Swami Shivananda

Swami Shivananda Biography

Swami Shivananda was a Hindu spiritual leader from Bengal and a direct disciple of Ramakrishna who lived during the period, 1854–1934. He was the second president of the Ramakrishna Mission. A very influential spiritual leader, he was fondly called Mahapurush Maharaj by his believers and followers. Known as a Brahmajnani, he introduced the celebration of the birthdays of his brother-monks. On instruction by Swami Vivekananda, he spread the ideas and messages of his guru in Sri lanka, then known as Ceylon. Shivananda Dham, a dormitory in Ramakrishna Mission Vidyapith, Deoghar was named after him. He translated Vivekananda's Chicago lectures into local Hindi.

He was born Tarak Nath Ghoshal in Bengal. His father was Ramakanai Ghoshal, a lawyer and Brahmin who performed religious rituals to support his family. Tarak’s mother Vamasundari Devi was Ramakanai’s first wife. Young Tarak was married in his teens, but he chose a monk’s life seeking permission from his young wife. His wife died young. In fact he married in exchange of his sister’s marriage with a prospective bridegroom. After studies, Tarak took up a job to financially support his family. He met Ramakrishna for the first time in 1880 and got drawn towards his simple life and ideologies. After his wife’s death he spent his time in devotees’ houses or lonely places.

When Ramakrishna fell ill, he reached his residence and joined with others including Vivekananda to look after his guru. When the disciples decided to preach guru’s ideologies after his death, Tarak Nath too joined them. He later took the name Swami Shivananda and dedicated his whole life for Ramakrishna Mission, and spreading the messages of his guru and Vivekananda.

Published: September 01, 2018

Updated: September 01, 2018