Swami Shri Vishwadevananda ji Maharaj
Brief Life Summary of Pujya Brahmlin Swami Shri Vishwadevanand Puri Ji Maharaj
Swami Ji was born in a virtuous and sacred Brahman family on 26-01-1946, he showed signs of fervor towards spirituality during his childhood. He read many Vedic scriptures in his childhood which progressively developed in him a resolve to lead a Sanyasi’s (A life of renunciation) life for the welfare of mankind. Pujya Nirvana Pithadhishwar Acharya Mahamandleshwar Maharaj Shri Swami Vishvadewanand Puriji was initiated into an order of Sanyasis of Adi Shankaracharya, by one of the greatest saints revered Pujya Nirvana Pithadhishwar Acharya Mahamandleshwar Swami Shri Atulananda Puriji (Vedant Keshari). He studied M.A.in English, Acharya in Darshan, Vedas, Upanishads, Yoga, and other ancient scriptures under the guidance of great saints of India. Following Vedic tradition of Great Sanyas Ashram Elise Bridge Ahmadabad and the land of scholars the great tradition of Govind Math, Varanasi, he spent many years of life in intense penance and Sadhana (spiritual practices for self-realization) at many places in the Himalayas including, Punjab, Gujarat forests Haridwar and Varanasi and on the banks of river Ganges.
In order to understand the plight of people and possible solutions for dispelling ignorance, he went on a pilgrimage to all the holy places in different parts of India. Later, he went on a world tour to share his knowledge with people throughout the world. Guided by divine within, supported by Vedic knowledge and rich experiences of spirituality, he developed a very broad vision to serve the society based on the greatest dictum “Vasudev Kutumbkam” meaning “the whole world is one family of the divine”. That’s why he is The Founder of the Vishwa Kalyan Foundation in Haridwar.
The saints of the Sanatan Dharma (Hindu Society) and a leading organization of millions of sadhus, the SHRI PANCHAYATI MAHANIRVANI AKHADA had designated him as PRIME SAINT in 1985 at the Haridwar Maha Kumbh. He has then been appointed as ACHARYA MAHAMANDLESHWAR i.e. the leader of all the saints of SHRI PANCHAYATI MAHANIRVANI AKHADA. As the Acharya Mahamandleshwar of the Akhada, Maharaj Shri is Chairman of various Ashrams situated at Haridwar, Varanasi, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad, etc. Maharaj Shri established The First Shri Yantra Mandir of the world made by stone. This temple is situated in Kankhal, Haridwar, Uttarakhand(Himalayas) India.
Pujya Maharaj Shri delivered religious discourses for forty years, as a preacher of the Sanatan Dharma. In India, Pujya Maharaj Shri has attracted huge audiences. His simple, scientific, and interesting presentation of the philosophy was so powerful that it has changed the lives of thousands of people. He often went on tour outside India as well. He had inspired thousands of people in Singapore, Malaysia, and England, Canada, America where his visit was always anxiously awaited. Pujya Maharaj Shri visited the USA several times and evoked tremendous response in every city that he visited.
His lectures covered the teachings of the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavatam, Puranas, Bhagavad Geeta, Ramayana, and other Eastern and Western philosophies. Like the true disciple of a true master, Pujya Maharaj Shri masterfully quoted from scriptures of different religions that have the ability to satisfy even the most discerning of knowledge seekers. He also revealed a simple and straightforward way of God-realization which can be practiced by anyone. Another special feature about his lectures was that he established every spiritual truth through scriptural quotations, irrefutable logic, and humorous real-life illustrations. His wisdom filled anecdotes, humorous stories and clarity has the audience both enthralled and entertained for the entire duration of his lecture! Pujya Maharaj Shri’s warmth and humility touch all those who have the fortune to have his association. In fact, his very presence radiates Grace and Bliss.
Pujya Maharaj Shri was a Great Philosopher – a great thinker. Science was not the end for him. Science can only create a better world bereft of poverty, illness, and unfair disparities. He thought beyond science. He created a world of universal oneness – integrated with religion, science, and art. He was the ‘confluence’ in which many streams converge and reflect an individual’s quest for meaning.
Pujya Maharaj Shri was an honorable member of the Vishva Hindu Parishad. Maharaj Shri was honored by the Chief Guest of Rashtriya Savayam Sevak Sangh (R.S.S.) many times.
Pujya Maharaj Shri’s aimed at creating men of wisdom, science, art, and religion. He believed – a realized wise human being only can form a beautiful heavenly world. He led his disciples to the path of peace and salvation, weaning them away from worldly delusions. He linked spirituality with social responsibility and world peace. Pujya Maharaj Shri had made people more responsible towards others to make the world a place where all can live together peacefully and where strife, tension, evil, inequality, intolerance do not exist. For him, the universe is a complete family.
Pujya Maharaj Shri seemed unaffected by this incredible list of accomplishments and remains a pious child of God, owning nothing, draped in saffron robes, living a life of true renunciation. His days in Haridwar are spent offering service to those around him. Thousands travel from America, Europe, and England as well as from all over India, simply to sit in his presence, to receive his”darshan.”To them, the journey is an inconsequential price to pay for the priceless gift of his Satsang.
Millions of seekers/devotees are doing spiritual practice under the divine guidance of Pujya Maharaj Shri the world over. They are finding themselves more energetic and spiritually they are feeling enlightened.
Pujya Maharaj Ji took Mahasamadhi in Haridwar on 7 May 2013. Unfortunately, his car got into an accident while he was returning to his Ashram from Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun. It was a great loss for all humanity.