{"id":2788,"date":"2019-05-10T00:56:51","date_gmt":"2019-05-10T00:56:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rogergabriel.com\/?p=2788"},"modified":"2019-05-10T00:56:51","modified_gmt":"2019-05-10T00:56:51","slug":"shree-satuwa-baba-ashram","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rogergabriel.com\/?p=2788","title":{"rendered":"Shree Satuwa Baba Ashram"},"content":{"rendered":"

300 Years of Serving Humanity<\/strong><\/p>\n

Since 2004 I have been a member of the Shree Satuwa Baba Ashram in Varanasi India.\u00a0It is a traditional Indian ashram, offering simple but sufficient facilities, which has become like a second home to me.\u00a0 If you are ever in Varanasi, I hope you will visit the Ashram.\u00a0 Tell them Raghavanand sent you and you will be welcomed, whether you choose to just look around, enjoy a basic meal, meet the boys or stay longer.<\/p>\n

Please also see my personal experiences in the article, Lessons from the Ashram<\/p>\n

For the past 300 years the Sri Satuwa Baba Ashram has provided free food and lodging for whoever enters its doors.\u00a0 The Ashram also offers free medical services at its hospital in Palitana, Gujarat and free education at its schools in Varanasi and Palitana.<\/p>\n

Tradition and Lineages<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the 18th<\/sup>century, a great saint, Shree Ranchor Dasji lived and performed intense spiritual practices on the banks of the Holy River Ganges at Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi. Every day he would distribute food in the form of gram-flour to everyone who came for his Darshan (blessing).\u00a0In Hindi this food is called Satuwa and soon Shree Ranchor Dasji became known as Satuwa Baba (the saint who gave gram-flour).\u00a0 To be better able to serve the needs of the growing numbers of people who came to see him, he established the first Shree Satuwa Baba Ashram at the Manikarnika Ghat, on the banks of the River Ganges, in Varanasi.<\/p>\n

From Shree Ranchor Dasji the title and traditions have passed from teacher to disciple through six generations of great saints:<\/p>\n

Shri 1008 Mahant Mohan Dasji Maharaj<\/p>\n

Shri 1008 Nahant Bhola Dasji Maharaj<\/p>\n

Shri 1008 Mahant Damodar Dasji Maharaj<\/p>\n

Shri 1008 Mahant Narottam Dasji Maharaj<\/p>\n

Shri 1008 Mahant Yamunacharya Maharaji<\/p>\n

to the current, seventh, Satuwa Baba, Shri 1008 Mahant Santosh Dasji.\u00a0 Mahantji has lived at and served the Ashram since he was 12 years old.\u00a0 He was the administrator of the Ashram until his Guruji left his body in 2012 when the title of Satuwa Baba was conferred upon him.\u00a0 Likenesses of the saints of the Satuwa Baba lineage can be seen in the Ashram Darshan Hall.<\/p>\n

In Hinduism there are four main lineages \u2013 Vaisnava, Shaiva, Shakti and Ganapati.\u00a0 While the Sri Satuwa Baba Ashram respects all lineages, its direct line has been maintained through the 2600 year old Vishnu Swami tradition.\u00a0 Mahantji, the current Satuwa Baba, is the 56th<\/sup>Vishnuswami in the lineage.\u00a0 Members of the Ashram wear the \u2018U\u2019 shaped tilak (marking) on their foreheads representing this lineage. As a symbol of his greatness and power, the original Adi Satuwa Baba was gifted a blue sapphire ring by a queen, representing the love and blessings of Lord Krishna.\u00a0 This ring has been passed down through the Satuwa Baba lineage and is currently worn by Mahantji.<\/p>\n

Locations and Activities<\/strong><\/p>\n

Since its original creation, the Sri Satuwa Baba Ashram has expanded at its current site and into other parts of India.<\/p>\n

Varanasi.<\/strong>\u00a0 The main Ashram is located at the Manikarnika Ghat in Kashi (Varanasi), the City of Light.\u00a0 Manikarnika is the most important of all the Ghats, said to be the place of the earth\u2019s creation and where Lord Shiva grants liberation to the departed souls.\u00a0 It is the most auspicious cremation place in India.\u00a0The Ashram is home to an ancient Shiva temple and Radha Krishna shrine as well as a newer temple with shrines dedicated to Sri Rajarajeshwari, Radha Krishna and Lord Shiva in the form of a mercury lingam.\u00a0 Vedic chanting and offerings are made during the day and aarti (offering the light) is performed each morning and evening.<\/p>\n

