Brahmananda Saraswati

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Brahmananda Saraswati (20 December 1870 - 20 May 1953) was the Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math, one the most highly revered spiritual titles in India. ^[1] He was born into a Brahmin family in the village of Gana, near Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, India. He was called Rajaram in his younger days and also known as Maha Yogiraj. ^[2] At the age of nine he left home to wander and follow a spiritual path of renunciation. At the age of 14 he became a disciple of Dandi Swami Krishnanand Saraswati, in Uttar Kashi.^[3] Later, following his master's instructions, he retired to a cave, resolving not to emerge until he had attained enlightenment. In 1904 he was initiated into the order of "Sannyas" by his Master at the Kumbh Mela.^[4] In 1941, after decades of meditation and living alone in silence in the forest, Swami Brahmananda Saraswati finally accepted repeated requests to become the Shankaracharya (spiritual leader) of Jyotirmath, a position that had been vacant for about 150 years. ^[5][6] He was proclaimed by the president of India, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, as "Vedanta Incarnate" (embodiment of truth). ^[7]

The Adi Shankara (c. 8th century CE), the great reviver of Vedic Sanatana Dharma, had set up four principal seats of learning. ^[8] Shankaras four principle disciples, Padma-Pada, Hasta-Malaka, Vartika-Kara and Trotaka were assigned to these four learning centers in the north, south, east and west of India. Jyotirmath in the north being the most highly regarded of the four. ^[9]

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, became a devotee of Brahmananda Saraswati shortly before he was installated as Shankaracharya in 1941. The Maharishi later became the Shankaracharya's personal assistant. Devotees of the Maharishi also respect and revere Brahmananda Saraswati as their "Guru Dev" (greatest teacher) and outstanding representative of the Vedic tradition. It is in recognition of Guru Dev as the modern custodian of the Vedic tradition that a Vedic ceremony is performed by the Transcendental Meditation teacher during personal instruction.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] References

1. ^ Love and God, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Age of Enlightenment Press, 1973 p. 9
2. ^ Love and God, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Age of Enlightenment Press, 1973 p. 5-9
3. ^ Love and God, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Age of Enlightenment Press, 1973 p. 6
4. ^ 'The Life & Teachings of 'Guru Dev' Paul Mason
5. ^ The Whole Thing the Real Thing, Prem C. Pasricha, Delhi Photo Company, 1977 p. 59
6. ^ Love and God, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Age of Enlightenment Press, 1973 p. 5-9
7. ^ Love and God, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Age of Enlightenment Press, 1973 p. 5-9
8. ^ The Whole Thing the Real Thing, Prem C. Pasricha, Delhi Photo Company, 1977 p. 59
9. ^ Love and God, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Age of Enlightenment Press, 1973 p. 9

Brahmananda Saraswati (21 December 1870 - 20 May 1953) a Hindu Guru who was born into a Brahmin (Gana Mishra) family in the village SURHURPUR, 80 Kilometers from Ayodhya on (Faizabad- Varanasi Highway, old kashi- koshal mahamarg) in Uttar Pradesh, India.

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