Swami Swahananda: 1921-2012

http://vedanta.org/about-the-vedanta-society/vedanta-temple-hollywood/

Swami Swahananda, the senior most Vedanta monk in the United States, passed away on October 19 at the age of 91. As the head of the Vedanta Society of Southern California for 36 years, Swahananda was a frequent visitor and a popular lecturer at the Santa Barbara center on Ladera Lane.
Swahananda’s influence owed much to his direct lineage to Ramakrishna, the 19th century mystic regarded as a saint (and avatar) by many in India. Swahananda’s own teacher was a brother monk to the formidable Vivekananda, Ramakrishna’s foremost disciple, whose electrifying appearance at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893 made him an overnight sensation. It was Vivekananda, the first missionary from the East, who introduced yoga and meditation to the West.
Vivekananda’s clarion call of “work and worship” became the credo of Swahananda’s life. While renowned for his compassion, scholarship, and flawless memory, he eschewed ostentatious displays of piety. Indeed, he was an encyclopedia of jokes, which peppered all his talks. “A man went to a fortune teller and asked her what was in his future,” began one of his perennials, which he recounted in a gravelly Bengali accent. Informed by the fortune teller that “the next ten years of your life will be difficult,” the man asked fearfully, “Then what?!” “Don’t worry,” she replied, “you’ll get used to it.” Another chestnut began with a missionary telling Eskimos that they had to accept Jesus or go to Hell. “But what about the folks who lived before Jesus?” asked one Eskimo. Told by the missionary that they are okay because they didn’t know, the Eskimo exclaimed, “So why are you telling us?”
Swahananda was born Bipadbhanjan Goswami to a religious family in a small village in the northeastern corner of British India which is today Bangladesh. His father, who died two months before his birth, had been a disciple of Sarada Devi, the wife of Ramakrishna; she was known as Holy Mother. When Swahananda’s father asked her if he should become a monk, Sarada Devi reportedly told him, “No my child, but from your family two shall come.” (In addition to Swahananda, a nephew also joined the Ramakrishna Order.)
Swahananda was keenly interested in spiritual matters and texts as a young child. At the age of 14, in 1936, he began corresponding with the head of the Ramakrishna Order. When he was 15, he embarked on a long and arduous trip to Belur Math (the monastery and headquarters for the order, outside of Calcutta) to receive initiation from Swami Vijnanananda, the last, living disciple of Ramakrishna.

As a young monk

Like Vivekananda, Swahananda was a sannyasin of unconditional renunciation, an indefatigable missionary, and a scholar with bottomless curiosity about the world. He earned two Master degrees, in English Literature and English Language, at the University of Calcutta in 1945-46. A year later, he joined the Ramakrishna Order. Sent to their monastery in Madras (Chennai), he became the editor of Vedanta Kesari, an English language journal of the Ramakrishna Order, for six years. After a pilgrimage to practice austerities in the Himalayas, he was asked to take charge of the Ramakrishna Mission in New Delhi, becoming the youngest monk in its history to do so.

In 1968, he was dispatched to the United States to serve as the assistant minister of the San Francisco Vedanta Society, arriving on the West Coast during the Summer of Love. He was greatly amused, but entirely unimpressed, by New Age hippies seeking a pharmaceutical shortcut to enlightenment. Two years later, he was appointed head of the Vedanta Society of Berkeley, California. When the People’s Park demonstrations took hold of the city, devotees asked him to leave the area for his safety. Swahananda, however, was an avid student of politics and relished being in the thick of it. He had, after all, survived the partition and independence of India, both of which were birthed in his native Bengal.
In 1976, he was sent to the Hollywood Vedanta Center to succeed Prabhavananda, the charismatic monk and author who had initiated authors Aldous Huxley and Christopher Isherwood, and established the center as a mecca for intellectuals and seekers from Igor Stravinsky to Greta Garbo.
Swahananda was quite different from his predecessor in style and temperament. He initiated fewer celebrities but in a blaze of what one might call spiritual manifest destiny, he exponentially expanded the reach of Vedanta in the United States. In all, he established 17 new Vedanta centers in the states, including ones in Washington D.C., Houston, Phoenix, and Dallas, and a retreat center at Ridgley, New York where Vivekananda had spent a good deal of time in 1895. Swahananda also traveled and lectured in Europe, Latin America, Canada – and even Russia, knowing that Leo Tolstoy had been an early admirer of Vivekananda. Like the titan monk he so admired, Swahananda was an insistent champion of women and, in an unprecedented move, appointed them to manage and run Vedanta centers.
Swahananda translated the Chandogya Upanishad and Panchadasi of Vidyaranya from Sanskrit to English, and several other works from Bengali. His own books include Hindu Symbology and Other Essays, Meditation and Other Spiritual Disciplines, Mother Worship: A Collection of Essays on Mother Worship in India, Service and Spirituality, Vedanta and Ramakrishna, Vedanta and Holy Mother, and Vedanta and Vivekananda.
In recent years, Swahananda had been beset with poor health including diabetes and kidney disease. Yet he seemed impervious to the degradations and torments of illness and quietly performed multiple acts of devotion and service daily. A week before his death, he insisted on flying to Austin, Texas, to speak at the opening of a new center.

