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Jainism Portal v t e

A Bhaṭṭāraka (Jain Prakrit: भट्टारक "holy one") heads traditional Digambara Jain institutions. he is responsible for training scholars, maintenance of libraries, managing endowments, presiding over installation ceremonies and running Jain institutions.^[1]

Overview[link]

The term bhaṭṭāraka was used for Acharya Virasena, Acharya Bhadrabahu and other notables. It was in the past used for leaders of religious orders in Shaivism, Buddhism and other groups, but currently it is applied to heads of Digambara Jain institutions. Unlike a Digambara monk, a bhaṭṭāraka wears an orange robe, stays in a single place and is involved in management of assets of the institution.

The role of a bhaṭṭāraka is described by Brahm Gyansagar, a disciple of Bhaṭṭāraka Shribhushana of Kashtha Sangh Nanditat Gaccha in seventeenth century of the Vikram era:^[2]

Jain Prakrit: भट्टारक सोहि जाण भ्रष्टाचर निवारे, धर्म प्रकाशे दोइ भविक जीव बहु तारे
सकल शस्त्र संपूर्ण सूरिमंत्र आराधे, करे गच्छ उद्धार स्वात्मकार्य बहु साधे
सौम्यमूर्ति शोभाकरण क्षमाधरण गंभीरमति, भट्टारक सोहि जाणिये कहत ज्ञानसागर यति

Bhaṭṭāraka sōhi jāṇa bhraṣṭācara nivārē, dharma prakāśē dōi bhavika jīva bahu tārē| Sakala śastra sampūrṇa sūrimantra ārādhē, karē gaccha uddhāra svātmakārya bahu sādhē| Saumyamūrti śōbhākaraṇa kṣamādharaṇa gambhīramati, bhaṭṭāraka sōhi jāṇiyē kahata jñānasāgara yati.

"Thus a bhaṭṭāraka illuminates both dharmas, is an expert in all scriptures, has the authority to recite the suri-mantra (to consecrate an image). He is also responsible for preserving the order. He is the head of the six limbs of the sangha: shravaka, shravika, pandita (brahma), muni (vrati), aryika and Bhattaraka."

Present Bhattaraka Seats[link]

Once bhaṭṭārakas were common all over India,^[3] but currently, they are present only in South India. Famous bhaṭṭāraka seats include:

Karnataka[link]

• Humbaj, seat of Balatkara Gana, Sarasvati Order. The bhaṭṭāraka is named Devendrakirti. This is the original seat of the order which once had branches all north India from Idar in Gujarat to Shikharji in Jharkhand.
• Shravanabelagola, seat of the Desiya Gana, Pustaka Order. The bhaṭṭāraka is named Charukirti. This is where the Siddhanta Granthas were once preserved in the library, before they were moved to Mudabidri.
• Moodabidri, also a seat of the Desiya Gana, Pustaka Order. The bhaṭṭāraka is named Charukirti. The original manuscripts of the Siddhanta Granthas like Dhavala are preserved here.
• Narasimharajapura
• Karkala
• Kanakagiri Jain Matha
• Amminabhavi
• Kambadahalli
• Sonda Jain Math

Maharashtra[link]

• Nandani, seat of the Sena Gana, Pushakara Order. The bhaṭṭāraka is named Jinasena. Acharya Shantisagar belonged to this tradition.
• Kumbhoj
• Kolhapur

Tamil Nadu[link]

• Bhaṭṭāraka Lakshmisena of the Jinakanchi Jain Math, who heads the Jains of Tamil Nadu.
• Bhattaraka Dhavalakeerthi of the Arahanthgiri Jain Math

Historical Bhattaraka Seats[link]

Bhaṭṭāraka seats existed at the following places until recent centuries:^[4]

1. North India: Delhi, Hisar, Haryana, Mathura
2. Rajasthan: Jaipur, Nagaur, Ajmer, Chittorgarh, Pratapgarh, Rajasthan, Dungarpur, Narsimhapur, Rishabhdeo, Mahavirji
3. Madhya Pradesh: Gwalior, Sonagiri, Ater, Chanderi, Sironj, Garhakota, Panagar
4. Gujarat: Idar, Sagwada, Surat, Bhanpur, Sojitra, Kalol, Jerhat
5. Maharashtra: Karanja, Nagpur, latur, Nanded, Kolhapur, Nandani
6. Karnataka: Malakhed, Karkal, Swadi

Many bhaṭṭāraka seats in North India existed until the beginning of the 20th century.

