Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!

Namaste!

They are the Embodiment of what we learn from Scriptures
by Sri Swami Muktananda
Anandashram, Kanhanghad, Kerala
Talk delivered on the occasion of the Shodashi Celebration of Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj

Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram

Swami Chidananda’s association with Anandashram dates back to the 1930’s during Papa’s time when he was still Sridhar Rao. During Mother Krishnabai’s and Swami Satchidananda’s time we had the privilege of having his darshan every year as he would come and spend some time in Anandashram.

Looking at the gigantic photos of Swamiji Maharaj here in the Sivananda Satsang Bhavan brings back so many memories! My first darshan was in 1969 when he came to Madras and I was working there. Especially one image I can never forget. There was a big important programme going on and every time a car was heard coming up, the eager question was, “Is it Swamiji?” Finally he arrived. And on reaching the dais, what did he do? I can never forget this. He performed sashtanga pranam to the entire audience which was followed by the resounding words that overwhelm everyone “Radiant Immortal Atman!...”

I was a regular visitor to Sivananda Ashram and so I had the great good fortune of meeting Swamiji and talking to him. In 1989, he came to Anandashram, and when he saw me there, he asked, “Have you made this place your home?” “Yes, Swamiji!” I said. That is how saints are. Nobody is important and nobody is unimportant. They are the embodiment of what we learn from the scriptures.

In our magazine we publish many articles of Swamiji. All are great, but two stand out in my mind. One is ‘The Guru never dies’. He is living through his disciples in the form of ideas, ideologies and visions. Swamiji says: “Looking at you, the world should know who your Guru is.” To have a Guru is an honour, it is a privilege, but it is a responsibility also. Every time you think a thought or do an action, you must ask yourself, ‘Will my Guru approve of this?”

In the second article Swamiji says something which we all know, but we have to ponder over it, contemplate it. “Everyone has a special role to perform according to God’s plan. Nobody is irrelevant, nobody is unimportant. Each one is sacred and important.” So there are as many paths as there are people. When we listen to Mahatmas, we hear that each one is saying, “You are special!” And when our spiritual vigour starts to decrease, it is good to remind ourselves, “Hey, you are unique! You cannot compare or contrast with others. You have to play on your own!”

Pujya Papa Ramdas says, “Be original! In your own original way tread your path to God!”

We are all very grateful for all Swami Chidanandaji has shared with us. Now we pray to him to bless us that we may progress on the spiritual path fast enough and reach the stage that is expected of us.

Thank you for giving me this unique opportunity for sharing these thoughts with you.

Hari Aum

Read online

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September 24th is the 109^th Birthday Anniversary of Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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BOOK SYNOPSIS

Chidanandam: The Joy of Knowing Him

With great joy we place before the devotees of Sri Gurudev H.H. Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj and all well wishers of the Divine Life Society this Souvenir. It is being released on the holy occasion of the first Punya Tithi Aradhana of Param Pujya Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj, on the 18th of August 2009.

Since the Mahasamadhi, the Headquarters and various Branches of the Divine Life Society have been organizing Swami Chidananda Memorial Lectures at different places in India and abroad. These lectures reveal that although Pujya Swamiji Maharaj left his physical body, he continues to live more vibrantly in the hearts and memories of people all over the world.

As Valmiki has said:

Yavat sthasyanti girayah saritascha maheetale,
Tavad Ramayana katha lokeshu pracharishyati. (I-ii-36-37)

(The theme of the Ramayana will continue to be popular on earth, as long as mountains and rivers exist.)

Pujya Swamiji Maharaj was a devotee of Sri Rama and lived like Sri Rama, upholding dharma in his life, teachings and mission. He loved one and all and had concern and respect for all life. He was unique and universal. He will also, as Valmiki has predicted in the Ramayana, remain evergreen in the memories of the devotees all over the world as long as the sun and the moon shine. In this Souvenir we have made a humble effort to bring out some of the thoughts of veneration, sublime emotions and love expressed by a few as a tribute to this God-Man.

For more information, please see: Chidanandam: The Joy of Knowing Him

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SPECIAL ARADHANA CONCESSION

We are currently having a Special Aradhana Concession on all our publications from 1st July 2025 to 30th September 2025. The discount on publications is as follows:

20% on Orders Upto Rs. 300/-
30% on Orders Upto Rs. 1,000/-
35% on Orders Above Rs. 1,000/-
40% on Orders Above Rs. 25,000/-

40% Special Discount on the following Pictorial Volume of Worshipful Sri Swami Chidanandaji:

1. EC71 Divine Vision                 Rs. 300

Please visit our online bookstore for further details.

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"You have heard so much today about Swami Chidanandaji. He who has made a determination now, to become like Chidanandaji, alone will be benefited. Maya is very powerful. You will think that you are all elevated now, but as soon as you get up in the morning, the mind will run in its own grooves. He who keeps constant satsanga and studies books on vairagya — books like ‘Necessity for Sannyasa’, ‘Lives of Saints’ and ‘Illuminating Stories’, will keep up the current, and he alone can lead a virtuous life. Lectures you have heard. Everybody knows the power of Rama-Nama. But, you do not put it into practice! You have no faith in the Lord’s Name, you have faith only in money. It is celebration of these Birthdays that makes you constantly dwell upon the thoughts and actions of saints. Then alone will you get an impetus and stimulus to attain the Goal which they have reached." – Swami Sivananda

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