As an old monk

One of his jokes began with a minister asking a parishioner why he was not coming to church of late. “All my friends are dead,” explained the parishioner, “and I don’t want to remind God that I’m still around.” That however, was not the case for him. “Whether I die or stay does not matter to me,” he calmly told this reporter a year ago.

Five days before his passing, he told his physician, also a devotee, that he would die of a stroke. His doctor protested that such a calamity would cause great pain and disability. On the contrary, Swahananda assured his doctor: “Not the kind I’m going to have,” he said. “I’m going to have a big one. And that will be it.”

And so it was.


A.L.Bardach wrote about Vivekananda in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.

Nuns and swamis from throughout the country will gather for a memorial service celebrating Swami Swahananda's life on December 8, 10 a.m. at the Vedanta Temple, 927 Ladera Lane, Santa Barbara, 93103. Call 969-2903 or go to www.vendanta.org for more information.

From : http://www.independent.com/news/2012/nov/14/swami-swahananda-1921-2012/#comments
Wednesday, November 14, 2012 by A.L. Bardach

About the passing away of Swami Swahananda from Swami Sarvadevananda

 On Fri, Oct 19, 2012 at 10:22 PM, Swami Sarvadevananda wrote:

  Dear Friends and Devotees,

  Swami Swahananda ji was feeling well enough to travel to Austin for the
  inauguration of their new center this past weekend. He spoke extensively
  and joyously with dozens of devotees. He felt well after returning to
  Hollywood on Monday October 15, and on Tuesday.

  However, on the morning of Wednesday, October 17, our Revered Swami
  Swahananda ji was not feeling so well, and after breakfast and shower
  suddenly collapsed at 8.30 am. 911 was called, and he was taken to
  Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center. Swamiji was having difficulty
  breathing, and was unresponsive, so he was put on a breathing machine. All
  his blood tests and vital signs were stable at that time, and he seemed
  comfortable.

  A brain scan confirmed that Swamiji had suffered a massive stroke, from
  which recovery was not likely. Swamiji remained on life support until the
  afternoon of Friday October 19. Dr Malay Das and Dr Rupal Shah, who were
  chosen by Swami Swahananda ji to have power of attorney for his Advance
  Directive, after discussing everything with the monastic members, decided
  to gradually withdraw the life support, in accordance with Swamiji's wishes
  as expressed in his Advance Directive. The life support was therefore
  gently and carefully withdrawn by hospital staff, making it possible for
  Swamiji to make a smooth transition. He left his mortal frame at 2.52 pm
  today (October 19, 2012).

  Swamiji's body will be brought to the Hollywood Temple and will be on view
  beginning Saturday, October 20, from 11 am, to 10 am Sunday October 21.

  A funeral service and viewing will be held on Saturday, October 27, at
  Forest Lawn, Glendale (1712 South Glendale Ave) in the Church of the
  Recessional, from 10 am to 12 noon. Cremation will follow the service.

  Mother bless us all.

  Sarvadevananda

For official obituary read :  http://www.belurmath.org/news_archives/2012/11/08/obituaries-october-2012/

We lost our brother Gurupada Maharaj, Swami Dhiratmananda

Swami Dhiratmananda ji (Gurupada Maharaj of Ranchi TB Sanatorium), only 39 years of age, left us suddenly  on 26 October at 11 am. Till 7 am on the 25th he was in  normal health.When a monk of the Sanatorium went to his room for some work at about 8 am, he saw Dhiratmananda lying in a semi-conscious state. Gurupada Maharaj could only mutter that he could not open his door. They managed to open his door and rushed him to a  hospital. He was found to have suffered a massive cerebro-vascular accident. It was all over the next day at the hospital. 

Swami Dhiratmananda was an initiated disciple of Swami Bhuteshananda ji. He joined the Ramakrishna Mission at Saradapitha, Belur, in 1999 and had Sannyasa from Swami Atmasthananda ji in 2009. He had also served at Taki, Indore and Ranchi Sanatorium centres. 

We have lost a simple and good soul.

Hari Om Ramakrishna
  

A note by a brother monk :

Very sad to read this, he was my batch mate and was very jolly with us; and, yes, the tea prepared by him was always welcomed by all. Too young monk he was, Sri Sri Thakur liked him so early to finish the mundane play.

