September 24, 2012 - 96th
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§ion_id=1345
