Swami Prabhavananda
Encyclopedia
Swami Prabhavananda was an India
n philosopher, monk
of the Ramakrishna Order
, and religious teacher.
, he joined the Ramakrishna Order after graduating from Calcutta university in 1914. He was initiated by Swami Brahmananda
.
In 1923, he was sent to the United States of America. Initially he worked as an assistant minister of the Vedanta Society of San Francisco. After two years, he established the Vedanta Society of Portland. In December 1929, he moved to Los Angeles where he founded the Vedanta Society of Southern California in 1930.
Under his administration the Vedanta society of Southern California became the largest Vedanta Society in the West, with monasteries in Hollywood and Trabuco Canyon and convents in Hollywood and Santa Barbara
.
Swami Prabhavananda was a scholar who authored a number of books on Hindu culture. He was assisted on several of the projects by Christopher Isherwood
or Frederick Manchester. His comprehensive knowledge of philosophy and religion attracted such disciples as Aldous Huxley
and Gerald Heard
.
Swami Prabhavananda died on the bicentennial of America's independence, July 4, 1976, and on the 74th anniversary of the death, or mahasamadhi, of the founder of the Ramakrishna Order and the Vedanta Society, Swami Vivekananda.
wrote a book, My guru and his disciple, that described his more than three decades (1939–76) as a student of Swami Prabhavananda (see also historical work by Copley).
Swami Prabhavananda's book The Spiritual Heritage of India
was reviewed in the academic journal Philosophy. The review stated that "Swami Prabhavananda has written a charming and authoritative book on the spiritual heritage of India, by which he means that heritage in consonance with the Vedic tradition and its culmination in Vedanta" (p. 376). The reviewer stated that "throughout the book breathes an air of relaxed simplicity and conviction.... I was particularly refreshed by the absence of attacks on science, materialism, naturalism, and other such means to spiritual fulfilment" (pp. 376–377).
Swami Prabhavananda's translation of the Bhagavad Gita
was reviewed by Time Magazine in 1945. Time described the translation as "a distinguished literary work" that was "simpler and freer than other English translations (three of which have been published in the past year).... It may help U.S. readers to understand not only the Gita itself, but also its influence on American letters through one of its greatest U.S. admirers, Ralph Waldo Emerson
" (pp. 98, 100).
Swami Prabhavananda's work was the subject of a 1979 book by Cyriac Muppathyil, published by the Pontifical Gregorian University
in Rome
, that examined how the Swami's (and Hinduism's) conception of meditation might inform the Christian practice of meditation.
After surveying Prabhavananda's thought, Muppathyil examines "the merits and demerits" of his interpretation of meditation, surveys "the principles for a Christian integration of Hindu meditation," and ends by "presenting meditation as a meeting-point for Hindu-Christian dialogue" (p. 5).
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n philosopher, monk
Monk
A monk is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of monks, while always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose...
of the Ramakrishna Order
Ramakrishna Order
The Ramakrishna Order is the monastic organization founded by Sri Ramakrishna and his disciple Swami Vivekananda. It encompasses the twin organizations Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, both headquartered at Belur Math near Kolkata, India....
, and religious teacher.
Biography
Born in IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, he joined the Ramakrishna Order after graduating from Calcutta university in 1914. He was initiated by Swami Brahmananda
Brahmananda
Swami Brahmananda was born in Sikra Kulingram near Basirhat, Kolkata. His pre-monastic name was Rakhal Chandra Ghosh . Shri Ramakrishna recognised him as his 'spiritual son'. He became the first president of the Ramakrishna Mission...
.
In 1923, he was sent to the United States of America. Initially he worked as an assistant minister of the Vedanta Society of San Francisco. After two years, he established the Vedanta Society of Portland. In December 1929, he moved to Los Angeles where he founded the Vedanta Society of Southern California in 1930.
Under his administration the Vedanta society of Southern California became the largest Vedanta Society in the West, with monasteries in Hollywood and Trabuco Canyon and convents in Hollywood and Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Situated on an east-west trending section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply-rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean...
.