Swami Tapanananda

Swami Tapanananda ji (Mihir Maharaj), aged 85, passed away on 12 October at 8.05 am at Seva Pratishthan, Kolkata, due to pneumonia. He was initiated by Swami Virajananda ji. He joinedthe Ramakrishna Mission  in 1954 at Shillong centre and had Sannyasa from Swami Madhavananda ji  in 1964. He had lived and served at BelurMath, Jamshedpur, Ranchi Sanatorium, Seva Pratishthan, and Ramharipur centres. He led a retired life for the last fourteen years, mainly at Varanasi Sevashrama and Belur Math. He worked meticulously and was specially interested in tribal welfare activities. He was  a proficient musician, and he knew well the great musical traditions of the Sangha.

A reminiscence of Swami Swahananda

Swami Sampurnananda <sampurnanandaswami@gmail.com>

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Passing Away of Swami Swahananda ji - some links

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P.S.Kamanat <kamanat@pacific.net.sg>	20 October 2012 18:04
To: Swami Sampurnananda <sampurnanandaswami@gmail.com>
Sri Ramakrishna Charanam Saranam; Sri Sri Ma Dear and Revered Maharaj, I am sorry to hear the mahasamadhi news of Most Revered Srimat Swami Swahananda ji Maharaj of Hollywood Centre. But I am consoling myself thinking that he did not suffer much. Jai Ramakrishna!! Personally, I owe him a lot in my life. Although I have seen him and heard his lecture in seventies at Kalady ashrama during his visit there from Berkely centre, my interaction with him was minimum. But recently, (in 2008) when I visited Hollywood centre, he was very warm and extended an unforgettable welcome to us. He gave me twenty copies each of two of his books ( Monasteries of South India and Swami Shivananda ) to carry back to Singapore. The talk then turned to Tulasi Maharaj and Ottapalam ashrama. He told me that he had visited Ottapalam ashrama two times and had met Vishadananda ji Mj also. Also, he told me he had the good fortune of mingling with many senior Sannyasin-Disciples of Tulasi Mj. He asked lovingly about Tulasi Mj's the original biography whether it is still available in print. When I told that it is now out of print, he asked me to take up the re-printing and re-publishing of the original biography personally. Among many things he told me that day, I still remember this one statement, rather command on publishing that biography, ...."Prakash, before you die and go, you do it and die and go ........" (By the Grace of Bhagavan, now, I could carry out his command, As you know, Tulasi Books has published it in February 2011. I sent a copy to him and he replied his happiness over that). Before we left, he told me that he is going to show something personally to me in his bed-room and asked me to go to his room with him. When I was going with him, Indira asked him, "Why Maharaj, are we not allowed?" After a short pause, he gestured his hands and asked her to follow him with Vedavyas, our son. .... When we entered the bedroom, he said, "...look at this", pointing towards a photograph hanging on the wall next to his bed. It was the original composite photograph published by Udbodhan of the Direct Disciples of Thakur where Tulasi Mj's photo was also included. He continued, "I wanted to show this to you; I always hang this photo of Thakur's Chelas in my room next to my bed and I look at it before I get up and go to bed every day....." When I launched the website, www.vedantaonline.org a few years back, two Swamis from the Mission congratulated me heartily by long letters. One was Swahanandaji. ..... With respectful pranams, Prakash

Vedanta Centre at Austin Consecration by Swami Swahananda

By Sanchali Basu

AUSTIN: I had the good fortune of meeting my guru, Swami Swahananda last Sunday, October 14 when he had come for the opening of Austin Vedanta Society Center. He is 91 years old and has recently been through some health challenges.

Swami Swahananda is the disciple of Swami Vijnanananda who is one of the sixteen direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna. He has a huge following of about 2,000 disciples spread all over the world. He received initiation at the tender age of 16 and completed a double M.A.in English Literature and English Language before becoming a monk of the Ramakrishna order at the age of 26. He gave up his career as a lecturer to meditate in the Himalayas and was later made the head of the Delhi Ramakrishna Mission center. He was instrumental in spreading the word of the Vedanta and Swami Vivekananda to the western world by taking leadership roles in the San Francisco, Berkeley and the Hollywood centers since 1968. He has been the minister and spiritual leader of the Vedanta Society of Southern California since 1976.

I feel fortunate to have him as my guru. I got initiated into the faith by him on June 10, 2011 and my life has changed since then. In this 150^th year of Swami Vivekananda’s birthday, I appreciate the relevance of his teachings, principles and philosophies more than ever before. I can relate now even more to the importance of the role that my guru and his fellow monks play in bringing about some form of peace and sanity to this modern day world of war, turmoil and unrest. The principle that the Ramakrishna order is based on, “As many faiths, as many paths,” couldn’t ring truer than at these present times, when tolerance by all is what is called for.

