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HIS DIVINITY Vedadarshanacharya
Mahamandaleshwar Sri SwamiGangeshwarananda, the most celebrated exponent of Vedas
and Vedic rituals and the recognized All-India Leader and founder
of the G. Gangesh Chaturved Samsthan and G. G. International
Ved Mission, in Bombay, who at the age of over 95 years visited
the Omkarananda Ashram in Winterthur for Ved Pratishtha, was
particularly delighted with the unbelievable activities of this
unique Ashram, with the most holy atmosphere of its Temples and
with the high quality of performance and purity of the young
Sannyasis. Here are some extracts of his Tribute to Swamiji and
his spiritual community:
... Ved Mata Gayatri drew us
here to breathe the intoxicating Vedic atmosphere and to feel
the divine touch of various mantras. I have visited a number
of Ashrams and Mandirs in India and abroad, but never have experienced
such a deep spiritual happiness combined with purity and simplicity.
Bhagavan Veda has chosen the
most beautiful seat, where, in the constant flow of Vedic mantras,
Omkar Anand is reflected. Our young teenager sister reciting
Shree Suktas, Purush Suktas and Rudradhyaya mantras fluently
in perfect original Sanskrit accents is indeed remarkable and
highly creditable."
In his recorded speech at our
Temple (which was simultaneously translated to our Ashramites
by
S. Krishnamurti), he exclaimed with great joy:
I never had such an experience
as I had here in Omkarananda Ashram, where I heard the children
reciting the Vedas. In India even the top class Brahmins cannot
pronounce it so well, and here the children did it. I had one
worry that I must spread this Veda Bhagavan, the book everywhere.
Now Swami Omkaranandaji has removed that worry, I am free of
worry."
Sri Krishnashanker Shastri,
the Founder and Trustee of both Sri Bhagawat Vidyapeeth and Sri
Vallabha Nidhi, and the Editor of Janakalyan from Ahmedabad,
India, visited Omkarananda
International Ashram. Here below we give excerpts of his Divine
Flowers" laid at the Lotus-feet of Swamiji and his devotees:
I had longed to see the Ashram,
having read about it in books, and having heard from the renowned
scholar of superhuman intelligence, the eminent and profound
Philosopher, Shri Badrinath Shastri of Baroda, about its Founder-President,
Sri Swami Omkaranandaji Tapasvi, ascetic, highly intelligent,
attached to the Lotus Feet of Mother Maha Tripurasundari a pure-hearted
Yogi whose fame has spread far and wide....
Moved by the divine Power, I
happened to travel to Switzerland to this holy and unique place,
the Ashram, during the special Puja celebration of Shri Mother
Tripurasundari and Nava Durga. A heavenly grove! I have no word
to speak or write but I cannot help saying that this Tapovana
is nothing but the everflowing Waters of the holy river Ganges,
or a hermitage made supremely divine by constant chanting of
the holy Mantras and by penance a blissful state of Liberation
(Nirvruti-Ananda)!
Instead of making the futile
attempt of describing it in words, it would be more proper to
have a bath in this holy water. When I beheld the Swamiji, I
felt that I saw the Incarnation of Muni Bharadwaja, who continuously
offered Ahutis at four altars and practised Mantras, Tantras,
the mystic rites and philosophies. Administering the institution,
discoursing, and guiding for twenty-four hours a day, with an
ever-smiling face for all residents and visitors, remaining in
the state of detachment, blissful, happy, and like the ever-glittering
sun, one who has transcended the ego, Swamiji also advises like
a close relative and benefactor, like a Divine Father and Divine
Mother to all those who come in contact with him. He is proficient
in whatever work is being undertaken, and is always wishing the
good and welfare of all humanity. Irealised the presence of Mahayogi
King Pruthu in humility, Vachaspati in morals, Bhagirath in industry,
Jaimini in preaching, innocent like a child, an orator like Vasishta,
like Kubera in charity, Dhruva in devotion and Prahlaad in the
constant chanting of the holy Names of Divine Mother.
The Ashram is as great as the
greatness of Swami Omkarananda. The Ashram is like a huge hermitage,
full of devotees, who are spreading culture, spiritual ideals,
faith, and all the highest values of character; and induces in
visitors tranquillity, divinity, bliss and joy. What is more,
the place bestows honour upon everyone; and all the aspirants
seem to be the living angels of the earth, and the living souls
of our most revered Swamiji."
His Holiness Sri Swami Shivapremanandaji,
a direct disciple of the Sage Sri Swami Sivananda, who has his
own Ashram in Argentina, commented in a letter to Swami Omkarananda
about his impressions during his recent visit in his Guru-Bhai's
Himalayan Ashram:
This whole day I have experienced
the immense joy of being in the company of the five blessed Devaganas,
devoted disciples of Yours, who have made this Omkarananda Ashram
such an inspiring abode of selfless service and abiding peace...
They have turned their devotion for their Guru
into marvellous institutions of social and spiritual service,
of which this ancient land is in so much need and which you can
really be proud of... To be with ... <them> is like being
enveloped in the highest form of love and devotion that one should
have for their Guru. Your spiritual presence is, of course, constantly
here, in every building and in all the work done..."
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