Performance of 'karma' (work) according to 'Dharma' improves one's character and work. To provide meaningful 'karma' to the 'Santhigiri Parampara' and to generate income for the Ashram's activities, a number of agricultural, industrial and services units are being run under the auspices of Santhigiri Ashram.
Guru had set 'Annadanam' (serving of free food to all), 'Athurasevanam' (treatment of the ailing) and 'Athmabodhanam' (spiritual awakening and understanding) as the three primary areas of activities for Santhigiri Ashram. These are aimed at fulfilling the basic needs of a human being, ensuring a healthy body-mind matrix for the evolution of the soul.
Annadanam: More than 9000 people partake of food served free in the Ashram at Pothencode and the branch ashrams every day. Serving of food to all was a 'sankalpam' (resolve) of Guru from the inception of Santhigiri. The food is cooked prayerfully and consumed as 'prasadam'. The expenses for this are met by the income generated by the Ashram units and through offerings made by devotees and visitors.
Athurasevanam: A New Doctrine of Healthcare ('Nava Arogya Dharma Siddhantham') propounded by Guru envisions a holistic treatment regimen integrating various medical systems. Healthcare activities, which started with the brewing of a few Ayurvedic medicines in the 1970s, have today grown into the 'Santhigiri Health Research Organisation' (SHRO), under which are running a modern medicine manufacturing unit Santhigiri Ayurveda and Siddha Vaidyasala, producing more than 400 medicines, a nation-wide chain of treatment centres and hospitals, Ayurveda and Siddha medical colleges, a research centre and several charitable projects in the field of healthcare.
Athmabodhanam: The long-lost Guru-Sishya system has been revived in its fullness and the 'Dharma' of the present Yuga Kali – Kali Yuga Dharma – is being established. The path is that of 'Jnana' (knowledge), gained with the guidance of a Guru who has realized the 'Almighty'. The 'Santhigiri Parampara' has had numerous experiences confirming the reality of Guru. When Guru's words are followed, the disciple experiences them as Truth. Thus the revelation: Word is Truth, Truth is Guru, Guru is God.
The Ashram is conducting a number of Charitable projects besides 'Annadanam'. These include the'Karunyam' and 'Siddhagramam' free health services programmes, 'Uttarasree' education assistance programme, the K R Narayanan Endowment for poor students preparing for the civil services examination etc. As Guru had given a lot of importance to the serving of food and productive use of land, the Ashram has set up a number of units under its Agricultural Division. Organic cultivation of traditional rice varieties, horticulture, herbal and other plantations, dairy farming, bee keeping etc. are some of the major activities taken up by this division.
As part of 'Athmabodhanam', the Ashram has set up full-fledged Education, Research, Cultural and Communications Divisions.
Under the Education Division come the Santhgiri Vidhyabhavan schools, Siddha and Ayurveda Medical Colleges and a Paramedical Training Institute.
The Research Division functioning under the banner of Santhigiri Research Foundation (SRF) specializes in social, industrial and scientific research. The main institutions working under this are the Santhigiri Scientific and Industrial Research Institute (SSIRI), Santhigiri Social Research Institute (SSRI) and the Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru Research Centre for Ayurveda and Siddha.
The units working under the Cultural Division of the Ashram are the Viswa Samskarika Navodhana Kendram, Mathrumandalam, Santhimahima, Gurumahima and Gurukanthi.
The Publications Division brings out a number of publications such as the 'Santhigiri' spiritual monthly, Umminithangam news bulletin, Arogya Padmam health magazine and Karuna children's magazine besides books and other publications on Guru's ideology. A printing press by the name of Santhgiri Mudranalayam takes care of the printing works of the Ashram.
The Industrial and Production Divisions of the Ashram are running a number of small scale units producing Herbal Soaps, Curry Powder, Handloom and Power loom fabric, Polymers, Coconut Oil and Cakes and Bakery items. A chain of Tailoring and Trading units, 'Vahankanthi' vehicle workshop, Santhi Wood Unit and a Steel Fabrication Unit are also being run under the aegis of the Industrial Division.
Under the Services Division comes n n communications which undertakes travel and media related services.
Besides helping to hone the 'karma' of an individual aspirant, these units also serve a social purpose by providing quality services, imbued with the goodness of prayers, at reasonable prices.