Theories of Origin[link]

There are several theories of how the modern Bhattarka institution originated.

In its modern form, with the Bhattaraka as an orange-robed advanced layman, its founding is often attributed to Prabhachandra of Mula Sangh, Balatkara Gana Saraswati gachchha, who travelled from Pattana (Gujarat) to Delhi, where he was anointed in a ceremony as the first Bhattaraka of Delhi. He was invited by the ruler of Delhi, who is identified as Muhammad Bin Tughlaq.

However Shrutasagara, in his commentary on Shatprabhrita, mentioned Prabhachandra's predecessor Vasantakirti has having adopted body coverage first.^[5] The lineage linking Vasabtakirti and Prabhachandra is given as following (see Balatkara Gana):

1. Vasantakirti at Mandapadurg
2. Vishalakirti (or Prakhyatkirti), Ajmer
3. Shubhakirti, Ajmer
4. Dharmachandra, Ajmer
5. Ratnakirti, Ajmer
6. Prabhachandra, who visited Delhi

See also[link]

• Mula Sangh
• Kashtha Sangh

References[link]

1. ^ Vilas Adinath Sangave, Facets of Jainology: Selected Research Papers, 2001, Popular Prakashan. p. 133-143
2. ^ Joharapurkar, Vidyadhar Pasusa (September 1964). "Jain sangh ke chhah anga". Anekānta. 
3. ^ Vidaydgar Johrapurkar, Bhaṭṭāraka Sampradaya, Solapur, 1958
4. ^ Facets of Jainology: Selected Research Papers on Jain Society, Religion and Culture, by Vilas Adinath Sangave, Published 2001
5. ^ Jain Dharma Ka Maulik Itihas, Gajsimha Rathod, Jaipur

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Swami Abhedananda স্বামী অভেদানন্দ
Born	(1866-10-02)2 October 1866 Calcutta, Bengal, India
Died	8 September 1939(1939-09-08) (aged 72) Ramakrishna Vedanta Math, Darjeeling
Birth name	Kaliprasad Chandra
Guru	Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
Philosophy	Vedanta

Swami Abhedananda (Bengali: স্বামী অভেদানন্দ) (2 October 1866 – 8 September 1939), born Kaliprasad Chandra (Bengali: কালীপ্রসাদ চন্দ্র) was a direct disciple of the 19th century mystic Ramakrishna Paramahansa and the founder of Ramakrishna Vedanta Math. Swami Vivekananda sent him to the West to head the Vedanta Society, New York in 1897, and spread the message of Vedanta, a theme on which he authored several books through his life, and subsequently founded the Ramakrishna Vedanta Math, in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and Darjeeling.

Early life and education[link]

Swami Abhedananda, in his youth.

He was born on 2 October 1866 as Kaliprasad Chandra in North Calcutta ^[1] His father was Rasiklal Chandra and his mother was Nayantara Devi. In 1884, at the age of 18, while studying for the school final examination, he went to Dakshineswar and met Sri Ramakrishna. Thereafter in April 1885, he left home to be with him, during his final illness, first at Shyampukur and then at Cossipur Garden-house near Calcutta.The writings and speeches of swami abhedananda, a direct disciple of sri ramakrishna , were spread over a long period of spiritual ministration both in america and in india

Monastic life[link]

After his Master's death in 1886, he plunged into intense sadhana (meditations), by shutting himself up in a room at the Baranagar matha, this gave his the name "Kali Tapaswi" amongst his fellow disciples.^[1] After the passing away of Sri Ramakrishna, he formally became a Sanyasi along with Swami Vivekananda and others, and came to be known as "Swami Abhedananda".

For the next ten years, of his life as a monk he travelled extensively throughout India, depending entirely on alms. During this time he met several famous sages like Pavhari Baba, Trailanga Swami and Swami Bhaskaranand. He went to the sources of the Ganges and the Yamuna, and meditated in the Himalayas. He was a forceful orator, prolific writer, yogi and intellectual with devotional fervor.

