Gnanananda Giri

Gnanananda (Nia-na-nan-da) was an Indian guru, referred to by followers as Swami Sri Gnanananda Giri. He is believed to have been born in the early part of 8th century. He was the Chief Disciple of the Sri Sivaratna Giri Swamigal and one of the leaders (Peetathipathis) of the Jyotir Math, one of the four Maths established by Adi Sankara. This lineage of Peetathipathis is also called the 'Giri' Paramparai, as seen from the Peetathipathis' name which ends with 'Giri'. Gnanananda is a Mahayogi, Siddha Purusha, Himalayan sage and Indian philosopher. He believed in Advaita Vedanta because he was lineage of Peetam. He had a number of disciples including Vidyananda, Triveni and Dasagiri. He gave sanyasa to Haridhos Giriof Adi Shankara. He also made him chief disiple at Gnananda Tapovanam circa 1960s commanding him to spread nama sankirtana throught the world. Swami had a number of accomplished disiples through his abnormally long tenure- Bramanamda who took samadhi at Puskar, Achutadasa of Polur. He loved obsurity. He changed identity to avoid being recognised .

Sources report his birth as early 19th century in the village Mangalapuri in North Kanara District of Karnataka. to an orthodox Brahmin couple, Venkoba Ganapati and SriMathi Sakku Bai. He was named Subramanyam at birth, and left his home at a very early age. His birthday is celebrated on the birth star of Kritika in January (the Tamil month of Thai).

Sivaratna Giri Swami accepted Subramanyam as his disciple and named him Pragnana Brahmachari. Sivaratna Giri initiated Gnanananda in the traditional manner into the Giri order of Jyotir Mutt and gave him the monastic name of Sri Gnanananda Giri. Sivaratna Gnanananda adorned the 6th lineage of Peetam of Jagadguru Totakacharya for some time. However he nominated one Ananda Giri in his place and retired to the height of the Himalayas for penance. Gnananda spent many years at the sacred spot of Gangotri and icy caves of the Himalayas in intense tapas. He travelled extensively on foot, spanning the whole India and Tibet, Nepal, Burma, Sri Lanka and Malaya. He met many holy men over the course of his pilgrimage.

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