2022-12-29 Thu

On September 24, 1916, in Mangalore, Swami Chidananada—then known as Sridhar Rao—was born into a devout family. He later entered Sannyasa. Since childhood, Sridhar Rao has been the epitome of all-encompassing love, compassion, generosity, and service to the ill and impoverished, and doing Tapas in exchange for seeing the Lord has come to represent him.

His early dream was to serve the lepers. On his expansive lawns, he would construct cottages for them and take care of them. He was greatly affected to observe so many lepers in the Sivananda Ashram neighbourhood in Rishikesh, leading miserable lives. In those days, lepers were not allowed in hospitals. The compassionate Swamiji found it all to be quite upsetting, so he began paying close attention to their well-being and personally delivering fruits and medications to their huts.

Despite being a well-known spiritual teacher, Sri Swamiji, a model of unmatched simplicity and humility, lived his whole life as a humble monk and saw himself as God's servant.

Department of Posts issued a stamp on Chidananda Saraswati and Indian Yogi and President of Divine Life Society in Rishikesh.

Image Courtesy: stampsofindia.com