Swami Sarvadevananda, the assistant minister of the Hollywood, California center, who had come to Houston to conduct the Durga Puja ceremony (see page 5) encouraged Houstonians to go to Austin. Many fellow devotees had driven from Dallas and flown from India and several monks traveled with the Swami.

The local Austinites had gone to great lengths to attend to everyone’s needs and were very kind and welcoming. They had their puja at the new center the previous day. On Sunday, we listened to a short lecture by Swamiji and participated in a 20-minute meditation session. After lunch was served, we had a chance to interact with our Guru a bit more. That evening there was a short lecture session on Vedanta and a short presentation on Swami Vivekananda by local youngsters.

Swami Swahananda

An important message just received: 

REVERED SWAMI SWAHANANDAJI, a disciple of Swami Vijnananandaji, has passed away peacefully today

at 2:52 PM PST.

He suffered a brain stem stroke on Wednesday morning. After several tests

and consultations with doctors it was determined that his condition was

irreversible and life support was removed per his wishes. He has blessed us

as the head of the Vedanta Society of Southern California since December of

1976.

His body will be on view in his bedroom beginning Saturday, October 20th,

from 11 a.m. until Sunday morning at 8 AM. Devotees who wish to pay their

respects may offer a flower at this time. Chanting and singing will

continue throughout this period. After a brief visit in his room, please

exit to make room for additional devotees. Refreshments will be available

in the puja dining room. You may also join the chanting from outside the

room.

Please check the Vedanta website

http://vedanta.org/<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001rHp3Yv9cR2lO5HrMNH0VaW1gajEBBThMmYcIZ40eGJCCrlg9oiZ0nyj9yxKR2wl1EaJRyGhYU7AZbsf7ljeJTJXfXCpj8mf8xQ9jHCRWJVE=>for

notices of the cremation, the cremation service, and the memorial

service. We would greatly appreciate that you avoid calling the centers for

information that is available on the website.

ॐ

-- 

May we follow the spiritual path shown by Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda to reach God, the goal of our lives, and by His power help others also in their struggle to reach Him.

Sri Ramakrishna Bhakti Sutra - A collection of Ramakrishna Quotes on Bhakti compiled by Swami Yatishananda ji

Ramnarayan Maharaj (Swami Yatishananda ji)

My God, this is sudden as sudden could ever be. Oh, my idle mind, wake up, your time is nearing. Give up laziness, get busy with the things you have vowed to do. It could be you anytime. Let not Brother Death, catch you unawares.

Ramnarayan Maharaj, Swami Yatishananda ji, passed away a day back. It came as a surprise that he was 72 years old. He had taken the robes of a Sannyasin in 1972. To us he looked much younger and his manners, still younger. He was cheerful, heartily jumping into the fray with younger people and sometimes singly when younger people too felt like sticking to formal ways. His free spirits propelled him away from the danger of getting stuck up anywhere. You can bet, this bubbling joy-stick, time and again jabbed hard at many smug and stuck-up logjams.

He was active in September Vrindaban function, felt uneasy on return, found he had advanced liver cancer (tumour), was hospitalised, willed himself to die on Ekadashi and yielded to God’s will on Mahalaya eve.

To give a scope for the very few, who wish to pursue a full time spiritual vocation, is a top priority of Sri Ramakrishna’s Mission. A conducive community where young and old alike, feel homely and heartened to lead a holy life is the way of doing it. Such a community needs as its first requisite, a free flow of mutual love like which was set in motion by God Incarnate out of Love for us humans.

Happy and free souls such as our Ramnarayan Maharaj are the signs which show that Mother is always with us.

Flash  : Swami Yatishananda ji (Ramnarayan Maharaj) passed away on 14 October 2012, at about 10.55 pm at Seva Pratishthan, Kolkata.  He was 72.  Cremation was done at Belur on 15 October at 9.00 pm.

1. Vrindaban Function : http://www.rkmsvrind.org/Inauguration_Ceremony.pdf
http://www.rkmsvrind.org/Glimpses_of_Public_Function.pdf

2. At Dol Purnima in Belur Math : http://ramakrishnaashrama.blogspot.in/2012/03/swing-festival.html

See official obituary at: http://www.belurmath.org/news_archives/2012/11/08/obituaries-october-2012

A monastic brother, much younger to Ramanarayan Maharaj, but a close friend of him, recalls that he had heard from him that Maharaj had performed Durga Puja fourteen or fifteen times either as Tantradharak or as Pujari. It was significant that he passed away on Mahalaya day. Was he in a rush to meet his Mother?
He had performed Kali Puja too more often than Durga Puja.

an email about Revered Kini Maharaj by a devotee

21 September 2012

Pranam Swamiji,

 Myself So and so.

