Anandashram Swami

Swami Ānandāshram (Devanagari: आनंदाश्रम्, ) was the ninth guru and the Head of the community of the Chitrapur Saraswats. He succeeded his guru Swami Pandurangashram in 1915. He remained the Head of the community for a period of 51 years till he attained Mahā-Samādhi(died) in 1966.

Swami Ānandāshram had to work a lot on his own to attain mastery over the Sanskrit scriptures as he had been initiated into just 9 days after his ordination as a shishya(disciple). Thus he had no time to learn under the tutelage of a guru. His learning was taken care of mostly by the priests of Chitrapur Math along with special tutors.

His regime is characterised by progress and prosperity of the community after the initial periods of financial instability. Swami Ānandāshram regularly visited the various centres of the community all over the country without restricting himself to the Kanara districts. Under his regime the strict social norms enforced by his predecessor,Swami Pāndurangāshram were made more lenient.

He attained Mahā-samādhi(died) in 1966 and was succeeded by his shishya(Disciple) Swami Parijñānāshram III. His samādhi(shrine) is located at Shirali within the premises of the Chitrapur Math.

(NOTE: Henceforth in this article, Swamiji will refer to Swami Ānandāshram)

Initial period

Swami Ānandāshram was born Shāntamūrti Haridās Bhat to one of the priests in the Chitrapur Math by name Haridas Rāmchandra Bhat and his wife Jānakidevi on June 29,1902. Swami Pāndurangāshram had accepted Shāntamoorthy as his shishya(disciple) on June 5,1915 just nine days before he attained Mahā-samādhi(died). Swami Ānandāshram was ordained as the head of the community on June 14,1915 at the tender age of 13. Thus he had the sole sovereignty over the community with no time to learn (Sanskrit Scriptures, Administrative responsibilities etc.) under the tutelage of a guru.

Swami Pāndurangāshram had foreseen the difficulty his disciple might have to face and so ordered that the administrative duties of the matha and the community should not be given to him until he had received due education and necessary training. Until then the administrative responsibilities would be taken care of by the Shukla Bhats of the matha(See Shukla Bhats). The community would continue to worship the pāduka(wooden slippers worn by Hindu saints) of Swami Pāndurangāshram till Swami Ānandāshram attained the required training.

The general education of Swamiji was taken care of the priests in the Chitrapur Matha. Special tutors were arranged for teaching specific scriptures. However Swamiji had to teach himself almost everything. However teaching himself such a huge volume of literature was a herculean task. Twice he was overcome with frustration and he left the premises of the matha, without anyone's knowledge, to take up life of a sanyasi(Ascetic) and to quench his thirst for knowledge. But both times he returned upon the urgent requests of his devotees who promised him that things at the matha would be fine.

In 1927, Swamiji set out for Rishikesh, located at the foothills of the Himalayas, to the ashram(Hermitage) of Swami Krishnāchārya Saraswati under whom he studied for many days. Under him, Swamiji learnt the Brahma sūtras and other texts. Swami Krishnāchārya later visited Shirali and continued to teach him.

Financial Crisis

During the initial period of Swamiji's reign, the Chitrapur Math faced acute financial constraints. The income for the matha was steadily decreasing. The matha faced a huge debt of Rupees 80,000 with the interests alone absorbing Rupees 5,000 which was a huge amount in the early 1930s.The severe financial restriction was because of many reasons some of which are:

• Advent of World War II
• Severe drought conditions in the Kanara districts and the country in general
• Financial burden occurring due to the last parts of India's Freedom struggle.

Tackling this financial situation was given top priority by Swamiji. The measures included Suspension of the Rathōtsav(Car Festival), Introduction of Sādhana Saptāhas and framing of a new constitution

Suspension of the ''Rathōtsav

This time of financial crunch forced Swamiji to suspend the annual Car festival(Rathōtsav) indefinitely. The Rathōtsav, despite being a celebration that united the community, would always guzzle a large portion of the matha's funds. Suspension of the festival seemed the only logical solution as damage control over the rapidly deteriorating financial situation.

