He is a mentor to several chief executives, executives, lecturers, students, corporations, management institutions, universities, colleges, schools and social, spiritual and voluntary organizations.
Hailing from background of teacher intensive families spanning several generations, Guruji himself is inherently the teacher and is closely connected with schools, colleges, management institutions, training sessions and national and international conferences and conventions as faculty and organiser
He has adopted a missionary life of contributing and assisting several people to experience their own inner light and potential and for peace and harmony amongst different people and groups.
Guruji is recognized and respectfully called as "Arsha Vidya Vibhushana: "Soujanya Premashraya "Sarva Vedanta Daksha "Vedodharaika Diksha; "Pitamaha: "Mahatma" and "Brahmiparayana" by Industry, Laureates, Yogis Acharyas and Seers.
To the relatives on mother’s side he is AJITH; to the relatives on his father’s side, friends and colleagues he is NARAYANA; and as a mentor, contributor, teacher, trainer, and guide he is GURUJI. Like his three names, he has three personalities in him Bramha, Vishnu, Maheshwara.’ Guruji’s cousin Shyam Sunder Taman of Manthani writes:
‘Like Brahma, he creates new ideas, new theories, new insights and new realizations which come naturally to him. (Authoured many books and built the Gopijana Vallabha Temple at Manthani).
Like Vishnu, he preserves — the richness of our vast ancient wisdom, temples (helps in the renovation of old temples which are on the verge of ruin in and around Manthani) culture and heritage (Mandata at Manthani).
Like Maheswara - he destroys the feelings and senses of negativity around him. Like the three of them, he too offers whatever people want or ask for.
Guruji has a strong will power. Once he decides to do something, nothing can stop him. Despite his health condition, he left no stone unturned in unearthing the rich inscriptions about Manthani in Gaya. He ran from pillar to post around the Archaeological Department, climbed hillocks, traveled risky terrains to explore the greatness of the yester-years Manthai and the existence of Gopijana Vallabha temple then. He succeeded in all his attempts. Today the newly constructed Gopijana Vallabha temple is a prized possession of Manthani.
He is the proud son of Manthani.’
Guruji, amongst five brothers and sisters enjoys the second position with elder brother Mr. Radhakrishnaji, younger sister Smt. Sumathiamma, younger brother Mr. Amarnathji and youngest sister Smt. Radhamma. Brother G. Amarnathji describes Guruji as his loving brother:
‘I am 5 years younger to my brother Shri Gattu Narayana Guruji. The bonding that I continue to share with him is nearly 67 years old. Though we belonged to an economically challenging family, my brother through his sheer determination, perseverance and forbearance rose to the present day position - as a towering personality - a Godfather, Guru and Guide to many esteemed companies, institutions, organisations and individuals. I feel proud to witness his many achievements and glories.
Me, being the most innocent of all, he protected me and shielded me like an armour.
Inspite of his hectic schedule he has been visiting me every 3 months only to assure himself of my well-being.
Not only to me and my family, he attends to the needs of all others, their families and so on. What he is to the outside world, he is the same within his own family. He helped me in my education by bearing all the expenditure. He also assisted in the development and progress of my sons and son-in-law. He always strives to keep the family united and integrated. Whether it is for us, our children or even their children he comes running to provide the best.
My brother’s deep rooted humanity also comes from the inspirations he draws from various Gurus like Swami Vidya Prakasananda Giri, Ramana Maharshi, Swami Jayendra Saraswati, Narahari Somayajulu, to mention a few.
Yoeman service, thy name is Narayana. It is a matter of fact. The service he renders others and the people of his native place, Manthani is incredible. Many relations and families have survived because of him.
True to her name (Sujana) my Vadina (Bhabi) is a very pious and compassionate person. Though I’m older than her, she treats me like her elder son shower the same love, affection and concern as she would do on her own children. She has always been a mother to me. She is a perfect partner to my brother. I will always remember the happy moments I share with her, especially related to music and singing.
There is no other love, like the love for a brother. There is no other love, like the love from a brother.’