Alambazar Math, 1896 (farewell to Swami Abhedananda leaving for the US)(from left) standing: Swami Adbhutananda, Yogananda, Abhedananda, Trigunatitananda, Turiyananda, Nirmalananda, and Niranjanananda; sitting: Swamis Subodhananda, Brahmananda (on chair), and Akhandananda

In 1896, Vivekananda was in London, when he asked Abhedananda to join him, and propagate the message of Vedanta in the West, which he did with great success. He went to USA in 1897, when Vivekananda asked him to take charge of the Vedanta Society in New York, here he preached messages of Vedanta and teachings of his Guru ^[2] for about 25 years, travelling far and wide to United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan and Hong Kong. Finally, he returned to India in 1921, after attending the Pan-Pacific Education Conference at Honolulu.^[3]

In 1922, he crossed the Himalayas on foot and reached Tibet, where he studied Buddhistic philosophy and Lamaism. In Hemis Monastery, he discovered a manuscript on the lost years of Jesus,^[4] which has been incorporated in the book Swami Abhedananda's Journey Into Kashmir & Tibet published by the 'Ramakrishna Vedanta Math', Kolkata.

He formed the 'Ramakrishna Vedanta Society' in Kolkata in 1923, which is now known as Ramakrishna Vedanta Math. In 1924, he established Ramakrishna Vedanta Math in Darjeeling in West Bengal. In 1927, he started publishing Visvavani, the monthly magazine from 'Ramakrishna Vedanta Society', which he edited from 1927 to 1938,^[4] the magazine is published today as well. In 1936, he presided over the Parliament of Religions at the Town Hall, Kolkata, as a part the Birth Centenary celebrations of Sri Ramakrishna.^[1]

He died on 8 September 1939 at Ramakrishna Vedanta Math, he had established at Darjeeling. At the time of his death he was last surviving direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna.^[3]

Works[link]

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v t e

• Gospel of Ramakrishna, by Swami Abhedananda. Published by The Vedanta Society, 1907.
• Vedanta Philosophy; Three Lectures on Spiritual Unfoldment: Three Lectures on Spiritual Unfoldment, by Swami Abhedananda. Published by The Vedanta Society, 1901.
• How to be a Yogi, by Swami Abhedananda. Forgotten Books, 1902. ISBN 1-60506-647-8. Online Version
• The Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna, by Ramakrishna, Abhedananda. Published by The Vedanta society, 1903.
• India and Her People, by Swami Abhedananda. Published by Satish Chandra Mukherjee, 1906.
• Abhedananda in India in 1906, by Abhedananda. Published by Ramakrishna Redanta Math, 1968.
• Vedanta Philosophy: Five Lectures on Reincarnation, by Swami Abhedananda. Kessinger Publishing, 1907. ISBN 1-56459-886-1. Online version
• Reincarnation, by Swami Abhedananda. Kessinger Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0-7661-2992-6.
• The Great Saviours of the World, by Swami Abhedananda. Pub. by Ramakrishna Vedanta Math, 1957.
• True Psychology, by Swami Abhedananda, Pub. by Ramakrishna Vedanta Math, 1965.
• Yoga Psychology, by Swami Abhedananda, Prajnanananda. Pub. by Ramakrishna Vedanta Math, 1967.
• Complete Works of Swami Abhedananda, by Abhedananda. Pub. by Ramakrishna Vedanta Math, 1970.
• Doctrine of Karma: A Study in Philosophy and Practice of Work, by Swami Abhedananda. Pub. by Vedanta Pr, 1975. ISBN 0-87481-608-4.
• Spiritual Teachings of Swami Abhedananda, by Swami Abhedananda. Pub. by Ramakrishna Vedanta Math, 1962.
• Life Beyond Death: A Critical Study of Spiritualism, by Swami Abhedananda. Pub. by Vedanta Pr, 1986. ISBN 0-87481-616-5.
• Science of Psychic Phenomena, by Swami Abhayananda, Swami Abhedananda. Pub. by Ramakrishna Vedanta Math, 1987. ISBN 0-87581-642-8.
• Hymn offerings to Sri Ramakrsna & the Holy Mother, by Swami Abhedananda, Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre, Ramakrishna Math. Pub. by Sri Ramakrsna Math, 1988.
• Journey into Kashmir and Tibet, by Swami Abhedananda. Pub. by Vedanta Pr, 1988. ISBN 0-87481-643-2.
• Path of Realization, by Swami Abhedananda. Ramakrishna Vedanta Math, 1994.
• The Mystery of Death: A Study in the Philosophy and Religion of the Katha Upanishad, by Swami Abhedananda. Pub. by Ramakrishna Vedanta Math, 1996.
• Vedanta Philosophy: Self-Knowledge Atma-Jnana, by Swami Abhedananda. Kessinger Publishing, 1998. ISBN 0-7661-0126-6.
• Ramakrishna Kathamrita and Ramakrishna: Memoirs of Ramakrishna, by Swami Abhedananda. Vedanta Pr. 1988. ISBN 0-87481-654-8.
• Yogi Thoughts on Reincarnation, by Swami Abhedananda. Kessinger Publishing, LLC, 2005. ISBN 1-4254-5307-4.
• Prana and the Self, by Swami Abhedananda. Kessinger Publishing, LLC, 2005. ISBN 1-4253-3350-8.
• The Complete Book of Vedanta Philosophy, by Swami Abhedananda. Kessinger Publishing, LLC, 2005. ISBN 1-4254-5313-9.
• The Woman's Place In Hindu Religion, by Swami Abhedananda. Kessinger Publishing, LLC, 2005. ISBN 1-4253-3570-5.
• Philosophy of Work: Three Lectures, by Swami Abhedananda. Kessinger Publishing, 2006. ISBN 1-4254-9129-4.
• Divine Heritage of Man: Vedanta philosophy, by Swami Abhedananda. Kessinger Publishing, 2006. ISBN 1-4286-1256-4.
• Attitude of Vedanta Towards Religion, by Swami Abhedananda. READ BOOKS, 2007. ISBN 1-4067-5330-0.
• Amar Jivan-katha (Autobiography) (in Bengali), by Swami Abhedananda.

