Swami Chidbhavananda (11 March 1898 – 16 November 1985) was born in Senguttaipalayam near Pollachi in
Coimbatore District,
Madras Presidency, India. His parents named him 'Chinnu'. He studied in Stanes School, Coimbatore. He was one of the two Indians in his class, the rest being British. His parents wanted him to go to England after completing his degree in Presidency College, Chennai.
While making arrangements for his travel abroad, he came across a book about Swami Vivekananda's philosophy. The book had a profound impact on his mind. He started visiting Ramakrishna Math in Mylapore often and had discussions with Swamijis. Finally, he decided to become a novice and went to
Ramakrishna Mission in Belur, West Bengal. His guru was
Swami Shivananda who was a direct disciple of
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.
As per the wish and advice of Swami Sivananda, he returned to Tamil Nadu and established an Ashram near Ooty. On 14 Jan 1937, he has started a Seva Sangh in a village (Athigaratty) near Ooty and named it Kalaimagal Seva Sangam (KMSSA). In the early forties (1942), he established Sri Ramakrishna Tapovanam in Tiruparaithurai,
Tiruchi
Tiruchirappalli () ( formerly Trichinopoly in English), also called Tiruchi or Trichy, is a major tier II city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Tiruchirappalli district. The city is credited with bein ...
district. Since then, Tapovanam has established several educational institutions in Tamil Nadu and propagates the ideals of Ramakrishna and Vivekananda through religious and social activities such as book publishing.
Swami Chidbhavananda has authored more than a hundred books in Tamil and English. His books address a variety of topics, ranging from deep philosophical enquiry to contemporary social life.
He wrote many dramas based on ancient Hindu scriptures that are performed by students. He died in 1985.
C. Subramaniam, was his nephew.
Educational Institution's founded by Swami Chidbhavananda
Now under Sri Ramakrishna Tapovanam around 56 schools and colleges are running in TamilNadu.
His service started first at
Sri Ramakrishna Tapovanam Tirupparaithurai Tirchirapalli
Sri Vivekanandha Vidhyavanam High School Tirupparaithurai Tirchirapalli
Vivekananda College, Tiruvedakam Madurai, a Gurukula Institute of Life-training in 1971.
Sri Sarada Education Institutions, Salem in 1950.
Sri Sarada College for women, Thirunelveli.
Sri Sarada Samithi, Madurai.
Swamy Chidbhavananda Matric Hr. Sec School, Pollachi.
Sri Sarada Niketan College of Science for Women, Karur
Books by Swami Chidbhavananda
Swamiji delivered more than 70,000 talks on religious harmony, Hinduism. He is author of more than 130 books and compiled and edited 30 books.
The Bhagavad Gita (Translation and Commentary)
Sri Lalithambika Sahasranama Stotram (Commentary)
Siva Sahasranama Stotram (Commentary)
Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram (Commentary)
Facts of Brahman
The Indian National Education
Daily Divine Digest
Mind and Spirituality
Key to Higher Life
My Dear Students - A Counsel
The Nursery School
The Teacher
The Student
The School
Sri Krishna - The Manifest Divinity
Tirukkural (Commentary)
Hinduism Hosts Christianity
Bible in the Life of Vedanta
Reminiscences of Master Mahashaya
References
External links
Sri Ramakrishna Tapovanam WebsiteVivekananda College Website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chidbhavananda, Swami
Monks of the Ramakrishna Mission
1898 births
1985 deaths
Tamil Hindu saints
Presidency College, Chennai alumni