Swami Brahmananda

H.H. SRI SWAMI BRAHMANANDAJI MAHARAJ

A Life-Sketch

“That rare person who attains success in meditation is really a blessed one. None can describe his nature fully. People who try to describe a sage can be broadly brought under three groups. Many describe his body and its activities. They speak about his parents, his birth, his childhood, his school education, and so on. Some others describe the sage’s charitable nature, his love towards others, his instructions to his disciples, his equal vision, etc. Only very few, maybe one in a million, describe the sage rightly through statements like ‘I am He’ and ‘He is I’. Only those who have themselves realized the Truth can boldly assert their identity with the sage, because they have directly experienced the truth of the Vedic declarations neti, neti (not this, not this) and sarvam khalvidam brahma (All this is verily non-dual Consciousness, pure and infinite). That the first two groups of people who think that they are giving beautiful, long and eloquent descriptions of the sage are far from right, needs no special mention.” Nevertheless, we who belong to the first two groups cannot do otherwise than make the traditional attempt to recount the life story of a great soul, who was our teacher.

Thiruchendur in Tamil Nadu has one of the six famous temples of Lord Subrahmanya. A community of dedicated devotees of the Lord live there. One such Brahmin family migrated a few generations back to Tiruvanantapuram, Kerala State. On 26th June, 1910, Revered Swami Brahmananda Maharaj was born into that family, to the pious parents Sri Krishna Iyer and Srimati Rukmani Ammal, in the village Thonnakkal, near Tiruvanantapuram (Trivandrum). He was the eldest of five children. His parents named him Nilakantan.

His studies commenced in Tiruvanantapuram. After graduating from Travancore University (now Kerala University), he joined the service of the then princely state of Travancore. He was married and, in the year 1932, a son was born who was named Sundarakrishnan. Twelve years later, in 1944, his wife passed away and Nilakanta Iyer assumed full responsibility for the upbringing of the boy. Though pressed by his parents to remarry, he steadfastly declined. The premature death of his wife appears to have wrought some changes in his life for, around this time, he went on a pilgrimage to Ramanashram in Tiruvannamalai where he was blessed with the darshan of the great sage of Arunachala, Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. He spent a day in the Ashram.

Shortly after this, sometime in 1946, he happened to be browsing through the bookstall in Tiruvanantapuram Railway Station, where he happened upon the newly published Practice of Yoga – Volume I by H. H. Gurudev Sri Swami Sivananda Maharaj. So inspired was he by the book and the author that, during the same year, he journeyed to the foothills of the distant Himalayas for darshan of the Holy Master. Gurudev blessed him with Mantra Diksha during that visit. From that time onwards, he visited the Ashram once every year, with the exception of 1950 when Gurudev made his All-India Tour.

In 1947, he sought Gurudev’s permission to join the Ashram and give up hearth and home. At that time, his son was only fifteen years. Gurudev made some inquiries and asked him how much longer he would have to continue in service so as to be eligible for full pension benefits. Nilakanta Iyer replied, “ten years more”. Then Gurudev advised him to continue in service until the time when full pension eligibility was secured. Never, at that time, could Nilakanta Iyer have imagined that his pension benefits would hold him in good stead after retirement for almost fifty years!

So inspired was he by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivananda Maharaj and his divine mission that as early as 1947 Nilakanta Iyer organized a branch of the Divine Life Society in his own home in Tiruvanantapuram. Inauguration ceremonies were conducted on January 26, 1947 with Revered Sri Swami Tapasyanandaji Maharaj of the Ramakrishna Mission officiating. Nilakanta Iyer served as Secretary. In addition to the bi-weekly meetings, all special holy days as well as Sivananda Ashram special anniversaries were celebrated with much sincerity and devotion. Gurudev’s Diamond Jubilee in 1947 was honoured by a grand two-day celebration and a crowded program of puja, akanda maha japa, inauguration of yoga classes, mantra writing, public meetings and prayers for the long life of Sri Swamiji Maharaj. Periodically, the branch printed small tracts containing Gurudev’s teachings and sent them to the Ashram for distribution as jnana prasad. The branch library was also located in his home and served as a distribution point for Gurudev’s books and teachings.

In 1950, Gurudev set out on his All-India and Ceylon Tour. Nilakanta Iyer was appointed to organize Gurudev’s programme in the Tiruvanantapuram circle. His father, also, was a member of the Tour Organizing Committee. Gurudev blessed their home with his sublime presence and performed arati in their puja room to the great satisfaction of the entire family.

In 1951, Nilakanta Iyer along with his son, Sundarakrishnan, and one or two friends set out on a pilgrimage with the intention of visiting the famous temples in the South as well as in North India. Their yatra in the South completed, they arrived at the Ashram with plans to set out for the holy mountain shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath after a few days. For the son, who was not yet twenty years old, this was his first visit to Sivananda Ashram. As a modern young scholar, he was having some doubts concerning the efficacy and value of the spiritual life and, with only a half-hearted interest, he made salutations to Revered Gurudev. After visiting the Ashram for a few days, they commenced their journey accompanied by one Swami Sadananda and two other persons who were residents of the Ashram. Thus, a group of five persons started their pilgrimage to Kedarnath.

While the group was returning from Kedarnath by foot, Sundarakrishnan happened to step on a sharp thorn which lodged itself in his left heal. Within a day or two, walking became very troublesome for him. At times, he covered the distance atop a pony. Nevertheless, by the time the group reached Srinagar on their way to Badrinath, his condition had become serious. Nilakanta Iyer consulted a doctor there for treatment, but the doctor found the wound very seriously infected and advised them to return to Sivananda Ashram Hospital in Rishikesh and take treatment from Dr. Rai immediately. Requesting the rest of the group to complete their Badrinath Yatra, father and son returned to the Ashram.

