Rama Tirtha - Revision history

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← Older revision		Revision as of 13:19, 28 March 2026
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	{{Short description\|Indian teacher ~~of the Hindu philosophy of Vedanta~~}}		{{Short description\|Indian teacher (1873–1906)}}
	{{~~EngvarB~~\|date=~~May 2015~~}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=October 2024}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=~~December 2018~~}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=October 2024}}
	{{Infobox Hindu leader		{{Infobox Hindu leader
	\|name = Swami Rama Tirtha		\|name = Swami Rama Tirtha
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	\|disciples = [[Puran Singh]], [[Narayan Swami]]		\|disciples = [[Puran Singh]], [[Narayan Swami]]
	\|nationality = Indian		\|nationality = Indian
	~~\| free_label = Alma Mater~~
	~~\| free_text = [[Government College University, Lahore\|Government College, Lahore]]~~
	}}		}}
	{{Hindu philosophy}}		{{Hindu philosophy}}
	'''Swami Rama Tirtha''' {{audio\|Swami Ramtirtha.ogg\|pronunciation}} ~~([[Punjabi language\|Punjabi]]: ਸਵਾਮੀ ਰਾਮਤੀਰਥ, [[Hindi]]: स्वामी रामतीर्थ~~ 22 October 1873 – 17 October 1906<ref name=r1>Verma, M.L. ''Swadhinta Sangram Ke Krantikari Sahitya Ka Itihas''. Vol 2. pp. 418–421</ref>), also known as '''~~Ram Soami~~''', was an Indian teacher of the [[Hindu]] philosophy of [[Vedanta]]. He was among the first notable teachers of Hinduism to lecture in the [[United States]], travelling there in 1902, preceded by [[Swami Vivekananda]] in 1893 and followed by [[Paramahansa Yogananda]] in 1920.<ref>{{cite book \| last =Brooks \| first =Douglas Renfrew \| title =Meditation Revolution: A History and Theology of the Siddha Yoga Lineage \| publisher =Motilal Banarsidass Publishing \| year =2000 \| location =India \| isbn =81-208-1648-X \|page=72}}</ref><ref>{{cite book \| last =Frawley \| first =David \| author-link =David Frawley \| title =Vedantic Meditation: Lighting the Flame of Awareness \| publisher =North Atlantic Books \| year =2000 \| isbn =1-55643-334-4 \|page=3}}</ref> During his American tours Swami Rama Tirtha spoke frequently on the concept of 'practical Vedanta'<ref name="Rinehart, p. 1">{{cite book \| last =Rinehart \| first =Robin \| title =One Lifetime, Many Lives: The Experience of Modern Hindu Hagiography \| publisher =Oxford University Press \| year =1999 \| location =United States \| isbn =0-7885-0555-6 \|pages=1–2}}</ref> and education of Indian youth.<ref name="bromley">{{cite book \| last =Bromley \| first =David G \| author-link =David G. Bromley \|author2=Larry D. Shinn \| title =Krishna Consciousness in the West \| publisher =Bucknell University Press \| year =1989 \| isbn =0-8387-5144-X \|page= 82}}</ref> He proposed bringing young Indians to American universities and helped establish scholarships for Indian students.<ref>Singh, appendix, article from Minneapolis Tribune: ''Would Save Countrymen: Swami Ram Plans the Redemption of the Ignorant Masses in India—American Education: He Would Have Them Come Here, as Did the Young Japanese''.</ref>		'''Swami Rama Tirtha''' ({{audio\|Swami Ramtirtha.ogg\|pronunciation}} 22 October 1873 – 17 October 1906<ref name="r1">Verma, M.L. (2006). ''Swadhinta Sangram Ke Krantikari Sahitya Ka Itihas''. Vol 2. pp. 418–421</ref>), also known as '''Swami Rama''', was an Indian teacher of the [[Hindu]] philosophy of [[Vedanta]]. He was among the first notable teachers of Hinduism to lecture in the [[United States]], travelling there in 1902, preceded by [[Swami Vivekananda]] in 1893 and followed by [[Paramahansa Yogananda]] in 1920.<ref>{{cite book \| last =Brooks \| first =Douglas Renfrew \| title =Meditation Revolution: A History and Theology of the Siddha Yoga Lineage \| publisher =Motilal Banarsidass Publishing \| year =2000 \| location =India \| isbn =81-208-1648-X \|page=72}}</ref><ref>{{cite book \| last =Frawley \| first =David \| author-link =David Frawley \| title =Vedantic Meditation: Lighting the Flame of Awareness \| publisher =North Atlantic Books \| year =2000 \| isbn =1-55643-334-4 \|page=3}}</ref> During his American tours Swami Rama Tirtha spoke frequently on the concept of "practical Vedanta"<ref name="Rinehart, p. 1">{{cite book \| last =Rinehart \| first =Robin \| title =One Lifetime, Many Lives: The Experience of Modern Hindu Hagiography \| publisher =Oxford University Press \| year =1999 \| location =United States \| isbn =0-7885-0555-6 \|pages=1–2}}</ref> and education of Indian youth.<ref name="bromley">{{cite book \| last =Bromley \| first =David G \| author-link =David G. Bromley \|author2=Larry D. Shinn \| title =Krishna Consciousness in the West \| publisher =Bucknell University Press \| year =1989 \| isbn =0-8387-5144-X \|page= 82}}</ref> He proposed bringing young Indians to American universities and helped establish scholarships for Indian students.<ref>Singh, appendix, article from Minneapolis Tribune: ''Would Save Countrymen: Swami Ram Plans the Redemption of the Ignorant Masses in India—American Education: He Would Have Them Come Here, as Did the Young Japanese''.</ref>

