Swami Narayanananda

Swami Narayanananda (12 April 1902 – 26 February 1988) was a teacher of Vedanta philosophy, and founder of a tradition called The Universal Religion.

Life and work He was born in Kongana, B. Shettigeri, a village in Coorg, Karnataka state, South India. From an early age, he practised regular meditation. After finishing his studies, he renounced the world in 1929 and joined the Ramakrishna Mission. After a few years, he left for the Himalayas and practised intense meditation. In 1933, he attained the supreme state called nirvikalpa samadhi (superconscious state or nirvana). After that, he remained in seclusion for many years, studying the mind-functions and writing books. Especially after the partition of India in 1947, and seeing the atrocities there, his "heart melted, as it were", and he wrote some more books.

The books were published slowly, and spread also to the Western countries. He began to accept disciples. In Denmark, in particular, he had many disciples. In 1971, he went for the first time to Denmark, and continued to visit this country every year for 5–7 months until 1987. An ashrama (monastery) was established in Gylling, Denmark (Jutland, near Aarhus) which is the main centre today. Ashramas were also established in India, Sweden, Germany, Norway and the USA. The books were printed and published first in Rishikesh, India, and later printed and published at Narayana Press, Gylling, Denmark. Swami Narayanananda's works (or part of them) have been translated into many languages, particularly Danish and German. Some of them were translated into Tamil through his disciples Swami Nityananda and the late Swami Sadananda.

Swami Narayanananda died in Mysore, India, at the age of 85.

Teachings Swami Narayanananda called his teachings "The Universal Religion," implying that they are dealing with Truth, irrespective of caste, creed, sex, nationality, race, etc. He gives guidance to spiritual seekers. He emphasizes the moral code of conduct as a basis for spiritual development, and puts particular stress on sexual sublimation implying brahmacharya – celibacy or (for married people and couples) moderation in sexual life, as a means to maintain and improve physical, mental and spiritual health. His works include among others the following subjects: philosophy, psychology, religion, spirituality, yoga, meditation and kundalini shakti (the primal power in man).