In the Ashram Hospital, the wound was treated, but the heel turned black, discharging fluids and causing excruciating pain. During the dressing of the wound, the boy cried aloud because of the severe pain. This drew Gurudev’s attention. Gurudev came to see the boy and instructed the medical assistants to do the dressing gently. As the condition of the leg deteriorated further, the doctors decided to perform amputation of the foot in a hospital in Dehra Dun and scheduled the surgery to occur after two days. But on the second day, the doctor noticed what appeared to be a miraculous improvement and announced, to the immense joy of all, that amputation would not be necessary because somehow the wound was almost 90% healed! “What could have happened?” Nilakanta Iyer asked his son.

Only then did the boy narrate the whole story. Two days before during his regular afternoon visits to the various departments of the Ashram, Gurudev Sri Swami Sivananda had come to his room at about 1:30 p.m. accompanied by Swami Venkatesananda and a few other Ashram swamis. Gurudev asked Sundarakrishnan to remove the bandage. Then Gurudev chanted thrice the Mrityunjaya Mantra, followed by a triple recitation of the Mahamantra (Hare Rama Hare Rama…). Then, in a very loud voice, the Holy Master intoned ‘OM’ thrice. The boy was told to replace the bandage, and Gurudev departed. When Nilakanta Iyer heard this, he told his son in a serious tone about the procedure the doctors had been planning and that it was due to the grace of Gurudev only that the wound had begun to heal. Earlier, the boy did not have faith and regard for Gurudev, and Nilakanta Iyer pointed out this defect.

For about a month, they continued their stay in the Ashram until the boy was able to walk normally. When the day came for their departure to Tiruvanantapuram, both father and son went for Gurudev’s darshan and blessing. With full faith and love and gratitude, the boy fell at the feet of Gurudev in full prostration. Gurudev took this occasion to impart final instructions to the boy. Gurudev told him that, after some years had passed, his father wanted to come and join the Ashram, and that the boy should not raise any objections. Rather, the boy should happily and willingly allow the father to depart in peace.

Over the next six years, Nilakanta Iyer continued to visit the Ashram annually. During one of these visits, Gurudev Sri Swami Sivananda bestowed upon him the gerua cloth, insignia of the holy order of Sannyasa, as well as the sacred Sannyasa Mantras. He even bestowed upon him the monastic name Swami Brahmananda Saraswati. But as he was still in government service and involved in family obligations, the viraja homa (sacred fire ceremony) was not performed at that time. Gurudev advised him to make special study of the Upanishads and, as final instructions, proclaimed: “Brahmananda Swami, live here! Where else can you find the holy Himalaya and Ganga!”

As advised by Gurudev, Nilakanta Iyer remained in government service until 1957. On October 10, 1957, he took voluntary retirement from service. At that time, he was serving as a Class-I Officer (a high rank), as Superintendent of the Kerala Government Press, Tiruvanantapuram. Forty years later, when asked by a student what had been his work prior to Sannyasa, Swamiji replied simply, “a clerk in a government press” and changed the subject. To his students and colleagues, barely anything was known about his early life.

When his son was married in 1958, Nilakanta Iyer shifted to Rishikesh. Being the eldest son, he still had to discharge some duties towards his parents and also had some responsibilities remaining concerning his only son. So he divided his time between Rishikesh and Tiruvanantapuram. He used to spend eight or nine months in Rishikesh and three or four months in Tiruvanantapuram. During the early years of his life at Rishikesh, he lived at Ramnagar. Later he shifted to Muni-ki-reti along with some fellow disciples and lived in a thatched hut in the Ram Ashram premises. He also stayed for a while near the Ashram at Hanuman Mandir on the banks of the Ganga. During this period (1958-1963), Nilakanta Iyer offered some seva in various departments of the Ashram.

In those days, sometimes, Gurudev used to send biscuit packets to the sadhaks who were serving in various departments. On one occasion, after receiving biscuit packets, Nilakanta Iyer and some other inmates went to Gurudev to explain that they were concerned that the cost of the packets was too much for the Ashram to bear as the Ashram was facing serious financial constraints at that time. Gurudev replied, “I know everything. You don’t worry about this!” Such was the love and compassion that Sri Gurudev had for the inmates and devotees.

Gurudev shed his mortal coil in July, 1963. At that time, Nilakantan Iyer was in Tiruvanantapuram attending to his old father, who was sick and bed-ridden due to dislocation of the hip joints. Hearing the news on the radio, he started making preparations to leave for Rishikesh. But the family astrologer advised him to remain in Tiruvanantapuram itself, as the end of his own father was fast approaching. With a heavy heart, he remained there. As predicted, in August, 1963, his father passed away, and Nilakantan performed the last rites for his father according to custom.

Around this time, Sringeri Sankaracharya, H. H. Sri Abhinava Vidya Theertha visited Tiruvanantapuram. A sect of the local Brahmin community, including Nilakanta Iyer, went for the darshan of His Holiness. The Acharyaji advised them to worship Lord Subrahmanya . During a subsequent discussion of this advice by the group, Nilakanta Iyer suggested that the Acharya’s injunction could be carried out best by building a temple for the Lord and doing regular worship there. This idea was readily accepted by the community and a committee was formed. Nilakanta Iyer was entrusted by the entire community with the responsibility of constructing the temple as Convener. The temple was constructed in accordance with the Pancharatra Agama and the consecration ceremony was performed in June, 1964. A few weeks after this, Nilakanta Iyer returned to Rishikesh.

After this, he made occasional visits to Tiruvanantapuram for one particular reason: no child had been born to his son. Finally, in 1966, Nilakanta Iyer consulted the family astrologer and accordingly arranged for the propitiating ceremony of some departed soul in their lineage. Then, in 1967, a female child was born. In 1968, Nilakanta Iyer attended the first year birthday celebrations of his grandchild. Then, with a sense of completion of all his responsibilities towards earthly relations, Nilakanta Iyer retired to Rishikesh permanently.

