View source for Advaita Ashrama

{{Short description|Branch of the Ramakrishna Math}}
{{religious text primary|date=November 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2010}}
{{Infobox organization
| name                    = Advaita Ashrama
| image                   = Emblem-Ramakrishna-Mission-Transparent.png
| size                    = 220px
| caption                 = [[Ramakrishna Mission#Emblem|Emblem]] of Ramakrishna Mission
| formation               = 1899
| purpose                 = Philanthropic, Religious Studies, Spirituality
| headquarters            = [[Belur Math]]
|coordinates              = {{coord|29.373174|N|80.061316|E|region:LK_type:edu|display=inline,title}}
| region_served           = Worldwide
| website                 = {{URL|http://www.advaitaashrama.org|advaitaashrama.org}}
}}

'''Advaita Ashrama''', Mayavati, is a branch of the [[Ramakrishna Math]], founded on 19 March 1899 at the behest of [[Vivekananda]],<ref>[http://www.advaitaashrama.org/mayavati.html Mayavati – History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223084847/http://www.advaitaashrama.org/mayavati.html |date=23 December 2008 }} ''Advaita Ashrama''</ref><ref name="tele">[http://www.telegraphindia.com/1030520/asp/calcutta/story_1984013.asp founded by Vivekananda in 1899.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526024042/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1030520/asp/calcutta/story_1984013.asp |date=26 May 2011 }} ''[[The Telegraph (Calcutta)|The Telegraph]], 20 May 2003.''</ref> by his disciples James Henry Sevier, and [[Charlotte Sevier]]. Today it publishes the original writings of Vivekananda.<ref name="tele" /> As an [[ashram]] dedicated to the study and practice of [[Advaita Vedanta]], no images or idols are worshipped there, not even of [[Ramakrishna]];<ref>{{cite book |title=Life and Times of Netaji Subhas: From Cuttack to Cambridge (1827–1921) |author=Adwaita P. Ganguly |publisher=VRC Publications |year=2001 |isbn=81-87530-02-2 |page=52}}</ref> and no images were kept in the premises according to the Ashram ideals set by Vivekananda.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Vedanta Kesari |last=Sri Ramakrishna Math |location=Madras, India |year=1982 |page=79}}</ref>

Also referred as the Mayawati Ashram,<ref name=champ /><ref>''The National Geographical Journal of India'', by [[National Geographic Society|National Geographical Society]] of India. Published by National Geographical Society of India., 1986. ''Page 295''.</ref> it is located at an altitude of 1940 meters, 22&nbsp;km from [[Champawat]] in [[Champawat district]], [[Uttarakhand]], and 9&nbsp;km from the town of [[Lohaghat]].<ref name=champ>{{cite web |url=http://champawat.nic.in/maya.htm |title=Mayawati Ashram |publisher=[[Champawat district]] | url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410071132/http://champawat.nic.in/maya.htm |archivedate=10 April 2009}}</ref> The ashram is a major publication centre of the [[Ramakrishna Order]] for books in English and Hindi, mainly through its branch in [[Kolkata]]. It also maintains a [[charitable hospital]] at Mayavati. Among its important publications are ''The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda'' in English and as well as a Hindi translation, ''The Life of Swami Vivekananda'', and English translations of important Hindu scriptures.

Some of the old manuscripts of the ashram have now been [[microfilm]]ed and preserved at [[Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts]] ([[IGNCA]]) in Delhi.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ignca.nic.in/mss_ls01.htm |work=Catalogue of Microfilmed Manuscripts available with IGNCA |title=#49 |publisher=[[Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts]] ([[IGNCA]]) |access-date=7 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220123646/http://ignca.nic.in/mss_ls01.htm |archive-date=20 December 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Cenotaph of Vivekananda.jpg|thumb|The cenotaph of Vivekananda in Advita Ashrama]]
[[File:Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati, a branch of the Ramakrishna Math, founded on March 19, 1899.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati, a branch of the [[Ramakrishna Math]], founded on 19 March 1899.]]The Advaita Ashrama has its origins in 1896, when Vivekananda was travelling through the [[Alps]] recuperating, and expressed the desire to have a similar place in India, for retreat and study of [[Vedas]].<ref name=out>[http://traveller.outlookindia.com/fulltravelogue.aspx?id=212 Mayabati:  A journey towards Self – Dr. Subhendu Chakravrati on a spiritual journey to Mayavati] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715023612/http://traveller.outlookindia.com/fulltravelogue.aspx?id=212 |date=15 July 2011 }} ''[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]]'', 2008.</ref>