Three times a day the Ashram serves free nutritious meals to saints, sadhus, pilgrims and the poor.\u00a0 It provides free lodging to pilgrims and runs a Sanskrit school offering free education and full board to 70 boys aged 10-18 years, who are trained to become Vedic Pundits (priests).<\/p>\n

Varanasi.<\/strong>\u00a0 On the opposite side of the River is the Satuwa Baba Gaushala, a farm where vegetables are grown and milk cows are kept to provide fresh food for the main Ashram\u2019s use.<\/p>\n

Gujarat, Palitana.<\/strong>\u00a0 The Shri Kashi Viswanath Satuwa Baba Trust Ashram is located on 16 acres of peaceful rural land.\u00a0 It includes a hospital offering free medical services to the local community, a day-school offering free general education to 1200 students, a Radha Krishna temple and small farm with cows.<\/p>\n

Gujarat, Molita.\u00a0 <\/strong>This small, peaceful and secluded ashram on the banks of the sacred Narmada River provides food and shelter for pilgrims undertaking the Narmada Parikrama.<\/p>\n

Allahabad.<\/strong>\u00a0 The Satuwa Baba Seva Ashram is located opposite the Sangam (confluence) of the Rivers Ganges, Jamuna and mythical Saraswati, where the Maha Kumbh Mela (great spiritual festival) takes place.\u00a0 This small ashram provides free lodging, meals and a meeting space to visiting saints and sadhus.<\/p>\n

Vrindavan.\u00a0 <\/strong>The Sri Vrindavan Dham is a small ashram near the center of this holy city, providing free food and lodging for saints and sadhus.<\/p>\n

Serving Humanity<\/strong><\/p>\n

The mission of the Sri Satuwa Baba Ashram and lineage is to alleviate suffering and serve humanity by:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Teaching others to know their inner Self<\/li>\n
  2. Teaching practices for spiritual growth and purification<\/li>\n
  3. Teaching devotion to God<\/li>\n
  4. Supporting the values and practices of the Path of Truth<\/li>\n
  5. Preserving the purity of Vedic culture<\/li>\n
  6. Providing free food for the hungry<\/li>\n
  7. Providing free shelter and lodging for pilgrims<\/li>\n
  8. Providing education for children<\/li>\n
  9. Keeping and respecting cows<\/li>\n
  10. Preserving the Sanskrit language<\/li>\n
  11. Promoting and preserving the Sanatana Dharma<\/li>\n
  12. Providing social services, welfare and medical support to those in need<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    All the programs of the Sri Satuwa Baba Ashram are offered freely with love, humility and devotion to Lord Krishna and the Higher Self.<\/p>\n

    Support<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The Sri Satuwa Baba Ashram never charges for any of its services, everything is offered freely by the Grace of God.\u00a0 The Satuwa Baba Ashram is a regular stop for many pilgrims who visit the holy city of Varanasi and is widely respected throughout India.\u00a0 Every day an average of 300 people are fed at the Ashram free of charge.\u00a0 Everyone who enters its doors is treated with the same unconditional love and respect.\u00a0The world is our family and divinity is recognized in every individual.\u00a0 For 300 years, the Sri Satuwa Baba Ashram has been blessed to serve humanity in this manner.<\/p>\n

    Much has been accomplished and much more still remains to be done.\u00a0 We are extremely grateful to all the visitors and community members who continue to support this service with their generous donations.<\/p>\n

    Satuwa Baba Ashram School<\/strong>, Varanasi<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The Satuwa Baba Ashram School was established approximately 250 years ago to provide a traditional Vedic education for boys aged 10-18 years.\u00a0 The boys are mostly from poor families, a few of them are orphans and they come from all over Northern India and Nepal.\u00a0They are screened through an application process and must have basic reading, writing and math skills, before being accepted by the Ashram.\u00a0 The curriculum, exams, etc are set and overseen by the prestigious Sanskrit University, which is also located in Varanasi.<\/p>\n

    All education, room and board and clothing is provided free of charge by the Ashram.\u00a0 The boys return home for holidays twice a year.\u00a0 They can earn pocket money by helping with sponsored ceremonies at the Ashram and from gifts by donors.<\/p>\n

