Servants of Shankara Foundation About Swamiji
A puckish sense of humour, compassion couched in practicality, a readiness to help, an eagerness to share knowledge and a non-negotiable loyalty to Truth! Meet Swami Abhishek Chaitanya Giri Maharaj, a Maha-Mandaleshwar based out of Rishikesh.
Born Swarup Pradhan, into a traditional, joint family in Maharashtra, he studied Psychology and Behavioral Sciences at Bombay University. During this period he listened to Pujya Swami Chinmayananda, the great exponent of Vedanta. The Master’s spiritual vision remained with him long after this introduction to Vedanta.
Swarup became an active volunteer in Chinmaya Yuva Kendra, the youth wing of Chinmaya Mission, Mumbai. The exposure to other like-minded youngsters and the sevaks from Chinmaya Mission bolstered his resolve to enter the monastic life, to learn more about, “knowing That, by which all else becomes known.”
Having graduated from Bombay University in 1994 it was not until 1996 that he was able to enter the portals of in-depth Vedantic studies at Chinmaya Mission, Powai, in Mumbai, and he embarked on Seva (service activities) in true Karma Yoga spirit.
During his studies under the able tutelage of his Acharya, Swami Anubhavananda, his favourite texts emerged as Swami Vidyaranya’s Pancadasi and the eternal Bhagavat Gita.
The first red-letter day came when his name and life were changed: Swarup now became Brahmachari Abhishek Chaitanya, a name appropriately chosen, for he turned out to be the one who sprinkles nectarine teachings on all disciplines, be it through Karma, Bhakti or Gyana Yoga teachings.
Swami Tejomayananda, Head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide, appointed him as an Acharya at the Chinmaya International Residential School, Coimbatore. The degree in Psychology now tempered with the wisdom of Vedanta made him an ideal counselor and guide.
Being free-spirited in temperament, he renounced the security of the organization for deeper understanding of the scriptures.
Br. Abhishek Chaitanya sought and found Swami Vishwatmananda, a senior disciple of Swami Akhandanandaji Maharaj. He intensity led to scriptural revelations at Vrindavan, Rishikesh, Kashi, and Nasik.
In 2011,he accepted lecture invites for a Vedanta Sammelan [Conference] at Swami Kashikananda Ashram at Mumbai. There he met Swami Ramananda of Jagadguru Sannyas Ashram. This fastidious Swami was profoundly impressed by the sincerity humility and capability of the young Brahmachari, and expressed a wish to anoint Br. Abhishek Chaitanya as his Uttaradhikari [heir]. The Brahmachari accepted it as the Lord’s Will. He stayed with and lovingly nursed Swami Ramananda till the latter shed his mortal coil after a torturous and tenacious battle with cancer.
Thereafter events moved at lightning speed and on 2nd February 2013, the Brahmachari was initiated as Mahamandaleshwar in an elaborately traditional Pattabhisheka (Ordination ceremony) held in Kashi, on the banks of the sacred Ganga. The title was conferred upon him by the August Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Punyananda Maharaj of Niranjani Akhada. Immediately thereafter, Swamiji moved to the Pavitra Bhumi (sacred ground) of Rishikesh where the Sannyas Ashram is located.
He is now a globe trotter, who enthralls avid listeners with his unique style of discourses on Vedanta, and Yoga Sutras. He enriches yoga enthusiasts across Malaysia, Hong Kong, Philippines, Indonesia, France, and Italy with spiritual discourses.
In Oct 15, he also represented Hinduism at the Vatican Council.