Childhood
Swamiji was from the Northern part of India, and belonged to a well-to-do family. Since childhood, Swamiji had immense love and compassion for all beings and was always motivated to help others. Swamiji had very mesmerizing eyes, which unfortunately, he lost at the age of about 10 Years. This caused immense grief to his family and in turn to Swamiji. After loss of his eyesight the young boy renounced the world and became a Sann'yasi at the age of 19 in pursuit to attain a state of happiness which is free from all sorrows. His Sann'yasi name was Swami Sharnanandji. The young monk gave up all dependence upon objects and companions, and he began observing the strict discipline of Sann’yasa, and started living by relying solely on the mercy of God.Philosophy and teachings
The most unusual feature of Swamiji's discourses and books is that in them there is no mention of any scriptural proof. His original and unique views stand on the intrinsic soundness of his own first-hand experience. Swamiji knew that the self-evident truth needs no proof. In his view, Truth is limitless; it cannot be confined to books. Truth is free to provide its own introduction. Not only is it capable of being its own introduction, this truth is also capable of illuminating the hearts of its devout readers. During his entire life Swami Sharnanandji shunned all forms of name and fame. He eschewed giving his name on his books, for he believed that it was not right to claim ‘individual’ credit for the ‘universal’ wisdom and did not want to confine the Voice of Truth to a particular ‘name and form.’ He taught that there is really nothing that is ‘personal’ in life. All wisdom is single unitary movement proceeding solely from the Supreme. All his books bear the byline: ‘the founder-saint of Manav Seva Sangh.’ As an ideal saint surrendered to the Supreme, he favored to proclaim and celebrate the Glory of the Lord alone. The total available corpus of his written and recorded legacy consists of some 100 discourses spanning about 50 hours and about 40 books in theManav Seva Sangh
Swami Sharnanandji established Manav Seva Sangh in 1952 so that through its medium, for centuries to come, humanity's needs regarding knowledge, faith, and action may be served. Its main office is in Vrindavan (India). The need for establishing this organization was felt due to the fact that Swamiji did not want to publish, under his personal name, the universal system of thought that he developed in response to his internal struggle. Swami Sharnanandji became Brahmalin in the year 1974. After Swamiji, his foremost disciple, Param-Vidu i Divya Jyoti Devaki ji took care of the administration of the Manav Seva Sangh. In 1992, Devaki ji too became one with the Supreme Divine Light. After that, Swamiji's disciples Swami Advaita Chaitanya ji and Sadhvi Arpita ji have been taking care of the organization. Manav Seva Sangh is based on the 11 fundamental principles of Humanity & Prayer » Introspection, i.e., to see one’s own flaws in light of the received conscience. » Taking the oath of not repeating an already committed mistake, to pray with simple faith. » To apply discrimination (judgement) for oneself and faith for others, i.e., apply justice for oneself, and love and forgiveness for others. » One's own development through control over senses, service, remembrance of God, and search for truth. » Not considering others’ duties as one's own right, others’ magnanimity as one's own goodness, and others’ weakness as one's own strength. » Despite having no family or societal relation, to have mutual interaction and benevolence in accordance with the sentiment of family, i.e., unity (universality) of love despite the diversity of action. » To serve the proximate people, as far as possible, through actions. » From the viewpoint of physical benefit, to practice restraint in eating and lifestyle habits, and self-dependence in daily chores. » Making the body hard-working, the mind restrained, the intellect conscientious, the heart loving, and the ego pride-less to beautify oneself. » To consider the objects as more important than money, the people as more important than objects, the conscience as more important than people, and the Truth as more important than conscience. » To brighten the future by giving up useless-worrying, and by properly utilizing the present.Views of Seers and Learned people about Swamiji
Acknowledging Swamiji's book, Sant Samagam, the erstwhile President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, was pleased to observe: "I have had the privilege of meeting Swamiji on one or two occasions, and I was very deeply impressed by the way in which he dealt with most complicated problems in a simple, intelligible way. I am therefore very happy to receive the two volumes in which you have collected some of his discourses." In Swami Ramsukhdasji's assessment, "In Sharnanandji’s books, it becomes evident that he wants the readers to attain realization, and not merely to ‘teach’ the readers. His words have the effect of the bullet of a gun. He states his position in a tacit manner so that the spiritual aspirant may not just learn empty words. Instead of just making the seekers go through the drill of "practice," he used to have them "acknowledge" (the Truth); instead of the "intellectual exercise," he used to let the seekers "experience" (the Truth) directly." Swami Advaita Chaitanyaji, the current spiritual leader of the Manav Seva Sangh, observes, "Pujaya Swami Ramsukhdasji Maharaj was a unique admirer of the immortal words of the founder-saint of the Manav Seva Sangh. He used to designate the philosophy of Swami Sharnanandji Maharaj as the ‘Seventh System’ (Human Philosophy). He generally used to inspire his close circle community to read Swami Sharnanandji Maharaj's books. He used to regard Swami Sharnanandji Maharaj's words as irrefutable (akatya)."Sharnanandji's participation in freedom fight
In 1930,Publications: Books and Discourses Audio
All of Swami Sharnanandji's discourses have been published in the form of a series of books called Sant Vani—vol. 1-8. These books deal with the art of living a spiritual life. In addition, Swamiji dictated several of his books in the form of philosophical essays to his foremost disciple, Param-Vidu i Devaki ji, who, in her pre-sann’yasa days, was an eminent professor of psychology. In addition, Devakiji also compiled and coordinated the publication of Swamiji's discourses and other books. All of Swami Sharnanandji's books are currently available in Hindi language. The English & Gujrati translation of his books has also begun. below is a list of these books under references. Almost all of his discourses are also available in audio format. A complete list of Sharnanandji Maharaj's books is given below: (in alphabetical order) *1. Chit-Shuddhi I & II *2. Darshan aur Niti *3. Duhkha ka Prabhav *4. Jivan-Darshan (in two parts) *5. Jivan-Patha *6. Jivan-Vivéchan (in seven parts) *7. Krantikari Santvani *8. Manav Seva Sangh ka Parichyey *9. Manav Ki Mang *10. Manav-Darshan *11. Manavta Ke Mula Siddhant *12. Mangalmeya Vidhan *13. Mein Ki Khoj *14. Mook Satsang and Nitya Yog *15. Pathyey (in two parts) *16. Prashanottri (in two parts) *17. Prerana Patha *18. Sadhan-Nidhi *19. Sadhan-Tattva *20. Sadhan-Triveni *21. Safalta Ki Kungi *22. Sant Hridayodgar *23. Sant Jivan Darpa? *24. Sant Pattravali (in three parts) *25. Sant Vani (in eight parts) *26. Sant-Samagam (in three parts) *27. Sant-Saurabh *28. Sant-Udbodhan *29. Satsang aur Sadhan In addition "Ek Mahatma Ka Prasad" published byReferences
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sharnanandji, Swami Indian Hindu saints New Age predecessors 20th-century Hindu religious leaders