AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A HIMALAYAN MASTER -SHWAASA GURU
Founded in 2012
The Shwaasa Yoga Center has borne’ several yogis and yoginis under its roof. The center is located in the scenic beauty of Karnataka and offers different courses for various groups of people.
Shwaasa – The Source of Life
In the breathtaking and treacherous landscape of the mighty Himalayas, a young monk wandered in search of the ultimate truth. Through intense penance and meditation that put mind over a matter, not only did he uncover the truth but also realized the very purpose of his life! It all began about four decades ago in a small village named Tanvashi from Karnataka State in Southern India. In a pious and traditional family of farmers, a married couple named, Dundappa and Shivakka, longed for a male successor of their family. Hence, they sought the blessings of a Mystical Ascetic, Sri MarulaShankara Shivayogi of Gachchina Mutt Monastery. He sanctified them and prophesized that Shivakka will give birth to a male-child who will upkeep every promise he makes and spread wellness in this world. Very soon, Shivakka gave birth to a male-child. Owing to the ancestral oath of Dundappa’s family, this required the offering of one male-child every generation into the fold of Sanyasa. Shivakka, during her subsequent pregnancy, took a pledge called Garbhadeeksha to make her next-born male-child a Sanyasi. She was initiated with a Sri Marula Shankara Shiva Yogi’s Mahamantra, which she avidly chanted during the entire course of her pregnancy. Hence, was born Vachananand, the up-keeper of promises and disseminator of wellness in the world.
Even as an innocent child, Vachananand, possessed an amazing aura and displayed signs of a Yogi. People would simply flock to him out of love. Compassion and generosity came to him naturally as he always found ways to help people in need.
At a tender age of 8 years, Vachananand, as per the ancestral pledge, was handed over to Gachchina Mutt Monastery under the guidance of Sri Marulashankar Shivayogi. Thus, Dundappa and Shivakka emotionally parted ways with their son who would never return home again. Sri Marulashankar Shivayogi was completely aware of Vachananand’s true potential. Hence, he galvanized Vachananand’s energies by steering him to visit several other Monasteries to learn different Yogic techniques and wisdom. Upon his return, Vachanand received initiation from his Guru and was transformed into Swami Vachananand. Merely a teenager and already a cauldron of knowledge, he would deliver sermons to large gatherings on matters that are usually dealt with by Masters. He also became proficient at several Kriyas and Yoga asanas. His achievements soon prompted people to declare him as the Head of a Monastery. But, he felt a sense of incompleteness and emptiness, for he yearned to unravel more. In this state of chaos, two books namely Autobiography of a Yogi and Living with The Himalayan Masters illuminated his path ahead. Despite the resistance of several well-wishers, the barely-16-year-old Swami Vachananand sacrificed his position in the society and wandered-off to uncover the truth behind his life and existence.
Shwaasa Yoga is located at No# 108F RMV 2nd Stage MLA layout, Bhoopasandra Main Road, near Bus-stand, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560094
