On Monday, January 02, 2023, there was a New Year’s major festival Shri Vaikunta Ekadashi that commemorates the attainment of Vaikunta, the spiritual kingdom of Lord Vishnu, Shri Siddeshwara Swamiji, a knowledge light moved towards Vaikunta/infinity and Jnana Yogashram, Vijayapura, Karnataka immersed in the darkness. He stayed away from awards, honors, tangible or intangible wealth, comforts and luxuries in his life and led a simple, very saintly, yet an inspiring life. This great seer of Karnataka left behind his millions of devotees all over the world.

His devotees popularly called Shri Siddeshwara Swamiji “Buddiji” (Intellectual Man). He was one of the best spiritual thinkers and preachers who was well known for his powerful oratory and thought-provoking and scholarly discourses about life and spirituality. He did not teach spirituality as a subject but as a simple way for living simple life. He poured his knowledge oil to the spirituality lamp of the common people and made sure that it keeps on burning in them for ever. His discourses brought tremendous transformations into everyone’s life and ultimately leading them to a peaceful and happy life. Buddiji was also well known as, Nadedado Narayan (Walking God of North Karnataka) as he had been a real and live example of goodness and divine existence on this earth. He followed firmly Lord Krishna’s laws of selfless Karma Yoga. Through his simple preaching and lifestyle, he became a role model for his millions of devotees. He also upheld the preaching of Allam Prabhu, a patron saint of the Lingayat movement of 12^th- century. For example:

ಸತ್ಯವೂ ಇಲ್ಲ, ಅಸತ್ಯವೂ ಇಲ್ಲ; ಸಹಜವೂ ಇಲ್ಲ,ಅಸಹಜವೂ ಇಲ್ಲ; ನಾನೂ ಇಲ್ಲ, ನೀನೂ ಇಲ್ಲ, ಇಲ್ಲ ಇಲ್ಲವೆಂಬುದು ಗುಹೇಶ್ವರ ಬಯಲು  - ಪ್ರಭುದೇವರು

In the Truth, there is neither the manifest world (सत्य) nor the un-manifest matter (असत्य)! There is neither mind-based natural disposition (सहज) nor acquired disposition (असहज); and lastly there is neither the sense of ‘I’ nor the sense of 'You'. There is nothing to be seen and nothing to be felt! And this Nothingness is the Absolute, the God, and the Supreme.

Buddiji was born and brought up in Bijjaragi village of Tikota Taluk, Vijayapura District, Karnataka. Buddiji came to Shri. Mallikarjuna Swamiji’s Ashram in Vijayapura for his middle school and spiritual education. Swamiji identified a unique curiosity and agility in this young boy and took him without fail to all his discourses just to make him learn the basic principles of Indian Sanatana Vedic philosophy and spirituality. There was a unique connection between the Guru and Shishya. Along with his spiritual pursuit, Buddiji did his BA degree from Karnataka University and MA degree in philosophy from Kolhapur University. At the age of 19, Buddiji compiled various discourses of Shri Mallikarjuna Swamiji in the form of a book, “Siddhantha Shikhamani.” He had an excellent command over Sanskrit, Kannada, English, Marathi and Hindi languages. He wrote books on Upanishads, Bhagavad-Gita, and Sharana Sahity, Allam Prabhu Vachana, Nirvachana, and Bhagavat Chintana. He also wrote books in English namely, God, World, and Soul, Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Narada Bhakti Sutra, and Shiva Sutra.

Buddiji was a well-known humanitarian, and a commendable spiritual leader of this era. He was a brilliant Veerashaiva Lingayat religious figure in India and abroad. He was considered the most respected follower of Veerashaivism, a sect of Shaivism in Hindu religion.  He presented the best spirituality preaching services throughout his life. He used simple vernacular to preach spirituality and Indian philosophy with day-today examples and anecdotes that could be easily understood by the common people. He always encouraged his devotees to follow Bhakti path through his profound knowledge of Sanatana Dharma, Sharana Sahity, and Vachana Sahity. His speeches and discourses attracted thousands of people, made far-reaching influence on every one’s life, and ultimately led to them to have a real contentment and happiness. Therefore, thousands of devotees used to rush to listen to his simple and meaningful discourses.

He was the founder of the Jyana Yogashram, a non-profit organization dedicated to the spreading of spirituality, principle of Veerashaivism for the wellbeing of the individuals and the world. The core philosophy of the Ashram is to promote Dharma through the four Yogas -- Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Dhyana Yoga, and Jnana Yoga not only amongst the monastic members who are a part of the Ashram but also among all the Sadhaks, devotees, and the common people. The Ashram is very keen on championing these four Yogas. The Ashram intends to create an atmosphere of spirituality amongst all and more importantly, it envisions on becoming a center where Sadhaks from all over the world can come and realize their True Self. He taught the complex philosophical topics in simple terminologies across the country and the world for over 50 years.

Buddiji was a great saint who was much loved, respected, worshipped, and talked about for his simplicity, compassion, in-depth knowledge of Indian philosophy and Veerashaivism, and additionally for excellent staging of his discourses. His Pravachans/discourses series on Katopanishad, weekly lectures on how to follow Dharma through the four Yogas, various concepts of spirituality, philosophy and Veerashaivism, and the daily quotes were not only popular but also followed by millions of his devotees with utmost devotion and appreciation. His tremendous contributions to the areas of Vachana, Vedanta, and Yoga made him a great seer of the century. Buddiji was also known as Second Swami Vivekananda in Vijayapura district and other parts of the country. His interpretations of the philosophies of Socrates, Confucius, Buddha, Basavanna, Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads and many others attracted huge crowds, breaking religious barricades. People appreciated his practical lessons/modules on ‘Badukuvudu Hege’ (How to Lead Life) with usability and practicality.

As a real Sanyasi who considered ‘service above self’ as the prime purpose of his life refused Padma Shri, honorary doctorate degrees and government grants issued for the development of the ashram. As per Gita Sara, Karmanye vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana, he worked tirelessly for the betterment of others without any expectations of the fruit. He even refused to go to a hospital for the treatment of his old age related ailments by saying he does not want to go against the nature. He just stayed at his Ashram and left silently to join Paramatma on day of Vaikunta Ekadashi when the doors of the heaven were kept open. Before his death, he requested his devotees not to burry or build any memorial structure or worship him as God, just cremate his body and leave the ash in the rivers and oceans. He left this secular world by giving his final message, “Remember me by following my preaching not by building my Samadhi.”

For more information, visit the website of Jnana Yogashram, Vijayapura in Karnataka State at https://www.jnanayogashrama.org/index1.php