Swami Bhaskarananda Saraswati

Swami Bhaskarananda Saraswati Biography

Swami Bhaskarananda Saraswati was a spiritual leader and Hindu Saint who lived in Varanasi during the period, 1833–1899. He was a Sanskrit and Vedic scholar, before he turned a Sanyasi. He was an advisor counsel to Kashi Naresh (Maharaja of Kingdom of Kashi). He settled in Anandabag near the Durga Mandir, in 1868. In Mark Twain's non-fiction travelogue Following the Equator (1897), there is mention about Swami. American explorer couple, Fanny Bullock Workman and William Hunter Workman has also met him during their travel to India.

His birth name was Matiram Misra, and he was born in 1833. He belonged to a Brahmin family in Kanpur district, Uttar Pradesh. As traditions prevailed then, he got married in his early teens at the age of 12. During his age 8-17, he learnt Sanskrit, and he was a brilliant student in his studies. At the age of 18, he became a father. Soon after he felt freed from any further social obligations, and left the house without telling anyone. He reached Ujjain, where he built a Siva temple. He continued his Vedantic studies and also started practicing yoga at that time.

He was so much interested in Vedanta philosophy that he extensively travelled across India to acquire knowledge in this matter. He also learnt Vedanta from different gurus at different places. He was initiated to Sanyasa by Paramahamsa Swami Purnananda Saraswati of Ujjain, when he was 27. He also took the name, Swami Bhaskarananda Saraswati. He travelled across India for the next 35 years, and also performed meditation and tapas. He finally settled in Varanasi and became popular among masses for his healing power. He passed away in 1899. Today, his samadhi shrine is situated at Durga Kunda.

Published: July 18, 2018

Updated: July 18, 2018