An Immortal Saint
October 2008
One of the prominent saints of contemporary times, and the president of the Divine Life Society, Rishikesh, established by Swami Sivananda, Swami Chidananda Saraswati attained mahasamadhi on August 28, 2008, at the age of 92.
Swami Chidananda: an exemplary life Swami Chidananda stands out for his exemplary selfless service in the cause of the leper colonies in Rishikesh, and nearby places besides being an ideal preceptor to thousands across the world in his capacity as president of the Divine Life Society for 40 years from August 1963 onwards.
“Service before self” epitomised the entire life of this austere saint, who kept alive the spirit of the ancient Vedantic tradition in these confused and turbulent times, much like his own master Sivananda. His inspiring early morning meditation talks given in the ashram, have been compelling reference points for hundreds of seekers and aspirants.
As Swami Chidananda would exort and inspire his listeners, “…To enter into the spiritual life is a rare blessedness, it is a great good: to take it seriously and engage in active spiritual sadhana is a second blessedness and a still greater good: but to persevere in the spiritual life, to be ever progressive and ceaseless in one’s spiritual life, is the greatest good, the crowning blessedness”. His own life was a living testimony to the great ancient ideals he reiterated for the modern age.
Ever-vigilant in his personal sadhana, ever compassionate to the poor and needy, ever-willing to champion the cause of the underprivileged, Swami Chidananda’s passing away leaves a huge void in the hearts and minds of seekers who search for the ultimate truth beyond the transitory and fleeting. In his death for which he had left strict instructions for his body to be immersed in the Ganges quickly (jal samadhi), as in life, Swami Chidananda remained a simple monk, despite being the president of an international organisation with centres across the globe, upholding the highest values of India’s monastic traditions.
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