Swami Ashokananda
Encyclopedia
Swami Ashokananda was a monk of the Ramakrishna Mission
. He was Swami-in-charge of the Vedanta Society of Northern California, San Francisco (founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1900) from 1932 until his death in December 1969 at the age of 76.
He joined the Ramakrishna Order
in 1921 and was ordained into Sannyasa
in 1923 by Swami Shivananda, second President of the Order. He served as the editor of the Prabuddha Bharata
, English monthly organ of the Ramakrishna Order, from 1926 to 1930.
rendered great service to the cause of the Vedanta
movement in the West by his clear and through expositions of Vedantic teachings through lectures and classes for nearly four decades. During his ministry the Vedanta Society expanded its activities greatly, adding to it two sub-centres and two forest retreats and a new temple
in San Francisco. He also promoted Swami Vivekananda's view of active humanitarian service.
From 1953 onward the Swami's lectures were recorded on tape. Some of them have been transcribed and published.
Ramakrishna Mission
Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission are twin organizations which form the core of a worldwide spiritual movement known as Ramakrishna Movement or Vedanta Movement. The Ramakrishna Mission is a philanthropic, volunteer organization founded by Ramakrishna's chief disciple Swami Vivekananda on...
. He was Swami-in-charge of the Vedanta Society of Northern California, San Francisco (founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1900) from 1932 until his death in December 1969 at the age of 76.
Life
He was born Yogeshchandra Datta in the village of Bekitaka. Ashokananda spent his childhood days in Durgapur .He joined the Ramakrishna Order
Ramakrishna Mission
Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission are twin organizations which form the core of a worldwide spiritual movement known as Ramakrishna Movement or Vedanta Movement. The Ramakrishna Mission is a philanthropic, volunteer organization founded by Ramakrishna's chief disciple Swami Vivekananda on...
in 1921 and was ordained into 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...
in 1923 by Swami Shivananda, second President of the Order. He served as the editor of the Prabuddha Bharata
Prabuddha Bharata
Prabuddha Bharata or Awakened India is an English-language monthly magazine of the Ramakrishna Order, in publication since July 1896. It carries articles and translations by monks, scholars, and writers on various religious and cultural themes...
, English monthly organ of the Ramakrishna Order, from 1926 to 1930.
Works
The SwamiSwami
A swami sometimes abbreviated "Sw." is an ascetic or yogi who has been initiated into the religious monastic order founded by Adi Sankara, or to a religious teacher.The Oxford English Dictionary gives the etymology as...
rendered great service to the cause of the Vedanta
Vedanta
Vedānta was originally a word used in Hindu philosophy as a synonym for that part of the Veda texts known also as the Upanishads. The name is a morphophonological form of Veda-anta = "Veda-end" = "the appendix to the Vedic hymns." It is also speculated that "Vedānta" means "the purpose or goal...
movement in the West by his clear and through expositions of Vedantic teachings through lectures and classes for nearly four decades. During his ministry the Vedanta Society expanded its activities greatly, adding to it two sub-centres and two forest retreats and a new temple
Temple
A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A templum constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or augur. It has the same root as the word "template," a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out...
in San Francisco. He also promoted Swami Vivekananda's view of active humanitarian service.
From 1953 onward the Swami's lectures were recorded on tape. Some of them have been transcribed and published.
- Meditate while you work - a new path for a new age
- When the many become One
- Spiritualising everyday life
- Swami Vivekananda in San Francisco
- Swami BrahmanandaBrahmanandaSwami Brahmananda was born in Sikra Kulingram near Basirhat, Kolkata. His pre-monastic name was Rakhal Chandra Ghosh . Shri Ramakrishna recognised him as his 'spiritual son'. He became the first president of the Ramakrishna Mission...
- Swami Premananda
- Memoirs of Swami ShivanandaShivanandaSwami Shivananda was born Tarak Nath Ghosal in the village of Barasat in West Bengal. He was a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, and became the second president of the Ramakrishna Mission. His devotees refer to him as Mahapurush Maharaj . Swami Shivananda and Swami Subodhananda were the only...
- The Teacher-Prophets of VedantaVedantaVedānta was originally a word used in Hindu philosophy as a synonym for that part of the Veda texts known also as the Upanishads. The name is a morphophonological form of Veda-anta = "Veda-end" = "the appendix to the Vedic hymns." It is also speculated that "Vedānta" means "the purpose or goal...
- The Theory and Practice of MonismMonismMonism is any philosophical view which holds that there is unity in a given field of inquiry. Accordingly, some philosophers may hold that the universe is one rather than dualistic or pluralistic...
- The Razor's Edge
- Ritualism : ITs place in Spiritual Life
- When the heart cries for God
- God and God-men in VedantaVedantaVedānta was originally a word used in Hindu philosophy as a synonym for that part of the Veda texts known also as the Upanishads. The name is a morphophonological form of Veda-anta = "Veda-end" = "the appendix to the Vedic hymns." It is also speculated that "Vedānta" means "the purpose or goal...
- MeditationMeditationMeditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....
, EcstasyReligious ecstasyReligious ecstasy is an altered state of consciousness characterized by greatly reduced external awareness and expanded interior mental and spiritual awareness which is frequently accompanied by visions and emotional/intuitive euphoria...
and IlluminationEnlightenment (spiritual)Enlightenment in a secular context often means the "full comprehension of a situation", but in spiritual terms the word alludes to a spiritual revelation or deep insight into the meaning and purpose of all things, communication with or understanding of the mind of God, profound spiritual...
- Avadhuta GitaAvadhuta GitaAvadhuta Gita is a Hindu text based on the principles of Advaita Vedanta . The singer of the Avadhuta Gita is Dattatreya, an Avadhuta, and according to the Nath Sampradaya, the work was heard and transcribed by two of Dattatreya's disciples—Swami and Kartika...
is his translation of Avadhuta GitaAvadhuta GitaAvadhuta Gita is a Hindu text based on the principles of Advaita Vedanta . The singer of the Avadhuta Gita is Dattatreya, an Avadhuta, and according to the Nath Sampradaya, the work was heard and transcribed by two of Dattatreya's disciples—Swami and Kartika...
, an ancient treatise on Advaita philosophyPhilosophyPhilosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
by DattatreyaDattatreyaDattatreya or Datta is a Hindu deity encompassing the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, collectively known as Trimurti. The name Dattatreya can be divided into two words - "Datta" and "Atreya" referring to the sage Atri, his physical father.Various Hindu sects worship him differently...
avadhutaAvadhutAvadhuta is a Sanskrit term used in Indian religions to refer to an antinomian mystic or saint who is beyond ego-consciousness, duality and common worldly concerns and acts without consideration for standard social etiquette. Such personalities "roam free like a child upon the face of the Earth"...
.
- Shafts of Light ISBN 978-0970636836 is a compilation of over 800 directives of Swami to his disciples.
- His disciple Sister GargiSister GargiSister Gargi ; born Marie Louise Burke was an eminent researcher on Swami Vivekananda. Burke is known for her six volume work, Swami Vivekananda in the West: New Discoveries....
has written Swami's biography - A Heart poured Out ISBN 978-0970636812.