	==Biography==		==Biography==
	Rama Tirtha was born in a [[~~Punjabi language~~\|~~Punjabi]] [[~~Brahmin]] family<ref>{{cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=krbNowF8OjgC&pg=PA23\|title=Miracle as Modern Conundrum in South Asian Religious Traditions\|page=23\|author1=Corinne G. Dempsey\|author2=Selva J. Raj\|date=7 January 2009\|publisher=SUNY Press\|access-date=7 January 2009\|isbn=978-0791476345}}</ref> to Pandit Hiranand Goswami on 22 October 1873 ([[Deepawali]] Vikram Samvat 1930) in the [[village]] of Muraliwala in the [[Gujranwala District]] of [[Punjab, Pakistan]].<ref name=r1/> His mother died when he was a few days old and he was raised by his elder brother Gossain Gurudas. After receiving a master's degree in mathematics from [[Government College University, Lahore\|The Government College of Lahore]] he became professor of mathematics at [[Forman Christian College]], [[Lahore]].		Rama Tirtha was born in a [[Gosains\|Gosvami Brahmin]] family<ref>{{cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=krbNowF8OjgC&pg=PA23\|title=Miracle as Modern Conundrum in South Asian Religious Traditions\|page=23\|author1=Corinne G. Dempsey\|author2=Selva J. Raj\|date=7 January 2009\|publisher=SUNY Press\|access-date=7 January 2009\|isbn=978-0791476345}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|title=Svami Rama Tirtha: A Journey of Spiritual and Academic Prowess \|url=https://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/rama-tirtha-svami/ \|access-date=2025-07-10 \|website=The Sikh Encyclopedia \|language=en-US}}</ref> to Pandit Hiranand Goswami on 22 October 1873 ([[Deepawali]] Vikram Samvat 1930) in the [[village]] of Muraliwala in the [[Gujranwala District]] of [[Punjab, Pakistan]].<ref name=r1/> His mother died when he was a few days old and he was raised by his elder brother Gossain Gurudas. After receiving a master's degree in mathematics from [[Government College University, Lahore\|The Government College of Lahore]], he became professor of mathematics at [[Forman Christian College]], [[Lahore]].

