'BAPU' (Maharishi Shri Punitachariji)

    Shri Punitachariji Maharaj is a yogi saint, a Siddha Purush, a Perfect Master whom few in the world have met, but to whom the world owes a great deal. He, affectionately known as 'Bapu' is the Self, is a Datta Avatar-one in whom Lord Dattatreya reveals Himself.

    As a result of forty years of constant sadhana, Bapu received the darshan (presence) of Sadguru, the Guru of Gurus, in His classic form. The Lord asked Bapu what he wished. Bapu said, "Nothing." The Lord asked him again if he had any wish, and again Bapu said, "No. What could I want? You are here!" But, Sadguru said that he really should ask for something, and so Bapushri asked for the most helpful and powerful tool to aid each and every soul-all of humanity-into the full potential of spiritual development. The result was the gift of the HARI OM TATSAT JAI GURU DATTA mahamanta.

    From an early age-(No one quite knows how old Bapu is)--he had a devotion to Krishna, and twice had his darshan, which spiritually propelled his life. And that deep longing for and devotion to the Lord not only supported and invigorated his academic studies in Sanskrit, Vedic philosophy, as well as provided the faith and commitment for his almost legendary service as a pujari, but also allowed him to walk away from a most promising career to seek for himself the full promise of the journey of the spirit.

     And so Bapu did 18 hours of spiritual practice in several caves on the slopes of Mount Girnar for four decades. He said that it took him forty years because he "wanted something that would not be subject to the impermanence of time."
He has dedicated his life since 1975 to sharing with people of all faiths and castes and nationalities the many blessings of the mahamantra he was given by the lips of the Lord. No other mantra is recorded as originating in such a Divine manner.

• Bapu in America
• www.sahajyoga.org