Brahmananda
Encyclopedia
Swami Brahmananda (January 21, 1863 – April 10, 1922) was born in Sikra Kulingram near Basirhat, Kolkata
. His pre-monastic name was Rakhal Chandra Ghosh . Shri Ramakrishna
recognised him as his 'spiritual son'. He became the first president of the Ramakrishna Mission. Known as "Raja Maharaj", he was largely responsible for the initial development of the Ramakrishna Mission
, which was remiss due to the death of Swami Vivekananda
.
January 1863 at Sikra, a village near Calcutta.
His father Ananda Mohan Gosh was a zamindar.
His mother Kailas Kamini was a pious lady and
a devotee of Shri Krishna who gave her son the
name Rakhal (meaning the boy-companion of
Shri Krishna). Unfortunately the mother died
when Rakhal was only five years old. Soon after,
his father married a second wife who brought
up Rakhal. Rakhal’s education began in the
village school which was started by Ananda
Mohan chiefly for the sake of his son. As a
student Rakhal was remarkable for his
intelligence. But even as a boy he had varied
interests in life. Physically he was much stronger
than the average boy of his age.
Nearby was a temple dedicated to the Goddess
Kali. Often enough Rakhal would be found
seated still and calm witnessing the ceremony, or at the hour of darkness, when the service was being performed
Rakhal would be seen standing before the Deity in great devotion.
High School. In Calcutta he came in contact with Narendra Nath, afterwards known as Swami Vivekananda
,
who was then leader of the boys of the locality. Narendra, with his dynamic spirit and born leadership, cast his
influence over others and carried them along the path he thought right. Rakhal, meek, quiet and soft-natured as
he was, easily came under his spell, and there grew a close friendship between the two which culminated in a
common discipleship at Dakshineswar and bore far-reaching results.
the irony of fate that his marriage itself brought Rakhal in contact with Sri Ramakrishna who at once recognized
in him his ‘spiritual Son’ as per the vision vouchsafed to him by the Divine Mother. Thus started a course of
spiritual intimacy and intensive training under the loving care of the Guru, which resulted in several exalted
mystic moods and spiritual experiences.
and other brother-disciples, embraced monastic life under the name ‘Swami Brahmananda.’ He spent several
years as a wandering monk, visiting places of pilgrimage and practicing severe austerities. A little before the
return of Swami Vivekananda from the West, he came back to the Baranagore Math and started living there.
After establishing Belur Math monastery when Swami Vivekananda got Ramakrishna Math registered as a Trust, Swami Brahmananda became its President. He held this post till the end of his life. Swamiji gave over the responsibility of
running the organization, to Swami Brahmananda, remembering that Sri Ramakrishna had once remarked that Rakhal had the
capacity to rule a kingdom. Thus, Swami Brahmananda, the ‘Spiritual Son’ of Sri Ramakrishna is generally said to be the first
President of the Ramakrishna Order though in truth Swami Vivekananda was the first President. Swami Brahmananda's uncanny sense in solving even knotty problems and spiritual eminence
of Himalayan heights took the organization to new levels of glory and development. It was a long stewardship
Swami Brahmananda
(1901 - 1922)
marked by work and worship remarkably blended together. During his tenure as President, the Ramakrishna Order underwent great expansion, and several new branch centres were opened in India and abroad. The Ramakrishna Mission, which had been founded by Swami Vivekananda as an Association, was revived and registered during his time. His stress on contemplative life served to counterbalance the activities undertaken by the monks. During those difficult formative years he gave great stability to the Sangha. During his tenure as the Head, he also guided
many earnest spiritual seekers by taking them under his protection, thus fulfilling Swami Vivekananda’s prophetic
remark that Swami Brahmananda was veritably a spiritual dynamo.
