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| [[File:Soham Swami in 1910.jpg|thumb|Paramhangsa Soham Swami in 1910]]
| | {{Short description|Indian philosopher}} |
| | {{More citations needed|date=September 2023}} |
| {{EngvarB|date=March 2018}} | | {{EngvarB|date=March 2018}} |
| {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}} | | {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}} |
| {{Infobox Hindu leader | | {{Infobox Hindu leader |
| | name = Soham Swami | | | name = Soham Swami |
| | image = Tiger_swami.JPG | | | image = Tiger_swami.JPG |
| | caption = | | | caption = Swami in 1904 |
| | religion = [[Hinduism]] | | | religion = Hinduism |
| | birth_name = Shyamakanta Bandyopadhyay | | | birth_name = Shyamakanta Bandyopadhyay |
| | birth_date = 1858 | | | birth_date = 1858 |
| | birth_place = [[Dhaka]], [[Bengal]], British India | | | birth_place = Dhaka, [[Bengal]], British India |
| | death_date = 6 December 1918 | | | death_date = 6 December 1918 |
| | death_place = [[Nainital]], [[United Provinces of British India]] | | | death_place = [[Nainital]], [[United Provinces of British India]] |
| | order = | | | order = |
| | guru = [[Tibbetibaba]] | | | guru = Tibbetibaba |
| | disciples = [[Niralamba Swami]] | | | disciples = [[Niralamba Swami]] |
| | philosophy = [[Advaita Vedanta]] | | | philosophy = [[Advaita Vedanta]] |
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| '''Soham Swami''' (also known as '''"Tiger Swami,"'''<ref name=":2" /> Sohong Swami, Parmahangsa Soham Swami or Sohom Swami, Bengali: শ্রীমৎ পরমহংস সোহংস্বামী ) was a [[Hindu]] [[guru]] and [[yogi]] from India. Originally named as Shyama Kanta Bandopadhyay, he was the disciple of the [[Advaita Vedanta|Advaita Vedantist]] [[Tibbetibaba]]. Tibbetibaba was a great yogi and guru of India.<ref>Sharma, I. Mallikarjuna, "In retrospect: Sagas of heroism and sacrifice of Indian revolutionaries", Ravi Sasi Enterprises, India (edition: 1999). p. 94. Page Available [http://www.google.co.in/books?id=GhpuAAAAMAAJ&q=Tibetan+baba&dq=Tibetan+baba&lr=&pgis=1]</ref> | | '''Soham Swami''' was a Hindu [[guru]] and [[yogi]] from India. |
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| Soham Swami was born as Shyama Kanta Bandopadhyay at Adial, a small village in Bikrampur district in the Bengali month of Jaishthya in 1858<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=THE MONK WHO TAMED THE TIGER: Biography of Paramhangsa Soham Swami|last=Mukherjee|first=Arpita|publisher=Sayambhati Publication|year=2018|isbn=9788193722909|location=India|pages=3}}</ref> and was one of the pioneers of physical prowess of modern [[Bengal]].<ref>Mukherjee, Jayasree, "The Ramakrishna-Vivekananda movement impact on Indian society and politics (1893–1922): with special reference to Bengal", Firma KLM. (edition 1997). {{ISBN|81-7102-057-7}}. p.255. Page available:[https://books.google.com/books?q=soham+swami&um=1&lr=&sa=N&start=10]</ref><ref>Brahmachari, Akhandananda, ''Paramhamsa Tibbati Babar Smriti Katha''(Reminiscences of Tibbetibaba),(Bengali edition), India: Tibbati Baba Vedanta Ashram, 76/3, Taantipara Lane, P.O. Santragachi, Howrah – 711 104, West Bengal (May 2003), p.28
| | The Indian nationalist [[Jatindra Nath Banerjee]] became his disciple in [[Nainital]] and received from him the name Niralamba Swami.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Heehs |first1=Peter |author1-link=Peter Heehs |title=The bomb in Bengal: the rise of revolutionary terrorism in India, 1900 - 1910 |year=1993 |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=62 |isbn=0-19-563350-4}}</ref> |
| </ref> He had so much physical strength that he could wrestle even tigers.<ref>Murphet, Howard, ''Sai Baba: Man of Miracles'', Weiser Boo Publication, (1977). {{ISBN|0-87728-335-4}}, p. 152. Page available [https://books.google.com/books?id=BPsVFqhclS0C&pg=PA152&lpg=PA152&dq=soham+swami&source=web&ots=eEAvc7-pns&sig=tEu0YP3Kf1tRxGmRrsRI8gl1mSM&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=7&ct=result]</ref> He was known to the public, both Indian and European, as Professor Banerjee, the first tiger tamer of India, and to his admirers in Bengal as BaghaShyamakanta.<ref>{{Cite book|title=THE MONK WHO TAMED THE TIGER: Biography of Paramhangsa Soham Swami|last=Mukherjee|first=Arpita|publisher=Sayambhati Publication|year=2018|isbn=9788193722909|location=India|pages=45}}</ref> These tiger bouts took place before he entered into the spiritual path.<ref name=":2">Yogananda, Sri Sri Paramahansa, ''Autobiography of a Yogi'', Yogoda Satsang Society of India (1997) {{ISBN|81-7224-121-6}}. p.49 and 57</ref>