	A chance meeting with [[Swami Vivekananda]] in 1897 in Lahore, inspired his later decision to take up the life of a [[sannyasi]]. Having become well known for his speeches on [[Krishna]] and [[Advaita Vedanta]] he became a [[swami]] in 1899 on the day of [[Deepawali]],<ref name=r1/> leaving his wife, his children and his professorial chair.		A chance meeting with [[Swami Vivekananda]] in 1897 in Lahore, inspired his later decision to take up the life of a [[sannyasi]]. Having become well known for his speeches on [[Krishna]] and [[Advaita Vedanta]] he became a [[swami]] in 1899 on the day of [[Deepawali]],<ref name=r1/> leaving his wife, his children and his professorial chair.

	"As a sannyasi, he neither touched any money nor carried any luggage with him. In spite of it he went round the world."<ref>Tirtha, Swami Rama (1949) [https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.5349/page/n3 ''In Woods of God-Realization''], Volume V, Preface, p. vii. Lucknow, India: Swami Rama Tirtha Pratisthan.</ref> A trip to [[Japan]] to teach Hinduism was sponsored by Maharaja Kirtishah Bahadur of Tehri~~: from~~ there he travelled to the [[United States of America]] in 1902, where he spent two years lecturing on Hinduism, other religions and his philosophy of "practical ~~vedanta~~".<ref name="Rinehart, p. 1"/> He frequently spoke about the iniquities of the [[caste system in India]] and the importance of education of women and of the poor, stating that "neglecting the education of women and children and the labouring classes is like cutting down the branches that are supporting us – nay, it is like striking a death-blow to the roots of the tree of nationality."{{citation needed\|date=November 2020}} Arguing that India needed educated young people, not missionaries, he began an organization to aid Indian students in American universities<ref name="bromley"/> and helped to establish a number of scholarships for Indian students.<ref>Singh, appendix, article from Minneapolis Tribune.</ref>		"As a sannyasi, he neither touched any money nor carried any luggage with him. In spite of it he went round the world."<ref>Tirtha, Swami Rama (1949) [https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.5349/page/n3 ''In Woods of God-Realization''], Volume V, Preface, p. vii. Lucknow, India: Swami Rama Tirtha Pratisthan.</ref> A trip to [[Japan]] to teach Hinduism was sponsored by Maharaja Kirtishah Bahadur of Tehri. From there he travelled to the [[United States of America]] in 1902, where he spent two years lecturing on Hinduism, other religions, and his philosophy of "practical Vedanta".<ref name="Rinehart, p. 1"/> He frequently spoke about the iniquities emanating from the [[caste system in India]] and the importance of education of women and of the poor, stating that "neglecting the education of women and children and the labouring classes is like cutting down the branches that are supporting us – nay, it is like striking a death-blow to the roots of the tree of nationality."{{citation needed\|date=November 2020}} Arguing that India needed educated young people, not missionaries, he began an organization to aid Indian students in American universities<ref name="bromley"/> and helped to establish a number of scholarships for Indian students.<ref>Singh, appendix, article from Minneapolis Tribune.</ref>

	He [[Illeism\|always referred to himself in the third person]], which is a common spiritual practice in [[Hinduism]] in order to detach oneself from Ego.<ref name="Singh"/>		He [[Illeism\|always referred to himself in the third person]], which is a common spiritual practice in [[Hinduism]] in order to detach oneself from Ego.<ref name="Singh"/>

	~~Though~~ upon his return to India in 1904 large audiences initially attended his lectures he completely withdrew from public life in 1906 and moved to the foothills of the [[Himalaya]] where he prepared to write a book giving a systematic presentation of practical ~~vedanta~~. ~~It was never finished: He~~ died on 17 October 1906 ([[Deepawali]] Vikram Samvat 1963).		Although upon his return to India in 1904 large audiences initially attended his lectures, he completely withdrew from public life in 1906 and moved to the foothills of the [[Himalaya]], where he prepared to write a book giving a systematic presentation of practical Vedanta. Tirtha died on 17 October 1906 ([[Deepawali]] Vikram Samvat 1963), and the book was never finished.

