Advaita Ashrama
Encyclopedia
Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati, is a branch of the Ramakrishna Math
, founded on 19 March 1899 at the behest of Swami Vivekananda
, by his disciples Captain James Henry Sevier and Mrs Charlotte Sevier. Today it is entrusted with the propagation of original writings of Swami Vivekananda. As an ashram
dedicated to the study and practice of Advaita Vedanta
, no images or idols are worshipped here, not even of Sri Ramakrishna; and no images were kept in the premises according to ashram ideals set by Swami Vivekananda himself.
Also referred as the Mayawati Ashram, it is located at an altitude of 1940 meters, 22 km from Champawat
in Champawat district, Uttarakhand
, and 9 km from the town of Lohaghat
. Advaita Ashrama is a major publication centre of the Ramakrishna Order
for books in English and Hindi, mainly through its branch in Kolkata
, and also maintains a charitable hospital at Mayavati. Among its important publications are The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda in English and as well as a Hindi translation, The Life of Swami Vivekananda, and English translations of important Hindu scriptures.
Some of the old manuscripts of the Ashram have now been microfilmed and preserved at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Delhi.
recuperating, and expressed the desire to have a similar place in India, for retreat and study of Vedas .
Earlier, in 1895, Captain James Henry Sevier who had served the British Indian Army
for five years and his wife Charlotte Elizabeth Sevier, met Swami Vivekananda in England. Later in 1896, for nearly nine months, they travelled with him through Switzerland, Germany, and Italy. It was at the Alps
that Swami Vivekananda, while travelling with the couple that he expressed his desire to have a similar retreat for the monks in the Himalayas. So, in December 1896 the couple moved to India, with Swami Vivekananda on board a steamer from Naples
, Italy, with an aim to find a place near Almora and set up an Ashram , and arriving at Madras in February 1887 . Soon just as Swami Vivekananda left for Calcutta, the couple left for Almora, here they rented a bungalow and this became the residence of Swami Vivekananda and Seviers for the next two years.
Later when he left for Kashmir, Sevier couple along with Swami Swarupananda, a monastic disciple of Vivekananda, started travelling to the interior area looking a suitable place, which was eventually found in July 1898, set amidst dense deodar, pine and oak forests; the land which was till then a tea estate was promptly purchased, and decided upon for the new Ashram. Finally with the help of Swami Swarupananda
, the ashram was set up , along with a small dwelling for the monks, ashramites and the couple themselves, around the same time as the Belur Math
was being established near Kolkata
, when they moved in on 19 March 1899, which happened to be the birth anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna (Hindu calendar
) that year .
After the sudden death of its first editor, 24-year old B. R. Rajam Iyer at Chennai
, the publication of the English journal Prabuddha Bharata
was halted for a few months in May 1898, meanwhile in Almora
, Swami Vivekananda asked Sevier and his wife to revive the magazine, and the editorship was given to Swami Swarupananda
, who not only became the first head of the Ashram upon its opening on 19 March 1899 , but also remained its editor, at its new base hence forth; and the held the position until his death in 1906 .
Upon its foundation, Swami Vivekananda
sent the following letter, in March 1899, entailing the prospectus of the Ashram:
"...To give this ONE TRUTH a freer and fuller scope in elevating the lives of individuals and leavening the mass of mankind, we start this Advaita Ashrama on the Himalayan heights, the land of its first expiration.
Here it is hoped to keep Advaita free from all superstitions and weakening contaminations. Here will be taught and practised nothing but the Doctrine of Unity, pure and simple; and though in entire sympathy with all other systems, this Ashrama is dedicated to Advaita and Advaita alone."
Captain Sevier died on 28 October 1900, and was cremated the near by river Sarada, according to Hindu traditions as he wished . Swami Vivekananda visited the ashram from 3–18 January 1901, primarily to console her , and his place of residence has now been turned into a library . Mrs. Sevier continued to stay at the Ashram for several years.
which is being published since July 1896, making it the oldest running Journal by Ramakrishna Mission. A list of its most well-known other publications is as follows.
. Thereafter, the president and editor were different persons. From 1959, the ashrama president was also called the editor of Prabuddha Bharata, and the actual editor called the “joint editor”. From September 1993, the ashrama president is known as the managing editor, and the editor is again known as the editor.
Ramakrishna Math
Ramakrishna Math is a religious monastic order, considered part of the Hindu reform movements. It was set up by Swami Vivekananda to follow the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna...
, founded on 19 March 1899 at the behest of Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda , born Narendranath Dutta , was the chief disciple of the 19th century mystic Ramakrishna Paramahansa and the founder of the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission...
