Dr. Gopalkrishna Raghunath Shenoy
In a village called Padbidri in South Karnataka lived a young boy called Sitaram. He was Dr. Shenoy’s uncle. Sitaram lived with his great grandfather Anant Shenoy, father Cherdappa, and mother Bhavani. He had four brothers, Upendra, Vittal, Raghunath (Dr. Shenoy’s father), Ramkrishna, and one sister called Gulabi. Sitaram Shenoy, though ever robust in health and very hardworking, was always restless within. A spiritual obsession was bothering him and this propelled him to visit numerous saints who came to Padbidri and its neighboring villages. Whenever he met a saint, he used to ask if they were his Guru. None gave him a positive reply and he remained with a sense of inadequacy. He once learned that a young saint was visiting the neighboring village of Mulki, and staying for several days. Many people sought him out and found relief from their mundane pain and sorrows and were holistically cured of various illnesses.
Sitaram could not contain his curiosity, and one fine day, he walked all the way from Padbidri to Mulki, in search of him. After making inquiries, he came to know that a dark, thin youth called ‘Kala sadhu’ was staying at a local hall where many people had assembled to take his darshan. Sitaram quickly made his way to that crowded hall. He saw a young boy wearing nothing but a loincloth, seated on a wooden chair at the far end of the packed hall. People fell at his feet and addressed him as Deva. He, in turn, was silent most of the time and uttered some words of guidance or offered advice whenever a devotee pleaded for his divine intervention. Sitaram went close to the youth and prostrated at his feet. The Kala sadhu asked Sitaram, “Why have you come here?” Sitaram replied, “I am in search of my Guru.” To this, the sadhu replied, “Now that you have found him, what do you intend to do?” Sitaram fell at his feet with tears in his eyes.
Thus Sitaram met his Guru, Swami Nityananda, and later became one of the foremost householder devotees of Baba at Vajreshwari. From there, he began the journey of Guru Kripa yoga which has so far covered five generations of the Shenoy family. Sitaram Shenoy’s grandfather, Anant Shenoy, father Cherdappa, his sons Prabhakar, Ratnakar, Shivaji, and grandsons Ramchandra, Gopalkrishna (of Vajreshwari), and Kamlakar, all were blessed by Baba. With Sitaram leading the front, his brothers, Vittal, Raghunath (my father), Ramkrishna and Upendra too joined this path of Guru Kripa Yoga. Later, through marriages with children of other devotees like Hosdurga Devrai Pai (Master) and Gulabi Amma (Anand Ashram, Managudda, Mangalore) the family grew bigger and the grace of Baba extended to a large number of relatives, over several generations.
Dr. Shenoy, who is fourth generation devotee, was given his name Gopalkrishna, by Bhagvan. He did his Ph. D from ICT (formerly known as UDCT), Mumbai. He has shared the grace experienced by his family in several books, including, Anant, the Endless One, Blooming of Brahmakamal Part I and II, Shree Nityanandeshwari, English translation of Gurusthavan, bhanjans and hymns composed by Tulas Amma, commentary on Chidakasha Geeta, etc.
His books are now made available on this website. He is also contributing through his Blog the life and teachings of Bhagavan Nityananda and the reminiscences of his and his family, elders and friends, who were blessed to Live with Bhagavan Nityananda.
Dr. GopalKrishna Shenoy can be contacted on the below details
email – gopalnitya@gmail.com