Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha


Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha, is an Indian Sannyasin and social reformer. He is known for his talks and discourses on Vedanta, Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads and Srimad Bhagavatam, and their practical application in daily life. He has also organized various movements to end some unlawful rituals practiced by some Hindu temples.

Early life

Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha was born in 1933 in the village of Parlikad near Wadakkanchery in Thrissur district, in present-day Kerala, India. He had his early education at Parlikad and later with his two brother Sanyasins started the Vyasa College, Parlikad. During his professional life in Kolkata, he met Baba Gangadhara Paramahamsa, who later became his Guru and the association eventually led to his introduction to the world of spirituality.

Activities

Jnaana Yajnas

The Jnaana Yajnas are a major part of Tirtha's Loka-sangraha campaign, first held in Jamshedpur in 1964, and held regularly in various parts of India, as well as in Malaysia and the U.S.A.

Socio-cultural reforms

Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha has conducted various movements for abolition of certain offensive and unlawful rituals and practices that were followed by some Hindu temples. Prominent among these are the practice called Thookkam at the Elavur Puthankavu Temple in Ernakulam District, and the practice of singing obscene songs during the Bharani festival at the Kodungallur temple.

The Ashram

Narayanashrama Tapovanam, the headquarters of Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha, is located at Venginissery village, 10 km South-West of Thrissur city. The Centres for Inner Resource Development, which are remote centres of the Ashram, are located in Delhi and Jamshedpur in India, Vienna - Virginia in the U.S.A and the Society for Inner Resources Development is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Foundation for Restoration of National Values

Tirtha was involved in establishing the Foundation for Restoration of National Values in June 2008 to help promote national values in Indian society. The advisory board of the FRNV includes format Indian Chief Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah, Tata Group chairman Ratan N. Tata, E Sreedharan, and N. Vittal.

Publications, books and periodicals

Vicharasetu, the English monthly journal published by Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha, was started in 1968. Hindi and Malayalam versions of the Journal are also being published.
Many books and CDs have been published by Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha in English, Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil and Bengali languages. Notable among them are the following.
  • Brahmavidya Abhyasa
  • Quietitude of the Mind
  • Divinizing every moment
  • My Beloved Baba.
  • Essential Concepts in Bhagavad gita
  • Vedantic Way of Living.
  • Prabhaata Rashmih:
  • To the Householder
  • Drops of Nectar from Srimad Bhaagavatam
  • Genesis & Relevance of Temple-worship