Man’s everlasting want is for perfection, for he is the very reflection of the perfect divine. Seeking his essential nature as ‘Sat-Chit-Anand’ (Perfect Truth, Pure Consciousness and Bliss), he wanders on this planet and others, from this life to the next. Rare are men who know this truth, more rare those who seek to achieve it, rarer still those whose heart is engrossed in God and the rarest who have achieved the supreme wisdom and dive into the ocean of divine love. What to speak of those who have risen even beyond and become the divine themselves, whose heart is united with God, whose mere glance can ignite the spark of divinity in the most wretched of hearts. Swami Asimananda Saraswati was the very embodiment of all I can write and what cannot be written in words.
The sankalpa of a great Brahmin in the village of Ramchandrapur, located in Purulia district of then Bihar (now Bengal) and the tapasya of a saintly couple, impelled the grace of Shiva to manifest. Swami Asimananda Saraswati was born as Annada Prasad Chakraborty in the fourth quarter of Mahashivaratri on 15th February 1904 AD. A handsome lad, with excellent health and a well-built body endowed with an impeccable sharp intellect who, in a short period, committed all the books of his primary studies to memory. Those were the times when India was under the colonial subjugation of the British and the freedom struggle was raging like wildfire. The weavers of Bengal, like other artisans, were subject to exploitation to the extent that their thumbs were cut off. Ramchandrapur was not untouched by this debacle, and the young Annada, merely eight at the time, was intensely moved by this incident and vowed to break India free from the shackles of foreign rule. In protest against the celebration that was taking place in all the schools on the occasion of the arrival of King George V in India, Anandaprasad refused to sing the victory song and instead composed a fiery poem against the injustice inflicted by the British on the helpless village folks of India, declaring
“Those who cut off the fingers of our artisans, I will not sing their praises till I am alive”
The spark of divinity was evident in him from the early days. Since his childhood, Annada was particularly attracted by an old Peepal tree near his house. Sitting beneath the tree in meditation became a daily ritual for him. During this time, myriad images flashed in his consciousness. In his own words, “I used to forget my identity as a child during this time. When my parents could not find me anywhere, they surely found me engrossed here”. Sometimes when he did not get up even as the sun began to set, his friends would make him get up and leave him at his home. On meditating thus, a Mantra used to appear before his eyes in golden letters and the power emanating from it used to mesmerise him. Several scenes flashed in his consciousness like a projector. He used to see himself in a cave nestled in the hills, engrossed in austerities while a ‘dhuni’ (sacred fire) kept on burning in the cave.
As time passed, he started studying in a Bengali school located in Muradi. Influenced by his brilliant teacher, a collection of books in the library and being introduced to the works of Rabindranath Tagore, led to the flowering of literary consciousness within him. He composed several works during this phase including ‘Smriti Puja’, ‘Dheera’, ‘Milan Ekanki’ and ‘Bhurishrava Vadha’ at the mere age of eleven. He proceeded to Ranchi for higher education, the fire of spirituality burning with full intensity as he used to remain engrossed in meditation for hours at the end. His beloved mother passed away during this time, when he was merely twelve, and he returned home. During his studies in Ranchi, he delved into nationalist literature and the stories of brave men of the freedom struggle, flaring up his patriotic spirit.
Due to the untimely break in studies and return to home, his literary activities got a boost and his works had a clear glimpse of the anti-colonial spirit. He was always on the watch list of the British police. He attempted to start a small tuition facility but was stopped by the police. This led to his old-time schoolteacher suggesting he leave the town and head to a safe destination, and Annada headed to Bardhaman, during which time he also had some intense spiritual encounters. Annada lived an extremely difficult life during this period. He had to work as a servant in people’s households to provide for himself. Slowly, he started sending his father some money to help with his finances. Annada was an ardent believer in the dignity of labour and did not consider any task lowly. He got the shelter of a pious man by the name of Nani Babu who encouraged him to read Gita, Sanskrit and spiritual texts further.
