Swami Abhedananda Bharathi

Swami Abhedananda Bharathi (8/4/1909 to 29/10/1983), was a Saint from Trivandrum, Kerala. His ideology of devotion was Namasankeerthanam. He was an apostle of the concept Koti Archana (A crore times chanting Lord's Name). He established the Abhedashrams in Trivandrum, Kerala.
Early Life and Education
Swami Abhedananda Bharathi was born in the princely state of Travancore, South India, to the most pious couple Shri. Krishna Pillai and Smt. Lakshmi Pillai on 8 April 1909. The child was named Velayudhan, as he was born as a result of the penance the couple served to Lord Subrahmanya. From childhood itself Velukutty, as He was fondly called, was inclined towards spirituality and music. This was identified and nurtured by His paternal uncle Shri. Parassala Padmanabha Pillai who was a great devotee of Anjaneya and a God realized person himself.
The real turning point in the life of young Velukutty happened when He happened to meet Sathguru Shri Vidyadhiraja Chattambi Swamikal - an avadootha and a social reformer. Swamiji considered Sri Chattambi Swamikal as His Guru and had great reverence for Him. The advice given to the disciple by Guru was to Study well and not to go behind any bearded guy! The Shishya lived His Guru's words - He learnt everything which was needed to fulfill His life's purpose on this earth, never did He go behind any bearded guy but many bearded guys followed the path set by Him!
Realisation of Life's purpose
As young Velayudhan grew up, the urge within Him to seek the ultimate truth also grew. He used to leave home all of a sudden and wander alone unplanned and come home after many months together. Where ever He goes He would earn so many devotees, thanks to His vast knowledge in the spiritual texts and His melodious music! By that time, Velayudhan had assumed a new name Murukanandan and began to wear saffron attires. He used to be referred by the devotees as Chinnaswamy or the young saint! It was in one of those journeys when this incident which changed the whole life of Murukanandan happened, at the age of 20. He was staying at the Ashram of Bhagawan Ramana Maharshi in Arunachalam. One day Maharshi saw Murukanandan indulging in severe Pranayama and other yogic practices. Maharshi came near Him and told, You are born to spread the Namasankeerthanam and not for this and thus made Him realise His life’s purpose.
From Ramanashrama, Murukanandan wandered throughout India. He loved to travel without any plans as He trusted on the Lord's promise - Yogakshemam Vahamyaham. As per Him, we all are Yanthras (machines) and the Lord is the Yanthri (Machine Operator) and we all work upon The Lord's desire!
He used to do Bhajans where ever He went and the devotees used to forget themselves and dance around Him! Many a times Murukanandan used to enter Bhaava Samadhi or trance during Bhajans with no signs of life for hours together, after which He used to open his eyes as though from a deep sleep!
Sannyasadeeksha
The life of a Parivrajaka, which he led, gave Him opportunity to mingle with several Sannyasins and observe their lives. He stayed in caves, ate fruits and leaves from forests, and drank water from streams. The search of a suitable Guru led Him to the Kailas Ashram in The Himalayas. A sannyasin named Shri Swaroopananda Bharathi was staying in the Ashram and was giving discourses on spiritual matters. Murukanandan found His Guru in this yogi and used to attend his Satsangs regularly. One day Murukanandan approached Swaroopanandaji and expressed His desire to be initiated to Sannyasa. The Guru blindly turned the request out. Young Murukanandan withdrew from there without any qualm on His face. He continued attending the discourses and the Guru kept observing Murukanandan. After many days, Swaroopanandaji asked Murukanandan to get ready for the Sannyasa Deeksha. At this time also the expression on the Young Yogi’s face was the same as He had when His request was first rejected! The Guru gave Sannyasa Deeksha to the disciple and named him Abhedananda Bharathi, a name that perfectly fitted the young Yogi who displayed absolute composure and calmness even in the most trying situation. Thus the young yogi, who used to be known as Velayudhan, Velukutti, Murukanandan and Chinnaswamy became Swamy Abhedananda Bharathi, at the age of 27, who became one of the most inexorable links in the Guru Parampara! After giving Sannyasa and transferring the knowledge and Siddhis to the most deserving disciple, Swami SwaroopanandaJi attained Mahasamadhi in the Sacred Ganga!
Gurudev, A Social Reformer
After taking Sannyasa, Gurudev left Rishikesh and set out with Hari Nama Pracharana Yagna throughout the nation. He used to consider Himself as the servant of all the servants of God. Gurudev’s way of devotion was Namasankeerthanam. He urged "Sing sing, sing aloud until thy heart breaks!". There used to be a time when the morning bells of Trivandrum used to be Gurudev's bhajans which He used to perform in Bheri or Madhukaravruthi with so many devotees joining Him in utmost devotion, singing and dancing in ecstasy. Gurudev’s presentation of Meera Bhajans used to attract and melt even the hardest of the hearts! Gurudev introduced a unique way of worshiping the Lord through the Laksharchana and Koti Archana in which the devotees irrespective of caste, creed and gender used to perform the archana, thus bringing in the sense of social equality! He established two Ashrams in Travancore as the memorial of Vidyadhiraja Chattambi Swamy and named them Abhedashramam Maha Manthralayam! He used to re-iterate that the name Abhedashramam doesn't refer to His name, but the culture to be nurtured in the Ashram by treating everyone equally - The sense of Abheda! Crores of written Mahamantra are installed in vaults under the shrines of Balakrishna Swamy and Radha Maharani in the Ashrams, there by empowering the sanctum sanctorum with the divine Nama.
