Swami Nirmalananda
Encyclopedia
Swami Nirmalananda, born as Tulasi Charan Dutta in Calcutta, was a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, the 19th century mystic and saint from India, and Swami Vivekananda
, the great philosopher monk from India who established the Ramakrishna Math
and Ramakrishna Mission
. Swami Nirmalananda played a key role in establishing Ramakrishna Math and Mission in South India, in Kerala
and Bangalore
.
and a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. At home he learnt Sanskrit. And later he taught the Upanishads, Brahmasutras and Gita to the Brahmacharins at Belur, and he was also able to converse fluently in Sanskrit with the scholars who visited South India. Tulasi also visited Trailinga Swami in Benaras. His father died in his Calcutta residence in November 1877, while Tulasi was still in Benaras. Thereafter Tulasi came to Calcutta to appear for the Entrance examination of Calcutta University. He also engaged himself in physical training and became an able gymnast and athlete and also trained other young men in physical exercises. He passed the Entrance examination in 1883 and got a certificate of appreciation and a medal from Raja of Talcher.
He first met Sri Ramakrishna in the house of Balaram Bose
, a lay disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, who was also his neighbour, in 1882, when he was eighteen years of age. He visited Dakshineswar temple to meet Sri Ramakrishna, first with his friend Harinath and later alone. In the second visit he met Sri Ramakrishna. Tulasi used to meet Sri Ramakrishna occasionally in the house of Balaram Bose
and got his initiation from him.Ibid. page 18 He also met Sri Ramakrishna when the latter was lying ill in Cossipore garden house. The Memoirs of Sri Ramakrishna, by Swami Abhedananda, 1907, an English translation of the Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by M, page 454
After the death of their master the future monastic disciples, led by Narendranath Dutta, later Swami Vivekananda
formed the Baranagar Math which Tulasi would visit now and then. The brother disciples also used to spend some time in his house in Bagbazar. Later Tulasi joined the Baranagar Math as a permanent resident.
and got the new name Swami Nirmalananda (Nirmala - without blemish/pure, Ananda - bliss, "The pure and untarnished joy and bliss"). Swami Nirmalananda assisted Swami Ramakrishnananda
in serving the brother disciples in both Baranagar and Alambazar Math and was a tireless worker.Ibid. page 27
, the birthplace of the Master to stay for a few days with the holy mother, Sri Sarada Devi, the wife and spiritual consort of Sri Ramakrishna. They went to Ghazipur by foot and met Pavhari baba
, a holy monk, and also met Hariprasanna, later Swami Vijnanananda. They also went to Benaras, Ayodhya and Rishikesh. They also went to Uttar Kashi, Devaprayag, Kedarnath and trekked upto Goumukh. On their way back they met Swami Vivekananda
in Rishikesh. Later he travelled with the holy mother along with Swami Saradananda (Sarat Maharaj)
and Swami Yogananda (Yogin Maharaj)
to Koilwar on Sone river. He stayed for sometime in caves of the Himalayas during winter. He travelled in Tibetan hills without food. Later in 1899 he travelled to Rajputana for famine relief work. At the time of the death of Swami Vivekananda he was in the Himalayas, practising austerities. After his return from the Americas he travelled first to East Bengal and Assam and then to Kashmir. Padmanabhan Tampi, a devotee from Haripad in the state of Travancore in Kerala, invited Swami Nirmalananda to be a guest of honour for the Master's brithday celebration in 1911. That was his first tryst with Kerala where he would spend his later life. Swami Nirmalananda travelled to Trivandrum in response to the invitation of the Vedanta society of Trivandrum in 1911. There he stayed for sometimes and delivered several lectures and made many devotees. He travelled to Kanyakumari the same year. Early next year he went to Ootacamund in Nilgiris to preside over the third anniversary of Vivekananda Association, Kaity. He also met a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna from Malabar and on his invitation, visited Badagara in British Malabar where he made much impression and where he spread the message of Ramakrishna and Vivekananda. From there he travelled to Calicut and made many devotees and admirers. Thus began his long sojourn with Kerala and Malabar. In 1914 he travelled to Ottapalam, which was to be his future place of work.
