Swami Sharnanandji
- 1974) Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, India, was a modern-day Indian saint and the founder of Manav Sewa Sangh, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the spiritual development of the seekers.
[2] Swami Sharnanandji's clarion call to the humankind can be summarized into three exhortations —1) Serve the world; 2) Discover Thyself; and 3) Love the Divine.
After loss of his eyesight the young boy renounced the world and became a Sann'yasi at the age of 19 in pursuit to attain a state of happiness which is free from all sorrows.
The young monk gave up all dependence upon objects and companions, and he began observing the strict discipline of Sann’yasa, and started living by relying solely on the mercy of God.
He eschewed giving his name on his books, for he believed that it was not right to claim ‘individual’ credit for the ‘universal’ wisdom and did not want to confine the Voice of Truth to a particular ‘name and form.’ He taught that there is really nothing that is ‘personal’ in life.
All his books bear the byline: ‘the founder-saint of Manav Seva Sangh.’ As an ideal saint surrendered to the Supreme, he favored to proclaim and celebrate the Glory of the Lord alone.
The total available corpus of his written and recorded legacy consists of some 100 discourses spanning about 50 hours and about 40 books in the Hindi language.
The central theme of Swamiji's teachings revolves around one key question: How to seek the [spiritual] welfare of the individual and create an elegant society?
In Swamiji's view, one can transform one's moral character by restraint of senses, selfless service, contemplation of God, and search for Truth.
Swamiji gave the following advice to an aspirant ‘The day you will understand that the world is not made for you, but you are made for the world—the very same day the picture of [your] life will change.’ Elsewhere he explains that compassion and freedom from jealousy are the harbingers of peace in the world: ‘Become at once happy to see one who is happier than you; and be compassionate towards the unhappy—this is the master key for fostering the world-peace.’ Swami Sharnanandji established Manav Seva Sangh in 1952 so that through its medium, for centuries to come, humanity's needs regarding knowledge, faith, and action may be served.
The need for establishing this organization was felt due to the fact that Swamiji did not want to publish, under his personal name, the universal system of thought that he developed in response to his internal struggle.
After Swamiji, his foremost disciple, Param-Vidu i Divya Jyoti Devaki ji took care of the administration of the Manav Seva Sangh.
Manav Seva Sangh is based on the 11 fundamental principles of Humanity & Prayer[6] » Introspection, i.e., to see one’s own flaws in light of the received conscience.
» Making the body hard-working, the mind restrained, the intellect conscientious, the heart loving, and the ego pride-less to beautify oneself.
In addition, Swamiji dictated several of his books in the form of philosophical essays to his foremost disciple, Param-Vidu i Devaki ji, who, in her pre-sann’yasa days, was an eminent professor of psychology.
A complete list of Sharnanandji Maharaj's books[13] is given below: (in alphabetical order) In addition "Ek Mahatma Ka Prasad" published by Gita Press is attributed to Swamijis discourses.