Gurudev started Akhanda Namajapa Yagna in both the Ashrams where a tall lamp was lit and a person holding a Tanpura would be revolving around it chanting the Maha Tharaka Manthra "Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare; Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare". Gurudev was the first person to take the Tanpura and chant the sacred Name! The Akhanda Nama Japa Yagna started by Gurudev in both the Ashrams has been going on incessantly from last 70 years, without the lamp being turned off or the Tanpura being kept down - the only fixed deposit for both the Ashrams, in Gurudev's own words.
Though Gurudev established two Ashrams, He never had long stays anywhere, instead He opted to be the wandering Monk doing Nama Pracharanam. He conducted padayatras (journey by walk) throughout India and preached the greatness of Namasankeerthanam. He advocated equality of all human beings and selfless love.
Literary works
He authored many books and scripted and staged many dramas. Some of the dramas are
# Shankara Vijayam
# Krishnarjuna Vijayam
# Chaithanya Charitham
# Bhaktha Meera
Some of His other works include
# Ma shucha!
# Bhakthireva Gareeyasi
# Bhagavatha Dharmam
# Vyakhyana for Chaithanya Shikshashtakam
# Vyakhyana for Sreemath Bhagavath Geetha
# Vyakhyana for Srimath Bhagavatha
# Vyakhyana for Kalisantharana Upanishad
Mahaprasthanam and Samadhi
In the due course, Gurudev sensed that His stay on this world was nearing the end. He advanced towards the banks of Ganga for the Maha Prasthaanam. He was staying near the Ganga "to watch her flow and to listen to the celestial music of Her Holi waters", in His own words! One day Gurudev survived a massive heart attack which could have been fatal, as diagnosed by the doctors. Gurudev woke up from the sedation and narrated the divine vision He had soon after the heart attack. A beautiful young diving lady, clad in pure white attire, with an enchanting smile and merciful eyes appeared before Gurudev. She told Him in Her sweet kindly words: ‘I am Goddess Ganga. Abhedananda has attained Samadhi as a result of the heart attack. You are not Abhedananda now, I am occupying this body with a specific purpose. You must take the initiative to start Akhanda Nama Japa on my bank here, I want to hear the continuous chanting of Lord’s name here also. After the purpose is achieved, even I will leave this body". Gurudev instructed the devotees to call Him Abheda Maayi, and not Abhedananda! Gurudev instructed Jala Samadhi for Him and insisted that no Samadhi Mantapa or monument should be built on this regards. According to Him, the Akhanta Nama Vedi in both the Ashrams are the monuments for Him.
As per the sankalpa of Goddess Ganga and Gurudev, Akhanta Nama Japa Yagna was started at Haridwar, near the banks of Ganga under the leadership of Gurudev. An ashram was established at that space after the Mahasamadhi which is named as "Abheda Gangaa Mayya" Ashram under Abheda Gangaa Mayya trust, where the akhanda Nama Japa Yagna still continues!
Gurudev’s health started declining and was shifted to Mulchand Hospital in Delhi. On the 28th of October 1983, Gurudev experienced another massive heart attack and was shifted to ICU. The doctors managed to bring back Gurudev to normal state and He woke up very cheerful the next morning. By 4PM, Gurudev’s heart beat became irregular and He experienced difficulty in breathing. Devotees came and stood around Gurudev’s bed chanting the Maha Manthra! By 9PM His breathing became normal, but Gurudev raised His right palm towards the blessed devotees who were present there. Gurudev’s graceful and tranquil face brightened with a solemn smile. The moon like face which used to emanate heavenly grace, those divine merciful eyes, lips which sang the sweetest melodies of the Lord, hands which always used to tap the rhythm for those melodies, the Lotus feet which walked the length and breadth of Bharatha Desa preaching the Maha Manthra, all became motionless - Gurudev peacefully entered the state of Maha Samadhi on 29 October 1983! The divine body was laid in Jala Samadhi on the lap of Mother Ganga as insisted by Gurudev Himself.
Legacy
Gurudev contributed His two prominent Disciples to the Society - Swamy Prabodhananda and Swamy Bhajanaananda who took Gurudev’s mission of Namasankeerthanam to every nook and corner of the country. Abhedashramas are now headed by Swami Sugunananda as the President and Mattadhipathi.

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