Swami Saradananda (Sarat Maharaj)
Encyclopedia
Swami Saradananda, born as Sarat Chandra Chakravarty in 1865, was one of the direct monastic disciples of Sri Ramakrishna and was the first Secretary of the Ramakrishna Math
and Ramakrishna Mission
, a post which he held till his death in 1927. He established the Udbodhan house in the Bagbazar area of Calcutta, which was built primarily for the stay of the holy mother Sri Sarada Devi in Calcutta, from where he used to publish the Bengali magazine Udbodhan. There he wrote his magnum opus Sri Sri Ramakrishna Lilaprasanga in Bengali, on the life of Sri Ramakrishna, which was translated in English as Sri Ramakrishna the Great Master.
. His grandfather was an eudite Sanskrit scholar with a religious disposition. Sarat Chandra's father was the co owner of a pharmacy and was very rich. He was born on a Saturday evening.
From his very boyhood Sarat was known for his gravity. He was introvert but was a very bright student, coming first in almost all examinations, as well as shining in extra curricular activities like debating. He was also deeply religious minded in nature. He also developed a strong physique. He liked workshipping deities and after his initiation (as per customs of Hindu Brahmin caste) he performed regular worship in the family shrine. He was invited to be a teacher at the Greenacre Conference of Comparative Religions where he began his work with a lecture on the Vedanta and classes on Yoga. Towards the end of the conference he was invited to speak in Brooklyn, New York and Boston. At Brooklyn Ethical Association he lectured on ethical ideals of Hindus. He settled in New York to carry out the Vedanta movement in an organized way. He sailed back for India on January 12, 1898 and visited London, Paris and Rome on the way.
was first established by Swami Vivekananda
, he made Swami Saradananda the secretary of the Math and Mission, a post which the later held for thirty years till his death. On his return from West, Swami Saradananda gave a series of lectures in Albert Hall in Calcutta on Vedanta. During the early days of the organization he had to share a big burden of managing its many problems, including coming under the suspicion net of the British Government for harbouring freedom fighters, some of whom renounced the world and took refuge with the organization, being inspired by the ideals of Swami Vivekananda. Prabuddha Bharat Under the effective guidance of the holy mother Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Saradananda approached the then viceroy and presented his case. Thereafter the Government relented.
In 1899, plague broke out in Calcutta and Ramakrishna Mission organized relief. Swami Saradananda was instrumental in carrying out the relief work with the help of Sister Nivedita
and other brother monks of the order.
In 1899 he travelled to Gujarat along with Swami Turiyananda (Hari Maharaj)
to collect funds for the Mission and extensively toured various parts including Ahmedabad, Junagarh, Bhavnagar etc. He made lectures in Hindi and his 'Essence of Vedas' made a lasting impression upon the people of Gujarat.
After Swami Vivekananda's second departure to West he also took upon himself the task of training and development of young monks in the spiritual life.
In December 1899 he went to Dacca, Barisal and Narayangunj on an invitation and there stayed in the house of Ashwini Kumar Dutta. He also gave many lectures and people and devotees thronged to hear his discourses.
After his return to Calcutta he became interested in the Tantrika form of worship under the guidance of his uncle Ishwar Chandra Chakravarty. With the experience and realization achieved he wrote a book "Bharate Shakti Puja" or "the worship of divine mother in India".
In 1902, after the passing away of Swami Vivekananda, Swami Saradananda took up the job of managing day to day affairs of Belur Math and also that of editing and publishing Udbodhan, a Bengali magazine started by the former. He wrote articles, arranged for funding and supervised operations. Gradually the financial health of the magazine was restored. He constructed a house for the holy mother by taking a loan and to repay the loan started writing his magnum opus "Sri Sri Ramakrishna Lilaprasanga" or "Sri Ramakrishna the great master", a biography and life of Sri Ramakrishna. The Udbodhan office started in the new building towards 1908.