A initiated RK Disciple and a close follower of Kini Maharaj. I had a fortune to live in close proximity with him and to hear his experiences and stories of Thakur from him. He bestowed Motherly love on me and for that I will always be grateful to him, and God. He was not only a Great Master but a Teacher , a guardian and all to me. Whenever I used to be depressed or sad , I used to sit by his side and he used to tell some stories  or encourage me in some way or other. I cannot express how I miss him and what to do after hearing the news of  his sad demise. I shared a soul level relationship with him .

May his soul rest in peace and if there is next birth , I would like him to be my Master again to guide me through this Bhav sagar.

He worked selflessly for the cause of Ramakrishna Mission during his tenure in Worli. The Aura of that Ashram was maintained till its closure only because of Kini Maharaj. and he did it without much fan fare.Many big people from IPS officers, Doctors , Diamond merchants, Big Monks used to visit the Ashrama and Maharajji used to treat them with utmost love and care.

..... Would like to meet you. are you in Nagpur, swamiji.?

Pranam maharji,

So and So.

Swami Sampurnananda

22 Sep (8 days ago)

Thanks for your sharing your feelings about Revered Kini Maharaj.

I am in South India based in Trivandrum. The obituary of Revered Kini Maharaj is most likely to appear in due course in our Belur Math website. I will try to let you know when it comes. It will come in our internal bulletin at the end of the month. Intimation of his passing away has already been sent to all centres from Belur Math. I always put the available links in my blog at the earliest. So you can look in my blog too. My phone no. is 09249516180. 

Yours in Sri Ramakrishna,

Swami Sampurnananda

Swami Vibudhananda shares his reminiscences about Swami Tyagishananda

One day I requested Swami Tyagishananda ji to permit me to collect some donations for the ensuing birthday of Sri Ramakrishna. He forbade me so I kept quiet. After some days, one evening, a jatka (horse driven cart) came to the Ashrama with groceries and vegetables. A devotee was present with Swamiji at that time. Swamiji asked the devotee to enquire the details from the jatkawala (cart man). Jatkawala informed that the goods were sent by the owner of a grocery store to the Ashrama. However, Swamiji thought that I might have arranged it. So he asked the devotee who was with him to go to the store and find out the truth. The owner of the store came to the Ashrama and told Swamiji that the goods were his donation in kind for the birthday of Sri Ramakrishna. The gift was spontaneous. All were surprised. Swamiji had tremendous faith in Sri Ramakrishna.

He knew that the Lord was the doer and all others were only instruments.

From : http://shriramakrishna.blogspot.in/2006/12/swami-tyagishanandajis-tremendous.html

Thanks to the above site builders.

Homage to Shri Bharat Churiwala ji of Devotees of Holy Trio eGroup

Dear Members,

Revered Monastic Brothers, Sisters, Respected Devotees, admirers and friends,

My Salutations to all in the Divine name of Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother and the great Swami Vivekananda.

It’s really a shocking news in the Holy Trio’s world that Shri Bharatji is now not in his mortal coil to continue his e-worship as he was very fond of it  but his sadhana is bearing immortal fruits in the form of all the devotees gathered here on this dais of holy group to discuss Divine virtues and lives ever happened on this earth.  It’s an evolution continuously happening in all humans first to Be and then - Make. 

My association with  him started through the Devotees of Holy Trio Group on Google.  In 2005 with the help of some of our technical friends it was just initiated with the blessings of Most Revered Swami Gokulanandaji Maharaj, the initiative was to send only Durga Puja greetings to all Devotees, it started spreading in different dimensions that it took the shape of a dais of Holy discussion, and many started joining.  Shri Bharatji too joined.  His interest and sharing used to be very regular, sincere and colored with sweetness of devotion.  I got in him a man with intense desire to do something in this line.  God brings his suitable instruments.

Once when I was in Delhi, he phoned me, I think it was 5^th of October of 2007, asked me “Somesh maharaj, its my birthday, give me something”.  Hmmmm, yes, wait”, and I made him co-moderator, he was overwhelmed and said – “maharajji, aapne to mujhe 55 saal me jawani de di, I am reborn again, I will certainly do justice to this gift” and till his last he was fond of spreading diving message through this forum tirelessly.   Before him I asked many to serve the group and tried two three experts but I was not satisfied, praying to lord that my endeavours should not go in vain and Bharatji was there as if he was sent by almighty to take the cross with his fullest in his old age too. 

