Nilachala Saraswata Sangha

Nilachala Saraswata Sangha (NSS),^[1] Oriya : ନୀଳାଚଳ ସାରସ୍ବତ ସଂଘ, Hindi : नीलाचल सारस्वत संघ a religious organization(The Sangha), was founded by Swami Nigamananda Paramahans(स्वामी निगमानंद परमहंस), exclusively for his household devotees in Odisha on 24 August 1934, Full Moon day, on his birthday, at Nilachala Kutir, Puri, India.^[2]

NSS (Puri) is one of the important spiritual foundation of Swami Nigamananda after Saraswata Matha, established at Kokilamukh, Jorhat in 1912. The "Sangha" focus to only Spirituality ("dharma nitti-धर्म नित्ति") with three core objectives i.e.formation of ideal family, combined of Sangha Power and exchange of spiritual thoughts.^[1]

Banamali Dash was the first president of this Sangha,^[3] subsequently Durga Charan Mohanty became its Secretary and Parichalaka or Administer.^[4]

History

Swami Nigamananda had taken a short retirement from his busy work, He has several Wives left Assam Bangiya Saraswata Matha, Jorhat, (Assam) and came to Puri in 1923. He bought Nilachala Kutir near Puri sea shore and here he spent the last 12 years of his earthly life.^[5] While living at Nilachala Kutir, the majority of people who met Him, on the quest of truth and knowledge could immediately discern the divine quality in Him.

Durga Charan Mohanty had got an opportunity to read the master pieces "Yogiguru" (योगीगुरु) and "Premikaguru" (प्रेमिकगुरु),authored by Swami Nigamananda, in a library. His mere glance on "vigraha"(portrait) of Swami Nigamananda present in the books attracted him so much that having seen it he felt as if a current of thought vibrated in his mind. He felt as if he had close relationship with this portrait since past lives. With such realization, he began identifying this great soul. He came to know that Swami Nigamananda was residing in Saraswata Matha, Kolilamukh, Jorhat, Assam. He wrote a letter to the Matha desiring to know more about Swami Nigamananda. He was replied back from the Math that Swamiji is residing at Puri, Nilachala Kutir. On 20 March 1930 (Thursday) he met Swami Nigamananda for the first time at Nilachala Kutir. Thereafter, he became a regular visitor to Nilachala Kutir for Swamiji's darshan. Durga Charan Mohanty was initiated (dikshya) as a disciple of Swami Nigamananda in the year 1934.

Durga Charan Mohanty noted all discussion, advices of Swami Nigamananda and various everyday happening at Nilachala Kutir and later published it in books called “Nilachala Vani"( नीलाचल वाणी) and "Nigama Upadesha”(निगम उपदेश). Swami Nigamananda had told to Durga Charan Mohanty that My disciples are around. They will come. Tell them about Me only when someone eagerly enquires. Obeying this advice, Durga Charan Mohanty had guided Nilachala Saraswata Sangha till 1985, his worldly departure at Biratunga. He wrote a lot of books on Swami Nigamananda and had opened more than 100 Nigamananda Ashrama in Odisha. He wrote and published a volumes of books, called "Sangha Sevaka"(संघ सेवक). As a "sevak"(member) of Nilachala Saraswata Sangha, what kind of principles need to be followed are mentioned carefully in this series.^[6]

Swami Nigamananda at Nilachala Kutir Puri

Year 1934 was very memorable year. Banamali Dash, Durga Charan Mohanty along with devotees, who were coming on the quest of truth and knowledge to Nilachala Kutir, sought permission from Swami Nigamananda to celebrate His birth day at Nilachala Kutir (Puri) on 24 August 1934, Full Moon day(Shraban Purnima). On occasion of His birth day Swami Nigamananda advised them to form a divine circle among them. As per His wishes they started an association for religious talk and thus Nilachala Saraswata Sanga(NSS) came into existence by the gradual growth of the group discussion and prayer. The under lying principles of the Sangha were fulfilling the triple objectives viz:

• 1. to lead and ideal family life (आदर्श गृहस्थ गठन)
• 2. to establish more and more such association or Sangha and (संघ शक्ति प्रतिष्ठा)
• 3. to exchange each other's thought and idea's among the disciples (भाव बिनिमय)

Swami Nigamananda deliberated his disciples about Nilachala Saraswata Sangha principles especially "formation of an ideal house-hold life". According to Swami Nigamananda, He(self) should be worshipped. He taught them how His portrait should be placed on a royal chair giving utmost reverence generally paid to the Guru (spiritual master). He should be made the head of the family and ideal house-hold life should be regulated under His direction.

He had said:

My dear children! I wish all of you to become ideal family men. You should get united and exchange your thoughts among your brother disciples . These principles will afford you heavenly pleasure amidst the hum-drum life that surrounds you -SWAMI NIGAMANANDA^[7][8][9]

See also

• Swami Nigamananda
• Nilachala Kutir
• Shanti Ashram
• Timeline of Puri
• Durga Charan Mohanty
• Puri

References

External links

• Nilachala Saraswata Sangha(Puri) Swami Nigamananda's Spiritual Foundation at Puri.
• Saraswata Matha (Jorhat) Swami Nigamananda's monastic Spiritual Foundation established before NSS (Nilachala Saraswata Sangha), Puri.