Shri Ganapatram Dave Guruji

Sri Ganapatram Shastri, known later as Vimarshananda Natha following his Purnadiksha under the venerable Sri Sitaram Guruji at Tryambakeshwar Mahadev in Nashik, was not merely a scholar; he was a force that bridged the realms of the mystical and the mundane, a guide of kings and sages, a visionary who embodied both Vedanta and Tantra with equal devotion. His lifetime, spanning over a century, was a profound journey from the realms of scholarship to transcendent realisations, where Divine deities, spiritual phenomena, and miraculous occurrences were as much his companions as were his disciples and patrons.

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Ved Martanda and Tantra Shiromani

 

Endowed with titles such as Ved Martanda and Tantra Shiromani by none other than the Shankaracarya of Dwarka, Srī Ganapatram was celebrated as one of the most learned Vedantins and Tantriks, of his time. His deep knowledge extended across multiple sacred traditions, yet he remained grounded in the service of society, running a renowned Gurukula, that disseminated Vedic wisdom across generations.

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His influence extended beyond the confines of his Ashram and into the very heart of India’s socio-political fabric. As an advisor to the royal families of Gujarat, he counselled them on the installation of the powerful and protective Murthi of Bhuvaneshvarī Amba in Gondal, a gesture aimed at fortifying the struggle for India’s independence from colonial rule. Even today, from Kamakhya to Rameshvaram, the name of Sri Ganapatram resonates in the hearts of devotees, Tantriks, and yogis alike, his legend lingering in places touched by his Divine power and vision. 

 

A Legacy of Devotees and Disciples

 

Srī Ganapatram attracted a profound circle of Shishyas who carried forward his teachings and practises. Among his foremost disciples were Srī Vasudev Bhai, his son; Srī Nandkishor Vyas; Srī Pratap Rai; Sri Harshad Bhatt; Srī Giriashankar Rawal; and Srimati Tarlaben Rawal. His main disciple, however, was Srī Devshankar Trivedī of Sanand, who became the Rayjaguru to Raja Jaywant Singh of Sanand Darbar. DevShankarji was initiated deeply into the Sri and Kali Kula traditions and passed these mystical secrets on, perpetuating Guruji’s wisdom.

 

Among the disciples of Srī DevShankar was the renowned musician Pandit Jasraj of the Mewati gharāna, who attributed his mystical connection to music partly to the Tantric influence of Guruji’s teachings. On Diwali, the palace of Sanand would resonate with secret Kalikula rituals, where the asthabhuja (eight-armed) image of Kali was said to come alive, mesmerised by the offerings of sound and spirit, dancing amidst flames and incense. 

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Encounters with the Divine: Sri Vidya, Bhadrakali, and Sri Yantra

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Srī Ganapatramji’s journey into the Srī Vidya tradition was a pilgrimage of the soul, where deities of both the Kali and Srividya schools would manifest in his Dhyana. It is said that he had frequent visions of Adya Kali and Batuknath, who provided him with hidden Tantric mysteries, to empower his followers. He often journeyed to Kamakhya, where he would meditate deeply, encountering Sakti in all her ferocious and benevolent forms. One of his most profound experiences was with Sri Bhadrakali, whom he would invoke through ancient vidhanas, seeking protection for his disciples and the kingdom.

 

He documented his deep insights into Sri Vidya in his work, the "Sri Vidya Maniratna Saparya Paddhati" a compendium still in use by practitioners today. His installation of the Ambaji Srī Yantra remains one of his most celebrated legacies, an artefact of Divine Geometry which continues to radiate auspiciousness and protection to the pilgrims who visit it. The Pranapratistha of the Sri Yantra in the Mahalakshmī Temple in Mumbai is another testament to his devotion, where the Yantra remains revered by devotees as an immense source of spiritual power.

 

A Miracle at the Doorstep: The Fiery Guardians of Sarveśvara and Pratyangira

 

As Guruji’s fame grew, so did the rumours among the colonial sympathisers who sought to tarnish his reputation, spreading whispers that he practised dark Tantra or black magic. One fateful day, a hostile mob gathered with intentions to destroy his home. In response, Guruji stepped outside and took two handfuls of gehu (wheat), placing them by his doorstep as he silently invoked the fierce guardians Sri Sarveśvara and Sri Pratyangira.

 

As the mob advanced, they were met with a vision so terrifying that they froze in terror. There stood two towering, fierce deities: Sarveśvara with his trident, emitting a flame so powerful that it seemed to scorch the earth, and Pratyangira, roaring with eyes ablaze, emanating a protective energy that repelled any threat to Guruji. The mob, trembling, retreated in fear, leaving Guruji’s household untouched, reinforcing his Divine protection in the minds of the people.

 

One of Guruji’s notable spiritual connections was with Anandamayi Ma, the renowned mystic saint of Bengal. Having sought initiation into the Srī Vidya tradition, Anandamayī Ma was drawn to the unparalleled precision and potency of the Sri Yantras crafted by Sri Ganapatramji. She journeyed to him for the Purnadiksha, after which she advised her disciples that if they sought the most perfect Sri Yantras, they must turn to Sri Ganapatramji himself, for he alone infused them with the Divine energy required for Siddhi (Attainment).