Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha (Devanagari: स्वामी भूमानन्द तीर्थ; Malayalam: സ്വാമി ഭൂമാനന്ദ തീര്ത്ഥ), is an Indian Sannyasin and social reformer. He is known for his talks and discourses on Vedanta, Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads and Srimad Bhagavatam, and their practical application in daily life. He has also organized various movements to end some unlawful rituals practiced by some Hindu temples.[1]
Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal | |
| Born | May 13, 1933 |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Religious career | |
| Guru | Baba Gangadhara Paramahamsa |
Early life edit
Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha was born in 1933 in the village of Parlikad near Wadakkanchery in Thrissur district, in present-day Kerala, India. He had his early education at Parlikad and later with his two brother Sanyasins started the Vyasa College, Parlikad. During his professional life in Kolkata, he met Baba Gangadhara Paramahamsa, who later became his Guru and the association eventually led to his introduction to the world of spirituality.[2]
Activities edit
Jnaana Yajnas edit
The Jnaana Yajnas (Knowledge dissemination programs) are a major part of Tirtha's Loka-sangraha (Welfare of the World) campaign, first held in Jamshedpur in 1964, and held regularly in various parts of India, as well as in Malaysia and the U.S.A.[3][4][5][6][7][8]
Socio-cultural reforms edit
Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha has conducted various movements for abolition of certain offensive and unlawful rituals and practices that were followed by some Hindu temples. Prominent among these are the practice called Thookkam at the Elavur Puthankavu Temple in Ernakulam District, and the practice of singing obscene songs during the Bharani festival at the Kodungallur temple.[9][10][11][12][13]
The Ashram edit
Narayanashrama Tapovanam, the headquarters of Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha, is located at Venginissery village, 10 km South-West of Thrissur city. The Centres for Inner Resource Development (C.I.R.D), which are remote centres of the Ashram, are located in Delhi and Jamshedpur in India, Vienna - Virginia in the U.S.A and the Society for Inner Resources Development (S.I.R.D) is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.[14]
Foundation for Restoration of National Values edit
Tirtha was involved in establishing the Foundation for Restoration of National Values (FRNV) in June 2008 to help promote national values in Indian society.[further explanation needed] The advisory board of the FRNV includes format Indian Chief Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah, Tata Group chairman Ratan N. Tata, E Sreedharan, and N. Vittal.[15][16]
Publications, books and periodicals edit
Vicharasetu (Path of Introspection), the English monthly journal published by Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha, was started in 1968. Hindi and Malayalam versions of the Journal (Vicharasetu and Vicharasarani respectively) are also being published.[17]
Many books and CDs have been published by Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha in English, Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil and Bengali languages. Notable among them are the following.
- Brahmavidya Abhyasa (ISBN 978-81-89588-01-4)
- Quietitude of the Mind (ISBN 978-93-80695-01-3)
- Divinizing every moment (ISBN 978-81-89588-18-2)
- My Beloved Baba. (ISBN 978-93-80695-06-8)
- Essential Concepts in Bhagavad gita (ISBN 978-81-89588-08-3)
- Vedantic Way of Living. (ISBN 81-207-1666-3)
- Prabhaata Rashmih: (ISBN 978-81-89588-06-9)
- To the Householder (ISBN 978-81-89588-00-7)
- Drops of Nectar from Srimad Bhaagavatam (ISBN 978-81-89588-10-6)
- Genesis & Relevance of Temple-worship (ISBN 978-81-89588-03-8)
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Kanchi-sathya Digest, Vol 4/05, 2005 "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 April 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ My Beloved Baba (ISBN 978-93-80695-06-8) Published by Narayanashrama Tapovanam, Venginissery, Thrissur.
- ^ Nature of the mind, The Hindu, September 11, 2007 http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/11/stories/2007091159941400.htm
- ^ The human mind, Date:07/09/2006 http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/07/stories/2006090700690900.htm
- ^ Desire for liberation http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/religion/article834838.ece
- ^ Bhakti Yoga according to Bhagavad Gita http://www.thehindu.com/arts/books/article2082580.ece
- ^ Concept of controlling the mind according to Bhagavad Gita http://www.thehindu.com/arts/books/article68556.ece?css=print
- ^ Pursuit of Excellence http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/religion/article2494237.ece
- ^ Bid to revive 'Thookam' sparks off protests, The Hindu, April 1, 2004 http://www.hindu.com/2004/04/01/stories/2004040104810500.htm
- ^ Protest mounting against Elavoor 'Thookkam', The Hindu, April 4, 2004, http://www.hindu.com/2004/04/12/stories/2004041202720500.htm
- ^ Tension at Elavoor following ban on Thookkam, The Hindu, April 23, 2004 http://www.hindu.com/2004/04/23/stories/2004042305030700.htm
- ^ Seer to protest temple ritual, The Hindu, April 5, 2004, http://www.hindu.com/2004/04/05/stories/2004040508590400.htm
- ^ Talk Dirty to the Deity, www.venumenon.com http://www.venumenon.com/articles/article_page.asp?artid=12&catid=3
- ^ Narayanashrama Tapovanam www.india9.com http://www.india9.com/i9show/Narayanashrama-Tapovanam-62410.htm
- ^ People Behind the Movement http://home.valuefoundation.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45&Itemid=54
- ^ Spiritual discourse for Metro staff, Date:11/11/2004 http://www.thehindu.com/2004/11/11/stories/2004111111480400.htm
- ^ Kanchi-sathya Digest, Vol 4/05, 2005 "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 April 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
External links edit
