Varanasi, India - Swami Bhaskarananda's Samadhi Mandir. Swami Bhaskarananda Saraswati (1833?1899) was a noted 19th century sannyasin and saint of Varanasi, reputed for his austerity and saintly character. Getting deeply interested in spiritual life when he was only eighteen, he travelled all over India as a wandering monk for many years. But, "even though I practiced such austerities, I gained very little; ignorance and sorrow were as deep as ever. Finally, I sat down here in this garden (close to the Samadhi Mandir pictured on this card) and resolved, ?May God be realized or may this body die.? Now, you see, I get a little abiding bliss." He was reputed to have yogic powers, and forsaw his own death.