Swami Darshanananda Saraswati
Om Namo Narayanaya
Pujari Swamiji himself collects flowers for the worship from the temple garden. He chooses the best flowers for decorating the Gods.
During the day, Swamiji spends his time in prayer, japam and study of scriptures. He studies the Upanishads, Srimad Bhagavatam, Ramayana, and other principle Shastras. In keeping with the tradition of Shravana (listening to Shastras from Gurus), Swamiji continues to attend classes on Upanishads.
Swamiji is a great devotee of Ganga Mayya. He never misses a single day of visiting the holy river, even though there is every danger of him getting hurt in the slippery and rocky terrain. He worships the holy Mother Gangaji and offers arghya to Surya Bhagawan as a daily practice. Swamiji drinks only Gangajal (purified using alum) all year round.
In the evening, Swamiji decorates the Gods with a fresh set of flowers, and starts the worship which goes on for about 1.5 hours. Even at this age, Swamiji still remembers many bhajans he has been singing all his life. During the evening worship, he captivates the hearts of all the Sadhus by singing bhajans in his own sweet way.
In his Purvashram, he was a householder. He settled all the family affairs, and in keeping with true Vedic culture, he entered into Vanaprastha way of life in the Himalayas. After some years as a Vanaprasthi, he took up Sannyasa - the highest stage in the ladder to Perfection. Even though he became a monk so late in his life, the intensity of his Sadhana and the extent of his self-surrender to God surpass even those who have been monks since early youth.
Swami Darshanananda Saraswati is a gem of a Sadhu living on the banks of Ganga Mayya in the Himalayas. He exemplifies the spirit of Sannyasa - complete effacement of ego and whole-hearted surrender to God. His soul-elevating presence fills the heart with pure joy and devotion.
Swami Darshanananda Saraswati is 89 years old as of 2018. Presently he is the Pujari of the Sri Atmajnaneshwar Lord Shiva temple. He has been performing the Puja duties without break for the past 20 years. He is affectionately known as Pujari Swamiji.
Swamiji wakes up by 3:00 a.m. everyday without fail, how much ever cold it may be. After his early morning bath, he starts the rituals all by himself without any help. The rituals go on for almost an hour which include chanting of various Mantras, and cleansing and floral decoration of the Shivalinga and other Gods. By the time the Gods are ready, the other Sadhus arrive at the temple. Swamiji then starts the Arati which goes on for about half an hour.
During the day, Swamiji spends his time in prayer, japam and study of scriptures. He studies the Upanishads, Srimad Bhagavatam, Ramayana, and other principle Shastras. In keeping with the tradition of Shravana (listening to Shastras from Gurus), Swamiji continues to attend classes on Upanishads.
Swamiji is a great devotee of Ganga Mayya. He never misses a single day of visiting the holy river, even though there is every danger of him getting hurt in the slippery and rocky terrain. He worships the holy Mother Gangaji and offers arghya to Surya Bhagawan as a daily practice. Swamiji drinks only Gangajal (purified using alum) all year round.
In the evening, Swamiji decorates the Gods with a fresh set of flowers, and starts the worship which goes on for about 1.5 hours. Even at this age, Swamiji still remembers many bhajans he has been singing all his life. During the evening worship, he captivates the hearts of all the Sadhus by singing bhajans in his own sweet way.
In his Purvashram, he was a householder. He settled all the family affairs, and in keeping with true Vedic culture, he entered into Vanaprastha way of life in the Himalayas. After some years as a Vanaprasthi, he took up Sannyasa - the highest stage in the ladder to Perfection. Even though he became a monk so late in his life, the intensity of his Sadhana and the extent of his self-surrender to God surpass even those who have been monks since early youth.
Swami Darshanananda Saraswati has achieved the highest goal of life - complete offering of oneself to the Lord. His day-to-day life is a testament to the assurance given by Lord Krishna in the Bhagawad Gita that "I take complete care of those who have given themselves wholeheartedly to Me". May Ganga Mayya and Swamiji bless us so that this spirit of devotion and surrender awakens in our hearts.
Jai Ganga Mayya
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