User:Jenar27/Swami Guhabhaktananda Saraswati

Swami Guhabhaktananda Saraswati
Swami Guhabhaktananda Saraswati Maharaj (27th October 1943 - 2nd May 2013) was the former President and Spiritual Head of The Divine Life Society of Malaysia.Sri Pathmanathan Rajaratnam, as he was known pre-monastically, was born on 27th October 1943 as the third of eight children in the devout Hindu family of Sri N. Rajaratnam and Smt. Rasammah of Seremban, Malaysia. He studied at King George V School, Seremban and being a spirited and active child, participated in various school activities. On completing his secondary education, he joined Radio and Television Malaysia (RTM) in 1962 and served RTM for 21 years first as a Technical Assistant in Johar Baru and then as a Special Grade Officer at Kuala Lumpur. Since his childhood, he evinced keen interest in religion and spirituality. During his school days, he learnt Tamil, Sanskrit and devotional songs and attended lectures on religious and spiritual matters and soon became an exponent of all temple rituals and rites. He participated enthusiastically in the activities of the Hindu Youth Organization and Sri Thandayuthapani Temple before being associated with the Divine Life Society in 1970. Under the guidance of H. H. Sri Swami Pranavanandaji Maharaj, the Founder President of DLS Malaysia and Most Worshipful Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj, Sri Pathmanathan commenced his spiritual journey in true earnest. First, he was initiated as Naishthika Brahmachari and was christened Bhakta Chaitanya. On the auspicious day of Mahasivaratri in 1985, he was blessed with Sannyasa Deeksha by Worshipful Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj and given the name Swami Guhabhaktananda Saraswati. He stayed at Rishikesh for a year after his Sannyasa and was personally tutored in scriptural studies by Brahmaleen H.H. Sri Swami Brahmananda Saraswatiji Maharaj. Sometime after the passing away of H.H. Sri Swami Pranavanandaji Maharaj, he was elected the President of DLS Malaysia. In close communication with and with support of the DLS Headquarters Ashram, Swamiji’s leadership saw a complete transformation of the DLS Malaysia. During his tenure as President of DLS Malaysia Branch, Swamiji activated the existing sub-branches and established several more Branches. Today, there are 21 sub-branches in Malaysia and almost all have their own buildings and in several Branches Gurudev’s marble statues have also been installed for regular worship. To carry Sadgurudev’s message of Divine Life to each and every home of Malaysia, he worked day and night enthusiastically and indefatigably. To give a boost to the Divine Life Movement in Malaysia, he invited Most Worshipful Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj to Malaysia a number of times and accompanied Swamiji Maharaj to all the sub -branches and enabled the devotees to be blessed by Swamiji Maharaj’s Darshan and inspiring talks. He himself used to visit all the sub-branches of DLS Malaysia at regular intervals and would inspire and motivate the members by his talks and ecstatic Kirtans. His relentless commitment to the DLS inspired a large number of devotees to dedicate their services to the DLS. He built two orphanages and a kindergarten, established a free Specialist Medical Centre and a computer school, provided monthly rations for an increasing number of families, organised regular youth camps for the spiritual development of those at school and in University, conducted Bhajan and Yoga courses, the annual Deepavali Party celebration for the economically deprived and arranged for medical services for many homes of the aged and abandoned.

. Sri Swamiji built close links with a variety of other organisations, not only of the Hindu but also those of other faiths. He was patron and spiritual adviser of numerous organisations. He assumed the pivotal role as the DLS ambassador of Love and Service and became a spiritual icon. Sri Swamiji’ s entire life was most exemplary. He never hankered after any personal comforts. In him were blended, in happy proportion, work and worship, service and meditation. In spite of his busy and hectic schedule, he never missed his personal Sadhana for a single day. He was a great devotee of Lord Kartikeya. He rose at 3.30a.m., spent hours in meditation and Pranayama exercises, chanted the Divine Name and did silent Japa. He ensured that all Ashramites of DLS Malaysia followed this vital tenet of Gurudev. He constantly reminded the Ashramites that they were all servants of Gurudev dedicated to Godly pursuits. He was always approachable and accessible to anyone irrespective of colour, creed and religion. He shared the sorrows and sufferings of others and brought peace and happiness into their lives. He spoke the simple language of love that endeared him to one and all. His face always beaming with smiles and mirrored his inner peace and joy. His ill health could not dampen his sincere aspiration and zeal to serve; he offered his Seva to his beloved Sadgurudev till the last breath of his life and attained His feet on 2nd May 2013. As per his desire, his ashes were brought to the Headquarters Ashram and were consigned to Mother Ganga on 16th May 2013. On 17th May, his Shodashi (Sixteenth day) was observed with due sanctity and deep reverence at the Ashram. The programme included Sadgurudev’s Paduka Puja, special worship of Lord Sri Vishwanath, Lord Kartikeya and Mother Ganga. The night Satsanga of 3rd May, 16th and 17th May was also dedicated to the sacred memory of H.H. Sri Swami Guhabhaktanandaji Maharaj wherein all the senior Swamis of the Headquarters Ashram, namely, H.H. Sri Swami Vimalanandaji Maharaj, H.H. Sri Swami Nirliptanandaji Maharaj, H.H. Sri Swami Padmanabhanandaji Maharaj, H.H. Sri Swami Advaitanandaji Maharaj and H.H. Sri Swami Yogavedantanandaji Maharaj paid him reverential tributes. All the Swamijis, in their loving homage to H.H. Sri Swami Guhabhaktanandaji Maharaj, highlighted his unflinching devotion to Sadgurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj and whole-hearted and dedicated services to His Divine Mission. His dedicated and untiring services to Sadgurudev’s sacred mission are indeed unparalleled. His sudden demise is an irreparable loss to the Divine Life Movement in Malaysia.