By A Volunteer
Listening to Swami Sarvapriyanandaji’s reminiscence of Swami Sridharanandaji (Swamiji) evoked some memories from my brief yet memorable time in his presence during his visits to one of the Centers in USA.
Swamiji was extraordinarily down-to-earth. Despite being so well known, he never assumed any airs about himself. As Swami Sarvapriyanandaji beautifully noted in his lecture, Swamiji had the rare ability to make you feel as though he had known you for a long time—even when you were meeting him for the first time. What was even more remarkable was that you yourself began to feel that you had known him before. That sense of immediate, effortless connection was unmistakable.
One incident, which still remains vivid in my memory, speaks volumes about his humility. Swamiji was staying in the third-floor guest room across from the elevator. I was assigned to usher him to the dining hall. Elevator use being an infrequent one, I led him toward the staircase out of habit. He gently turned and said, in the most humble and apologetic tone possible, “My dear, my knees are not very good; I cannot walk down the stairs.” I am sure he was well aware of the elevator, yet he did not insist on taking it outright. Only after seeing the number of steps did he make that request—and that too with such a supplicating humility. It immediately filled me with shame, embarrassment, and awkwardness that a Swamiji had to speak to me in that manner. I apologized and promptly took him to the elevator. Though simple, this incident reveals how deeply connected Swamiji was with everyone around him — his instinctive adjustment to circumstances, his complete absence of self-importance, and the profound warmth conveyed through his characteristic address, “My dear,” which truly went straight to one’s heart.
Another time, the head Swami of the Center, in his usual light-hearted manner, remarked to Swamiji that the devotees there did not listen to him and even scolded him at times. Swamiji laughed it off and said, “Ashrams are only for devotees,” subtly conveying that for one who has renounced, there is no place that belongs to oneself. The remark reflected both his depth and his humor.
Remembering Swamiji's lecture style, he truly packed in everything - rich in content, directly relevant to the topic, well structured, and delivered at a measured pace in a voice that effortlessly held one’s attention. There was no excessive reliance on illustrations or humor, yet the talks were never academic or dry. His personality and lived spirituality flowed naturally through his words, making them deeply impactful and inspiring. The repeated use of “My dear” made you feel as though he was speaking directly to you. And all this without any visible notes whatsoever. He embodied such a broad and harmonious blend — where knowledge and love merged seamlessly, naturally invoking inspiration in the listener.
Blessed are we to belong to an Order with such Spiritual Stalwarts. Jai Sri Ramakrishna.
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Reference: Swami Sarvapriyananda Ji on Swami Sridharananda Ji Maharaj: https://www.youtube.
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