Swamini Darshana

Sri Gurubhyo namah

Swamini Darshanananda Saraswati is a disciple of Pujya Sri Swami Dayananda Saraswati, and a traditional teacher of Advaita Vedanta.

Born into a devout family, rooted in Sanatana dharma, Swamini grew up in an atmosphere of music, puja, temple visits and a lot of orientation in Dharma. She began learning Carnatic music at the age of 4, and since then, her whole life has been a musically divine journey. She has sung several songs in the holy presence of Paramaacharya of Kanchi and gained his blessings. Throughout her schooldays, Swamini kept singing the carnatic kriti “Bho Shambho” in temples and music competitions. She sang this song so often, that soon, she became one with it. 

In fact, when Swamini met Pujya Swamiji for the first time, and was asked to sing a song, she sang Bho shambho, not realising, that she was singing that song to its very composer. Since that day, Pujya Swamiji accepted Swamini as his disciple and showered utmost care and blessings upon her and taught her music and Vedanta. Pujya Swamiji taught his songs, along with the meaning of the lyrics, to Swamini, which were profound and soaked in Vedanta. Pujya Swamiji once said “One in a million, takes to Vedanta. Whereas, one plus one million take to music”. He encouraged Swamini Darshana to take up his vision of “Vedanta through music”.

Apart from music, impelled by her innate hunger to learn new things, Swamini forayed into and excelled in yoga, sports (Tennis), courses in aviation and in astrology.

Swamini was blessed with the tutelage of Pujya Sri Swamiji, under the traditional guru–shishya parampara, the values of which she embodies. Swamini’s life thus, is rooted in dharma, knowledge, compassion, and unwavering commitment to Bhagavan.

Tribute to Teachers

Swamini says “Only a good student can make a good teacher. I owe everything to my acharyas and Guru”

Swamini has learnt:

* Prasthana Trayam - (with Shankara Bhashyam) from Pujya Sri Swami Dayananda Saraswati 

* Chanting - from Swami Brahmavidyananda Saraswati and Swami Atmatriptananda Saraswati

* Sanskrit basics - from Swami Vishwatmananda Saraswati

Shraddha-Bhakti

The Upanishads state, “Acharyavaan purushah veda”, meaning - the student who has a qualified and competent teacher, knows (the ultimate truth of the self). By living a life loving her Guru and revelling in his teachings, Swamini spreads this message of the need and significance of a Guru in one’s life.

Swamini - The teacher

Swamini has been teaching, carnatic music, chanting, and basics of Sanskrit language to students since 2004. She began teaching Vedanta as per her Guru’s advice since 2017.

Swamini’s teachings emphasize dharma course correction, bringing Ishvara into one’s life, valuing Sanatana Dharma-its culture and traditions, which automatically enables one in developing dispassion towards the ephemeral, while staying rooted with single-minded focus and devotion to the ultimate truth of the self.

Creativity, utmost optimism, objectivity, combined with love and humility, make her a unique teacher of Vedanta. Students benefit from her shraddha and her direct style of teaching. Her humorous yet objective approach reveals the wisdom of the shastra in a forthright manner, which can even revolutionize the mind of a hardened atheist.

Through structured daily classes Swamini guides the students attending online sessions, as well as the disciples who undertake Gurukulavasam (residential tutelage) with her. Her motherly care for her students is a treat to witness. She walks the talk and demonstrates how to live the knowledge of Vedanta.

-        By Swamini Pranavapriyananda Saraswati

Timeline

2008 – Debut Carnatic music concert at Anaikatti Gurukulam. 

2009 – On Mahashivaratri, the title “Dayananda Sisters” was bestowed by Pujya Swamiji at Rishikesh, to Darshana and her student and friend Ms. Sowmya

2012 – Pujya Swamiji gifted the Gita Home Study and instructed Darshana to begin teaching Vedanta

2024 – Upon completing the final Vedic ritual, Darshana got formally initiated into Sannyasa ashrama and received the Diksha name “Swamini Dayananda Saraswati”. However, Swamini humbly surrenders that name at the lotus feet of her Guru and continues to be known as Swamini Darshana.