In 1909 two co-accused in Maniktola Bomb Case Devavrata Bose and Sachindranath Sen came to join Ramakrishna order giving up their political activities. Despite opposition from the senior monks and the risk of affronting the British Government, Swami Saradananda took full responsbility and accepted both of them into the order and met highly placed Government officials for explaining his position.
Similar trouble arose in 1916 when Lord Carmichael made some insinuations against Ramakrishna Mission based on an administrative report which cited Swami Vivekananda's works as the main source of influence on the freedom fighters of Bengal. With inspiration from the holy mother, Swami Saradananda met the Governor and presented his case. Subsequently the Government changed its position. Swami Saradananda thus managed many major crises for Ramakrishna Mission
.
In 1913 under him Ramakrishna Mission started relief operations when a major flood broke out in Burdwan district of Bengal. For this he took up responsibility of collecting funds and organizing relief work.
In 1916 he went for a pilgrimage to Gaya, Benares, Vrindaban and returned after 2 months.
After the passing away of the Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi in 1920 and Swami Brahmananda in 1922, Swami Saradananda gradually withdrew himself from active work. The Disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, published by Advaita Ashrama, Mayawati, page 92 His primary engagement at this time was the construction of a temple for the holy mother in Jairambati, and another one in Belur Math
, right on the place where she was cremated. He provided funds and dedicated himself to overseeing minutest details. The temple in Belur Math was constructed in 1921 and that in Jairambati was commissioned in April 1923.
Another important feat was holding the Ramakrishna Mission Convention at Belur Math in 1926, a meeting of the monks of Ramakrishna Math and Mission Centres from all over the world. Swami Saradananda gave the welcome address in which he put up a warning note of the dangers of complacency and exhorted the monks to stick to the ideals of the founding members. A part of his speech is reproduced here - Yeah, the master and his chosen leader have done wonderful work to help poor India and other more fortunate countries through you. But still greater work yet remains to be accomplished, and the Master and the Swami will do it all in time through you, if you keep close to their purity and singleness of purpose, their sacrifice and self surrender for all that is good, true and noble, and follow their footsteps with that meek and humble spirit with which you have followed them. For, if we come forward to do their work in any other spirit and think too much of ourselves because we have been chosen and allowed to work thus far, we shall find to our great regret that we have been hopelessly rejected. The Disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, published by Advaita Ashrama, Mayawati, 1943,page 97
At the end of the convention he appointed a committee which would deal with the day to day work of the mission. After the convention he almost retired from an active life, devoting more and more time to meditation.
He also had great compassion for several mentally handicapped persons whom he provided for. He also took up the responsibility of nursing his brother disciples and many lay persons when they were ill. He listened to everybody with equal concern and gave importance to everybody's opinion. He was also very sensitive to the feelings of the others.
He was indifferent to the apparent faults and weaknesses of the people with whom he worked.
He wrote the famous book "Sri Sri Ramakrishna Lila Prasanga" in a little room in Udbodhan house while managing the operations of the magazine, overseeing the work of Ramakrishna Mission and looking after the holy mother and devotees, in a dispassionate and detached way.
After the new administrative body of Ramakrishnia Mission was formed in 1926, Swami Saradananda completely detached himself from all activities of the Mission and took to the life of meditation and contemplation.
Once an attendant asked him about his spiritual progress, to which he replied, Did we cut grass in Dakshineswar?, referring to the period of his association with Sri Ramakrishna. He himself mentioned that whatever he had written in the book"Sri Ramakrishna, the great master", on spiritual experiences, were through direct realization and not from heresay. The Disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, published by Advaita Ashrama, Mayawati, 1943, page 104
Saradananda, RKM Chennai
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...
and Ramakrishna Mission
Ramakrishna Mission
Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission are twin organizations which form the core of a worldwide spiritual movement known as Ramakrishna Movement or Vedanta Movement. The Ramakrishna Mission is a philanthropic, volunteer organization founded by Ramakrishna's chief disciple Swami Vivekananda on...