One fine day, while having his lunch after the daily worship at Thakurbari, Annada received a letter from Maharaj Vijaychandra who, impressed with this talented youth, was willing to sponsor his education. During this period, Annada established contact with several revolutionary nationalists and took the oath of working towards India’s independence. A committee in this regard was set up and its rules of order were drafted. Annada established a library in his village of Ramchandrapur and started writing articles and poetry in many local journals. He also started editing journals and publishing simple translations of Gita and Chandi (Devi Mahatmya). His spiritual practice continued ceaselessly throughout the period. In the course of his sadhana, spiritual experiences used to manifest with great frequency. Sometimes he used to forget his bodily existence and remain immersed in meditation and incessant nama japa.
Civil Disobedience Movement was started around this time. Annada gave his first political speech against the Jalianwala Bagh massacre. Congress office was established in Muradi (near Ramchandrapur) and Annada was called to participate in the inauguration. Promotion of Khadi began to gather steam in nearby villages. Ramchandrapur residence of Annada, which was now taking the shape of an Ashram became a centre of revolutionary political activity. Annada spent all his energy on the boycott of foreign produce and promotion of indigenous goods. Amidst constant terrorization by the police, Annada organised the Santhals during this time and set up a printing press for nationalist literature. He also passed his matriculation examination with first class and started his college studies.
During the college days, on one hand went the task of studies, writing articles, responsibility of managing several groups formed for the freedom struggle, fiery orations, serving the destitute, running the press, duties for several newspapers and on the other intense spiritual practice and sadhana. In his own words, “It is only due to regular sadhana that I can stay aloft even while being engaged in multiple tasks”. He perfected the art of Karma Yoga during this phase of his life. On one hand he was carring out his duties, political organization, working for the emancipation of the downtrodden and oppressed in the society and on the other, he was immersed in the immensely sweet state of sadhana, where he often forgot his own egoistic identity.
After the Chauri Chaura incident, Gandhi called off the non-cooperation movement. Immediately, riots started in Bengal. Annada visited many affected areas, relaying information to the newspapers. Regular meetings were common with journalists, political leaders and intellectuals of repute. He travelled extensively during this time in Kolkata, Bardhaman, Ramchandrapur and nearby places. Eventually, he decided to stay in the Ramchandrapur Ashram and render services from the place. A festival was organized at the Ashram and various constructive activities were planned. The promotion of Khadi, increasing agricultural productivity through land reclamation, educating the village masses and other social service works started gathering pace. To fund these activities, Annada had to sell off major chunks of his ancestral land and family silver, indeed giving away everything for the welfare of others was extremely joyful and satisfying for Annada.
In one of his speeches, Annada had declared, “Armed rebellion is legitimate for the cause of independence”. This caused a massive stir. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose also returned to India during this time, which created a wave of excitement throughout the nation. Annada also worked for his organisation, the ‘Forward Bloc’. He helped organise a procession through five villages to awaken the public to Netaji’s ideals. A massive conference was organised in the Ashram, which was presided by Netaji Bose. Annada looked towards Netaji as a great renunciate saint (who had give everything for his motherland) and Netaji saw Annada as one of his closest associates. This relation stayed intact even after the supposed death of Netaji Subhash Bose (which Swami Asimananda Saraswati vehemently refused to accept as letters from Netaji continued to come to his residence till the mid 1960s).
For his revolutionary activities, Annada was sentenced to one year imprisonment at Hazaribagh. Even in prison, he used to carry out his sadhana without any break and had many supernatural visions. One day, two police officers named Taylor and Churcher raided the Ashram and destroyed many valuable belongings. They tied Annada to the back of a horse and dragged him on a rough stony path till his body was completely covered in blood. He was rescued by the Santhals. Meanwhile, a teacher at Hazaribagh by the name of Sharatchandra Bhattacharya had a vision of the great saint, Srimad Bijoy Krishna Goswami (Gosaiji) in his dream and was told to go to Ramchandrapur and bring Annada (who was unknown to him at the time) to Hazaribagh for treatment. Annada later got initiation in the lineage of Bijoy Krishna Goswami in the Yoga of Ajapa Sadhana.
One day, Gosaiji appeared before Annada in his astral body and said, “Until labor is not enshrined on the pedestal of dharma, there can be no welfare of the nation. Do your service to the nation by being egoless and considering it service of God. In this manner, both services will be accomplished.” As per the orders of Gosaiji, he began to raise a force of young and spirited men with impeccable character through the power of truth and Brahmacharya for the freedom struggle and upliftment of the society. The ashram was frequented by police who now wanted to rearrest Annada. One day, Annada managed to escape but was detained near a Peepal tree near Muradi station. He had to spend many days in the chilly winters, clad only in a single cotton Dhoti under the tree. He continued sadhana even in these conditions and was always immersed in bliss.
