Preface Sri Gurudev is eternally pure, formless, reflection less and all pervading divine entity. He is the condensed manifestation of Sad (Truth)-chid (Knowledge) - Ananda (Bliss) . We pray parambrahma Sri Gurudev who is supremely kind and ushers in the knowledge of self. It is because of His benign blessing that this book, Sadguru Swami Nigamananda, a short biography, could be published by the Nilachala Saraswata Sangha, Puri, to be utilised in His grand design of bringing welfare to the human race. We felt the need of such a book long since. Its publication gives us immense pleasure. Through each one Poojya Gurudev sings a different note and yet, conducts everyone to merge and produce a harmonious and melodious symphony of eternal serenity and bliss. It is my humble hope that this book must go a long way to give service and divine pleasure to the people of the entire world.
The aim of this book is to present to the public in English a short but comprehensive chronological account of the life and philosophy of Sadguru Nigamanandadev. Great are the difficulties of faithfully delineating the life-history of any famous personage. These are almost insurmountable when the subject of the biography happens to be of such a great sage as Sadguru Nigamanandadev who is popular among his devotees as Sri Sri Thakur . It is impossible to present His life that will be universally satisfying, yet no one by advice and actions satisfied so many as He. We are so accustomed to gauging everything by our pet standards that anything that does not measure upto them is summarily disposed of as fantastic or impossible. A biographer must content himself with adhering to truth and presentation of actual facts leaving to the reader to form his own opinion of the Master.
Introduction When one writes about a great man or an illustrious godman or a prominent saint, it becomes necessary to throw some light on the period in which he is born, the condition of the country of his birth and the social situation prevailing at the time. Swami Nigamananda, whose earlier name was Nalinikanta Chattopadhyay was born in a village of undivided Bengal in India, at a time when the country was on the threshold of fundamental changes. The effects of Western education were then quite visible in all parts of the country. The impact of the materialistic West on Indian culture and social life was slowly creeping in. The new class of the educated people was gradually moving away from the traditional ways of life and the glorious legacy of the ancient culture of the country animated by love, sacrifice and selfless service. They were eagerly embracing Western culture and its individualistic style of living. There was also a gradual decline in the moral and spiritual values in the sphere of social life. Social changes brought about by the new system of education and the political resistance brewing against British rule in India touched every aspect of national life. The established social solidarity among the various classes and castes of people, the religious harmony and the moral order of society came under heavy pressure due to the above factors. The interior rural areas of the country were not spared from the social change and political upheavals taking place in the country and the impact of the Western education and foreign culture.
The second half of the nineteenth century witnessed several changes in the socio-economic and political life of India. Queen Victoria had taken over the administration of India from the East India Company after the historic Sepoy Mutiny in the year 1857 A.D. also known as the first uprising of the Indian people against British rule.
Book's Contents and Sample Pages
