The Secret’s in the Sparklers …
Gemologist Guruji Shrii Arnav
Superstitions … bunkum! … attending a religious service … no thanks! … mysticism … nahh, not really.
Before coming to live in Thailand I was not at all superstitious, religious, or particularly spiritual, although I had been brought up by my parents to be polite, have manners, and be respectful towards the elderly. I am still muchly of that ilk, although living in Thailand for half of my life has certainly brought with it some changes. Thailand is a 90 percent Buddhist country, with animist leanings, and I have found Thai people to be pretty superstitious into the bargain. Living and working in such close proximity to them has resulted in some of their national traits rubbing off on myself, I have come to realise. Many of their superstitions are unique to Thailand, and I now find myself reluctant to leave a house if a lizard is heard making a noise as I am on the way out the door (something untoward will happen).
I have also often accompanied my Thai partner – Noi – when she goes to the temple to make merit, and although I don’t really know why, I always feel quite calm and relaxed after a visit there. I guess I have become a bit more of a believer in things of a metaphysical bent.
As part of my work I have talked to or interviewed many subjects from diverse backgrounds, walks of life, business, or artistic milieu. And sometimes the synergy that happens between myself and these interesting people seems to have been pre-ordained. A good case in point is when I was recently introduced by my erudite and creative friend – Boaz Zippor – to Guruji Shrii Arnav. Guruji is originally from India, but has now been living in Thailand for several years, and it is the headquarters of his business Gemstone Universe.
I was involved in a road traffic accident earlier this year, and had been unable to leave the house for a few months to do interviews with people for new magazine articles or features. As I started to get out and about again, the timely introduction to Guruji from Boaz seemed a heaven-sent opportunity to get back into things.
In Thailand the monks refer to Guruji as Praram Ajarn Guruji Shrii Arnav, meaning the supreme teacher and the ‘Teacher of Teachers’. This name was first granted to Guruji by His Holiness Dr Watchiramoree, the renowned chief abbot of Wat Suan Phlu monastery and temple. I also discovered that Guruji was named as Best Thailand Personality of the Year award in 2021, and I began to look into his work, and to learn more about him.
Guruji was born and raised in Northern Central India, and his formative years were lived in an unusual and unconventional way. The youngest son of two medical doctors, Guruji would spend many hours of his childhood in the city of Ajmer’s central jail, where his father worked as the Medical Superintendent. From his time there he learnt patience, kindness, and forgiveness. He saw at first hand the stress the prisoners were under, their pent-up anger and frustration. He realised, even as a child, that they needed some kind of healing. With his innate sense of empathy, Guruji’s interests began to gravitate towards metaphysical matters, and he took steps to further his spiritual growth.
Guruji Shrii Arnav is a master of astro-gemology, a spiritual leader and lifestyle coach who has advised famous sport (Carl Lewis) and entertainment figures, as well as mentoring business leaders, statesmen, and millionaires. He is a world-renowned gemstone astrologer, author of the ‘go to’ book on Jyotish gems, The Secrets of Jyotish Gems (which has been translated into six languages), and is a Gem Therapist into the bargain. His Website, which has been available online since the early days of the internet, averages more than four million visits per month. Many of the things I discovered about Guruji as I was doing my research were unfamiliar to me, and I had to try and understand what the products he offers, concepts he teaches, mentors, and advises are all about.
Important to Guruji is that he does not think of his business as a company. Rather, it is an organisation and a movement driven by excellence and values of compassion, with the motto Patrons benefit first, profits are a by-product: ‘At Gemstone Universe we love gem therapy, we love and respect the ancient spiritual sciences, and we love you and all our patrons. People like yourself, from more than 70 nations, who engage with us here is a testimony to the impact we can have, and we are blessed to have you’, Guruji explained to a visitor on his website.
Gemstone therapy is best described as a holistic and non-invasive therapy that involves wearing precious and semi-precious stones to improve physical and emotional health and channel beneficial energies. Guruji is not simply a provider of gemstones and crystals, via his website ‘Gemstone Universe’, rather he is a gracious chap, dedicated to helping his fellow man in their lives, which he believes gives meaning and benefit to his own.