It is to be noted that from his early youth, he used to have visions of a great mahatma, whose identity was unknown to him and receive constant guidance from him. The mahatma guided him to enter grihastha now and Annada married Shailabala Devi, an extremely pious woman of Nabadwipa (the land of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu). Shailabala later recounted how she had seen the same mahatma in her dreams who had told her that you shall be married to this boy. Following this incident, her father placed an advertisement in the Ananda Bazaar Patrika, a daily, in search of a bridegroom. A few days later, a letter and a photo came from Manbhum. On seeing the photograph she instantly recognized him as her husband, as seen in her dream. The marriage took place in due time. She became his strongest support, both in the material mission of the nationalist movement and his spiritual life.
Netaji Subhash motivated Annada to set up Manbhum as his workplace. Thus, Annada set up the ‘Manbhum Association’ and started an organisational newsletter and a printing press by the name of ‘Apna Bharati Press’ under its aegis. Annada served as Netaji’s right hand and used to revere him as highly due to his egalitarian, tolerant nature and a life of sacrifice. Once, while traveling with Annada, their car almost collided with a blind man, Netaji inquired Annada if he could do anything for such people. This inspired Annada to open an eye hospital and organise health events for the blind and visually challenged. Netaji Eye Hospital, a Not-for-Profit Super Speciality Eye Care Centre at Ramchandrapur Ashram, Purulia, West Bengal is serving millions of below poverty level and underprivileged rural/tribal as well as urban eye patients of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar and Orissa today.
During his meeting with several saints and sadhus, Annada used to be receive lot of love and affection from all yet he was told, “Your Guru will call you at the destined time”. Annada’s mind started becoming restless about obtaining a Guru, while his objective of India’s independence was unfulfilled. During these times of turmoil, Annada saw a dream where the same saint he used to see often in his dreams said to him, “Your wishes (of obtaining a Guru) will be fulfilled on the upcoming Falgun Purnima”. Around this time, a letter arrived at Annada’s residence, inviting him for the centenary celebrations of Shri Bijoy Krishna Goswami in Dhanbad which he gladly accepted.
On reaching Dhanbad, he discovered that Darveshji (Kiran Chandra Darvesh), one of the foremost disciples of Bijoy Krishna Goswami was also attending the event. Annada went to a room upstairs to meet Darveshji. The room was full, and kirtan (melodious chanting) was playing. In a corner was seated an old figure, whom everyone was prostrating to. Annada was shocked at seeing him as he recognized Darveshji as the one who had been guiding and supporting and protecting him since his childhood and frequenting him in his dreams (the Mahatma). At that moment, Annada’s mind became free from all doubts, skepticism and anxiety and completely offered itself to the lotus feet of Darveshji as his guru. Darveshji hugged Annada and streams of tears continuously flowed from their eyes. Darveshji explained all the events that had transpired in Annada’s life and how he had supported him throughout. There was no scope of reason now in Annada’s mind, the skeptical mind had finally rested at the lotus feet of his Guru. Daveshji placed his right foot on Annada’s life and memories of his past lives flashed before his eyes. The formal initiation was fixed for the next morning.
The next day, Annada received diksha(initiation) at the indicated time. Thirty-seven years of his life’s efforts, practices and musings disappeared and Annada entered a new, blissful life. Annada reached his home at Purulia, took a bath with cold water, went to the room upstairs and sat on his asana(seat) to do sadhana. His entire body was set ablaze by the flow of energy. God’s name (nama or mantra) started flowing with the breath in an unbroken, effortless manner. From this moment, his political and spiritual life went hand in hand. Whenever he got free time, he used to do nama. While doing sadhana, he got some remarkable experiences. He has said about this in his autobiography, “Everything can be achieved only by chanting Gurumantra with every action. This is how I have got peace and happiness.” Darveshji had also told him, “Perfection can be reached through any of these three paths – knowledge, devotion and action. All three lead to the same place, but knowledge without devotion remains only erudition and yoga without devotion is hatha yoga.”