According to his horoscope, the year 1968 presaged a very critical period in which death from illness was a possibility. Not knowing what the future would hold in store, he became anxious to complete as quickly as possible the formal viraja homa ceremony that had not been performed when he had received the Sannyasa Mantras, gerua cloth and monastic name from worshipful Sri Gurudev, Sri Swami Sivananda years earlier. Since H.H. Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj, President of the Divine Life Society, was away on foreign tour, Nilakantan Iyer approached the General Secretary, H. H. Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj and requested completion of the Sannyasa Diksha. Thus, on the Holy Guru Purnima Day in July, 1968, the holy viraja homa ceremony was performed and, assuming the monastic name given him by Gurudev, Swami Brahmananda Saraswati donned the gerua cloth and embraced the Holy Order of Sannyasa.

Prior to this time, he had been staying in a room in Hanuman Mandir just in front of the Ashram. After Sannyas, Swamiji shifted to room #23, Vaikuntha Dham in the Ashram, a room he was to occupy for the next 30 years! In such high regard did Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj hold Swami Brahmananda that, after the Sannyasa ceremony, he offered Swami Brahmananda a desk in his own office, and requested Swamiji to assist him in his office work. But Swami Brahmananda politely declined, humbly replying that he would prefer to do some seva while remaining in his own room.

Swamiji was a member of a study group in the Ashram which met daily, at fixed hours, and went through various scriptures. The members of this group knew Tamil, Malayalam, English, and some Sanskrit and Hindi. Scriptures like the Brahma Sutras, Upanishads, and Bhagavad Gita were studied by comparing the commentaries written in the various languages. The pace was quite unhurried and the grasp was thorough. It took one and half years to study the first six chapters of the Bhagavad Gita. After lunch, they would take a little rest and, around 1:00 p.m., they would commence the study. Even on occasions where rest was not possible, Swamiji’s dedication, attendance, and punctuality was 100%. In addition to this, Swamiji attended the early morning prayer meeting of Swami Vidyananda for about ten years. The prayer session would commence at 3:30 a.m. with recitation of selected mantras from each Upanishad and also some chapters of the Bhagavad Gita accompanied by the melodious sounds of veena and tambura. In a week’s time, they covered selections from all the twelve major Upanishads and the entire Bhagavad Gita.

Some time in the year 1978 or 1979, prompted by a neighbor who was a resident sadhak, Swamiji started reading and discussing Vedantic text in his room with a few resident sadhaks. Gradually, this took the form of a class which was attended by a number of inmates, guests and visitors. Three regular classes were conducted: one in the morning, the second in the afternoon, and the third in the evening, each lasting for about forty-five minutes. For years and years, the classes were held in Swamiji’s little room until the number of students swelled to overflowing, and then the classes were shifted to a nearby hall.

Swamiji covered all the traditional texts and included modern authors as well: the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Ashtavakra Gita, Yoga Vasishta, Tripura Rahasya, Amritanubhava, Bhakti Sutras, Atma Bodha, Vivekachudamani, Pancadasi, Adhyatma Ramayana, Selections from the Bhagavatam and Ramayanam, Talks with Ramana Maharshi, Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, I am That by Nisargadatta Maharaj, Consciousness Speaks by Ramesh Balsekar, and Heart of a Gopi, to name just a few. The Yoga Vasishta was perhaps Swamiji’s favorite text. Once Swamiji taught it four times continuously for about six years, reading the entire two volumes of Swami Venkatesananda’s translation which is entitled The Supreme Yoga, sentence by sentence.

In addition, Swamiji used to take Vedanta classes for the students of the Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy and also gave special classes on Vedanta to groups of foreign visitors and guests who frequented the Ashram. Except for short periods in 1984 and 1991, Swamiji conducted his formal classes regularly until December 1995. After that, due to weakened health, the formal classes were stopped. But the students kept coming and small, informal sessions continued to be held in Swamiji’s room up to almost the very end of his life.

In his classes, Swamiji never lectured. His method was to read the text and explain whatever it was with the Vedantic touch. Differences in words and concepts never restrained him from pointing towards the ‘Absolute’. Swamiji would unfold continuously and effortlessly ‘That’ which is beyond all words and thoughts. With absolute conviction and unending patience, he would urge his listeners to constantly and deeply reflect over their own daily experience of deep sleep, dream, and waking states.

“You must clearly know who the ‘I’ in you is, that is the first step. You presume there is an ‘I’, and you think that ‘I’ is the body and mind, which it is not. If you go on thinking ‘I am the body and the mind’, none of these teachings will enter the heart, and there will be no progress on the spiritual path. You are not this body-mind. This body-mind exists only during the waking state. There are two other states of consciousness which we experience everyday. In the dream state, you have another body and mind. And in the deep sleep state, you are without the body and mind. Why don’t you pay attention to those two states? They constitute the major portion of your life, two-thirds of your life. If you take into consideration only one-third of life, only the waking state, how do you expect to solve the problems involving the whole of life? If you analyze the deep sleep state and the dream state, you will never say ‘I am this body’. This body exists during only one of the three states. We are trying to know that ‘I’ which identifies itself with this body in the waking state, which identifies itself with another body in the dream state, and which has no body in the deep sleep state. This ‘I’, who had no body in the deep sleep state, dreamt as a butterfly in my dream and as a human being now. Which is the truth?”

Thus, Swamiji would drive home the ‘truths’ clearly, even to those sadhaks not having a Hindu religious background. He loved questions and always encouraged students to clear all doubts. His pet response to any overly-interrogative student was a beautiful smile and the advice, “Do you really want to know God? You must really want it. Argument has its limit. What is needed now is reflection, deep reflection. Reflect over it. Think about it. Bring to your mind what the scriptures and the Masters are saying. So many pages are there, but what they say is really not very much; it is really very little. What is that ‘very little’, the essence of all this? You must come to your own conclusion. It must be your conclusion, not a piece of borrowed information from a book or from others. I Am that I Am, that great declaration, Aham Brahmasmi. Bring that to the intellect or mind again and again. In the course of time, that thought itself will dissolve. It is a mystery. Try it. Have faith in the Masters and the scriptures. This is the ultimate sadhana.” Over the decades, hundreds of students have benefited from these classes.

