Varkala

Bodhananda Swami

Born in a middle class family in Chirakkal village in Trichur (Thrissur) district Bodhananda Swami argued against inequality in the society. He traveled to many places in North India and he accepted the Sanyasin life at Jyothir Mutt in Kasi.

He came back to Kerala and started agitations against untouchability and caste discrimination and opposed idol worship. When he heard of the Guru's program about the idol installation at Jagannatha Temple he went there and asked the youngsters to stay away from it.  But a brief interaction with the Guru changed his mind. The Guru explained to him about the necessity of Temples and Idols and he stayed there until the function was over.

The Guru accepted Bodhanda as his Sanyasi disciple in 1912, on the third day of Sharada idol installation. Guru sent him as his representative to many meetings and committees. He helped Nataraja Guru to set up the Narayana Gurukulam in Neelagiri. He spared his life entirely for up-lifting the status of down-trodden people in his native state. The Cochin National Bank was established by him to improve the economic progress of the backward people. “Sree Narayana Dharmam” published by him codified the Guru's precept on “Caste, Religion, Morality, Celibacy and Household duties. The Guru registered his will in Bodhananda Swami's name and made him his successor. But unfortunately Bodhananda Swami attained Samadhi two days after the Guru's Samadhi, in 1928.

Sivalingadasa Swami

Chaithanya Swami