Utsavas used to be held at Ramchandrapur Ashram which resounded with continuous kirtanas as Annada meditated continuously on his Panchamunda Aasan. His wife, Shailabala Devi also recieved initiation around this time. Manbhum was hit by an acute famine for three years and Annada’s heart was rattled by seeing the state of the nearby villages. He decided to set up a langar/bhandara to fill the hungry stomachs of the famine-hit population. The service started and Annada sold all his jewellery, assets and press to continue the service. It went on for months with the dedication and spirit of unending sacrifice of Annada and the grace of God. Help came miraculously from unexpected quarters and lakhs were fed in the service.
Annada declared that Ramchandrapur Ashram was a shelter for all those burnt in the fire of the world. Annada soon wrapped up his worldly and familial affairs, India’s independence was granted by the British and thus, he went to Prayag. On the auspicious day of Magha Saptami, Annada received Sanyasa and became Swami Asimananda Saraswati. Annada was called to Kashi and blessed by his guru, Darveshji and soon Darveshji left his body. By the grace of his guru, Annada completed many vratas lasting months when he survived only on some milk as diet, kept silent and continuously engaged in japa.
After his sanyasa, Asimananda Ji attained the pinnacle of Yoga. He used to stay in Samadhi for hours at end on his seat and many miraculous incidents happened in his proximity. When he went to Vrindavan, the symptoms of Prema or divine love flowed like an unending river from him. He used to stay in Samadhi for the rest of his time, immersed in union with the divine and tasting the rasa of Brahman. He went to Kurukshetra, where he declared that a spiritually adept person can hear the divine verses of Bhagwad Gita even today in the sacred land. In his state of Samadhi, he sometimes used to utter or write important teachings which were later compiled and reproduced. He also went to Shimla and Daltonganj to meditate, clad in a single lioncloth and remained immersed in Samadhi for hours at end in the freezing cold weather.
By the divine instructions of his guru, he returned to Ramchandrapur and began initiating people into Ajapa Sadhana. Ramchandrapur Ashram was remodelled and became a centre for both spirituality and service. Despite being endowed richly with various Siddhis, he never displayed them explicitly and tried to keep his spiritual state secretive. One unique thing about his personality was his affection towards everyone. His behaviour, childlike simplicity, generous affection attracted people so much that they would run to seek his sweet company again and again. He would behave like a child with children and like a woman with women. Everyone considered him their dearest, most intimate friend and would share even the most secret things of life without hesitation. No one had any frustration with him. His natural, simple, generous heart, unrestrained love, loving behaviour full of sympathy and compassion, always smiling radiant face, emotional, half-open, loving gaze and fearless speech, would not only give a new life to thousands of disciples but to even more number of devotees.
Swamiji was a living example of Bijoy Krishna Goswamiji’s ideal of sadhana. He said, “I have no sect, no party, no caste, no society. All parties, all communities are mine. People of all castes and societies are my own. Leave the external cacophony of the world and dive within yourself. True worship of God is only possible within selfless service of men. Rise above duality, may you be victorious”. Due to his ideal character, he was elected as the first MLA from the Ramchandrapur constituency of Bihar in 1952 as an independent candidate. All the leaders, including the Chief Minister, used to regard him with utmost devotion. Several eye camps were organised in Ramchandrapur during the phase. On one hand, his responsibilities as a leader and on the other, his spiritual activities went on ceaselessly. His only expectation from the government was the welfare and development of his constituency. The desire of any office or post was miles away from his crystal-like mind. He retired from political service permanently in 1956 as the term came to a closure. During his tenure, several damns, roads and shelters were built and prominent institutions were started including Netaji Eye Hospital, Sri Sri Bijoy Krishna Relief Society, Sri Darveshji Homeopathic Hospital, Shri Sri Bijoy Krishna Vidyapeetha among others.
