Swarupananda

Swarupananda Biography

Swarupananda was a Hindu religious monk who was a direct monastic disciple of Vivekananda. He lived during the period, 8 July 1871 – 27 June 1906, and died at a very young age of only 34. He was the first president of the Advaita Ashrama, set up by Vivekananda in 1899 at Mayavati. He was the editor of Prabuddha Bharata, an English magazine. He died of pneumonia on 27 June 1906. His obituary in Prabuddha Bharata was written by Sister Nivedita. He died at Nainital.

Swarupananda was born as Ajay Hari Bannerjee in 8 July 1871 in West Bengal. Bhawanipur of Kolkata was his native place. Since young he got moved with human miseries, and it inspired him to develop a spiritual outlook. He also developed friendship with Satishchandra Mukherjee, which improved his spiritual knowledge, Sanskrit and knowledge on Indian sculptures. They together started a school to promote these subjects. They also started a monthly magazine, and Ajay served as its editor. He later started Dawn Society which contributed towards freedom struggle movement as well as education. He worked as a journalist and editor, in association with Satishchandra Mukherjee till renounced earthly life.

His meeting with Vivekananda proved to be a turning point of his life. He met him for the first time in 1897, and after that they met frequent times. He was initiated into the vow of renunciation on 29 March 1898. Though he was married during his childhood days, he continued to live as a celibate at his parents' home in Kolkata. But later he became a full-time disciple of Vivekananda. Swarupananda became the president of the Mayavati ashrama and worked for the uplift of weaker sections of the society as well as tribal people.

Published: October 30, 2018

Updated: October 30, 2018