Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!

Namaste!

Devotion and Dedication Personified…
by Sri Swami Nirliptananda

My humble prostrations and salutations at the holy feet of most worshipful Guru Maharaj Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj, whose spiritual presence indwells the hearts of all his sincere devotees and disciples. Our Param Pujya Swamiji Maharaj was a guiding light of the Divine Life Society for over half a century. When he was elected President by the Board of Trustees on August 18th 1963, he observed: “A burden has been taken up. It has to be carried.” And he shouldered the responsibility nobly as President until his last breath on 28th August 2008.

As a disciple, Swamiji’s devotion to his Guru Swami Sivanandaji was exemplary and supreme, and his dedication to the service of the Guru, his Mission and Organisation was phenomenal and total. Ever since he joined Sivananda Ashram in 1943, he served his Guru as the occasion demanded or as he was called upon to do. He looked upon service to the Mission as service of his Guru and he did it as devout worship. From 1948 he was the General Secretary for many years and when he was made President, he expressed: “My only prayer to Gurudev’s spirit is that I may be enabled to serve sincerely, work dutifully and live worthily. May he not withhold from this servant the grace of humility nor the talents of selflessness and dedication.” Swamiji’s life and work testify to the fact that his prayer was amply granted.

As Chairman of the Trust and President of the Divine Life Society, Swamiji presided over the meetings of the Board of Trustees and Board of Management and oversaw and guided all activities. In addition to the day-to-day affairs, he also initiated and headed special and important functions, like the Centenary Celebrations of Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj in 1987 and other such events. With his blessings and support Baliguali Ashram (The Chidananda Hermitage Shanti Ashram) near Puri in Orissa was established. It is the first and only wing of the Headquarters and gives inspiration to thousands of devotees as a centre of spiritual sadhana.

Gurudev had sent him to the West in 1959 and from that time onwards requests and invitations poured in from all over the world for his visit and darshan. Swamiji had to undertake frequent and sometimes long tours after he became President. This gave him the grand opportunity to spread the Teachings of his Master and to serve many eager and sincere devotees. Swamiji brought many people to the spiritual path. He was Guru, spiritual guide and preceptor to thousands of devotees in India and abroad and he conducted many spiritual retreats, sadhana sibirs and yoga camps. He gave personal spiritual guidance and did not hesitate to consider the secular problems, needs and difficulties of his devotees. The service he rendered to the cause of cultural and spiritual upliftment of humanity is immeasurable. He inspired people everywhere to work selflessly in the service of others, in the service of Gurudev’s Mission and for their own spiritual unfoldment.

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September 24^th is the 110^th Birthday Anniversary of Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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BOOK SYNOPSIS

This Monk From India
by Yvonne Lebeau

This book by Yvonne Lebeau, a spiritual seeker from France, is in the nature of a tribute to her Guru or spiritual mentor, Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj.

An interesting aspect of the book is the light it throws on the encounter between the occidental mind and oriental philosophy.

Another aspect of the book—and an equally significant one—is the insight it gives into the various struggles which every spiritual seeker has to undergo in traversing the path of Yoga or conscious spiritual evolution.

It speaks volumes for the magnanimity of the author that she has been motivated by an earnest desire that the message of this book, viz., the message of Yoga-Vedanta, should be broadcast far and wide, especially in the Western world. May God bless her with health, long life and many more years of spiritual service and illumination too!

The present edition is enriched with fresh matter that the writer felt would add to the value of the book.

For more information, please see: This Monk From India

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"I have seen Swami Chidanandaji feeding and serving cats, dogs and monkeys. Even when the Ashram is in a financial crisis he spends a lot in treating a sickly dog with costly injections. When hundreds of letters are waiting for reply, he will be giving upadesha to boys and girls of the locality and entertaining them with sweets, biscuits and fruits. Even when he fails to attend to his personal affair, he will be spending hours in satisfying a sick person or in admiring an insect or a lovely flower. In the midst of such distracting routine of work, he can give fiery lectures on any subject in the most convincing and impressive manner, in any language, sing melodious kirtans and transform even atheists and will not leave a person until the doubts are completely cleared and problems solved." – Swami Paramananda

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Various Selections from Sivananda's Works