The first President of Ramakrishna Advaita Ashrama, Varanasi
Swami Shivananda (Mahapurush Maharaj)
With the establishment of the Ashrama Swami Sivanahndaji plunged into the activities very sincerely. He used to quote Swamiji 'The work at Kashi (establishment of a center for preaching Vedanta) will be my last one' and actually the same was fulfilled on 4th July, 1902, the fateful day that coincided with Swamiji's Mahasamadhi at night on the same day. Shivanandaji observed, 'we do not know what was his intention'.
The Ashrama premises then wore a different look with a large blackberry tree on the courtyard, a Hall in the east (now used as Durga Mandap) with two small rooms both to the north and south thereof. Also, there existed four single storied small rooms to the west and south of the projection in front where the local people used to keep their articles for Ramlila. The Ashrama house and the adjoining garden being surrounded by walls looked like a garden house. Swami Shivanandaji, along with two other monks devoted themselves for actualizing the messages of Vedanta in day to day life. Soon, some cooks and helpers were engaged. Room to the north-west of the Mandap (the place now used for placing idols) was selected and by placing the images of Sri Ramakrishna and Swamiji on a small square wooden tool daily worship was undertaken and oblations offered in a modest way and with utmost sanctity.
Generally, Swami Shivanandaji looked after the Ashrama as a whole and practised meditation. While Swami Dhirananda took up the Thakur Seva' (daily worship) Swami Achalananda looked after other miscellaneous works of the Ashrama. When required, Swami Shivanandaji himself used to perform the Thakur Puja. He led an austere life. The area at that time was lonely, open and very cold. During the winter he got hung jute curtains in front of the Hall to provide protection from cold and used hay-mattress with scant bedding materials (a tiger skin and a rug) to sleep at night. He slept very little and spent most of the time in meditation and 'japa'. He succeeded, in a great measure in instilling an urge for meditation amongst others. Financially, the Ashrama was greatly handicapped and the only donation of rupees five hundred by the Raja of Bhinga was inadequate to meet the requirements for a long time. Necessarily, living had to be austere and the inmates had to remain contented sharing only that they could offer during the worship. Even Swami Shivanandaji was no exception. He did not venture to go out of the Ashrama campus and seldom visited Lord Vishwanath and Goddess Annapurna. In 1902 Swami Saradananda (Sarat Maharaj), Swami Turiyananda (Hari Maharaj) and Swami Premananda (Baburam Maharaj), on their way to pilgrimage, visited the Ashrama. The meeting of the brother monks made the small Ashrama reverberate with joy. On special occasions Swami Shivananda used to perform Puja and Homa. Even the Viraja Homa was performed and Swami Shivanandaji laid much stress on Homa asserting that the same would greatly enliven the centre. In July 1903 Swami Brahmanandaji Maharaj, on his way to Vrindaban, visited the Ashrama and stayed for a month when a devotee was initiated. It was the first incident of the kind at the centre.
The money given by the Raja of Bhinga got exhausted within a year. When Swami Shivanandaji went to meet the Raja for money the Raja told him that had Swami Vivekananda been alive he would have decided to consider some donation but that was no longer possible and even advised him to try elsewhere. However the Raja offered Rs. 50/-only to honour Swami Shivananda for his kind visit.
Swami Shivananda Maharaj used to keep the small amounts in a tin-box. Once when it amounted to nearly Rs. 75/- and was kept aside paying off the rent, a boy whose antecedents were not known but who used to stay at the Ashrama as a helping hand, fled away with the amount. Though the incident caused quite a problem for Shivanandaji yet he had words of praise alluding that the boy was religious minded since he had left a paisa to be used for purchasing light sugar candies to be offered to Sri Sri Thakur. The money thus having been stolen away the rent remained unpaid and for this the landlord called Swami Shivanandaji Maharaj to his house, pressed for the payment, insulted and kept him confined for the whole day. At last, the inmates of the Sevashrama intervened and after reaching a settlement got him released in the evening. Swami Shivananda took this humiliation and suffering silently considering the same to be a part of the duty he was to perform entrusted by Swamiji.
