HONORING MY TEACHERS
I have met Teachers in India that are Inspiring, Divine and Content
Swami Virendra Saraswati is a monk trained by Swami Shivananda, who became a professor in their University of Haridwar and earned the honorific title of Saraswati.
An expert in Sanskrit and Vedic Philosophy, he is one of the happiest men alive.
He runs a small school in the foothills of the Himalayas and teaches students who become priests in demand Temples all over India
Many Times Tapash has stayed at his friend’s School in Rishikesh: Swami Virendra’s Ashram at Surya Ganga Needam” in Rishikesh.
Swamiji is a close friend who I have been visiting for twenty years. Virendra is so Jolly and welcoming and trains young boys who would not normally go to School to be Hindu priests, who are in demand across India including Delhi, Varanasi, Jaipur and Vrindaven. The School sits on a bend of the Ganges where it comes barreling out of the Himalayas: a mountain River with rapids and placid beaches behind huge rock boulders and rocky outcrops."
Surya Ganga Needam Ashram Ganga Line (footpath) Rishikesh
Swami Virendra and Swami Satyananda taught Tapash Fire Ceremony. Here, Tapash is with Swami Virendra in Rishikesh performing Fire Ceremony.
Swami Virendra had two energetic and dedicated students that we met who stayed at the School when the other students left for holidays and help with the 10 dairy cows in the dairy in the lowest level adjacent to the Ganges. But these dedicated students in their 20's returned to their village high in the Himalayas
The Ananda Math is a Tantric Order of Monks in Calcutta (Kolkata)
The Ananda Math teaches that individuals act according to the development of their centers in their brain and meditation can develop access to higher centers of the Brain
The Ananda Math is one of the six orders of Monks recognized by Shankaracharya, approximately 1800 years ago. Ananda means Bliss and Math means Home or House. This line of Yogis is the Home of Bliss. They are Tantric Yogis.
The Conduct of the Ananda Math:
The Philosophy of the Ananda Math is not soft minded. These are warrior Monks, Devotees of Durga: the Goddess with many weapons to Protect Society.
Wisdom is one of their goals that prompts moral actions to Protect Society and is grounded on an understanding that there is an immoral (Assuric) selfish, brutal and evil segment in society that will not respond to kindness and appeasement.
Durbalbad (soft-minded or overly affectionate) philosophy from the Surya Center in the Brain results in the appeasement of the selfish and evil elements in Society.
There is a balance between the Creative, Stable and Destructive forces of this Material World, guided by Wisdom
The Yogi of the Ananda Math has a duty to protect Dharma and Society and can use any force guided by true insight.
There is no discrimination against any race, gender or status in the Ananda Math. Anyone who manifests the attributes of the Daivi Sampadas and has a sincere desire for improvement is worthy of respect. Respect and acceptance as an aspirant or student in the Ananda Math is based on moral character
Their principal Ashram/Monastery is on Garia Station Road in Calcutta (Anandamath.com). Their representative in the USA is Tapash (Tapashb@aol.com), 732 267 5722, Their representative in the Canada is Jannovi 905 931 6127
Swami Satyananda Saraswati was the 142nd Guru of the Ananda Math. He:was born in a well-to-do family of Bikrampur, Dhaka, East Bengal (present Bangladesh) on the day of Makara Samkranti (January 13) in 1900 AD. He was the youngest of many siblings in the famed Dey Sarkar family, owner of extensive stretches of lands. He was a meritorious student, obedient son and disciplined yogi.
In spite of all material comforts, He felt the higher calling to pursue sannyasa that he completed with the support of his Guru Swami Satchitananda of Chunar.
Sudhamaye Sanyasini, the Lady 143rd Guru of the Ananda Math in the Kali Yuga, my beloved Indian mother, died at the end of 2024
Sudhamaye Sanyasini (Iti-Di) the 143rd Guru of the Ananda Math: gave initiation (diksha) into the 12-year course of Tantric Teachings of the Ananda Math. The niece of Swami Satyananda Saraswati, she was a teacher in the daytime and a yogini at night, completing the demanding course of meditation and ceremony of the Ananda Math and lived a long and full life
A gentle and accomplished Tantri Yogini, she was my beloved Indian Mother. She is followed by Mohesh her student and confidant.
