspiration from the essence of their teachings, synthesized and synchronized those in line with the Vedanta philosophy.

He had also accepted various sages, vedas and Vedantas, Prakriti and ParamBrahman as his Guru. By seeing, hearing and deeply meditating, he could go deep into any subject. Thus out of his seven Gurus, the last Guru is God. God being Omnipresent, Omniscient and Omnipotent, makes every thing possible.

His spiritual practice:

Initially he was worshipping the idol of Goddess Durga, who is the presiding deity of all powers. He was praying mother Goddess to bestow upon him all powers. He was forgetting all other things. At last he moved to formlessness. God has two aspects, i.e. 'with form' and 'without form'. Realizing the both is complete and true knowledge.

" When I experienced/ realised that the entire creation is but His, in such a case to whom would I have worshipped and whom would I have omitted! Therefore I stopped worshipping idols. According to him, To meditate on God and follow his laws is real worship. Due to ignorance we ascribe limitation to the unlimited and infinite God and worship accordingly."

He had scribbled in his diary- "Due to ignorance people have been limiting the unlimited and worshipping the God of their own imagination with their circumscribed vision. When they will rise beyond that stage is known only to God."

He became a vegetarian:

In his childhood he was a non-vegetarian. He was himself catching fish employing various devices. After he joined service he was not catching fish but eating fish. In 1951, he was repairing guns. With the gun once he had gone for shooting birds. Out of two doves, he shot one dove that fell down and groaned in acute pain. That scene had touched his heart and from that day he stopped taking meat. After some days, he left eating fish also.

Aim of my life:

In 1960, he had written in his diary.

(It may be mentioned here that at that time he had already got some hints about the fourth state of matter and was making deep inquiry into the subject with single pointed concentration.)

"Om Durgaya Namoh.

I do not want to be a great man. By great man, I do not mean Governor or any top bureaucrat. I want that no body should remain under me. No body should have any fear for me. All my actions should bring peace and welfare to the people. The superstitions prevailing in the society should be dispelled. With this idea in mind, I am proceeding. If I shall be a big official, how can be a rishi (sage)?

Jealousy, anger and greed are still afflicting me. How then the qualities essential to become a sage can be possessed? The sages always wish good to others. I have not become like that. There is a way to earn name. That is by acquisition of wealth. By wealth, impossible things can be achieved. Wealth can be utilized for the welfare and happiness of the people. But I do not have material wealth. If one remains idle, all the wealth will run out. I do not say that wealth should not be spent but is only to be saved. Try to earn wealth and utilise the same for the good of the people. Now a days, people are so eager to earn money that they do not hesitate to commit sins after sins. According to them wealth and property mean only money, gold, commodities etc which are but material wealth. Goddess Laxmi stands for wealth and property. But by identifying Laxmi with material wealth, we are narrowing down the concept of Laxmi. By restricting the meaning of Laxmi, we are insulting Goddess Laxmi. What is the true meaning of Laxmi?

Whatever man uses, every thing is Laxmi. Even fame, honour, peace and bliss are all Laxmi. If you do not respect others, how will you get respect from them? We are forgetting this. If by chance our foot comes in contact with money, we immediately lift the same and touch it with our head but due to improper and inadequate knowledge about Goddess Laxmi, we never treat food materials, clothings and even brooms as Laxmi. We do not even maintain those things properly. Lest laxmi should go away, even the hungry people are not given food and turned scornfully away on certain days (as Thursday in some parts of the country). Goddess Laxmi is present in every thing. Laxmi in gross forms will come and go. Gross objects are impermanent. Hence sorrows and sufferings follow the persons who attach too much importance to the gross objects.

On the other hand, fame and honour, which are subtle in nature, will not go away. This should be understood and one must learn how to earn such Laxmi in subtle form. There is no fear of the subtle Laxmi being spent away or exhausted.

I am not earning any money in material form, nor I am trying to earn fame, honour and knowledge on acquisition and maintenance of material objects. The subtle aspect of Laxmi is long lasting. What type of knowledge shall I gather? I do not have sufficient financial support to go for higher education. It is beyond my capacity. To reach the goal, this traditional higher education involving lot of time and money is not suitable for me.

For maximising the wealth of subtle Laxmi, I strongly feel that a man should help another man in the society by providing him the necessary knowledge. Therefore, I preferred to learn science. I like science. I always like to discus about science. I make different experiments. By God's grace, whatever I hear, I understand. Whatever I see, gets impressed on my mind. Many doubts get automatically clarified when I meditate on the subject. I am now 26 year old. It is 1959. I have made different experiments and shall continue to do so. In some cases, I have been successful and in some cases I have not been able to make any practical implementation due to want of money. Although I made a representation to Orissa Govt during 1956, Govt is yet to appreciate and accept my scientific thoughts. If I could invent some thing very useful for the people, I would have been very happy for I want to do good to the mankind. If not in this way then by which alternative method I can do good to the people?