Instead a Sādhana Saptāha(Week of prayer) was introduced. This event was held during a week in the month of December every year(Usually December 24 to December 30. This event took place every year either at Shirali,Bangalore or Bombay- wherever Swamiji happened to be present.

Sādhana Saptāha

The Sāshana Saptāha was first introduced on December 24, 1940 which coincided with the Silver Jubilee of the ordination of Swamiji. This event would be held every year except for short breaks necessitated by shortage of rice or the Government's restriction on public gatherings(British had imposed rules that sometimes prevented people from gathering in large numbers even if it be for religious purposes).

The week would be filled with bhajans(devotional songs), Āshirvachans(Spiritual discourses) and Satsangs. Similar such public functions had been held under the aegis of Swami Sivananda at Benaras and in the mathas under Mata Ananda Mayi. Thus the Sādhana Saptāha provided the community to reflect upon themselves and thus help in enlightnening the community.

New Constitution

The elders of the society decided that a constitution and a regular set of rules were needed for the smooth administration of the matha and to help it come out of financial constraints. In 1932, a representative Mahā-sabha(Mahā=Grand, sabha= gathering/meeting) was held at Shirali. This laid the solid foundation for co-operation between members of the community.

Under H. Shankar Rau and others, a constitution was framed that regulated expenditure. The Standing committee recommended that the Rathōtsav be suspended. Important milestones achieved during the decade from 1935 to 1944 can be briefly stated as follows:

• Collection of Rupees One Lakh(Rs.100,000), a huge sum in those days, to liquidate old debts and reconstruct old buildings.(1937)
• Allowing Temple entry to Harijans and other backwards members of society.
• Establishment of various funds each aimed at a particular cause(Illustriated in Developmental Activities section).
• Suspension of the Rathōtsav(Car festival) and introduction of the Sādhana Saptāha.

One notable factor throughout this decade was that the Standing Committee was not just a body that passed resolutions but also followed up on the resolutions with hard work. This period of toil helped the matha regain the stability(Both economic and moral) that it had lacked.

Consolidation of the community

The community in general had become distanced under the strict regime of Swami Pāndurangāshram. He had insisted on everyone strictly adhering to the Dharma. Moreover he had excommunicated anyone who would go abroad or associate with anyone who had gone abroad. People who married outside the community were also excommunicated.

Under Swami Ānandāshram, many social reforms were introduced. He allowed the community to go abroad without any fear of expulsion. Moreover most of the people who were excommunicated by Swami Pāndurangāshram on grounds of foreign travel or marriage outside of the community were accepted back to the community.

The community had lived in the Kanara districts of Karnataka till the end of the 19th century. In search of greener pastures, the young generation migrated to the urban areas of Bombay, Bangalore, Madras, Delhi and Calcutta. Their busy schedules and other commitments resulted in the urban community drifting away from the Chitrapur Math.Swamiji travelled to all these urban areas and brought members of the community close.

This revival of interest in the Guru Parampara and the Chitrapur Math may be as a result of a few factors:

• Economic Depression: During the early 1900s, the economic condition of the urban areas began to look bleak. Employment was scarce and there was no sense of job security. This was a time when the people realized the want of spiritual guidance from a guru. This might have encouraged their sense of spiritual belonging.
• Encouragement from parents: When the younger generation migrated, they took along with them their parents. These aged parents longed for the re-establishment of relations with the community. The older generation encouraged the younger generation to take part in the activities of the matha. This also contributed to the integration of the community under Swami Ānandāshram.

Developmental Activities

Swami Ānandāshram's regime was one that gave high priority for reconstruction and renovation of old buildings that were in a dilapidated condition. Various funds were established that helped serve different purposes(either for establishment of certain institutions or for renovations). The various developmental activities are mentioned in brief.

