SADASIVA SAMARAMBHAM, SANKARACHARYA MADHYAMAM, ASMAD ACHARYA PARYANTAM
VANDE GURU PARAMPARAM!
Sadguru Swami Sri Gnanananda Giri Maharaj, was a Mahayogi and Gnana Siddha coming in the lineage of Jyotir Mutt established by Adi Sankara. In the concluding phase of His long life of glorious spiritual ministry, He settled down near Tirukoilur on the northern bank of South Pennar river in Tamil Nadu. An Ashram, Sri Gnanananda Thapovanam, grew around His Presence. In its initial stages, sannyasins from Rishikesh were the main residents. Later, the Sage initiated a few of His devotees into sannyasa in a traditional manner and encouraged them in the study of Vedanta.
Sri Gnanananda was an embodiment of pure and tender love. Many devotees came to Him from all parts of India and abroad. Routines of devotional practices were introduced for them.
However, He was specially happy whenever spiritual aspirants came to Him. He would train them separately as their path was that of Self-enquiry. He was very particular that sannyasins, brahmacharis and serious spiritual seekers should develop love of solitude and silence, avoid unnecessary distractions and devote themselves solely to the study of the scriptures and meditation.
When Sri Sivasankar Dave (who had studied Vedanta under the guidance of Kanchi Paramacharya) joined Sadguru Gnanananda, the Sage initiated him into sannyasa with the diksha nama of Swami Vidyananda Giri. He was requested to take Vedanta classes for sannyasins and brahmacharis of the Ashram who were in the path of Self enquiry.
Some years after Sadguru Gnanananda’s Mahasamadhi in 1974, it was on the initiative of senior and close devotees of the Sage that the Charitable Trust, Sri Gnanananda Niketan was constituted on 24th April 1986, Chitra Purnima day, with Paramapujya Swami Vidyananda Giri as the Founder Chairman. Inspired by His loving care of sannyasins and spiritual seekers they were keen on preserving the importance given by Him to Adhyatma Vidya or “Self-knowledge”.
Swami Nityananda Giri came to Sadguru Gnanananda in 1971 and was accepted and trained by Him for sannyasa. He was later initiated into sannyasa by Swami Vidyananda Giri. When Sri Gnanananda Niketan Trust was constituted, he was instructed by Swami Vidyananda Giri to be the Managing Trustee.
The constitution of the Trust was prompted by a keen desire to continue to provide shelter, food, medical care, etc., for such Sannyasins and nishkinchanas who have renounced the world and have taken to the path of Self-enquiry in the light of Vedanta and Sri Sankara Bhashya. This charity is exclusively dedicated to the service of the Brahma Vidya tradition, open to all Sannyasins, Brahmacharis and spiritual seekers irrespective of caste, creed, gender or nationality. It is supported by those interested in the tradition of Brahma Vidya, living in India and abroad.
The endeavour was fully blessed by Pujyasri Swami Dayananda Saraswati.