    After graduation, the students are qualified to work as Vedic priests, either through a temple or independently.\u00a0 Some choose to do this, others return home to marry and take regular jobs.\u00a0 The brighter students have the opportunity to go on to university to become scholars and teachers.\u00a0 Some students choose to stay with the Ashram to become part of its monastic community. The School has a very good reputation locally and each year, several of the graduates continue on with advanced studies at local universities.<\/p>\n

    Currently, there are 80 boys living in the Ashram and attending the School.\u00a0 45 of the younger ones live in the actual School building, constructed through the support of the Pouroulis Foundation, the other boys are housed in other parts of the Ashram.\u00a0 Two of the four teachers also live in the School building.\u00a0 Approximately 15 new students are admitted to the School at the beginning of each school year.<\/p>\n

    The boys are well behaved, happy and for the most part, focused on their studies.\u00a0 They are responsible for keeping their own clothes and rooms clean and tidy.\u00a0 In addition to their Sanskrit studies, there are regular classes in English and several of the boys are quite proficient and enjoy practicing on westerners.\u00a0 They receive three meals a day.\u00a0 The food is basic, Indian style, nutritious and plentiful.\u00a0 The Ashram has a farm close by which provides some of the fresh food and milk.\u00a0 Additional supplies are purchased locally.\u00a0 All boys receive two sets of clothing and sandals, twice yearly as well as basic school supplies.<\/p>\n

    For the most part, the boys are healthy.\u00a0 New students are often malnourished when they arrive and are given a full medical checkup. Any boy with anything other than a minor complaint, is taken to a local doctor and, if necessary, to the hospital.\u00a0 The medical costs are borne by the School.<\/p>\n

    The Ashram School is located on land owned by the Ashram, to the rear of the main Ashram building and separated from it by a narrow lane.\u00a0 It is approximately 250 years old and the original building was determined to be unfit for use many years ago.\u00a0 This meant that the students had to live and study in the basement of the main Ashram building, in far from adequate conditions.<\/p>\n

    In July 2011, at the request of Shree Satuwa Baba Maharaji, we began raising funds to rebuild the School.\u00a0 Money was raised and work began before the end of that year.\u00a0 Due to the school\u2019s location, it was a long and difficult construction.\u00a0 However, the school was inaugurated in January 2013, during the time of the Maha Kumbha Mela and the official grand opening was held in November 2013.<\/p>\n

    The new five story building has student and teacher bedrooms with attached bathrooms, meeting and study areas, an office and space for a library and computer room.\u00a0 The completion of the facility has meant that more students can be admitted to the school and accommodated in a secure, safe and healthy environment.\u00a0 Some students, including a few girls, continue to live at home as external students, coming into the School for classes or studying with teachers in their local areas.\u00a0 Being registered with the Satuwa Baba School allows them to attend these courses and take the government exams.<\/p>\n

    The Satuwa Baba Ashram School provides an educational opportunity for children who wouldn\u2019t normally be able to afford one and the possibility for a future career.\u00a0In doing so, it is also helping to preserve the century\u2019s old traditions of India.<\/p>\n

    Shree Ranchor Dasji (the first Satuwa Baba)<\/strong><\/p>\n

    There are several interesting stories surrounding the life of the first Satuwa Baba.\u00a0He was born in the State of Gujurat, in western India and worked for the ruling Maharaja.\u00a0 After a falling out, he travelled to Varanasi, where he focused on his spiritual pursuits.\u00a0 As previously mentioned, he would sit near the River Ganges and distribute a nutritious mixture known as Satuwa and hence became known as the Satuwa Baba.<\/p>\n

    One day an old man came to receive the food, which then was in its whole grain form.\u00a0The old man complained that as he had no teeth, he wouldn\u2019t be able to chew it.\u00a0 Satuwa Baba apologized and immediately ground the grain into flour, which he gave to the man.\u00a0 The old man transformed himself into Lord Shiva and blessed Satuwa Baba, telling him that he would have an ashram at that place from which many people would be served for many years to come.<\/p>\n

    Not long after, his former employer, the Maharaja of Gujarat was on a pilgrimage to Varanasi.\u00a0 He came across Satuwa Baba sitting by the River and was so impressed with his actions and spiritual countenance that he donated some land and buildings, which became the Satuwa Baba Ashram.<\/p>\n