, a post which he held till his death in 1927. He established the Udbodhan house in the Bagbazar area of Calcutta, which was built primarily for the stay of the holy mother Sri Sarada Devi in Calcutta, from where he used to publish the Bengali magazine Udbodhan. There he wrote his magnum opus Sri Sri Ramakrishna Lilaprasanga in Bengali, on the life of Sri Ramakrishna, which was translated in English as Sri Ramakrishna the Great Master.
Early Years
Sarat Chandra Chakravarti (b. 23rd December 1865) was born in Amherst Street Calcutta to a rich and orthodox Brahmin family. His cousin was Shashi, later known as Swami RamakrishnanandaSwami Ramakrishnananda
Swami Ramakrishnananda is one of 16 apostles or direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna* Pre-monastic name : Shashi Bhushan Chakravarty* Date of Birth : 13 July 1863* Place of Birth : Ichapur in Hooghly district, West Bengal...
. His grandfather was an eudite Sanskrit scholar with a religious disposition. Sarat Chandra's father was the co owner of a pharmacy and was very rich. He was born on a Saturday evening.
From his very boyhood Sarat was known for his gravity. He was introvert but was a very bright student, coming first in almost all examinations, as well as shining in extra curricular activities like debating. He was also deeply religious minded in nature. He also developed a strong physique. He liked workshipping deities and after his initiation (as per customs of Hindu Brahmin caste) he performed regular worship in the family shrine. He was invited to be a teacher at the Greenacre Conference of Comparative Religions where he began his work with a lecture on the Vedanta and classes on Yoga. Towards the end of the conference he was invited to speak in Brooklyn, New York and Boston. At Brooklyn Ethical Association he lectured on ethical ideals of Hindus. He settled in New York to carry out the Vedanta movement in an organized way. He sailed back for India on January 12, 1898 and visited London, Paris and Rome on the way.
Ramakrishna Mission and his work
When Ramakrishna MissionRamakrishna Mission
Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission are twin organizations which form the core of a worldwide spiritual movement known as Ramakrishna Movement or Vedanta Movement. The Ramakrishna Mission is a philanthropic, volunteer organization founded by Ramakrishna's chief disciple Swami Vivekananda on...
was first established by 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...
, he made Swami Saradananda the secretary of the Math and Mission, a post which the later held for thirty years till his death. On his return from West, Swami Saradananda gave a series of lectures in Albert Hall in Calcutta on Vedanta. During the early days of the organization he had to share a big burden of managing its many problems, including coming under the suspicion net of the British Government for harbouring freedom fighters, some of whom renounced the world and took refuge with the organization, being inspired by the ideals of Swami Vivekananda. Prabuddha Bharat Under the effective guidance of the holy mother Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Saradananda approached the then viceroy and presented his case. Thereafter the Government relented.
In 1899, plague broke out in Calcutta and Ramakrishna Mission organized relief. Swami Saradananda was instrumental in carrying out the relief work with the help of Sister Nivedita
Sister Nivedita
- A benediction to Sister Nivedita by Swami Vivekananda Sister Nivedita ; ; , born as Margaret Elizabeth Noble, was a Scots-Irish social worker, author, teacher and disciple of Swami Vivekananda. She met Vivekananda in 1895 in London and travelled to Calcutta, India in 1898...
and other brother monks of the order.
In 1899 he travelled to Gujarat along with Swami Turiyananda (Hari Maharaj)
Swami Turiyananda (Hari Maharaj)
You are Hari-das, the servant of Hari . Is it possible for you to exist without remembering the Lord? -- Sri Ramakrishna to HarinathHe is a Yogi according to the Gita -- Sri Ramakrishna...
to collect funds for the Mission and extensively toured various parts including Ahmedabad, Junagarh, Bhavnagar etc. He made lectures in Hindi and his 'Essence of Vedas' made a lasting impression upon the people of Gujarat.
After Swami Vivekananda's second departure to West he also took upon himself the task of training and development of young monks in the spiritual life.
In December 1899 he went to Dacca, Barisal and Narayangunj on an invitation and there stayed in the house of Ashwini Kumar Dutta. He also gave many lectures and people and devotees thronged to hear his discourses.