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| Soham Swami built a hermitage near a crematorium in Bhawali in [[Nainital]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=THE MONK WHO TAMED THE TIGER: Biography of Paramhangsa Soham Swami|last=Mukherjee|first=Arpita|publisher=Sayambhati Publication|year=2018|isbn=9788193722909|location=India|pages=151}}</ref> It was at the Nainital ashram, [[Niralamba Swami]] became his disciple.<ref>Heehs, Peter, "The bomb in Bengal: the rise of revolutionary terrorism in India, 1900–1910", Oxford University Press. (edition 1993). p. 62. Page available: [http://www.google.co.in/books?id=G4JuAAAAMAAJ&q=soham+swami&dq=soham+swami&lr=&pgis=1]</ref> In his early life Niralamba Swami, also known as Jatindra Nath Banerjee, was a great freedom fighter of India.<ref>[http://bardhaman.gov.in/histandback.html]</ref><ref>Jadavpur University. Dept. of International Relations Jadavpur Journal of International Relations, "Jadavpur Journal of International Relations", Dept. of International Relations, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India. (edition: 2001). pp.117 and 122. Page Available: [http://www.google.co.in/books?id=yRCQAAAAMAAJ&q=niralamba+swami&dq=niralamba+swami&lr=&pgis=1]</ref>
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| ==Life==
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| [[File:Shyamakanta Banerjee wrestling with tiger.jpg|thumb|200px|Shyamakanta Banerjee wrestling with tiger]]
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| [[File:Tiger wrestling bout of Soham Swami.jpg|200px|thumb|Painting of wrestling bout of Soham Swami with a tiger]]
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| Shyama Kanta's family belonged to the Bandyoghati branch of [[Bengali Brahmins|Rarhi]] [[Kulin Brahmins|Kulin Brahmans]] of [[Phulia|Phulia Mel]] and [[Sandilya|Sandalya Gotra]] (family of [[Bhatta Narayana]]).<ref name=":1" /><ref name="SS">{{Cite book|title=THE MONK WHO TAMED THE TIGER: Biography of Paramhangsa Soham Swami|last=Mukherjee|first=Arpita|publisher=Sayambhati Publication|year=2018|isbn=978-1-68466-791-8|location=India|pages=2 & 4}}</ref> His father Shashibhushan Bandyopadhyay was a Sheristadar (keeper of records) in the district court in [[Tripura]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=THE MONK WHO TAMED THE TIGER: Biography of Paramhangsa Swami|last=Mukherjee|first=Arpita|publisher=Sayambhati Publication|year=2018|isbn=9788193722909|location=India|pages=26}}</ref> He spent his childhood in [[Dhaka]] where he studied at Dhaka Collegiate School. When he was in school, he started bodybuilding at the akhara of Adhar Ghosh at Lakshmibazar, Dhaka.<ref>{{Cite book|title=THE MONK WHO TAMED THE TIGER: Biography of Paramhangsa Soham Swami|last=Mukherjee|first=Arpita|publisher=Sayambhati Publication|year=2018|isbn=9788193722909|location=India|pages=14}}</ref> Later he wanted to be a soldier, but he was barred from entering into the [[British Indian Army]].<ref name =byayamebangali>{{cite book |last1=Ghosh |first1= Anil Chandra |script-title=bn:ব্যায়ামে বাঙালী – Byamame Bangali |trans-title=Physical Exercise and the Bengalis |edition= 9th |year= 2008 |origyear= 1928 |publisher=Presidency Library |location=Kolkata |language=bn |isbn= 81-89466-04-6<!--NOTE: The calculated check digit for this is 6. However, that does not return any results when searching. No results were found when searching for the title provided. I added information based on the citation for what appears to be the same book in [[Manohar Aich]] -->|pages=1–8 }}</ref>
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| After that he was appointed the bodyguard of [[Maharaja]] [[Bir Chandra Manikya]] Bahadur of [[Tripura]]. Later he left the job and joined Barishal Zilla School as a gymnasium trainer. Soon he left that job and started a circus.<ref name =byayamebangali/> For 17 years Shyama Kanta entertained audience across Bengal and Bihar with his tiger wrestling acts.<ref>{{Cite book|title=THE MONK WHO TAMED THE TIGER: Biography of Paramhangsa Soham Swami|last=Mukherjee|first=Arpita|publisher=Sayambhati Publication|year=2018|isbn=9788193722909|location=India|pages=88}}</ref>
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| In 1899, he left home to become a monk. He was [[Diksha|initiated]] by Nabin Chandra Chakrabarti [[Tibbetibaba]], a [[Vedantic]] monk who renamed Shyama Kanta as ″Soham Swami″.<ref name =byayamebangali/>
