Swamini Brahmaprajnananda Saraswati
Swamini Brahmaprajnananda Saraswati | |
|---|---|
| Personal | |
| Born | Mrinalini Rao 2 August 1974 |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Education | PhD in Philosophy from SIES College of Arts, Science & Commerce, MPhil and MA in Psychology from SNDT Women's University |
| Occupation | Sannyasi at Aarsha Vidya Gurukulam |
| Organization | |
| Philosophy | Advaita Vedanta |
| Religious career | |
| Guru | Swami Dayananda Saraswati (Arsha Vidya), Swami Brahmavidananda Saraswati |
Swamini Brahmaprajnananda Saraswati (born Mrinalini Rao on August 2, 1974) is a Hindu monk (sannyasi) and teacher of Advaita Vedanta. She resides in Mumbai, India, and is a direct disciple of Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati (Arsha Vidya). Swamini Brahmaprajnananda has completed a three-year residential course in Vedanta, Sanskrit, and Vedic chanting at Arsha Vidya Gurukulam. She conducts online Vedanta courses, hosts the podcast "Vedanta – The River of Wisdom," and leads workshops and retreats in India and abroad. She is the author of "You Matter – Insights from Vedanta.[1][2]"
Early life and education
[edit]Swamini Brahmaprajnananda Saraswati was born and raised in Mumbai, India. She attended a convent school, where she developed an early interest in questions about God and the purpose of life. Although she was raised in a Hindu Brahmin family, she was drawn to the Bible and considered converting to Christianity. Her grandfather suggested that she first learn about Hinduism, leading her to study works by Swami Vivekananda, Jiddu Krishnamurti, and Osho.
Swamini pursued higher education in Psychology, earning her Master’s and M.Phil in Clinical psychology from SNDT University in Mumbai. She began her career as a psychologist but found that Western Psychology did not fully address deeper existential questions, leading her to explore Vedanta more deeply.
Spiritual journey and gurus
[edit]Swamini Brahmaprajnananda Saraswati's spiritual journey continued under the guidance of her gurus, Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati (Arsha Vidya)[3] and Swami Brahmavidananda Saraswati. She initially approached the Guru tradition with skepticism but later recognized Vedanta's objective approach of addressing human inadequacy and self-judgement.
In 1998, she attended a workshop by Swami Brahmavidananda Saraswati,[4] which led her to begin attending his Vedanta classes in Mumbai. Over twelve years, she balanced her professional life with part-time study of Vedanta. In 1999, she met Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati (Arsha Vidya) and later decided to pursue full-time study at Arsha Vidya Gurukulam in Coimbatore, under Swami Sakshatkrtananda Saraswati.[5]
At the age of 40, Swamini received diksha (initiation into monkhood) from her guru, Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati (Arsha Vidya), on the banks of the Ganga. She is initiated into the Śankara bhagavatpāda order of Dasnami sannyasis.
Career and teachings
[edit]Swamini Brahmaprajnananda Saraswati transitioned from a career in psychology to teaching Vedanta. She is known for conveying Vedantic teachings in a manner accessible to contemporary audience. She teaches that the sense of human inadequacy stems from ignorance of one's true nature rather than being merely a psychological issue. According to her, self-knowledge is essential to overcoming this fundamental human problem.
Swamini currently offers teaching programs in Vedanta, Sanskrit, and Vedic chanting in Mumbai and online. She also co-conducts Vedanta retreats in different parts of India and abroad. Her podcast, "Vedanta – The River of Wisdom[6]," covers topics related to Vedanta, including themes of harmony and oneness.
Publications
[edit]Swamini Brahmaprajnananda Saraswati is the author of "You Matter – Insights from Vedanta," published in July 2020. The book was developed based on discussions and themes explored in the podcast. The book covers topics such as the pursuit of happiness, self-acceptance and Vedanta.