In the meantime, the volume of activities of the Sevashrama had increased and owing to insufficiency of space it was looking for a somewhat bigger one. At this juncture, a Marwari businessman met Shivanandaji and apprised him that the owner of the house and the garden they were occupying had mortgaged the same to him. He also told the Swami that the owner wanted to sell out the same through auction without keeping him (mortgagee). He further informed that the owner was not entitled to do anythingh under the law and further that a law suit regarding the land was sub-judice. The businessman added that he would sell the same to Shivanandaji if the latter paid him Rs. 6000/- failing which he would sell out the same to someone else. Later, having won the relevant law suit the said businessman again proposed to sell the same to the Ashrama. The Advaita Ashrama did not have the means to pay such a big amount at that time. Meanwhile, the Sevashrama centre was granted affiliation by the Ramakrishan Mission though it was looked after by a local committee. Revered Swami Saradananda (Sarat Maharaj) was then staying at the Advaita Ashrama. He and Swami Shivananda discussed and decided for procuring the same as that would help locating the Sevashrama and the Advaita Ashrama side by side. In this connection, they recalled Swamiji once saying to Swami Kalyananandaji, one of his disciples who founded the Sevashrama at Kankhal, 'See Kalyan ! On one side there should be a temple to Thakur (Sri Ramakrishna) and on the other a work - centre for rendering service. I want that the boys should first engage themselves in visualising the implication of Vedanta and thereafter involve them in actualising the same through service from the Sevashrama. With this in mind, they decided to procure the required amount from the local committee by requesting them for the same. The money required for the advaita Ashrama was obtained from the Sevashrama as a loan. In this way, the land required for the Ashrama was purchased. Swami Shivanandaji had said that he would go to Rajputana (now Rajasthan) for collecting the amount but owing to illness the same could not be materialised. The ideology was that while the ritualistic worship is carried on at the Advaita Ashrama, side by side the activities to worship the destitute and afflicted should be undertaken by providing medical treatment and succour from the Sevashrama. The establishment of the twin centres of Sri Ramakrishna Advaita Ashrama and the Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama at Kashi was the first such attempt for serving the 'Jiva' as 'Shiva' towards the practical application of Vedanta as conceived and planned by Swami Vivekananda. This was verily an application of the sacred vow (Vrata) for achieving simultaneously welfare of the world and emancipation of the self. In this way the wishes of the Raja of Bhinga were fulfilled by Swami Vivekananda at Kashi - the 'abimuktapuri' and a seat of knowledge.
Of the whole, a portion of the aforesaid land, with buildings standing thereon, was taken over for the Advaita Ashrama and the remaining whole for the Sevashrama. The land was purchased with the help of a famous lawyer of Kashi, Sri Nivaran Chandra Gupta and as per the advice of Munshi Madholal, a renowned legal expert of the court at Kashi to avoid any legal trouble in future. Just at that time two devotees, one from Calcutta and the other from Hooghly, remitted to the Sevashrama rupees two thousand and rupees four thousand- six thousand in total, as donations. Therefore, the problem for funds was thus solved. The land measuring more or less 5-1/2 bighas was purchased on 31 July 1906. On 16 May 1908 Swami Brahmanandaji himself inaugurated the new building for the Sevashrama and on the occasion special Puja and Homa were performed at the Advaita Ashrama.