, by his disciples Captain James Henry Sevier and Mrs Charlotte Sevier. Today it is entrusted with the propagation of original writings of Swami Vivekananda. As an ashram
Ashram
Traditionally, an ashram is a spiritual hermitage. Additionally, today the term ashram often denotes a locus of Indian cultural activity such as yoga, music study or religious instruction, the moral equivalent of a studio or dojo....
dedicated to the study and practice of Advaita Vedanta
Advaita Vedanta
Advaita Vedanta is considered to be the most influential and most dominant sub-school of the Vedānta school of Hindu philosophy. Other major sub-schools of Vedānta are Dvaita and ; while the minor ones include Suddhadvaita, Dvaitadvaita and Achintya Bhedabheda...
, no images or idols are worshipped here, not even of Sri Ramakrishna; and no images were kept in the premises according to ashram ideals set by Swami Vivekananda himself.
Also referred as the Mayawati Ashram, it is located at an altitude of 1940 meters, 22 km from Champawat
Champawat
Champawat is a town and a nagar panchayat in Champawat district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is the administrative headquarters of Champawat district.-Mythology:...
in Champawat district, Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand , formerly Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the Land of Gods due to the many holy Hindu temples and cities found throughout the state, some of which are among Hinduism's most spiritual and auspicious places of pilgrimage and worship...
, and 9 km from the town of Lohaghat
Lohaghat
Lohaghat is a town and a nagar panchayat in Champawat district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. This is a hill station with many tourist spots around.-Demographics:...
. Advaita Ashrama is a major publication centre of the Ramakrishna Order
Ramakrishna Order
The Ramakrishna Order is the monastic organization founded by Sri Ramakrishna and his disciple Swami Vivekananda. It encompasses the twin organizations Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, both headquartered at Belur Math near Kolkata, India....
for books in English and Hindi, mainly through its branch in Kolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
, and also maintains a charitable hospital at Mayavati. Among its important publications are The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda in English and as well as a Hindi translation, The Life of Swami Vivekananda, and English translations of important Hindu scriptures.
Some of the old manuscripts of the Ashram have now been microfilmed and preserved at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Delhi.
History
The Advaita Ashram has its origins in 1896, when Swami Vivekananda was travelling through the AlpsAlps
The Alps is one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west....
recuperating, and expressed the desire to have a similar place in India, for retreat and study of Vedas .
Earlier, in 1895, Captain James Henry Sevier who had served the British Indian Army
British Indian Army
The British Indian Army, officially simply the Indian Army, was the principal army of the British Raj in India before the partition of India in 1947...
for five years and his wife Charlotte Elizabeth Sevier, met Swami Vivekananda in England. Later in 1896, for nearly nine months, they travelled with him through Switzerland, Germany, and Italy. It was at the Alps
Alps
The Alps is one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west....
that Swami Vivekananda, while travelling with the couple that he expressed his desire to have a similar retreat for the monks in the Himalayas. So, in December 1896 the couple moved to India, with Swami Vivekananda on board a steamer from Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
, Italy, with an aim to find a place near Almora and set up an Ashram , and arriving at Madras in February 1887 . Soon just as Swami Vivekananda left for Calcutta, the couple left for Almora, here they rented a bungalow and this became the residence of Swami Vivekananda and Seviers for the next two years.
Swami Swarupananda
Swami Swarupananda was a direct monastic disciple of Swami Vivekananda and the first president of the Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati, near Almora, set up by Swami Vivekananda in 1899...
, the ashram was set up , along with a small dwelling for the monks, ashramites and the couple themselves, around the same time as the Belur Math
Belur Math
' or Belur Mutt is the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, founded by Swami Vivekananda, a chief disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. It is located on the west bank of Hooghly River, Belur, West Bengal, India and is one of the significant institutions in Calcutta...
was being established near Kolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
, when they moved in on 19 March 1899, which happened to be the birth anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna (Hindu calendar
Hindu calendar
The hindu calendar used in ancient times has undergone many changes in the process of regionalization, and today there are several regional Indian calendars, as well as an Indian national calendar. Nepali calendar, Bengali calendar, Malayalam calendar, Tamil calendar, Telugu calendar, Kannada...
) that year .
After the sudden death of its first editor, 24-year old B. R. Rajam Iyer at Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
, the publication of the English journal Prabuddha Bharata
Prabuddha Bharata
Prabuddha Bharata or Awakened India is an English-language monthly magazine of the Ramakrishna Order, in publication since July 1896. It carries articles and translations by monks, scholars, and writers on various religious and cultural themes...
was halted for a few months in May 1898, meanwhile in Almora
Almora
Almora is a municipal board, a cantonment town in the Almora district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. Almora was founded in 1568.It is a town bustling with activity and a rich cultural heritage and history. It is considered the cultural heart of the Kumaon region of...
, Swami Vivekananda asked Sevier and his wife to revive the magazine, and the editorship was given to Swami Swarupananda
Swami Swarupananda
Swami Swarupananda was a direct monastic disciple of Swami Vivekananda and the first president of the Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati, near Almora, set up by Swami Vivekananda in 1899...
