5 persons including 4 Brahmacharis and one Mission worker got Sannyas Diksha by Swami Tejomayanandji on the auspicious day of Mahashivratri day March 8, 2005 at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya Mumbai. It was early morning at about 5 am that the rituals began near Gurudev's Kutia in front of Tapovanji Maharaj's Statue. Guruji, gave the new Sannyas name and the new saffron robes formally inside Gurudev's Kutia.

The following is the summary of the interviews taken of these Swamijis post the Diksha ceremony… They were asked about their experience during the process of the rituals, the ceremony, their feelings and anything special they had to mention about the acceptance of 'Sannyas'- the highest state of renunciation.

Sannyas is the pinnacle of Human achievement for every Hindu

1. Swami Abhedananda (previous name Br Abhay Chaitanya)

Sannyas is not just a feeling or merely changing the robes, but in its highest sense, this term indicates the abidance in the Self alone, by renouncing the apparent sense of identification (samyak nyaas) with the not-Self (Anatma). Another sweet term for sannyasi is one who is the perfect trustee (samyak nyaasi) of the Lord's belongings i.e., such a renunciate has totally given up the my-ness on the world of objects and beings, and has substituted the my-ness of the Ishwara on the world. So such a seeker may be a pratinidhi (representative) and not a nidhipati (owner of wealth).

For a seeker, who is aspiring to attain the highest meaning of sannyas, Geeta indicates that one who is free from burning hatred and clinging attachment, alone is perpetual sannyasi.

These are all the pointers for our own journey towards the Ultimate Goal, reaching which nothing remains to be attained or unattained. May Pujya Gurudev give us the ability to walk this shining path under the blessed guidance of Pujya Guruji.

2. Swami Vedatmananda (previous name Br Sarveshwara Chaitanya)

I was already prepared for the Deeksha. On 2nd Jan 05, in Chennai, Guruji had asked me if I was ready for it. Hence I was mentally prepared for it. Today's ceremony was a final touch to that mental preparation.

During the Viraja Homa (as ritual conducted during the ceremony), the priest was telling us the meaning of the mantras. Lord Shiva who had renounced everything and remained in the Ananda Swaroopa in meditation was asked in this Mantra "Lord you have renounced everything, then what is that you are enjoying in meditation ? I would like to know that. Please explain."

Guruji, during the ceremony explained us 3 things -

Henceforth, you

1. Remain abiding in yourself
2. Preach Vedanta
3. Love everybody

He gave us a new mantra and told that there is no need to further chant the Gayatri Mantra.

"During the whole process which was held in front of Tapovanji Maharaj's statue and in Gurudev's Kutia, I felt a great inner happiness".

3. Swami Tattwananda (previous name Br Prakash Chaitanya)

My Vision is "Sannyas is an intense prayer to become his instrument"

When I got up in the morning I felt normal. Before the Sannyas Diksha I went to Gurudev's meditation room in his Kutia. In the room I felt the presence of Gurudev and I got completely charged.

During the ceremony, Guruji made a statement that touched me deep.. He said, "we will now become his instrument. When people come to prostrate to you, think of Gurudev who functions through you." Guruji himself is Gurudev's instrument speaking to us.

The whole day I lived with a new feeling and a divine chanting of "Om Namah Shivaya" both inside and outside (Note during the Mahashivratri day celebrations in Powai ashram, Mumbai, everybody chants the "Om Namah Shivaya" mantra aloud the whole day till midnight).

4. Swami Ramananda (previous name Shri K.R. Pai from Sidhbari)

Among all the Swamijis who got Deeksha today, I have no background of scriptural study nor vast experience of field work(prachara).

Ever since 1967 (38 years since then) till today my involvement with the mission has resulted in this Sannyas. It has been only Gurudev's and Guruji's love throughout that has brought me to this stage. When the idea first came to me I was visualising the first time when I met Gurudev in 1967.

I thought previously "What difference does a cloth make?. But now after wearing the saffron robes I feel the difference. Don't ask me how? It is a feeling, an experience."

5. Swami Prakashananda (previous name Br Prem Chaitanya)

Sannyas is not taking up anything new, it is leaving everything…Sannyas is assuming an Identity less Identity.

Its retaining some fundamental duty which Sannyas tradition brings to us like dedication to our Guru and upholding Sanathana Dharma. Living up to the ideals of Sannyas hood means constant identification with the Self.

When asked who his ideal Sanyasi was? He said, "Ideals and Idols are before Sannyas, post Sannyas we cast out everything and let things happen." Like Ramana Maharishi, who was a total Sannyasi, even without taking up saffron robes. Sannyas is living life in Sakshi Bhava, as a Total witness.

Interview taken by 
Sri Radhakrishnan Pillai

 - Hari Om! -