It is indeed a matter of pleasure for me to write about the life and achievements of the late Sri Swami Tapovanji Maharaj with whom I lived closely, observing his way of life. There were times when we used to go together to the kshetra for bhiksha and spend time discussing the problems of philosophy. It was a pleasure to observe his novel ways, convincing explanations, his peculiar style of speaking in Hindi and his innocent laughter at times. He was a great virakta¹ who is known as such throughout the Uttara Khand. Most of his life he spent in seclusion, scriptural study and meditation. His love of nature, which he so marvellously expressed through his poetry in Sanskrit, was something unique. The Himalayan birds with their beautiful plumage and the simple ordinary flowers received his special notice, the fine descriptions of which are to be found in his Ishwara Darshanam and other works.

Predominantly, His Holiness was a philosopher of the Eastern type, at once practical and prudent. He refused to swerve from his idea even under the most tempting and critical times. His supreme reverence for the Upanishads and the Acharyas could not but impress every aspirant. When such matters used to be brought in for discussion, he would be all enthusiasm and bliss. He insisted on the equipment² of spiritual aspirants and taught only the qualified seekers (adhikaris).

He has been acclaimed as one of the great Sanskrit scholars of the times. His command of prose and poetry was surprising even to scholars. His lofty feelings and pleasant emotions found effective expression in his volumes. Even in Malayalam, he could write with the same elegance and ease. He was a great critic of literature. In matters of everyday life too, he used to be critical and logical. He was a widely read saint. Many of my works in English and in Hindi were perused by him. At times he used to give his opinion and pass his judgement on the worth of the works. He liked me immensely, even as I did him. Our friendship never slackened. The pleasant memories of events that took place when we both spent our earliest period at Rishikesh are still green in my mind.

Sri Tapovanamji Maharaj was a great conversationalist, whose talk could appeal to all kinds of people, young and old, men and women, laymen and sannyasins. Unless asked to clear philosophical doubts, he refrained from talking on such matters, but would engage the visitors in talk about day-to-day affairs. In this he was unique. Very little reference to his own glorious life could be found in his conversation. His own autobiography appears more like a biography, as if it were written by a close disciple of his! Name he avoided; fame he shunned. Prominence and prestige were anathema to him, and he felt insulted whenever they were forced on him. Such was his indifference towards worldly things.

Great men are simple in their ways and behavior. Tapovanamji was simple in his dress and lived in an ordinary kutir. He was content with the obtainment of the bare necessities of life. He could easily command any comforts and facilities, but he preferred to lead an unassuming life of utter simplicity. He shunned the Mandaleshwarship offered to him. Spiritual aspirants get inspiration from his life and teachings. His last words to the devotee who served him were, “Do not get entangled in bhranti³, i.e. worldly samsara. I led a life of virakti till the end of my life and I am happy.” Equally significant was the statement which he made when some of the devotees wished to take him to Delhi for treatment. “I do not want to go to Delhi. Do not even ministers die in Delhi? Are not people dying by the thousands in England and Washington? It is immaterial whether one dies three days earlier or three days later. I came to Uttarkasi to throw the body into the Ganges.” Here is the wisdom of a saint who cannot be carried away by the urgencies of the time and need, but sticks to his ideal at any cost. Glory to such a mighty soul!

A man of Self-realisation does not stand in need of defining God. He is beyond doubt and disbelief, argument and discussion. He cannot be disturbed by the happenings of the external world. His mind is ever balanced and steady. He is certain about the nature of the Truth which is at once transcendent and immanent, unborn and eternal. Experience and silence characterise his life. So Swami Tapovanamji did not countenance useless wrangling. Shantoyamatma – this Atman is silence.

A beacon-light of Uttara Khand, a torch-bearer of wisdom, guide to the seeker after Truth and a light for the Himalayas, His Holiness spent over thirty years in Uttarkasi and Gangotri; occasionally he used to come down to Rishikesh in winter for giving darshan and upadesha to the thirsting devotees. Many aspirants, both lay and sannyasin, knew him and they used to derive inspiration from him. His departure is a real irreparable loss to the spiritual world. But he is not gone anywhere. To the discerning ones, he is everywhere as the immortal Atman. Let us pray for him. He was a jivan-mukta and now he is a videha-mukta; therefore there is no need for our praying for him, yet we would like to offer our homage to him.

Glory to the Brahma-vidya Gurus!!