Swami Gururetnam Jnana Thapaswi – The head of Santhigiri Ashram, Thiruvananthapuram

Swami Gururetnam Jnana Thapaswi is a spiritual guru and leader, who currently heads affairs of the global activities of Santhigiri Ashram, Thiruvananthapuram. He has been instrumental in transforming Santlhigiri Ashram into an international pilgrimage and spiritual centre. He is also known as a writer, orator and outstanding organizer. He is a philanthropist, also known for his humanitarian activities across the country, as the Organizing Secretary of the Ashram. He upholds his principles of secularism& humanity beyond caste, religion & politics.

He was born into a humble family of Cherthala, Kerala. His meeting with Navajyoti Sree Karunakara Guru, founder of Santhigiri Ashram proved to the turning point of his life. When he decided to choose saint’s path, he received opposition from his family members and relatives. Many feel it as dishonour, and one or two alliances of his sister also broke because of the same reason. Since 1995 he is actively associated with Santhigiri Ashram. Initially he took the responsibility to distributing medicines prepared at Ashram to different parts of Kerala.

While staying in Santhigiri in sales, he once met his spiritual guru just before his trip to Mankulam next day morning. Guru got hold of his hands and told something he couldn’t decode. Suddenly he felt like an electric spark travelling through his body. Next day morning he woke up to the news of his guru’s demise.

He currently serves as the chairman of Santhigiri Ayurveda Medical College at Palakkad and Thiruvananthapuram, and also Santhigiri Siddha Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram. He is a recipient of numerous honours and recognitions. He is also the chief patron of many organizations.

Swami Gururetnam Jnana Thapaswi – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. In public and spiritual life, he has been influenced by Christian monk Chrysostom. He also likes his speeches and secular thoughts.

2. He has worked in sales field in Shantigiri during his early days.

3. He was a distinguished guest in the ceremonial elevation of Cardinal at Vatican.

4. His guru has visited his home at Cherthala in 1995, a few years before his demise.

5. Till now he has published three books – ‘See through the Eyes of God’ in Malayalam & English, ‘Nerinte Balyam’ and ‘Ashramam Enna Akhandatha’.