'Mahãtma', 'Mahãpurusha', 'Avatãrapurusha' - each of these terms has different meaning. 'Avatãrapurushãs' incarnate on earth, very rarely, whence it becomes absolutely necessary. Though their lifetime on earth might have been short the 'mãrga' (path) shown by them remains for 'Yugãs' (Ages). Such an 'Avatãrapurusha' was Sri Rãmakrishna Paramahamsa who was born in West Bengal. Of the many who had incarnated along with him two occupy important position. One is Swami Vivekananda. Spreading Sri Rãmakrishna's philosophy all over the world, he has established the Sri Rãmakrishna Mission that stands even today.

The other is Swami Brahmãnanda who used to be affectionately addressed as Rakhal by all. Just like Sri Rãmakrishna he underwent various (spiritual) experiences and reached the peak of spirituality. Sri Neelakanta brahmachãri, a young man, received 'mantra diksha' from Swami Brahmãnanda when the latter visited Kerala. After a time this young man took up 'sanyãsa'. His 'sanyãsãsrama' (monk hood) name was Sri Purushottamãnanda Maharãj.

Performing 'tapas' (spiritual austerities) for several years in Vasishta Guha, situated en route to Badrinath from Rishikesh, he attained Mukti (Self-liberation). He attained 'videha kaivalya' (leaving the mortal coil) on a Sivarãtri. A little before he came to Vasishta Guha, Papa Rãmdãs had stayed in this Guha. It was there that he (Papa Rãmdãs) had had the darshan of Christ. It is the opinion of Mahãns that Jesus Christ might also have stayed in this Guha and performed 'sãdhanãs'.

It is from this Sri Purushottamãnanda Maharãj that Sri Shãntãnandapuri Maharãj had received 'upadesa'. Thus, Sri Shãntãnandapuri Maharãj comes in the 'parampara' of Sri Rãmakrishna. He has once earlier conducted Satsang in our Premika Bhavanam. He has also visited our Ãshram. The Upanishads advise us, 'be like a child.' It is only the child that does not worry about the morrow. It is guileless. It keeps laughing innocently. We may wonder, 'how can we be in this state?' But, Sri Shãntãnandapuri Maharãj is always in such a child-like state. He is one who has attained Mukti. Devi (The Goddess) is 'pratyaksha' (seen as one would another person) for him. His devotees are indeed fortunate. Frequently remaining in solitude for several months, he has performed severe 'tapas'. When Sri Shãntãnandapuri Maharãj came to Chennai recently, our Sri Sri Swamiji (on 13.12.'04) visited him in person and had his darshan. Visiting Ãlappãkkam Madhuramurali Bhavanam on 15.12.'04, Sri Shantãnandapuri Maharaj blessed all with the joy of Satsangh.

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