Swami Vivekananda had said Swami Brahmananda is a "treasure-house of spirituality". His life and teachings have been compiled by Swami Prabhavananda in the book The Eternal Companion.
wants to runaway. You must bring it back again and again and apply it to the meditation on the Lord. Go on this
way for two or three years, and then an inexpressible joy will fill your mind. Meditation and Japa appear dry in
the beginning. But still you must engage the mind in the contemplation of the Deity, like swallowing a bitter
medicine. Slowly spiritual joy will grow in you. People work so hard to pass an examination! To realise God is
even easier than that. Only let them call on Him with a calm, cheerful heart.
Initiation into a Mantra helps concentration of mind, otherwise your mind will change and fluctuate; today you
will like Kali-form, tomorow the Hari-form, and the next day perhaps the formless aspect of God. And thus
your mind will not be concentrated on any one.
Pranayama and other Yogic practices are not suitable to the present times and conditions. One must observe
complete Brahmacharya in order to practice them. One’s food must be absolutely pure, Sattvika, and one
must be guided by an expert teacher.
Practice is the means of concentrating the mind. Pranayama, breath-control, is also one of the means. But it is
not safe for a householder; if one is not continent, one falls ill. Moreover, one must have nutritious food, a fine
place, and pure air. In order to have meditation and concentration, you must practice in solitude. The more you
will try, the more you will achieve. Wherever you find conditions favorable, say if there is a fine serenity, sit
down and meditate.
God is with form and is also formless and He is also above form and formlessness. What does Vedanta mean
by saying that "Brahman is true and the world is false"? That, the world as we see it now is false. The world
vanishes in Samadhi, but you feel that you are experiencing a great joy.
There is a spiritual eye of wisdom between the two eyebrows. When its vision opens, a fountain of joy is
released. The whole universe is seen to be merged in bliss.
This apparent universe, which you see, is within the domain of the mind. The mind is the author, the mind has
conjured it up. It cannot go beyond its own domain. Behind the mind, of which we are aware, is a subtle
spiritual mind, existing in a seed form. Through contemplation, prayer, and Japa this mind develops, and with its
unfoldment a new vision opens. This subtle mind also cannot reach God, the supreme Atman. But it leads you
near to Him. At this stage, the world loses all its charm for the aspirant. He remains absorbed n the consciousness
of God. Next comes Samadhi. The experience of Samadhi is indescribable-beyond is and is not. In this
blessed experience there is neither happiness nor misery, neither light nor darkness. All is infinite Being,
inexpressible.
The mind is susceptible to suggestions. It learns whatever you teach it. If through discrimination you can
impress upon it the joy and fullness of life in the spirit and the folly of worldly attachments, then your mind will
devotee itself more and more to God. Everyone must have an ideal firmly established in his life. This ideal must
never be lowered. The supreme ideal of human life is to know God.
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
. His pre-monastic name was Rakhal Chandra Ghosh . Shri Ramakrishna
Ramakrishna
Ramakrishna , born Gadadhar Chattopadhyay , was a famous mystic of 19th-century India. His religious school of thought led to the formation of the Ramakrishna Mission by his chief disciple Swami Vivekananda – both were influential figures in the Bengali Renaissance as well as the Hindu...
recognised him as his 'spiritual son'. He became the first president of the Ramakrishna Mission. Known as "Raja Maharaj", he was largely responsible for the initial development of the Ramakrishna Mission
Ramakrishna Mission
Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission are twin organizations which form the core of a worldwide spiritual movement known as Ramakrishna Movement or Vedanta Movement. The Ramakrishna Mission is a philanthropic, volunteer organization founded by Ramakrishna's chief disciple Swami Vivekananda on...
, which was remiss due to the death of Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda , born Narendranath Dutta , was the chief disciple of the 19th century mystic Ramakrishna Paramahansa and the founder of the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission...
.
Birth and childhood
Rakhal Chandra Ghosh(Swami Brahmananda) was born on 21stJanuary 1863 at Sikra, a village near Calcutta.
