Nilachala Saraswata Sangha

Nilachala Saraswata Sangha (NSS),^[1] (Oriya : ନୀଳାଚଳ ସାରସ୍ବତ ସଂଘ, Hindi : नीलाचल सारस्वत संघ) is a religious organization that was founded by Swami Nigamananda Paramahans exclusively for his household devotees in Odisha on 24 August 1934 at Nilachala Kutir, Puri, India.^[2]

NSS is one of the spiritual foundations of Swami Nigamananda after Saraswata Matha, established at Kokilamukh, Jorhat in 1912. The "Sangha" focus only on spirituality ("dharma nitti-धर्म नित्ति") with three core objectives: i.e.formation of ideal family, combined of Sangha Power and exchange of spiritual thoughts.^[1]

Banamali Dash was the first president of this Sangha,^[3] subsequently Durga Charan Mohanty became its Secretary and Parichalaka or Administer.^[4]

History

Swami Nigamananda was on a short retirement from his busy work. He left Assam Bangiya Saraswata Matha, Jorhat, (Assam) and came to Puri in 1923. He bought Nilachala Kutir near the Puri seashore, and it was there, that he spent the last 12 years of his life.^[5] While living at Nilachala Kutir, the majority of people who met him on the quest of truth and knowledge could immediately discern the divine quality in him.

Durga Charan Mohanty had the opportunity to read the master pieces, Yogiguru (योगीगुरु), and Premikaguru (प्रेमिकगुरु), authored by: Swami Nigamananda, in a library. His look at a vigraha, of Swami Nigamananda, present in the books, attracted him so much, that having seen it, he felt as if a current of thought vibrated in his mind. He felt a very close relationship with this portrait in past lives. With that realization, he began identifying with the Swami. He came to know that Swami Nigamananda was residing in Saraswata Matha, Kolilamukh, Jorhat, Assam. He wrote a letter to the Matha, desiring to know more about Swami Nigamananda. He was replied to from the Matha, that Swamiji was residing at Puri. March 20-1930 (Thursday), he met Swami Nigamananda for the first time, at Nilachala Kutir. Thereafter, he became a regular visitor to, Nilachala Kutir for Swamiji's darshan. Durga Charan Mohanty was initiated (dikshya) as a, disciple of Swami Nigamananda, in the year 1934.

Durga Charan Mohanty noted all discussion, advices of Swami Nigamananda, and various everyday happening at Nilachala Kutir, and later published it in books, called “Nilachala Vani"( नीलाचल वाणी) and "Nigama Upadesha”(निगम उपदेश). Swami Nigamananda had told to Durga Charan Mohanty that My disciples are around. They will come. Tell them about Me only when someone eagerly enquires. Obeying this advice, Durga Charan Mohanty had guided Nilachala Saraswata Sangha till 1985, his worldly departure at Biratunga. He wrote a lot of books on Swami Nigamananda and had opened more than 100 Nigamananda Ashrama in Odisha. He wrote and published a volumes of books, called "Sangha Sevaka"(संघ सेवक). As a "sevak"(member) of Nilachala Saraswata Sangha, what kind of principles need to be followed are mentioned carefully in this series.^[6]

Swami Nigamananda at Nilachala Kutir Puri

Year 1934 was very memorable year. Banamali Dash, Durga Charan Mohanty along with devotees, who were coming on the quest of truth and knowledge to Nilachala Kutir, sought permission from Swami Nigamananda to celebrate His birth day at Nilachala Kutir (Puri) on 24 August 1934, Full Moon day(Shraban Purnima). On occasion of His birth day Swami Nigamananda advised them to form a divine circle among them. As per His wishes they started an association for religious talk and thus Nilachala Saraswata Sanga(NSS) came into existence by the gradual growth of the group discussion and prayer. The under lying principles of the Sangha were fulfilling the triple objectives viz:

• 1. to lead and ideal family life (आदर्श गृहस्थ गठन)
• 2. to establish more and more such association or Sangha and (संघ शक्ति प्रतिष्ठा)
• 3. to exchange each other's thought and idea's among the disciples (भाव बिनिमय)

Swami Nigamananda deliberated his disciples about Nilachala Saraswata Sangha principles especially "formation of an ideal household life". According to Swami Nigamananda, He(self) should be worshipped. He taught them how His portrait should be placed on a royal chair giving utmost reverence generally paid to the Guru (spiritual master). He should be made the head of the family and ideal household life should be regulated under His direction.

He had said:

My dear children! I wish all of you to become ideal family men. You should get united and exchange your thoughts among your brother disciples . These principles will afford you heavenly pleasure amidst the hum-drum life that surrounds you -SWAMI NIGAMANANDA^[7][8][9]

See also

• Swami Nigamananda
• Nilachala Kutir
• Shanti Ashram
• Timeline of Puri
• Durga Charan Mohanty
• Puri

References