Swami Prabhavananda was a scholar who authored a number of books on Hindu culture. He was assisted on several of the projects by Christopher Isherwood
Christopher Isherwood
Christopher William Bradshaw Isherwood was an English-American novelist.-Early life and work:Born at Wyberslegh Hall, High Lane, Cheshire in North West England, Isherwood spent his childhood in various towns where his father, a Lieutenant-Colonel in the British Army, was stationed...
or Frederick Manchester. His comprehensive knowledge of philosophy and religion attracted such disciples as Aldous Huxley
Aldous Huxley
Aldous Leonard Huxley was an English writer and one of the most prominent members of the famous Huxley family. Best known for his novels including Brave New World and a wide-ranging output of essays, Huxley also edited the magazine Oxford Poetry, and published short stories, poetry, travel...
and Gerald Heard
Gerald Heard
Henry Fitzgerald Heard commonly called Gerald Heard was an historian, science writer, educator, and philosopher. He wrote many articles and over 35 books....
.
Swami Prabhavananda died on the bicentennial of America's independence, July 4, 1976, and on the 74th anniversary of the death, or mahasamadhi, of the founder of the Ramakrishna Order and the Vedanta Society, Swami Vivekananda.
Influence
Christopher IsherwoodChristopher Isherwood
Christopher William Bradshaw Isherwood was an English-American novelist.-Early life and work:Born at Wyberslegh Hall, High Lane, Cheshire in North West England, Isherwood spent his childhood in various towns where his father, a Lieutenant-Colonel in the British Army, was stationed...
wrote a book, My guru and his disciple, that described his more than three decades (1939–76) as a student of Swami Prabhavananda (see also historical work by Copley).
Swami Prabhavananda's book The Spiritual Heritage of India
Spiritual Heritage of India (book)
The Spiritual Heritage of India is a book written by Swami Prabhavananda , founder and head of the Vedanta Society of Southern California from 1930 until his death. Originally published in 1962 by Doubleday, the book has been republished with the same title in several later editions, including...
was reviewed in the academic journal Philosophy. The review stated that "Swami Prabhavananda has written a charming and authoritative book on the spiritual heritage of India, by which he means that heritage in consonance with the Vedic tradition and its culmination in Vedanta" (p. 376). The reviewer stated that "throughout the book breathes an air of relaxed simplicity and conviction.... I was particularly refreshed by the absence of attacks on science, materialism, naturalism, and other such means to spiritual fulfilment" (pp. 376–377).
Swami Prabhavananda's translation of the Bhagavad Gita
Bhagavad Gita
The ' , also more simply known as Gita, is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the ancient Sanskrit epic, the Mahabharata, but is frequently treated as a freestanding text, and in particular, as an Upanishad in its own right, one of the several books that constitute general Vedic tradition...
was reviewed by Time Magazine in 1945. Time described the translation as "a distinguished literary work" that was "simpler and freer than other English translations (three of which have been published in the past year).... It may help U.S. readers to understand not only the Gita itself, but also its influence on American letters through one of its greatest U.S. admirers, Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American essayist, lecturer, and poet, who led the Transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century...
" (pp. 98, 100).
Swami Prabhavananda's work was the subject of a 1979 book by Cyriac Muppathyil, published by the Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Gregorian University
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, that examined how the Swami's (and Hinduism's) conception of meditation might inform the Christian practice of meditation.
After surveying Prabhavananda's thought, Muppathyil examines "the merits and demerits" of his interpretation of meditation, surveys "the principles for a Christian integration of Hindu meditation," and ends by "presenting meditation as a meeting-point for Hindu-Christian dialogue" (p. 5).
Original works
- The Spiritual Heritage of IndiaSpiritual Heritage of India (book)The Spiritual Heritage of India is a book written by Swami Prabhavananda , founder and head of the Vedanta Society of Southern California from 1930 until his death. Originally published in 1962 by Doubleday, the book has been republished with the same title in several later editions, including...
. Vedanta PressVedanta PressVedanta Press is the publishing wing of the Vedanta Society of Southern California. It publishes a number of important books in Indian philosophy and the Vedanta tradition, both original works and translations of Sanskrit scriptures. Vedanta Press published the bimonthly Vedanta for the West from...
, 1979, ISBN 0874810353- Editions: Doubleday, 1962 (original); Anchor, 1964; Sri Ramakrishna Math, 1977, ISBN 8171201458; Vedanta PressVedanta PressVedanta Press is the publishing wing of the Vedanta Society of Southern California. It publishes a number of important books in Indian philosophy and the Vedanta tradition, both original works and translations of Sanskrit scriptures. Vedanta Press published the bimonthly Vedanta for the West from...
