The passing away of Srimat Swami Prabhanandaji Maharaj

Last Updated : 2 Apr 2023 (4:40 pm)

We are sorry to announce the passing away of revered Swami Prabhanandaji Maharaj, Vice-President, Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission, at Seva Pratishthan, Kolkata, today (Saturday, 1 April 2023) at 6.50 pm. He was 91. His mortal remains will be kept at Belur Math (Cultural Hall) from 6.00 am to 8.00 pm tomorrow for the devotees and admirers to pay their homage to the departed soul. Cremation will start at about 9.00 pm on Sunday, 2 April 2023 at Belur Math.

Obituary

Revered Srimat Swami Prabhanandaji Maharaj, Vice President of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, passed away on 1.4.2023 at 6.50 pm at Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan, Kolkata. He was 91 and had been suffering from old-age ailments for the last six months.

Swami Prabhanandaji was born in Akhaura, district Tipperah (now in Bangladesh), on 17 October 1931. An initiated disciple of Swami Shankaranandaji Maharaj, he joined the order at Narendrapur centre in 1958 and received sannyasa diksha from Swami Vireshwaranandaji Maharaj in 1966.

He served the order at Narendrapur, Saradapitha and Seva Pratishthan centres as an assistant, and Purulia Vidyapith and the Institute of Culture, Gol Park, as the head. At Narendrapur centre, he served as the Director of the Institute of Social Education and Recreation (later known as Ramakrishna Mission Lokashiksha Parishad) for two years. He was the Headmaster of the Secondary and Higher Secondary schools at Narendrapur and the Principal of Vidyamandira College at Saradapitha. He served as an Assistant Secretary of Seva Pratishthan for three years.

Swami Prabhanandaji was appointed a Trustee of the Ramakrishna Math and a Member of the Governing Body of the Ramakrishna Mission in April 1983. In 1984, he was elected an Assistant Secretary of the twin organizations in which capacity he served for eleven years. He became the General Secretary of the Math and Mission in 2007 and continued in that post until 2012 when he became a Vice-President of the order.

Revered Maharaj has several books in Bengali and English to his credit, notable among which are: Sri Ramakrishner Antyalila (Last days of Sri Ramakrishna’s Divine play), Brahmananda Charit (Comprehensive life of Swami Brahmananda), Saradananda Charit (Comprehensive life of Swami Saradananda), First Meetings with Sri Ramakrishna and Early History of Ramakrishna Movement. He also wrote a good number of learned articles in English and Bengali in the periodicals of our order and other reputed journals. His talks at various national and international seminars bear the stamp of deep thinking and scholarship.

Ramakrishna Samgraha Mandir (Museum and Archives) at Belur Math is the standing monument to his laborious efforts in preserving various articles and artefacts associated with the founders of the Ramakrishna Movement.

During his spiritual ministry, he blessed many devotees with mantra diksha (spiritual initiation) in different parts of India, Bangladesh and Nepal. He also visited Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Canada, the US, the UK, Europe, Russia, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, South America and South Africa at different times and spread the message of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda and Vedanta.

Swami Prabhanandaji was known for his erudition, keen interest in academic pursuits and research work. He was meticulous in his daily routine and thorough in his work. Revered Maharaj was respected by all for his austere habits, scholarship and dedication to the ideal.

In his sad demise, the Sangha has sustained an irreparable loss.

Special Puja and Bhandara

Special Puja (visesh puja) of Sri Sri Thakur, Bhandara and Memorial Meeting will be held at Belur Math on Thursday, 13 April 2023.

Devotees who want to send contribution for the Special Puja and Bhandara of Srimat Swami Prabhananda ji Maharaj, may contribute online in Daily worship (Thakur Seva) through our donation page.

Religious Observances

As regards religious observances to be followed after the Mahasamadhi of one’s Guru, there are no special rites or vows prescribed by Ramakrishna Sangha.  The Sangha’s emphasis is always on spiritual life – leading a pure life and turning the mind towards God through japa, meditation, prayer, chanting of hymns, etc.  However, after the passing away of one’s Guru, the disciple may restrict his / her diet to havishyanna (simple boiled rice and vegetables with ghee and salt) and fruit for 13 days, or at least 3 days.

View Album in Google Photos : Swami Prabhananda ji Maharaj

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