Even though I  was full in trust of his leadership for Group, he used to inform the happenings, many tough times too came to this group but the key role was played by him in such a meticulous way that it got appreciation from all sides and many too inspired by Holy Trio group started such discussion or posting groups on net.

Once I asked him for selecting some young responsible leaders to lead such group in the absence of all of us for continuation in future, he suggested three four names and the lottery came on Shri Sabujji,  I revere him for his dedication for the cause and expect the cross on his well built young shoulders,  Bharatji departed soul will be very happy if Shri Sabujji can excel in the same.  Shri Sabuji have to be well versed in Holy Trio’s literature as Shri Bharatji was.

As Bharat bhai’s breaths always counted the name of Lord,  to always sing and listen Ramakrishna Saranam – Ramakrishna Saranam, even in his car, those who had been with him might be remembering the audio CD of Ramakrishna Saranam, commanding to his Driver – Dubeji, aur kuchh nahi, bas Ramakrishna sarnam se sab ho jaayega.  Even in his office he liked only to hear this song besides his regular dealings with visitors, customers or even legal opponents.  I had seen him instructing his staffs for all the service oriented jobs in printing line with careful, scanning eyes on paper and the cost too.  Sometimes he will send Hanuma Chalisa for painting and his own created paintings for children as they too come in the fold of Holy Trio in tender age.  Again his Marwari way to handle the money, matter, machine, man and mind was a sight to an observer.  As a Karmayogin he never failed to be submitted at the lotus feet of Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna. 

As you all know that at present I am in Narottam Nagar, the prestigious education centre in the remote area of Tirap Dist. in Arunachal Pradesh working among Tribals,  he regularly used to ask about them and always was eager to help them individually.  When I visited Bombay he never allowed anyone to take me anywhere except himself and was jealous if Shri Abhishek (a devotee from Delhi, based in Bombay) used to escort me anywhere.  Revered Swami Nikhileswaranandaji’s lecture was there in one Gujarati samaj, in one school, I attended the lecture, not well versed in gujrati but could understood the lecture as it was interesting to see Rev. Swamiji with all his guts and expression, finding me alone in Gujrati people, Bharatji took me to school boys and girls and asked me to talk in hindi with them, and while I was introducing Swamiji he was there with his printed books on Swamiji, and I distributed among youngsters, they too were happy to see such a colourful images of Swamiji and quotes. Bharatji then said, “Kitni khoosi hoti hai ye log Swamiji ko padh rahe hain”, His passion means passion itself needs more and more words to define it.

Once when I was on an education excursion to Kolkota, he tried his level best to provide all his influence in the form of renowned people to meet the Tribal boys and the hospitability by supplying the food as the tribal crew liked.  Daily he used to call me as if it was his concern for caring the tribal boys for their lodging and boarding etc.  When our boys were fortunate to render few bhajans on 1^st jan. 2012 in Cossipore, he shouted the slogan over phone – Thakur maa ki Jai, Swamiji ki jai with tears.

His way of putting his voice with paan in his mouth starting with Literally .......... was favourite of many, and then nobody could stop him, one has to accept his – literally - otherwise, “I don’t believe in this, Swamiji, No, it can’t, I don’t believe in it”, again if somebody will explain the matter, “hmmm hmmm, that can be, that can be”.  It was a sight to see when his smile showed acceptance of Swamiji’s Name, picture or any quote on his created paper work.

Once I asked “Bharatji, thoda Exercise kijiye, Makhhan ke kaaran space jyada ho raha hai?” He turned to me with bright eyes, “Arey, fit to hoon, 100% fit, sabse jyada fit”  certainly he was fit, in Lonawala he was ready before i got ready and at 4 am his ablution was over. I was surprised how he in that age can be so perfact.  There itself till late night with Dr. Gharotiyaji going on talking, and talking and exchanging his views only on Godly matterss.

Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna was his surest passion, no phone calls were accepted till his readings in Bombay Ashrama with Library Swamiji  were completed,  if one called him up, his message – “in Gospel class, will call later”.  Members might have seen his creativity of Gems in pictures.

On 24^th I called him asked his whereabouts and health, he was not in the condition to talk but he attended and admitted about his falling health.  His wish was to see tribal boys, their videos which I covered  sometimes back in this year,  I went to Tinsukia, Assam on 26^th and registered a parcel of one hard disk containing all he wanted.  But the destiny had its other ways,  I got the shocking news of his passing away when the consignment was to reach at his Poornima Prakashan.

With his Grandson his fun was to see him dancing in the name of Jai Jai, Thakur’s name, Ramakrishna Sarnam.  His dedication brings the imagination in my mind as if he is dancing and merging in the divine bliss of swaroopa to Aroopa. 