	Many believe he did not die but gave up his body to the river [[Ganges]].<ref name=r1/>		Many believe he did not die but gave up his body to the river [[Ganges]].<ref name=r1/>

	A significant prediction made by Swami Rama Tirtha for future India is quoted in [[Shiv R. Jhawar]]'s book, ''Building a Noble World''.<ref>{{cite book\|author=Jhawar, Shiv R. \|page=52\|title=Building a Noble World\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7RAK7M2mzX4C\|date=December 2004\|publisher=Noble World Foundation\|isbn=978-0-9749197-0-6}}</ref> Rama Tirtha predicted: “After [[Japan]], [[China]] will rise and gain prosperity and strength. After China, the sun of prosperity and learning will again smile at India.”<ref>Tirtha, Swami Rama (1913) [https://archive.org/details/In_Woods_Of_GodR_ealization_Swami_Rama_Tirtha_Volume_4_1913_Edn ''In Woods of God-Realization''], Volume IV, Chapter “Talk at Faizabad”. Lucknow, India: Swami Rama Tirtha Pratisthan, p. 286.</ref>		A significant prediction made by Swami Rama Tirtha for future India is quoted in [[Shiv R. Jhawar]]'s book, ''Building a Noble World''.<ref>{{cite book\|author=Jhawar, Shiv R. \|page=52\|title=Building a Noble World\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7RAK7M2mzX4C\|date=December 2004\|publisher=Noble World Foundation\|isbn=978-0-9749197-0-6}}</ref> Rama Tirtha predicted: “After [[Japan]], [[China]] will rise and gain prosperity and strength. After China, the sun of prosperity and learning will again smile at India.”<ref>Tirtha, Swami Rama (1913) [https://archive.org/details/In_Woods_Of_GodR_ealization_Swami_Rama_Tirtha_Volume_4_1913_Edn ''In Woods of God-Realization''], Volume IV, Chapter “Talk at Faizabad”. Lucknow, India: Swami Rama Tirtha Pratisthan, p. 286.</ref>

	==Legacy==		==Legacy==
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	[[Paramahansa Yogananda]] translated many of Rama Tirtha's poems from [[Bengali language\|Bengali]] into [[English language\|English]] and put some of them to music:<ref>{{cite book \| last =Satyananda \| first =Swami \| author-link =Swami Satyananda Giri \| title ="Yogananda Sanga", from A Collection of Biographies of 4 Kriya Yoga Gurus \| publisher =iUniverse, Inc. \| year =2006 \| isbn =978-0-595-38675-8 \|page=20}}</ref> one, entitled "Marching Light", appeared in Yogananda's book ''Cosmic Chants'', as "Swami Rama Tirtha's Song".<ref>{{cite book \| last =Yogananda \| first =Paramahansa \| author-link =Paramahansa Yogananda \| title =Cosmic Chants \| publisher =Self-Realization Fellowship Publishers \| year =1974 \| isbn =978-0-87612-131-3 \|page=78}}</ref>		[[Paramahansa Yogananda]] translated many of Rama Tirtha's poems from [[Bengali language\|Bengali]] into [[English language\|English]] and put some of them to music:<ref>{{cite book \| last =Satyananda \| first =Swami \| author-link =Swami Satyananda Giri \| title ="Yogananda Sanga", from A Collection of Biographies of 4 Kriya Yoga Gurus \| publisher =iUniverse, Inc. \| year =2006 \| isbn =978-0-595-38675-8 \|page=20}}</ref> one, entitled "Marching Light", appeared in Yogananda's book ''Cosmic Chants'', as "Swami Rama Tirtha's Song".<ref>{{cite book \| last =Yogananda \| first =Paramahansa \| author-link =Paramahansa Yogananda \| title =Cosmic Chants \| publisher =Self-Realization Fellowship Publishers \| year =1974 \| isbn =978-0-87612-131-3 \|page=78}}</ref>

	==Contribution of Swami ji ~~towards his mother tongue Punjabi language~~==		==Contribution of Swami ji==

	The Swami Rama Tirtha Mission Ashram is located at Kotal Gaon Rajpura, near [[Dehra Dun]] in [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]].		The Swami Rama Tirtha Mission Ashram is located at Kotal Gaon Rajpura, near [[Dehra Dun]] in [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]].

	One of three campuses of [[Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University]], situated at Badshahi Thaul, New Tehri, is known as the Swami Rama Tirtha Parisar(SRTC).		One of three campuses of [[Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University]], situated at Badshahi Thaul, New Tehri, is known as the Swami Rama Tirtha Parisar (SRTC).

