Prabhavananda, Swami (1893-1976)—Distinguished scholarly monk of the Order. Abanikumar Ghosh in pre-monastic life, born in Surmanagar village of Bankura district. Educated at Calcutta and inspired by Sister Nivedita, joined the Order at Belur Math (1914). Initiated and ordained into sannyasa by Swami Brahmananda (1921). Practised spiritual disciplines at Mayavati Advaita Ashrama, assisted in editing the Prabuddha Bharata. Posted to America (1923) as assistant to Swami Prakashananda at San Francisco (1923-25). Founder of Portland Vedanta Centre (November 1925) and Minister-in-Charge of Hollywood Vedanta Centre in South California from 1929. Set up monastery and convent at Hollywood, monastery at Trabuco and monastery and convent at Santa Barbara. Visited India three times (1936, 1949, 1963). Powerful orator, versatile writer. Founder-editor of the Vedanta and the West. This vibrant life drew to a close at the Hollywood centre on 4.7.1976. Sri Ramakrishna Brahmananda Ashrama was set up (1954) at his birth place by his American disciples.
Works: Vedic Religion and Philosophy, How to Know God (translation of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras), The spiritual Heritage of India, Narad’s Way of Divine Love, The Sermon on the Mount according to Vedanta, Srimad Bhagavatam (abridged and translated), Srimad Bhagavad Gita—the Song of God (in collaboration with Christopher Isherwood), The Upanishads, Swami Premananda, The Eternal Companion (records of Swami Brahmananda’s teachings with a biography) etc.