INTRODUCTION
His Holiness Swami Sivananda Maharaj was known to have produced many Saints and Sages. Two of them in particular would become Guru-bhais who went their own ways but shared an inseparable bond.
BALAKRISHNAN MENON
P.B.K. Menon a journalist by profession, was curious to know what an ashram life was like. On the one hand he wanted to expose the lives of the Sadhus, but at a deeper level, he was eagerly thirsting to meet his saviour and unknown Master. He had read about Swami Sivananda and thus reached the Divine Life Society.
Menon stayed on for two-three months, fascinated by Swami Sivananda’s divinity, love and teachings. The death of his close friend Narendra Shroff made his disenchantment with the world complete. He moved to Ananda Kutir for good, to follow the spiritual path, to study and serve Swami Sivananda.
SANNYASA DIKSHA
On February 25th, 1949, Maha Shivratri day, he was initiated into the holy order of Sannyasa by Swami Sivananda, and was ordained Swami Chinmayananda Saraswati.
Swami Sivananda then guided the disciple to the most renowned Vedanta master of the time, Swami Tapovanam, under whom he underwent a period of intense study and austere living.
SRIDHAR RAO
Born: Sep 24, 1916
Right from his young age Sridhar Rao was spiritually inclined. He was exposed to the Puranas. Doing Tapas, becoming a Rishi, and having a vision of the Lord became ideals which he cherished. Although born in a wealthy family, he shunned the pleasures of the world to devote himself to seclusion and contemplation.
Charity and a strong desire to serve the sick and needy, were deeply ingrained in him. He was known for his incessant service to those in need. Not just humans but even birds and animals claimed his attention.
As he grew, his spiritual thirst only increased. By 1943 he was already in communication with Swami Sivananda, who gave him permission to join the Ashram.
GURU SEVA
Very soon after joining the Ashram, he gave ample evidence of the brilliance of his intellect. Soon he took charge of the dispensary, delivered lectures, wrote articles including a biography of Swami Sivananda, established the Yoga Museum, all while intensifying his Sadhana.
In just 5 years, Swami Sivananda made him the General Secretary of the Divine Life Society.
SANNYASA DIKSHA
On Guru Purnima day July 10, 1949, he was initiated into the holy order of Sannyasa by Swami Sivananda, who ordained him Swami Chidananda.
Swami Chidananda worked and served the cause of Swami Sivananda’s mission tirelessly, and spread his Divine Life message far and wide, globally.
AT DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY
Photographs of these soon-to-be spiritual giants as they studied and served Swami Sivananda Maharaj.
Photographs of these soon-to-be spiritual giants as they studiedand served Swami Sivananda Maharaj.
The two Guru-bhais went their separate ways, but the bond they shared knew no physical or geographical borders.
The two Guru-bhais went their separate ways, but the bond they shared knew no physical or geographical borders.
JNANA YAJNAS
Swami Chinmayananda started the Upanishad and Gita Jnana Yajnas in 1951 and went on to become the founder of Chinmaya Mission, spreading its wings around the world in order to bring the message of the Vedanta to us.
DIVINE LIFE
After the mahasamadhi of Swami Sivananda, Swami Chidananda would become the President of Divine Life Society, to carry on the work of his illustrious Guru. He traveled all over India and the globe to spread the message of Divine life.
Despite their very busy schedules, whenever an opportunity presented itself, both the Mahatmas made full use of it.
SURPRISE IN DUBAI
Pujya Gurudev was addressing an audience in Dubai. Swami Chidananda also happened to be visiting at that time. He asked his host to take him to the venue where he quietly sat in the last row to enjoy the talk of his spiritual brother. Pujya Gurudev noticed his presence, paused and said: When the sun rises, the stars have to fade.
He escorted Swami Chidananda to the stage and announced: Now I introduce you to the real sun (and son) of Swami Sivananda. Whatever time he allots to you, you can bask in his sunshine.