, who not only became the first head of the Ashram upon its opening on 19 March 1899 , but also remained its editor, at its new base hence forth; and the held the position until his death in 1906 .
Upon its foundation, Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda , born Narendranath Dutta , was the chief disciple of the 19th century mystic Ramakrishna Paramahansa and the founder of the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission...
sent the following letter, in March 1899, entailing the prospectus of the Ashram:
"...To give this ONE TRUTH a freer and fuller scope in elevating the lives of individuals and leavening the mass of mankind, we start this Advaita Ashrama on the Himalayan heights, the land of its first expiration.
Here it is hoped to keep Advaita free from all superstitions and weakening contaminations. Here will be taught and practised nothing but the Doctrine of Unity, pure and simple; and though in entire sympathy with all other systems, this Ashrama is dedicated to Advaita and Advaita alone."
Captain Sevier died on 28 October 1900, and was cremated the near by river Sarada, according to Hindu traditions as he wished . Swami Vivekananda visited the ashram from 3–18 January 1901, primarily to console her , and his place of residence has now been turned into a library . Mrs. Sevier continued to stay at the Ashram for several years.
Publications
Advaita Ashrama publishes many important books in English and Hindi, as well as the English journal Prabuddha BharataPrabuddha Bharata
Prabuddha Bharata or Awakened India is an English-language monthly magazine of the Ramakrishna Order, in publication since July 1896. It carries articles and translations by monks, scholars, and writers on various religious and cultural themes...
which is being published since July 1896, making it the oldest running Journal by Ramakrishna Mission. A list of its most well-known other publications is as follows.
- The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda Online version
- Other works of Swami Vivekananda, like:
- Jnana Yoga
- Bhakti Yoga
- Karma Yoga
- Raja Yoga
- Letters of Swami Vivekananda
- Other works of Swami Vivekananda, like:
- The Life of Swami Vivekananda by His Eastern and Western Disciples Online version
- Srimad Bhagavad Gita translated by Swami Swarupananda, 1907 Online version
- Eight Upanishads with the commentary of ShankaracharyaShankaracharyaShankaracharya, is a commonly used title of heads of mathas in the Advaita Vedanta tradition. The title derives from Adi Shankara, a 9th century CE reformer of Hinduism. He is honored as Jagadguru, a title that was used earlier only to Lord Krishna...
, translated by Swami Gambhirananda
Presidents of Advaita Ashrama
The first three presidents of Advaita Ashrama were also editors of the Prabuddha BharataPrabuddha Bharata
Prabuddha Bharata or Awakened India is an English-language monthly magazine of the Ramakrishna Order, in publication since July 1896. It carries articles and translations by monks, scholars, and writers on various religious and cultural themes...
. Thereafter, the president and editor were different persons. From 1959, the ashrama president was also called the editor of Prabuddha Bharata, and the actual editor called the “joint editor”. From September 1993, the ashrama president is known as the managing editor, and the editor is again known as the editor.
| × | Period | President |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1899 to 1906 | Swami Swarupananda Swami Swarupananda Swami Swarupananda was a direct monastic disciple of Swami Vivekananda and the first president of the Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati, near Almora, set up by Swami Vivekananda in 1899... |
| 2 | 1906 to 1913 | Swami Virajananda |
| 3 | 1914 to 1918 | Swami Prajnananda |
| 4 | 1918 to 1927 | Swami Madhavananda |
| 5 | 1927 to 1937 | Swami Vireswarananda |
| 6 | 1937 to 1947 | Swami Pavitrananda |
| 7 | 1948 to 1953 | Swami Yogeswarananda |
| 8 | 1953 to 1963 | Swami Gambhirananda |
| 9 | 1964 to 1968 | Swami Chidatmananda |
| 10 | 1969 to 1976 | Swami Budhananda |
| 11 | 1976 to 1977 | Swami Vandanananda |
| 12 | 1977 to 1978 | Swami Tadrupananda |
| 13 | 1978 to 1988 | Swami Ananyananda |
| 14 | 1988 to 1990 | Swami Swananda |
| 15 | 1991 to 2006 | Swami Mumukshananda |
| 16 | 2006 to present | Swami Bodhasarananda |
Further reading
- Prabuddha Bharata: Or Awakened India, by Vivekananda, Advaita Ashrama. Published by Swami Smaranananda for Advaita Ashrama, 1974.
- The Life of the Swami Vivekananda, by His Eastern and Western Disciples, the Advaita Ashrama, Himalayas, by Advaita Ashrama, Published by the Swami Virajananda from the Prabuddha Bharata Office, Advaita Ashrama, 1947.
External links
- Advaita Ashrama, Official website
- Advaita Ashram at wikimapiaWikimapiaWikiMapia is a privately owned, online map and satellite imaging resource that combines Google Maps with a wiki system, allowing users to add information, in the form of a note, to any location on Earth. Users may currently use this information for free...