Swami Chidananda Saraswati

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Thursday, December 30, 2021. 6:00.AM.

Swami  Chidananda Saraswati

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Chidananda Saraswati 2016 stamp of India.

Personal

Born Sridhar Rao, 24 September 1916, Mangalore

Died 28 August 2008 (aged 91), 

Religion Hinduism

Philosophy Yoga of Synthesis, Religious career

Guru Sivananda Saraswati

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Introduction :

Chidananda Saraswati  (24 September 1916 – 28 August 2008) was President of the Divine Life Society, Rishikesh, India. He is well known in India as a yogi, dnyani and spiritual leader. He succeeded as President of the Divine Life Society in 1963, after the death of his predecessor, Sivananda Saraswati, who founded the Society.

Chidananda's birth name was Sridhar Rao. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola College, Chennai. He took to a life of renunciation in 1936, and joined the Sivananda Ashram run by Sivananda Saraswati in Rishikesh in 1943.

He was appointed General Secretary of the Divine Life Society in 1948. He was initiated into the Sannyas order by his guru, Sivananda, on Guru Purnima day, 10 July 1949. It was then that he received his monastic name "Chidananda", which means "one who is consciousness and bliss".

He was elected President of the Divine Life Society in August 1963, upon the death of Sivananda.

Chidananda Saraswati died on 28 August 2008, at 20:11 pm.

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Early life :

Sridhar Rao, (as Chidananda Saraswati was known before taking Sannyasa (embracing a life of renunciation), was born in Mangalore, to Sri Srinivasa Rao and Sarojini, on 24 September 1916, the second of five children and the eldest son. Sri Srinivasa Rao was a prosperous Zamindar, a rich landlord owning several villages, extensive lands and palatial buildings in South India. Sarojini was an ideal Indian mother, noted for her saintliness.

At the age of eight, Sridhar Rao's life was influenced by Sri Anantayya, a friend of his grandfather, who used to relate to him stories from the epics, Ramayana and Mahābhārata. Doing Tapas (austerities), becoming a Rishi (sage), and having a vision of the Lord became ideals which he cherished.

His uncle, Krishna Rao, shielded him against the influences of the materialistic world around him, and sowed in him the seeds of the nivritti life (life of renunciation) which he joyously nurtured until, as later events proved, it blossomed into sainthood.

His elementary education began at Mangalore. In 1932, he joined the Sir M.Ct. Muthiah Chettiar Higher Secondary School in Madras, where he distinguished himself as a brilliant student. His cheerful personality, exemplary conduct, and extraordinary traits earned for him a distinct place in the hearts of all teachers and students who came into his contact.

In 1936, he was admitted to Loyola College, University of Madras, whose portals admit only the most brilliant of students. In 1938, he emerged with the degree of Bachelor of Arts.

The family was noted for its high code of conduct and this was infused into his life. Charity and service were the glorious ingrained virtues of the members of the family. These virtues found an embodiment in Sridhar Rao. He discovered ways and means of manifesting them. No one who sought his help was sent away without assistance. He gave freely to the needy.

Service, especially of the sick, often brought out the fact that he had no idea of his own separate existence as an individual. It seemed as if his body clung loosely to his soul. Nor was all this service confined to human beings. Birds and animals claimed his attention as much as, if not more than, human beings. He understood their language of suffering. His service of a sick dog evoked the admiration of his Guru, Sivananda. He would raise his finger in grim admonition when he saw anyone practicing cruelty to dumb animals in his presence.

Quite early in life, although born in a wealthy family, he shunned the pleasures of the world to devote himself to seclusion and contemplation. In the matter of study, it was the spiritual books which had the most appeal to him, more than college books. Even while he was at college, text-books had to take second place to spiritual books. The works of Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda, and Sivananda, took precedence over all others.

He shared his knowledge with others, so much so that he virtually became the Guru of the household and the neighborhood, to whom he would talk of honesty, love, purity, service and devotion to God. He would exhort them to perform japa of Rama-Nama. While still in his twenties, he began initiating youngsters into this great Rama Taraka Mantra. He was an ardent admirer of Sri Ramakrishna Math at Madras and regularly participated in the Satsangs (association with the wise) there. The call of Swami Vivekananda to renounce resounded within his pure heart. He ever thirsted for the darshan (meeting/s) of Saints and Sadhus (renunciate) visiting the metropolis.

