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In Manualaya, the land of God and sages, lies Shree Shree Ram Saranam ashram. It stands
amidst a tranquil environ of apple orchards that are laden with fruit
throughout the year.
Swami Satyanand Saraswati was born in 1918 on Shukla Purnima (full noon day) in Rawalpindi
(modern Pakistan). Before long, he lost his parents and he was
brought up by his uncle. By the time he was 17, he got the
opportunity to interact with Jain munis. Empowered with a sharp
memory and dedication, he mastered the literary tradition of Jain
philosophy. His oratory brought him name and fame. But, with the
passage of time, he decided to move on and so he entered the Arya
Samaj which preached the Vedas.
Thereafter he preached
the philosophy of ‘Ram’, the eternal sound, so that the
common man could get an attainable spiritual direction without dogmas
or ritualistic worship. Today, this sacred name besmears millions
around the world under the auspicious banner of ‘Shree Shree Ram
Saranam’ which literally means ‘taking refuge in Ram’.
Swami Satyanand Saraswati
propounds the theory of Naam Japa (reciting a name) on a
scientific line of ‘sound’ phenomenon within and outside
every human being. He looked into it more as a ‘research
scientist’ of name theosophy where the end result remains a
matter of ‘experiencing’ the bliss and living through it to
attain enlightenment. There are no rituals or dogmas. The central
theme is worshipping the name of Ram and the utterance is the method
of attainment of enlightenment.
In the doctrine of Naam
Yoga one has to install the celestial sound in one’s heart
as the ‘sound idol’. Through the process of loud and
silent chanting within it envelops the mind and body. Then it works
as a system of ‘theosophical medication’ curing ailments
caused by chaos within and restores peace and tranquility.
In the Shree Shree Ram
Saranam school of thought the importance of chanting the name of Ram
a certain number of times is not prescribed as 108 or 1001 which is
prevalent in other systems. Rahter, one may chant the name as many
times as possible even while working. And then there is the concept
of Ajapa Jaap. This is a state of mind where internally the
name continues to resound even when one is in deep sleep. Chanting
the name an unlimited number of times leads to creation of ‘sacred
space’ which throws away the ‘evil’ of the mind and
body thus purifying the soul. This is a method of ‘sound’
bathing. The sound ‘Ram’ works as a creative sonic energy
within and wipes out human weaknesses to strive for the attainment of
enlightement.
Swami Satyanand attained
parinirvana on November 13, 1960. Thereafter, a close disciple,
Premji Maharaj, a homeopath and spiritual healer, took the lead to
expand the philosophy of Naam Daan. After him, the Turst
appointed Dr. Viswamitra, a renowned ocular micro-biologist who has
22 years of service at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in
Delhi.He now resides in Manali (Himachal Pradesh).
Explaining the mysticism
of Shree Shree Ram Saranam, Swami dr. Viswamitra explained in an
exclusive interview with Discover India at Manali that there are
three primary Ss in Naam Japa: Simram – taking the name
of the Lord ceaselessly. Through this process the attributes of Lord
Rama besmear the soul. Thus Rama dwells in the heart of the devout.
The Second ‘S’
is samyam (self control) which develops ethical and moral
refinement.
And the last ‘S’
is sewa (service). This service does not mean donation of
money or offering one’s service but service to God by means of
Japa (counting the beads) and praying for others. Thus Shree Shree
Ram Saranam also propounds the theory of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
(the whole world is one family).
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