Trailanga swami biography definition

Trailinga Swami born to Narasingh Rao and Bidayabati in 1601, was a great Indian Saint who did tremendous sadhana for over 250 years and attained to the heights of spiritual knowledge. He was soon seen on the prison roof, in all his "sky-clad" glory. His biographers and his disciples differ on his birth date and the period of his longevity.

According to one disciple biographer, he was born in 1529, while according to another biographer it was 1607. In 1669 his mother died. Among the many mystics and saints who have graced this ancient city, Trailanga Swamy holds a unique place. Ganapati reportedly led a life of severe austerities and went on a pilgrimage, reaching Prayag in 1733, before finally settling in Varanasi in 1737

A member of the Dashanami order, Sivarama became known as Sri Trailanga Swami ji after he settled in Varanasi, living the monastic life.In Varanasi, till his death in 1887, he lived at different places including Assi Ghat, the Vedavyas Asharama at Hanuman Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat.

After his mother's death in 1669, he saved her ashes (chita bhasma). In one instance, a skeptic wanted to expose him as a fraud.

Shivaram was always a profound and seriously introspective child. He was in an exalted state of knowledge.

The Swami, rarely eating earthly foods, was said to have gained a pound of body weight for each of his earthly years and finally reaching over 300 pounds.

He is remembered not just for his yogic powers and longevity but as a symbol of extreme asceticism and devotion. His description of a poor person as one who is "very greedy" and regarded one who always remains content as rich.

His longevity is attributed to his deep spiritual practices and mastery of yoga.

The Early Years

From a young age, Trailanga Swamy exhibited a deep inclination towards spirituality and asceticism. They soon gave up, and let him again walk the streets of Varanasi.

Thousands of people reportedly saw him levitating in a sitting position on the surface of the river Ganges for days at a time.

He talked very little and at times not at all. He spent much of his time at various ghats along the Ganges and was often spotted submerged in the sacred river for hours, even days. After 20 years of spiritual practice (sadhana), he met his preceptor swami, Bhagirathananda Saraswati, in 1679 from the Punjab.