Swami Vijnanananda (born Hariprasanna Chattopadhyay; 30 October 1868 – 25 April 1938) was an Indian monk of Ramakrishna order, born in an upper-class family in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, and was a direct disciple of Ramakrishna. He was an engineer and worked as the District Engineer in the erstwhile State of United Provinces, India. He was a great scholar of Sanskrit with expertise in religio-philosophical works, astronomy, civil engineering etc. He spent considerable time in Allahabad (Prayag) centre of Ramakrishna Math. He became the President of Ramakrishna Mission in 1937. It was under his presidency and direct supervision that the Ramakrishna Temple at Belur Math was constructed and consecrated.

Biography

Early life

Hariprasanna Chattopadhyaya was born on 30 October 1868, in a respectable family of Belgharia. He had, in all probability, first seen Ramakrishna on 15 September 1879 at Keshab Chandra Sen's spiritual retreat at Belgharia. When studying in the first or second class of a High School, Hariprasanna saw Ramakrishna at Dewan Govinda Mukherji's house. It was on 18 February 1883 that Hariprasanna, then a student of the St. Xavier's College, went to Dakshineswar with his fellow students Sarat, later Saradananda (Sarat Maharaj), and Barada Pal. Ramakrishna showed great love and kindness towards Hariprasanna, which bound the latter indissolubly to the former. Hariprasanna took Ramakrishna to be his Master. He however saw the Master only a few more times in his life, as he was compelled to live at Bankipore in Bihar.

Hariprasanna's guardians were not in favour of his meeting Ramakrishna. He stayed back in Dakshineswar one night upon request from the Master, and later he divulged that on that night Sri Ramakrishna granted him special spiritual favours.

He was rebuked by his mother and elder sister for the transgression and could not go to see Ramakrishna for a long time, who sent Sarat to bring him along. Ramakrishna made him enter into a deep meditation and gave him intimate knowledge on various facets of spiritual lives.

Teachings

  • One should not ask for anything from God, but remain satisfied with whatever He is pleased to give. If you ask for anything He will give a gift which is like a double-edged sword. Real welfare lies in using things properly; wrong use of things brings misfortune.
  • Whatever situation one may be in, one can, to some degree, serve the motherland, serve the common people, and above all, serve God. Always have the good of the universe at heart and let this become a part of your daily prayer.
  • One reason for the decadence of our country is that in the name of religion, people put forward harmful theories, as a result of which, people lose their faith in religion itself. Simplicity, faithfulness and purity of heart are called for.
  • One who can detach his mind from material things will see the light of God and his presence in everything. Worldly attachment draws people away from God and scorch them in the wild fire of the world.

Books

  • Swami Vijnanananda: Life and Teachings by Swami Vishwashrayananda
  • God lived with them by Swami Chetanananda
  • The Disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, Advaita Ashrama, Maywati, 1943, page 327

See also

  • Swami Advaitananda (Buro Gopal)
  • Swami Turiyananda (Hari Maharaj)
  • Swami Ramakrishnananda
  • Swami Saradananda (Sarat Maharaj)
  • Swami Adbhutananda
  • Swami Brahmananda
  • Swami Niranjananda (Niranjan Maharaj)
  • Swami Abhedananda
  • Swami Subodhananda
  • Swami Vijnanananda
  • Swami Premananda (Baburam Maharaj)
  • Swami Akhandananda
  • Swami Trigunatitananda
  • Swami Shivananda
  • Swami Yogananda (Yogin Maharaj)

References

  • Swami Vijnanananda Biography