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| Soham Swami set up his hermitage at Bhawali near [[Nainital]] in modern-day [[Uttarakhand]], India. He followed the spiritual path of Advaita or non-dualism and was a staunch critic of religious bigotry and superstitions.<ref>{{Cite book|title=THE MONK WHO TAMED THE TIGER: Biography of Paramhangsa Soham Swami|last=Mukherjee|first=Arpita|publisher=Sayambhati Publication|year=2018|isbn=9788193722909|location=India|pages=195}}</ref> The last book written by him in Bengali, (published posthumously in 1919) Bhagabat Geetar Shamolochana, was a critical review of Bhagavad Gita.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=THE MONK WHO TAMED THE TIGER: Biography of Paramhansgsa Soham Swami|last=Mukherjee|first=Arpita|publisher=Sayambhati Publication|year=2018|isbn=9788193722909|location=India|pages=190}}</ref> On 6 December 1918, Soham Swami passed away while in deep meditation or Samadhi in his hermitage at Bhawali.<ref>{{Cite book|title=THE MONK WHO TAMED THE TIGER: Biography of Paramhangsa Soham Swami|last=Mukherjee|first=Arpita|publisher=Sayambhati Publication|year=1918|isbn=9788193722909|location=India|pages=281}}</ref> His [[samadhi]](tomb) is located at [[Palitpur]], Burdwan, India.There is also a symbolic samadhi at his Nainital ashram. It is due to the fact that after his [[mahasamadhi]] or death at his Nainital ashram, his last remains were brought to the [[Palitpur]] ashram of Tibbetibaba and a samadhi (tomb) was built at the [[Palitpur]] ashram.<ref>Brahmachari, Akhandananda, Paramhamsa Tibbati Babar Smriti Katha(Reminiscences of Tibbetibaba),(Bengali edition), India: Tibbati Baba Vedanta Ashram, 76/3, Taantipara Lane, P.O. Santragachi, Howrah – 711 104, West Bengal (May 2003), p.48</ref>
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| [[File:Soham Swami's Samadhi Temple at Palitpur, Burdwan.jpg|right|thumb|Samadhi(tomb) of Soham Swami]]
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| [[File:Tiger swami.JPG|thumb|Soham Swami in 1904|alt=]]
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| ==Written works==
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| The writings of Soham Swami include books named:
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| *'''Soham Gita''': This book contains teachings of Soham Swami.It is a poem on Advaita philosophy.<ref name =byayamebangali/><ref>Ghose, Aurobindo, ''Karmayogin: political writings and speeches 1909–1910''. Volume 8 of The Complete Works of Sri Aurobindo , Volume 8 of Works, Sri Aurobindo Ashram Publication Dept, India. (ed. 1997) p.196. Page available: [https://books.google.com/books?id=mXzXAAAAMAAJ&q=soham+swami&dq=soham+swami]</ref>
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| *'''Soham Tattva''': This book is a collection of Bengali prose on Vedanta.<ref name=":0" />
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| *'''Soham Samhita''': This book contains teachings of Soham Swami.<ref name =byayamebangali/>
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| *'''Common Sense''': This book attempts to prove that all religions of the world are full of absurdities, inconsistencies, and fallacies. In this book the importance of development of common sense and realization of divinity in all beings is stressed. This book was first published in 1923.<ref>Luzac & Co. (London, England), "Luzac's oriental list and book review", Luzac and Co.. (edition 1924). p. 33. Page available: [https://books.google.com/books?id=3uESAAAAIAAJ&q=soham+swami&dq=soham+swami&lr=]</ref><ref>Swami, Soham, "Common Sense", Bangladesh: Surja Kanta Banerjee, Gandharia Press, Dacca(Dhaka) (ed. 1923). pp. 1–3.</ref><ref>University of Calcutta. Dept. of English, "Calcutta review", University of Calcutta, University of Calcutta. Dept. of English, Kolkata, India (ed. 1925). p.20. Page available: [https://books.google.com/books?q=soham+swami&lr=&sa=N&start=40]</ref>
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| *'''Truth''': This book was the only book written by him in English poetry. It was published in Calcutta, now Kolkata, in 1913.<ref name =byayamebangali/><ref>''A Bibliography of Indian English'', Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages, India. (edition 1972). p.97.</ref>
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| His other notable works included: Vivekgatha, Shambuka Badh Kavya, Bhagabat Geetar Shamolochana.<ref name =byayamebangali/><ref name=":0" />
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| ==Notes==
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| {{Reflist|30em}}
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| [[File:Soham Swami in 1905.jpg|thumb|Soham Swami in 1904|alt=]]
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| ==References== | | ==References== |
| {{Refbegin|30em}} | | {{Reflist}} |
| *Ghosh, Sudhanshu Ranjan, "Bharater Sadhak O Sadhika"(Bengali edition), India: Tuli Kalam Publication, 1, College Row, Kolkata – 700 009 (1992.Bengali calendar year – 1399), pp. 318–343
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| *Chakravorty, Subodh, "Bharater Sadhak – Sadhika"(Bengali edition), India: Kamini Publication, 115, Akhil Mistry Lane, Kolkata – 700 009 (1997.Bengali calendar year – 1404), Volume 1, pp. 450–478 and 500–522
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| *Murphet, Howard, ''Sai Baba: Man of Miracles'', Weiser Boo Publication, (1977). {{ISBN|0-87728-335-4}}, p. 152.
