Niralamba Swami
Encyclopedia
The period between 1871 and 1910 during the India
n freedom struggle saw the dramatic rise of two great India
n nationalists and freedom fighters. One was Aurobindo Ghosh and the other was Jatindra Nath Banerjee (Niralamba Swami). But the metamorphosis of both these persons from great active freedom fighters to great yogi
and guru
was no less dramatic. Aurobindo Ghosh became Sri Aurobindo
and Jatindra Nath Banerjee became Niralamba Swami(Hindi:निरालम्ब स्वामी ) (November 19, 1877-September 5, 1930).
in Burdwan district. His father, Kalicharan Banerjee, worked as a government official at Bangaon of Jessore district (now North Twenty Four Parganas) of Bengal
.His early education was completed at the village school. Then he passed FA (First Arts) from Burdwan College with high marks. He was admitted B.A. class in the college.
.He was drawn towards radical and revolutionary methods of attaining independence.
He felt that revolutionary methods were necessary to attain independence and he became the first to preach the adoption of revolutionary methods for attaining Independence..
For using revolutionary methods, a large army was needed and so martial training of countrymen was essential. So Jatindra Nath left his studies halfway in search of martial training. He tried to get himself enlisted in the British army but did not succeed.
. Aurobindo was highly impressed by his robust health and helped him in finding a job in the Baroda army. In the year 1897, Jatindra Nath joined the Baroda army as a bodyguard of the king of Baroda. He also became an associate of Aurobindo.
Aurobindo began devoting energy towards national activities. When Anushilan Samity was formed at Kolkata, Aurobindo sent a request to Jatindra Nath to join the organisation. So Jatindra Nath left his job in Baroda to join Anushilan Samity.He became one of its prominent members.
Jatindra Nath's father did not like the fact that his son had left his studies and that he had involved himself in anti-British activities. To divert his son's attention towards family matters, he married him off. But still Jatindra Nath became more deeply involved in the freedom movement of the country.
The Alipore bomb case
and repression of all revolutionary activities in Bengal forced Jatindra Nath lose interest in the nationalist activities. He went back to his native village (Channa village
)
).He would sit there for hours in deep contemplation.
.Meanwhile his parents died and a daughter was born to him. He felt a deep need to get rid of worldly ties. Consequently one night he became a wandering monk (i.e. he took Sannyasa
).
Jatin felt that for gaining spiritual knowledge he needed the help of a guru and hence he began to search for a guru. He wandered many places in search of a guru but could not find a genuine guru.
.There he met a monk who suggested him to go to Nainital where he (Jatin) would find his destined guru
, his destined guru
. Soham Swami
had established an ashram
near the bank of a river. He welcomed Jatindra Nath with open arms and made him his disciple on the same day.
Soham Swami was one of the most eminent disciples of Tibbetibaba
, the legendary yogi
of India. He was the author of books like ‘Soham Gita’, ‘Soham Samhita’, ‘Truth’ (this book was the only book written by him in English poetry. It was published in Calcutta, now Kolkata, in 1913) and ‘Common Sense.’
In his famous autobiographical work – ‘Why I Am An Atheist’, Bhagat Singh, the legendary freedom fighter of India has wrongly referred to Niralamba Swami as the author of the book- ‘Common Sense.’ The fact is that only the Introduction to the book was written by Niralamba Swami.
, where he had established an ashram
. At this place Jatindra Nath began scaling great spiritual heights and finally attained knowledge of Brahman
or God in His form without any attributes.
Soham Swami was very pleased with the spiritual success of Jatindra Nath Banerjee and so he was rechristened with the name of Srimat Niralamba Swami. But he became popular with the name of Niralamba Swami.
Niralamba Swami now had many admirers and devotees from Punjab
, Haryana
, and regions around Delhi
. His fame for spiritual knowledge and wisdom spread far and wide. After staying in Haridwar for some years he developed a desire to establish an ashram
at Channa village
. He conveyed his request to his guru and was granted the permission to establish an ashram
at his native village.
, his native place. Many people of his village and other nearby villages had gathered to have a glimpse of their famous man. He first visited his home to meet his wife. Through her he came to know that his only child (his daughter) had expired. He managed to convince his wife to spend the rest of her life with him as the Mother of the soon to be constructed ashram at the village.
Soon an ashram
was constructed by the side of the village river bank and Niralamba Swami began staying at the ashram with his wife and some devotees and disciples.
