Swami Nigamananda

PARAMAHANSA SHREE-MAD SWAMI NIGAMANANDA SARASWATI DEVA (Swami Nigamananda) who had to sacrifice the heavenly pleasures of Nirbikalpa Samadhi and come down to this mundane world of ours with the supreme responsibility of Gurudom. Being a sadguru, Swami Nigamananda, by dint of his godly being laid the foundation for developing equal regard for all faiths and followings in the world of religion.
Life
Swami Nigamananda was born in a Brahmin family as ‘’Nalinikanta’’ on 19.08.1880 (Thursday) at Kutabpur, Nadia Dist. of undivided Bengal (now in Bangladesh). During his young hood he lost his beloved mother, Manikya Sundari Devi. It was very much shocking to him. He searched for his mother and prayed God to return her. On seeing God’s non-response he became an atheist.
In order to divert the child from his naughty habits, his father contemplated of sending him to a village school. Thus ‘’Nalinikanta’’ was admitted in the village primary school. The force of energy that made his childish mind very active in other directions, when once applied to practice of learning, made him to accomplish all the primary lessons within a short space of time. (collected from the book "Shree Shree Thakur Nigamananda", written by Shri Durgacharan Mohanty)
Mother's expiry was very much shocking to him. Seeing his depressed mood his landlord father Bhuban Mohan Bhattacharya married him with a beautiful and virtuous thirteen years old girl namely ‘’Sudhansubala’’ in the year 1898. After about five years of married life, he lost his most beloved wife. It was a terrible shock to him. Through occult science he tried to get back his wife, but in vain.
Lack of financial assistance led him to give up all this hopes for higher study. However, as a short cut to avocation, he took up a professional course of Overseer. Thus a brief period passed and subsequently he was appointed as an overseer in the district board of Dinajpur.
;Sadhana(Asceticism) life
Once at night suddenly a Sadhu (ascetic) appeared before him, gave him a mantra (devotional incantation) and vanished. Nalinikanta asked many to understand the meaning of the mantra, at last he met Bamakhepa of Tara Pitha, Birbhum dist. Bengal, the famous tantrik (ritualistic propitiator of Gods and Goddesses). Became his disciple and did tantra sadhana of that Mantra. Under his Guru’s (spiritual master) guidance he had physical darshan (appearance) of Maa Tara Devi (God in woman form). This darshan led him to another mystery. He saw Tara Devi coming out of his body and again mingling with him. To solve this mystery he was directed by Bamakhepa to Gyan Sadhana.
'Swami Satchidanand Saraswati Dev of Pushkar,Rajastan accepted him as his disciple. Swami Nigamananda learned all the theories of Brahma (god as the formless one) but could not get practical realisation for this end. Satchidananda Swami directed him to do yoga sadhana. Yogi Udasinacharya, Shri Sumerudasji of Assam accepted him as disciple. Under his able guidance he had supreme realisation, the Nirvikalpa Samadhi (the most advanced state of Yogic samadhis). In this state suddenly a conviction grew in him that “ I am the Guru ” . With this conviction he came back into physical body which he had renounced a few minutes before. Rarely yogis come back from Nirvikalpa Samadhi. Those who come back are the one specially sent back by god for definite purposes. In this case to become guru(spiritual master) of every body for self-realisation. He had god realized as the omni-existent one, in the formless form, but could not solve, how this physical world seen to the eye is god. So he went to Gauri Devi ( a great siddhayogini). She accepted him as a disciple and taught him Bhakti or Prem(eternal nature of divine love play). Swami Nigamananda saw this physical world as the transformation of god in Bhava Sadhana (practices in divine love mode). At this stage he continued to look at every thing as a seer, remaining unattached, then onwards. After Bhava or Prema Siddhi, He realised himself as the Complete One.
;Honor of Paramahansa title
Parmahansa Title Conferred - When he attained the cherished objective of his life and was enlightened by the divine light. Then Nigamananda went to Allahabad to see Kumbha Mela and gathered the information that his master Sachidandand had come to the place and was putting up with the Sankaracharya of Sringeri Math. He, became anxious to see his guru. On arriving at the camp of Sankaracharya, he found that the Mahanta Maharaj of Sringeri Math had been seated on an elevated throne, constructed for this purpose and other Sadhus numbering about 125 being found sitting at the base. Among the Sadhus he could see his Guru Sachidanand Saraswati whom he went to give his respect first and then to Mahanta Maharaj and others which was contrary to the principles observed there. The assemblies of Sadhus were not satisfied with this sort of behavior on the part of the young Sanyasi(Nigamananda). The accepted principle was that Sankaracharya was to be offered respect first being the institutional head of sect and being considered as the Jagad Guru. Nigamananda was asked to explain the reason for not honoring the accepted code of conduct to which he answered in a rational manner. In support of his argument he quoted the scriptures.
“MANNATH SHRI JAGANNATH MADGURU SHRI JAGATGURU, MADATMA SARBABHUTAMA TASHMAI SHRI GURUBE NAMAHA”.
He proved that on the basis of the Vedanta philosophy there was no difference between Shri Sachidanand Saraswati and Shri Jagadguru Shankarcharya. The rational judgment of Shri Nigamananda was appreciated by the Jagadguru and in approbation of his wisdom, Jagadguru endorsed his opinion in his favour. He was thus honored with the title of Paramahansa. (Collected from the book "Shree Shree Thakur Nigamananda", written by Shri Durgacharan Mohanty)
;Maha Samadhi
Last 14 years of His life had taken a sort of retirement from His immense work and led a good life at Puri (Odisa). On 29.11.1935. He renunciation His physical body at Calcutta, but continues to exist. To quote His own word: I have to renounce this body but will continue to remain Guru as ever for I am not liberated till you are not liberated.