As recounted by Swami Shantanandaji, who came to the centre in 1907 for Tapasya (meditation) after his initiation by the Holy Mother- Swami Shivanandaji did not have a mosquito net although the place was highly infested with mosquitoes. In the Hall, he kept on by lighting a Dhunt and there after retired to the small room sideby and devoted to reading the holy scriptures like the Gita, Chandi, Upanishads and devotional verses. As mentioned earlier, Shivanandaji himself took up the Thakur Puja when Swami Dhirananda was not available. At that time two pedas (candies made of milk and sugar) were available on one paise only. Two such pedas along with two batashas (light candies made of sugar) were offered as oblations during the Puja in the morning. Cooked food, as could be arranged, was also offered regularly with great sanctity. The daily routine, invocation of the deities at predawn hours, Puja and Bhogarag (worship and oblations) between 8-30 to 9-00a.m.. arrangement for their mid-day rest, offering of one small peda and two batashas as refreshments in the aftemoon etc. During the Aratrikam in the evening all were required to be present. All those present sang Khandana Bhaba Bandhana....' and 'Om hrim ritan..... without accompaniment of any musical instrument. Thereafter all present meditated for some time. Later Swami Nirbharanandaji (Chandra Maharaj) sang Bhajans (devotional songs) and Swami Shivanandaji asked him to sing at least one Bhajan before Sri Sri Thakur after the evening prayers and 'aratrikam' which he did every evening without any instrument. His voice was very melodious. Before resting the deities for the night, hand baked breads, pulses, some fried vegetables, nearly 1/4 kg, of milk and two light sugar candies were offered as oblations (Bhogarag). None of the inmates cared to go outside in the evening. Swami Shivanandaji, Swami Nirbharananda, a Brahmacharin and Parbat Babu (who came to live at Kashi, led the life of a Brahmachari and permitted by Swami Shivanandaji to stay in the Ashrama) were the only four inmates of the Ashrama when Shantanandaji went there in 1907.
All in the Ashrama left the bed at 3.00 A. M. and after a wash-up engaged in meditation along with Swami Shivananda. During winter, a Dhuni used to be lit up and the inmates took seat surrounding the same and practiced meditation and Japa' non-stop till the morning. None spoke in a loud voice as Swami Shivanandaji did not like it. The inmates also engaged themselves in meditation in the afternoon. Occasionally, Swami Shivanandaji sang Bhajan after the evening prayer and his voice was quite melodious. His favourite Bhajans were - Dayaban (Oh! gracious), who else except thou is helpful' and 'Ananda-bana-girija- paternagari. Some time, at this hour he used to talk on Thakur (Sri Ramakrishna). He also used to share a small portion of the sacred alms collected by guest inmates so venturing.
To the west of the Advaita Ashrama there existed a big guava garden with some lemon and wood-apple (Bilwa) trees where the Sevashrama is now located. Some of the Bilwa trees bore fruits of very large size generally not to be found in Kashi. Swami Shivananda used to purchase one such for four or five annas and offered the same to Sri Thakur and prayed for His help to own the garden. It is through his prayers the garden came under the Sevashrama in due course. Later saplings of these Bilwa trees were taken to Allahabad by Swami Vijnananandaji and to Kankhal by Swami Kalyanananda.
During the period, a theft took place in the temple-room of Sri Thakur. The small tin-trunk containing clothes, handkerchief etc. meant for Thakur was stolen. The thief also took away the small container made of aluminium which contained part of Sri Ramakrishna's holy relics that was worshipped daily. During a search the next day, the broken trunk and the aluminium container could be found in the garden. The piece of holy relics could not however be found. At this, Swami Shivanandaji exclaimed saying 'since the holy relics have fallen on this place, it will surely belong to Thakur someday' and it actually so happened.