Niralamba Swami’s fame as a great Guru
and a yogi
spread even more in India. His life at the ashram was spent both as a ‘bhogi’ (enjoyer) and a yogi
. He would daily consume the best quality betel leaves and tobacco available at the time.
It did not remain unknown that the former freedom fighter had become a famous yogi
of India. So many former comrades of Niralamba Swami (formerly Jatindra Nath Banerjee) and many freedom fighters began visiting him for spiritual guidance and inspiration.
Among the notable freedom fighters to have visited Niralamba Swami was the legendary Bhagat Singh. He had met Niralamba Swami at Channa ashram at Channa village
in the beginning of 1929(1927- 1928 according to some).
Another famous person associated with Niralamba Swami was Prajnanapada
(1891–1974).He was popular with the name of Swami Prajnanapada. He became Niralamba Swami’s disciple in 1924-25 at Channa ashram. He also became a monk (took to Sannyasa
). Prajnanapada
was a follower of Advaita Vedanta
philosophy and taught realisation of Self-knowledge using Jñāna
Yoga
method (the path of self-realisation using knowledge).
Many distinguished persons had also visited Niralamba Swami at his Channa ashram at Channa village
. Among them was Tibbetibaba
. Niralamba Swami had hailed Tibbetibaba as one of the greatest exponent of Advaita Vedanta after Adi Shankara
.
He died on September 5, 1930.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n freedom struggle saw the dramatic rise of two great India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n nationalists and freedom fighters. One was Aurobindo Ghosh and the other was Jatindra Nath Banerjee (Niralamba Swami). But the metamorphosis of both these persons from great active freedom fighters to great yogi
Yogi
A Yogi is a practitioner of Yoga. The word is also used to refer to ascetic practitioners of meditation in a number of South Asian Religions including Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism.-Etymology:...
and guru
Guru
A guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom, and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others . Other forms of manifestation of this principle can include parents, school teachers, non-human objects and even one's own intellectual discipline, if the...
was no less dramatic. Aurobindo Ghosh became Sri Aurobindo
Sri Aurobindo
Sri Aurobindo , born Aurobindo Ghosh or Ghose , was an Indian nationalist, freedom fighter, philosopher, yogi, guru, and poet. He joined the Indian movement for freedom from British rule and for a duration became one of its most important leaders, before developing his own vision of human progress...
and Jatindra Nath Banerjee became Niralamba Swami(Hindi:निरालम्ब स्वामी ) (November 19, 1877-September 5, 1930).
Early life
Niralamba Swami was born as Jatindra Nath Banerjee on November 19, 1877 at Channa villageChanna village
Channa is a small village located in Bardhaman district.It is famous for Ashram of Niralamba Swami, a famous saint of India.-Geography:Channa is located in Khano Panchayat area of Galsi - II Block...
in Burdwan district. His father, Kalicharan Banerjee, worked as a government official at Bangaon of Jessore district (now North Twenty Four Parganas) of Bengal
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
.His early education was completed at the village school. Then he passed FA (First Arts) from Burdwan College with high marks. He was admitted B.A. class in the college.
Freedom struggle
While at college, Jatindra Nath (Jatindra Nath Banerjee) began developing interest in political activities of IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.He was drawn towards radical and revolutionary methods of attaining independence.
He felt that revolutionary methods were necessary to attain independence and he became the first to preach the adoption of revolutionary methods for attaining Independence..
For using revolutionary methods, a large army was needed and so martial training of countrymen was essential. So Jatindra Nath left his studies halfway in search of martial training. He tried to get himself enlisted in the British army but did not succeed.
Baroda
Having failed to enlist himself in the British army, Jatindra Nath began wandering in search of a job. He reached Baroda.At Baroda he met Aurobindo Ghose Sri AurobindoSri Aurobindo
Sri Aurobindo , born Aurobindo Ghosh or Ghose , was an Indian nationalist, freedom fighter, philosopher, yogi, guru, and poet. He joined the Indian movement for freedom from British rule and for a duration became one of its most important leaders, before developing his own vision of human progress...
. Aurobindo was highly impressed by his robust health and helped him in finding a job in the Baroda army. In the year 1897, Jatindra Nath joined the Baroda army as a bodyguard of the king of Baroda. He also became an associate of Aurobindo.
Aurobindo began devoting energy towards national activities. When Anushilan Samity was formed at Kolkata, Aurobindo sent a request to Jatindra Nath to join the organisation. So Jatindra Nath left his job in Baroda to join Anushilan Samity.He became one of its prominent members.
