Pujyasri Swami Omkarananda Mahaswamigal attained maha Samadhi on May 10 at 5.40 pm in Madurai. We offer our humble tributes at his lotus feet.
Sri Swami Omkarananda is an outstanding teacher of Vedanta known for his eloquence in Tamil and Sanskrit. The unique greatness of Swamiji is that his whole life has been in Veda marga.
- Born in a family steeped in Vedic culture to BrahmaSri Vaidyanatha Ghanapathigal & Alamely Ammal on 17th of January 1956 as “Goshteshwara Sharma” (@ Manoharan)
- After His Upanayana samskara at 11, He studied Veda purva and prayoga at an early age under Sri Manakkal Mahalinga Ghanapathigal, a 90 year old Vedic scholar of great reputation who had taught the Vedas to as many as 1000 vedic students and continued his study of Veda under Ananta Padmanabha Shrowti (alias Rajamani Shrowtigal).
- He became adept with temple functioning (i.e. Agama sasthras), having accompanied His father while rendering the daily chanting of Vedas in the ancient Sri Patteeswarar temple, Perur.
- He took Sanyasa from Pujyasri Swami Chidbhavananda, founder of Sri Ramakrishna Tapovanam, Tiruparayaturai, studied Advaita Siddhanta thoroughly for a span of eight years under his Jnana Guru Pujyasri Swami Paramarthananda, a disciple of Pujyasri Swami Dayananda Saraswati.
- His in-depth knowledge of Vedapurvabhaga & Vedanta, including a wide range of smritis, and the most traditional yet lucid explanations coupled with latest examples, on the harmony of the Veda purvabhaga & the Vedanta along with worship, resolving apparent contradictions.
- His versatility in nook and corner of all the four Vedas and His knowledge of Upavedas
- His wide knowledge of various siddhantas & the courage of conviction in Advaita siddhanta
- His extra-ordinary grasp, memory, and ingenuity in Samskrit & in memorizing any text,
- His reverberating chantings and namavalis,
- His ability to quote by-heart very aptly, presenting the unified purport of texts across Tamil & Samskrit languages, by cross-referring Tayumanavar song for an Upanishad Mantra, Tirukkural for Gita & so on…
- His sharp intellect in understanding & application of modern technology,
- His prompt and perfect communication,
- His quick sense of humour to keep the interest of the listeners,
His ability to present even the most intricate topics of Vedanta in an easily understandable manner has won him a large following of rural masses and the urban elite. Young and old, rich and poor, unlettered and well-read approach him for guidance. Sri Swamiji has widely travelled across the globe and conducted Vedantic discourses.
Swamiji also taught Dharma sastra, Yoga sastra, Upasana sastras, Vyakarna sastras and led by example following all the traditional practices that He preached.
With his urge to serve Bharatiya Sanatana Dharma and with an overflowing compassion to share his knowledge, Sri Swamiji founded Sri Swami Chidbhavananda Ashram at Vedapuri, Theni run by Vedanta Sasthra Prachara Trust. The ashram overlooking the scenic Mulai Periyaru today, provides a very conducive environment for spiritual education equipped with Veda Patashala, Auditorium, Global classroom to conduct Vedanta classes, Library, Prayer hall with trikala puja, Yajnashala, Goshala, contemporary stay facilities with sumptuous meals for many spiritual retreaters as well as some residential students.
Sri Swamiji heads Dharma Rakshana Samiti and Sri Mahalinga Swami Seva Trust, founded by Pujyasri Dayanand Saraswati Swamiji. Sri Swamiji has succeeded Sadguru Santananda Swamigal of Sri Bhuvaneshwari Avadhuta Vidya Pitham, Pudukkottai in 2005. Several social and spiritual services are taking place at Pudukkottai under the divine guidance of Sri Swamiji through religious & charitable Trusts. At Pudukkottai, Sri Bhuvaneshwari Vidya Bhavan, a free school for poor and needy children was started in 2009 & is run by Sri Swamiji. Theni and Pudukkottai temples are important Shiva and Shakti stalams.
Sri Swamiji is an authority on Thirukkural and founded “Ullantorum Valluvam”, an organization dedicated to teaching the essence of the Vedas, as treasures of Thiruvalluvar. Eminent people are trustees in this Foundation.
For over three decades, Sri Swamiji has been actively engaged in taking the message of ethical values & Absolute reality across the globe. His discourses are webcast live daily. Every day, the voice of Swamiji on Srimad Bhagavatam/ Srimad Bhagavad Gita & Thirukural, titled ‘Karpavai Karpom’, & ‘Ullantorum Valluvam’ in Tamil reaches about 20,000 inspired students worldwide & to many more groups in turn. Monthly magazines ‘Vedaneri’ & ‘Bhuvaneshwari Vijayam’ serve as excellent study material for several aspirants.
He won the hearts & been recipient of the blessings of the Sri Sankaracharyas of Sri Sringeri Sarada Pitham and Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt. Also, many Ashrams, Swamis and devotees take Sri Swamiji’s guidance on matters relating to Vedic rituals, Agama sasthras and various other spiritual activities. He was a great admirer of arts, be it music, sculpture or any other art form.
Sri Swamiji, in short, was an epitome of all scriptural knowledge and the most approachable Acharya, in the Vedaneri, leading many in the Vedaneri.