Establishment of Funds

Some of the number of funds introduced for developmental activities are as follows:

• Vantiga Capital Fund: The main Vantiga(Donation) fund was established in a centralized manner whereby Vantiga receipts would flow directly into this fund. This was the capital corpus fund used for a variety of uses including the daily expenditure of the Chitrapur Math. The hard work put in by the Standing Committee helped the Vantiga fund to increase manyfolds. The rise in 1954 alone was by around Rs.40,000 which resulted in the total fund reaching Rs.4.66lakh.
• Religious Instruction Fund and Priest Subsidy Fund: These funds were used to re-establish a Sanksrit School(Pāthshāla) and the Priest training centre in Shirali. The Subsidiy provided basic rations and amenities as subsidised rates for the priests in the Chitrapur Math.
• Social Amelioration Fund: This fund was established during the first Sādhana-saptāha in 1940, which aimed at collecting money for the smooth conduct of Social functions like satsangs,āshiravachans(Spiritual discourses) etc. This was for the general social betterment of the community.

Reconstruction and Renovation

Swamiji personally took charge of various reconstruction and renovation works needed to the number of buildings that came under the community. 3 major renovation/reconstruction projects are mentioned here.

• Ādi matha: Major renovation work was undertaken at the Bhandikeri Math at Gokarn. This included the consecration of the samādhi(shrine) of Ādi Parijñānāshram. Concrete reinforcements were made to the existing structure. The whole sanctum-sanctorium of the temple was reconstructed. Many such changes were brought about.
• Shri Ganapati Temple,Mallāpur: A community hall was built and the inner chamber of the temple was reconstructed. Massive renovations were made to the entire structure of the very old temple.
• Shri Chitrapur Math,Bangalore: Under the auspices of Swamiji, some land was purchased in Malleshwaram,Bangalore and a matha(Monastery) was constructed. Initially it was meant as a residence place for the devotees who came during various religious functions. Several reconstruction drives were held to convert this into a full fledged matha. It was here that Swamiji ultimately attained Mahā-samādhi(died) in 1966.

Publications

Even though the Chitrapur Math has been publishing books on its own since 1896, it became a "true" publishing house under Swamiji. There are a number of books that have been published. See List of books

• Chitrapur Sunbeam: With the blessings of Swamiji, The Chitrapur Sunbeam(Chitrapur Ravikiran) was published. This was a periodical that had the following aims:

1. Propagation of Dharma
2. Publication of the Matha accounts, news and other notes
3. A means of periodical contact between the matha and the "little community which created the matha"
See Sunbeam Archives

• Directory of Vantiga Payers: There is an annual directory that is published which lists all the vantiga donors. This gives a comprehensive list of all the members of the community in and out of India who regularly contribute vantiga(donations) to the matha. Till 1978 this was part of the first issue of the 'Chitrapur Sunbeam'. After 1978, it has been printed as a separate volume.

Miracles

Swami Ānandāshram is attributed to many miracles. Some of the miracle are described below. These instances and many more are found in the Birth Centenary edition of H.H.Shrimat Anandashram Swamiji(June/July 2002) of the Chitrapur Sunbeam(Chitrapur Ravikiran) where devotees themselves have given accounts of their experiences with Swamiji.

Tiger makes way

This is the most well known miracle attributed to Swamiji because of its fantastic nature. One night Swamiji and his retinue of people were going to Āgumbe Ghat. They were traversing through dense jungles with Swamiji at the wheel of the car. Suddenly from nowhere a full-grown tiger sprawled across the road and came to a stop right in front of Swamiji's car. Sounding of horns and flashing of the headlights did not bother the tiger which stayed rooted to the spot.

With no way to drive the tiger away, Swamiji got out of the car from the driver's seat. All the attendants in the car got the shock of their lives at the sight they saw. Swamiji went to the tiger with a calm disposition and gently whispered in its ears "We have to reach our destination. Will you please make way?". The tiger slithered away into the jungles without making a sound. Swamiji came back to the car and drove away as if nothing had happened.