Jatindra Nath's father did not like the fact that his son had left his studies and that he had involved himself in anti-British activities. To divert his son's attention towards family matters, he married him off. But still Jatindra Nath became more deeply involved in the freedom movement of the country.
The Alipore bomb case
Alipore bomb case
The Alipore Bomb Case was an important court trial, during May 1908 to May 1909, in the history of the Indian Independence Movement. The trial involved more than 37 suspects, following a bomb attack, and was held in Alipore Sessions Court, in Calcutta, India, Judge C.P...
and repression of all revolutionary activities in Bengal forced Jatindra Nath lose interest in the nationalist activities. He went back to his native village (Channa village
Channa village
Channa is a small village located in Bardhaman district.It is famous for Ashram of Niralamba Swami, a famous saint of India.-Geography:Channa is located in Khano Panchayat area of Galsi - II Block...
)
Early indication
During his childhood Jatinindra Nath Banerjee was very naughty. But with the advent of teenage he became thoughtful. He began to frequently visit the temple of goddess Bishalakshi (Bishalaxmi.Another name of goddess DurgaDurga
For the 1985 Hindi Film of Rajesh Khanna see DurgaaIn Hinduism, Durga ; ; meaning "the inaccessible" or "the invincible"; , durga) or Maa Durga "one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress" is a form of Devi, the supremely radiant goddess, depicted as having eighteen arms, riding a lion...
).He would sit there for hours in deep contemplation.
Sannyasa
After the suppression of revolutionary activities in Bengal, Jatin (Jatinindra Nath Banerjee) went back to his native village. His mind became engrossed in spiritual thoughts. He would frequently visit the temple of Bishalaakshi ('Large-eyed Goddess') and would remain there for hours. He would pray for spiritual strength self-purification and spiritual knowledge. He began to feel the need for a guruGuru
A guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom, and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others . Other forms of manifestation of this principle can include parents, school teachers, non-human objects and even one's own intellectual discipline, if the...
.Meanwhile his parents died and a daughter was born to him. He felt a deep need to get rid of worldly ties. Consequently one night he became a wandering monk (i.e. he took Sannyasa
Sannyasa
Sannyasa is the order of life of the renouncer within the Hindu scheme of āśramas, or life stages. It is considered the topmost and final stage of the ashram systems and is traditionally taken by men or women at or beyond the age of fifty years old or by young monks who wish to renounce worldly...
).
Jatin felt that for gaining spiritual knowledge he needed the help of a guru and hence he began to search for a guru. He wandered many places in search of a guru but could not find a genuine guru.
Wanderings
During his wanderings he reached VaranasiVaranasi
-Etymology:The name Varanasi has its origin possibly from the names of the two rivers Varuna and Assi, for the old city lies in the north shores of the Ganga bounded by its two tributaries, the Varuna and the Asi, with the Ganges being to its south...
.There he met a monk who suggested him to go to Nainital where he (Jatin) would find his destined guru
Nainital
When Jatindra Nath reached Nainital from Varanasi he became very tired and exhausted. Yet he managed to find Soham SwamiSoham Swami
Soham Swami was a great guru and yogi of India. He lived before the first quarter of the twentieth century Soham Swami (Hindi:सोऽहं स्वामी ) was a great guru and yogi of India. He lived before the first quarter of the twentieth century Soham Swami (Hindi:सोऽहं स्वामी ) was a great guru and yogi of...
, his destined guru
Guru
A guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom, and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others . Other forms of manifestation of this principle can include parents, school teachers, non-human objects and even one's own intellectual discipline, if the...
. Soham Swami
Soham Swami
Soham Swami was a great guru and yogi of India. He lived before the first quarter of the twentieth century Soham Swami (Hindi:सोऽहं स्वामी ) was a great guru and yogi of India. He lived before the first quarter of the twentieth century Soham Swami (Hindi:सोऽहं स्वामी ) was a great guru and yogi of...
had established an ashram
Ashram
Traditionally, an ashram is a spiritual hermitage. Additionally, today the term ashram often denotes a locus of Indian cultural activity such as yoga, music study or religious instruction, the moral equivalent of a studio or dojo....
near the bank of a river. He welcomed Jatindra Nath with open arms and made him his disciple on the same day.
Soham Swami was one of the most eminent disciples of Tibbetibaba
Tibbetibaba
Tibbetibaba , Hindi:तिब्बती बाबा, also known as Mahasadhak Tibbetibaba or Paramhamsa Tibbetibaba, alternative spellings Tibbatibaba, Tibbati Baba, Tibbeti Baba,Tibbotibaba or Tibboti Baba originally named Nabin Chattopadhhyaya or Nabin or Nabin Chandra, Tibbetibaba , Hindi:तिब्बती बाबा, also known...