Further reading[link]

• An Apostle of Monism: An Authentic Account of the Activities of Swami Abhedananda in America, by Mary Le Page. Published by Ramakrishna Vedanta Math, 1947.
• Swami Abhedananda, the Patriot-saint, by Ashutosh Ghosh. Published by Ramakrishna Vedanta Math, 1967.
• Swami Abhedananda centenary celebration, 1966-67: souvenir, containing the most valuable and authentic records of the glorious life of Swami Abhedananda, by Swami Abhedānanda. Published by Ramakrishna Vedanta Math, 1966.
• Swami Abhedananda: A Spiritual Biography, by Moni Bagchee. Published by Ramakrishna Vedanta Math, 1968.
• The Bases of Indian Culture: Commemoration Volume of Swami Abhedananda, by Amiya Kumer Mazumder, Prajnanananda. Published by Ramakrishna Vedanta Math, 1971.
• The Philosophical Ideas of Swami Abhedananda: A Critical Study; a Guide to the Complete Works of Swami Abhedananda, by Prajnanananda. Published by Ramakrishna Vedanta Math, 1971.
• Five articles by Swami Abhedananda

References[link]

1. ^ ^{a b c} Biography Belur Math Official website.
2. ^ Swami Abhedananda of India Discusses the Subject at Mott Memorial Hall. New York Times, March 21, 1898, "...He said that the belief in sin and sinners was a hindrance to realizing the unity of the individual soul with God"
3. ^ ^{a b} Swami Abhedananda Biography The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture .
4. ^ ^{a b} Swami Abhedananda - Biography Banglapedia, The National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh.

External links[link]

• Ramakrishna Vedanta Math, Official website
• A short biography at Ramakrishna Vedanta Math
• Public Works on-line
• The complete Works
• Gospel of Ramakrishna by Swâmi Abhedânanda
• How To Be A Yogi by Swâmi Abhedânanda
• Works by Swami Abhedananda at Project Gutenberg
• Texts on Wikisource:
  • Letter (of May 19, 1900?) from Vivekananda to Abhedananda
  • Letter of July 24, 1900, from Vivekananda to Abhedananda
  • "Abhedananda, Swami". Collier's New Encyclopedia. 1921.