Swami Poornanand Tirth "Udiya Baba"
Maharaj Ji Sat-Guru of Swami Akhandanandji Saraswati
Maharajshri - A Brief Introduction
Exactly after nine months of prayers by his
grandfather, Maharajshri was born by the grace of Lord Shri
Shantanuvihariji of the Braja on Friday, 25th July, 1911 in Pushya
Nakshtra. (Shravana Amavasya v.s. 1968) in the village of Maharai
in the most sacred district Varanasi. The Saryupaarine Brahmin
family, named him "Shantanuvihari", since he was born by the grace
of the Lord Shantanuvihari.
The greatest astrologers of the
time said that the child would die at the age of 19. The fear of
death led Maharajshri to the path of spirituality. All the great
saints of the time clearly averred that we cannot avoid the death
destined by faith, but we can impart the knowledge which can
destroy the fear of death forever and this really happened. The
immortal Brahman appeared in the heart of Maharajshri and the
black shadow of death fled.
Once upon a time Maharajshri
went to see the well-known saint of Jhusee, Brahmichari
Prabhudattaji at Allahabad (Prayaga). There he met Shri Udiyababa
ji Maharaj for the first time and held a conversation with him
regarding the Vedanta. Maharajshri was spell bound on seeing the
Baba's devotedness to the non-duality (Advait) and the
extraordinary ecstasy of the liberated life. He was blessed with
love and affection of the Baba. It was the inner inspiration of
the Baba that impelled Maharajashri for renunciation and he was
initiated for Sanyasa, by his Holiness Swami Shri Brahmanand
Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of the Jyotishpeethadhishver.
Maharajashri was a member of the editorial board of the Kalyana in
Gorakhpur for seven years before he was initiated to
Sanyasa.
For the first time at the age of 10 years his
grandfather arranged his discourse on Shrimad Bhagvata Purana and
from that time till he left his heavenly abode, the Shrimad
Bhagvata remained his constant companion. His daily spiritual
meeting was also a state of self-rapture, which continued without
break till the spiritual meeting on the evening of November 17,
1987. Even today the Satsang lovers enjoy his immortal gospels
through audio-video cassettes and books. On 19th Nov., 1987
(Margshirsha Krishan Trayodashi) at about 2.00 a.m. i.e.
Brahmvela, the individuality was merged into totality and became
all pervasive.
The Anandvrindavan
Ashram established by Maharajashri at Shri Vrindavan Dham is like
Prayaga, the king of Tirthas, where one finds the confluence of
the work (Karma), devotion (Bhakti) and knowledge (Gyan). The
Satsang, the worship of the Lord, the cow service, the saint
service, the study of scriptures in a school for the Vedas, the
Akhandananda Library, the free dispensary, and the different
activities of the Ashram including the practice of celebrating the
birth anniversaries of all the Acharyas - which were started by
Maharajashri - will remain unforgettable from the point of view of
cultural harmony. This exemplifies the liberal attitude of
Maharajshri that is prevalent in the Anandvrindavan
Ashram today.
Sat-Guru Swami
Akhandanandji Saraswati Photo Art By Shri Manoharji
Gandhi
