Hindu Dharmasamrat Paramhans Sri Swami Madhavanandaji
Bhagvan Sri Deep Narayan Mahaprabhuji had many self-realized disciples. Foremost amongst them was his successor, a spiritual luminary, Hindu Dharmsamrat Paramhans Sri Swami Madhavananda - Holy Guruji (as he was affectionally called by his disciples) who brought the light of Mahaprabhuji to the world.
Holy Guruji was born on 11 September 1923 and received Sannyas initiation in the year 1942. He lived at Sri Mahaprabhuji's side for more than 20 years, faithfully recording Sri Mahaprabhuji's Bhajans and Satsangs throughout that time. In the book "Lila Amrit - The Divine Life of Sri Mahaprabhuji" Holi Guruji describes his meeting with Sri Mahaprabhuji.
Paramhans Swami Madhavanandaji belonged to the Puri order of the Dasnami Sampradaya founded and established by Sri Adi Shankaracharya (788-820). He was a follower of the Saivas tradition and Advaita philosophy.
Bhagwan Sri Deep Narayan Mahaprabhuji and Paramhans Swami Madhavananda
Holy Guruji attained the blessed state of God Realisation through pure devotion and service to his Master. Setting an example through his life of pure devotion to God and of service to all creatures, he was an inspiration to all seekers of the Truth. His meditation and prayer meant spiritual help for the whole world. "Enter the kingdom of the Lord through the gate of sacrifice" is his encouragement to all seekers of God, for union with God is attained only when there is a complete and unconditional surrender of body, mind, and soul.
Paramhans Swami Madhavanandaji travelled extensively throughout India and the world, tirelessly spreading the message of Sat Sanatan Dharma and Yoga according to the teachings of his Master Bhagwan Sri Deep Narayan Mahaprabhuji. He called for universal brotherhood and service to mankind without prejudice or discrimination of nationality, status, or religion. Through his exemplary life of pious devotion to Gurudeva and selfless service to all living beings, Holy Guruji inspired everyone who came in touch with him. He preached about love, understanding, and tolerance for all, which is concisely captured in his message “One in All, All in One.”
Satsang journeys
I now undertook a long tour, making journeys to different towns to hold satsang and spread the Divine teachings of Mahaprabhuji. Just to mention a few of the larger towns, from Ajmer I went to Delhi, Amritsar, Ambala, Kurukshetra, Nagpur, Indore and then to Allahabad to participate in the Kumbha Mela there.
After staying one week in Priyag I visited Kashi, Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda and Patna. From there I returned to Rajasthan and made a journey through the whole federal state. During the monsoon, I stayed in Jodhpur and from there continued the journey once more. This time I began in Ahmedabad and visited Calcutta, Bhubaneshwar, Jagannath Puri and other places in Assam.
On February 17, 1966, I had planned to take the evening train for my return journey when I heard Mahaprabhuji's voice.
"Madhavananda, don't leave today," he said.
These words were a command for me, so I postponed the journey. The next morning the newspapers reported that the train in which I had intended to journey was involved in an accident. In prayer I thanked Mahaprabhuji, who always held his protecting hand over me. On several other occasions, I had the fortune to experience the signs of Mahaprabhuji's Divine omnipotence.
After some days I travelled on and as I had obtained a ticket to Calcutta, I decided to go there via Siliguri and Darjeeling. From Khajuri Ghat I came to Khapari Ghat by boat and upon my arrival, I sat down at the station for my morning meditation. A railroad official approached me and inquired if I was Swami Madhavananda. Surprised, I said yes and he then handed me my ticket, which he had found on the ferry boat. I was aware that this stroke of luck was again attributable to Mahaprabhuji's grace and kindly I thanked the officer.
As an accomplished singer, he often expressed these teachings in the form of bhajans. Holy Guruji wrote hundreds of bhajans and authored books in Hindi and Gujarati.