A beautiful tribute was written about Swamiji in the year 2000 by a devotee: “His Holiness Sri Swami Brahmananda Maharaj is a senior monk of the Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh, whose towering spiritual insights have sparked the flame of aspiration in the hearts of countless students from around the world. Swami Brahmananda radiates a peace so palpable that it touches a wellspring of joy in the hearts of sincere aspirants. Swami Brahmananda speaks from a depth of understanding which empowers his words to cut through the veil of ignorance. His wisdom, which is not from the intellect but from the very Source of Truth, is shared with tremendous patience and love.”

Swamiji wrote articles for the ‘Divine Life’, the monthly journal of the Society, and at times did proofreading for the journal and important books of the press. His first work, The Philosophy of Sage Yajnavalkya, was serialized in the Divine Life magazine and later published in book form in the year 1972. The second book, Revelation of the Ever Revealed, (Sage Totakacharya’s Sruti-sara-samuddharanam) was released in 1978. A booklet, Brahmasutras – A Remembrancer, was published in 1984. Then another booklet, Quintessence of Spiritual Practice (Acharya Sankara’s Sadhana Pancakam), was printed. In addition to these works, Swamiji edited Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji’s Brihadaranyaka Upanishad from incomplete manuscripts. This was first published in the year 1985. Also, he edited some works by H.H. Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj.

The last book, his magnum opus, Supreme Knowledge – Revealed through Vidyas in the Upanishads, was first serialized in the magazines ‘Divine Live’ and ‘Wisdom Light’ from 1984 – 1989, and then printed in book form in 1990 with some valuable additions. A second edition was published in 2000. Just a few months before his demise, Swamiji was surprised and pleased to receive a copy of a magazine review of The Supreme Knowledge. It was a full page book review written by Sri Ajit Telang in the magazine DILIP. Mr. Telang wrote: “His Holiness Swami Brahmanandaji Maharaj has done a remarkable service to the readers of spiritual books by coming out with this book. The author has provided unique spiritual insights from the Upanishads that are valuable tools to the seekers of the eternal truth – Brahman….Swamiji explains the ideas of the Upanishads and their relevance in today’s life so well that the book can practically become a text book for any spiritual aspirant who wants… to make progress on the spiritual path.”

Through the pages of his writing, Swamiji has unveiled many enigmatic scriptural statements by explaining the esoteric significance and the hidden meaning of the text beyond and above etymological and common meaning. As he often said, “You must read behind the words and between the lines when studying the scriptures. Do not take them literally. There is something hidden there.” Undoubtedly, he has put forth his visions and contemplations in these pages.

Towards the end of 1998, two video cassettes were released containing recordings of eight classes taught by Swamiji on the Karika to the Mandukya Upanishad. These were the last formal classes taught by Swamiji prior to his stroke in December 1995. Also released were five audio cassettes containing the first ten classes of a one hundred-ninety-eight class series by Swamiji on St. Jnaneshwar’s Amritanubhava (Experience of Immortality).

Generally, throughout his life, Swamiji enjoyed very good health. Naturally, he was endowed with a strong physique. Meticulously, he observed physical cleanliness. In his younger days, he would bathe daily in the Ganga and take long walks. The walking continued up to his final years. His daily routine and his dietary regime were both impeccably adhered to. He observed moderation in all matters, especially food habits. For more than half a century, he took only one tablespoon of rice with his lunch, which otherwise included a small amount of vegetable, dahl or sambar, perhaps a chapatti and some curd. Dinner was the same every evening: kitcherie and a little dahl. On rare occasions, Swamiji himself would prepare dosa in his room, mixing the batter in his single small catori and cooking it on a well-tempered cast iron skillet. Because of these simple food habits, he never experienced indigestion or headache or the other symptoms associated with poor digestion. Once an Army Medical Officer from Dehra Dun visited the Ashram. He also came to see Swamiji. He made a general check-up of Swamiji and finally made the remark, “Today, for the first time, I am seeing a young man of eighty years!”

Swamiji’s mannerisms were gentle, unassuming and respectful. He had a naturally serene personality. He was soft-spoken, patient, calm and kind to everyone and everything. Whatever he touched, he touched with gentleness. One could never hear even his foot-steps. If any new thing was brought into his presence, Swamiji evinced a childlike curiosity and delight in delving into its workings and mechanisms. Whenever he used to walk though the Ashram premises, he would observe the new construction and would ask details about it. He was extremely observant about everything that was happening, extremely aware. Swamiji displayed love, care and concern regarding the welfare of sadhaks whom he knew. If those known to him were absent for more than a few days, Swamiji would send someone to get news of them. If someone were ill or injured, Swamiji himself would go to his bedside and make sure he was receiving the proper care.

Once, one resident-sadhak started playing badminton with some other sadhaks. Although Swamiji advised him not to play, he did not heed Swamiji’s advice. Within a few days, he sustained a fracture of one of his legs and was confined to his room for three months. Swamiji said nothing, but instead, would climb two flights of stairs to visit him in his room. On another occasion, two close devotees of Swamiji accompanied him on his evening walk. While Swamiji was sitting on the Ganges bank, the two devotees (against Swamiji’s wishes) started swimming and sporting in the water. The tide was high and the current swift. Swamiji called them back repeatedly, but they were not listening. Suddenly two policemen appeared, compelled the two swimmers to return to the bank, and gave them a sound scolding. Swamiji just smiled at them. Even if it were a matter of egregious conduct on the part of one of the sadhaks, Swamiji never rebuked him to his face nor spoke against him to others. He was a paragon of equal-vision, acceptance and compassion.