He travelled once or twice a year to Kerala and Malabar for establishing ashramas, meeting devotees and delivering lectures.
returned to India from West in 1897, Swami Nirmalananda was very devoted to the leader and rendered many a service to him, like cooking for him, working as his private secretary and tending to his needs. Swami Vivekananda
also enjoyed a close relationship with him. Tulasi Maharaj arranged for the initiation of Swami Suddhananda, from Swami Vivekananda.Ibid. pages 43-44 Tulasi Maharaj also ardently believed in the new principles founded by Swami Vivekananda, that of working for the upliftment and betterment of masses.
Tulasi would often accompany the leader in playing percussion instruments like Pakhawaj while the latter sang devotional songs. He was deeply affected by the demise of the latter in 1902.
and Mission. After the demise of Swami Vivekananda
, Swami Nirmalananda travelled to Americas in 1903 upon a call from his brother disciple Swami Abhedananda
. He carried out Yoga classes in New York, and established a memorial service in honour of Swami Vivekananda
. He also assumed the direction of the Vedanta
centre at Brooklyn. He also gave lectures and taught Sanskrit and the message of the Upanishads. He stayed in America for three years and returned thereafter to India. Swami Nirmalananda helped in developing and estabishing the Ramakrishna Mission centres in Bangalore and Kerala. He was also instrumental in getting the Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi to Bangalore Ramakrishna Math. In 1904 the Bangalore centre was established by Swami Ramakrishnananda
and an Ashrama was built there by Swami Brahmananda, the then president. Swami Nirmalananda was sent to head the Bangalore Ashrama in 1909. He delivered many lectures and also looked after the day to day affairs of the Ashrama. He raised subscriptions to develop the landscape and to construct new buildings, including a library. In 1911 when the holy mother Sri Sarada Devi travelled to Rameswaram, Swami Nirmalananda brought her to Bangalore for a visit, where she met thousands of devotees and initiated several.
The Ashrama in Harpad was opened on 4th of May, 1913. Swami Nirmalananda established strict obseravation of end of all caste based discrimination in this Ashrama which was a norm in Kerala during that time and this caused much inconvenience and opposition, but he stood firm on his principle. He was also adept in playing musical instruments and would often accompany Swami Vivekananda on percussion instruments while the latter sang songs.
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...
, the great philosopher monk from India who established the Ramakrishna Math
Ramakrishna Math
Ramakrishna Math is a religious monastic order, considered part of the Hindu reform movements. It was set up by Swami Vivekananda to follow the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna...
and 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...
. Swami Nirmalananda played a key role in establishing Ramakrishna Math and Mission in South India, in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
and Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
.
Initial Days
He was born on 23rd of December, 1863, in Bosepara lane in the Bagbazar area of Calcutta, to Debnath Dutta and Thakamani Devi. Tulasi was the youngest among his brothers. At a very young age he was very delicate in health. He was sent to the school at a very late age. His family had establishments in Benaras and Calcutta. Tulasi lost his mother at the age of 10 years. Subsequently he got admitted to the Bengali Tolla High School in Benaras and became the classmate of Hariprasanna Chattopadhyay who subsequently came to be known as Swami Vijnanananda, another great monk of Ramakrishna MissionRamakrishna 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...
and a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. At home he learnt Sanskrit. And later he taught the Upanishads, Brahmasutras and Gita to the Brahmacharins at Belur, and he was also able to converse fluently in Sanskrit with the scholars who visited South India. Tulasi also visited Trailinga Swami in Benaras. His father died in his Calcutta residence in November 1877, while Tulasi was still in Benaras. Thereafter Tulasi came to Calcutta to appear for the Entrance examination of Calcutta University. He also engaged himself in physical training and became an able gymnast and athlete and also trained other young men in physical exercises. He passed the Entrance examination in 1883 and got a certificate of appreciation and a medal from Raja of Talcher.
He first met Sri Ramakrishna in the house of Balaram Bose
Balaram Bose
Balaram Bose was one of the prominent householder disciples of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. He was the son of Radhamohan Bose. He is often referred in The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. Ramakrishna often visited his house and participated in Kirtana and other devotional functions...
