Swami Nirvanananda Saraswati of Kokilamukh Saraswata Ashram commonly and popularly known as Anirvan, the name he had chosen for himself at the beginning of his wandering ascetic life was an extensive wanderer, erudite scholar, prolific writer, extraordinary speaker, untiring elucidator of queries and doubts of the inquisitive Though he possessed in himself all the qualities and criteria of a guru (precepter) he never initiated anybody barring of course few very rare exceptions. But as a teacher, as an annotator and expounder of vedic and upanishadic literature and philosophy of Sri Aurobindo he was indominably obliging. Even in the last phase of his life (1971-78) when he was bed-ridden due to paralysis of the lower portion of his body caused by a sudden fall he used to deliver lectures and take classes on different subjects spiritual, epical and poetic. Constant flow of visitors would keep him engaged in explaining truth that had been unveiled before him and stored in the core of his mind and cognition. This truth appeared before him suddenly at a tender age in the form of a divinely beautiful teenaged girl whom he had named Haimavati. The girl disappeared as something like an illusion, but Sri Anirvan throughout his ascetic life had pursued Her beck in his literary works. Factually this had been his worship and asceticism. Every where he went and stayed-his abode used to be named 'Haimavati.' Another trait of his loving and affectionate nature is the amazingly large store of letters he had written to his disciples, followers and admirers. Portions of this heap have been published; portions are yet to be published. Factually the amazing collection of letters of Sri Anirvan would occupy a conspicuous place in corresponce-literature of our language nay of the world.
But the present generation of ours is quite uninformed of this rich heritage. Hopefully Sri Anirvan Halmavati Trust has come forward with a noble venture to publicize the literary works of Sri Anirvan. Aiming at the collectivity of the readers outside Bengal they have aspired to bring out English version of a number of Sri Anirvan's books. Considering the importance of the book "Punarjanma" to be, translated thus they vested the responsibility of translation on my humble self, which made me think myself blessed., "Rebirth" is the fruit of this venture. Here Sri Anirvan has dived deep into Sri Aurobindo's idea on the subject. Sri Aurobindo placed the subject against a large canvas of involution and evolution and dealt with the subject scientifically to show that there is no disagreement between science and spirituality in this case.
Sri Anirvan had trancreated the theme in the light of his knowledge, intelligence and wisdom endowed with Vedic and philosophical insight into the ultimate reality and consciousness. It is just like setting a lyric to music. Sri Anirvan's style is very lucid and language very sweet and comprehensible. He has not made his statements prickly with scientific terms and technical words hard to cognize. In the translation I have tried my best to keep up this style as far as practicable. Knowing fully well that my capability falls short of the requirement I have dared to take up the responsibility out of my sincerest reverence to His Nobility Sri Anirvan and a sense of duty to our posterity. I would deem my effort amply rewarded if it comes to any use to those for whom it is intended.
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