Apart from this, he was a member and president of Red Cross Society, All India Bangla Literature Council, Bangla Promotion Committee, Blindness Prevention Association and many other welfare committees. Talking about his literary proficiency, many of his works come to mind including Saral Geeta, Saral Chandi, Ajapasadhan Tatva, Kuchh Din Ke Memnayak, Bansuri, Anama, Pathikeer Gaan, Padchinh, Tapovan, Ish and Kenopanishad, Chalarpathe, Dharma Niyam, Shri Shri Goswami Prabhur Bhakt our Shishya Sambandhe Nana Katha, Amrit Vani, Deener Vani and Pather Kavita. Apart from this, there are many unpublished articles, articles in magazines, his writings in thousands of newspapers, advanced thoughts, bundles of high-quality spiritual teachings, which are safe with the devotees as priceless treasures.
Swamiji did not stay in one place for a long time and continued to tour several locations. Some skeptics would test Gurudev when he was in deep meditation by burning a cigarette or pricking him with a needle. Even then his body would remain motionless and calm for hours. When his meditation was broken, he would feel some burning sensation as per his bodily nature and the person testing him would bow his head in shame and remorse. He loved Sankirtan very much. His exuberant dance with Sankirtan, dancing in perfect rhythm even when immersed in meditation, his feet used to rise in the air, merely touching the ground and the audience used to get enthralled seeing this. Every day, in the ashram he used to recite Gita and Usha Kirtan in a deep, lofty voice and the entire ashram used to get thrilled with a divine feeling and the scene became akin to the ashrams of sages and saints of yore.
Despite being constantly situated at the peak of divinity, he did not forsake the tasks of service with a detached mind. Instructions to set off on padyatras were received in one of his meditative states. Arrangements were made and the first padyatra was organised to Vrindavana, starting on the auspicious day of Purnima. The group set off amongst chants of glories to Krishna and Sankrirtana. On the way, Swamiji met and hugged many people. He said, “I am infusing spiritual power into whover comes into contact with me, it will manifest in them in due time”.
On reaching Vrindavana, every morning, the sequence of Gita Paath, Usha Kirtan, Mangal Aarti, then the visit to all the famous temple sites, Ghats, Kunj and Kunds of Vrindavan continued. During the visit and tour, Swami Ji used to tell the disciples about the glory of all the places. He asked everyone to bow down after looking at the form of the devotee couple in two trees. He told that the trees, creepers, grass, animals, birds, dust particles of this Dham are all extraordinary. Many mahatmas live in secret form to see the Bhagavat Leela in these forms. He used to walk, half immersed in Samadhi on the sacred sands of the banks of Yamuna and his disciples saw, much to their amazement that he was actually floating effortlessly while walking while their feet were repeatedly stuck in the sands. Next, Asimanandji went to Darjeeling and padyatras were organised to Puri and Nabadwip.
After returning from Nabadwip, Asimanandji stayed in Ramchandrapur for a brief span and the great soul left the physical plane of existence on the 13 of August, 1968 on the occasion of Krishna Shashthi. The fire of nama, which he lit in his disciples, is still burning bright. He left his earthly body but his disciples are blessed even today by his presence and holy proximity. He had promised,” Even after my body composed of five elements is destroyed, my soul is eternal, is the same now and will remain the same even forever. I have an inseparable bond with the spirit of the world. I will take birth again and again to serve everyone. I swear that I will keep serving everyone like a trusted servant until those whom I am responsible to serve, reach the ultimate divine station. For this I will take birth again and will take everyone to the feet of God by carrying them on my head”. These words of his inspire thousands of seekers even today.
Some divine experiences with him are narrated below:-
- His disciple, Prof. Kshitendra Nath Pathak (Later Brajeshwarananda Das), recounts how Asimanandji came travelling nearly a thousand kilometres in the sweltering summer heat, just to initiate his family. He also recounts how they, as kids used to playfully test Swamiji and Swamiji could read their books blindfolded, even as they opened them away from his proximity (which was explained by Swamiji as the fact that on initiation, he has linked his soul with theirs and hence can see through their eyes in meditation, which was also the reminder of the fact that he is constantly watching them. In his work, Guru Pradakshina, he has recounted several incidents from his life with Swamiji.
- Sometimes, the letters of ‘Om’ used to form on his body while he was immersed in meditation. Swamiji explained this as the fact that when the soul is completely one with the holy nama, the entire body becomes suffused with it and pranava appears from the body.