An interesting incident that happened in the Ashrama is that when Swami Shivanandaji himself used to perform the Thakur's puja, Chandra Maharaj (Swami Nirbharananda) harboured a strong longing for carrying out the same which he however could not speak out. At this time, Swami Shivanandaji became very indisposed. He realized the reason behind his indisposition and visualised the wishes of Sri Sri Thakur. When he enquired of Swami Nirbharananda whether he longed for taking up the Thakur's puja the latter bowed down his head and replied in the affirmative. Having heard him say so, Swami Shivanandaji told him "You could have told me so instead why did you make me fall ill?" He then entrusted the responsibilities of Thakur puja to Swami Nirbharananda. Secret desires of devotees are thus fulfilled by God in various ways! During his stay in Advaita Ashrama Swami Shivanandaji published three books in Hindi. At that time, the local people were quite ignorant of Sri Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda. For preaching the ideals of Sri Ramakrishna and Vivekananda amongst them, he published Hindi version of Swamiji's two books viz. Chicago Addresses, Swami Sishya Sambad (the dialogue between Swami Vivekananda and his disciple), and Sri Ramakrishna Vani (Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna) by Swami Brahmananda. At the same time he started a free primary school for the local poor boys which however could not be run for long for want of support from the general public. About the activities at Kashi he wrote to one of his known devotees in Calcutta "As desired by Swamiji, four types of activities viz. saving the lives of the people through medical treatment, saving the poor and destitute through distribution of food, providing free education for the poor boys and dissemination of centre as far as practicable. Blessed will be they who venture to help us carry forward these activities". He was very fond of special puja and Homa. His godmindedness was singularly intense which he inadvertently got revealed when he lamented one day before Swami Nirbharananda that he spent the day fruitlessly as he failed to shed tears for the Lord and to have his holy darshan. He himself looked after the guest monks visiting the Advaita Ashrama at Kashi and this he did with a sense of duty even in the face of reluctance from others. At the end of 1907, he handed over the charge to Swami Nirbharananda and went back to Belur Math. Even later, the Ashrama was very dear to him and he was very affectionate to the workers at the centre and regularly enquired of them. Still later, when he visited the Advaita Ashrama in 1927 he stayed in the west side corner room of the first floor (by then built up) of the Ashrama. Here he said one day "The whole of Kashikshetra is verily the body of Shiva and we are living in this body" Another day he said "This is the great cremation and one who is earnest gets lost in japa and meditation easily". One night he had the enlightened vision of Lord Vishwanath and had seen Thakur Sri Ramakrishna gradually emerge in that very form. On the day of Holy Mother's anniversary in 1927, he initiated a selected few to Brahmacharya (Vow for Celibacy) and inducted several others to monasticism. On 15th January 1928 Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru came to meet him here. Shrimati Kamala Nehru also came to meet him in the said room of the Ashrama.
Swami Nirbharananda (2nd President)
Popularly known as Chandra Maharaj, Swami Nirbharanandaji joined the centre in 1904. He was an initiated disciple of Swami Trigunatitananda, a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. He was later inducted to monasticism by Swami Brahmananda. When during the early part of 1907 Swami Shivanandaji went back to Belur Math, Swami Brahmanandaji Maharaj made him the Mohanta (Monk-in-Charge) of the Advaita Ashrama. On that occasion Swami Brahmanandaji got him dressed in attractive attire with a turban (head gear) and a monk holding an umbrella over his head Swami Brahmanandaji had words of caution for him also- "Bear in mind Chandra, the responsibilities of a Mohanta are very onerous. The money donated by the people is meant for serving the ascetics. It amounts to a great offence if the money is not spent for the purpose the devotees donate the same. The job of a Mohanta is really very difficult". Nirbharanandaji followed the instructions underlying in letter and spirit till his last days and as a result he was considered a spendthrift by many. On the day of Vijaya Dashami (Dusserah) each year, he used to dress himself in the same way, as Swami Brahmanandaji had him dressed on his becoming the Mohanta, embrace and exchange pleasantries with all.
Swami Nirbharanandaji was very gentle by nature and possessed extraordinary skill of performance. During his tenure, he personally supervised the construction of the first floor of the Ashrama buildings and also the erection of temple of Sri Ramakrishna as instructed by Swami Brahmanandaji and as desired by Swami Shivananda Maharaj. He also arranged for construction of a store room required for celebration purpose and this he did in loving memory of his revered father and he himself provided the funds. Most of the buildings, the beautiful temple made of Chunar stones with the marble image of Sri Ramakrishna installed therein, were erected under his untiring efforts and efficient supervision. During the later years when the lower part of his body was affected by paralysis and he was unable to move without the help of others, he supervised the works of the Ashrama being seated on a chair by the side of the door of his living room in the south-west corner of the hall. Even in such a bad state of health, he supervised the temple construction works as wished by Swami Brahmanandaji. It was dedicated to Lord Sri Ramakrishna by revered Swami Vijnananandaji Maharaj, the then Vice- President of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, on 24th February, 1936, the auspicious day of the birth centenary of Sri Ramakrishna. When the plan for construction was under way, he placed a box for donations along with a copy of the sketch (drawn up by Swami Vijnanananda Maharaj) of the proposed temple on the wall closed to the black-berry tree and asked whoever visited the Ashrama to put some donations into the box. In this way he succeeded in collecting the whole of the amount of Rs. 28,000/- spent for the purpose.