, the legendary yogi
Yogi
A Yogi is a practitioner of Yoga. The word is also used to refer to ascetic practitioners of meditation in a number of South Asian Religions including Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism.-Etymology:...
of India. He was the author of books like ‘Soham Gita’, ‘Soham Samhita’, ‘Truth’ (this book was the only book written by him in English poetry. It was published in Calcutta, now Kolkata, in 1913) and ‘Common Sense.’
In his famous autobiographical work – ‘Why I Am An Atheist’, Bhagat Singh, the legendary freedom fighter of India has wrongly referred to Niralamba Swami as the author of the book- ‘Common Sense.’ The fact is that only the Introduction to the book was written by Niralamba Swami.
Haridwar
Soham Swami asked Jatindra Nath Banerjee to go to HaridwarHaridwar
Haridwar is an important pilgrimage city and municipality in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand, India...
, where he had established an ashram
Ashram
Traditionally, an ashram is a spiritual hermitage. Additionally, today the term ashram often denotes a locus of Indian cultural activity such as yoga, music study or religious instruction, the moral equivalent of a studio or dojo....
. At this place Jatindra Nath began scaling great spiritual heights and finally attained knowledge of Brahman
Brahman
In Hinduism, Brahman is the one supreme, universal Spirit that is the origin and support of the phenomenal universe. Brahman is sometimes referred to as the Absolute or Godhead which is the Divine Ground of all being...
or God in His form without any attributes.
Soham Swami was very pleased with the spiritual success of Jatindra Nath Banerjee and so he was rechristened with the name of Srimat Niralamba Swami. But he became popular with the name of Niralamba Swami.
Niralamba Swami now had many admirers and devotees from Punjab
Punjab (India)
Punjab ) is a state in the northwest of the Republic of India, forming part of the larger Punjab region. The state is bordered by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh to the east, Haryana to the south and southeast and Rajasthan to the southwest as well as the Pakistani province of Punjab to the...
, Haryana
Haryana
Haryana is a state in India. Historically, it has been a part of the Kuru region in North India. The name Haryana is found mentioned in the 12th century AD by the apabhramsha writer Vibudh Shridhar . It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south...
, and regions around Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
. His fame for spiritual knowledge and wisdom spread far and wide. After staying in Haridwar for some years he developed a desire to establish an ashram
Ashram
Traditionally, an ashram is a spiritual hermitage. Additionally, today the term ashram often denotes a locus of Indian cultural activity such as yoga, music study or religious instruction, the moral equivalent of a studio or dojo....
at Channa village
Channa village
Channa is a small village located in Bardhaman district.It is famous for Ashram of Niralamba Swami, a famous saint of India.-Geography:Channa is located in Khano Panchayat area of Galsi - II Block...
. He conveyed his request to his guru and was granted the permission to establish an ashram
Ashram
Traditionally, an ashram is a spiritual hermitage. Additionally, today the term ashram often denotes a locus of Indian cultural activity such as yoga, music study or religious instruction, the moral equivalent of a studio or dojo....
at his native village.
Channa village
After staying in the northern India for many years, Niralamba Swami reached Channa villageChanna village
Channa is a small village located in Bardhaman district.It is famous for Ashram of Niralamba Swami, a famous saint of India.-Geography:Channa is located in Khano Panchayat area of Galsi - II Block...
, his native place. Many people of his village and other nearby villages had gathered to have a glimpse of their famous man. He first visited his home to meet his wife. Through her he came to know that his only child (his daughter) had expired. He managed to convince his wife to spend the rest of her life with him as the Mother of the soon to be constructed ashram at the village.
Soon an ashram
Ashram
Traditionally, an ashram is a spiritual hermitage. Additionally, today the term ashram often denotes a locus of Indian cultural activity such as yoga, music study or religious instruction, the moral equivalent of a studio or dojo....
was constructed by the side of the village river bank and Niralamba Swami began staying at the ashram with his wife and some devotees and disciples.
