gurus
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Brahmasree Neelakanta Gurupadar
vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – World Is One Family
The sacred foundations of Sree Rama Dasa Ashram were laid by Brahmasree Neelakanta Gurupadar in 1920. A luminary of spiritual wisdom and a lifelong devotee of the Ramayana, Gurupadar attained enlightenment at the age of 20 after years of dedicated Ramopasana. His life stands as a testament to the profound depths of Indian spirituality, marked by a unique approach to worship and rituals that transcended distinctions of caste, creed, or social status. Devotees from all walks of life gather at the Ashram, drawn to the Mahasamadhi Mandapam of Gurupadar to engage in spiritual practices and seek his blessings.
In his divine essence, Brahmasree Neelakanta Gurupadar embodied the virtues of the Ashtasiddhis, such as Anima, Mahima, Garima, and Laghima, displaying an extraordinary mastery over spiritual powers. His presence was a source of protection for those who were deserving and he served as a guiding light for many disciples on their path to enlightenment, dispelling doubts and offering wisdom. His luminous legacy, enriched by these divine attributes, continues to illuminate the hearts of seekers, transcending the boundaries of time and space.
Gurupadar's spiritual journey was deeply intertwined with sacred landscapes that held significant spiritual power. These include the Madavoorpara Cave Temple, Velimala Kumaraswamy Kovil, Kumarakovil Vallichuna and Marutvamala Pillairthadam.
His final spiritual abode was the Sree Rama Dasa Ashram, where his presence, empowered by the Ashtasiddhis, continues to inspire and guide devotees on the path of righteousness and self-realization. Through his profound spiritual influence and the sacred spaces he sanctified, Gurupadar's life and teachings remain a radiant force within the realm of Indian spirituality, offering timeless wisdom and support to all who seek the divine.
A LIFE OF DISCIPLINE AND UNIVERSAL COMPASSION
An Akhanda Brahmachari who practiced yoga and pure vegetarianism, he gave precise and practical training to his disciples in the Sadhana Marga. He is a divine, self-mortifying, ascetic who protected and guided his disciples on the path of enlightenment, offering relief to countless devotees by curing diseases and alleviating suffering. He treated everyone from the rich to the poor with equal affection leaving a legacy which continues to inspire and illuminate the hearts of seekers from all over the world.
He propagated the slogan “The World is a Family”, living his life as such.
Gurupadar was a great soul who demonstrated numerous miraculous deeds and siddhis in his daily life. These extraordinary events from his life are described in detail in his biography, "Padapooja".
Divine Pathways
Jagadguru Swami Sathyananda Saraswathi
A Universal Vision of Humanism
Jagadguru Swami Satyananda Saraswathi Thiruvadikal, a luminary in Indian spirituality, was born on September 25, 1933, to the distinguished Mangalath Veedu family in Andoorkonam, Thiruvananthapuram. Renowned for his harmonious blend of Tapas (austerity) and Karma Yoga (action), his spiritual journey was marked by profound dedication and discipline. Under the tutelage of Sri Venkulam Parameswaran, he immersed himself in the Yogamarga campaign, meticulously honing his yogic practice and preparing himself for the sacred role of a MahaYogi.
His life was a testament to his spiritual prowess and commitment to his path. Swami Satyananda Saraswathi's journey reached its zenith with his Mahasamadhi on November 24, 2006, at Sree Rama Dasa Ashram, Chenkottukonam. His contributions to spirituality were not confined to personal practice alone; he was a well-published author, speaker and reformer. These writings and teachings reflect his deep understanding of spiritual principles and his commitment to guiding others on their spiritual journey.
Swamiji's legacy continues to inspire and guide seekers, his life and teachings resonating through the ages, embodying the timeless values of devotion, wisdom and selfless service.
LEADERSHIP AND LEGACY
Throughout his life, Swamiji exemplified virtues that provided solace, strength and support to those in need. He was a staunch patriot who was fearless in defending Hindu dharma. He led numerous struggles against religious conversion, reclaimed lost souls and re-established temples. As a prolific author and speaker, his works, including profound commentaries on Adhyatma Ramayana and the sacred science of Gurutvam, resonated far and wide—from Kerala to the United Nations—igniting hearts with the flame of truth.
SWAMIJI'S INITIATIVES
Swami Satyananda Saraswathi spearheaded numerous transformative efforts, through which his legacy continues to thrive and inspire. After establishing the Sree Rama Dasa Mission in 1970, he founded the Sree Rama Dasa Mission Universal Society in 1981, which emphasized universal values and a commitment to serving humanity.In 1983, Swamiji's dedication to health and well-being led to the creation of the Sree Rama Dasa Mission Universal Society Medical Mission, blending spirituality with healthcare.
Recognizing the critical role of women in societal growth, he founded Maithili Mahila Mandal, a platform empowering women through education, social initiatives and spiritual development. He also fostered the growth of children’s minds with the establishment of Balaprapancham , instilling strong moral values and character development among the younger generation.
Swamiji's commitment to youth empowerment resulted in the creation of the Young Men’s Hindu Association, promoting cultural awareness and leadership within Hindu communities. His passion for unity led him to establish the Hindu Aikya Vedi, fostering solidarity among diverse Hindu groups. He also developed the Kutumba Samithi concept, a family-oriented approach to spiritual practice and community welfare, ensuring that spirituality remained an inclusive and integral part of daily life.
His efforts extended to the dissemination of spiritual knowledge through the founding of the Punyabhoomi International Daily, a newspaper focused on spiritual wisdom and social consciousness.
Through the Sree Rama Charitable Trust , he organized charitable activities that touched countless lives across Kerala.
Swamiji’s commitment to Ayurvedic medicine led to the creation of the Manishi Herbal Research Foundation, emphasizing the significance of traditional healing practices.
Swamiji also contributed to the preservation of Sabarimala through the Harivarasana Project and spearheaded the Nileckil Agitation, defending the sanctity of the temple and protesting against idol desecration. He organized All India Sanyasi Sammelans, fostering unity and dialogue among ascetics nationwide.
His influence extended to national platforms as an executive member of the Kendriya Marg Darshak Mandal and Rama Janmabhoomi Nyas Manch, advocating for the reconstruction of the Sree Rama Mandir in Ayodhya.
In Kerala, Swamiji undertook the renovation and construction of hundreds of Hindu temples while also establishing schools across India , ensuring that both spiritual and educational foundations remained strong.
He guided the establishment of ashrams in Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh, spreading his spiritual mission far and wide.
Global Contributions
Swamiji’s global spiritual initiatives included conducting the Shata Koti Archana (1 billion chants) of the Lalitha Sahasranama for world peace and leading the Dwishatkoti Archana (2 billion chants) of Lord Shiva and Lord Dattatreya near Pune.His contributions were internationally recognized as he represented India at the UN World Peace Summit for the Elimination of Poverty and delivered the keynote address at the World Hindu Conference in Trinidad and Tobago .
Through the founding of the International Society for the Propagation of Indian Religion and Epic Studies (INSPIRES) and Project HARI (Hindu Arshic Renaissance International), Swamiji promoted global Hindu collaboration.
Divine Pathways
Sree Rama Dasa Mission (SRDM), a registered charitable society (S No. 61 of 1973), operates under the Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific, and Charitable Societies Act.