Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati marks 25 years of monastic life

Rishikesh: Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, international director of Parmarth Niketan and president of the Divine Shakti Foundation, celebrated the silver jubilee of her ‘sanyas diksha' (her formal initiation into monastic life) on Wednesday.The event was held at Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh and was attended by her guru and initiator, Swami Chidanand Saraswati, along with Patanjali Ayurved founder Baba Ramdev, Swami Rajendra Dasji, Swami Ravindra Puriji, Swami Harichetnanandji, Sant Shri Murlidharji, Acharya Balkrishanji and Dr Chinmaya Pandya.Raised in Los Angeles and a Stanford University graduate, Sadhvi experienced a spiritual awakening during her visit to India in 1996. Her experience led her to renounce worldly life and embrace monasticism. She has since lived in India for over two decades. Her other roles include secretary-general of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, co-chair of the UN's Multifaith Advisory Council, and director of the International Yoga Festival.To mark the occasion, a free, multi-specialty medical camp was organised in collaboration with Medanta Hospital, providing healthcare services to hundreds of pilgrims, sadhus, and local residents.Baba Ramdev described her as an "embodiment of the divine Mother," while Swami Chidanand Saraswati hailed her as "a lighthouse of wisdom." Swami Rajendra Dasji remarked on the spiritual significance of the day, which also coincided with Jyeshtha Purnima, Kabir Jayanti and Saryu Jayanti.Reflecting on her journey, Sadhvi said, "I truly don't feel that I live in Bharat, but that Bharat lives in me... It is not the external sadhan, but the sadhana that truly matters."