Visitor from Madras

When Swamiji was at Bangalore, a visitor from Madras had come to meet him after hearing about his greatness. But Swamiji's health was not good and so he was not allowed to meet Swamiji. Instead he thought he could go to Puttaparthi. On the way he was in a quandary as to which great saint to meet-Sathya Sai Baba or Swami Ānandāshram. Eventually he decided to continue on his visit to meet up with Sathya Sai Baba.

This man was went ahead and met up with Sai Baba. He was in for the surprise of his life when instead of Vibhuti(Sacred Ash which is normally given to devotees who meet up with Sai Baba), he was given akshata(rice coated with vermillion- usually given by the guru of the Sāraswats to the devotees who meet up with them). This incident made the man rush back to Bangalore to meet up with Swami Ānandāshram. When he was called on by the Swamiji, he was stunned to see that with the customary coconut, he received a packet of Vibhuti instead of the akshata given to all other devotees. This incident laid proof that the guru-shakti(Spiritual power of the guru) was the same even if the guru have different names and forms.

Devotee from Kolhapur

There lived a man in Kolhapur who had a very devout younger sister. She had been widowed with a young son and a newly born baby. She had been in a distressed state and started to live with her brother. One night she had a dream where she could hear the footsteps of Swamiji at the stairs. She was overjoyed and went to bring a chair for Swamiji to sit when she realized it was just a dream. The dream had significance since her brother had gone to Shirali during the Navratri celebrations.

When her brother was called by Swamiji to receive the Phalmantrākshat (Phal=fruit+mantra=prayer+akshat=rice smeared with vermillion - the Swamiji offers his devotees these 3 items as prasad), the Swamiji gave him his Pādukas(Wooden slippers worn by Hindu Saints) to be given to his sister who was in distress. The man had not even mentioned to the Swamiji that he had a sister. With tears in his eyes, he accepted the Pādukas and gave them to his sister on his returning back home. These Pādukas gave the lady the courage that she needed to bear the loss and live her life with strength and determination.

Shishya Sweekar

The years rolled by under the reign of Swami Ānandāshram. In 1959 the devotees humbly suggested to Swamiji to accept a shishya(Disciple) so that the sacred Guru Parampara could continue. Swamiji graciously accepted to their concerns. So the search was on to find the suitable successor to Swamiji.

That successor was found in Ravīndra Shakarnārāyan {Shukla)Bhat, the 12 year old son of Shāntābai and Shankarnārāyan Laxman Bhat. The momentous day for the Shishya Sweekār(Ceremony to accept a disciple) dawned on March 1,1959. The location-Shivaji Park,Mumbai. The ceremony was attended by over 10,000 devotees, the largest ever gathering for a Shishya Sweekār ceremony. Swami Ānandāshram ordained his shishya as Parijñānāshram. He would study under his guru for a period of 7 years after which he would succeed him as the Head of the community in 1966 after Swamiji attained Mahā-samādhi(died).

Mahā-samādhi

Swamiji's health was failing in 1966. On 16 September,1966 His Holiness Swami Ānandāshram attained Mahā-Samādhi(died) at the Shri Chitrapur Math in Malleshwaram, Bangalore with his shishya by his side. He was 64 years old.

After the attainment of Mahā-Samādhi, his shishya Swami Parijñānāshram III became the sovereign head of the community. The samādhi of Swami Anandāshram is located within the premises of the Chitrapur Math next to that of his guru,Swami Pāndurangāshram.

References

*

• Divgi, Jyothi (2002). Anugraha-A Saga of Cascading Grace.
• H.H.Shrimat Anandashram Swamiji(Shirali). Retrieved on 2007-06-30..
• Shrimat Anandashram. Retrieved on 2007-06-30..

External links

• H.H.Shrimat Anandashram Swamiji(Shirali). Retrieved on 2007-06-30..
• Shrimat Anandashram. Retrieved on 2007-06-30..
• Chitrapur Sunbeam Archives. Retrieved on 2007-06-30..

Notes