Swamiji led a simple life. One could not find expensive or luxury items in his room. He lived with minimum comforts. Once, in the summer season, a Brahmachari from the Reception Office brought an air-cooler to Swamiji’s room. Swamiji smiled and allowed him to turn it on. The Brahmachari returned with the satisfaction of having given some relief from the summer heat to the aged body of Swamiji. The next morning, as a first duty, Swamiji phoned the Brahmachari and lovingly asked him to take back the cooler as he did not need it. Swamiji was also very considerate regarding his elderly Swami neighbors. Because Swamiji was conducting classes, many students would come to see him for consultation and might also present him with various items like biscuits, etc. Swamiji always shared these items with his neighbors. And, when sitting outside on the verandah with his neighbors, he made it a point to include them in conversations with students.

For almost thirty years, Swamiji lived in a modest room located on the ground floor of the men’s quarters behind the Viswanath Mandir. It was approximately eight foot square, with an area two feet by six feet sectioned off as a bath-toilet. There were two small windows. Ventilation was poor. There was no closet. Clothing was neatly folded and hung over wire clothes-lines placed along the wall. Swamiji had a small metal bookshelf, the top of which served as his altar. On this he had placed the sacred photograph of Gurudev Sri Swami Sivananda, which was flanked on either side by a small brass vase filled with red flowers. In the centre was the ghee lamp, a holder for incense, and a few other articles for daily worship. Below this, on the first shelf of the book-rack, Swamiji placed some articles of personal use: his fountain pen, a pen knife, some toothpicks, and a note-pad. Everything was kept in the right place, its exact place, and it was a place of maximum utility. One could not find a better location than Swamiji’s choice. Swamiji used to light the ghee lamp and incense both in the morning and evening. In the morning after lighting the camphor, he used to chant Guru-stotras and Para-puja slokas. He always took care that the best quality ghee was used in the lamp, and that it was lighted at the proper time.

There were really very few articles in Swamiji’s room. In the old days, there used to be a small painting depicting the Rasa Lila. It showed the Gopis of Brindavan in circular formation, and between each pair of Gopis, there stood Sri Krishna. While explaining Gopika Geetam and Heart of a Gopi, Swamiji used to refer to this painting as a means of driving home various Advaitic truths. Sometime later, someone presented Swamiji with a calendar containing a large portrait of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. Swamiji showed great reverence towards it and kept it on a wall opposite his bed until the end.

Swamiji scrupulously observed purity, dispassion and aspiration, the marks of the sacred Sannyasa Ashrama. He used to instruct his students: “If one lives a pure life according to his station in life, liberation will be waiting for him at the end.” Swamiji maintained serenity always and was always at peace with everything. He never complained about anyone or anything since he did not see anything other to himself. Many students and sadhaks came to him seeking his advice. Whether the problem concerned secular, social or spiritual matters, Swamiji would not rest until he had elevated the conversation to include a glimpse into the presence of Reality, the highest Truth. Often, like Sri Bhagavan Ramana before him, he would answer a question with another question, saying: “Who is it who wants to know?” “First find out who you are; then all problems will dissolve by themselves.” “How could the perfect God have created an imperfect world?” As one disciple later reminisced, “One could hear just one echo: ‘Everything is quite all right here, even now. There is nothing to be done to the perfect world. Say ‘yes’ to everything. Swim with the current. Do not resist. Accept everything as Bhagavan’s prasad. No question will then arise in your mind.’”

Once Swamiji was asked to give some written suggestions regarding the welfare of the Ashram. Swamiji expressed his thoughts lucidly in the following manner:

“Let each one of us know for certain that Spiritual Peace and Happiness alone can contribute to the welfare of the Ashram, and that it is purely subjective.”

“Our scriptures and Masters have been proclaiming with up-raised hands at the top of their voice about the immanence of God, the Absolute, the Supreme, in every atom and sub-atom of His so-called creation – in all ‘beings’ and ‘becomings’ (doings). Let the ‘I’ apperceive this simple saving Truth. This is the only sure and unfailing means for the welfare of the Ashram as a whole. The wonder of wonders is that the apperception of this Truth ensures simultaneously the welfare of the whole world also. When one, even once, gets a glimpse, as it were, of this Truth (the great Reality which the Scriptures say, for reasons obvious, is sacred and also secret), one experiences Peace, that Peace which is not conditioned or limited by space, time and causation – that Peace which is beyond understanding. This alone can ensure the permanent welfare of the Ashram.”

“Now, if this matter is considered from what we call the pragmatic view, we may have a number of suggestions for the welfare of the Ashram. These suggestions are bound to be as many as there are modifications of the mind of the persons offering the suggestions. And the process of giving effect to all the suggestions or even some of them will be endless. And perhaps the results may not be worth the trouble. It may even be like the proverbial attempt to catch one’s own shadow. Even if the mind says that we have succeeded, it does not require much time for the mind to think of fresh and better suggestions. This endless process will continue till one realizes subjectively that the ‘present’ state of things is the best for the present. And we all know that the phenomenon of this world (which includes the Ashram) is an ever changing process. There will be a cessation of it only when one realizes subjectively that this so-called phenomenon is itself “really” the Absolute, the Perfection, the Eternal, the best welfare one can think of. Let us, therefore, know and realize that this phenomenon itself is an expression of the Supreme Power and hence it cannot but be Perfection, the best welfare one can think of.”

Exactly when the onset of diabetes commenced, we do not know. But sometime in 1984, Swamiji began experiencing high blood pressure and eventually suffered a mild heart attack. He was hospitalized for a week in a Dehra Dun hospital. After a month or so, he resumed his classes despite medical advice to the contrary. When someone expressed his concern about Swamiji’s health, Swamiji replied, “For a Sannyasin, svadhyaya (studying and teaching scriptures) is like the life’s breath. As far as possible, one should carry on.”