After his return to Calcutta he became interested in the Tantrika form of worship under the guidance of his uncle Ishwar Chandra Chakravarty. With the experience and realization achieved he wrote a book "Bharate Shakti Puja" or "the worship of divine mother in India".
In 1902, after the passing away of Swami Vivekananda, Swami Saradananda took up the job of managing day to day affairs of Belur Math and also that of editing and publishing Udbodhan, a Bengali magazine started by the former. He wrote articles, arranged for funding and supervised operations. Gradually the financial health of the magazine was restored. He constructed a house for the holy mother by taking a loan and to repay the loan started writing his magnum opus "Sri Sri Ramakrishna Lilaprasanga" or "Sri Ramakrishna the great master", a biography and life of Sri Ramakrishna. The Udbodhan office started in the new building towards 1908.
In 1909 two co-accused in Maniktola Bomb Case Devavrata Bose and Sachindranath Sen came to join Ramakrishna order giving up their political activities. Despite opposition from the senior monks and the risk of affronting the British Government, Swami Saradananda took full responsbility and accepted both of them into the order and met highly placed Government officials for explaining his position.
Similar trouble arose in 1916 when Lord Carmichael made some insinuations against Ramakrishna Mission based on an administrative report which cited Swami Vivekananda's works as the main source of influence on the freedom fighters of Bengal. With inspiration from the holy mother, Swami Saradananda met the Governor and presented his case. Subsequently the Government changed its position. Swami Saradananda thus managed many major crises for Ramakrishna Mission
Ramakrishna Mission
Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission are twin organizations which form the core of a worldwide spiritual movement known as Ramakrishna Movement or Vedanta Movement. The Ramakrishna Mission is a philanthropic, volunteer organization founded by Ramakrishna's chief disciple Swami Vivekananda on...
.
In 1913 under him Ramakrishna Mission started relief operations when a major flood broke out in Burdwan district of Bengal. For this he took up responsibility of collecting funds and organizing relief work.
In 1916 he went for a pilgrimage to Gaya, Benares, Vrindaban and returned after 2 months.
After the passing away of the Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi in 1920 and Swami Brahmananda in 1922, Swami Saradananda gradually withdrew himself from active work. The Disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, published by Advaita Ashrama, Mayawati, page 92 His primary engagement at this time was the construction of a temple for the holy mother in Jairambati, and another one in 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...
, right on the place where she was cremated. He provided funds and dedicated himself to overseeing minutest details. The temple in Belur Math was constructed in 1921 and that in Jairambati was commissioned in April 1923.
Another important feat was holding the Ramakrishna Mission Convention at Belur Math in 1926, a meeting of the monks of Ramakrishna Math and Mission Centres from all over the world. Swami Saradananda gave the welcome address in which he put up a warning note of the dangers of complacency and exhorted the monks to stick to the ideals of the founding members. A part of his speech is reproduced here - Yeah, the master and his chosen leader have done wonderful work to help poor India and other more fortunate countries through you. But still greater work yet remains to be accomplished, and the Master and the Swami will do it all in time through you, if you keep close to their purity and singleness of purpose, their sacrifice and self surrender for all that is good, true and noble, and follow their footsteps with that meek and humble spirit with which you have followed them. For, if we come forward to do their work in any other spirit and think too much of ourselves because we have been chosen and allowed to work thus far, we shall find to our great regret that we have been hopelessly rejected. The Disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, published by Advaita Ashrama, Mayawati, 1943,page 97
At the end of the convention he appointed a committee which would deal with the day to day work of the mission. After the convention he almost retired from an active life, devoting more and more time to meditation.