Earlier, in 1895, James Henry Sevier<ref>[[s:The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 9/Letters – Fifth Series/CLXVIII Mother|James Henry Sevier]] The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 9/Letters – Fifth Series/CLXVIII Mother – ''[[wikisource]]''.</ref> who had served as a captain in the [[British Indian Army]] for 5 years, and his wife Charlotte Elizabeth Sevier, met Vivekananda in England. Later in 1896, for nearly nine months, they travelled with him through Switzerland, Germany, and Italy. It was in the [[Alps]] that Vivekananda, while travelling with the couple, that he expressed his desire to have a similar retreat for the monks in the Himalayas. In December 1896, the couple moved to India, with Vivekananda on board a steamer from [[Naples]], Italy, with an objective to find a place near Almora, and set up an Ashram,<ref>[[s:The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 5/Epistles – First Series/LXXI Alasinga|The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 5/Epistles – First Series/LXXI Alasinga]] Letter of Swami Vivekananda, 11 November 1896.'' [[wikisource]]''.</ref> and arriving at Madras in February 1897.<ref name=mad>[[s:The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 5/Interviews/The Missionary Work of the First Hindu Sannyasin to the West And His Plan of Regeneration of India|The Missionary Work of the First Hindu Sannyasin to the West And His Plan of Regeneration of India]] Madras Times, February 1897.  ''[[wikisource]].''</ref> Soon just as Vivekananda left for Calcutta, the couple left for Almora, where they rented a bungalow<ref>[[s:The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 8/Epistles – Fourth Series/CXXVIII Rakhal|Letter 20 May 1898]] The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 8/Epistles – Fourth Series/CXXVIII Rakhal – ''[[wikisource]]''.</ref> and this became the residence of Vivekananda and the Seviers for the next two years.

Later when he left for Kashmir, the Sevier couple along with Swami Swarupananda, a monastic disciple of Vivekananda, started travelling to the interior area looking for a suitable place, which was eventually found in July 1898, set amidst dense [[Cedrus deodara|deodar]], pine and oak forests; the land which was until then a tea estate was promptly purchased, and decided upon for the new Ashram. Finally, with the help of [[Swami Swarupananda]], the Ashram was set up,<ref name=maya>[http://www.advaitaashrama.org/others/mayavati_route.pdf Mayawati Route – Visitors Booklet of Advaita Ashrama] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121190710/http://www.advaitaashrama.org/others/mayavati_route.pdf |date=21 November 2008 }} ''Advaita Ashrama''.</ref> along with a small dwelling for the monks, ashramites and the couple themselves, around the same time as the [[Belur Math]] was being established near [[Kolkata]], when they moved in on 19 March 1899.