SURPRISE IN DUBAI
Pujya Gurudev was addressing an audience in Dubai. Swami Chidananda also happened to be visiting at that time. He asked his host to take him to the venue where he quietly sat in the last row to enjoy the talk of his spiritual brother. Pujya Gurudev noticed his presence, paused and said: When the sun rises, the stars have to fade.
He escorted Swami Chidananda to the stage and announced: Now I introduce you to the real sun (and son) of Swami Sivananda. Whatever time he allots to you, you can bask in his sunshine.
IN ORISSA, 1984
In 1984 Swami Chinmayananda was in Bhubaneshwar for a 10-day Yajna. One day, despite his always packed schedule, he asked for a car and driver and left without disclosing his destination.
Returning in time for the Yajna, he was beaming with joy. When asked where he had gone, he said: I was with my dear friend Swami Chidananda. I went to visit his new ashram land in Orissa. He was referring to Chidananda Hermitage, Shanti Ashram – Divine Life Society, Orissa.
INAUGURATION OF CHINMAYA VIDYALAYA
Swami Chidananda's speech
In October 1991, Swami Chidananda was invited to inaugurate the auditorium at Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Tirunelveli. Here, Swami Chidananda paid rich tributes to Swami Chinmayananda, hailing him as the “the Kohinoor of Bharatavarsha, a torch bearer of Vedanta.”
Swami Chidananda referred to Swami Chinmayananda as his “beloved and worshipful spiritual brother.” This speech radiates the pride and affection Swami Chidananda had for Pujya Gurudev.
MEETING IN TIRUNELVELI, JANUARY 1993
Dr. Shailaja Nadkarni remembers this meeting vivdly.
During Pujya Gurudev’s yajna in January 1993, at Tirunelveli, Swami Chidananda was passing through the town. He came on the inaugural day of the yajna and the Guru-bhais met at the Ganesha temple in Chinmaya Vidyalaya, the venue of the yajna. No words were exchanged, just a sweet meeting in silence. When Mahatmas meet, the silence is rich in communication. Words are redundant.
The two Guru-bhais were born within a few months of each other. In one of his last letters to Swami Chidananda, Swami Chinmayananda wrote, “Now we are on a neck-to-neck race; let’s see whose time comes first.”
THE HOSPITAL, SAN DIEGO
“Guru is never critical. Do not use that word. Whoever had a glimpse of Swami Chinmayananda had total Ishwar Darshan in their lives. Take off your shoes and go to the third floor and bask in the presence of Brahman.”
These were the words of Swami Chidananda to Dr. Shailaja Nadkarni at the hospital where Swami Chinmayananda was admitted after suffering a massive heart attack.
HELP IN TRYING TIMES
When Gurudev attained mahasamadhi, devotees were devastated. They did not know of the procedures, as this was a totally new experience for all of them, as well as the young Swami Tejomayananda. Swami Chidananda guided Swami Tejomayananda about the rituals and the last rites to be performed. Under his instructions, Pujya Gurudev’s body was kept in a sitting posture. The last rites were also conducted with his guidance. He deputed one of the senior Swamis of Divine Life Society to attend the final rituals at Sidhbari.
Below: Swami Chidananda blesses Swami Tejomayananda at the hospital in San Diego in July 1993.
PARLIAMENT OF THE WORLD'S RELIGIONS
In the year 1993, the second Parliament of the World’s Religions was held from August 28 to September 4. Swami Chinmayananda was selected as the President of Hindu Religion and asked to lead a delegation of sixty practitioners of Hindu religion. However, he fell ill and requested Swami Chidananda to lead the delegation on his behalf. As Swami Chinmayananda attained mahasamadhi on August 3, 1993, Swami Chidananda was made President instead.
Swami Vimalananda who became the president of Divine Life Society after Swami Chidananda, recollects those times.
