Inspiration
The Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa was founded in 1942 by Swami
Nischalananda in Sea View, a suburb of Durban, South Africa. Swami
Nischalananda was inspired by Swami Vivekananda's message of 'renunciation and service'.
His correspondence with the then President
of the world-wide Ramakrishna Mission, Swami Virajananda, fanned his
devotion and inspired the growth of the Centre. Books on Sri Ramakrishna,
Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda and the Cultural Heritage of India as
well as the Mission's journals (Prabuddha Bharata and Vedanta
Kesari) were among the important material for his regular study. After
his matriculation at the Sastri College, Durban, he worked for the Naval
Stores for a short while.
In India
Immediately thereafter he travelled to India in order to undergo monastic training. He
stayed at the Headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna
Mission, Belur Math, Kolkata, India. In March 1949 he was initiated into
spiritual life by Swami Virajananda who was a disciple of the Holy Mother,
Sri Sarada Devi, and who had the privilege of being trained by Swami
Vivekananda and the direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna. Soon he learnt
that the Mission required him to come solely under its directions. This
meant that he would have to sever all his ties with South Africa. This
conflict between duty to the Order and the bonds of love and commitment to
South Africa demanded a practical solution. Swami Virajananda was
understanding and granted him leave.
The next phase in Swami Nischalananda's life was the period he spent in the
Himalayas. About fourteen miles from Rishikesh he met Swami
Purushottamananda, a great soul who was living in solitude and dedicated
to austerities. Swami Purushottamananda was a disciple of Swami
Brahmananda, a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. It was under him that
Swami Nischalananda practised austerities and took his final monastic vows
(sannyasa).
Return to South Africa
Swami Nischalananda returned to South Africa in 1953. It was the Centenary Year
of the birth of Sri Sarada Devi and extensive celebrations were held. In
1959 Swami Nischalananda set up the Ashram, printing press and Ramakrishna
Clinic on a fourteen-acre property in Glen Anil, Durban. The Headquarters
of the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa is based here.
From the
time of his arrival in 1953 to the time of his passing away in 1965, Swami
Nischalananda pioneered the course of Vedanta in Southern Africa. Through
prayer services, lectures, retreats and seminars he spread the message of
Hinduism to different parts of Southern Africa. From the point of view of
'Practical Vedanta' he printed and disseminated literature, organized
medical relief operations, distributed food and clothing to the needy and
participated actively in flood and disaster relief work. He was one of the
pioneers who worked closely with the black community.
Swami Nischalananda was succeeded by his only sannyasin disciple,
Swami Shivapadananda.
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