Meeting Sri Siva Jyoti Mouna Siddhar Swamiji

A photo snapped by Olya while I was meeting Swami for the first time

I arrived in Tiruvannamalai on January 2nd, and straight away upon arriving I had heard about a mysterious yogi — someone who had done significant tapas and was said to have miraculous powers granted by Lord Shiva. I didn’t even know his name at the time. A guy I’d met in Tiru mentioned he was going to see him, but I couldn’t get a clear answer or even the address. It was vague, almost guarded.

So I sat with it patiently.

Eventually, the time came 3 weeks later.

I’d been spending time with a kind Russian woman by the name of Olya who I’d met a few weeks earlier. We kept bumping into each other around town and had become friends. The day before, we’d trekked up Parvathamalai together. The next morning, I asked her if she wanted to come meet this Swami. She said yes — but not early. Maybe around 10. That sounded good to me.

We met up in the morning and I drove us on the scooter to the ashram. When we arrived, the first thing I noticed was the giant statue of Lord Shiva perched atop the temple. Impressive, I thought.

We walked in and saw Swami seated on a chair under the temple awning. Three people sat to his left — an older couple in their 60s and a woman who looked a little older than me.

It was my first time meeting someone like this — a living siddha — so I came in cautious but open. I casually greeted Swami. He placed ash on my forehead, smiled, and said,

“God bless you.”

He told me to sit on the left.

So I did.

Olya came over and we spoke quietly. The woman around my age turned and asked,

“Are you an Aussie?”

I told her I was from Melbourne. She smiled and said she was from Sydney. She told me Swami was an amazing being and that if I had any questions, I should definitely ask.

The older couple chimed in, offering the use of their translator.

“Swami speaks English,” they said, “but it’s always better in Tamil.”

I agreed.

I had two questions — simple, but deep. Following the experience, I’d had with Ramana’s photograph in the shrine hall, I wanted to know:

1. Is Ramana Maharshi my Guru?

2. What is my life purpose?

We walked over to Swami. The translator said,

“Swami, this is Chris from Australia. He has some questions.”

Swami remained still, detached — as he always is.

The translator asked the first question.

Swami responded:

“Everybody needs a guru to reach the goal. But yes — Ramana Maharshi is your Guru.”

I smiled. I’d thought as much.

Then I shared something else.

I told him I often have visions of saints and sages — they come to me in my dreams.

“Who do I follow?” I asked.

Swami replied:

“Whoever brings you the most happiness.”

Finally, I asked the big one:

“What is my life purpose?”

Swami’s answer came clearly and instantly:

“Nothing. Discover the Atma within.”

I turned to the translator and asked him,

“So that’s it? Ramana is my guru. The search is over — 100%?”

He smiled and said,

“100%.”

I accepted it. Gratefully.

That was enough.

Then, with a gentle smile, Swami said:

“Now go and have some lunch and come back and ask questions.”

I laughed. Olya and I went off and had lunch together.

And I knew —this was the beginning of something special.