YaniraRolando4 at 16:37, 21 September 2025

2025-09-21T16:37:23Z

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{{Short description|Indian spiritual leader and writer (1930–2021)}}

[[File:Harshanandaji (2).png|thumb]]

'''Swami Harshananda''' (1930–2021) pre monastic name Sundar Krishna, was a monk of the [[Ramakrishna Order]] who wrote over 200 works on spirituality, [[Hinduism]], and [[Vedanta]] philosophy in [[Kannada]], [[Sanskrit]] and [[English language|English]]. He promoted daily spiritual practice and meditation, impacting spiritual seekers globally through retreats and courses.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.exoticindiaart.com/author/swami-harshananda/|title=Books authored by Swami Harshananda|website=www.exoticindiaart.com}}</ref> The Swami was a polyglot and an expert in Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Hindi, Bengali and English.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2021/Jan/13/swamiharshanandapasses-away-2249331.html|title=Swami Harshananda passes away|first=Express News|last=Service|date=January 13, 2021|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> Throughout his days as the head of the Bangalore Math, the Swami delivered regular spiritual discourses at the Ashrama in Kannada and English. Additionally, he was skilled in singing bhajans.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://historicalsouvenirs.rkmm.org/s/hs/m/a-spiritual-centre-blossoms-ramakrishna-math-bangalore/a/20-swami-harshananda-%E2%80%94-present-president|title=20. Swami Harshananda — Present President - Historical Souvenirs}}</ref>

== Life ==
Swami Harshananda was a gold medalist in mechanical engineering from the [[University of Visvesvaraya College of Engineering|University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering]], Bengaluru, Karnataka. Attracted by [[Swami Vivekananda]]'s teachings, he joined the [[Ramakrishna Mission]] in 1954.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/swami-harshananda-bengaluru-head-of-ramakrishna-ashram-passes-away-938249.html|title=Swami Harshananda, Bengaluru head of Ramakrishna Ashram, passes away|website=Deccan Herald}}</ref><ref>as a gold medallist</ref>

[[File:Harshanandaji.png|thumb]]

The Swami was an initiated disciple of [[Swami Virajananda]], the sixth President of the Ramakrishna Order. He joined Ramakrisha Math at Bangalore in early 1954 and was ordained as a monk in 1962 by [[Vishuddhananda|Swami Vishuddhananda]], the eighth President of the Order. He has served in various [[Ramakrishna Math]] centers including those in Mangalore, Mysore, [[Belur Math]], and Prayagraj. Additionally, he briefly worked at the Ramakrishna Mission's relief center at Andhra Pradesh.<ref name="auto"/>

From May 1989 until January 2021, the Swami served as the head of Ramakrishna Math, Bengaluru.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bengaluru.rkmm.org/adhyaksha|title=Adhyaksha - Ramakrishna Math|website=bengaluru.rkmm.org}}</ref>

Due to cardiac arrest, the Swami died in his room on 12 January 2021 at 1.05 pm. He was then 91 years old.<ref name="auto1"/> Upon his death, [[Narendra Modi]], the Prime Minister of India, took to Twitter and wrote, "Swami Harshanandaji Maharaj of the Ramakrishna Math at Basavanagudi, Bengaluru, worked tirelessly for the betterment of society. His compassionate nature and insightful knowledge on a wide range of issues will never be forgotten. Condolences to his devotees. Om Shanti."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1349022697460822024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1349022697460822024%7Ctwgr%5E764614f35f31becdd9d05a45bbc3c18cade90336%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/swami-harshanandaji-maharaj-of-bengaluru-ramakrishna-math-dies-pm-modi-others-tweet-condolences-2351682|title=x.com|website=X (formerly Twitter)}}</ref> The Chief Minister of Karnataka, Yediyurappa said, "Swami Harshananda was a scholar who upheld the philosophies of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda. He was an orator par excellence."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/who-was-swami-harshananda-ramakrishna-ashram-head-seer-passes-away-832080#google_vignette|title=Who was Swami Harshananda; Ramakrishna Ashram head seer passes away|first=Sami|last=Khan|date=January 12, 2021|website=www.ibtimes.co.in}}</ref>

== Works ==
Swami Harshananda authored over 200 works on spirituality, [[Hinduism]], and [[Vedanta]] philosophy in [[Sanskrit]], [[Kannada]], and [[English language|English]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.librarything.com/author/harshanandaswami|title=Swami Harshananda | Author | LibraryThing|website=LibraryThing.com}}</ref> including "Spiritual Import of Religious Festivals", "Hinduism: The Eternal Heritage", and "Reflections on the Bhagavad Gita". The Swami also authored the 3 volumes of ''A Concise Encyclopaedia of Hinduism''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://shop.advaitaashrama.org/product/a-concise-encyclopaedia-of-hinduism/|title=A Concise Encyclopaedia of Hinduism: Set of 3 Vols. (New Edition) – Advaita Ashrama|date=Jun 3, 2020}}</ref>

== Principal works ==
* Harshananda, Swami (2008) ''A Concise Encyclopaedia of Hinduism'' (in 3 volumes), Bengaluru, Ramakrishna Math Bengaluru<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://istore.chennaimath.org/products/a-concise-encyclopaedia-of-hinduism-in-3-volumes/1309294000102309316|title=A Concise Encyclopaedia of Hinduism in 3 volumes|website=Ramakrishna Math iStore}}</ref>
* ''Nama Ramayana Mahima'' (in 3 volumes), Kolkata, Advaita Ashrama Publication<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://shop.advaitaashrama.org/product/nama-ramayana-mahima-3vols-set-swami-harshananda-english/|title=Nama Ramayana Mahima (3 vols. set) – Advaita Ashrama}}</ref>
* ''Devapuja or Worship of God'', Sri Ramakrishna Math Chennai, 9788178235042<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://istore.chennaimath.org/products/devapuja-or-worship-of-god/1309294000102312492|title=Devapuja or Worship of God|website=Ramakrishna Math iStore}}</ref>
* ''The Dharmasastras - A Brief Study'', Ramakrishna Math Bangalore<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://istore.chennaimath.org/products/the-dharma-sashtras-a-brief-study/1309294000102332936|title=The Dharmasastras - A Brief Study|website=Ramakrishna Math iStore}}</ref>
* ''All About Hindu Temples'', Sri Ramakrishna Math Chennai, 9788171200856<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://shop.advaitaashrama.org/product/all-about-hindu-temples/|title=All About Hindu Temples – Advaita Ashrama}}</ref>
* ''Hindu Scriptures - A Brief Anthology'', (2000) Ramakrishna Math Bengaluru, BK 0001403<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://shop.advaitaashrama.org/product/hindu-scriptures-a-brief-anthology/|title=Hindu Scriptures : A Brief Anthology – Advaita Ashrama|date=Nov 30, 2024}}</ref>
* ''The Six Systems of Hindu Philosophy'', Ramakrishna Math, Chennai. 9788178235141

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:1930 births]]
[[Category:2021 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian Hindu religious leaders]]
[[Category:Indian religious writers]]
[[Category:Indian spiritual teachers]]
[[Category:Monks of the Ramakrishna Mission]]
[[Category:Hindu monks]]

Swami Harshananda - Revision history

YaniraRolando4 at 16:37, 21 September 2025