Swami Nirvedananda (1893-1958) – Distinguished scholar, disciple of Swami Brahmananda (1918). Pre-monastic name Surendranath Mukherjee, born in paternal home at Huzoorimal Lane in Calcutta on 19.7.1893. Father wealthy businessman, hailed from Kashipur in Barisal. Passed Entrance examination with scholarship from Hare School (1909), B.A. and B.Sc. from Presidency College and did his Masters in English (1916). Scientists Satyendranath Bose, Meghnad Saha, Jnan Chandra Ghosh and Jnan Mukherjee—his classmates. Vows of brahmacharya given by Swami Brahmananda (1919, Brahmachari Anadichaitanya) and ordained into sannyasa by Swami Shivananda (1923). Renounced home life as a student after sale of paternal residence. Putting up in a rented house in Jelepara Lane started coaching-class for students there, which developed into the Ramakrishna Mission Calcutta Students’ Home in Belgharia with Nirvedananda as its first Secretary (1919-49) and President of its first Managing Committee (1950). Trustee and Member of the Governing Body of the Math and the Mission (1929). One of the founders of Deoghar Vidyapith and one of the Joint Secretaries with Swami Sadbhavananda for many years. Founded the Education Board of the Mission for control of its educational institutions and introduced the practise of “Vidyarthivrata homa” (vows taken by students before a sacred fire). Founded the “Ramakrishna Swargashrama” at Lalgarh. President of Belur Ramakrishna Mission Saradapith, Taki Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Howrah Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Institution. Eloquent speaker, able sportsman, penchant for music and art. Died at Students’ Home on 15.11.1958 and cremated at Cossipore burning ghat. Works: Our Education, Hinduism at a Glance, Religion and Modern Doubts, Sri Ramakrishna and Spiritual Renaissance, Swami Vivekananda on Religion and Philosophy (compilation), Hindu Dharma, Bharat Kalyan and Dharma-parichay for Children, Drig-drishya Vivek, Vedanta Paribhasa of Dharmaraja Adhvarindra (English translation), Introduction to Sri Ramakrishna, the Great Master. Contributed the article “Sri Ramakrishna and Spiritual Renaissance” to the Cultural Heritage of India (Vol. 2).
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