Inspired by Swami Vivekananda’s ideal of “Service to Man is Service to God”, a young professional embarked on a transformative journey within the Ramakrishna Order, becoming Swami Shantatmananda. A monastic for about 50 years, he had a 30-year stint at the international headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math, where he contributed significantly with his expertise in the areas of financial administration and fund management, while pioneering staff welfare schemes. He also played an influential role in setting up the Sarada Seva Sangha, an NGO in Kolkata, working towards women’s empowerment.
Subsequently, he took charge as the Secretary of the Ramakrishna Mission, Delhi in 2007, where he initiated programs to provide a foundation of education for a range of stakeholders by following a train-the-trainer model, which was extremely well-received by educators across India. The resounding success led to the founding of a new centre in Haryana, Ramakrishna Mission, Gurugram in 2022, along with the establishment of the Vivekananda Institute of Values (VIVA), which is dedicated to spreading the man-making, character-building ideas of Swami Vivekananda.
Sarada Tapovan, a retreat centre in the Himalayas, situated at Jalaungi, Tehri District, on the Rishikesh-Uttarkashi Highway, is a significant milestone on the same journey, which was inaugurated in 2024. Built with state-of-the-art facilities, it offers a serene ambience for contemplation and spiritual practices.
Swami Shantatmananda, also known as Jaishankar Maharaj, enjoys sports and music.
Neha Phull is a VIVA resource person who, while racing through life aiming to achieve one milestone after another, tumbled down the hill, and found the words of Swami Vivekananda coming to her rescue to help her lead a life of purpose. She says, "It is the unfiltered truth in the majestic words of Swamiji that not just picks me up in the worst of my days but also become a beacon of light to nudge me to move forward towards a bigger goal."
5:03 - Sat-Chit-Ānanda - https://englishbooks.rkmm.org/m/the-complete-works-of-swami-vivekananda/a/5-7-3-iii-the-absolute-and-the-attainment-of-freedom
8:35 - Story of the Brahmachari - A version is found here - https://englishbooks.rkmm.org/m/the-complete-works-of-swami-vivekananda/a/1-2-4-what-is-duty
10:40 - Nisargadatta Maharaj - https://nisargadattamaharajofficialcenter.com/about-shree-nisargadatta-maharaj/
11:29 - Sri Ramakrishna - Biography is accessible here - https://englishbooks.rkmm.org/s/lsr/m/sri-ramakrishna-the-great-master/a/cover
13:44 - Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita - English version is accessible here- https://englishbooks.rkmm.org/s/tsr/m/gospel-of-sri-ramakrishna/a/cover-1
14:30 - Shiva Jnane Jiva Seva - An article eludicates the idea - https://vk.rkmm.org/s/vkm/m/vedanta-kesari-2013/a/05-shiva-jnane-jiva-seva%E2%80%94a-modern-mahavakya-oct-2013
21:16 - The Bhagavad Gita - Link to Swani Vivekananda's talk on the Gita - https://englishbooks.rkmm.org/m/the-complete-works-of-swami-vivekananda/a/4-2-3-thoughts-on-the-gita
23:12 - Madalasa - Story of Madalas by Pravrajika Divyanandaprana - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp_ouj7Amug