, a lay disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, who was also his neighbour, in 1882, when he was eighteen years of age. He visited Dakshineswar temple to meet Sri Ramakrishna, first with his friend Harinath and later alone. In the second visit he met Sri Ramakrishna. Tulasi used to meet Sri Ramakrishna occasionally in the house of Balaram Bose
Balaram Bose
Balaram Bose was one of the prominent householder disciples of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. He was the son of Radhamohan Bose. He is often referred in The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. Ramakrishna often visited his house and participated in Kirtana and other devotional functions...
and got his initiation from him.Ibid. page 18 He also met Sri Ramakrishna when the latter was lying ill in Cossipore garden house. The Memoirs of Sri Ramakrishna, by Swami Abhedananda, 1907, an English translation of the Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita by M, page 454
After the death of their master the future monastic disciples, led by Narendranath Dutta, later 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...
formed the Baranagar Math which Tulasi would visit now and then. The brother disciples also used to spend some time in his house in Bagbazar. Later Tulasi joined the Baranagar Math as a permanent resident.
In the Monastery
Tulasi, like several of his other brother disciples, got his monastic vow from Swami VivekanandaSwami 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...
and got the new name Swami Nirmalananda (Nirmala - without blemish/pure, Ananda - bliss, "The pure and untarnished joy and bliss"). Swami Nirmalananda assisted Swami Ramakrishnananda
Swami Ramakrishnananda
Swami Ramakrishnananda is one of 16 apostles or direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna* Pre-monastic name : Shashi Bhushan Chakravarty* Date of Birth : 13 July 1863* Place of Birth : Ichapur in Hooghly district, West Bengal...
in serving the brother disciples in both Baranagar and Alambazar Math and was a tireless worker.Ibid. page 27
Travels
In 1888, Swami Nirmalananda went out as an itinerant monk along with a few of his brother disciples. He first went to KamarpukurKamarpukur
Kamarpukur is a village situated in the Arambag subdivision of the Hooghly District in West Bengal state of India. It is famous for being the birthplace of Ramakrishna. It is the block headquarters of the Goghat –II community development block....
, the birthplace of the Master to stay for a few days with the holy mother, Sri Sarada Devi, the wife and spiritual consort of Sri Ramakrishna. They went to Ghazipur by foot and met Pavhari baba
Pavhari Baba
Pavhari BabaSant Pavhari Baba was an ascetic born near Varanasi of Brahmin parents. As a youth he had demonstrated mastery of Hindu philosophy...
, a holy monk, and also met Hariprasanna, later Swami Vijnanananda. They also went to Benaras, Ayodhya and Rishikesh. They also went to Uttar Kashi, Devaprayag, Kedarnath and trekked upto Goumukh. On their way back they met 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...
in Rishikesh. Later he travelled with the holy mother along with Swami Saradananda (Sarat Maharaj)
Swami Saradananda (Sarat Maharaj)
Swami Saradananda, born as Sarat Chandra Chakravarty in 1865, was one of the direct monastic disciples of Sri Ramakrishna and was the first Secretary of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, a post which he held till his death in 1927...
and Swami Yogananda (Yogin Maharaj)
Swami Yogananda (Yogin Maharaj)
Swami Yogananda was a direct monastic disciple of Ramakrishna Paramhansa, the 19th century saint and mystic, although he took his formal initiation from Sarada Devi, the holy mother of Ramakrishna Order and spiritual consort of Ramakrishna. He was the first vice president of Ramakrishna Mission...
to Koilwar on Sone river. He stayed for sometime in caves of the Himalayas during winter. He travelled in Tibetan hills without food. Later in 1899 he travelled to Rajputana for famine relief work. At the time of the death of Swami Vivekananda he was in the Himalayas, practising austerities. After his return from the Americas he travelled first to East Bengal and Assam and then to Kashmir. Padmanabhan Tampi, a devotee from Haripad in the state of Travancore in Kerala, invited Swami Nirmalananda to be a guest of honour for the Master's brithday celebration in 1911. That was his first tryst with Kerala where he would spend his later life. Swami Nirmalananda travelled to Trivandrum in response to the invitation of the Vedanta society of Trivandrum in 1911. There he stayed for sometimes and delivered several lectures and made many devotees. He travelled to Kanyakumari the same year. Early next year he went to Ootacamund in Nilgiris to preside over the third anniversary of Vivekananda Association, Kaity. He also met a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna from Malabar and on his invitation, visited Badagara in British Malabar where he made much impression and where he spread the message of Ramakrishna and Vivekananda. From there he travelled to Calicut and made many devotees and admirers. Thus began his long sojourn with Kerala and Malabar. In 1914 he travelled to Ottapalam, which was to be his future place of work.
