Swami Devadevananda ji (Chandan Maharaj) had passed away on 7 February 2014. He was 86 and despite suffering from chronic kidney disease, diabetes and hypertension for quite some years, was so filled with the Spirit of service, that he was insistent on continuing to serve the people and to lead an active life. Some would say he was loath to give up the life of an active leader of men. It took some efforts from others to convince him that it was better for him and all, if he reduced his services a bit. Initiated by Swami Shankarananda ji, he joined the Order in 1954 at Karimganj centre and had Sannyasa from Swami Madhavananda ji in 1963. Besides his joining centre, he served at Saradapitha, Shillong, Kamarpukur and Silchar centres in multifarious roles. When finally people could convince him to retire, he lived a contented retired life for three years at Jayrambati and Belur Math. The Swami was a jolly man and people generally liked him. He was interested in music and could not only sing well but compose songs too. Among his compositions, the song beginning with words Jaya Jaya Ramakrishna, Ramakrishna, Bolo Badane, Emon Madhur Naam Aar Paabi Ne in Bengali has become quite popular. He continues to live in his songs. Hari Om Ramakrishna.
Swami Puranananda ji (Sunil Maharaj) expired on 12 February 2014. He was 84 and had been living a full and, well- engrossed-in all day to day affairs-life, despite suffering from chronic kidney disease and diabetes for quite some years. Initiated by Swami Shankarananda ji, he joined the Order in 1951 at Belur Math and had Sannyasa from his Guru in 1961. Besides Belur Math, he served at Patna, Mumbai, Gol Park, Kanpur, Mauritius, Puri Mission, Cossipore and Barasat centres for varying periods at various roles. He had been living a lively though what we call retired life for about six years at Gol Park centre. The Swami was a good singer and an impressive speaker and had cultivated gentlemanly manners. He once promptly gave me a nice piece of woolen kurta when he found I needed one. Hari Om Ramakrishna; Durga Durga
Swami Divyajnanananda ji (Uday Maharaj of Narendrapur centre) passed away on 12th February 2014. He was just like any one of us, ordinary, with flashes of competence, goodness and vainness. I took him for granted that he, like most of us, would give us company for major part of our lives and we could always be comfortable in complimenting and cavilling at each other. But Death has intervened to tell loudly that no human is to be taken lightly and indeed the task to take up is the one set to us by Holy Mother - to make the world our own - for none is a stranger and the way to go about it, is to find the good in each and every human being we come across and to try to worship the divinity within each and every person. Uday Mj. was a so-so acquaintance but it stumped me hard when I saw that he had been struck by serious kidney trouble. He was quite a pleasant person (a bit garrulous though) and I am sure he was of great service to the students he served. I can't yet believe he is dead. He, for sure, is not; and 'dead' is not an accurate word to describe the lively feeling that come to my mind when thinking of him. That Soul or Atma is Immortal, seems so palpably true even to puny unrealized persons like me.
So Dear Uday Maharaj, let me say Farewell to you here through this blog. Durga Durga