In June 1936, he disappeared from home. After a vigorous search by his parents, he was found in the secluded Ashram of a holy sage some miles from the sacred mountain shrine Tirupati. He returned home after some persuasion. This temporary separation was but a preparation for the final parting from the world of attachments to family and friends.

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Initiation :

The final decision came in 1943. He was already in correspondence with Sivananda Saraswati. He obtained Sivananda's permission to join the Ashram.

On arriving at the Ashram, he naturally took charge of the dispensary. He became the man with the healing hand. The growing reputation of his divine healing hand attracted a rush of patients to the Sivananda Charitable Dispensary.

Very soon after joining the Ashram, he gave ample evidence of the brilliance of his intellect. He delivered lectures, wrote articles for magazines and gave spiritual instructions to the visitors. When the Yoga-Vedanta Forest University (now known as the Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy) was established in 1948, Sivananda paid him a fitting tribute by appointing him Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Raja Yoga. During his first year he inspired the students with his brilliant exposition of Maharishi Patanjali's Yoga Sutras.

It was also in the first year of his stay at the Ashram that he wrote his magnum opus 'Light Fountain', an immortal biography of his Guru Sivananda. Sivananda once remarked: "Sivananda will pass away, but 'Light Fountain' will live".

In addition to his multifarious activities and intense Sadhana, he founded, under the guidance of Sivananda, the Yoga Museum in 1947, in which the entire philosophy of Vedanta and all the processes of Yoga Sadhana are depicted in the form of pictures and illustrations.

Towards the end of 1948, Sivananda nominated him as the General Secretary of The Divine Life Society. The great responsibility of the organization fell on his shoulders. From that very moment he spiritualized all his activities by his presence, counsel and wise leadership. He exhorted all to raise their consciousness to the level of the Divine.

On Guru Purnima day, 10 July 1949, he was initiated into the holy order of Sannyasa by Sivananda. He now became known as Chidananda, a name which connotes : "one who is consciousness and bliss".

In August 1963, after the Mahasamadhi of the Master, he was elected as President of the Divine Life Society. After election, he strove to hold aloft the banner of renunciation, dedicated service, love and spiritual idealism, not only within the set-up of the widespread organization of the Society, but in the hearts of countless seekers throughout the world, who were all too eager to seek his advice, help and guidance.

Chidananda Saraswati has toured the length and breadth of India, Malaysia and South Africa to serve the devotees of the Society.

Again in 1968, Chidananda undertook the Global Tour at the request of numerous disciples and devotees of Sivananda, and visited all countries of the world. Wherever he went, devotees received him cordially, and listened to him with rapt attention. In one of his innumerous meetings Swami Chidananda met Sri Sri Sitaramdas Omkarnathdev and declared him as Naam Avatara and said "Beloved Babaji is verily Naam Avatara. His entire life and personality is a radiant example and expression of Naam Bhakti and Naam Shakti. I bow down in silent reverence and love at his holy feet."

Chidananda Saraswati, right from the beginning worked and served the cause of Sivananda's mission tirelessly, and to spread his Divine Life message far and wide, not only in Bharatavarsha (India) but also in countries outside. He inspired others through the practice of self-discipline. For example, after completing a thirty-day fast while in Canada, Swami Chidananda arranged for resources to be provided to support the founding of a Sivanada Ashram in Vancouver. He practiced a non-denominational, universal form of yoga. He often led satsang (group chanting) that named and elevated all of the prophets and sages of all of the world religions equally (Lord Jesus, Ahura Mazda, Lord Buddha, etc.).

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Books :

Books by Chidananda Saraswati :

An Instrument of thy Peace

Awake, Realise your Divinity

Bhaja Govindam

Bliss is Within

Call to Liberation

Chidananda Hun

Daily Swadhyaya

Divine Vision

Eternal Messages

Essentials of Higher Values in Life

Gita Vision

God as Mother

Guide Lines to Illumination

Guide to Noble Living

Lectures on Raja Yoga

Liberation is Possible !