After the sudden death of its first editor, 24-year-old B. R. Rajam Iyer at Madras ([[Chennai]]), the publication of the English Journal ''[[Prabuddha Bharata]]'' was discontinued for a few months in May 1898. Meanwhile, in [[Almora]], Vivekananda asked the Sevier couple to revive the magazine, and the editorship was given to [[Swami Swarupananda]], who not only became the first head of the Ashram upon its opening on 19 March 1899,<ref>The Vedanta Kesari, by Sri Ramakrishna Math (Madras, India). Published by Sri Ramakrishna Math., 1979. ''Page 212'' – Swami Swarupananda by Swami Raghaveshananda.</ref> but also remained its editor, at its new base hence forth; and they held the position until his death in 1906.<ref name=char /><ref>[http://www.advaitaashrama.org/prabuddha_bharata.html Prabuddha Bharata] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090120094054/http://advaitaashrama.org/prabuddha_bharata.html |date=20 January 2009}} ''Advaita Ashrama'' website.</ref><ref>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/sbg/sbg01.htm Srimad-Bhagavad-Gita, English translation and commentary by Swami Swarupananda, 1909] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223150550/http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/sbg/sbg01.htm |date=23 December 2008 }} at ''sacred-texts.com''.</ref>

Upon its foundation, Vivekananda sent the following letter, in March 1899, entailing the prospectus of the Ashram:

"...To give this One Truth a freer and fuller scope in elevating the lives of individuals and leavening the mass of mankind, we start this Advaita Ashrama on the Himalayan heights, the land of its first expiration.

Here it is hoped to keep Advaita free from all superstitions and weakening contaminations. Here will be taught and practised nothing but the Doctrine of Unity, pure and simple; and though in entire sympathy with all other systems, this Ashrama is dedicated to Advaita and Advaita alone."<ref>[http://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_5/writings_prose_and_poems/the_advaita_ashrama_himalayas.htm the Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati, Almora, Himalayas] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110104193400/http://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_5/writings_prose_and_poems/the_advaita_ashrama_himalayas.htm |date=4 January 2011 }} ''Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda''.</ref>

James Sevier died on 28 October 1900, and was cremated by the nearby [[Sarada River]], according to Hindu traditions as he had wished.<ref name=out /><ref name=char>[http://www.hindu.com/mag/2006/12/24/stories/2006122400300700.htm Serene heights] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516231013/http://www.hindu.com/mag/2006/12/24/stories/2006122400300700.htm |date=16 May 2008}} ''[[The Hindu]]'', 24 December 2006.</ref> Vivekananda visited the Ashram from 3 to 18 January 1901, primarily to console her,<ref>[[s:The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 6/Epistles – Second Series/CLXVII Joe|Letter 26 December 1900]] The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 6/Epistles – Second Series/CLXVII Joe – ''[[wikisource]]''. "Dear Mr. Sevier passed away before I could arrive. He was cremated on the banks of the river that flows by his Ashrama, à la Hindu, covered with garlands, the Brahmins carrying the body and boys chanting the Vedas".</ref><ref>[[s:The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 5/Epistles – First Series/XCIV Mother|Letter 6 January 1901]] The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 5/Epistles – First Series/XCIV Mother – ''[[wikisource]]''."Mrs. Sevier is a strong woman, and has borne her loss quietly and bravely. She is coming over to England in April, and I am going over with her."</ref> and his place of residence has now been turned into a library.<ref name=maya /> Charlotte Sevier continued to stay at the Ashram for several years.

== Publications ==
[[File:Prabuddha Bharatha March 1897 Front Cover.jpg| right | thumb |''[[Prabuddha Bharata]]'', the March 1897 Isuue]]
Advaita Ashrama publishes many important books in English and Hindi, as well as the English Journal ''[[Prabuddha Bharata]]'' which is being published since July 1896, making it the oldest running [[List of Journals by Ramakrishna Mission|Journal by Ramakrishna Mission]]. A list of its most well-known other publications is as follows.

