# Swami Nikhilanand

Swami Nikhilanand is a prominent (Kulkarni, 2010), Canadian born Hindu Spiritual Leader (Dutt, 2010). Swami Nikhilanand lives at, and is a teacher at JKP Barsana Dham, one of the largest Hindu Temple complexes in the Western Hemisphere, and manages JKP Barsana Dham's activities in and around New York (Pais, 2006). A sanyasi and disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj with his spiritual teacher's blessings, Swami Nikhilanand regularly delivers speeches, workshops (Pais, 2006) and large family camps throughout the United States (Dutt, 2010).

## Quotes about Swami Nikhilanand

* "Swami Nikhilanand teaches a Hinduism where philosophy aids in the everyday, and theory meets practice" (Thomases, 2006).
** Drew Thomases was a research student at Hamilton College. His research, "Following the Swami: Diaspora, Dialogue, and the Creation of a Hindu Identity in a Queens Community", was based on his meetings with Swami Nikhilanand, and his travels to Swami Nikhilanand's 'Essentials of Hinduism' classes around New York in 2006. His paper about Swami Nikhilanand was published in Hamilton College's 'Insights' Journal.

## Quotes by Swami Nikhilanand

* "A distinguishing feature of Hindu philosophy is that is says God can be experienced, and in fact, that is the ultimate goal of a soul. This was one of the most compelling factors for me in my decision to adopt Hinduism" (Nikhilanand, 2011).
** Swami Nikhilanand was one of the presiding members of the Hindu Mandir Executive Conference in 2010, which brought together 90 major Hindu temples and organizations from throughout North America. In the course of his keynote speech, Swami Nikhilanand made the above statement.
* "Not only does Hinduism answer all our intellectual questions, but it clearly states that you can meet God in person. Now who wouldn't want to do that?" (Nikhilanand, 2011).
** Swami Nikhilanand was one of the presiding members of the Hindu Mandir Executive Conference in 2010, which brought together 90 major Hindu temples and organizations from throughout North America. In the course of his keynote speech, Swami Nikhilanand made the above statement.
* "Although there are similarities between Hinduism and the other religions of the world, and as Hindus we respect all religions, nonetheless, there are features of Hinduism which are not found in other religions and which make Hinduism great" (Nikhilanand, 2011).
** Swami Nikhilanand was one of the presiding members of the Hindu Mandir Executive Conference in 2010, which brought together 90 major Hindu temples and organizations from throughout North America. In the course of his keynote speech, Swami Nikhilanand made the above statement.
* "The truth is that even if we met God face to face, we would not recognize His Divinity. That is why we must do devotion to purify our heart".
* "The Gita is the essence of all of these Upnishads. The knowledge of God is scattered throughout 1,180 Upnishads. The Gita, said by Shree Krishn, consolidates the Divine philosophy of all those Upnishads and gives a clear and precise understanding of several important topics" (Sharma, 2004).
** During the course of a 6 day speech at Sarva Dev Mandir in Oxford, Neelu Sharma, Treasurer of Sarva Dev Hindu Mandir, extensively interviewed Swami Nikhilanand. Swami Nikhilanand made the above statement during the course of their conversation.
* "Supreme God has uncountable Divine powers. When most of them are dormant or inactive, then God is formless and is referred to by the term Brahman. When more of His powers are active, God has form, and is referred to by the term Paramatma" (Nikhilanand, 2011).
** Swami Nikhilanand was one of the presiding members of the Hindu Mandir Executive Conference in 2010, which brought together 90 major Hindu temples and organizations from throughout North America. In the course of his keynote speech, Swami Nikhilanand made the above statement.
* "God is absolute. He is one Supreme Being, formless, yet he can have a form. He is omnipresent" (Giri, 2011).
** In 2011, Swami Nikhilanand was one of a number of high profile leaders of Hinduism and Judaism who participated in the First Hindu-Jewish Solidarity Day in Houston. The above statement was made by Swami Nikhilanand in the course of his keynote speech at the gathering.
* "Hinduism is amazing vast, yet monotheistic" (Giri, 2011).
** In 2011, Swami Nikhilanand was one of a number of high profile leaders of Hinduism and Judaism who participated in the First Hindu-Jewish Solidarity Day in Houston. The above statement was made by Swami Nikhilanand in the course of his keynote speech at the gathering.
* "Whether we are singing God's name or repeating a mantra, the real benefit is only received when we join our mind with God".
* "Upon complete heart purification, God will Grace you. With His Grace, you will receive a Divine mind and senses. Then you will be able to see Him, know Him, and experience Him".
* "On the path of bhakti there are no restrictions of time or place for meditation. You can meditate anytime, anyplace. There is also no required posture for meditation. The only requirement is that you should be remembering Radha Krishn"
* "Keep in mind that a mantra is not meant to give you worldly benefit. If you are taking any name of God or repeating any mantra, it should be with the goal of experiencing the bliss of the name and purifying your heart".

## References

* ↑ Kulkarni, B. 2010. Fifth Annual Hindu Mandir Executives’ Conference held in Houston. India Tribune.
* ↑ Dutt, E. 2010. "The Essential Gita - Vaishnav center in New Hyde Park, N.Y. makes Gita accessible to young people". Desi Talk (Cover Story).
* ↑ "Vedic Foundation Inaugurated at Barsana Dham, Austin". retrieved from: http://hua.edu/media/mediasupportfiles/newsletters_brochures/HU-Newsletter-7-03.pdf
* 1 2 Pais, A.J. February 24, 2006. "Giving it up all up". India Abroad.
* ↑ "Large attendance at Gita class". April 10–16, 2010. The South Asian Times.
* ↑ "What's up in the Mid-Hudson", Sep 13, 2004. The Poughkeepsie Journal, pg. B.3.
* ↑ Thomases, D. 2006. Following the Swami: Diaspora, Dialogue, and the Creation of a Hindu Identity in a Queens Community. Insights Journal, 1(1).
* ↑ Nikhilanand, S. 2011. All Religions Are Not the Same. Hinduism Today.
* ↑ Sharma, N. 2004. "Swami Nikhilanand Talks About The Devotional Philosophy Of The Gita And Upnishads". Lokavani, Retrieved from: http://www.lokvani.com/lokvani/article.php?article_id=1513
* ↑ Giri, Kalyani. Jan 17, 2011. Building Bridges Between World Cultures. The Times of India .

## External links

* JKP Worldwide Mission
* Barsana Dham Ashram
* Swami Nikhilanand's Facebook Group
* Interview with Swami Nikhilanand on ITV. In this interview Swami Nikhilanand speaks about his upbringing, spiritual journey and meeting with Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj
* Press clippings and video clips of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat Gita Family Camps