Light on the Yoga Way of Life

Manache Shlok (Translation)

Message of Swami Chidananda to Mankind

New Beginning

Path Beyond Sorrow

Path to Blessedness

Philosophy, Psychology and Practice of Yoga

Ponder These Truths

Practical Guide to Yoga

Renunciation—a Life of Surrender and Trust

Seek The Beyond

Swami Sivananda—Saint, Sage and Godman

The Quintessence of the Upanishad

The Role of Celibacy in Spiritual Life

The Truth That Liberates

Twenty Important Spiritual Instructions

Ultimate Journey

Verses Addressed to the Mind

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SWAMI CHIDANANDA : The Divine Life Society.

A Biography of Swami Chidananda

Sridhar Rao, as Swami Chidananda was known before taking Sannyasa, was born to Srinivasa Rao and Sarojini, on the 24th September 1916, the second of five children and the eldest son. Sri Srinivasa Rao was a prosperous Zamindar owning several villages, extensive lands and palatial buildings in South India. Sarojini was an ideal Indian mother, noted for her saintliness.

At the age of eight, Sridhar Rao's life was influenced by one Sri Anantayya, a friend of his grandfather, who used to relate to him stories from the epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Doing Tapas, becoming a Rishi, and having a vision of the Lord became ideals which he cherished.

His uncle, Krishna Rao, shielded him against the evil influences of the materialistic world around him, and sowed in him the seeds of the Nivriti life which he joyously nurtured until, as latter events proved, it blossomed into sainthood.

His elementary education began at Mangalore. In 1932 he joined the Muthiah Chetty School in Madras where he distinguished himself as a brilliant student. His cheerful personality, exemplary conduct and extraordinary traits earned for him a distinct place in the hearts of all teachers and students with whom he came into contact.

In 1936, he was admitted to Loyola College, whose portals admit only the most brilliant of students. In 1938, he emerged with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. This period of studentship at a predominantly Christian College was significant. The glorious ideal of Lord Jesus, the Apostles and the other Christian saints had found in his heart a synthesis of all that is best and noble in the Hindu culture. To him, study of the Bible was no more routine; it was the living word of God, just as living and real as the words of the Vedas, the Upanishads and the Bhagavadgita. His innate breadth of vision enabled him to see Jesus in Krishna, not Jesus instead of Krishna. He was as much an adorer of Jesus Christ as he was of Lord Vishnu.

The family was noted for its high code of conduct and this was infused into his life. Charity and service were the glorious ingrained virtues of the members of the family. These virtues found an embodiment in Sridhar Rao. He discovered ways and means of manifesting them. None who sought his help was sent away without it. He gave freely to the needy.

Service to lepers became his ideal. He would build them huts on the vast lawn of his home and look after them as though they were deities. Later, after he joined the Ashram, this early trait found in him complete and free expression where even the best among men would seldom venture into this great realm of divine love, based upon the supreme wisdom that all are one in God. Patients from the neighborhood, suffering from the worst kinds of diseases came to him. To Sridhar Rao the patient was none other than Lord Narayana Himself. He served him with tender love and compassion. The very movement of his hands portrayed him as worshipping the living Lord Narayana. Nothing would keep him from bringing comfort to the suffering inmates of the Ashram, no matter what the urgency of other engagements at the time.

Service, especially of the sick, often brought out the fact that he had no idea of his own separate existence as an individual. It seemed as if his body clung loosely to his soul. Nor was all this service confined to human beings. Birds and animals claimed his attention as much as, if not more than, human beings. He understood their language of suffering. His service of a sick dog evoked the admiration of Gurudev. He would raise his finger in grim admonition when he saw anyone practicing cruelty to dumb animals in his presence.

His deep and abiding interest in the welfare of lepers had earned for him the confidence and admiration of the Government authorities when he was elected to the Leper Welfare Association, constituted by the state-at first as Vice-Chairman and later as Chairman of the Muni-ki-reti Notified Area Committee.

Quite early in life, although born in a wealthy family, he shunned the pleasures of the world to devote himself to seclusion and contemplation. In the matter of study it was the spiritual books which had the most appeal to him, more than college books. Even while he was at the college, textbooks had to take second place to spiritual books. The works of Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananada and Sri Gurudev took precedence over all others. He shared his knowledge with others, so much so that he virtually became the Guru of the household and the neighborhood, to whom he would talk of honesty, love, purity, service and devotion to God. He would exhort them to perform Japa of Rama-Nama. While still in his twenties he began initiating youngsters into this great Rama Taraka Mantra. He was an ardent admirer of Sri Ramakrishna Math at Madras and regularly participated in the Satsangas there. The call of Swami Vivekananda to renounce resounded within his pure heart. He ever thirsted for the Darshan of saints and Sadhus visiting the metropolis.