In September 1992, diabetes was detected. In April of the following year, Swamiji suffered a hemorrhage in the left eye. President Swamiji Maharaj, H.H. Sri Swami Chidanandaji, arranged for treatment to be given in Madras by Dr. Badrinath, a renowned eye-surgeon. Swamiji was sent by flight with a proper assistant. To the assistant, H.H. Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj, said, “Brahmananda Swamiji is like my father. Take proper care.” For about three months after the surgery, the eye had vision. But in August of the same year, there was a second hemorrhage and eye-sight in the left eye was lost. For a few months after this, Swamiji was unable to conduct his classes. Then, once again, the classes resumed twice a day, morning and evening. A few years later, Swamiji recalled an incident revealing Gurudev Sri Swami Sivananda’s omniscience regarding this matter. Once, in the old days, Gurudev had given Swamiji (then Nilakanta Iyer) two packets of biscuits. Nilakantan kept one packet and returned the other one back to Gurudev saying, “One is sufficient.” Gurudev’s retort, he could not fathom at the time. For Gurudev had replied, “One is sufficient? Is one eye sufficient?”

The classes continued morning and evening for two more years. Towards the end of 1995, Swamiji was appearing very frail and exhausted; his balance was unsteady. On December 2, 1995, sometime in the afternoon, Swamiji suffered a mild stroke. He was 85 years old at that time. Subsequent to the stroke, there was a general weakening of the overall system, some impairment to the heart, a weakening of memory, loss of hearing in the right ear, and weakness in the right leg. Swamiji was able to remain in his room and was well tended by the Ashram hospital’s Doctor-Swami and his colleagues. Due to their dedicated care, Swamiji’s condition improved in a short time. Some special herbal medicine from France, offered by one resident French sadhak, also helped to improve Swamiji’s memory and physical condition. The General Secretary, H.H. Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj, visited Swamiji in his room and lovingly compelled him to take full rest. After this, normal classes were stopped. But in a few months, devotees and seekers again began coming to Swamiji’s room and for an hour in the afternoon, Swamiji used to meet with them and clear their doubts. With this small group, study of various scriptures again resumed. Now, instead of Swamiji reading the text, a reader was appointed, and the devotees tried their best not to tax Swamiji’s strength too much with their questions.

Swamiji was still living in his small room in the men’s quarters. Around this time, there were two or three episodes in which Swamiji suffered what were considered attacks of asthma, which grew so severe that hospitalization was required. But in all these incidents, a remarkable recovery was almost instantaneously effected the moment Swamiji set foot in the hospital premises. It was rapidly surmised that poor ventilation in Swamiji’s little room was the silent culprit instigating these attacks, and suggestions were made to shift Swamiji to a more spacious and well-ventilated room. But each time, Swamiji declined the proposal. “Maintaining cleanliness in the room, by oneself, will be difficult in a bigger room. So this small room is all right,” was the reason Swamiji gave. Finally in 1997, after the third episode of hospitalization and instant recovery, the Ashram Doctor insisted on shifting Swamiji, and Swamiji reluctantly agreed. And so, on January 14, 1998, the sacred Makara Sankranti Day, Swamiji shifted to a lovely, spacious and well-ventilated room in Govardhan Dham on Dattatreya Hill. Swamiji had planned that his altar photo, the sacred photo of Gurudev, would be the first to enter the new premises. One elderly resident swami in the building lovingly served Swamiji the traditional cup of warm milk with great devotion. Swamiji, at that time, was in his 88th year.

Even though Swamiji’s advanced age now necessitated that he receive assistance in certain matters of daily life, Swamiji maintained his unassuming nature, never wishing to disturb others needlessly. He ate whatever was served to him. If he did not quite care for it, he said nothing; he just didn’t eat it. He never asked for coffee or tea to be served. He never asked for any particular kind of eatable. He never asked for a newspaper or a book. If there were some startling world event and someone brought him a newspaper, he would look at the photos and read the text with great interest, and then return the paper. The topic seemed to be put at rest in Swamiji’s mind, for he never afterwards referred to it, although those around him might discuss certain events for days. Yet, his memory was sound, for if one of the senior Ashram Swamis were ailing, for example, Swamiji always remembered to enquire about him. Concerning matters of Advaita and the clearing of devotees’ doubts, his mind was impeccably swift and sure. His replies came like a bullet straight to the bull’s eye, infallibly terse, precise and on point. It seemed that there was just no anchoring in his mind for more trivial matters.

For four years, Swamiji lay on his bed without the common diversions of newspaper, television, radio, books, etc. There was a steady stream of students and devotees who would come for darshan. Much of the time, Swamiji slept in as relaxed and peaceful a manner as a small child, and he never mentioned any aches or pains consequent to spending so much time lying on the bed. When he was awake, he rarely spoke but remained peaceful and acutely aware at all times. He was perfectly content in every way. It was really a wonder to behold. Even in his ripe old age, he tried to manage for himself without assistance as much as possible. Really, he never asked anyone for anything.

There were only a very few exceptions. On one occasion, someone presented Swamiji with a copy of the Ribhu Gita, an ancient Sanskrit scripture which forms a section of the Siva Rahasya, which had recently been translated and published in America. During the informal class that gathered around Swamiji in the afternoon, someone began reading that book and occasionally Swamiji would answer questions posed. Several times Swamiji expressed an interest to compare the original Sanskrit text with the new translation. Immediately, a search was begun for the book which was nowhere to be found, neither in the private collection of H.H. Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj, nor in the Ashram library, nor neighboring ashram libraries, nor in private collections anywhere the query was made. Eventually, a letter was sent to the American translator/publishers explaining the situation and requesting that a photocopy of the Sanskrit text might be made available. Their response made our otherwise placid Swamiji sit up abruptly on his bed in disbelief, for they replied that it was against the international copyright law for them to send a copy of this ancient Sanskrit text to India! By great good fortune, a book containing the desired text that had been published in India years ago was finally procured. When this volume was presented to Swamiji, he held it in both hands with great love and his whole countenance was filled with joy.

