PARAMAHAMSA MADHAVADAS MAHARAJ

PARAMAHAMSA MADHAVADAS MAHARAJ

PARAMAHAMSA MADHAVADAS MAHARAJ (1798 - 1921) born in Bengal, was initiated as a Sadhu (monk) and entered the order of Vaishnavism. His thirst for knowledge of Yoga practice pushed him to travel all over India on foot in search of different yogic experts for nearly 35 years. He achieved a very great success. Attaining a great mastery over practical Yoga. He then retired in solitude in the caves of the Himalayas for further spiritual progress. He spent a full 12 years there in solitude. In 1869, he joined up with a large Sadhu community (hermits) who elected him as their leader at Vrindavan in 1881. Thereby representing the four major schools of philosophy Bhakti, Advaïta, Vishishtha Advaïta Vedanta and Dvaïta Vedanta. At the age of 80 he finally settled down on the banks of the sacred Narmada river in the state of Gujarat. It is here that he began to teach the secrets of practical yoga to a few selected and deserving disciples. He held extensive knowledge of sacred and secret practices yet the objective closest to his heart was the spiritual uplifting of the masses. In 1909 he organized an All India Sadhu meeting to modernize the order of hermits.

Towards the end of his life crowds of people sought contact with him. It was he who, thanks to his open-minded attitude, lay the foundation for further study and investigation of Yoga culture. The modern revival of practical Yoga truly owes its inspiration to him.

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India in the times of Patanjali

The temple of Malsar on the banks of Narmada River