, 1979, ISBN 0874810353; Vedanta PressVedanta PressVedanta Press is the publishing wing of the Vedanta Society of Southern California. It publishes a number of important books in Indian philosophy and the Vedanta tradition, both original works and translations of Sanskrit scriptures. Vedanta Press published the bimonthly Vedanta for the West from...
, 1980; Cosmos, 2003, ISBN 8177557467; - Reviewed by magazines and professional journals.David G. Bradley (1964). [Untitled - review of Prabhavananda's The Spiritual Heritage of India]. Journal of Bible and Religion [predecessor of Journal of the American Academy of Religion], v32 n2, pp. 186-187.
- Editions: Doubleday, 1962 (original); Anchor, 1964; Sri Ramakrishna Math, 1977, ISBN 8171201458; Vedanta Press
- Vedic ReligionHistorical Vedic religionThe religion of the Vedic period is a historical predecessor of Hinduism. Its liturgy is reflected in the mantra portion of the four Vedas, which are compiled in Sanskrit. The religious practices centered on a clergy administering rites...
and Philosophy - The Eternal Companion (Life and teachings of Swami BrahmanandaBrahmanandaSwami Brahmananda was born in Sikra Kulingram near Basirhat, Kolkata. His pre-monastic name was Rakhal Chandra Ghosh . Shri Ramakrishna recognised him as his 'spiritual son'. He became the first president of the Ramakrishna Mission...
) - The Sermon on the MountSermon on the MountThe Sermon on the Mount is a collection of sayings and teachings of Jesus, which emphasizes his moral teaching found in the Gospel of Matthew...
according to VedantaVedantaVedānta 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... - Religion in Practice
- YogaYogaYoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
and MysticismMysticismMysticism is the knowledge of, and especially the personal experience of, states of consciousness, i.e. levels of being, beyond normal human perception, including experience and even communion with a supreme being.-Classical origins:...
Translations
- The Wisdom of God (Srimat BhagavatamBhagavata puranaThe Bhāgavata Purāṇa is one of the "Maha" Puranic texts of Hindu literature, with its primary focus on bhakti to the incarnations of Vishnu, particularly Krishna...
), ISBN 8178233150 - Shankara's Crest-jewel of discrimination (Viveka Choodamani) - with Christopher IsherwoodChristopher IsherwoodChristopher William Bradshaw Isherwood was an English-American novelist.-Early life and work:Born at Wyberslegh Hall, High Lane, Cheshire in North West England, Isherwood spent his childhood in various towns where his father, a Lieutenant-Colonel in the British Army, was stationed...
, ISBN 0874810388 - The Upanishads - with Frederick Manchester, ISBN 0451528484
- The Song of God: Bhagavad GitaBhagavad GitaThe ' , also more simply known as Gita, is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the ancient Sanskrit epic, the Mahabharata, but is frequently treated as a freestanding text, and in particular, as an Upanishad in its own right, one of the several books that constitute general Vedic tradition...
- with Christopher IsherwoodChristopher IsherwoodChristopher William Bradshaw Isherwood was an English-American novelist.-Early life and work:Born at Wyberslegh Hall, High Lane, Cheshire in North West England, Isherwood spent his childhood in various towns where his father, a Lieutenant-Colonel in the British Army, was stationed...
, ISBN 0451528441 - How to know God, the Yoga aphorisms of PatanjaliPatañjaliPatañjali is the compiler of the Yoga Sūtras, an important collection of aphorisms on Yoga practice. According to tradition, the same Patañjali was also the author of the Mahābhāṣya, a commentary on Kātyāyana's vārttikas on Pāṇini's Aṣṭādhyāyī as well as an unspecified work of medicine .In...
(Patanjala YogasutraYoga Sutras of PatanjaliThe Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali are 194 Indian sūtras that constitute the foundational text of Rāja Yoga. Yoga is one of the six orthodox āstika schools of Hindu philosophy, and Rāja Yoga is the highest practice....
) - with Christopher IsherwoodChristopher IsherwoodChristopher William Bradshaw Isherwood was an English-American novelist.-Early life and work:Born at Wyberslegh Hall, High Lane, Cheshire in North West England, Isherwood spent his childhood in various towns where his father, a Lieutenant-Colonel in the British Army, was stationed...
, ISBN 0874810418 - Memories of a Loving Soul: Swami Premananda, Teachings and Reminiscences
- Narada's Way of Divine Love (Narada Bhakti Sutras)