Such devotees make the Grihastha Ashrama fulfilled, the Ashrama of Dharma, Artha, Kama and Bhakti or Mukti, the example for all, how one can hold God with one hand and work with other and when the work is over, again hold with both hands, no chalaki for getting tempted in Samsaric attraction.  Jar ache japo, jar nai maapo  -  He had done the both.

Hats off to such dedication. 

Let us take his demise as a better and great opportunities on Shri Bharatji’s departed holy soul.  Such divine attributed souls can’t go in eternal peace for their own sake but will be still working to spread the nectar all over the world. 

Sa Tarati Sa tarati, sa lokans tarati- (narada bhakti sutras)

With my sraddhanjali to his divine association on his condolence meeting.

I remain with prayers

Of Sri Ramakrishna, Maa and Swamiji

Swami Tatparananda

(Somesh Maharaj)

My prayers to the Holy Mother to grant him eternal peace and strength to his family to bear this irreparable loss. He indeed was a very active son of the Holy Trio. Having known him personally, this news is indeed shocking. Bharatji, will remembet you as a helpful person and an active servant of the lord. My pranams to you. Rgds,

Shoubhik Bandyopadhyay

Indeed a shock! My condolences to the bereaved family. And my prayers for the soul.

Sucheta Ghosh

Om Namo Narayanaya!

We are all devastated by the sudden news of Bhaijee’s passing away.  May Holy Trio guide his soul.  Deepest sympathies to Sumintra Ma and family!

Avitha Partab

May his soul become one with master.

Vvrajashekar

It is a shocking news. Only a few weeks ago I received a mail from him regarding joining this Google group. I had been missing his posts of Lalleshwari's poems/realisations recently. His posts inspired me to start posting Adi Shankaracharya's 'Bhaja Govindam'. I pray for his soul and that he may become one with the Holy Trio in Ramakrishnaloka. I also pray for his family. Regards.

ANURAG

Beloved Bharatji was a pure devotee and a real friend to us all. Somehow he found me and invited me to the group around five years ago. We had wonderful communications and he was a real inspiration. All of our lives have been deeply impacted by his seva and by the group he started. He united us as a family. I will miss you Bharatji, but I will not forget you. My soul sings in gratitude for bringing so many devotees together. You are home now with Maa, Thakur, Swamiji and and the rest. My sincere condolences to the Churiwala family and close friends... You had a true bhakta amongst you and now he is gone... His spirit is not gone and he will live in our hearts until we all meet again.. Om Om Om

Johnandreadis

Shocked to know that Sri Bharat Churiwala Ji  is no more with us. I offer my sincere condolence to the bereaved family and pray to Sri Sri Thakur that his soul may rest in eternal peace.

Regards,

Satyajit Dutta

I am deeply shocked. I sincerely hope that Sri Churiwala is now in the company of the Holy Trio and pray to the Holy Trio to give strength to his family to bear this loss.

Partha

He was a very nice person - Very humble and very devoted to the devotees of Sri Ramakrishna. He was always willing to do anything to serve the devotees. When I visited Mumbai, he forced me and my family to use his car and driver for a full day.

Jai Ramakrishna !!!

Gomu

I am shoocked and  deeply saddened to hear this sad news! My words fall short of expressing my sorrow. He was very human, greatly dedicated to Holy Trio.

Sri Bharatji.... you are a gem!! Thakur armed around you and whispered "Come to Me." 

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hemant

I offer my sincere condolence to the bereaved family and pray to Holy Trio, that his soul may rest in eternal peace.

ravi kumar

Oh that is sad to knw that. He's with Thakur and Sri Maa

little prince sanjay.lulla

Very shocking! Let us offer our prayerful best wishes for the peace of the departed devoted soul of Holy Trio 

nikhileswarananda@gmail.com

Dear all,

Truely a noble soul has departed leaving a void unfilled.... Shocking news which is hard to believe...but cannot fight against HIS will...

Bharatji was pure soul now immersed in the ocean of PURITY... such souls depart early for HIS work..

May his soul rests in peace... I pray for his family members to gain strength to overcome this tragedy...

Regards

Sumit Sett

I used to see him every day at khar Mission in morning at 10 doing pranams and peeping thro' the shrine grills for a glance of Thakur - Maa - Swamijee. This image of Bharatjee will remain imprinted in my mind.

Jai Thakur.....
Rachna

Jai Ramakrishna!!!, Very shocking and cannot believe this news. Very devoted and humble devotee and had some great and sincere ideas to spread the message of the Holy Trinity.  May Thakur, Maa and Swamiji bless his soul and let it merge in them.

Swami Bodhamayananda

Hyderabad

Om Namo Bhagabate Basudebaaya

Very shocking and sad. May his pious soul rest in peace. 