Mohesh, the 144th Guru of the Ananda Math, took initiations from Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Sudamaya Sanyasini. A discipline and strong TantricYogi, he is a stalwart of the Garia Ashram and a valued mentor of Tapash.
I am most pleased Mohesh's strength, spiritual insight and discipline has been recognized and feel the Garia Ashram is in good hands.
Tapash was honored when Mohesh and Iti-di travelled with Iti Di from Calcutta and met Tapash at Swami Virendras Ashram in Rishikesh in 2017. Monesh and Gopal accompanied Tapash to Swami Virendra's Ashram Belur Math and were amazed Tapash during a crowded afternoon secured a Darshan of Kali in Dakineshwar where RamaKrishna had been priest, by singing the Kali Dyanum to the priests
Picture: Mohesh and Iti-di at the gates of Ananda Math, Garia
Letter from Mohesh Audio
Dipam Kar is a Tantrik Yogi of sublime insight, an experienced Ayurvedic Doctor, a gifted Vedic Astrologer, a valued the Ananda Math and my friend for 40 years.
Tapash had the honor to perform many ceremonies and mantras of the Ananda Math and recording mantras of the Ananda Math and sat for hours discussing the teachings of this Tantric Order of Monks with Mohesh and Dipam Kar. Picture of Dipam Kar (Astrology Teacher) and Tapash
When I visited my order of monks in Calcutta, the Ananda Math, Manush helped translate some Bengali and Sanskrit tantric teachings into English with my Guru brother Mohesh and expert astrology teacher Dipam Kar
Manush, son and Pulinda with statues of the 10-MahaVydia in the background.
Manush with perfect Sanskrit singing was instrumental in recording many of the Dyanums included in this work He is a student and confidant or Iti-di
Manush recorded most of the Mahavidya audios included in this web page
Partha Majumder was my Indian Brother and a essential member of the Ananda Math, He was the best doctor of Eastern and Western Medicine and physiologist and kept Swami Virendra and my Indian Mother, Iti-di, Sudamay Sanyasini alive through many health challenges. A confidant of Moheash he took Sanyas from both venerable tantric yogis, Swami Virendra and Iti-di and lived in Rishikesh and Kolkata for many years. Partha Fire Ceremony Kamakhya Assam 2012 accompanied Tapash on many excellent adventure to the major Mahavidya Temples including Tarapit. Tripura and Kamaka. A renown Human Physiologist & Systems Biologist, he researched pharmaceuticals giving solace to many people and served on the review board of international medical journals.
Hart Defouw was my first teacher of Vedic Astrology in Toronto and his mysterious, insightful teacher Mr. Mantriji. Hart frequently visited Swamiji Satyananda Saraswati in our home in that year when Swami visited Toronto.in 1977. He and his lovely wife Aleiha were close friends in Toronto and raised our young families together. Hart and Robert Svoboda subsequently wrote a definitive book on Vedic Astrology for Westerners, Light on Life, published by Penguin Press that I highly recommend, have read from cover to cover several times and each time learn a new level of insight Both are Masters of Astrology. He once stressed to me the importance of the Jyotir Vidya, that burning light of insight inside the student, that is won by purity, dedication and the proper teachers and I am here to say to Hart, we both used this lifetime well.
