The origin of Vijay Milan Center France has at its root, Srî Bipul Saklâni (Swâmî Vishuddhânanda Saraswatî after Sannyâsa, addressed as Mahantaji), a close disciple of Srî Gurudev, who once lived in Paris.

Originally from Tehri, Bipul Bhai had ancestral orchards in Bhairavdhunga, the hill that regarded RishikandaPahar with eternal veneration from the other side of the ridge since the beginning of creation. After graduating in agriculture, he repaired to this place and revolutionized the practices of farming and horticulture in the region during the years of his stay. Every morning, he would watch the Sun God perform obeisance to Rishikanda Pahar before He began his journey across the horizon, and could feel a tug on the strings of his heart without realizing why.
Some time later, a turn of events saw him married and settled in France, running “Lal Moti,” a boutique of Indian handicrafts in the chic Jewish quarter in the heart of Paris.

It was on one of his visits to India that he had his first encounter with Sri Gurudev in the fruit godown. It appeared predestined, yet long-awaited. Bipul Bhai became involved heart and soul in the establishment of Vijay Milan Math.

In the years that followed, Dr. Rao and Bipul Bhai were integral in every activity, event and growth of Vijay Milan Math. Bipul Bhai derived great inspiration from, and had the greatest of love, respect and admiration for Dr. Rao, whom Sri Gurudev declared as His most beloved very own Self- “Param Priya Nijātman.” It was Dr. Rao who was with Sri Gurudev from the days of Uttarkashi, and was the very foundation of Vijay Milan Math. Sri Gurudev said that the names of Dr. Rao and Bipul Bhai were etched on every part of Vijay Milan Math.

“Lal Moti” was never a mere boutique. It offered comfort and spiritual refuge to many French men, women, boys and girls, many of whom would venture in out of curiosity to explore ethnic Indian novelties, and emerge transformed, literally hooked to coming again for multiple reasons that went beyond making purchases. They were deeply impressed by Bipul Bhai’s words of kindness and wisdom which he duly ascribed to the teachings of Srî Gurudev.

Encouraged by Bipul Bhai, many devotees started accompanying him regularly to Vijay Milan Math over the years, with some even staying for extended periods in devotional service, worship and spiritual practice.
In 2007, he requested permission from His Master to come to stay permanently in the ashram. Srî Gurudev accepted, telling him, “Yes, you can come, but first, establish a Center there”. Thus, the association Vijay Milan Center France was founded in January 2008 with Srî Gurudev as Lifetime Honorary President.

I, Devi, consider myself fortunate to have been able to offer my residence in Fontenay sous Bois as the official premises.
We, the founding members of Vijay Milan Center France (VMC) are all disciples of Srî Gurudev who had travelled to India and received the sacred initiation from Him there. It was Srî Gurudev who laid down the guidelines for the Center, and gave the instruction, “Be simple, be natural, be a monk”.