* ''The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda'' [[s:The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda|Online version]]
** Other works of Swami Vivekananda, like:
** ''Bhakti Yoga ''
** ''[[Jnana Yoga (book)|Jnana Yoga]]''
** ''[[Karma Yoga (book)|Karma Yoga]]''
** ''[[Raja Yoga (book)|Raja Yoga]]''
** ''Letters of Swami Vivekananda''
* ''The Life of Swami Vivekananda'' by His Eastern and Western Disciples [https://books.google.com/books?id=u79dAAAAIAAJ&dq=Swami+Swarupananda&pg=PA219 Online version]
* ''Srimad Bhagavad Gita'' translated by Swami Swarupananda, 1907 [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/sbg/index.htm Online version]
* ''Eight Upanishads'' with the commentary of [[Shankaracharya]], translated by [[Swami Gambhirananda]]

== Adhyakshas of Advaita Ashrama ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2021}}
The first three adhyakshas of Advaita Ashrama were also editors of the ''[[Prabuddha Bharata]]''. Thereafter, the post of Adhyaksha and Editor were held by different persons. From 1959, the Ashrama Adhyaksha was also called the Editor of ''Prabuddha Bharata'', and the actual editor called the "joint editor". From September 1993, the Ashrama Adhyaksha is known as the Managing Editor, and the Editor is known as the Editor.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left"
|+ Adhyakshas of Advaita Ashrama
|-
! × !! Period !! Adhyaksha
|-
! 1
| 1899 to 1906  || [[Swami Swarupananda]]
|-
! 2
| 1906 to 1913 || [[Swami Virajananda]]
|-
! 3
| 1914 to 1918 || Swami Prajnananda
|-
! 4
| 1918 to 1927 || [[Swami Madhavananda]]
|-
! 5
| 1927 to 1937 || [[Swami Vireshwarananda|Swami Vireswarananda (Prabhu Maharaj)]]
|-
! 6
| 1937 to 1947 || Swami Pavitrananda
|-
! 7
| 1948 to 1953 || Swami Yogeswarananda
|-
! 8
| 1953 to 1963 || [[Swami Gambhirananda]]
|-
! 9
| 1964 to 1968 || Swami Chidatmananda
|-
! 10
| 1969 to 1976 || Swami Budhananda (Bhabani Maharaj)
|-
! 11
| 1976 to 1977 || Swami Vandanananda
|-
! 12
| 1977 to 1978 || Swami Tadrupananda
|-
! 13
| 1978 to 1988 || Swami Ananyananda
|-
! 14
| 1988 to 1990 || Swami Swananda
|-
! 15
| 1991 to 2006 || Swami Mumukshananda (Chittaranjan Maharaj)
|-
! 16
| 2006 to 2013 || Swami Bodhasarananda (Aurobindo Maharaj)
|-
! 17
| 2014 to 2017 || Swami Tattwavidananda (Gourdas Maharaj)
|-
! 18
| 2017 to 2019 || Swami Muktidananda
|-
!19
|2019–Present||Swami Shuddhidananda (Sudhir Maharaj) 
|}

== Further reading ==
* ''Prabuddha Bharata: Or Awakened India'', by [[Vivekananda]], Advaita Ashrama. Published by Swami Smaranananda for Advaita Ashrama, 1974.
* ''The Life of the Swami Vivekananda, by His Eastern and Western Disciples, the Advaita Ashrama, Himalayas'', by Advaita Ashrama, Published by the [[Swami Virajananda]] from the Prabuddha Bharata Office, Advaita Ashrama, 1947.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikisource|The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 5/Writings: Prose and Poems(Original and Translated)/The Advaita Ashrama, Himalayas|Advaita Ashrama prospectus, March 1899 by Swami Vivekananda}}

* [http://www.advaitaashrama.org/ Advaita Ashrama, Official website]
* [http://wikimapia.org/#lat=29.3746397&lon=80.0624371&z=16&l=0&m=a&v=2&show=/9359681/Advaita-Ashram Advaita Ashram] at ''[[wikimapia]]''

{{Swami Vivekananda}}

[[Category:Ramakrishna Math and Mission branches]]
[[Category:Ashrams]]
[[Category:Hindu organisations based in India]]
[[Category:Religious tract publishing companies]]
[[Category:Hindu monasteries in India]]
[[Category:Swami Vivekananda]]
[[Category:Advaita Vedanta]]
[[Category:Religious organizations established in 1899]]
[[Category:1899 establishments in India]]