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| Swami Chidananda Saraswati Maharaj (1916 - ) |
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 Swami Chidananda Saraswati is the President of the Divine Life Society in Rishikesh, India. He is a well-known yogi, jnani, and spiritual leader. In 1943, he joined the ashram run by Swami Sivananda in Rishikesh. Within a short time, he distinguished himself as a man of great wisdom, keen intellect, and limitless compassion. In 1963, with the death of Swami Sivananda, the founder of the Society, Swami Chidananda was elected president. As president of the Divine Life Society, he has tried to preserve the principles of renunciation, service, love, and spiritual idealism; not only within the organization, but also in the hearts and minds of his countless followers throughout the world. Sri Swami Chidanandaji has carried out many world tours to serve the devotees of the Society. His work with the welfare of the needy, in particular lepers, has earned him recognition with the state, who elected him to the Leper Welfare Association. First as Vice-Chairman and later as Chairman of The Muni-ki-reti Notified Area Committee. He has authored dozens of books on yoga and spirituality. His most well known work is Light Fountain. |
Date of Birth: 24 Sep, 1916
Location: India
State: Uttar Pradesh
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Views: 151
Summary
Swami Chidananda was born Sridhar Rao on September 24th,1916. He was the second of five children and the eldest son of a rich landlord in South India. As a child, he was mesmerized by the stories of saintly sages doing tapas and having visions. His uncle, Krishna Rao, also sowed in him the seeds of renunciation and made him aware of the evil influence of the material world. In 1932, he joined the Muthiah Chetty School where he excelled at his studies. In 1936, he was admitted into the Loyola College. In 1938, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. During this time at a predominantly Christian College, he submerged himself in the study of the Bible and due to his depth of understanding, he came to see Jesus in Krishna. Becoming as much an adorer of Jesus Christ as he was of Lord Vishu. Swami Chidananda also spent much time in the service of the needy and of animals. Based in the wisdom that all is one in God, Swami Chidananda would venture towards the worst of human suffering and give himself totally to service of the needy. Throughout much of his early life, Swami Chidananda would spend much time in the contemplation of spiritual books. In 1936, he took the first steps towards a life of renunciation. At this time, he left his home and went to stay in a secluded ashram of a holy sage some miles from Tirupai. After much persuasion, he returned home. This time of seperation was to mark his final parting from his family and friends. The next seven years was marked by spiritual practice , seclusion, service, study, and self-restraint. Finally, in 1943, Swami Chidananda joined the ashram run by Swami Sivanada in Rishikesh. Upon joining the ashram, he took charge of the dispensary, caring for the poor. Within a short time, he started to deliver lectures. It was during this first year he also wrote his first book Light Fountain, an immortal biography of Sri Gurudev. In 1948, when the Yoga-Vedanta Forest University was established, Sri Gurudev appointed him Vice-Chancellor and professor of Raja Yoga. That same year, Gurudev nominated him as the General Secretary of the Divine Life Society. In 1949, with the death of Guru Punima, he was initiated into the order of Sannyasa by Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj. He now became known as Swami Chidananda, a name which denotes: "One who is in the highest consciousness and bliss". In November 1959 Swami Chidanandaji embarked on his first international tour of America, being sent by Gurudev to broadcast the message of Divine Life. He returned in March 1962. In August 1963 after the death of his master, he was elected as President of the Divine Life Society. In 1968, Sri Swami Chidanandaji undertook a world tour visiting all the countries on Earth. Wherever he went, devotees received him and listened with raptured attention. Swami Chidanandaji continues to live in Rishikesh.
References:
Related Links:
www.dlshq.org
www.divinelifesociety.org/html
www.dlsaus.org
www.theworldcommunity.com/award2.htm
www.sivanandadlshq.org/saints/chida.htm
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