Bijaylaxmi Mishra

I met him once at Mumbai. I just called him to inform that I will be in Mumbai and he came to Khar ashram at late evening to meet me. We also spoke number of times but could not meet. I sent him a mail recently and he responded stating that he was not keeping well. He promised to respond shortly. It is a great loss for this group as he painstakingly built this holy association. Thakur got His work done. Now Bharatji will enjoy His company in Ramakrishna Loka. My condolences to his family.

Tirthankar Mitra

We have only to thank him all he did to all of us, his example of the love and the devotion to Thakur, Maa and Swamiji. He is in the arms of our Beloved Thakur and Maa. May Thakur and Maa give strength to his family and understanding in that moment. 

jai Thakur jai Maa Jai Swamiji

Radha Mangala

Extremely difficult to digest this news... three years back met him at bangalore when he was here in connection with a film on Swamiji's life....and a few months back Bharatbhai had been to Bangalore and made it a point to meet me at my office on his way to airport...and that time we spent on sharing the words of Thakur-Maa....

Our dear brother has gone to the lap of Thakur-Maa resting in eternal peace.....

Satwik Joglekar

It is indeed a day of sorrow for me to know of this sudden and sad demise of Bharatji. I have had the honour of spending a lot of time with him for about last five years. I have not seen a man more passionate about the Group called Holy Trio. His selfless contribution in making this such a vibrant platform for discussion is immense. 
I have lost a very dear friend. 
May his soul find a rightful place in Ramakrishnaloka. 

Regards

Shashank Chowdhury

With tears in my eyes, I pray to Thakur for the peace of his soul.

Indeed it's a great loss to all of us.

Suvankar Dasgupta

This is such a shocking news. Bharat ji was a great friend, a devotee of a very high order and a great man. He had help lay foundation stone for the ashram in Kathmandu and he had taken the responsibility of publishing three books on the holy trio in Nepali for the first time. May his soul attain supreme bliss. 

Om

Prabesh Lohani

Jai Sri Ramakrishna!!

This is really a shocking news. May Bharathji's soul rest in peace. Bharathji was very compassionate......Really miss Bharathji a lot in this group...

Suchay Deshpande

This such  sad news. Bharatji was wonderful friend and a good guide.
We all pray to Holy Trio keep Bharatji under their care and grant him
eternal peace.

Purnendu Mukerjee

It was a shocking news, my condolences to his family, and prayers to Holy Mother that his soul rest in peace.....

Neetha

Very saddened to convey to all that my papa passed away yesterday morning on 27th september. Please pray so he is in peace. We have kept a baithak on sunday 30 th sep at iskon temple hare rama hare krishna juhu mumbai between 4 - 6 pm. Jai maa thakurji regards 

Darshan

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Amritham Viveka we miss him very much my dear

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Sanjay Gupta Cfp Heartfelt Condolences !!

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Sucheta Ghosh Jai Ramakrishna! may He gives you all the strength and shelter! all my condolances ! my prayers for his soul and bereaved family!

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Shoubhik Bandyopadhyay I pray for him. I have known him to be a helpful and compassionate person. May God give Peace to his Good Soul

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Avitha Partab We are all devastated here in South Africa too! We are praying for solace for his noble soul, and may Thakur, Ma and Swamijee give the entire family the strength to bear the sad loss. Please convey our deepest sympathies to mum and sister.

Anila Gupta Dear Darshan, I was so saddened to hear of this, early this morning. your father was truly Thakur's child. My prayers are for him, you and the family. Jai Maa, Jai Thakur.

Satwik Joglekar Deepest condolences on this sad loss, Darshan...our feelings with you Bhabhiji and family...the entire devotee family is saddened.. Jai Thakur-Jai Maa-Jai Swamiji...

I am so charmed and admired by Shri Bharat ji that I searched for his photo in internet, nearly 2 or 3 years ago. From that time onward whenever I see his mails his photo comes into my mind. It is unbelievable to think that he is no more. 
I still remember one of his mail in which he said he got rebirth at the age of 50 after introduction to the Holy Trio. I am still not able to digest that he left us. While I have no doubt that his soul reaches the lap of Holy Mother, but I feel deep sorrow that he left us.

What pains me more is that if it is for some time his health is bad, then at least one mail should have been there in the group about that as he is the main moderator. Are we so disconnected ? 

He is very dedicated in maintaining this group. At times he expressed his apologies in not being able to post regularly, for example posts on Lalleswari. Many times when I read Sri Ramakrishna saying that a person with well built physique possess strong faith, I remember him. He is one of the devotees I have seen with very strong faith.

Though I have never met him in person, I feel a loss like that of an elder brother. A true loss to all of us. 

Sincerely praying Holy Trio to take his soul into their loka and bless him with peace.

Kiran