Gyani Guru: Publication and Related Teachings
How the NSS catalog describes this work
Jnani Guru (English): About eternal knowledge (jnana)
ज्ञानीगुरु (Marathi): About eternal knowledge (jnana)
Publications in the NSS Biography
In the prevailing atmosphere of confusion in ideals and spirituality among his countrymen, he first sought to call the attention of the so called educated people for rediscovering the merits of Sanatana Dharma. He wrote five books - Bramhacharya Sadhana, Yogiguru, Jnaniguru, Tantrikguru, and Premikaguru - which are invaluable for any seeker on the path of spirituality. He edited and published a path breaking and reformist periodical ‘Arya Darpana’ in 1908 (one of the earliest periodicals of India). It was widely received as a trend-setting journal on religion and spirituality and acted as the mouthpiece of Sanatana Dharma.
Related spiritual context from the NSS website
The following passages describe Thakura's life and teachings in the NSS Biography and Philosophy. They are not excerpts from this book.
Seeking knowledge of the Self
But later on, Nalinikanta became discontent as the form of Sudhansubala eluded physical contact with him. Moreover, Nalinikanta observed in disappointing wonder that that form would materialize out of his person no sooner than he wanted to see Her but would melt away into the same whenever he tried to hold Her in embrace. He was puzzled by this highly tantalizing experience. He began to wonder, "If ‘Mahashakti’ originates from me only, then who am I?"
Overpowered by a consuming desire to know his ‘self’, Nalinikanta sought the advice of guru Bamakshepa. The latter advised him to attain the knowledge of ‘Advaita’ from a Vedantic guru. He became a disciple of Guru Srimat Swami Satchidananda Saraswati at the holy place of ‘Pushkar’ in the state of Rajasthan. He instantly realized that Swami Satchidananda Saraswati was the sadhu who gave him the ‘Tara’ mantra in his dream. The swami initiated Nalinikanta into the arduous practice of Sanyas (renunciation) and in due course named him ‘Nigamananda’, in consideration of his sound comprehension of the Vedic (nigama) knowledge (jnana) with facility.
Knowledge and devotion
Srimat Swami Nigamananda Saraswati Dev had espoused the essence of the all-inclusive Sanatan Dharma in his ideological as well as methodological maxim " 'Shankarer Mata' and 'Gouranger Patha' ". It speaks of a harmonious blending of highest enlightenment (Jnana) and universal love (Bhakti).
Attaining Jnana (Atma jnana) through Bhakti (devotion/seva) is the integrated ideal that has been reinforced by Swami Nigamananda Dev for the seeker in this age. 'Jeeva - the individual soul, is Brahma - the Supreme Soul' or "Aham Brahmāsmi" - this Vedantic doctrine of the 8th century spiritual reformist Sri Sri Adi Shankaracharya is what a man on the path of spirituality needs to realize to know himself and to know God. And according to him, the royal road to attaining this ultimate spiritual goal is the path of devotion adopted by Sri Chaitanya Dev, the 16th century avatara of devotion.
Reading the original work
The catalog identifies available editions and describes some of their subjects. Detailed chapter summaries and quotations from this work require the original publication; the website source material used here does not contain its full text. Contact the publisher through the publications directory for the original work.
Available catalog editions
Sources and attribution
Publication information: NSS publications catalog. Historical and spiritual context: existing NSS Biography and Philosophy; original article authors are not credited in those sources.
Reproduced from the existing NSS website; no separate reviewer or review date is recorded.