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Swamiji is awarded top Hindu honour
In February Swamiji led a group of 60 Shiva Yogis from Melbourne, Australia to India. The group spent two weeks in Ganeshpuri in the ecstatic environs of Bhagawan Nityananda’s shrine and Baba Muktananda’s ashram. Thirty of the group then travelled to Kankhal, Haridwar where they had been invited by their friend Swami Aparoxananda. The main purpose of the visit was the inauguration of Swami Shankarananda as a Mahant, which means ‘spiritual leader’ (from the sanskrit ‘maha’ = ‘great’) by Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Rasanandaji Maharaj. The title was given in recognition of Swamiji’s spiritual attainment. Swamiji became a Mahant in the Pancha Agni Akhada, one of the six Akhadas of the ancient ascetic sects of Shaivism. He is now officially known as “Mahant 1008 Swami Shankarananda Saraswati of the Pancha Agni Akhada” but he says, “Swamiji will still work!”
The ceremony took place at the beautiful Aadya Shakti Mahakali Ashram built on the banks of the Ganges by Maha Devi (known also as Madam) for her Guru Swami Rasanandaji Maharaj. At midday, 18 Mahamandaleshwars, Mahants and other sadhus gathered in the main room of the ashram and sat on a long bench along one side of the wall, inviting Swamiji to sit with them.
The official moment of investiture came as Swamiji was given a shawl and garlanded by Swami Rasanandaji Maharaj. Each of the Mahants and Mahamandaleshwars then wrapped a shawl around Swamiji and garlanded him and our party did likewise.
Speeches were then given by many of those present including our own Ma Devi and Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vishveshwaranandaji Maharaj (the successor of Sri Swami Brahmananda, who gave Swamiji sannyas). Swami Vishveshwaranandaji is a long-time friend of Swamiji’s who has visited Australia and spoken at the Shiva Ashram. He praised Swamiji as an “international sannyasin” telling everyone, “he has a big beautiful ashram and many devotees”. He then turned to Swamiji and said, “You do your work and we give you our blessing to do this”.
Swamiji then spoke and said, “Without knowledge of the Self life is dry. India is the Mother and India possesses the secret of this truth. And, of all the secrets, the greatest of them is the Mahatmas – the Great Beings. It is one thing to have teachings but another to see them embodied in all the Great Beings here today.” The talk was very well received by the assembled crowd.
After Swamiji spoke the official certificate was signed and Madam Maha Devi invited all to the feast. By the end of the day talks had begun to bring Swamiji back to the 2010 Kumbh Mela in order for him to become a Mahamandaleshwar.
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