Guruji’s son Pradeep Gattu writes about his parents Guruji and Sujanabhabhi:
‘The essence of Guruji-Amma relation is responsibility. The entire partnership span of 50 years can be summarised by this one word ‘Responsibility’. This focus on being responsible has been the compass which has guided them and provided direction to their journey of 50 years. Guruji and Amma have complemented each other perfectly in jointly leading a life of responsibility.
Guruji is an embodiment of supreme courage. It is his courageous nature which has enabled him to overcome all the difficulties, weather all the storms and succeed in difficult situations. This courage is evident in one statement which he often makes “When in doubt proceed”. This means that if one allows fear of the future and anxiety to paralyse oneself into inaction, he/she will not make any progress. It is only when one gathers the courage to take the first step towards positive action that one is on the path to the solution. Courage is the thematic thread which is woven into his life story right from completion of studies (in the face of economic difficulties), professional progress, weathering the professional ups and downs and bouncing back from a dire situation when his personal net worth was almost wiped out.
Amma is a living personification of patience and fortitude. Life with Guruji was dynamic and turbulent and Amma took all the twists and turns and uncertainties into her stride. She never lost her calm demeanour despite trying circumstances. At a very young age, she came to Mumbai where Guruji and Amma started their life in refugee camp quarters in Ulhasnagar. She reposed her faith in Guruji when he left a secure and well positioned job with Voltas, Mumbai after a stint of 15 years and shifted to Vadodara. Again after a period of 2 years in Vadodara, there was a change in their lives when Guruji left a secure job to start an enterprise of his own. From a comfortable and secure lifestyle, there was a long phase where the daily life had to be managed with compressed finances. Guruji would be away from home for days together. Amma’s patience and calmness was the one constant amidst this kaleidoscopic diversity of situations.
Guruji’s life is a saga of service and contributions to society. He has contributed immensely to the cause of management education and teaching of Indian ethos. His contribution in setting up exemplary social service institutions like “Shri Seetha Rama Seva Sadan” is noteworthy. These contributions alone would have sufficed to make his name in the area of service to society. However, his unique and immeasurable contribution is the impact he has been able to make in the lives of many people. His involvement has provided a healing touch to many people who were overpowered with troubles and problems. Guruji has been a guide, mentor and counsellor to whoever needed him. While helping, distinction of ‘mine’ and ‘other’, ‘friend’ and ‘opponent’, ‘well wisher’ and ‘ill wisher’ have never entered into his mind. Guruji is the living example of the following verse
Ayam Nijah: Paroveti Ganana Laghu Chestasam Udara Charitanam Tu Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
“This is my own and that is a stranger is the calculation of the narrow minded but for the magnanimous one, the world is an extended family”
Again, the formidable physical barriers of space and time have not been able to restrain Guruji from being present wherever and whenever he is required. He has been known to travel to and attend work at Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Manthani only to ensure that the persons who require his help get his comforting presence and attention. We have never heard him say “I do not have time” despite his busy schedule. Indeed he says “If you are there, time is there”. The following verse from the Bhagavad Gita describes him perfectly:
Sarvatah Panipadam tat sarvato
akshishiromukham
Sarvatah srutimalloke sarvam avrtya tishtati
(BG XIII, Verse 13)
With hands and feet everywhere, with eyes and heads and mouths everywhere, with ears everywhere – He exists enveloping all.’
Guruji studied Electrical Engineering at Government Polytechnic, Nizamabad during 1959-63. One of his co-students M. Muralidhara fondly remembers Guruji and reflects as:
‘Shri Gattu Narayana, now popularly known as Guruji, was my roommate (1960-61) when we were doing our Diploma Course in Nizamabad. He is a man of versatile personality. He always excelled in whatever role he played. He was a distinguished student. Guruji encouraged group study and shared his learning us.
What is most remarkable about Narayana is his simplicity, unassuming nature, his readiness to connect and re-connect with everybody. After a wide gap, we met again. The gap did not diminish our friendship. It bounced back with more intensity.