Trailanga

After the death of his father in 1647, at the age of 40, he gave up wealth and family responsibilities to his half brother Sridhar.

His mother then shared with him the fact that her father at the time of his death expressed desire to be born to her and continue his Kali sadhana for the benefit of mankind.

During that time, Sivarama lived the life of a recluse in a cottage, built by his half-brother, near a cremation ground.

After 20 years of spiritual practice (sadhana), he met his preceptor swami, Bhagirathananda Saraswati, in 1679 from the Punjab.

Bhagirathananda initiated Shivaram into monastic vows (sannyasa) and named him Swami Ganapati Saraswati in 1685.

Ganapati reportedly led a life of severe austerities and went on a pilgrimage, reaching Prayag in 1733, before finally settling in Varanasi in 1737.