    Many people would (and still do), visit the Ashram for Satuwa Baba\u2019s blessings.\u00a0One day a young woman came.\u00a0Satuwa Baba blessed her to have a long life and many children.\u00a0 The woman was dismayed, saying that she was bringing her dead husband there for cremation so how could she have any children.\u00a0 Satuwa Baba told the woman to have her husband\u2019s body brought there.\u00a0The man then apparently returned to life and he and his wife went on to have many children.\u00a0 One time, when I was at the Ashram, my Guru the sixth Satuwa Baba, called me to his room.\u00a0 I was introduced to a father and his son and told that they were direct descendants of the man who had been returned to life.\u00a0 They confirmed the story and said that it was part of their family\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

    The Satuwa Baba Ashram is built on the side of a small hill, rising up from the River Ganges, so it is on several levels.\u00a0 The lowest level is home to an ancient Radhe Krishna shrine.\u00a0 Great saints usually know when it\u2019s time for them to leave their physical body, in fact many will choose the moment.\u00a0 When he felt it was time, Satuwa Baba went into this shrine and sat to meditate in a small cave at the rear of the shrine.\u00a0 He then instructed his devotees to seal the entrance to the cave with a brick wall.\u00a0 To this day, the brick wall has remained sealed.<\/p>\n

    Sri Satuwa Baba Maharaji (my Guru)<\/strong><\/p>\n

    On Wednesday November 28, 2012, Anant Shree Vibhusita Jagadguru Vishnuswami Sampradayacharya Shree Yamunacharyaji Maharaj Shree Satuwa Baba (Maharaji) of Varanasi, India, left his earthly body at the age of 99 years.<\/p>\n

    Maharaji was born in 1913 into a Brahmin family in the village of Sankarpur Uttar Pradesh, India. From early childhood, Maharaji was drawn to spiritual and religious pursuits and, at the age of 12 years old, he left his home without informing his family, and joined a group of wandering sadhus. After some time, he came to Varanasi and began his education at the Satuwa Baba Ashram. He was a gifted student and became proficient in the Vedic texts and the practice of hatha yoga.<\/p>\n

    By 1945, Maharaji had become a great spiritual Master in his own right. In 1954 he left the Ashram and journeyed to the Gangorti area of the Himalayas to begin intense spiritual practices and austerities. For ten years he performed his austerities and yoga, often living only on milk and water. He remained secluded in the Himalayan caves for three of these years, even during the winter months. Returning from the Himalayas, he spent some time in Rishikesh at the Ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who invited him to be the yoga instructor there.\u00a0However, respecting his Guru\u2019s wishes, he returned to the Satuwa Baba Ashram in Varanasi, where he became chief administrator. In 1972, just before taking Samadhi, his Guru handed over his lineage and tradition to Maharaji. By the Grace of his Guru, Maharaji received the title of the Sixth Satuwa Baba. In due time, the Vishnuswami society honored him as leader and he became the Vishnuswami Sampradayacharya. The Saint and Sadhu society also conferred the title of Jagadguru on him.<\/p>\n

    As the sixth Satuwa Baba, Maharaji offered uncountable services for the benefit of human beings and for the welfare of society. Under his leadership, the Satuwa Baba Ashram has been greatly expanded and extended.<\/p>\n

    I was fortunate to spend his 99th birthday with Maharaji.\u00a0 Although he didn\u2019t say it directly, he hinted that he wouldn\u2019t be with us physically for much longer. Maharaji left his physical body during a visit to Gujurat, where he was essentially saying goodbye to his devotees.\u00a0His body was returned to Varanasi, where it was placed in a concrete coffin.\u00a0 As is the tradition for Enlightened Saints, who have completed their karmic cycle, the body was immersed in the middle of the River Ganges opposite the Ashram.<\/p>\n

    Maharaji always focused his efforts on preserving the purity of Vedic culture. He visited sacred sites throughout India and also visited Europe and the United States of America. He is greatly missed by his devotees throughout India and the world.<\/p>\n

    As Maharaji would always say to people when he travelled, \u201cCome to Kashi\u201d and visit our Ashram.<\/p>\n

    Jai Shree Krishna<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    300 Years of Serving Humanity Since 2004 I have been […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2788","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-india"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rogergabriel.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2788","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rogergabriel.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rogergabriel.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rogergabriel.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rogergabriel.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2788"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/rogergabriel.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2788\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2789,"href":"https:\/\/rogergabriel.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2788\/revisions\/2789"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rogergabriel.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2788"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rogergabriel.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2788"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rogergabriel.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2788"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}