Once a lady devotee narrated to Swami Nirbharanandaji about her vision of Sri Thakur with a flute in hand and she offered a silver flute. The Swami placed the same in hands of the idol (Thakur).
During his tenure, a school for imparting instructions on Sanskrit was also opened. Parbat Babu and Bhola Maharaj assisted Swami Nirbharananda in his works. Swami Jagadananda, who also stayed at the Ashrama for some time, used to hold discourses on the holy scripture Bhagavat' in a solemn atmosphere on the days of full moon and Janmashtami (the birthday of Lord Sri Krishna) which was attended by the old and senior monks of the Advaita Ashrama and Sevashrama. He would read out the original verses, translate the same and annotate on them. The discourses on five chapters of Bhagavat on Rashlila (the blissful and divine sports of Lord Sri Krishna and milkmaids of Vrindaban) used to be completed in a span of two days. Occasionally, during the wintry days of Magha (month of January-February) he went out along with the workers of the Ashrama for a picnic either at Vyaskashi or Sarnath. During his days, any visiting monk was permitted to stay as long as he wished and it was oft quoted "there was neither an invitation nor expulsion at the Ashrama of Chandra Baba". The monastics voluntarily assembled in the hall, discussed and debated on various issues till the dead of night which was fondly nicknamed as thirty two seats' by Hari Majaraj (Swami Turiyananda). When the Holy Mother visited Kashi in 1912 he presented Her a metallic drinking bowl and the Mother used the same for many years. Also later, when the sacred temple of the Holy Mother was established at Jayrambati he sent from Kashi a large sized bell for use.
The most notable event during the tenure of Swami Nirbharanandaji was the erection and consecration of a temple made of stones with a marble idol of Lord Sri Ramakrishna, the first of its kind in any of the centres of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, coinciding with the year heralding the centenary of His holy advent. On this solemn occasion, a voluntary congregation of the monastics of all sects in Kashi and their participation in 'All-Faiths Convention took place. These were unique and unprecedented and verily upheld the idea of equality of all faiths advocated by Sri Ramakrishna and turned out to be the latest addition to the annals of Hinduism. Erection of the temple in 1936 was his last piece of work although he remained in charge of the Ashrama for the next two years. In the years following his retirement, he used to say that his responsibilities were over and in the evening hours, being seated on a chair, keep on constantly gazing at the Thakur's idol and practise Japa' till he attained the Kashi on 16th March, 1940 with an unbroken stint of 32 years of service at the centre. On the occasion of his demise a special puja of Sri Sri Thakur and a Bhandara (community feeding for the monastics) were organized at Belur Math and Advaita Ashrama on 28th March, 1940. Swami Amareshananda (Bhola Maharaj) who attended on him lived in the Ashrama for long years along with some other senior monks like Swami Kaivalyananda, Swami Haripremananda.
Once Revered Swami Premeshanandaji told his friend Mokshada Babu 'there were some who could directly perceive Sri Sri Thakur in the marble idol at the Advaita Ashrama'.
Swami Shantananda
(Third President)
As Swami Nirbharanandaji became physically disabled, Swami Shantanandaji, a senior monk who was doing tapasya and engaged in some activities at the centre for long, took over in July 1938. He came to the Ashrama in 1907 after his initiation into monasticism by the Holy Mother. His monastic name 'Shantananda' was conferred by Swami Shivananda and was formally inducted to the monastic order in 1922 by Swami Brahmanandaji Maharaj. During his long stay, he went out for tapasya and as a wandering monk travelled all over India, visited many places of pilgrimage including the Kailash and Manas Sarovar. He performed the Thakur's puja (daily worship) even when he was the President and accompanied the monks to different temples who came to Kashi on a pilgrimage and also encouraged them in many ways in doing religious practices and thus made their lives a blessed one. He did not possess a strong health, and as such retired in July 1944 but stayed at Kashi for the next four years i. e. upto 1948.
