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Swami Satyasangananda Saraswati, popularly known as Swami Satsangi, was born in 1953, in the small town of Chandernagore, West Bengal, India, Although from childhood she had a completely modern education and upbringing, she opted for the traditional life of renunciation and sannyasa after she had a series of inner awakening at an early age, which led her to her guru, Swami Satyananda Saraswati. She was initiated into the Dashnami tradition of sannyasa on 6. July 1982 at Ganga Darshan, Munger.
Thereafter she traveled extensively and ceaselessly with Swami Satyananda on his tours in India and abroad, which gave her immense exposure and contributed to her development into a scholar with deep insight into the yogic and tantric traditions as well as modern sciences and philosophies. A truly inspirational teacher and gifted writer, Swami Satsangi is the author of major texts on yoga and tantra, such as Sri Vijnana Bhairava Tantra: The ascent, Karma Sannyasa, Light on the Guru and Disciple Relationship and her latest, The Descent, a commentary on Adi Guru Shankaracharya's famous poem of divine ecstasy, Sri Saundarya Lahari. One of her most acclaimed books, Tattwa Shuddhi: The Tantric Science of Inner Purification, outlines an essential practice for inner experience which she herself developed and presented. Her ability to articulate ancient teachings from yogic, tantric and vedic texts and bring these into a modern context makes Swami Satsangi an ideal teacher to transmit the wisdom of her guru's teachings.
In 1989 when her guru Swami Satyananda, ordained by an inner mandate he received in meditation, went to live in seclusion at a remote rural village in Jharkhand known as Rikhia, Swami Satyasangananda was the person who located the place he saw in his vision and negotiated the purchase of the land, which was to become the tapobhoomi of Swami Satyananda. At that time Rikhia was a poor, nondescript, unknown village in one of India's poorest states. No roads, no electricity, no phones, no shops, no traffic, no trace of the 21st century, that was the Rikhia she entered in 1989, to prepare for the arrival of her guru.
Since that time Swami Satsangi has dedicated herself to fulfilling her guru's vision of uplifting the neglected, impoverished and downtrodden villagers in the surrounding areas of the ashram, by implementing the cardinal teachings of Paramguru Swami Sivananda: Serve, Love, Give. Her tireless and unceasing efforts, which are carried out under the banner of Sivananda Math, an institution founded by Swami Satyananda in 1987 at Munger in memory of his guru, have transformed the entire area into a vibrant centre of spirituality where people throng in large numbers for spiritual solace. O January 1st 2007, she was appointed as the Peethadhishwari of Rikhiapeeth by Swami Satyananda. Presently she resides at Rikhia, the place where Swami Satyananda now lives, and is fully committed to the material and spiritual uplifting of the local community, who are the neighbors of her guru. She is also the registrar of Bihar Yoga Bharati and honorary secretary of Bihar School of Yoga.
Rikhiapeeth
Rikhiapeeth is the tapobhoomi (sadhana place) of Swami Satyananda where he continues to perform higher vedic sadhanas. A modern day gurukul, Rikhiapeeth aims to disseminate ancient spiritual knowledge as propagated by the vedic lineage of rishis in the Vedas, Upanishads and Puranas, to all regardless of caste, creed, nationality, religion and gender. Rikhiapeeth also offers householders from all walks of life the opportunity to experience ashram life and the joys of living in the spirit of renunciation, selfless service and samarpan. Summer holiday camps for children from all parts of India are also held as well as spiritual endeavors. Apart from seva, satsang and swadhyaya they are also taught the methods to attain a healthy body, peace of mind, and awareness of their higher potential. Swami Satsangi directs the activities of Sivananda Math and Sivananda Ashram from Rikhiapeeth.
Sivananda Math
Sivananda Math in Rikhia is the creation of Swami Satsangi. Sivananda Math’s activities include providing economic and social assistance to the underprivileged as well as self-employment opportunities and promoting self-sufficiency. It also conducts programs for the spiritual uplifting of all present, especially the villagers of Rikhia. Under Swami Satsangi’s direction, Sivananda Math has enjoyed continued expansion and success and now reaches over 30.000 families from 160 villages.
An important project is educating and empowering the young girls (kanyas) and boys (batuks) of Rikhia, from the most backward and underprivileged communities, who learn Sanskrit chanting, yoga, kirtan, English and computer skills, thus imbibing the spiritual culture of India as well as receiving modern education. The aim is to provide a much needed strong foundation for youth to whom the future belongs. Today, under her guidance, the kanyas and batuks play an integral role as hosts of all the activities and programs held at Rikhia, conducting themselves with confidence and self-assurance.
Sivananda Ashram
In 2004, inspired by her guru’s sankalpa to help and love his neighbors like his own self, she founded Sivananda Ashram, which cares for the deprived and largely ignored elderly and infirm so that they may live with dignity and respect. It also undertakes the upkeep and maintenance of widows, treated as outcastes in society. The ashram is also undertaking the mammoth task of feeding 2.000 children and aged people one meal every day so that in time they overcome the effects of malnutrition and inadequate food.
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