Page 63 - Amrit Varta - Issue Feb. 2023 - English

Vol. 27, No.1, February 2023 MA ANANDAMAYEE AMRIT VARTA 51

In memory of Brahmlin Swami Sharanandagiri Maharaj

Swami Chetnanandagiri
A pious new chapter began in my life on one evening of the year 2002. On
that day arrived in Ma’s Vindyachal Ashram a gentle-looking elderly monk. The
very sight of him filled my heart with joy. Introducing himself, he said that his
name is Swami Sharananandagiri, a devotee of Shree Shree Ma, who has
performed the daily worship of Ma’s Samâdhi Mandir at Ma’s Kankhal Ashram
for about a year. Prior to this on Shree Shree Ma’s instructions, for many years
he had also performed the daily worship of Ma Kali at Ma’s Uttarkashi Ashram.
At the same time he took care of nearby sâdhus too. With the aim of continuing
sâdhana in isolation he came to Ma’s Varanasi Ashram and Brahmachari Panuda
then sent him to Ma’s Ashram at Vindhyachal. And hence he has arrived here in
Vindhyachal. For the next few days after we had food and prasâd together at the
Ashram, he informed me one day that as a part of sâdhana he desired to perform
his work by himself. I was amazed to notice that his daily routine and life-style
was unique, which is an inspiring example for any sâdhak (aspirant). There was
a great inner joy and spiritual strength in him. I was overwhelmed by his
extraordinary devotion to japa, penance, yagna and puja. In spite of being an
aged sanyâsi, he treated me like a close friend.
Swamiji spent the latter part of the night in meditation. Then after exercising
for a while, he would drink outright several litres of warm water. Usually he
would not eat or drink anything else in the morning. Then after his daily ablution
when he sat on his puja âsan and if there was no special work, he would remain
absorbed in japa-dhyân and reciting hymns till noon, sometimes till evening.
After that he used to put some water in a vessel, added some rice or daliya,
vegetables, salt, a few drops of refined oil and boiled it (which took only a few
minutes to prepare). Turmeric and spices were not used at all. After offering
these as bhog to Ma he ate that prasâd. Usually only drank milk at night. “For
attaining God-realisation, eat for the sake of living, not live for the sake of
eating.” I have observed in reality this virtuous thought reflecting within him.
Birth, Education and Career
Swamiji’s elder brother Shri K.C. Gangopadhyay (currently 92 years old) is
a dedicated old devotee of Shree Shree Ma, who converses with me through
phone calls. Whatever, I have learned from him about Swamiji’s earlier life,
that, I have tried to mention below.