SAMADHI STHAL
The relationship between the two Mahatmas continued even after the mahasamadhi of Swami Chinmayananda. Swami Chidananda had come to Sidhbari in 1994 to attend the first mahasamadhi anniversary of Swami Chinmayananda. While he took a parikrama around the Samadhi Sthal he said, “A bit of Swami Chinmayananda is in the hearts of each one of his devotees, without exception.”
STATUE INAUGRATION
On 12th February, 1995, Pujya Gurudev’s pratima was installed in Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Mumbai. Swami Chidananda unveiled the statue.
Swami Chidananda at the Inauguration of CIRS
Chinmaya International Residential School
Swami Tejomayananda fulfilled Swami Chinmayananda’s vision of establishing the Chinmaya International Residential School (CIRS) at Coimbatore in 1996. It was but natural that Swami Chidananda was invited as chief guest at the inauguration of the school. In his speech on that day, Swami Chidananda announced that Pujya Gurudev himself was present for the function to shower his blessings. He revealed to the astonished audience that his train ticket was booked under the name of Swami Chinmayananda quite inadvertently!
A CHILDHOOD SONG
In 2004, more than a decade after Pujya Gurudev’s mahasamadhi, Swami Chidananda went into retreat at Dehradun. One day, probably when he was thinking about his Guru-bhai, a song flashed in his mind, one that Swami Chinmayananda had learnt from his mother in his childhood. Gurudev had shared this song with him in their early years.
Much as he tried, he could not recollect some of the lyrics of the song that was in Malayalam. Swami Padmanabhananda recalls the incident which showed how much the two Guru-bhais meant to each other.
SWAMI TEJOMAYANANDA REMEMBERS
After the mahasamadhi of Swami Chidananda, when Swami Tejomayananda was invited to DLS. There he recalled “He used to refer to me as his spiritual nephew.” Since Swami Tejomayananda was Swami Chinmayananda’s disciple, like a son and Swami Chidananda was Swami Chinmayananda’s Guru-bandhu, Swami Chidananda was spiritual Uncle to Swami Tejomayananda.
In that speech Swami Tejomayananda affectionately remembered the timely assistance that Swamiji Chidananda was of, when Pujya Gurudev attained mahasamadhi.
GLORIFYING GURUDEV'S WORK
When Swami Swaroopananda met Swami Chidananda in Hong Kong, Swami Chidananda spoke very highly of Pujya Gurudev and glorified his work. In Swami Swaroopananda’s words, “Hearing from another master the greatness of your Master was wonderful.” Referring to Gurudev, Swami Chidananda emphasized that there was no one like him who had single-handedly spread the knowledge of Bhagavad Gita among the masses. He said that it was no ordinary work and it could not be done by any ordinary person.
Even after Swami Chidananda attained mahasamadhi in August 2008, the two organizations continue to reflect the loving bond between the two Guru-bhais. Swami Tejomayananda and Swami Swaroopananda have the highest regard for the work being done by the Divine Life Society. Swami Vimalananda and Swami Padmanabhananda of Divine Life Society have extended their help to Chinmaya Mission in many ways. We acknowledge the contribution of Divine Life Society with immense gratitude. Our special thanks to Brahmanishta Mathaji for her gracious assistance with material from DLS.
Even after Swami Chidananda attained mahasamadhi in August 2008, the two organizations continue to reflect the loving bond between the two Guru-bhais. Swami Tejomayananda and Swami Swaroopananda have the highest regard for the work being done by the Divine Life Society. Swami Vimalananda and Swami Padmanabhananda of Divine Life Society have extended their help to Chinmaya Mission in many ways. We acknowledge the contribution of Divine Life Society with immense gratitude. Our special thanks to Brahmanishta Mathaji for her gracious assistance with material from DLS.
Swami Sivananda
I have produced few dozens of saints and sages who are the King of Kings & emperor of emperors and they are spread across all over the world. My teachings are summarised in six words: Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realize. I serve all. I love all. I see The Lord in All.