Norma/Nivedita
Norma was a Goddess on loan from the Universe. A devoted mother and beloved wife of Tapash, she was so intelligent and affectionate she made life seem easy, she made people feel special and had over 500 close friends when she died, too soon
Our introduction to Shaktivad Philosophy in Toronto was when Swami Satyananda Saraswati lived with us for a year in Toronto. Both our parents were gracious and taught us to be generous and kind to people, so when we received a request from our friend Jannovi to host this monk visiting Toronto, we accepted without hesitation and that decision changed the trajectory of our lives. Swami Satyananda Saraswati lived with us for year. We became the center of Bengali culture for that year and celebrated the major celebrations of Tantric Yoga during that time. We were interviewed on TV and Radio and in the press at that time when Swamiji celebrated Durga Puja with beautiful Images of Durga , Ganesh and Kartik I still have. Subsequently Norma and I were married by Swami Satyananda in Toronto. Again Kismet, the priest forgot the ceremony. We were in a church, all the guests were there and Swamiji stepped in and married us in an Indian ceremony.. We both wore ornate crowns, Norma wore a red Bengali sari and I wore a flimsy silk doti with gold trim: too thin for a Canadian winter. We had a fire ceremony Sapta Pada Gamon, and sprinkled popcorn on the Fire with Sanskrit mantras
Norma 1977
Swamiji visited Jamesburg USA in 1977 during the upbringing of Bhavani and celebrated the fire ceremonies and Durga Puja and Tantric celebrations with statues of Durga, Ganesh, Kartik, Saraswati and Lakshmi see attached under Puja.
We visited Shaktibad Math and Swami Satyananda in Calcutta 1983 with our children Satyam and Bhavani when they were young and I subsequently brought the statues of Siva and Kali back to the USA.
After Norma died in 1987 I was heartbroken. I needed to know a meaning to live after the trajedy, I sought insight in the Ananda Math. I kept up contact with Shakibad Math and visited India each year to study the formal course in Tantric Yoga and study Vedic Astrology for the last 40 years. I have digitally recorded the mantras for the Tantric course of the Ananda Math that are available on DSS and smart phone files. I celebrate these mantras and Pancha Debata Puja each morning.
I am Lucky in Love and in 2015 met Story Ducey, another Goddess on loan from the Universe: a teacher of Metaphysics from Columbia University and a Medium. She met all my teachers in 2016. It is a Lucky man and woman who is loved
Story Lucile Ducey is a Lecturer in Comparative Religion & Metaphysics and a skilled Medium who developed the Metaphysical Summer Lecture Series: addressing Afterlife and Modes of Prayer, Intuitive Development & Spiritual Communication All Faiths Ministry, Pastoral Counselling, Interfaith Ceremonies
Spirit Communication and Gallery Readings
Story happy in Rishikesh 2018 with Tapash
India Trip 2018: We spent three weeks in the ashram in Rishikesh beside the Ganges with my old friend Swami Virendra, studying fire ceremony.This is the view from the top tier of the Ashram upstream over the Ganges to Rishikesh
After doing powerful mantra meditation for days, I looked across the valley and saw iridescent writings and geometric patterns on the rocks in the valley floor of the Ganges - that was amazing
I have recorded Swami Virendra chanting
Swami Virendra Fire Ceremony
Mohesh perched on a rock in the middle of the Ganges
The Ganges here in Rishikesh is a mountain river with rapids swirling around huge boulders and is pristine
This was my favorite spot at Swami Virendra's ashram - a Haven of Peace in the Ganges
I recorded an audio of the Ganges burbling in 2018.
That was the year I met a Sanyasi who lived in these rocks for a while going up into the Himalayas. I brought him honey-dipped chapatis for breakfast each morning. He spoke little. only after a few days said “These are not your chapatis” to which I responded “I am only the messenger”
Story Lucile in the Ganges Valley above Rishikesh
In 2016 Tapash took Story to meet his teachers, Swami Vivendra in Rishikesh and Sunamaya Sanyasini in Kolkata.
We spent time in the Ganges Gorge above Rishikesh where the Ganges comes gushing out of the Himalaya as a mountain River, Here, you can swim in the clear water pools and drink the Ganges water.