Responsibility of Holy Mother
While in the course of managing Udbodhan, Sarat Maharaj felt the need of constructing a house for the holy mother Sri Sarada Devi who had to stay in the house of lay devotees in Calcutta. He bought a house in Bagbazar area and used its downstairs for publishing and running the operation of the magazine and the upstairs as the abode of the holy mother along with her devotees, and her shrine. At that time this was known as the "mother's house" and currently it is known as the "Udbodhan house". The holy mother came to this house for the first time in May 23, 1909. Swami Saradananda was very devoted to the holy mother and called himself her "doorkeeper". He not only looked after her, but also after her entire family: brothers and nieces as well as the devotees, including many women. He bore the financial as well as other responsibilities willingly. The holy mother also had great trust on him as she herself said that "It is not easy to bear my burden, only Sarat can do it." Gospels of Holy Mother, by Udbodhan publishers If the holy mother suffered from illness while staying in Jairambati, her native place, Swami Saradananda would come down along with the doctor for her medical treatment. When the holy mother was terminally ill in Jairambati, he made arranagements to bring her to Calcutta where she underwent treatment for 5 months. He also took up all responsibilities for building her temple and shrine in Jairambati after she passed away. He continued to take up the responsibility of her family members till his death.Afflictions and Death
Swami Saradananda suffered from Kidney troubles in 1914. He suffered from various other ailments and after his retirement from an active life in 1926 his afflictions got more serious. On August 6, 1927, he suffered an attack which the doctors diagnosed as a case of apoplexy. He never recovered his normal consciousness and passed away on August 19.Compassion and Kindness
Swami Saradananda was known for his calm judgement, patience and a loving heart. The Disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, published by Advaita Ashrama, Mayawati, page 73 He had a sweet and gentle personality which won him many admirers and friends in India and in West. It is said that one day Sri Ramakrishna, in a state of ecstacy, had sat on the lap of young Sarat and told that, I was testing how much burden he could bear. The Disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, published by Advaita Ashrama, Mayawati, page 75He also had great compassion for several mentally handicapped persons whom he provided for. He also took up the responsibility of nursing his brother disciples and many lay persons when they were ill. He listened to everybody with equal concern and gave importance to everybody's opinion. He was also very sensitive to the feelings of the others.
Bravery and indifference
He was also intrepid in nature and in one of the incidents in Kashmir when the horse of the coach in which he was travelling fell into an abyss, he was miraculously saved but he never lost his equanimity and later said that he was a dispassionate observer of the incident. BuddhistLibrary.com When the ship in which he was travelling to London was caught in a cyclone in Mediterranean he watched the entire episode calmly and in a detached manner even when his copassengers were mortally afraid. The Disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, published by Advaita Ashrama, Mayawati, page 76He was indifferent to the apparent faults and weaknesses of the people with whom he worked.
Impartiality and Detachment
Swami Saradananda was also known for his impartial decisions and hence was required to resolve conflicts.He wrote the famous book "Sri Sri Ramakrishna Lila Prasanga" in a little room in Udbodhan house while managing the operations of the magazine, overseeing the work of Ramakrishna Mission and looking after the holy mother and devotees, in a dispassionate and detached way.
After the new administrative body of Ramakrishnia Mission was formed in 1926, Swami Saradananda completely detached himself from all activities of the Mission and took to the life of meditation and contemplation.
Legacy
He proved his mettle as an organizer. By the time of his death, there were many Ramakrishna Mission centres, throughout India and abroad. In addition to the regular work of the centre, there were relief works and also that of publishing the magazine Udbodhan, writing books and articles, arranging for finances, looking after the spiritual needs of the aspirants, young monks and the devotees, and also looking after the needs of the holy mother's family members. After the passing away of the holy mother, the women devotees found solace in his company.Once an attendant asked him about his spiritual progress, to which he replied, Did we cut grass in Dakshineswar?, referring to the period of his association with Sri Ramakrishna. He himself mentioned that whatever he had written in the book"Sri Ramakrishna, the great master", on spiritual experiences, were through direct realization and not from heresay. The Disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, published by Advaita Ashrama, Mayawati, 1943, page 104
Quotations
- Through selfless work the mind gets purified. And when the mind becomes pure, there arise knowledge and devotion in it.
- Whatever work stands in the way of God-realization and increases discontent is bad work. You should wholly discard it.
