Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi (1852-1929)

§   Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi was born on 26^th August 1852.

§   He founded the Ananda Maha Sabha and Anandamatham (religion of bliss).

§   He founded the Siddhasramam at Alathur.

§   His real name was Karat Govindamenon.

§   An atheist, he denounced idol worship and religions.

§   He propounded the theory that ananda (happiness or bliss) should be the touchstone of any human activity.

§   He encouraged liquour prohibition and women’s education.

§   His reformist ideas are detailed in his works titled ‘Mokshapradeepam’ and ‘Anandasutram’.

§   Sivayoga Rahasyam, Sthri Vidya Poshini, Sidhanubhuthi, Mokshapradeepam, Anandakalpadrumam, Ananda Suthram, Rajayoga Parasyam, Vigraharadhana, Khandanam, Ananda Vimanam, Anandamatha Paraysyam, Anandakkummi, Ananda Ganam and Anandadarsam are his famous works.

§   Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi passed away on 10^th September 1929.