	His sister's son [[H. W. L. Poonja]] became a noted Advaita teacher in [[Lucknow]], while [[Hemant Goswami]], his great-grandson, is a social activist based in [[Chandigarh]].		His sister's son [[H. W. L. Poonja]] became a noted Advaita teacher in [[Lucknow]], while [[Hemant Goswami]], his great-grandson, is a social activist based in [[Chandigarh]].

	{{Reflist\|2}}17 . ^ पंडित लाला राम शुक्ल (1949): स्वामी राम तीर्थ का जीवन चरित्र : This is a "Laghu Kaavya" written by late Pt. Lala Ram Shukla (died November '1949). This laghu kaavya was published during '1984 (originally written during ~'1930s).		== References ==
	~~https://archive.org/details/20210718_20210718_0834~~		{{Reflist\|2}}

	==Further reading==		==Further reading==
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	* "Rama In The Eyes of Iqbal". 2010 by Dr. Kedarnath Prabhakar & Dr. Akash Chanda ( {{ISBN\|978-81-921205-0-8}})		* "Rama In The Eyes of Iqbal". 2010 by Dr. Kedarnath Prabhakar & Dr. Akash Chanda ( {{ISBN\|978-81-921205-0-8}})
	* "Wehdatnama: A Bouquet of Punjabi Vedantic Poetry of Swami Ramtirtha" 2013 by Dr. Kedarnath Prabhakar & Dr. Akash Chanda ( {{ISBN\|978-81-921205-2-2}})		* "Wehdatnama: A Bouquet of Punjabi Vedantic Poetry of Swami Ramtirtha" 2013 by Dr. Kedarnath Prabhakar & Dr. Akash Chanda ( {{ISBN\|978-81-921205-2-2}})
	* "Muscular Vedanta: The Practical Form of Vedanta Philosophy Propounded by Swami Ramtirtha". 2011 by Dr. Kedarnath Prabhakar & Dr. Akash Chanda ( {{ISBN\|978-81-921205-1-5}})		* "Muscular Vedanta: The Practical Form of Vedanta Philosophy Propounded by Swami Ramtirtha". 2011 by Dr. Kedarnath Prabhakar & Dr. Akash Chanda ( {{ISBN\|978-81-921205-1-5}})
	* "[https://www.shantisadan.org/book-content/scientist-and-mahatma/ Scientist and Mahatma: The Life and Teachings of Swami Rama Tirtha]" (2nd ed. 2006) by Hari Prasad Shastri. Shanti Sadan. {{ISBN\|0-85424-008-X}}.		* "[https://www.shantisadan.org/book-content/scientist-and-mahatma/ Scientist and Mahatma: The Life and Teachings of Swami Rama Tirtha]" (2nd ed. 2006) by Hari Prasad Shastri. Shanti Sadan. {{ISBN\|0-85424-008-X}}.