- The Ramakrishna Mission does not like to express any opinion, good or bad, about political discussions, for the Master did not instruct us to do anything of the kind, and Swamiji asked the Mission to keep itself aloof from such effort. That is why the Mission has been all along engaging itself in spirituality and service to humanity.
- Now-a-days there are so many religious societies, but people lose all interest in them after a few days. What is the reason for this? The reason is our words are not in accord with our thoughts. The first step in religion is to be sincere to the core.
Saradananda, RKM Chennai
See also
- Swami Advaitananda (Buro Gopal)Swami Advaitananda (Buro Gopal)Swami Advaitananda, one of the direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, the mystic saint from Bengal in late nineteenth century, was also known as Buro Gopal or the aged Gopal. He was senior to Sri Ramakrishna in age and took monastic vows at an advanced age...
- Swami Turiyananda (Hari Maharaj)Swami Turiyananda (Hari Maharaj)You are Hari-das, the servant of Hari . Is it possible for you to exist without remembering the Lord? -- Sri Ramakrishna to HarinathHe is a Yogi according to the Gita -- Sri Ramakrishna...
- Swami RamakrishnanandaSwami RamakrishnanandaSwami Ramakrishnananda is one of 16 apostles or direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna* Pre-monastic name : Shashi Bhushan Chakravarty* Date of Birth : 13 July 1863* Place of Birth : Ichapur in Hooghly district, West Bengal...
- Swami Yogananda (Yogin Maharaj)Swami Yogananda (Yogin Maharaj)Swami Yogananda was a direct monastic disciple of Ramakrishna Paramhansa, the 19th century saint and mystic, although he took his formal initiation from Sarada Devi, the holy mother of Ramakrishna Order and spiritual consort of Ramakrishna. He was the first vice president of Ramakrishna Mission...
- Swami AdbhutanandaSwami AdbhutanandaSwami Adbhutananda , born Rakhturam, was a direct monastic disciple of Ramakrishna, a mystic of nineteenth century Bengal. He is familiarly known as Latu Maharaj among the followers of Ramakrishna. Swami Adbhutananda was the first monastic disciple to come to Ramakrishna...
- Swami Brahmananda
- Swami Niranjananda (Niranjan Maharaj)
- Swami AbhedanandaSwami AbhedanandaSwami Abhedananda was a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, who Swami Vivekananda sent to the West to head the Vedanta Society, New York in 1897, and spread the message of Vedanta, a theme on which he authored several books through his life, and subsequently founded the Ramakrishna Vedanta Math,...
- Swami Vijnanananda
- Swami SubodhanandaSwami SubodhanandaSwami Subodhananda , born as Subodh Chandra Ghosh, was a direct monastic disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, the 19th century saint and mystic from India. Being youngest of all direct monastic disciples, he was affectionately known by his brother monks, whose leader was Swami Vivekananda, as "Khoka"...
- Swami NirmalanandaSwami NirmalanandaSwami Nirmalananda, born as Tulasi Charan Dutta in Calcutta, was a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, the 19th century mystic and saint from India, and Swami Vivekananda, the great philosopher monk from India who established the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission...
- Baburam Maharaj (Swami Premananda)Baburam Maharaj (Swami Premananda)Baburam Maharaj was a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, the 19th century saint and mystic from Bengal, India. He was born in Antpur in the Hoogly district of Bengal in the year 1861. Baburam, as he was called in his pre monastic days, was also related to Balaram Bose, a leading householder...
- Swami Akhandananda
- Swami TrigunatitanandaSwami TrigunatitanandaSwami Trigunatitananda, premonastic name Sarada Prasanna Mitra, was a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, the 19th century Indian mystic and saint. He established the monthly Bengali magazine Udbodhan of Ramakrishna Math and later at the behest of Swami Vivekananda, he went to America in 1902 and...
- Swami Shivananda
- Swami Vijnanananda
External links
- Swami Saradananda on BuddhistLibrary.com
- Udbodhan
- God Lived with Them by Swami Chetanananda, publisher Advaita Ashrama
- Glimpses of a Great Soul - A Portrait of Swami Saradananda, by Swami Asheshananda, published in 1982