दण्डी स्वामी नारायणानन्द सरस्वती

Daṇḍī Svāmī Nārāyaṇānanda Sarasvatī

Dandi Swami Narayananand Saraswati
(1923-2010)


Dandi Swami Narayananand Saraswati 
Shankaracharya Nagar,
Thursday 9th November 2000 
photo: Premanand Paul Mason

"I am seventy-two years old. I lead a very disciplined life.
My main message to the people is to go through holy scriptures and remember God always.
If you live in this way, your life will be happy and blissful."

- Dandi Swami Narayananand Saraswati, 1995

'One brief look at his radiant face is enough to convince that this dandi swami is definitely a high soul, his eyes reveal deep jewelled pools of light that twinkle and dance.'
- Premanand Paul Mason
a chance meeting in the jungle on 4th November 2000,
described in 'MALA - A String of Unexpected Meetings'

"He is very guru, he has enlightenment!"
- Devendra Singh Thakur. an Indian TM teacher
speaking of Dandi Swami Narayanananda Saraswati
Thursday 9th November 2000

'Dandi Swami Narayanânanda Saraswati,  who is now (2003) in his seventies. He was [with] the Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math. He lived in separation in Rishikesh, where I 'found' him in November 2000. I visited him again in May 2001 and in April 2002 and 2003. The Swami does not teach, but he showed no hesitation in answering my questions.' 
- Rob van Dijk,
Advaita author (1951-2011)

'I met Narayananda in 2001. I wandered over to the ashram, which I'd never seen before, and there he was, hanging some clothing out to dry. We chatted as best we could in English. I came back the next day, with a papaya and some bananas, and we talked some more. One memorable moment: I asked what he thought about in his solitude. I said, "Do you think about God?" and he said, "I used to think about God. Now God thinks about me." Blew my mind. I asked what he meant. He said, "I was out of food and would have to walk into the village and hope someone gave me food. (He had diabetes, and explained that his feet were not up for walking.) Then you came with food. God was thinking of me." I returned two more times with a translator. It was incredibly wonderful to be with him.' - Phil Goldberg

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नारायणानन्द
 Nārāyaṇānanda
Nārāyaṇa = Supreme Beingānanda = bliss, ecstacy

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Dandi Swami is variously known and referred to as:-
'Dandi Swami Narayanand', 'Narayanananda', 'Narayananda',
'Swami Narayana', 'Dandiswami', 'Narayanandaji', 'Swamiji', 
'Dandi Swami ji' etc 
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Dandi Swami Narayananand Saraswati was a student of Swami Brahmanand Saraswati, Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath (1941-1953). 

Shankaracharya Swami Brahmanand Saraswati in Mussoorie 23rd September 1952
Shankaracharya Swami Brahmanand Saraswati in Mussoorie, 23rd September 1952
disciples pictured appear to include
Narayananand ji, behind the guru, &, to the right, Brahmachari Mahesh (later Maharishi Mahesh Yogi)


 
Shankaracharya Swami Brahmanand Saraswati in Mussoorie, 23rd September 1952
Narayananand ji appears to be standing behind the guru

Shankaracharya Swami Brahmanand Saraswati in Mussoorie 23rd September 1952
Shankaracharya Swami Swami Brahmanand Saraswati - Mussoorie, 23rd September 1952
Narayananand ji appears to be standing behind the guru


Shankaracharya Swami Brahmanand Saraswati in Mussoorie 23rd September 1952
Shankaracharya Swami Brahmanand Saraswati aboard mobile dais,
Old Square, near Mussoorie Library, Mussoorie, 23rd September 1952
note the steering wheel and front light of the vehicle
Narayananand ji appears to be standing behind the guru  - Brahmachari Mahesh pictured to front right

On the passing of the guru, he became a disciple of the guru's successor, Shankaracharya Shantanand Saraswati (1913-1997) from whom he received sannyas (the rite of intiation as a monk). Let us celebrate his life. 

Apparently, when Swami Shantanand decided to retire, he offered Narayananand ji the post of Shankaracharya, but Naranayananand declined and it was agreed that he should instead pursue a solitary existence.

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Premanand Paul Mason sits with Dandi Swami Narayananand Saraswati
Premanand Paul Mason sits with Dandi Swami Narayananand Saraswati - 2002

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'Dandi Swami' front cover
Dandi Swami
Tales of meetings with Dandi Swami Narayananand Saraswati,
the Guru's Will, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
& the Shankaracharyas of Jyotir Math

 'Dandi Swami' is a book celebrating the life of Dandi Swami Narayananand Saraswati and explores the lives of others from his lineage of thinkers. Dandi Swami Narayananand Saraswati was a contempory of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the man who popularised Transcendental Meditation. Both used to listen to the teachings of the same guru, Shankaracharya Swami Brahmanand Saraswati. When the guru died he left a Will empowering one of his disciples to take his place as Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math, in the Himalayas. Not everyone was happy with the Will, and there have been disputes over succession ever since. It appears that Dandi Swami was offered the post of Shankaracharya but declined, preferring a life of seclusion.

'Dandi Swami' presents many quotations from Dandi Swami's teacher, Swami Shantanand, providing food for thought, and spiritual solace.

'Dandi Swami' includes selected quotations from Swami Brahmanand, a guru who had the ear of the first President of India.

'Dandi Swami' explores spiritual questions through the eyes of those that meet with Dandi Swami. Accounts of visitors such as Rob H van Dijk and Paul Mason offer glimpses into the life and beliefs of this humble hermit. An interview with David Sieveking offers futher insights into the retiring personality of Dandi Swami.

170 pages colour printed, 130 illustrations
ISBN 978-0-9562228-4-8
UK £12.99    US $18.99
now available at online retailers and bookshops

 

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