- At two o’clock in the morning at the door of a disciple in Muzaffarpur, a knock was heard. Swamiji’s disciple opened the door. He saw that Swamiji had arrived. Swamiji drank a glass of water then, after a lot of conversation, he also went to several people’s houses. Finally he asked to go to the station. The train was about to arrive, so Swamiji proceeded towards the platform and the discipIe went to get the ticket. The train arrived and he was puzzled after searching everywhere, in all the compartments and platforms, Swamiji was nowhere to be found. When he wrote a letter, Swamiji avoided the question, but it became clear that he was in the ashram, Ramchandrapur for some days and never left it!
- His disciple, Ratna Mukherjee recounts how on the day of their initiation, a cat entered the room and stayed hidden in a corner during the time. The cat died the next day and when the incident was narrated to Swamiji, he said that the cat was freed from this body as she had also recieved initiation by the virtue of being present in the room and will be reborn as a Brahmin soon.
We can keep narrating such incidents, which can fill an entire volume but Swamiji never wanted to show his spiritual capabilities. He wanted people to strive for God realisation and not be stuck in the quest for such capabilities which automatically manifest in the course of sadhana. Yet, as a mirror reflects whatever is in front of it, miraculous incidents occurred effortlessly in his proximity.
Swamiji’s message was simple. To paraphrase his speeches in a disciple’s house in Kolkata,
“The soul is the unmanifested Brahman. It is necessary to know this. By knowing Brahman, one will gain Brahmatva. How is this knowledge possible? One will have to control one’s external and internal nature and senses and bring them under control, only then will one know the Brahman as the soul itself. Whatever be the case, attaining self-realisation and liberation is the ultimate goal of human life.
There are many types of paths and different opinions. But you have to follow only one path. Today one path and tomorrow another, if you keep going thus, your efforts will go in vain. Adopt one path, focus all your energies and move towards your destination with full concentration. You will surely achieve your goal.
The aim of Indian spiritual practice is liberation. Liberation of the soul, in other words, attaining perfection. How can this be achieved? This can be achieved through yoga. This yoga of the path of sadhana later turns into mahayoga and man becomes a mahayogi and is able to attain Brahmananda (bliss of Brahman).
It is very important to have faith in the path of yoga. Without devotion and faith, you will not succeed in any work. Have firm faith, you will definitely achieve your goal. Know yourself. You are the soul and the soul is Brahman, know this truth.
Your success depends on your sadhana. Merely talking and writing letters to me won’t help. Follow the rules strictly, keep your body physically fit and continue on the path undauntedly. My blessings are forever with you”
By observing his life, we see that from birth till death, he followed the path prescribed by his Guru. His life gives the message of Naam, Pranam and love and service to everyone. By observing his life, we find that since childhood, ancestral property could not lure him. At the age of nine, he left home and embraced the spiritual path. He sacrificed himself for the service of the country and shed his blood for the soil. When the country became independent, when the leaders were anxious for power and position, he took sanyas and remained engrossed in penance in the snowy Shimla region wearing only a loincloth. By the order of his Guru, he became an MLA for the service and development of his motherland. Even then he remained an embodiment of sacrifice and service and dedicated everything for the poor and needy. Political position was insignificant for him; once his purpose was over, he would discard it like a piece of cloth. Despite possessing immense powers, he neither attempted to use them nor display them and spent his life on akashvritti.
Swami Asimananda Sarawasti exemplified all that we seek to achieve as practitioners of yoga. By selfless service, he perfected Karma Yoga, performing actions while detached from their doership and constantly engrossed in nama. Through his sadhana, he reached the pinnacle of Raja Yoga and achieved unity with the divine. He achieved perfect jnanaas he declared in Vrindavan, ‘I am that eternal unchanging true Brahman, when I take the shelter of the three gunas, do I appear manifest’. And encompassing these, he was immersed in divine love, eternal rasa, becoming that divine love itself as Taittriya Upanishad pronounces, “Raso Vai Saha, Tat Tvam Asi”. That is divine love, rasa and you are that. He was constantly in the state of the fifth purushartha, Prema Bhakti, where he saw the entire world as a playful Lila of the lord and shed profuse tears of love and joy, soaking his bosom like the river Ganges flowing from the matted locks of Shiva.
He was Purna. Complete and eternal. He was truly an embodiment of Shiva himself.
(This article is based on the works of Dr. Ratna Mukhopadhyaya. All credits are to her and all follies are my own).
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