In June 1936, he disappeared from home. After a vigorous search by his parents, he was found in the secluded Ashram of a holy sage some miles from the sacred mountain shrine of Tirupati. He returned home after some persuasion. This temporary separation was but a preparation for the final parting from the world of attachments to family and friends. While at home his heart dwelt in silent forest of spiritual thoughts, beating in tune with the eternal Pranava-Nada of the Jnana Ganga within himself. The seven years at home following his return from Tirupati were marked by seclusion, service, intense study of spiritual literature, self-restraint, control of the senses, simplicity in food and dress, abandonment of all comforts and practice of austerities which augmented his inner spiritual power.

The final decision came in 1943. He was already in correspondence with Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj of Rishikesh. He obtained Swamiji's permission to join the Ashram.

On arrival at the Ashram, he naturally took charge of the dispensary. He became the man with the healing hand. The growing reputation of his divine healing hand attracted a rush of patients to the Sivananda Charitable Dispensary.

Very soon after joining the Ashram, he gave ample evidence of the brilliance of his intellect. He delivered lectures, wrote articles for magazines and gave spiritual instructions to the visitors. When the Yoga-Vedanta Forest University (now known as the Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy) was established in 1948, Sri Gurudev paid him a fitting tribute by appointing him Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Raja Yoga. During the first year he inspired the students with his brilliant exposition of Maharishi Patanjali's Yoga-Sutras. It was also in the first year of his stay at the Ashram that he wrote his magnum opus, `Light Fountain', an immortal biography of Sri Gurudev. Sri Gurudev himself once remarked: "Sivananda will pass away, but `Light Fountain' will live."

In spite of his multifarious activities and intense Sadhana he founded, under the guidance of Gurudev, the Yoga Museum in 1947, in which the entire philosophy of Vedanta and all the processes of Yoga Sadhana are depicted in the form of pictures and illustrations.

Towards the end of 1948, Gurudev nominated him as General Secretary of the Divine Life Society. The great responsibility of the organisation fell on his shoulders. From that moment he spiritualized all its activities by his presence, counsel and wise leadership. He exhorted all to raise their consciousness to the level of the Divine.

On Guru Purnima day, the 10th of July, 1949, he was initiated into the holy order of Sanyasa by Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj. He now became known as Swami Chidananda, a name which connotes, "One who is in the highest State of Consciousness and Bliss".

In November, 1959, Swami Chidanandaji embarked on an extensive tour of America, being sent by Gurudev as his personal representative to broadcast the message of Divine Life. He returned in March, 1962.

In August 1963, after the Mahasamadhi of the Master, he was elected as the President of The Divine Life Society. After election, he strove to hold aloft the banner of renunciation, dedicated service, love and spiritual idealism, not only within the setup of the widespread organisation of the Society, but in the hearts of countless seekers throughout the world, who were all too eager to seek his advice, help and guidance.

Sri Swami Chidanandaji toured the length and breadth of India, Malaysia and South Africa to serve the devotees of the Society. Again in 1968, he undertook the Global Tour at the request of numerous disciples and devotees of holy Master Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj and visited many countries of the world. Wherever he went devotees received him cordially and listened to him with rapt attention. Sri Swami Chidanandaji, worked and served the Divine Cause of Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji's Mission tirelessly to spread his Divine Life Message far and wide not only in Bharatavarsha but also in countries outside.

On the 24th of September, 1991 the Headquarters of The Divine Life Society Shivanandanagar (Rishikesh) as well as all Branches of the Society celebrated his 75th Birthday Anniversary (Amritamahotsava).

"Service before Self" epitomized the entire life of this austere saint, who kept alive the spirit of the ancient Vedantic tradition in these confused and turbulent times, much like his own Master Sivananda. The clarion call given by these sages drew many a seeker from all over the world to Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh. His inspiring early morning meditation talks given in the Ashram, and compiled under titles such as, "Ponder these Truths", "A Call to Liberation" and "Seek the Beyond", have been compelling reference-points for hundreds of seekers and aspirants.