His father Ananda Mohan Gosh was a zamindar.
His mother Kailas Kamini was a pious lady and
a devotee of Shri Krishna who gave her son the
name Rakhal (meaning the boy-companion of
Shri Krishna). Unfortunately the mother died
when Rakhal was only five years old. Soon after,
his father married a second wife who brought
up Rakhal. Rakhal’s education began in the
village school which was started by Ananda
Mohan chiefly for the sake of his son. As a
student Rakhal was remarkable for his
intelligence. But even as a boy he had varied
interests in life. Physically he was much stronger
than the average boy of his age.
Nearby was a temple dedicated to the Goddess
Kali. Often enough Rakhal would be found
seated still and calm witnessing the ceremony, or at the hour of darkness, when the service was being performed
Rakhal would be seen standing before the Deity in great devotion.
College and meeting Swami Vivekananda
After Rakhal had finished the primary education, he was sent to Calcutta in 1875 and admitted into an EnglishHigh School. In Calcutta he came in contact with Narendra Nath, afterwards known as Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda , born Narendranath Dutta , was the chief disciple of the 19th century mystic Ramakrishna Paramahansa and the founder of the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission...
,
who was then leader of the boys of the locality. Narendra, with his dynamic spirit and born leadership, cast his
influence over others and carried them along the path he thought right. Rakhal, meek, quiet and soft-natured as
he was, easily came under his spell, and there grew a close friendship between the two which culminated in a
common discipleship at Dakshineswar and bore far-reaching results.
With Sri Ramakrishna
Rakhal’s indifference to studies and worldly things made his father to get him married. Such, however, wasthe irony of fate that his marriage itself brought Rakhal in contact with Sri Ramakrishna who at once recognized
in him his ‘spiritual Son’ as per the vision vouchsafed to him by the Divine Mother. Thus started a course of
spiritual intimacy and intensive training under the loving care of the Guru, which resulted in several exalted
mystic moods and spiritual experiences.
After master's death
After the death of Sri Ramakrishna, Rakhal, along with Narendraand other brother-disciples, embraced monastic life under the name ‘Swami Brahmananda.’ He spent several
years as a wandering monk, visiting places of pilgrimage and practicing severe austerities. A little before the
return of Swami Vivekananda from the West, he came back to the Baranagore Math and started living there.
As the President of Order
After Swami Vivekananda's return from West when Ramakrishna Mission was formed as an Association on 1st May 1897, at Baghbazar in Calcutta (now Kolkata) Swami Vivekananda was elected its General President and Swami Brahmananda was elected the first and only ever Calcutta President.After establishing Belur Math monastery when Swami Vivekananda got Ramakrishna Math registered as a Trust, Swami Brahmananda became its President. He held this post till the end of his life. Swamiji gave over the responsibility of
running the organization, to Swami Brahmananda, remembering that Sri Ramakrishna had once remarked that Rakhal had the
capacity to rule a kingdom. Thus, Swami Brahmananda, the ‘Spiritual Son’ of Sri Ramakrishna is generally said to be the first
President of the Ramakrishna Order though in truth Swami Vivekananda was the first President. Swami Brahmananda's uncanny sense in solving even knotty problems and spiritual eminence
of Himalayan heights took the organization to new levels of glory and development. It was a long stewardship
Swami Brahmananda
(1901 - 1922)
marked by work and worship remarkably blended together. During his tenure as President, the Ramakrishna Order underwent great expansion, and several new branch centres were opened in India and abroad. The Ramakrishna Mission, which had been founded by Swami Vivekananda as an Association, was revived and registered during his time. His stress on contemplative life served to counterbalance the activities undertaken by the monks. During those difficult formative years he gave great stability to the Sangha. During his tenure as the Head, he also guided
many earnest spiritual seekers by taking them under his protection, thus fulfilling Swami Vivekananda’s prophetic
remark that Swami Brahmananda was veritably a spiritual dynamo.