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| *Sanyal, Jagadiswar, ''Guide To Indian Philosophy'' (1996 ed.), India: Sribhumi Publishing Company (1999), 79, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kolkata – 700 009.
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| *Hornby, A S, "Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary of Current English" (5th ed.), UK: Oxford University Press (1998). {{ISBN|0-19-431445-6}}, pp. 1433–1475.
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| *''Why I am an Atheist: Bhagat Singh'', People's Publishing House, New Delhi, India.
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| *Swami, Soham, "Common Sense", Bangladesh: Surja Kanta Banerjee, Gandharia Press, Dacca(Dhaka) (1923). pp. 1–3.
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| *Misra, Kunjeshwar, ''Tibbatibabar Parichay''(Bengali edition), India: Tibbati Baba Vedanta Ashram, 76/3, Taantipara Lane, P.O. Santragachi, Howrah – 711 104, West Bengal (1934. Bengali calendar year – 1341), pp. 1–60
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| *Brahmachari, Akhandananda, ''Paramhamsa Tibbati Babar Smriti Katha''(Bengali edition), India: Tibbati Baba Vedanta Ashram, 76/3, Taantipara Lane, P.O. Santragachi, Howrah – 711 104, West Bengal (May 2003), pp. 1–50
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| *Sharma, I. Mallikarjuna, "In retrospect: Sagas of heroism and sacrifice of Indian revolutionaries", Ravi Sasi Enterprises, India (edition: 1999). p. 94.
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| *Roy Dilip Kumar, Devi Indira, "Pilgrims of the stars: autobiography of two yogis", India (edition: 1985). p. 357.
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| *Majumdar, Bimanbehari, "Militant nationalism in India and its socio-religious background, 1897–1917", General Printers & Publishers, India (edition 1966.) p. 101.
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| *Keshavmurti, "Sri Aurobindo, the hope of man", Dipti Publications, India. (edition 1969). p. 258.
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| *Heehs, Peter, "The bomb in Bengal: the rise of revolutionary terrorism in India, 1900–1910", Oxford University Press. (edition 1993). p. 62.
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| *"A bibliography of Indian English", Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages, India. (edition 1972). p. 97.
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| *Luzac & Co. (London, England), "Luzac's oriental list and book review", Luzac and Co. (edition 1924). p. 33.
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| *Mukherjee, Arpita, "THE MONK WHO TAMED THE TIGER: Biography of Paramhangsa Soham Swami", Sayambhati Publication, India. (edition 2018) ({{ISBN|9788193722909}})
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| *Mukherjee, Jayasree, "The Ramakrishna-Vivekananda movement impact on Indian society and politics (1893–1922): with special reference to Bengal", Firma KLM. (edition 1997). {{ISBN|81-7102-057-7}}. p. 255.
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| {{Refend}}
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| ==External links==
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| * https://www.sohamswami.org
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| [[Category:1920 deaths]] | | [[Category:1920 deaths]] |
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| [[Category:Advaitin philosophers]] | | [[Category:Advaitin philosophers]] |
| [[Category:Bengali Hindus]] | | [[Category:Bengali Hindus]] |
| [[Category:Bengali people]]
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| [[Category:Indian Hindu spiritual teachers]] | | [[Category:Indian Hindu spiritual teachers]] |
| [[Category:Indian Hindu monks]] | | [[Category:Indian Hindu monks]] |