My aim is to acquire knowledge. I am engaged in acquiring knowledge braving all odds like financial troubles to meet the immediate necessity of maintaining my family. I do not need material wealth. I am willing to starve even but I shall not stop making different experimentation. I am praying to my Ishta Devi, Goddess Durga and my countrymen. Kindly be favourable to my avowed objectives. Kindly be helpful. This is my earnest prayer.

In this universe full of Shakti, muster up power and be master of powers. Shakti is God."

This amply indicates his mentality and aim of his life when he was just 26 year old.

It is seen from his life that he was always keen to explore some thing or other by which people can be benefited. Wherever he did not get the congenial surrounding, he left that place or occupation even braving all financial uncertainties. With so much skill and knowledge, he could have probably lived a normal life without any financial hazards. But his aim was different. He was continuously in quest of bringing peace and happiness to the people at large without an iota of selfishness in his mind. During his lifetime he invented quite a number of tools and machines. He was more interested in the subtle than in the gross.

The Great Exploration:

In 1967, he came to Sunabeda. His friend Nilakantha Das had by that time joined HAL. Arjun joined HAL as an NMR carpenter. His main intention was to find some avenues to translate his ideas on aeroplanes into reality. He was staying in the quarters at C-4 allotted to his friend Sri Nilakantha Das. His colleagues seeing his temperament and behaviour called him Guru, which means master.

Although he was very sincere to his job, he was regularly spending his evening time in prayer and contemplation on God. The spiritual practice of jnana yoga is not something, which can be noticed by others. The spiritual practice of a jnani goes on always. A yogi is always in meditation in spite of his outward activities.

During evening when he was engaged in his prayer, he got his enlightenment on 14 April 1967. Thus in his pursuits for different kinds of explorations, he ultimately succeeded in ultimately landing himself in the infinite expanse of Pure Consciousness and exploring Brahman by knowing whom all sufferings and dualities vanish and Supreme Bliss prevails. From there, sprang out Dibya Darshan or the Philosophy Divine, which he dedicated to the world. But thereafter he pondered over how to impart the knowledge to mankind.

A Telugu lady who was attending the satsang suggested that the subject matter being divine, it led every one towards light and divinity. It should therefore be named as 'Dibya Darshan'. During 1973, Sadguru Sri Sri Arjun established 'Dibya Darshan'. He started accepting disciples since 1976. He propounded his unique philosophy, namely, Dibya Darshan or the Philosophy Divine which mainly focuses on consciousness/ knowledge, Truth, Love and bliss over and above his other concepts like Theory of Change, Theory of Colours, Theory of Rebirth etc.

For him, work was worship:

After his self-realization also, Sadguru Sri Sri Arjun was continuing his job at HAL, Sunabeda. It was his nature to do any job perfectly and with skill. He was not paying much importance to anybody's admiration or criticism. For him, work was worship. At Sunabeda during Durga Puja, Sadguru Arjun was asked to prepare some wooden seats for the Goddess. One of his disciples was in charge of the puja pandal. To give some relief to Guru, he suggested some shortcut and easy method. Sadguru Arjun advised,

"You are going to worship the mother Goddess. Anything meant for her should not just be done in an ordinary manner. She is the primordial energy. She has bestowed knowledge on us and that is why we are able to function. Because she has given us intelligence, we have got ability to do some thing. She has given us strength by which we are able to undertake different jobs. Every thing belongs to her. This piece of log is her manifestation. All the tools are her manifestation. How can we neglect the work meant for her worship? Whatever is to be done for her must be done with sincere application of mind. "

He completed the so-called ordinary job in an extraordinary manner. That work was worship for him. That was a desireless action. There was no ego, no doership. He had surrendered all actions to God without any attachment to the results thereof. That is called the real Karma yoga.

His ideology- "Work in hand, God's name in mouth and thought in heart" was not just a theoretical imagination but it was in his practical application. Thus, what is practical life for him is Dibya Darshan for us.

Acting Skill:

Acting was not his profession but whatever role he played was made lively by him. Once at Sunabeda, in a drama programme he was requested to play proxy in the absence of the regular person who fell ill. The role was that of a snake charmer. Even if he did not receive sufficient notice, he played the role in such an excellent manner that the audience was enthralled. He was awarded prize.

After knowing about the versatility of a tribal youth named Arjun, Srimati Padmalaya Das, journalist, took his interview and thereafter, on 29.4.71, The Hindusthan standards, a leading daily published from Calcutta, had published a photo together with a write-up on Arjun under the titles, "Diamond in the hills" and "Magic Man". The same is given below.

Quote-

His mind teems with original ideas. There is magic in his fingers. A born genius, is he destined to die undiscovered, unsung? Because he is a tribal? Because he was born in a remote village of Orissa?

The range of his talents takes one's breath away. For lesser things men have attained eminence in this world of topsy-turvy values.

He is a dancer. He has taught dancing. He trained a troupe, which won medals for its Siva and Parvati dance. He himself does a wonderful sinuous snake dance for which he won a prize last Republic Day.