She also authored a paper titled "Indian Psychology is Incomplete without Dharma and Ishvara[7]," presented at the International Conference on "Indian Culture and Psychology: A Consciousness Perspective" in March 2018.[8] The paper discusses the importance of including Dharma and Ishvara in Indian psychology for a more holistic approach.
Major works and contributions
[edit]In addition to her writings, Swamini Brahmaprajnananda Saraswati has contributed to teaching and training. Her teachings focus on self-mastery and self-discovery, encouraging the integration of Vedantic teachings into daily life. She teaches the value of living according to dharma (righteousness) and engaging in self-inquiry as paths to self-realization.
Swamini offers an online course titled "How to Have Harmonious Relationships" on Udemy. She also teaches core courses at the Hindu University of America.[9] Additionally, she developed SHINE (Spiritual Heritage of India for Next-gen Empowerment),[10] a program aimed at training teachers to disseminate knowledge of India's spiritual heritage. She participates in interreligious dialogue, promoting mutual respect and the recognition of all religions as valid.
Before her full-time spiritual commitment, Swamini worked in various professional roles, including serving as the Country Head of Railway Children, an international organization that impacted 15,000 children annually.[11][12] She was invited by the Maharashtra state government to serve as a judge on the Juvenile Justice Board of Mumbai.
Legacy and influence
[edit]Swamini Brahmaprajnananda Saraswati continues to teach Vedanta with her students. She teaches Vedanta in a manner that is relevant to contemporary audiences. Her work integrates traditional Vedanta teachings with modern perspectives.[13]
In May 2024, Swamini Brahmaprajnananda Saraswati was featured on the podcast Buddha at the Gas Pump (BATGAP),[14] where she engaged in an in-depth conversation with Rick Archer,[15] discussing her teachings and spiritual journey.
In collaboration with Swami Brahmavidananda Saraswati, Swamini founded the annual Vedic Wisdom Festival[16][17] organized by the Aarsha Vidya Foundation. This global virtual event features traditional and contemporary masters and focuses on various aspects of Vedic wisdom.
References
[edit]- ^ "You matter – Insights from Vedanta". Goodreads. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
- ^ Brahmaprajnananda Saraswati, Swamini (July 2020). You Matter: Insights from Vedanta. ISBN 9788194664949.
- ^ "PM Narendra Modi's Spiritual Guru Dayanand Saraswati Gets Padma Bhushan". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
- ^ "swami brahmavidananda saraswati". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
- ^ "Chief Acharya of the Ashram". Swami Dayananda Ashram. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
- ^ "Podcast – ArshaVidyAnanda". Retrieved 2024-08-17.
- ^ "Indian Psychology is Incomplete without Dharma and Ishvara". Academia.edu. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
- ^ "Indian Culture and Psychology: A Consciousness Perspective" (PDF). Indian Psychology Institute.
- ^ "Swamini Brahmaprajnananda Saraswati - HUA". www.hua.edu. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
- ^ "Shine for Parents and Children – ArshaVidyAnanda". Retrieved 2024-08-17.
- ^ "No child lost to the streets". www.railwaychildren.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
- ^ Childline (2011-04-10). "CHILDLINE 1098: Counselors Debate Protocols for Child Sexual Abuse Cases". CHILDLINE 1098. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
- ^ "We need a Guru for the Same Reasons we Resist One. | elephant journal". elephant journal. 2015-08-01. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
- ^ BuddhaAtTheGasPump (2024-05-31). Swamini Brahmaprajnananda Saraswati - Buddha at the Gas Pump Interview. Retrieved 2024-08-17 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Why Spiritual Awakening Isn't Reserved For Buddhas And Prophets". HuffPost. 2016-04-05. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
- ^ Reporter, Staff (2018-11-14). "Vedic Wisdom festival in Mumbai on November 24, 25". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
- ^ "Vedic Wisdom Festival". Aarsha Vidya Foundation. Retrieved 2024-08-17.