On the happy occasion of Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj's 75th Birthday Anniversary I am happy to share my views on this great son of Bharatavarsha, whose heart throbs with divine love and compassion for all creatures. Swamiji is the very embodiment of knowledge - a Jivanmukta, a saint and sage of the highest realisation whose presence itself sanctifies the holy Sivananda Ashram, endowing it with great vigour and vitality. He has been relentlessly working for his Master's Mission since his advent into the Sivananda Ashram's monastic fold, right from the time of his entry.

Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj called him "the shining light of Sivananda Ashram", whose counselling and comforting words have brought immense consolation to sincere, seeking souls. He has been called the 'Modern Sankaracharya' and true to this description, His Holiness has not left anything untouched in his writings including the most abstruse subjects. The writings of Swamiji pour forth from his heart and touch the hearts of the reader's though most of his works on Advaita philosophy are 'a hard nut to crack' as Swami Chidanandaji jokingly puts it. A very large group of Western visitors always rally round Swamiji Maharaj for his 'morning Darshan', meditation and discussions. They are immensely benefited by his pragmatic approach to various spiritual and social problems.

As he is the General Secretary of the Ashram, his manifold duties hardly leave him for personal comfort and rest. Disregarding his own delicate health, Swamiji works tirelessly for the uplift of all mankind. His duties connected with the high office he is holding in the Ashram are telling upon his health. But he hardly bothers about his own health, as the overwhelming thought in his mind is always to do the maximum possible good to any one who approaches him sincerely. His only thought is as to how best he can serve his Master and His Mission and to this end all his activities are directed.

The celebration of the 75th Birthday Anniversary of ' such a noble son of India really amounts to worshipping God in the manifest form. I pay my humble respects at the holy feet of Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj on this happy occasion and pray to God and Gurudev to grant him a long life and sound health so that countless seekers may be benefited by his Holy Presence, in the years to come.