He is a musician. He plays on the tabla and on the veen. He directs plays. He is a painter. He paints landscapes and does the screens and scenery for the local theatricals.

He is a sculptor. He makes clay models of Gods and of Nehru and Gandhi. No body taught him these things.

Arjun Gomango is a saora tribal born in Gudiabandh village near Gunupur in Koraput District. A cheerful optimistic type, he looks less than his 38 years. I met him at Sunabeda where he works as a carpenter under the Township Executive Engineer. But his creative genius cannot be curbed. After his duties are over, he makes exquisite musical instruments from cheap deodar wood. He had brought a finely made violin and guitar to show me that cost Rs. 70 and Rs. 80 respectively. Cheap for the price, they sell well. In a city he could have made fortune.

He can cure diseases. He knows of herbs and roots that heal.

"I know a little astrology, palmistry and intuition", he said modestly. He can predict world events. And he has letters and newspaper cuttings to prove it.

*****

"I know stage magic and also sorcery", calmly claimed the astonishing man. "I have learnt it from old palmleaf books and some adivasis of Gunupur and Parvatipur areas. I cure people possessed by evil spirits. If any one casts any evil spell, I can remove it", Said Gomango. For seven years, he had taught carpentry at schools near Gunupur and malkangiri. Then he set up a furniture shop. Finally a few years ago he landed in Sunabeda.

But his heart is set on scientific research. To ease the lot of labouring man, he comes up with ingenius labour saving devices. Years ago, he prepared a working model of a winnowing machine of iron and wood that could winnow thirteen bags of paddy in one hour and would cost Rs.250.

In 1952, he had worked out the details of a fan pump that could draw water from very deep wells and could help in lift irrigation. It has nothing to do with air. He said, "In my pump this power is derived from water itself." He said, "He submitted the details of the model to the Government of Orissa in 1956, but nothing was done about it." And he said, he saw something similar later in the Indian farming magazine in 1959.

"In 1956, I was interested in doing some scientific work. I was trying to experiment. To find out if water could be used to work a motor car engine. And about electricity I wrote to the Government about my theories and experiments. They made some changes in my papers. So I asked them to return them."

He also had a theory about wingless aircraft in 1962. "They would not believe me and now I see in magazines there are planes without wings."

Gomango had studied only up to class VIII. It was a revelation to meet this young man who continues to pursue his theories despite the discouraging attitude of bureaucracy.

"Now I am researching about how people can be turned into tigers and other things through black magic so that I can convince doctors and scientists. I can make skeletons fight", he said.

Although I am born in a Hindu family, I feel ashamed to call myself a Hindu because of the many superstitions in our religion. All religions have superstitions. But they are on the increase in our religion. I am a vedantist. I have equal respect for all religions. I accept the essence of all religions. I observe some of the principles of Christianity and Buddhism in particular. I never go to temples. I never worship idols. I never fast."

He does not eat meat, fish or biri dal (black gram). Does not smoke. Does not drink.

"In this world which is full of sakti, we should develop our own sakti."

'For sakti is God', he believes.

We were proud to discover this diamond in the highlands of Orissa and we hope he will receive due recognition before his eager enthusiasm fades into frustration in the hills of Koraput. UNQUOTE

Thus they commented upon him in the year 1971. But Arjun being an enlightened soul cannot be affected or frustrated by the actions of others. By that time he had already realised his goal whether others could know or not. He was as broad as the sky and as tolerant as the earth whether others recognized or not.

To his disciples he addressed thus-

"The whole world is looking for divine knowledge. You are all born for this purpose. Remember always that without self-knowledge, peace is not possible. Self is Peace Absolute. He who knows Self shall get peace. Therefore, always try to know Him, the Peace Absolute.

He further added, "I have come with that objective. Time will prove it. Whether you accept me as your preceptor or not days are not far ahead when your sons and grandsons will accept. I have come to serve you all. Whether you accept or not, I am resolute to serve you all. The parents however great they may be, serve their children.

Remember Vedas, upanishads, the precepts of great teachers have not been properly understood and appreciated by the people so far. Dibya Darshan aims at reaching out to the people to revive that divine knowledge. Remember and understand that this knowledge which I have brought from Satya Loka (from the plane of truth) will raise you to the stage of God realisation. Try for the development of your Self and the society as well. That will be your best austerity and spiritual practice. Continue with your good works. Good rewards are assured.

I have come to wake you up so as to make you successful in your austerity and spiritual practice. I am resolute to wake you up even at the cost of my sleep." The spirit of his above statement bears resemblance with that of Socrates who said, " I have come as a dragon fly to wake up the lazy horses by my bites."

A similar universal appeal is conspicuous in a prayer of Mahatma Bhima Bhoi, the cowboy blind saint from Redhakhol, Orissa, who spontaneously sang out-

Sadguru Arjun's life itself was a philosophy. Knowledge and divine qualities were his guiding principles. His precepts, which are documented in the form of Amrit Bindu or The Nectarine Drops, are nothing but his own practices in his life's journey.

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