Teachings
;Guru and Istha are one
His core teaching is istha(ther personal god) and guru(the supreme preceptor) are one and the same and to conceive this idea it requires a great deal of retrospection. In place of Istha one can place his own Guru for concentration.
;Sankar's view through Gourang Dev's way
Swami Nigamananda said repeatedly I have come to propagate Shankar’s view through Gouranga Dev’s ways (Sankar's Matta and Gouranga's Patha). He came back from Niribikalpa Samadhi as guru. So it is clearly understood after Shankar it is Swami Nigamananda in guru tradition
;Upadesh (Vani)
My Dear Children !
March onto the kingdom of bliss, shedding all fears and anxieties into the dustbin. You may very often get entangled with the whirlpool of worldly events for which you need not be afraid of. A day will come for you when you will get unbounded joy and bliss for the eternity to come. Your life will be a life of joy then”.
Ideals
Swami Nigamananda’s deliberation on the ‘formation of an ideal house-hold life’ gave us systematic idea pertaining to the way he should be worshipped. He taught us 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 an ‘ideal house-hold life’ should be regulated under his direction.
The following three ideals laid by Swami Nigamananda for under Sangha (Nilachala Saraswata Sangha)
* Leading an Ideal family life
* Establishment of combined power
* Sharing of feelings
All members of one family will unit before Swami Nigamananda and pray with one mind and one soul as an ideal family. Same ideal families or members of such families will unit at sangha and all such sanghas will unit at Sammilanni, share their feelings and experiences once a year of leading a life with Swami Nigamananda and gaining strength from each other another year of life.
Works
;Founder of Saraswata Matha and Nilachala Saraswata Sangha
As desired by god he came down to the society for discharging the duties of guru. For this end he established Saraswata Matha with three ideals as, to propagate Sanatana Dharma (Spreading eternal religion), spreading true education and serve everybody as god incarnate. He took a plot of land of Jorhat in Sibsagar district and founded an ashram there on Akshya Tritiya,in the month of Baishakha in 1912.This was called “Shanti Ashram” which went by the name of Assam-Bengal Saraswata Matha in the later years.
The day 24th August 1934,fullmoon day (Sravan Purnima)Friday, Nilachala Saraswata Sangha(NSS) was established by Swami Nigamananda himself at Puri. The people coming on the quest of truth and knowledge could immediately discern the divine quality in him. He advised these people to form a divine circle among them. As per his wishes some devotees started an association for religious talk and thus Nilachala Saraswata Sangha(the Sangha) came into existence by the gradual growth of the group discussion and prayer, with three ideals as leading an Ideal family life, establishment of combined power and sharing of feelings.
;Founder of Bhakta Sammilani
Swami Nigamananda had introduced among his disciples and devotees an annual function which is called Bhakta Sammilani where all can congregate, for the purpose of carrying his teachings forward, in there important objectives viz. Reformation of household life, founding of spiritual institutions (sangha shakti) and exchange of ideas and thoughts among the brother disciples. During his life, he had attended a number of institutions to his followers, he had left behind some clear out principles to remember him in the best ways we can which has to our benefit. The annual congregation (sammilani) was very dear to his heart and all the devotees had realized his pleasure in meeting the disciples there. He stated: My devotees are fully aware that I am pleased to see them congregated in this Sammilani, once in a year during the X-mas. Such gathering would bring fame to the Maths and it would also do good to the world at large. (Collected from Book "Shree Shree Thakur Nigamananda, written by Shri Durgacharan Mohanty)
Swami Nigamananda established Guru brahma Ashrams at six places. People from any faith can come here and pray god in his own way. He established many Ashrams and made thousands of disciples.
Writings
;Saraswata Granthabali an Arya Darpan (spiritual books and periodicals)
Saraswata Granthabali and Arya Darpan were his contributions to the seekers of truth. A religious monthly journla called Arya Darpan has been edited and published by him. Soon after he wrote and published the 5 books viz. Bramhacharya Sadhana, Yogi Guru, Gyani Guru, Tantrika Guru and Premika Guru. These books will solve the spiritual problem of any faith follower on the earth and if practiced carefully will lead a man to definite success in spiritual pursuit.
Conclusion
From the desk of His disciple: Shri Durga Charan Mohanty: He has obtained Siddhi (perfection) in four different Sadhanas, like Tantra, Gyan, Yoga and Prema. After churning the sea of Sadhana and delving deep into various scriptures, He had extracted nectar from it, which He presented to the world in the form of five books, namely, BRAHAMCHARYA SADHANA, YOGI GURU, GYANI GURU, TANTRIKA GURU and PREMIKA GURU. These books have been presented to and accepted by the British Museum as rare gems of information on Hindu religion. The Secretary of this august institution had offered rich tributes to the author for His endeavours. The seeker of any faith will stand to benefit from them. The principles laid down in these books, if practiced carefully, will lead a man to definite success in spiritual pursuit
Books
* BRAHAMACHARYA SADHANA written by Swami Nigamananda in Bengali,Odiya
* YOGI GURU written by Swami Nigamananda in Bengali,Odiya
* GYANI GURU written by Swami Nigamananda in Bengali,Odiya
* TANTRIKA GURU written by Swami Nigamananda in Bengali,Odiya
* PREMIKA GURU written by Swami Nigamananda in Bengali,Odiya

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