Swami Janananda Baba was a disciple of Bhagawan Nityananda, and under the direct orders of Bhagawan, he looked after the Swami Nityananda Ashram at Kanhangad. Bhagawan Nityananda described him as "Dattatreya Avatar." Swami Janananda Baba looked after the Kanhangad ashram as his Master's Temple and never tried to propagate his own image. He attributed everything to Bhagawan Nityananda and became a true Karma Yogi.

Swami Janananda took birth to set an example of devotion through Seva, as described in the Bhagavad Gita. All his life he worked hard with total devotion to his Master. He also kept all his spiritual power subdued and never tried to make a name for himself. He always kept the name of Bhagawan Nityananda in the forefront of whatever he did.

Janananda Baba had no attachment to name, fame or worldly possessions. He lived his entire life saying, "Thy will be done."

Bhagwan Nityananda's love for Swami Janananda Baba was very great. It was to Janananda Baba that Bhagawan recommended severe penance by ordering him to go to the Himalayas and Nasik. At Gangapur, the place known for Lord Dattatreya, near Nasik, Bhagawan made Swami Janananda perform an Anuasthan (special puja). When Swami Janananda visited Ganeshpuri, Bhagawan Nityananda asked devotees to receive him with great honor and humility.

Swami Janananda Baba commanded respect as the most senior disciple of Bhagawan Nityananda. Before taking Mahasamadhi, Janananda Baba visited Mumbai in 1982. He was personally received by Swami Muktananda at Ganeshpuri. Guns were fired in his honor and Swami Muktananda took him to his ashram. Here he washed the feet of Swami Janananda Baba, himself first took the Pada Tirtha, and then distributed it to all his disciples. He then gave his personal car to take Swami Janananda to Ganeshpuri. He frequently visited there to inquire about Janananda's health. On October 2nd, 1982, the day that Swami Janananda Baba left Ganeshpuri for the last time to return to the Kanhangad ashram, Swami Muktananda took Mahasamadhi.

Swami Janananda Baba attained his Mahasamadhi on December 27th, 1982, as he himself predicted, on the Day of Datta Jayanthi, the celebration of Lord Dattatreya's arrival day.