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{{Short description|Indian teacher of the Hindu philosophy of Vedanta}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox Hindu leader
|name = Swami Rama Tirtha
|image = Swami Rama Tirtha.jpg
|caption = Swami Rama Tirtha
| religion = [[Hinduism]]
|birth_date = {{Birth date|1873|10|22|df=yes}}
|birth_place =[[Village]] Muraliwala, [[British India]] (present-day [[Gujranwala District]], [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]])
|death_date = {{Death date and age|1906|10|17|1873|10|22|df=yes}}
|death_place =[[Tehri]], [[United Province]], [[British India]]
|known_for = Preaching [[Vedanta]] in the [[United States]]
|philosophy = [[Advaita Vedanta]]
|disciples = [[Puran Singh]], [[Narayan Swami]]
|nationality = Indian
| free_label = Alma Mater
| free_text = [[Government College University, Lahore|Government College, Lahore]]
}}
{{Hindu philosophy}}
'''Swami Rama Tirtha''' {{audio|Swami Ramtirtha.ogg|pronunciation}} ([[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]: ਸਵਾਮੀ ਰਾਮਤੀਰਥ, [[Hindi]]: स्वामी रामतीर्थ 22 October 1873 – 17 October 1906<ref name=r1>Verma, M.L. ''Swadhinta Sangram Ke Krantikari Sahitya Ka Itihas''. Vol 2. pp. 418–421</ref>), also known as '''Ram Soami''', was an Indian teacher of the [[Hindu]] philosophy of [[Vedanta]]. He was among the first notable teachers of Hinduism to lecture in the [[United States]], travelling there in 1902, preceded by [[Swami Vivekananda]] in 1893 and followed by [[Paramahansa Yogananda]] in 1920.<ref>{{cite book | last =Brooks | first =Douglas Renfrew | title =Meditation Revolution: A History and Theology of the Siddha Yoga Lineage | publisher =Motilal Banarsidass Publishing | year =2000 | location =India | isbn =81-208-1648-X |page=72}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last =Frawley | first =David | author-link =David Frawley | title =Vedantic Meditation: Lighting the Flame of Awareness | publisher =North Atlantic Books | year =2000 | isbn =1-55643-334-4 |page=3}}</ref> During his American tours Swami Rama Tirtha spoke frequently on the concept of 'practical Vedanta'<ref name="Rinehart, p. 1">{{cite book | last =Rinehart | first =Robin | title =One Lifetime, Many Lives: The Experience of Modern Hindu Hagiography | publisher =Oxford University Press | year =1999 | location =United States | isbn =0-7885-0555-6 |pages=1–2}}</ref> and education of Indian youth.<ref name="bromley">{{cite book | last =Bromley | first =David G | author-link =David G. Bromley |author2=Larry D. Shinn | title =Krishna Consciousness in the West | publisher =Bucknell University Press | year =1989 | isbn =0-8387-5144-X |page= 82}}</ref> He proposed bringing young Indians to American universities and helped establish scholarships for Indian students.<ref>Singh, appendix, article from Minneapolis Tribune: ''Would Save Countrymen: Swami Ram Plans the Redemption of the Ignorant Masses in India—American Education: He Would Have Them Come Here, as Did the Young Japanese''.</ref>

==Biography==
Rama Tirtha was born in a [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] [[Brahmin]] family<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=krbNowF8OjgC&pg=PA23|title=Miracle as Modern Conundrum in South Asian Religious Traditions|page=23|author1=Corinne G. Dempsey|author2=Selva J. Raj|date=7 January 2009|publisher=SUNY Press|access-date=7 January 2009|isbn=978-0791476345}}</ref> to Pandit Hiranand Goswami on 22 October 1873 ([[Deepawali]] Vikram Samvat 1930) in the [[village]] of Muraliwala in the [[Gujranwala District]] of [[Punjab, Pakistan]].<ref name=r1/> His mother died when he was a few days old and he was raised by his elder brother Gossain Gurudas. After receiving a master's degree in mathematics from [[Government College University, Lahore|The Government College of Lahore]] he became professor of mathematics at [[Forman Christian College]], [[Lahore]].

A chance meeting with [[Swami Vivekananda]] in 1897 in Lahore, inspired his later decision to take up the life of a [[sannyasi]]. Having become well known for his speeches on [[Krishna]] and [[Advaita Vedanta]] he became a [[swami]] in 1899 on the day of [[Deepawali]],<ref name=r1/> leaving his wife, his children and his professorial chair.

"As a sannyasi, he neither touched any money nor carried any luggage with him. In spite of it he went round the world."<ref>Tirtha, Swami Rama (1949) [https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.5349/page/n3 ''In Woods of God-Realization''], Volume V, Preface, p. vii. Lucknow, India: Swami Rama Tirtha Pratisthan.</ref> A trip to [[Japan]] to teach Hinduism was sponsored by Maharaja Kirtishah Bahadur of Tehri: from there he travelled to the [[United States of America]] in 1902, where he spent two years lecturing on Hinduism, other religions and his philosophy of "practical vedanta".<ref name="Rinehart, p. 1"/> He frequently spoke about the iniquities of the [[caste system in India]] and the importance of education of women and of the poor, stating that "neglecting the education of women and children and the labouring classes is like cutting down the branches that are supporting us – nay, it is like striking a death-blow to the roots of the tree of nationality."{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} Arguing that India needed educated young people, not missionaries, he began an organization to aid Indian students in American universities<ref name="bromley"/> and helped to establish a number of scholarships for Indian students.<ref>Singh, appendix, article from Minneapolis Tribune.</ref>

