96th Birth Anniversary of Swami Chidananda Maharaj

September 24, 2012 - 96^th Birth Anniversary of Swami Chidananda Maharaj

 

Swami Chidananda Maharaj born September 24, 1916 was known as Sridhar Rao before he was initiated into the Sannyasa order by Gurudev Sivananda Maharaj on Guru Poornima day, the 10th of July, 1949.

Even though he was born into a prosperous zamindar family (wealthy family of landlords),  from his childhood he showed signs of embracing jnana marga and serving Lord Narayana Himself, by providing service to the needy.  

During his college days he showed more interest in reading spiritual books written by Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda and listening to discourses by saints and Sadhus.  He choose the path of a true spiritual seeker by adapting a simple life and renouncing the comforts by practicing austerities even before he joined Sri Sivananda Maharaj’s ashram in Rishikesh in 1943. There he took care of the dispensary and wrote articles for magazines and delivered lectures. His biography of Gurudev Sivananda Maharaj “Light Fountain” is a classic tribute to his Guru. 

By 1948 he was nominated as the General Secretary of The Divine Life Society and he was initiated into the holy Sannyasa order on Guru Poornima day, July 10, 1949 and was given the name Swami Chidananda which means “ One who is in a Higher Consciousness state of bliss”.

He was elected President of the Divine Life Society in August of 1963 after the Mahasamadhi of Gurudev Sivananda Maharaj. He travelled throughout India, and to other countries like Malaysia, Australia and South Africa to name a few, to meet the devotees of the Ashram. He devoted his life in the service of people, by providing guidance to other spiritual seekers through his books and lectures here in India and abroad.  His life was a shining example to many, who were guided to nurture and care for others without any expectation.  Even though he attained Mahasamadhi on August 28, 2008 at 20:11 pm, he continues to guide us spiritually.

 

Om Namo Bhagavathe Sivanandaya 

Om Namo Bhagavathe Chidananadaya

References:

http://www.dlshq.org/saints/chida.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swami_Chidananda_Saraswati
http://www.sivanandaonline.org/public_html/?cmd=displaysection&section_id=1345

Idol worship – by Swami Vivekananda

During his wandering days, Swami Vivekananda visited Ajmer where he happened to meet the local Raja, Mangal Singh.  While the court was in progress, the Raja smilingly asked Swamiji, 'Well, I have no faith in idol worship.  What is going to be my fate?'

Swamiji replied, 'Surely you are joking'.

‘No, Swamiji, not at all.  You see, I really cannot worship wood, earth, stone or metal, like other people.  Does this mean that I shall fare worse in the life thereafter?’

While he was preparing to answer, Swamiji spotted a picture of the Maharaja on the wall.   

He asked for it and holding it, he asked, 'Whose picture is this?'  

The Dewan answered, ‘It is the likeness of our Maharaja'. 

'Spit on it.’ Commanded Swamiji.  ‘Any one of you may spit on it.  What is it but a piece of paper? What objection can you have against doing so?’ 

Everyone stood dumbstruck.

When Swamiji insisted, the Dewan cried out, ‘What, Swamiji! What are you asking me to do? This is the likeness of our Maharaja! How can I do such a thing?’

Turning to the king, Swamiji continued, “See, Your Highness, thus it also is with the devotees who worship stone and metal images of gods and goddesses.  It is because an image brings to their minds their Ishta, or some special form and attributes of the Divinity, and helps them to concentrate, that the devotees worship God in an image. They do not worship the stone or the metal as such.  I have traveled in many places, but nowhere have I found a single Hindu worshiping an image, saying, 'O Stone, I worship Thee.  O Metal, be merciful to me.' Everyone, Maharaja, is worshiping the same one God who is the Supreme Spirit, the Soul of Pure Knowledge.  And God appears to all according to their understanding and their representation of Him."

(from “Vedanta Kesari- May 2012”)

http://www.chennaimath.org/edownloads/emagazines/vedanta-kesari

Guru - Swami Nikhilanand

Swami Nikhilanand

JKP RadhaMadhav Dham 

Swami Nikhilanand, is a disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj. He was attracted to the teachings of Hinduism from a very young age.  Eventually, his deep spiritual longing led him to India, where he was most fortunate to come under the guidance of Shree Kripaluji Maharaj.  Thereafter, he extensively studied the Indian language Hindi, the Philosophy of the prime Sanskrit scriptures, (Vedas, Shastras, Gita and Bhagavatam) and practiced meditation.  In 2003 he was given Sanyas,  Now with the blessings of his Guruji, he offers lectures throughout America, teaching classes for all ages on topics such as The Bhagavad Gita, which is said to be the essence of the Vedas and The Sanatana Dharma, the true way of life. His pravachans provide clear explanations of Hindu Philosophy with inspired chanting of Sanskrit mantras, shlokas and melodious naam sankirtan.

Understanding any Hindu scripture including The Gita can be done only from a true saint. It is explained in the Gita that a person is qualified to study the Gita only when he has faith in Shri Krishna.  Also, Chapter 4, verse 34, of the Gita, explains that the knowledge of the Gita cannot be acquired without first surrendering to a realized saint.

It will be an incredible learning experience understanding the deepest aspects of Bhagavad Gita with guidance from Swami Nikilanand.  He resides at Radha Madhav Dham, the main US ashram of Jagadguru Kripalu Maharaj.

You can read about Swami Nikhilanand, about his Bhagavad Gita discourses, his e-book on "The spiritual discussions and discourses" here.