Panchanan Bhattacharya Biography 
Panchanan Bhattacharya was a spiritual guru from Bengal who was the first disciple of Yogi Lahiri Mahasaya. Through his Arya Mission Institution, he spread the principles of his guru throughout Bengal. He has been instrumental in publishing and translating many books in Bengali language. He has also authored a few books. He published a Bengali book titled ‘Jagat O Ami’ which describes encounter of his father, Thakurdas Bhattacharya with two local educationists, regarding the subject of starting a school for girls in the neighbourhood. Though he was known as a spiritual guru, he married twice. His second wife’s name was Suradhani Devi. Arya Mission Institution has been re-opened renewed in the recent times.
Born in Ahiritola area of Kolkata in 1853, he met Lahiri Mahasaya in Varanasi while he was wandering during his adulthood. He was leading Brahmacharya life style till then and as advised by his spiritual guru, he returned back to householder life. As promised, Yogi Lahiri Mahasaya initiated him to spiritual life and Panchanan lead a normal life, working as a flower vendor. In 1885 he set up Aryya Mission Institution, for publishing Kriya related books. Then with the permission of his guru, he started a yoga centre at Kolkata. The centre distributed certain yogic herbal medicines and also published the Bengali and Hindi versions of Bhagavat Gita in cheap cost. It was titled Arya Mission Gita.
Arya Mission Gita was so popular that both its published versions were bought by many households. This famous interpretation is still read by millions across the world. Yogacharya Panchanan Bhattacharya may be considered the greatest of Yogiraj Shyamacharan Lahiri’s disciples and first one to attain self-realization. He was a talented musician too and has composed several songs about Yoga.
Published: N/A
Updated: March 25, 2014
