| Gnanananda Giri | |
|---|---|
Gnanananda Giri |
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| Born | Unknown Managalapuri, present day Managalapuri, India |
| Died | January 10, 1974[1] Tamil Nadu, Tirukoilur present day Tapovanam, India |
| Birth name | Subramanyam |
| Titles/honours | Hindu Revivalism, Founded Tapovanam, 6th lineage of Peetam [2] of Jagadguru Totakacharya, Master of bhajana sampradaya |
| Guru | Sivaratna Giri |
| Philosophy | Advaita Vedanta |
Swami Sri Gnanananda Giri believed to be born early 19 century. Since young, Gnanananda live the life of an ascetic. Gnanananda is a Mahayogi, Siddha Purusha,Himalayan sage and Indian philosopher. He believed in Advaita Vedanta since he was lineage of Peetam [2] of Jagadguru Totakacharya. He travelled around the world to spread the teaching of Advaita Vedanta.
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Gnanananda was born in the month of Thai in the Tamil calendar (January) with the birth star of Kritika in the village of Managalapuri,North Kanara District of Karnataka.[3] He was born to an orthodox Brahmin couple, Venkoba Ganapati and Mathi Sakku Bai.[3] Gnanananda was named Subramanyam at birth, and left his home at a very early age.
Sivaratna Giri accepted Subramanyam as his disciple and named him Pragnana Brahmachari.[4] Gnanananda followed his guru, Sivaratna Giri like a shadow and showed great love in serving his guru. When Gnanananda was about thirty-nine years old, Sivaratna Giri indicated to his disciples his intention to "leave his mortal frame". Sivaratna Giri initiated Gnanananda in the traditional manner into the Giri order of Jyotir Mutt and gave him the monastic name of Sri Gnanananda Giri.[5] Sivaratna Giri died at age eighty-one on the full moon day in the month of Chitra. The anniversary of this event is still observed with respect in every ashrams of Sri Swami Gnanananda Giri.
Gnanananda adorned the 6th lineage of Peetam [2] of Jagadguru Totakacharya for some time. However he nominated one Ananda Giri in his place and retired to the height of the Himalayas for penance. Gnananda spent many years at the sacred spot of Gangotri and icy caves of the Himalayas in intense tapas. He traveled extensively on foot, spanning the whole India and Tibet, Nepal, Burma, Sri Lanka and Malaya. During the course of his pilgrimage, he met many holy men.
Gnanananda returned to India and established an ashram in Siddhalingamadam.[6] Another ashram named Sri Gnanananda Tapovanam is situated two miles away from Tirukkoyilur. Gnanananda built temples for the deities of Gnanaganesa, Gananapurisa, Gnanambika, Mahalaksmi, Venugopala and Shiva in Tapovanam.[6] Another ashram was constructed in Yercaud[7] and was called "Pranavanilayam". There is a traditional way of praying by chanting in all ashrams except Yercaud. In Pranavanilayam, there are pictures of Sri Swami Gnanananda, Buddha, Sri Viveknanda, the sacred heart of Jesus and picture of Mecca. Devotees and monks there devote their time to do research and meditate. You can still see these ashrams in India.
Swamji is well versed in all the modes of Bhajana Sampradaya and he is very firm strong that Hari Bhajana was the easiest way to attain "Moksha". He had chosen Haridas Giri[8] propagated the importance of Namasankeetanam.