The second occasion occurred on the evening of the mahasamadhi of H.H. Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj. Swami Brahmananda was, at that time, in very frail health and totally bed-ridden. Nonetheless, on hearing the sad news, he immediately requested that arrangements be made so that he could pay final homage to the great Swami whom he so much revered. A car and driver were retained to transport Swamiji and some attendants down the hill to the office of the General Secretary. Very slowly, on unsteady legs, Swamiji walked down the aisle into the chamber housing the mortal remains of the great Swami. In full solemnity and with total respect and adoration, Swami Brahmananda bowed three times with folded hands to his revered teacher. One could sense that, mentally, he was making full prostration thrice. Then, he sat for a few minutes in order to regain his strength and returned to the car.

The third occasion took place in July 2002. The Ashram was abuzz with the news that our most revered and worshipful President Swamiji, H.H. Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj, would be giving darshan to members of the Ashram on the 7th of July in his compound in Dehra Dun. Residents of the Ashram had not had darshan of Swamiji Maharaj since the previous April when he was whisked away in the middle of the night under dire medical emergency. Reports that his health was failing and that we might never again be blessed with his darshan were on everyone’s tongue and mind. Now, buses had been retained to transport members of the Ashram to Dehra Dun, and everyone wanted to go. One by one, the various persons attending Swamiji, as well as the usual stream of sadhak-visitors, were explaining the situation to him so that he would not be concerned on noticing their absence. On the evening of July 6th, Swami Brahmananda took them all by surprise by suddenly asking, “May I not also go for darshan?” Arrangements were quickly begun and a phone call made to Dehra Dun to convey Swamiji’s desire. Due to the rush of people expected, President Swamiji most graciously suggested that Swami Brahmananda come for private darshan on the 18th.

Swamiji, accompanied by three assistants, traveled to Dehra Dun on that day for darshan of worshipful President Swamiji, H.H. Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj. The compound gates had been opened so that the car could pull right up to the main entry. It was a grand darshan. Revered President Swamiji spoke for about an hour, beginning with the Vedantic maxim ‘Brahma Satyam Jagan Mithya’. President Maharaj enquired about Swamiji’s general health, diet and regime and later stated to an attendant, “Throughout my travels around the world, many devotees have enquired about the health of Swami Brahmanandaji. Today, I can truly say I have had the honour of darshan of a Jnani on Guruvar ”. Revered President Swamiji referred to Swami Brahmanandaji as the very embodiment of Sri Dakshinamurti and said that this holy monk truly upheld the glory of Satgurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj and his noble mission. At the conclusion of the darshan, President Maharaj presented Swamiji with a large basket containing the choicest fruits and a host of articles for daily use, all of the very finest quality.

In the year 1984, an astrologer gave some predictions after studying Swamiji’s horoscope. It ran like this: “As Jupiter is posited in the Kendra Bhava from Mercury, Jupiter confers the results of Mercury pertaining to knowledge (Jnana), spiritual activities, etc. Jupiter (a benefic) who is posited in the Mokshasthana (12th house)…[in combination with the] positive and negative aspects of Saturn and Jupiter on the Moon, make the native a great philosopher…. Since Jupiter, [which is] governing the Mokshasthana, is aspecting fully on the Lagna Lord Venus, the native is always concerned about his emancipation. All authoritative books on Astrology support that an unaffected Jupiter in the 12th house confers liberation to the native. Hence, the immaculate Jupiter should make the native attain Self-realization in this birth. As Venus and Jupiter are posited in the 9th and 5th from the Moon, the horoscope indicates a full span of life. At the end of Saturn Bukti, Swamiji shall recede from all spiritual activities and shall become more introspective. Jupiter’s aspect on the 8th house (house of death) from Lagna indicates a happy egression without much ailing.” A resident sadhak, who had seen the horoscope, predicted that a critical period would commence after May, 2002, lasting for about eighteen months. He mentioned that if Swamiji survived this period, little though chances were, he would see his 100th year.

As predicted in the horoscope, Swamiji’s health started declining after May, 2002. General weakness increased. Swamiji felt disinclined even to walk the few steps from his bed to the chair on the outside verandah in order to take some fresh air, as had been his custom. After returning from the bathroom, he was very exhausted. Now and then, swelling in the feet appeared. When medicines failed to remove or reduce it, Swamiji would say with a smile, “Let it be there. These are the usual symptoms of old age.” It was quite evident that he was waiting for ‘that’ moment. On June 26th, 2002, Swamiji completed his 92nd year, although no one knew it was his birthday. On July 18th, there was the darshan with President Swamiji. Shortly after this, in the middle of the night, Swamiji was awakened by a violent fit of coughing. It appeared out of the blue as there had been no symptoms of any kind. The body was shaking so much due to the coughing that he had to be assisted so as not to fall off the bed. The coughing vanished as mysteriously as it had come, but it left Swamiji in a noticeably weakened condition. On several occasions during this time, Swamiji told his close devotees and attendants that, if anything serious happened to the body, no effort should be made to keep it alive by artificial means. Instead, it should be allowed to have a peaceful end. Within two hours, if possible, the body should be offered to Mother Ganga and information be sent later to people by letter.

Still, Swamiji remained inclined not to disturb anyone on his account. One early morning about 3:00 a.m., he went into the bathroom unattended. Somehow he slipped and fell onto his back on the floor. Hearing the sound, the attendant rushed into the bathroom and found Swamiji struggling to get up. Fortunately, nothing unfortuitous happened. Swamiji returned to the bed, and within five minutes, had started snoring. He was not at all perturbed. But the attendant was greatly concerned. Such a situation must be averted, but what could one do, given the proclivity of Swamiji’s nature? Fortunately, God had provided an attendant who was a scientist by inclination and training. With the most painstaking care, over a period of days, this attendant fabricated a uniquely wired floor mat that could be placed just outside the bathroom entry. When Swamiji’s foot would touch the mat, an electrical signal would be transmitted to a doorbell type device hidden in the closet, whose chiming would alert the attendant.