He [[Illeism|always referred to himself in the third person]], which is a common spiritual practice in [[Hinduism]] in order to detach oneself from Ego.<ref name="Singh"/>

Though upon his return to India in 1904 large audiences initially attended his lectures he completely withdrew from public life in 1906 and moved to the foothills of the [[Himalaya]] where he prepared to write a book giving a systematic presentation of practical vedanta. It was never finished: He died on 17 October 1906 ([[Deepawali]] Vikram Samvat 1963).

Many believe he did not die but gave up his body to the river [[Ganges]].<ref name=r1/>

A significant prediction made by Swami Rama Tirtha for future India is quoted in [[Shiv R. Jhawar]]'s book, ''Building a Noble World''.<ref>{{cite book|author=Jhawar, Shiv R. |page=52|title=Building a Noble World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7RAK7M2mzX4C|date=December 2004|publisher=Noble World Foundation|isbn=978-0-9749197-0-6}}</ref> Rama Tirtha predicted: “After [[Japan]], [[China]] will rise and gain prosperity and strength. After China, the sun of prosperity and learning will again smile at India.”<ref>Tirtha, Swami Rama (1913) [https://archive.org/details/In_Woods_Of_GodR_ealization_Swami_Rama_Tirtha_Volume_4_1913_Edn ''In Woods of God-Realization''], Volume IV, Chapter “Talk at Faizabad”. Lucknow, India: Swami Rama Tirtha Pratisthan, p. 286.</ref>

==Legacy==
[[File:Rama Tirtha 1966 stamp of India.jpg|thumb|upright=1.07|Rama Tirtha on a 1966 stamp of India]]
Punjabi Indian nationalist [[Bhagat Singh]] uses Tirtha as an example of the great contributions Punjab had made to the Indian nationalist movement in his essay "The Problem of Punjab's Language and Script". The lack of memorials to Tirtha is given by Singh as an example of the lack of respect for Punjab's contributions to the movement.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Singh|first1=Bhagat|title=The Problem of Punjab's Language and Script|url=https://www.marxists.org/archive/bhagat-singh/1923/x01/x01.htm|website=Marxist Internet Archive|access-date=17 March 2018}}</ref>

Indian Revolutionary [[Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil]] depicted the character of Swami Rama Tirtha in the poem ''Yuva Sannyasi''.<ref name=r1/>

Two of his disciples, S. Puran Singh and Narayana Swami, wrote biographies. Puran Singh's ''The Story of Swami Rama: The Poet Monk of the Punjab''<ref name="Singh">{{cite book | last =Singh | first =Puran | title =The Story of Swami Rama: The Poet Monk of the Punjab | publisher =Ganesh & Co. | year =1924 | location =Madras }}</ref> appeared in 1924 and was published in [[English language|English]] as well as in [[Hindi]]. Narayana Swami's untitled account was published in 1935 as a part of Rama Tirtha's collected works.<ref name="Rinehart, p. 1"/>

A further account of his life was written by Hari Prasad Shastri and published with poems by Swami Rama Tirtha translated by H P Shastri as 'Scientist and Mahatma' in 1955.<ref>Hari Prasad Shastri (1955, 2nd ed. 2006) [https://www.shantisadan.org/book-content/scientist-and-mahatma/ ''Scientist and Mahatma''], Shanti Sadan.</ref>

[[Paramahansa Yogananda]] translated many of Rama Tirtha's poems from [[Bengali language|Bengali]] into [[English language|English]] and put some of them to music:<ref>{{cite book | last =Satyananda | first =Swami | author-link =Swami Satyananda Giri | title ="Yogananda Sanga", from A Collection of Biographies of 4 Kriya Yoga Gurus | publisher =iUniverse, Inc. | year =2006 | isbn =978-0-595-38675-8 |page=20}}</ref> one, entitled "Marching Light", appeared in Yogananda's book ''Cosmic Chants'', as "Swami Rama Tirtha's Song".<ref>{{cite book | last =Yogananda | first =Paramahansa | author-link =Paramahansa Yogananda | title =Cosmic Chants | publisher =Self-Realization Fellowship Publishers | year =1974 | isbn =978-0-87612-131-3 |page=78}}</ref>