Tapash compiled a narrative about temples, Tantrik Holy Sites and Ashrams he has visited all over India and a description of the Ganges from high in the Himalayas to its Delta
Tapash travelled to many temples along the Ganges, from Deva-Pryag a center of Vedic Astrology for millennia in the headwaters of the Ganges to Neel Kanth Temple above Rishikesh, the first Environmental Temple. Many times visited his friend Swami Virendra in his Ashram in Rishikesh where the Ganges barrels out to the Himalayas as a mountain river of great force, and travelled downstream to Haridwar in the company of great Himalayan yogis to the site of the Kumba Mela where he fell into the Ganges on new year's day, then to Chunar the site of Swami Satyananda's austerities then on to Varanasi and the bathing and cremation Ghats and the great Vishvanath Shiva temple. Mamy times Tapash visited his Ananda Math Ashram in Kolkata and the Dakineshwar Kali temple where RamaKrishna was a priest and the Guru of Vivekananda, whose temple Belur Math is across the River. Downstream in Kolkata is the great Kali Temple and the Ghats where they immerze the Goddess Durga each year and onto the Delta to Ganga Sagar the site of the Ganga Sagar Kumbha Mela
A View above Vashishtha's cave followed by a dip in the Ganges. Only here, above Rishikesh, can you drink the pure Ganges water
In This Tantrik Course, learn how Tantric Sandhya and the Dyanums and Mantra of Tantrik Mediation capture the Mind, providing the vibration to transcend the material world and reach higher centers of the Brain: Touching various parts of the Body can first center the Mind in contact with all the Nadis (nerve plexus) and Chakras of the Body: Learn Tantric Philosophy to understand that men behave according to the Centers of the Brain they can access. Learn how to ignite higher Centers of the Brain to develop Force of Will: Learn Pancha Debata Puja to access the Ganesh, Surya, Vishnu Siva and Shakti Centers of the Brain. Understand Kali and the other 10 Wisdom Goddesses by chanting their Dyanums and Mantras. Understand the Science of Tantric Sound in relation to the Sheaths of the Body to access Higher Centers of the Brain and the power of the Pranava AUM Mantra. Understand the Guru Paduka Center: Chant the Guru Paduka Mantra to integrate the higher Centers of the Brain. Understand the Hung Sah Mantra to develop courage beyond the Fear of Death and invoke Protection in these troubled times. Tapash, a Vedic Astrologer and Tantric Yogi for 40 years, brings us an experience of Tantric Meditation with mantras/and hymns that invoke the Universal Forces that shape our world: “Ha” Controlling Force/Planetary influences, “i “Intelligence, “A” Wisdom, “O” Enjoyment, “Li” Life Force, “Ri” Acton Force, “OO” Peace Force and “Aa” Love. We will discuss the Daivi Sampadas: those god-like universal spiritual principles, such as Love, Intellect, Courage, Joy and Bliss that illuminate our lives. Learn knowledge of the 8 Universal Forces, each with its own particular sound vibration and mantra and how meditation helps to change our character and shape our lives. Enjoy the Bliss and Insight of deep meditative experience with Tapash singing the Mantras and Hymns in Sanskrit.. These mantras help you identify and vibrate to these higher spiritual vibrations. They influence your brains neurology and chemistry. They become a cosmic conduit that magnifies your impulses and emotions with the goal of linking you to the three higher realms of existence and the Divine. Tapash 2016
And just when I was becoming complacent in March 2025, Destiny sent me on another Odyssey at Indimasi, Poornam Kerala, in the hills north east of Trivandrum: An Ayurvedic medical center and Yoga Ashram I met Yogi Shivan, the last in a long line of South Indian Siddha Yogis.
In 2025, when Tapash was getting complacent, Destiny had other plans and he was introduced to Yogi Shivan, and his insights into Ayurveda, Siddha Yoga meditation, and Kalaripayattu – the ancient science of health and Kalari Indian martial art and there began another Excellent Adventure.
I write to you from our farm near Cooperstown. NY, our refuge in these troubled times, on December 14 2024, before Story and Tapash visited South India and searched the Ananda Math in Kolkata for Partha and Iti-di, who had died some months earlier. Where we obtained permission to publish these courses and renewed our friendship with Mohesh, an illuminated and disciplined Tantric Yogi, now 144th Guru of the Ananda Math, and Dipam Kar our illustrious Astrology Teacher, who recorded the Ganges Dyanum so important at the end of the Kali Yuga