SWAMI NIRMALANANDA by SWAMI JAGADISWARANANDA
(Translated by Sugata Bose) ... 3
Advent : 23 December, 1863 ; Mahasamadhi : 26 April, 1938
(The life, lectures, conversations and letters of Swami Nirmalananda, direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna)
Copyright : Sri Ramakrishna-Sarada Math, Baghbazar, Kolkata 700 003
Preface
-------------
The second volume of 'Nabajuger Mahapurush' written by me was published in 1358 (Bengali calendar) / 1952 (Eng). There I have written a brief biography of Swami Nirmalananda stretching 48 pages. The first part of this biography saw the light of day in the 'Jaishtha' edition of the monthly 'Vishvavani'. About five years later the elaborate biography of this Bengali monastic appended with letters, conversations and lectures has now been published. In point of fact this composition was completed before Swami Nirmalananda's 92nd birthday in the middle of 1954 and was ready to go to print. However, unforeseen circumstances delayed its publication by nearly seven years. For long have I fervently studied the wondrous life of this monastic disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. Earlier I had the good fortune to write detailed biographies of Swamis Ramakrishnananda, Turiyananda and Vijnanananda. I feel blessed to have been able to write this latest biography of Swami Nirmalananda. I had met him many times in Belur Math and touched his feet. There I had the occasion to listen to his inspiring spiritual discourses. When he used to speak on spirituality in English, it used to seem to us like the roar of a lion. This book is an offering unto that hallowed memory.
In 1943 a full-length biography of Swami Nirmalananda was published by his disciples from Niranjan Ashrama of Ottapalam in South Malabar. It is lamentable that the Bengali biography of this immortal saint took such a long time to publish since that day. On the occasion of his centenary efforts must be made in his birthplace Bengal to preserve his memory. Although this Bengali biography has been written following the narrative in the English biography, many new factual elements have been incorporated here. Swami Tripurananda, President of Sri Ramakrishna-Sarada Math, has from the very beginning provided me with encouragement and assistance and eventually has taken upon himself the heavy responsibility of the publication of this book. He has provided me with accounts of Swami Nirmalananda's stay in the kingdom of Chamba and many letters and other biographical elements. I have also received inspiration and guidance from Swami Vishadananda, President of Ottapalam Niranjan Ashrama. In this book alongside the life-story of Swami Nirmalananda the unpublished, neglected, informative history of the worldwide Ramakrishna Movement has also been chronicled. In 1930 a legal case between the Belur Math authorities and Swami Nirmalananda was fought in the Bangalore Judges Court. The memorable testimony that Swami Nirmalananda gave in this case from the witness box has in brief been provided at the beginning of this book. The history of the Ramakrishna Movement will remain incomplete if the account of Swami Nirmalananda's labour of love in the propagation of the Vedanta in southern India and America is not graphically recorded. Above all, Swami Nirmalananda's life itself is one of the best commentaries on the life and message of Sri Ramakrishna. Undoubtedly, it will enrich Bengali literature and the broader Bengali cultural scene.
In the writing of this book young associates like Sri Birendranath Pratihar (B.A., B.T.), Sri Shibaniprasad Maitra (M.A.) and Swami Visvarupananda have helped me in many a way. Had it not been for their sincere cooperation, my broken health and failing eyesight would have proved too much for me to write this book. I, therefore, offer my heartfelt thankfulness to them. Finally, my deep sense of gratitude to Srimat Swami Tripuranandaji who was the never-failing source of encouragement for me and the publisher of this book as well. If this book, a new entrant in the body of Ramakrishna literature, succeeds ever so slightly in propagating the holy life and immortal message of Swami Nirmalananda, apostle of Sri Ramakrishna, my efforts will not have gone in vain.
Yours faithfully,
Swami Jagadiswarananda,
Sri Ramakrishna Dharmachakra,
Belur,
Phalgun, Shukladvitiya, 1368 / February, 1962.
(Translated by Sugata Bose) ... 3
Advent : 23 December, 1863 ; Mahasamadhi : 26 April, 1938
(The life, lectures, conversations and letters of Swami Nirmalananda, direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna)
Copyright : Sri Ramakrishna-Sarada Math, Baghbazar, Kolkata 700 003
Preface
-------------
The second volume of 'Nabajuger Mahapurush' written by me was published in 1358 (Bengali calendar) / 1952 (Eng). There I have written a brief biography of Swami Nirmalananda stretching 48 pages. The first part of this biography saw the light of day in the 'Jaishtha' edition of the monthly 'Vishvavani'. About five years later the elaborate biography of this Bengali monastic appended with letters, conversations and lectures has now been published. In point of fact this composition was completed before Swami Nirmalananda's 92nd birthday in the middle of 1954 and was ready to go to print. However, unforeseen circumstances delayed its publication by nearly seven years. For long have I fervently studied the wondrous life of this monastic disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. Earlier I had the good fortune to write detailed biographies of Swamis Ramakrishnananda, Turiyananda and Vijnanananda. I feel blessed to have been able to write this latest biography of Swami Nirmalananda. I had met him many times in Belur Math and touched his feet. There I had the occasion to listen to his inspiring spiritual discourses. When he used to speak on spirituality in English, it used to seem to us like the roar of a lion. This book is an offering unto that hallowed memory.
In 1943 a full-length biography of Swami Nirmalananda was published by his disciples from Niranjan Ashrama of Ottapalam in South Malabar. It is lamentable that the Bengali biography of this immortal saint took such a long time to publish since that day. On the occasion of his centenary efforts must be made in his birthplace Bengal to preserve his memory. Although this Bengali biography has been written following the narrative in the English biography, many new factual elements have been incorporated here. Swami Tripurananda, President of Sri Ramakrishna-Sarada Math, has from the very beginning provided me with encouragement and assistance and eventually has taken upon himself the heavy responsibility of the publication of this book. He has provided me with accounts of Swami Nirmalananda's stay in the kingdom of Chamba and many letters and other biographical elements. I have also received inspiration and guidance from Swami Vishadananda, President of Ottapalam Niranjan Ashrama. In this book alongside the life-story of Swami Nirmalananda the unpublished, neglected, informative history of the worldwide Ramakrishna Movement has also been chronicled. In 1930 a legal case between the Belur Math authorities and Swami Nirmalananda was fought in the Bangalore Judges Court. The memorable testimony that Swami Nirmalananda gave in this case from the witness box has in brief been provided at the beginning of this book. The history of the Ramakrishna Movement will remain incomplete if the account of Swami Nirmalananda's labour of love in the propagation of the Vedanta in southern India and America is not graphically recorded. Above all, Swami Nirmalananda's life itself is one of the best commentaries on the life and message of Sri Ramakrishna. Undoubtedly, it will enrich Bengali literature and the broader Bengali cultural scene.
In the writing of this book young associates like Sri Birendranath Pratihar (B.A., B.T.), Sri Shibaniprasad Maitra (M.A.) and Swami Visvarupananda have helped me in many a way. Had it not been for their sincere cooperation, my broken health and failing eyesight would have proved too much for me to write this book. I, therefore, offer my heartfelt thankfulness to them. Finally, my deep sense of gratitude to Srimat Swami Tripuranandaji who was the never-failing source of encouragement for me and the publisher of this book as well. If this book, a new entrant in the body of Ramakrishna literature, succeeds ever so slightly in propagating the holy life and immortal message of Swami Nirmalananda, apostle of Sri Ramakrishna, my efforts will not have gone in vain.
Yours faithfully,
Swami Jagadiswarananda,
Sri Ramakrishna Dharmachakra,
Belur,
Phalgun, Shukladvitiya, 1368 / February, 1962.
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