Akhandanand

Birth

Anantshri Swami Akhandanandji Saraswati (also spelled as Akhandananda Saraswati, he was known as "Maharajshri" to many of his followers) (1911–1987), was an exponent of Bhagavata Purana and a scholar of diverse spiritual traditions including Vedanta, Bhakti, and associated Shastras(scriptures). He was born on Friday, July 25, 1911 in Pushya Nakshatra (Shravana Amavasya v.s. 1968 per Vikram Calendar) in the village of Maharai in the district of Varanasi. Maharajshri was born exactly nine months after his grandfather had prayed to Shri Shantanu Behari, the Lord of Vrindavan. According to the lunar calendar, it was the Amawasya of the month of Shravan, in the Samvat 1968.^[1] His Saryupaarine Brahmin family named him "Shantanu Behari", since he was born by the grace of the Lord Shantanu Bihari ^[2]

Introduction to Spirituality

According to the introduction to Maharajshri given in the book "Shri Gita Rasa Ratnakar", famous and learned astrologers predicted at the time of his birth, that Maharajshri's lifespan was only nineteen years. Fear of death made Maharajshri move towards the path to spirituality. It has been held by great saints and sages that while they cannot save a person from his destined death, they can impart knowledge which could remove all fear of death forever. It is suggested that this is exactly what happened. The nectarine Brahman manifested in Maharajshri's heart, and the dark shadow of death was gone forever.

Maharajshri was ten years old when his grandfather made him read the original Bhagwat in Sanskrit. Since then the Shrimad Bhagwat stayed by him like a faithful companion.^[3]

Work on the editorial board of "Kalyan"

Prior to his Sanyas, from 1934 to 1942, Maharajshri was a member of the editorial board of "Kalyan" at the Gita Press and published a number of books and articles. He translated Bhagavata Purana in Hindi for the Gita Press

Initiation to "Sanyas" (monkhood)

In his youth, Maharajshri went to Jhusi, to meet Brahmachari Prabhudattaji, a saint of great renown. It was there that Maharajshri first saw Shri Udiyababaji Maharaj, and had the opportunity to discuss Vedanta. Maharajshri was captivated by Udiyababaji's conviction in the principle of non-dual reality, and by the unique, carefree bliss of this liverated soul. Shri Udiyababaji showered unstinted filial love on Maharajshri and it was by his inspiration that Maharajshri became a monk. Maharajshri received initiation for Sanyas (monkhood)from the Shankaracharya of Jyotishpeethadhishver, Swami Shri Brahmanandji Saraswati in February 1942, following which his name was changed from Pandit Shantanu-vihari Dwivedi to Swami Akhandananda Saraswati.^[4]

Following a path of spirituality since early age, Maharajshri was associated with many Saints and Mahatmas in the early twentieth century, including Udiya Baba, Hari Baba, and Anandmayi Ma.

During the 1960s, Maharajshri was elected President of the Bharat Sadhu Samaj, an Indian organization of monks.

Maharajshri was an honorary board member of the Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan ^[5] - an honor he shared with many world leaders including Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa, Prince Charles; Presidents and Prime Ministers of India, including Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Pandit Nehru, Sardar Patel; and other Indian spiritual leaders of the twentieth century: Swami Gangeshwarananda and Swami Chinmayananda. Maharajshri was regularly invited for delivering lectures at Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan's Headquarters in Mumbai, as well as by other organizations around the country, including Prem Puri Adhyatma Bhavan (Mumbai), Birla House (Kolkata), Birla Temples (Delhi and other cities) and J.K. Temple (Kanpur).

Maharajshri has mentored past and present generations of Grihasthas, Sanyasi Mahatmas and Shankaracharyas. Maharajshri's insighful discourses on Bhagavata Purana were delivered in 4-6 hour sessions each day for over 7–30 days. These discourses were only for the serious students as a Parayana or Gyan Yagna. His discourses were hosted by well-known Grihastha families like Birla, Singhania, Hindujas, Khatau; and Mahatmas such as Bhikshu Shankrananda, Udiya Baba, Hari Baba, Anandmayi Ma, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, etc... He authored over 180 books which covered topics including Bhagavata Purana, Bhagavat Geeta, Ram Charitra Manas, and Upnishads of the Vedanta.

Anand Vrindavan Ashram

The Anand Vrindavan Ashram is located near Moti Jheel in Vrindavan, a town in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, India. The ashram was established by Maharajshri and is considered akin to the Teertharaj Prayak, where the three streams of Karma, Bhakti and Gnan are merged. The activities of the ashram include satsang, serving the Lord in temples, serving the cows, teaching the Vedas to young students, among other things. The ashram also runs a school and a charitable dispensary.^[6]

Swami Omkaranandji Saraswati "Mahantji" Maharaj guided the Anand Vrindavan Ashram and associated charitable trusts, from 1987 to 2008. Today, Swami Sachchidanandaji heads the Anand Vrindavan ashram and is continuing Maharajshri's traditions of service (Karma), devotion (Bhakti), and knowledge (Gyan).^[7]

"Samaadi" (a complete and unbroken union with the divine)

At about two am, the Brahmbela of November 19, 1987 (the Margasheersha Krishna Trayodashi of the lunar calendar) the individual space merged into the universal space and Maharajshri became all-pervading.

Bibliography

Over 180 books and audio/video recordings of Swami Akhandanand Saraswatiji's discourses (pravachan) are available on the web and in traditional media formats.

References

1. ^ Shri Gita Rasa Ratnakar published by Swami Prabuddhanand Saraswati
2. ^ Justice Bipin Chandra Mishra, Glimpses of Life Divine, Page 8, Sat Sahitya Prakashan Trust, 1968.
3. ^ Shri Gita Rasa Ratnakar published by Swami Prabuddhanand Saraswati
4. ^ Shri Gita Rasa Ratnakar published by Swami Prabuddhanand Saraswati
5. ^ Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Honorary Board Members List on the Bhavan's website, Office Bearers Page.
6. ^ Shri Gita Rasa Ratnakar published by Swami Prabuddhanand Saraswati
7. ^ http://anandvrindavan.freeservers.com/

External links

• www.Akhandanand.org - An introduction to life and works of Swami Akhandanand-ji Saraswati.

Persondata
Name	Swami Akhandanand Sarawati
Alternative names	Maharajshri
Short description	A renowned twentieth century saint and a scholar of Hindu religious scriptures
Date of birth	1911
Place of birth	Maharai, Varanasi
Date of death	1987
Place of death	Vrindavan