Bhakti Hridaya Bon Swami

Bhakti Hridaya Bon Swami Biography

Bhakti Hridaya Bon Swami was a spiritual leader and follower of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. He was a disciple of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. He was fondly called Swami Bon. His birth name is Narendra Nath Mukherji and he belonged to East Bengal. He has initiated 11 monks and Sripad Gopananda Bon Maharaj (Present Acharya), Srila Krishnananda Bon Maharaj, Srila Rasikananda Bon Maharaj and Srila Rashananda Bon Maharaj are among those disciples. He has delivered lectures across the country including Royal Albert Hall in Kolkata and has also opened ashrams and exhibitions.

He was born in 1901 as the son of renowned scholar, Brahmarishi Rajanikanta. He was a great devotee of Vishnu too. He was drawn towards the principles of Gaudiya Vaishnavism at an early age. He was a brahmachari and took initiation from Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. At the age of 23, he was the third disciple to accept life-long Tridanda Sannyasa from Srila Saraswati Prabhupada. He was well-educated among his fellows. He became a preacher of messages given by Caitanya Mahaprabhu and organized successful theistic exhibitions also.

As he was educated, he was sent abroad by his guru to preach his principles. Thus he travelled Germany and UK as a part of his spiritual journey. He preached the messages of Srila Sarasvati Prabhupada and Lord Chaitanya and among his listeners The King of England was also present. But it was not an easy task to make non-vegetarians believe the principles of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Yet he was able to bring with him, two German citizens for initiation. Yet, he had to face the conspiracy of his fellowmen due to jealously. They spread wrong news that Swami Bon led a luxurious life in UK and his guru too believed this. Displeased by this, Bon Swami left the place to Kolkata. He was given a warm welcome by more than 1 lakh devotees at Kolkata.

Swami Bon went by foot on a solitary pilgrimage into the Himalayas taking 3 vows and he completed 650 miles on foot. He initiated more than 1000 Bengalis during his life time. He passed away on July 7, 1982 at his Bhajan Kutir in Vrindavan.

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Updated: March 25, 2014