As far as gemstone astrology is concerned, I discovered that it is rooted in the Vedas. Veda is a Sanskrit word, meaning ‘knowledge’ and consists of a collection of poems or hymns composed in old Sanskrit, which can provide guidance to an individual that seeks it. India’s ancient knowledge of gemstones is based on the belief that stars, moons, and the nine planets have a strong and powerful influence on our lives. The Hindu teachings advise that our lives are meant for spiritual growth. This growth is facilitated by Karma; the belief that every thought and action have an accompanying reaction. The Vedas believe that every person’s karma is directly related to the position of the planets and stars. They also believe that astrology helps understand one’s karma by reading the stars and position of planets, including wearing a gemstone that is the right one for the wearer, and at the correct frequency for them, in order to garner the optimum benefit.
In the past, astrologers in India were known as Jyotis, which translates as ‘the science of light.’ Guruji and visitors to Gemstone Universe have seen time and again how Jyotish gemstones significantly affect the lives of the wearer. The gemstones channel the frequency of the ‘grahas’(also known as ‘celestial influences’) and help to transform the lives of the wearers. Jyotish Vedic gemstones include nine main stones that are allied to nine planets or satellites. Associated with the Sun is the ruby. the Moon is the pearl, Mars the red coral, Mercury the emerald, Jupiter the yellow sapphire, Venus the diamond, Saturn the blue sapphire, Rahu the hessonite garnet, and Ketu the cat’s eye chrysoberyl.
As I mentioned previously, it seems that my learning about Guruji, and getting to know him was always going to happen. Another of my good friends, Persian artist Arash Groyan, has recently collaborated with Guruji. Arash explains; ‘It was a privilege for me to work with Grandmaster Guruji Shrii Arnav on my first bona fide piece of gem art. It combines the power of art, together with healing gemstones, which were chosen by the master, who also set and meticulously placed them on the canvas. My painting was thus imbued with different sound frequencies that were carefully picked out by Guruji. The superior gem Guruji placed was at a frequency of 88Hz and promotes DNA repair. He then added around 60 more gems at different points on the painting, of different sound frequencies. The impact it has given to this piece of my artwork is tremendous. This is a combined piece of work from myself and Master Guruji Shrii Arnav and is named as ‘Soul-Ae-Jahani’, which means world peace. It will travel to the most powerful spiritual places in the world and I thank Guruji Shrii Arnav for allowing me to be a part of this healing journey’.
No less a person than Einstein said, ‘When something vibrates, the electrons of the entire universe resonate with it. Everything is connected. The greatest tragedy of human existence is the illusion of separateness.’ I feel privileged that I was invited to meet Guruji Shri Arnav in Bangkok, who granted me some of his time for this interview;
Robin: It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr Guruji. Could I start by asking about your background, where you are from, and how old you are.
Guruji: Please call me simply Guruji. I was born in the city of Ajmer, in the Indian desert state of Rajasthan, known as ‘Land of the Kings. My parents were both doctors, and my father worked in Ajmer central prison. As a child my mother was busy studying for her MD, and from the age of three- to eight-years-old, I accompanied my father to his work at the prison, Throughout those years of early growth my companions were bandits, convicts, murderers, policemen and prison guards. My spiritual growth grew, surrounded by these people. I saw from an early age the trials and tribulations the prisoners were subjected to, and I empathised with them. As far as my age is concerned, spiritual people are constantly being reborn, so my physical age is not really relevant.
Robin: After you grew up, and left your place of birth, where did you travel to within India, and in other places around the world?
Guruji: I have travelled worldwide, more so than in India. I have travelled to more than 50 countries, spending significant amounts of time in the United States, UK, Central Asia, and now have been based in Bangkok, Thailand, for the last few years. I am a spiritual gypsy, I believe that wherever I travel to there is an exchange of energies between myself, the places themselves, and the people I meet there.
Robin: What did you study in India and when did your interest in planetary gemology begin?
