Homage to Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj

[Guest guest]

Science is ever available. Brilliant and inspiring scientists are few. Medical Science serves all. Highly skilled and talented practitioners of it are few. Literature is there for reading. Very creative and capable writers are few. Spiritual teachings are there to bless all. Souls who live the truths uncompromisingly under all conditions, making world a temple, and their life a service are always few in any generation.

Such a soul, Sri Swami Chidananda Saraswati, one of prominent saints of contemporary times, and the President of Divine Life Society entered Mahasamadhi on August 28, at the age of 92.

His simple, but serene presence during Shodashi Aradhana-16th day after passing of Swami Chinmayanandaji in '93, offering soothing, but uplifting words made an impression on me.

He urged during World Parliament of Religions in 1993: "...That to enter into the spiritual life is a rare blessedness, it is a great good; to take it seriously and engage in active spiritual sadhana is a second blessedness and a still greater good. But to persevere in the spiritual life, to be ever progressive and ceasless in one's spiritual life, is the greatest good, the crowning blessedness." His message is as relevant now as it was then.

In his death, for which he had left strict instructions for his body to be immersed in the Ganges quickly (Jal Samadhi), and no spectacle be made of in terms of mourning, as in life, Swami Chidananda remained a simple monk, despite being the President of an international organization with centres across the globe, upholding the highest values of India's monastic traditions.

More info about Mahasamadhi can be found at http://www.sivanandaonline.org May his teachings continue to guide, giving light and peace to all. ------------------------ Hari OM! -Srinivas