Hindu Dharam Samrath Paramhans Swami Madhavananda Ashram, Nipal, Rajasthan, India
In the book "Lila-Amrit," he has written down the story of Sri Devpuriji's and Sri Mahaprabhuji's miraculous lives. He established several ashrams in Rajasthan and Gujarat that are centers of learning and spiritual pilgrimage for devotees from the whole world. In 1998 Paramhans Swami Madhavananda was awarded the title Dharma Chakravarti in Haridwar by the World Development Parliament, and in 2001 decorated with the spiritual title of Hindu Dharmsamrat by the Kashi Vidvat Samaj (assembly of professors and scholars of the Sanskrit University of Benares) in the presence of His Holiness Jagadguru Sumeru Peethadesh Sri Shankaracharya, at the occasion of the Maha Kumbha Mela in Prayagraj (Allahabad).
Om Vishwa Guru Deep Ashram, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Holy Guruji also travelled to Europe several times, at the invitation of his disciple and spiritual successor, Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda. He also visited Hungary in 1980 and 1996, to the great happiness of his Hungarian followers, establishing and strengthening our spiritual community.
My visit to Europe
One of my closest disciples, Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda, has gone to Europe to spread the message of Mahaprabhuji there. He has established yoga centres and ashrams in several countries. In 1975 I received an invitation from the European disciples to pay them a visit and on the 1st of May, I left India for Europe.
Holy Guruji in Hungary, 1980
In Vienna I was warmly welcomed by Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda and the European disciples. A satsang was held in the Vienna Ashram and the chairman of the Austrian-Indian Yoga-Vedanta-Society (founded by Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda), spoke the words of welcome. After this I held satsang with everyone present:
"The Divine Self is One, Omnipresent in the whole universe. Mankind is also One, the creation of that One who has created the whole world. Dharma is valid for all people, all have a mutual goal. Different paths lead to this goal but in the end all come to God and unite in him. The path to God, to bliss and joy, to overcoming all sorrow and pain, is the realization of that reality. The path to Truth is that one on which dualism is removed and non-dualism realized. Enter the Kingdom of the Lord through the gate of sacrifice. Our problems can only be surpassed by renouncing our selfish desires. The human body is a valuable jewel, for it is only possible in human life to gain spiritual knowledge."
At this satsang there was time for questions and discussions, for the benefit of all. A few are included here.
Question: "Holy Guruji, what can we gain through satsang?"
Answer: "Satsang imparts spiritual peace and Divine grace. Satsang literally means "good company," for it is by associating with people of good character that one becomes good. The Self and the Highest Self (atma and paramatma) cannot be realized without satsang, because it is essential to associate with wise people."
Question: "Our scientists and doctors say that alcohol, meat, fish and eggs produce energy for the body. Do you consider that these scholars are wrong?"
Answer: "Maybe these foods will increase physical strength, but this energy contains a low spiritual vibration. If someone wants to bring their level of consciousness to that of animals, then they may eat this type of food. But as humans our aim is to develop Divine qualities and whoever wishes to achieve this should eat pure, sattvic food. All aspirants should take care of their health and purify their minds by means of proper diet and breath control. In this way bliss can be achieved."
Question: "Guruji, why do so many Divine souls incarnate in India? Why not in other countries?"
Answer: "God is just and fair, His law is irrevocable. The reason for the great number of highly spiritual souls incarnated in India is because India is a very spiritual country."
Like this, satsangs and discussions were shared for several days and following a yoga seminar under the direction of Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda, I visited other Austrian cities and then travelled to Czechoslovakia. In the capital of Prague a medical team experimented on my yogic abilities by measuring the energy of my brain in an EEG (electroencephalograph). The results surprised them, as it was revealed that through the techniques of yoga it is possible to bring one's brain to a state of perfect rest.
I returned to India in August after journeying through several other European countries.
Inspired by the grace and divine mercy of his Master, Paramhans Swami Madhavananda tried to help people wherever he could. He also involved himself in social work and was committed to the preservation of the ethical values of Vedic culture and religion, the Sanatana Dharma. He spread the message of Mahaprabhuji through the whole of India and worked for the wellbeing of the entire world through prayer and meditation.
On the 31st October 2003, Hindu Dharmasamrat Paramhans Sri Swami Madhavanandaji attained Mahasamadhi. He was laid to rest at Om Vishwa Deep Gurukul Maheshwarananda Ashram, Village Jadan, District Pali, according to the sannyasin tradition. More than 50,000 devotess paid their respects throughout the traditional period of mourning in the presence of thousands of Sadhus, Sannyasins and His Holiness Shankaracharya Ji of Sumeru Peeth.