Guruji: When I was fourteen I was an avid cricketer, and was looking at playing professionally for India. Unfortunately I developed a serious upper respiratory tract infection, which refused to respond to treatments from specialists in India or the US. Nothing was working. A friend of my mother suggested I visit an astrologer, but my mother, coming from a scientific background, was reluctant to agree to it. However, she eventually allowed me go for a consultation with the astrologer. To cut a long story short, after he had talked to me for a few days he gave me a green emerald to wear. Within a day or two all my symptoms had disappeared and did not return. I was astounded by what had happened, and I determined to learn more. This is where my interest in gem therapy began, and I dedicated all my time to becoming a student, and later a qualified practitioner of the discipline.
Robin: Could you explain a little about what planetary gemology and gem therapy consists of?
Guruji: It’s all about light and colour, and channeling energy. Everyone has a gemstone that is just right for them. The art is finding the right one, and at the right frequency for the wearer. The correctly applied gem will enable the wearer to achieve the ‘Three ‘R’ State’ … Right place, Right time, Right people.
Robin: Coming from the UK, where football is the national sport, I have been interested to note that many of the top teams now have a resident psychologist as part of their team. You are now mentoring famous Thai football team Udon Thani FC. Can you tell us how you are helping them, please?
Guruji: Many people have made the assumption that Gemstone Universe is only about gemstones, astrology, and healing. But we are not. We are about optimising the quality of life, whether through psychology, modern or traditional medicine, or gem therapy. Every person is unique unto themselves, and therefore every person needs a unique answer to their problems, or a unique advisory on how to best optimise what is within them.
Robin: How do you find living in Thailand, and getting to know Thai people, have they embraced what you have to offer. What type of people are drawn to what you have to teach?
Guruji: People from all strata of society, whether it be in Thailand, or other countries in Asia, have a deep and sincere belief in destiny. A cornerstone of their beliefs lie in reincarnation, karma, and the power of the nine gems. I enjoy living amongst Thai people, they are happy, smiling, and live for the day.
Robin: The Covid pandemic has affected so many lives in an unkind way. During the worst times of Covid, whether by becoming sick themselves, losing a loved one, losing their business or job, inability to pay bills, or other factors, some have felt that their problems were too much to deal with, and have looked to the ultimate solution… suicide. Have you and your teachings been able to help individuals who have been close to going down that road?
Guruji: It is quite fascinating that you ask this question, and I would like to share an experience with you; ‘Two years back I was sitting in the lobby of The Peninsula Hotel, and I noticed a chap hovering around, and glancing over at me. seeming a bit unsure of himself. I beckoned him over and we sat together. He told me that six months previously he had been going through hard times, and he could see no way out. He told me had assembled all the paraphernalia to take his own life, and had penned a letter to his nearest and dearest, to say goodbye to them. It was then that he chanced to see, online, a message to one of his friends, that I had replied to. The reply I had made to his friend resounded within him, and in that moment, he said, ‘No, I am not going to do it.’ He told me that after that pivotal moment his life had turned around, and he had found the strength to move on, and was now once again successful and happy in his life. He wanted me to know this, and to thank me for saving him. He entreated me to continue posting on social media, as he thought it might someday save someone else, as I had saved him. To say that meeting this gentleman and hearing his story had made my day is an understatement. I took him at his word, and social media has been an important part of my work since that day. I feel blessed that I had been able to help him, even though we had never met personally.
Robin: Guruji, this seems like the perfect time to draw our conversation today to an end, on such a positive note. Thankyou for your time, it has been an illuminating chat. I hope we get the chance to meet up around town somewhere again soon.
Guruji: I also thank you for your time, Robin, and look forward to our meeting again,
Robin Westley Martin … about the author
Robin has been living in Thailand and Southeast Asia for over 30 years. He first worked as News Editor for Business in Thailand magazine, before moving on to edit and write for the Thai Airways inflight magazine, Hotel & Travel, The Nation, amongst several others. He continues to work in Southeast Asia, Thailand, and further afield, as a freelance writer or editor for a number of magazines, covering a wide range of genres.