Swami Omkarananda
(Fourth President)
Swami Omkaranandaji, who was widely acclaimed as a scholar, orator and very widely read monastic of the Ramakrishna Order, took over from Swami Shantanandaji in August 1944. He came to Kashi in 1935 for studying the Shastras (scriptures). He studied the Shada Darshan (the six systems of Philosophy) considerably within a short period. His vast knowledge on Upanishads (the vedantic Philosophy), Gita, Brahma-Sutra (treatise on brahma) and thoughts of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda impressed and even charmed the best scholars then living at Kashi. For ritualistic activities he was very knowledgeable and extremely efficient. He shouldered the main responsibility in performance of the rituals during the consecration ceremonies of the holy temples at Kashi (1936), Belur Math (1938), Kamarpukur (1951) and at Jayrambati (1953). It is he who initiated at the advaita Ashrama the convention of a weeklong celebrations following the anniversaries of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda. At his initiative the All-Faiths-Convention and singing of Kali-kirtan (devotional songs on Goddess Kali) under the direction of Swami Ramananda were organised.
SWAMI MITHILYANANDA
(Fifth President)
He took over as President after Swami Omkaranandaji Maharaj and steered the activities of the Ashrama till the first part of 1954. He was well known as a learned monk and a good singer.
SWAMI APURVANANDA
(Sixth & Ninth President)
As the President of the Ashrama Swami Apurvananda looked after its activities during his two terms, the first one spanning from 1954 to 1970 and the second from 1974 to 1990. He was initiated by the Holy Mother and inducted to monasticism by Swami Shivanandaji Maharaj. Swami Apurvananda brought in much improvement in the management of the Ashrama. He accompanied Swami Shivanandaji as an attendant a number of times and had the opportunity to hear and witness many incidents, as a result he tried heart and soul to maintain the old traditions of the Ashrama. He was widely respected at Kashi as a good singer, excellent writer and a compassionate monk. He carried on the Thakur Seva (daily rituals), discourses on scriptures and daily religious classes with utmost devotion. Till the end of his life he acted as the President of the Ashrama and attained Samadhi in 1990.
SWAMI SWAYAMPRABHANANDA
(Seventh President)
The Swami looked after the Ashrama as its President from 1970 to 1972. He did not enjoy a good health and attained Samadhi.
SWAMI SAMBUDDHANANDA
(Eighth President)
Swami Sambuddhananda took over as the President of the Ashrama in 1972 and discharged his responsibilities upto 1974. Thus dedicating himself to the service of the Lord through his activities at the Ashrama for a short period, he left for Belur Math because of his failing health condition.
SWAMI NITYASATYANANDA
(Tenth President)
After the demise of Swami Apurvananda Maharaj in 1990 Swami Nityasatyananda took over as President of the Ashrama. He was a worker at the centre for a long period. He was modest, disciplined and very simple by nature. After becoming the President he lived for a year only and passed away in 1991.
SWAMI SATTWANANDA (Eleventh President)
SWAMI SATTWANANDA
(Eleventh President)
After his long stay in the Sevashrama (Home of Service) at Kashi as a worker the Swami took over as the Monk-in-Charge thereof. On being relieved from there he took over as President of the Advaita Ashrama in 1991. He was very widely known at Kashi as a good singer and an efficient worker. He retired as President of the Advaita Ashrama and is now living a retired life at the Sevashrama.
SWAMI JYOTIRGHANANANDA (Twelfth President)
SWAMI JYOTIRGHANANANDA
(Twelfth President)
The Swami who took over as President of the Ashrama in 1994 served the centre upto 1999. During his tenure many addition and improvements were effected e.g. construction of number of small living rooms on the second floor of the Ashrama building, covering the open space facing the holy temple, seating arrangements for monks and devotees etc. Retiring as President of the centre in 1999 the Swami is presently living at Jayrambati.