Swami Shantanand Saraswati [1913-1997]
Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math 1953-1980
Shankaracharya Swami Shantanand Saraswati
Swami Shantanand Saraswati [1913-1997]
Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math 1953-1980
Brief Biography
Born on 16th July 1913 (Vikrami 1970 Ashadha 13) at Achhati village in Basti district to a brahmin family. He was 3rd son of Lal Bihari Tiwari Tripathi. As a young man Shantanand was known as "Ram Ji". It is said that Ramji was the son of the sister of the Shankaracharya, Swami Brahmanand Saraswati.
Worked as book binder at Gita Press, Gorakhpur - allegedly worked for about 14 years in this capacity supporting a wife and child.
Student of Shri Swami Purnanand Tirth Ji Maharaj (Shri UDhiya Baba Ji Maharaj) in Vrindaban.
Shankarcharya Swami Brahmanand Saraswati initiated him as sannyasi (swami) in January 1951.
Installed as a Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math on 12th June 1953 at Brahma Niwas, Sigra, Varanasi.
Swami Shantanand Saraswati [1913-1997]
Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math 1953-1980
'Om Shri Jyotirmath (A brief Introduction)'
.zip file scan of leafletSupporter of fellow-disciple
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's teaching of Transcendental Meditation -TM
Swami Shantanand, Dandi Swami Narayanand
& Brahmachari Satyanand
The lineage of Jyotir Math has been contested by other claimants, notably
Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand, who is himself a direct disciple of Shankaracharya Swami Brahmanand Saraswati, and allegedly a harsh critic of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and the teaching of TM.
Shankaracharya Swami Swaruupanand
Information on the succession battles:-
'The Rivalry for Jyotir Math' by Dana Sawyer
http://www.mail-archive.com/fairfieldlife@yahoogroups.com/msg20687.html
'
The Jyotirmath Sankaracharya Lineage in the 20th Century' by Vidyasankar SundaresanMore background information on dispute:-
http://www.rishabhdara.com/sc/view.php?case=5468
'Sadhus of India: The Sociological View' - B.D. Tripathi, Pilgrims Publishing, 2004
Swami Shantanand stepped down as Shankaracharya in 29th February 1980 in favour of a fellow-disciple of 'Guru Dev', Dandi Swami Vishnudevand (d.1990):-
Dandi Swami Vishnudevanand
Dandi Swami Vishnudevanand in turn was been succeeded by Dandi Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati
Ref:-
Dandi Swami Vasudevanand
Then again there are reports that Swami Madhavashram is now the 'official' Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath.
Ref:-
Swami Madhavashram
*
Swami Shantanand Saraswati [1913-1997]
Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math 1953-1980
- Passed away on 7th December 1997 -
Selected Bibliography
'Good Company' -
His Holiness Shantanand Saraswati, Element, 1992'The Man Who Wanted to Meet God: Myths and Stories That Explain The Inexplicable' - His Holiness Shantanand Saraswati, Element, 1996
'Hamaare Gurudeva' - Dandi Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati, 1983
Hindi biography of Swami Shantanand Saraswati
* Hamaare Gurudeva *
Shri Swamii Shantanand Saraswati Ji Maharaj
'The Orange Book: A Method of Self Realisation - Study Society, 1981
Question and answers with HH Shantanand Saraswati in early 1970's
'Birth and Death' - The Study Society, 1993
A compilation of the sayings of His Holiness Shantanand Saraswati
'Prayer' - The Study Society, 2001
A compilation of the sayings of His Holiness Shantanand Saraswati on prayer
'Who Am I? What is my Soul?' - Study Society, 2005
Questions and answers taken from talks by His Holiness Shantanand Saraswati
'Darshan' - Frank Papentin
Photobook which contains some shots of Swami Shantanand at Rishikesh in 1961
All above English editions (other than 'Darshan') available from Study Society at:-
For Hindi books enquire at:-
Back to 'Teachings of Guru Dev'
Feedback to
premanandpaul@yahoo.co.uk