Last years
Raja Maharaj died on 10th April 1922.Swami Vivekananda had said Swami Brahmananda is a "treasure-house of spirituality". His life and teachings have been compiled by Swami Prabhavananda in the book The Eternal Companion.
Teachings
Practise a little Japa and meditation every day. Never stop for a single day. The mind is like a restless child, itwants to runaway. You must bring it back again and again and apply it to the meditation on the Lord. Go on this
way for two or three years, and then an inexpressible joy will fill your mind. Meditation and Japa appear dry in
the beginning. But still you must engage the mind in the contemplation of the Deity, like swallowing a bitter
medicine. Slowly spiritual joy will grow in you. People work so hard to pass an examination! To realise God is
even easier than that. Only let them call on Him with a calm, cheerful heart.
Initiation into a Mantra helps concentration of mind, otherwise your mind will change and fluctuate; today you
will like Kali-form, tomorow the Hari-form, and the next day perhaps the formless aspect of God. And thus
your mind will not be concentrated on any one.
Pranayama and other Yogic practices are not suitable to the present times and conditions. One must observe
complete Brahmacharya in order to practice them. One’s food must be absolutely pure, Sattvika, and one
must be guided by an expert teacher.
Practice is the means of concentrating the mind. Pranayama, breath-control, is also one of the means. But it is
not safe for a householder; if one is not continent, one falls ill. Moreover, one must have nutritious food, a fine
place, and pure air. In order to have meditation and concentration, you must practice in solitude. The more you
will try, the more you will achieve. Wherever you find conditions favorable, say if there is a fine serenity, sit
down and meditate.
God is with form and is also formless and He is also above form and formlessness. What does Vedanta mean
by saying that "Brahman is true and the world is false"? That, the world as we see it now is false. The world
vanishes in Samadhi, but you feel that you are experiencing a great joy.
There is a spiritual eye of wisdom between the two eyebrows. When its vision opens, a fountain of joy is
released. The whole universe is seen to be merged in bliss.
This apparent universe, which you see, is within the domain of the mind. The mind is the author, the mind has
conjured it up. It cannot go beyond its own domain. Behind the mind, of which we are aware, is a subtle
spiritual mind, existing in a seed form. Through contemplation, prayer, and Japa this mind develops, and with its
unfoldment a new vision opens. This subtle mind also cannot reach God, the supreme Atman. But it leads you
near to Him. At this stage, the world loses all its charm for the aspirant. He remains absorbed n the consciousness
of God. Next comes Samadhi. The experience of Samadhi is indescribable-beyond is and is not. In this
blessed experience there is neither happiness nor misery, neither light nor darkness. All is infinite Being,
inexpressible.
The mind is susceptible to suggestions. It learns whatever you teach it. If through discrimination you can
impress upon it the joy and fullness of life in the spirit and the folly of worldly attachments, then your mind will
devotee itself more and more to God. Everyone must have an ideal firmly established in his life. This ideal must
never be lowered. The supreme ideal of human life is to know God.
Further readong
- The Eternal Companion: Life and Teachings of Swami Brahmananda - Swami PrabhavanandaSwami PrabhavanandaSwami Prabhavananda was an Indian philosopher, monk of the Ramakrishna Order, and religious teacher.-Biography:...
and Swami YatishwaranandaYatishwaranandaSwami Yatiswarananda , a senior monk and former Vice-President of the Ramakrishna Math, was a well known spiritual figure in the Neo-Vedanta movement...
ISBN 81-7120-579-8 - A Guide to Spiritual Life: Spiritual Teachings of Swami Brahmananda - Swami Chetanananda
- God lived with them - Swami Chetanandanda ISBN 0-916356-80-9
- Swami Brahmananda in Pictures - Collection of pictures published by Ramakrishna Math, Bangalore ISBN 81-7907-029-8
External links
- RKM: President's site - Swami Brahmananda