He travelled once or twice a year to Kerala and Malabar for establishing ashramas, meeting devotees and delivering lectures.
Relations with Swami Vivekananda
When Swami VivekanandaSwami 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...
returned to India from West in 1897, Swami Nirmalananda was very devoted to the leader and rendered many a service to him, like cooking for him, working as his private secretary and tending to his needs. 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...
also enjoyed a close relationship with him. Tulasi Maharaj arranged for the initiation of Swami Suddhananda, from Swami Vivekananda.Ibid. pages 43-44 Tulasi Maharaj also ardently believed in the new principles founded by Swami Vivekananda, that of working for the upliftment and betterment of masses.
Tulasi would often accompany the leader in playing percussion instruments like Pakhawaj while the latter sang devotional songs. He was deeply affected by the demise of the latter in 1902.
Major Work
On 10th February 1901, Swami Nirmalananda became the assistant secretary of the newly established Ramakrishna MathRamakrishna Math
Ramakrishna Math is a religious monastic order, considered part of the Hindu reform movements. It was set up by Swami Vivekananda to follow the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna...
and Mission. After the demise 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...
, Swami Nirmalananda travelled to Americas in 1903 upon a call from his brother disciple Swami Abhedananda
Swami Abhedananda
Swami Abhedananda was a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, who Swami Vivekananda sent to the West to head the Vedanta Society, New York in 1897, and spread the message of Vedanta, a theme on which he authored several books through his life, and subsequently founded the Ramakrishna Vedanta Math,...
. He carried out Yoga classes in New York, and established a memorial service in honour 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...
. He also assumed the direction of the Vedanta
Vedanta
Vedānta was originally a word used in Hindu philosophy as a synonym for that part of the Veda texts known also as the Upanishads. The name is a morphophonological form of Veda-anta = "Veda-end" = "the appendix to the Vedic hymns." It is also speculated that "Vedānta" means "the purpose or goal...
centre at Brooklyn. He also gave lectures and taught Sanskrit and the message of the Upanishads. He stayed in America for three years and returned thereafter to India. Swami Nirmalananda helped in developing and estabishing the Ramakrishna Mission centres in Bangalore and Kerala. He was also instrumental in getting the Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi to Bangalore Ramakrishna Math. In 1904 the Bangalore centre was established by Swami Ramakrishnananda
Swami Ramakrishnananda
Swami Ramakrishnananda is one of 16 apostles or direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna* Pre-monastic name : Shashi Bhushan Chakravarty* Date of Birth : 13 July 1863* Place of Birth : Ichapur in Hooghly district, West Bengal...
and an Ashrama was built there by Swami Brahmananda, the then president. Swami Nirmalananda was sent to head the Bangalore Ashrama in 1909. He delivered many lectures and also looked after the day to day affairs of the Ashrama. He raised subscriptions to develop the landscape and to construct new buildings, including a library. In 1911 when the holy mother Sri Sarada Devi travelled to Rameswaram, Swami Nirmalananda brought her to Bangalore for a visit, where she met thousands of devotees and initiated several.
The Ashrama in Harpad was opened on 4th of May, 1913. Swami Nirmalananda established strict obseravation of end of all caste based discrimination in this Ashrama which was a norm in Kerala during that time and this caused much inconvenience and opposition, but he stood firm on his principle. He was also adept in playing musical instruments and would often accompany Swami Vivekananda on percussion instruments while the latter sang songs.