Swamiji lay on his bed watching in full interest how the attendant meticulously wired and rewired the mat and fastened meters of electrical wire along the walls. This took several days. Swamiji just watched. He never asked what the attendant was doing. Then came the time when everything was ready and in working order. The attendant waited for Swamiji to go into the bathroom, and then made all the final connections. The several people there waited in full attention to see what would transpire when Swamiji emerged. Swamiji opened the bathroom door and looked around. Then in a thoroughly uncharacteristic manner, he took one giant stride, stepped completely over the mat, and looked up with a mischievous expression of triumph. We were blessed to witness this lila. The scientific attendant took no time in contriving a better system by which Swamiji’s movements were successfully monitored until the end.

On September 8th, the 115th Birthday Anniversary of His Holiness Gurudev Sri Swami Sivananda Maharaj was celebrated in the Ashram on a grand scale. Holy prasad was brought to Swami Brahmanandaji and he partook of this with full reverence and devotion. With folded hands and bowed head, he pranaamed in reverence towards the photograph of the Holy Master on his altar and offered rose petals on the sacred feet of the image of the Holy Master. Two days later, being the 10th of September, marked the occasion of the sacred Sri Ganesha Chaturthi. Again, prasad was brought to Swamiji and he partook of it with great devotion, sharing the remainder with devotees gathered there. It was to be Swamiji’s last prasad. Thus, blessed by Sri Gurudev and Sri Ganesha, Swamiji was preparing to take his leave.

On the night of September 11th, 2002, Swamiji had his usual light supper at about 8:00 p.m. At about 9:30 p.m., he started taking the usual medicines with some milk. Something got stuck near the chest resulting in intense chest pain. The doctor Swamiji came within minutes and made a general examination and advised rest. After sometime, Swamiji had a sound sleep. At about 2:30 a.m., he felt some uneasiness. Immediately, doctor Swamiji came and took an ECG, which revealed a massive heart attack. A heart specialist came from Rishikesh and gave some emergency injections, but no electro-shock was used. There seemed to be a little improvement. At about 5:00 a.m., H.H. Sri Swami Nirliptanandaji Maharaj, the Vice-President, came. When Swamiji was informed of that, immediately he opened his eyes, lifted his hands, and offered pranaams. When the Vice-President asked him if he was feeling any pain, he nodded his head to convey ‘no’.

At about 6:00 a.m., the heart condition deteriorated further. By this time, a number of inmates and devotees had assembled in the room. They started chanting the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra. Swamiji’s face remained totally calm; his eyes were closed. When devotees began chanting, “Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya’, Swamiji opened his eyes and looked at the photograph of Gurudev on his altar, and again closed his eyes. Around 9:00 a.m., breathing became a little difficult, so oxygen was administered for a few minutes. But Swamiji started pushing away the oxygen mask. The attendant tried to convince Swamiji to wear it, but Swamiji steadfastly refused. Hence, it was removed. Some time later, a gentle chanting of ‘Om’ was started close to Swamiji’s good ear. Now and then, Ganges water was given. Whenever the attendant called, “Om Swamiji, Ganga Jalam,” Swamiji would open his mouth and swallow the holy water without any difficulty. At about 1:50 p.m., breathing started slowing down and at 1:55 p.m., Swamiji breathed his last, amidst continuous chanting of “Om”. Swamiji remained totally and completely calm throughout. He was in a very high state of consciousness, totally aware and totally peaceful. It was just that at some point, the breathing ceased.

Recitation of the sacred Bhagavad Gita and Vishnu Sahasranama began, as ashramites gathered in Swamiji’s room. Shortly after 3:00 p.m., to the accompaniment of the Maha Mantra, Swamiji’s body was carried on a stretcher down into the heart of the Ashram. All of the Ashram residents joined in the procession, which first paused in front of Sri Gurudev’s Samadhi Shrine and then in front of Sri Visvanath Mandir. On both occasions, the chief pujari performed a special arati. Then the procession wended its way towards Visvanath Ghat amidst a mild drizzle. On Visvanath Ghat by the Ganges bank, the holy bath was given to the body accompanied by Vedic chanting; then it was covered with a new orange cloth and adorned with flowers. All the Senior Swamis of the Ashram performed arati. Around 4:30 p.m., the body was offered to Mother Ganga as a sacred Ganga-Arpana. The day was a Thursday (Guruvara), a day auspicious for worship of the Guru. Being September 12th, 2002, it was also Shashti Tithi, the sixth phase of the moon after new moon, which is especially auspicious in the worship of Lord Subrahmanya. These are the auspicious occurrences related to the mahasamadhi of H. H. Sri Swami Brahmanandaji Maharaj.

To us, Swamiji’s life appears to be a replica of a description which he, himself, penned in The Supreme Knowledge: “According to sage Vasishtha, there are two types of munis (a sage who observes mauna or silence) – the rigid ascetic and the liberated sage. The former forcibly restrains his senses and engages himself in Yogic activities with fanaticism. The latter knows the Truth, and yet behaves as an ordinary person. Silence is of five kinds: 1 Silence of speech, 2. Silence of sense organs, 3. Violent restraint, 4. Silence of the mind, and 5. The silence of deep sleep during the waking state (sushupti-mauna). It is the last that is really conducive to liberation. In it, the prana is neither restrained nor promoted, the senses are neither fed nor starved, the perception of diversity is neither expressed nor suppressed, and the mind is neither mind nor non-mind. There is no division, and hence no effort whatsoever in transcending it. One who is established in it may or may not meditate. He has the knowledge of what is, as it is. In that state, there is neither ‘I’ nor another, neither mind nor anything projected by the mind, and one knows that ‘I’ is but an idea and there is nothing other than Consciousness.”

Once H.H. Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj remarked, “Gurudev’s Mission has been fulfilled. His Ashram has produced one Brahmananda Swamiji.”