His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamigal was a preeminent sage and savant who adorned the Sringeri Sharada Peetham, established by Sri Samkara Bhagavatpada, as its 35th pontiff. He was born on November 13, 1917, and was initiated into Samnyasa on May 22, 1931, by His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Chandrasekhara Bharathi Mahaswamigal, a thoroughly detached and introverted jivanmukta (one liberated even while living) With the direct guidance of God and His Guru, He intensely engaged in spiritual practices right form the day of His Samnyasa and these culminated in enlightenment and establishment in the Supreme Brahman on December 17, 1935. Acharyal kept the details to Himself till decades later when in His infinite kindness, He made an exception and divulged them o the author, His disciple.
The book starts with short accounts about Acharyal and His Guru in the words of the reigning pontiff. H.H. Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal, and Acharyal respectively. Then, after some relevant information relating to Acharyal’s pre-samnyasa days, commences a detailed account of His practice of hatha-yoga, devotion karma-yoga, kundalini-yoga, nada-anusandhana, contemplation on the Atman, meditation and samadhi on divine forms, scripture-based reflection on the Truth and savikalpa-samadhi and nirvikalpa-samadhi (the acme of yoga) on the absolute; and of His thorough elimination of notions of the non-Atman, His enlightenment and jivanmukti. Citations from the scriptures and other authoritative texts as also extracts from the discourses and dialogues of His Holiness have been included to provide clarifications and additional information. The book is thus even an exposition of yoga and Vedanta. H. H. Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal has approvingly conferred on the work a benedictory foreword (srimukha).
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