Tag: Vedanta

Swami Chinmayananda, Graduating from Lucknow University, he entered the field of journalism where he felt he could influence political, economic and social reform in India. But his life was changed when he met Swami Sivananda at Rishikesh and became interested in the Hindu spiritual path.

Balakrishna Menon took sanyas(monkhood) from Swami Sivananda and was given the name Swami Chinmayananda - the one who is saturated in Bliss and pure Consciousness. Swami Sivananda saw further potential in Swami Chinmayananda and sent him to study under a guru in the Himalayas - Swami Tapovan Maharaj under whom he studied for 8 years. Swami Tapovan Maharaj was known for his rigid teaching style, to the point where he told Swami Chinmayananda that he would only say everything once, and at anytime he would ask questions to him. Even with these extreme terms, Swami Chinmayananda stayed with Tapovan maharaj until the very end of 8 years. Being a journalist at heart, Swami Chinmayananda wanted to make this pure knowledge available to all people of all backgrounds, even though Tapovan Maharaj had advised against it. It was then that with Tapovan maharaj's blessings, he left the Himalayas to teach the world the knowledge of Vedanta throughout the world.

Endearingly called 'Bapuji', His Holiness is a Self-Realized Saint from India.

He was born in Berani village of the Nawab district in Sindh (Un-Partitioned India) on the sixth day of Chaitra month (Hindu Calendar), 17 April 1941 (Gregorian calendar), as Aasumal. His father was a wealthy businessman named Thaumal Sirumalani and his mother was Mehngeeba. He was named Asumal.

When Asumal was three years old the spiritual teacher of their family, Shri Parasuramji Maharaj, visited their house and professed that this boy Asumal is not an ordinary child & he will be a great saint and show light of spiritualism to people living in ignorance.

At a very young age Asumal lost his father and the family business started dwindling. Asumal had to discontinue his education and help in the family's business along with his elder brother.

After his father's demise Asumal increased the time for mediation and realized that God alone is one reality & essence of life. His concentration increased greatly due to regular, pure meditation and unknowingly all siddhis (mystical powers) attended upon him at the tender age of ten years. No one could stop the fire of renunciation that was enveloping him completely. As Asumal grew into youth his meditation and search for Truth intensified.

Asumal's growing detachment to the world worried his family and they decided to get him married.

After getting married, he decided one day to leave home and to wander for the search of god.

Asumal went from place to place and at nights slept on the grass, homeless and alone. He did intense spiritual practices in deep forests, on hills, in deep caves, in various great temples.

Asumal then went to Vrindavan, the land of Lord Krishna. Here he was inspired to goto the ashram of the Great Guru, Swami Sri Lilashahji Maharaj. He had to wait for 40 days in the Ashram to get the glimpse of Gurudev. There he stayed and served his Sadguru with true devotion.

From there Asumal reached Bombay (Mumbai) and met Gurudev Lila ShahJi Maharaj. On 2nd Day of Ashwin month in Samvat 2021 at 2.30pm in the afternoon Asumal was transformed into Sant Sri AsaramJi Bapu by the blessings of Sadgurudev Shri Lila ShahJi Maharaj. After this Asaramji went into samadhi for the next two and a half days.