Niralamba Swami’s fame as a great Guru
Guru
A guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom, and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others . Other forms of manifestation of this principle can include parents, school teachers, non-human objects and even one's own intellectual discipline, if the...
and a yogi
Yogi
A Yogi is a practitioner of Yoga. The word is also used to refer to ascetic practitioners of meditation in a number of South Asian Religions including Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism.-Etymology:...
spread even more in India. His life at the ashram was spent both as a ‘bhogi’ (enjoyer) and a yogi
Yogi
A Yogi is a practitioner of Yoga. The word is also used to refer to ascetic practitioners of meditation in a number of South Asian Religions including Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism.-Etymology:...
. He would daily consume the best quality betel leaves and tobacco available at the time.
It did not remain unknown that the former freedom fighter had become a famous yogi
Yogi
A Yogi is a practitioner of Yoga. The word is also used to refer to ascetic practitioners of meditation in a number of South Asian Religions including Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism.-Etymology:...
of India. So many former comrades of Niralamba Swami (formerly Jatindra Nath Banerjee) and many freedom fighters began visiting him for spiritual guidance and inspiration.
Among the notable freedom fighters to have visited Niralamba Swami was the legendary Bhagat Singh. He had met Niralamba Swami at Channa ashram at Channa village
Channa village
Channa is a small village located in Bardhaman district.It is famous for Ashram of Niralamba Swami, a famous saint of India.-Geography:Channa is located in Khano Panchayat area of Galsi - II Block...
in the beginning of 1929(1927- 1928 according to some).
Another famous person associated with Niralamba Swami was Prajnanapada
Prajnanapada
Prajnanapada, popularly known as Swami Prajnanapada or Swami Prajnanpad of Channa Ashram , was one of the eminent disciples of Niralamba Swami, the great yogi and Guru of India. He was born on February 8, 1891...
(1891–1974).He was popular with the name of Swami Prajnanapada. He became Niralamba Swami’s disciple in 1924-25 at Channa ashram. He also became a monk (took to Sannyasa
Sannyasa
Sannyasa is the order of life of the renouncer within the Hindu scheme of āśramas, or life stages. It is considered the topmost and final stage of the ashram systems and is traditionally taken by men or women at or beyond the age of fifty years old or by young monks who wish to renounce worldly...
). Prajnanapada
Prajnanapada
Prajnanapada, popularly known as Swami Prajnanapada or Swami Prajnanpad of Channa Ashram , was one of the eminent disciples of Niralamba Swami, the great yogi and Guru of India. He was born on February 8, 1891...
was a follower of Advaita Vedanta
Advaita Vedanta
Advaita Vedanta is considered to be the most influential and most dominant sub-school of the Vedānta school of Hindu philosophy. Other major sub-schools of Vedānta are Dvaita and ; while the minor ones include Suddhadvaita, Dvaitadvaita and Achintya Bhedabheda...
philosophy and taught realisation of Self-knowledge using Jñāna
Jnana
Jñāna or gñāna is a Sanskrit and Pali word that means knowledge. It has various nuances of meaning depending on the context. The idea of jnana centers around a cognitive event which is recognized when experienced...
Yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
method (the path of self-realisation using knowledge).
Many distinguished persons had also visited Niralamba Swami at his Channa ashram at Channa village
Channa village
Channa is a small village located in Bardhaman district.It is famous for Ashram of Niralamba Swami, a famous saint of India.-Geography:Channa is located in Khano Panchayat area of Galsi - II Block...
. Among them was Tibbetibaba
Tibbetibaba
Tibbetibaba , Hindi:तिब्बती बाबा, also known as Mahasadhak Tibbetibaba or Paramhamsa Tibbetibaba, alternative spellings Tibbatibaba, Tibbati Baba, Tibbeti Baba,Tibbotibaba or Tibboti Baba originally named Nabin Chattopadhhyaya or Nabin or Nabin Chandra, Tibbetibaba , Hindi:तिब्बती बाबा, also known...
. Niralamba Swami had hailed Tibbetibaba as one of the greatest exponent of Advaita Vedanta after Adi Shankara
Adi Shankara
Adi Shankara Adi Shankara Adi Shankara (IAST: pronounced , (Sanskrit: , ) (788 CE - 820 CE), also known as ' and ' was an Indian philosopher from Kalady of present day Kerala who consolidated the doctrine of advaita vedānta...
.
He died on September 5, 1930.
Teachings
- Wake up and realize Self-Consciousness.
- Know yourself. If you do not know yourself, then how can you know your country?
- If you want to get rid of the sufferings of your country, then you have to become strong. To make yourself strong you have to first acquire Self-Knowledge. Self-strength makes human beings to cross difficult deserts and mountains. Nothing is impossible for a race possessing Self-strength