Pujya Sri Swami Dayananda Saraswati

Pujya Sri Swami Dayananda Saraswati ji {1930 – 2015} is an unparallelled traditional teacher of Advaita Vedanta. Swamiji is a yuga purusha, a Jagad Guru and an embodiment of knowledge and compassion. As an exalted being who has attained the highest in human pursuits, Swamiji is a beacon of inspiration to thousands of disciples, devotees, students and seekers of Vedanta, all over the world.

Swamiji taught Vedanta for over 5 decades, travelled all over the world and reached out to millions, spreading the vision of Vedanta, inspiring and encouraging people to pursue the study of the self. Swamiji is a shining example of how a small boy from a village can grow up to become the Sage of the Millenium. The search for Moksha, ends with Him.

Swamiji is indeed a glimpse of the glorious Ishvara, for one cannot fathom any more than the glimpse. He is the purest drop of rain, the fragrance of a flower, the sweetness of a sugar-candy, the love in a heart, the beauty in beauty, the spectacle in the spectacle, the greatness in anything great, the isness of everything, the nectar attracting Vedanta student-bees, the sweetest person ever possible, the brightest star shining on earth, the barrel filled with love which can never get exhausted – the glory of Ishvara. Swamiji effortlessly brings Ishvara into one’s life. He is the brightness in a lamp, the hope for all teachers and students of Vedanta and the inspiration for Sannyasis who renounce the world to pursue a life of Vedanta

Swamiji’s style of teaching Vedanta is often referred to as simple because of his utmost clarity and doubt-free knowledge. He breaks down the non-duality and oneness of the Jiva and Ishvara, like an equation and proves it beyond doubt, that all that is here is Ishvara and that you are that Brahman.

Swamiji’s unflinching shraddha in the shastra comes across seamlessly and instils Pramana buddhi in the listener towards the shruti. Unless one looks upon Vedanta as a Pramana (means of knowledge) to gain Brahma Gnyanam, it is impossible to understand the teachings, even when unfolded by a great Guru. And so, shraddha in the shastra and Guru is pivotal for one’s learning and Swami Dayananda is an embodiment of that shraddha.

I am sure that if Guru Krishna were to give us the Gita once again, he would say, that among Gurus I am Swami Dayananda.

Swamiji internalised Adi Shankara completely and lived the teaching throughout is life. Swamiji’s sense of humour is a testimony of his maturity and wisdom. He had a knack of identifying the uniqueness in each person he met and praised and encouraged him/her to attain the highest in life. His low, deep, baritone voice was very soothing and therapeutic to listeners, convincing them that this is the voice of Ishvara.

Being near Swamiji, automatically gives one, the determination to pursue dharma and drop adharma permanently. One could bank on Him for his unconditional love and blessings. His warmth, love, compassion and clarity were evident in His classes. The beauty of His heart shines in his smile which extends to his eyes. Generally, we go to the Lord, but Swami Dayananda brings the Lord to us.

* When a child met Swamiji it felt loved, admired, respected and important in His presence.

* When an adult met Swamiji he/she felt the comfort, the warmth, reassurance, relief, trust and was even able to release the frozen inner child and get healed for good. In short, the adult was able to receive His blessings, unhindered.

* In Swamiji’s presence, women felt the respect and divine reverence and got reminded of the feminine power (Shakti) that one is.

Swamiji was the dictionary, encyclopedia, search engines, elaborate research-thesis on any topic and had answers for everyone including Pandits; and solutions for every problem because he not only answered the questions but also addressed the questioner, thereby uprooting and eradicating any doubts whatsoever. The unassuming and humorous saint that he was, is a wonder beyond wonders. He is the gift, gifted by the Gift (Ishvara) for the gifts(us). When it comes to music, Swamiji is the singer, the song and one sung upon. 

Swamiji had the unique capacity to destroy petty desires and miraculously bring the person back on-track, where needed. He has instilled the shastra in the minds of students in a manner, which will unfailingly give moksha to the students.

The words of the shastra come alive when handled by Swamiji. Swamiji’s command of the Sanskrit language combined with his eloquence in English is a boon for Vedanta students. His oratory skills and his devotion to Ishvara and the Guru Parampara starting from Dakshinamurti, Adi Shankara and to his gurus Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda Saraswati, Swami Pranavananda of Gudivada and Swami Tarananda Giri of Rishikesh is evident in his classes and lectures consistently.

Once the mouth tastes words praising such a Guru it will become numb towards all other tastes. The human heart which has become hardened and stone-like, melts away into tears of repentance and gets purified in the presence of Swamiji. Ignorance, binding desires, jealousies, inadequacies, insecurities, vanity, pride, usurping tendencies, dis-crediting others – and all such ill intentions and smallness get neutralised by His grace.

Even though Swamiji attained maha-samadhi on September,23rd 2015, he is not a mere photograph. He is with every one of us - in and through his teachings and shishyas.

I strongly recommend all dictionaries of the world to print the meaning of the words infinite, limitless, unconditional love, non-judging, almighty, all knowing, lord, Guru, miracle, divine and moksha as Swami Dayananda.

In this world, where one expects to be loved by the other, Swamiji shows what is love, what it is to be loving and that there is no ‘other’.

 -       Swamini Darshana

Some of the many contributions of Pujya Sri Swami Dayananda Saraswati to humanity

·   Swamiji has conducted several long-term courses on Vedanta and imparted this ultimate knowledge to thousands of students.

·   He has initiated hundreds of disciples into Sannyasa Ashrama. He has contributed to the world immensely through the starting of chhatraalayas, gurukulams, temples and other seva organizations.

·   He has awarded classical musicians and dancers, encouraged cultural growth and awarded and recognized odhuvars, who sing divine hymns at temples.

·   Swamiji has supported the cause of mental health.

·   He has also donated towards the education of under-privileged children.

·   He brought back to life the Thiruvidaimarudur temple chariots (a set of 5 chariots) which is considered a herculean task.

·   He has spoken at many world conventions and international forums concerning religion and spirituality.

·   He has contributed a great deal to preserve Sanskrit and the shaakhaas (branches) of the Vedas, which are on the verge of extinction. 

·   Swamiji wrote several books on Vedanta, gave many public lectures and awakened people from dullness and ignorance effortlessly with his fully charged divinity-packed words, presented in a listener-friendly manner with a common-sense approach.

·   He released books by several authors

·   He inaugurated

*  festivals,

*  digital libraries,

*  hospitals,

*  senior-citizen homes,

*  schools,

*  colleges,

*  veda-paatashaalas

·   Swamiji instituted the Acharya Sabha to bring together all the religious heads such as acharyas, pontiffs of Sanatana Dharma, once in every 2 years, to discuss and work towards harmony and betterment and to preserve, protect and pass on to posterity the Vedic richness of wealth through culture and tradition.

Swamiji has contributed in multiple directions, making one wonder how so much got done by one person. Just as the sunlight comes out of a prism as a rainbow, Ishvara, the almighty, manifested himself as Swami Dayananda and shone through his various contributions.