Swami – guru passed away last Wednesday.

Swami Dayananda Saraswathi, No more…..
The popular Hindu spiritual guru and teacher of Advaita philosophy, Swami Dayananda Saraswati passed away in his Rishikesh Ashram on Wednesday night. The swamiji was 85 years old and had been ailing for a while.
The late swamiji was popular throughout India for his highly intellectual and humor filled spiritual discourses on topics related to Vedanta and the Bhagavat Gita. Born in Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu state in 1930 as Natarajan, the swamiji during his early years had brief stints as a journalist and as an Air Force personnel later.
After listening to public lectures given by Swami Chinmayananda during the early 50’s, swamiji became interested in Vedanta, a most ancient Hindu spiritual body of knowledge also known as Upanishads. He then came to be closely associated with Swami Chinmayananda and his Chinmaya Mission and was instrumental in the setting up of its Madurai centre. After acquiring a deep knowledge in Vedanta and various other Hindu scriptures, he took ‘Sanyasa’ (initiation in to a Hindu monastic order after renunciation of worldly life) from Swami Chinmayananda and was given the monastic title ‘Swami Dayananda Saraswati.’
The swamiji began giving public lectures and talks in 1967 throughout India. In 1986, he set up the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam at Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania for conducting short and long term residential courses on Spirituality, ancient Hindu philosophies and general well being. He also established 3 other Gurukulams (learning centres) near the Indian towns (and cities) of Rishikesh, Coimbatore and Nagpur. Rishikesh is famed throughout the country and abroad as a scenic, ancient spiritual retreat located at the foothills of the Himalayas in Northern India. Apart from regular courses, various camps are also conducted to impart knowledge on Yoga, Classical music, the Indian astronomical studies: ‘Jyothish’ and the ancient medicinal branch of ‘Ayurveda’.
The late swamiji was also known for his philanthropic initiatives; notable among them is the ‘All India Movement for Seva’ (AIM for Seva) which focuses on Education and healthcare accessibility in rural areas. He has also authored numerous books on Vedanta, the Gita and other scriptures of spiritual import. Multitudes of followers and students have expressed their grief over the demise of Swamiji and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who considered the late swamiji as his Guru, had tweeted “Swami Dayananda Saraswati ji’s demise is a personal loss. I pray that his soul attains eternal peace.”
Vijay ram