Ekkirala Bharadwaja

Ekkirala Bharadwaja (30 October 1938 – 12 April 1989), was an author who authored many Hindu spiritual books, primarily on the life and worship of Shirdi Sai Baba and Dattatreya. His Telugu-language book Sri Sai Leelamrutham is widely sold.[1] Ekkirala Bharadwaja later translated the book to English with the name Sai Baba The Master which is also a popular one.[2]

Ekkirala Bharadwaja
Personal
Born(1938-10-30)30 October 1938
Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh, India
Died12 April 1989(1989-04-12) (aged 50)
ReligionHinduism
NationalityIndian
Religious career
GuruSai Baba of Shirdi
OccupationAuthor

Life

Ekkirala Bharadwaja was born at Bapatla and was a post-graduate in English literature. He left the Indian Administrative Service after having a profound spiritual experience at the Samadhi Mandir of Sai Baba of Shirdi, thereafter becoming a lecturer of English literature because that gave him opportunity to spread his master's teachings.[3]

Bharadwaja researched the lives and teachings of several saints, travelling extensively and personally contacting many of them. He insisted on the necessity of a Sadguru to direct devotees in their spiritual path. The culmination of all this is a series of books on Sai Baba and many other saints. He believed Sai Baba to be the matchless saint, a blend of all religions and the answer to all the questions of the present day and spirituality.[4][5]

Sri E. Bharadwaja died on 12 April 1989 at Ongole. His samadhi is in Ongole Sai baba temple.[6]

Institutions

Bharadwaja founded the Shirdi Sai Cultural Mission at Vidyanagar and the Sai Baba Mission in Ongole.[6] He also founded a Telugu-language fortnightly publication, Sai Baba, that is now produced monthly and continues to spread his messages. The publication inspired the construction of several Sai Baba temples. His thoughts are now promoted by the Sri Master Universal Sai Trust & Acharya Bharadwaja Peace Foundation in Ongole, Andhra Pradesh.[7][6]

Works

Bharadwaja authored many books in Telugu and English. Some of his notable works are:

English
  • Sai Baba the Master. Shirdi Sai Publications. 1978.
  • The Life & Teachings of the Mother. Matrusri Publications. 1968.
  • Sree Guru Charitra. Sai Baba Mission. 1987.
  • Vision of Aryan Glory. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. 1980.
  • The Supreme Master: Shri Akkalkot Maharaj. Sree Gurupaduka Publications. 1994.
  • The Life and Teachings of Jillellamudi Amma. Stone Hill Foundation Publishing Pvt. Limited. 2007. ISBN 978-8189658441.
Telugu
  • Sri Saileelamruthamu
  • Sri Pakalapati Guruvugari Charitra
  • Vignana Veechikalu
  • Sri Sainatha satvana Manjari
  • Sri Sai Nitya Satya Vratham
  • Edi Nijam
  • Sri Swamy Samartha
  • Sri Sainatha Prabodhamruthamu
  • Avadhutha Sri Chirala Swamy Charitra
  • Sri Guru Charitra samhitayana
  • Budda Dyana Hrudayam
  • Sri Dattavatara Mahatmyamu

Legacy

American psychologist Dan Landis and Rosita D. Albert of University of Minnesota credits Ekkirala Bharadwaja for spreading the devotion towards Sai Baba of Shirdi in Andhra Pradesh and says, "Shiridi Sai is worshipped by Hindus and Muslims alike, and the Late E.Bharadwaja's effort to take his message to Andhra Pradesh definitely helped create a large following for Shiridi Sai in his state".[4]

References
  1. Ruhela 2016, p. 192.
  2. Warren 1999, p. 16.
  3. Landis & Albert 2012, p. 148.
  4. Landis & Albert 2012, p. 149.
  5. Rigopoulos 1993, p. 14.
  6. Nanda 2011, p. 23.
  7. H.V.R.S.Athre (1988). The Mysore Economic Review, Volume 73. p. 23.

Bibliography

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