Death
Swami Nirmalananda passed away in April 1938 in the Ramakrishna Ashrama near Ottapulam, Kerala.Quotes
- To make real progress in meditation, a part of the mind should always be given to God, whatever be the work you are engaged in. If you are able to do that, your mind will get concentrated as soon as you sit down for meditation. The thought of God can be kept continuously under all conditions, by a little practice. Suppose you have a tooth-ache. Are you not able to attend to all your daily duties in spite of the continuous pain. Similarly by a little practice you will reach a state in which you cannot give up the thought of God even for a single moment.
External links
Books and References
- Swami Nirmalananda (Tulsi Maharaj), a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna: a focus on facts and facets, by Brahma Gopal Dutt, Ajoy Kumar Basu, Amal Narayan Datta
- Swami Nirmalananda, his life and mission, by Thulaseetheerthan
See Also
- Swami Advaitananda (Buro Gopal)Swami Advaitananda (Buro Gopal)Swami Advaitananda, one of the direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, the mystic saint from Bengal in late nineteenth century, was also known as Buro Gopal or the aged Gopal. He was senior to Sri Ramakrishna in age and took monastic vows at an advanced age...
- Swami Turiyananda (Hari Maharaj)Swami Turiyananda (Hari Maharaj)You are Hari-das, the servant of Hari . Is it possible for you to exist without remembering the Lord? -- Sri Ramakrishna to HarinathHe is a Yogi according to the Gita -- Sri Ramakrishna...
- Swami RamakrishnanandaSwami RamakrishnanandaSwami Ramakrishnananda is one of 16 apostles or direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna* Pre-monastic name : Shashi Bhushan Chakravarty* Date of Birth : 13 July 1863* Place of Birth : Ichapur in Hooghly district, West Bengal...
- Swami Saradananda (Sarat Maharaj)Swami Saradananda (Sarat Maharaj)Swami Saradananda, born as Sarat Chandra Chakravarty in 1865, was one of the direct monastic disciples of Sri Ramakrishna and was the first Secretary of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, a post which he held till his death in 1927...
- Swami AdbhutanandaSwami AdbhutanandaSwami Adbhutananda , born Rakhturam, was a direct monastic disciple of Ramakrishna, a mystic of nineteenth century Bengal. He is familiarly known as Latu Maharaj among the followers of Ramakrishna. Swami Adbhutananda was the first monastic disciple to come to Ramakrishna...
- Swami Brahmananda
- Swami Niranjananda (Niranjan Maharaj)
- Swami AbhedanandaSwami AbhedanandaSwami Abhedananda was a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, who Swami Vivekananda sent to the West to head the Vedanta Society, New York in 1897, and spread the message of Vedanta, a theme on which he authored several books through his life, and subsequently founded the Ramakrishna Vedanta Math,...
- Swami SubodhanandaSwami SubodhanandaSwami Subodhananda , born as Subodh Chandra Ghosh, was a direct monastic disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, the 19th century saint and mystic from India. Being youngest of all direct monastic disciples, he was affectionately known by his brother monks, whose leader was Swami Vivekananda, as "Khoka"...
- Swami Akhandananda
- Baburam Maharaj (Swami Premananda)Baburam Maharaj (Swami Premananda)Baburam Maharaj was a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, the 19th century saint and mystic from Bengal, India. He was born in Antpur in the Hoogly district of Bengal in the year 1861. Baburam, as he was called in his pre monastic days, was also related to Balaram Bose, a leading householder...
- Swami Vijnanananda
- Swami TrigunatitanandaSwami TrigunatitanandaSwami Trigunatitananda, premonastic name Sarada Prasanna Mitra, was a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, the 19th century Indian mystic and saint. He established the monthly Bengali magazine Udbodhan of Ramakrishna Math and later at the behest of Swami Vivekananda, he went to America in 1902 and...
- Swami Shivananda
- Swami Yogananda (Yogin Maharaj)Swami Yogananda (Yogin Maharaj)Swami Yogananda was a direct monastic disciple of Ramakrishna Paramhansa, the 19th century saint and mystic, although he took his formal initiation from Sarada Devi, the holy mother of Ramakrishna Order and spiritual consort of Ramakrishna. He was the first vice president of Ramakrishna Mission...