As Swami Chidanandaji would exhort and inspire his listeners, "To enter into the spiritual life is a rare blessedness, it is a great good: to take it seriously and engage in active spiritual Sadhana is a second blessedness and a still greater good: but to persevere in the spiritual life, to be ever progressive and ceaseless in one's spiritual life, is the greatest good, the crowning blessedness". This was his message as one of India's representatives to the Centenary of the World Parliament of Religions in 1993, at Chicago and his own life was a living testimony to the great ancient ideals he reiterated for the modern age.

Ever-vigilant in his personal Sadhana, ever compassionate to the poor and needy, ever-willing to champion the cause of the underprivileged, Swami Chidanandaji stands out for his exemplary selfless service in the cause of the leper colonies in Rishikesh, and nearby places. He is often referred to as the St. Francis of India, after the great Franciscan monk, St. Francis of Assisi, of whom Swami Chidananda himself was greatly attracted to.

This prominent saint of contemporary times and a great Yogi, the President of the Divine Life Society, Rishikesh, established by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj, Sri Swami Chidananda Saraswati ji Maharaj, attained Mahasamadhi on August 28th, 2008 at 08:11 p.m. at the age of 92.

Swami Chidanandaji's passing away leaves a huge void in the hearts and minds of seekers who search for ultimate truth beyond the transitory and fleeting. In his passing away, for which he had left strict instructions for his body to be immersed in Ganga quickly (Jal Samadhi), and no spectacle be made of in terms of mourning. As in life, Swami Chidanandaji remained a humble, simple monk, upholding the highest values of India's monastic traditions. Despite being the President of an international organization with centers across the globe, for forty five years, besides being an ideal preceptor to thousands across the world, he always considered himself as a servant of Holy Master Sri Swami SIvanandaji Maharaj.

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Tribute :

SWAMI CHIDANANDA : The Divine Life Society.

One of the prominent saints of contemporary times, and the President of the Divine Life Society, Rishikesh , established by Swami Sivananda , Swami Chidananda Saraswati, attained Mahasamadhi on August 28th , 2008 at 08:11 p.m. at the age of 92 . He was a great Yogi and was a Loyola College, Chennai alumni in his pre-monastic days. He was initiated into Sannyasa in 1949 by the great Master , Swami Sivananda himself.

Swami Chidananda stands out for his exemplary selfless service in the cause of the leper colonies in Rishikesh, and nearby places besides being an ideal preceptor to thousands across the world in his capacity as President of the Divine Life Society for forty years from August 1963 onwards .

"Service before Self" epitomized the entire life of this austere saint , who kept alive the spirit of the ancient Vedantic tradition in these confused and turbulent times , much like his own Master Sivananda ----- the clarion call given by these sages drew many a seeker from all over the world to Sivananda Ashram , Rishikesh . His inspiring early morning meditation talks given in the Ashram , and recently compiled under the umbrella- titles such as , "Ponder these Truths" , " A Call to Liberation" and "Seek the Beyond", have been compelling reference-points for hundreds of seekers and aspirants .

As Swami Chidananda would exort and inspire his listeners , "…To enter into the spiritual life is a rare blessedness , it is a great good : to take it seriously and engage in active spiritual Sadhana is a second blessedness and a still greater good : but to persevere in the spiritual life , to be ever progressive and ceaseless in one's spiritual life , is the greatest good , the crowning blessedness" . This was his message as one of India's representatives to the Centenary of the World Parliament of Religions in 1993 , and his own life was a living testimony to the great ancient ideals he reiterated for the modern age .

Ever-vigilant in his personal Sadhana , ever compassionate to the poor and needy , ever-willing to champion the cause of the underprivileged , Swami Chidananda's passing away leaves a huge void in the hearts and minds of seekers who search for ultimate truth beyond the transitory and fleeting . In his death , for which he had left strict instructions for his body to be immersed in the Ganges quickly (Jal Samadhi) , and no spectacle be made of in terms of mourning , as in life , Swami Chidananda remained a simple monk , despite being the President of an international organization with centres across the globe, upholding the highest values of India's monastic traditions . 

END.

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