==Contribution of Swami ji towards his mother tongue Punjabi language==

The Swami Rama Tirtha Mission Ashram is located at Kotal Gaon Rajpura, near [[Dehra Dun]] in [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]].

One of three campuses of [[Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University]], situated at Badshahi Thaul, New Tehri, is known as the Swami Rama Tirtha Parisar(SRTC).

His sister's son [[H. W. L. Poonja]] became a noted Advaita teacher in [[Lucknow]], while [[Hemant Goswami]], his great-grandson, is a social activist based in [[Chandigarh]].

{{Reflist|2}}17 . ^ पंडित लाला राम शुक्ल (1949): स्वामी राम तीर्थ का जीवन चरित्र : This is a "Laghu Kaavya" written by late Pt. Lala Ram Shukla (died November '1949). This laghu kaavya was published during '1984 (originally written during ~'1930s).
https://archive.org/details/20210718_20210718_0834

==Further reading==
* ''Parables of Rama by Swami Rama Tirtha''. Rama Tirtha Pratisthan. [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007C11PY]
* ''Practical Vedanta Selected Works of Swami Rama Tirtha: Selected Works of Swami Rama Tirtha.'' 1978, Himalayan Institute Press. {{ISBN|0-89389-038-3}}.
* ''Yoga and the Supreme Bliss : Songs of Enlightenment.'' Swami Rama Tirtha, 1982, trans. A.J. Alston. {{ISBN|0-9508019-0-9}}.
* ''Life, Teachings And Writings Of Swami Rama Tirtha'', by Prem Lata. Sumit Publications, {{ISBN|81-7000-158-7}}.
* Swami Rama Tirtha – A Great Mystic Poet of India. [http://www.vedicbooks.net/swami-rama-tirtha-a-great-mystic-poet-of-india-p-14504.html]
* An article on Swami Rama Tirtha in "The Legacy of The Punjab" by R. M. Chopra, 1997, Punjabee Bradree, Calcutta.
* {{cite web |url=http://www.dlshq.org/saints/ramatirtha.htm |access-date=29 July 2008 |title=Swami Rama Tirtha (1873–1906) |work=Life of Saints |author=Sivananda, Swami |publisher=[[Divine Life Society]] |year=2005}}
* "Rama In The Eyes of Iqbal". 2010 by Dr. Kedarnath Prabhakar & Dr. Akash Chanda ( {{ISBN|978-81-921205-0-8}})
* "Wehdatnama: A Bouquet of Punjabi Vedantic Poetry of Swami Ramtirtha" 2013 by Dr. Kedarnath Prabhakar & Dr. Akash Chanda ( {{ISBN|978-81-921205-2-2}})
* "Muscular Vedanta: The Practical Form of Vedanta Philosophy Propounded by Swami Ramtirtha". 2011 by Dr. Kedarnath Prabhakar & Dr. Akash Chanda ( {{ISBN|978-81-921205-1-5}})
* "[https://www.shantisadan.org/book-content/scientist-and-mahatma/ Scientist and Mahatma: The Life and Teachings of Swami Rama Tirtha]" (2nd ed. 2006) by Hari Prasad Shastri. Shanti Sadan. {{ISBN|0-85424-008-X}}.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Rama Tirtha}}
* [https://archive.org/details/TheStoryOfSwamiRamaTirthaByPuranSingh Biography of Swami Rama Tirtha by Puran Singh – free download]
* [http://www.ramatirtha.org/rama.htm Official Swami Rama Tirtha website]
* [http://www.indianpost.com/viewstamp.php/Print%20Size/2.54%20X%202.5/SWAMI%20RAMA%20TIRTHA Indian Postage Stamp on Swami Rama Tirtha, 1966]

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