Swami Smaranananda, the president of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, passed away at Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan hospital at 8.14pm on Tuesday.
He was 94 and the 16th president of the order.Swami Smaranananda was elected the president of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission at a meeting of the board of trustees of the Math and the governing body of the Mission at Belur Math on July 17, 2017. Senior monks of the order said the president was not keeping well for the last few months.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had a close relationship with Swami Smaranananda for years. “Srimat Swami Smaranananda ji Maharaj, the revered President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, dedicated his life to spirituality and service. He left an indelible mark on countless hearts and minds. His compassion and wisdom will continue to inspire generations.
“I had a very close relationship with him over the years. I recall my visit to Belur Math in 2020 when I had interacted with him. A few weeks ago in Kolkata, I had also visited the hospital and enquired about his health,” the Prime Minister said on his X handle. “My thoughts are with the countless devotees of the Belur Math. Om Shanti.”
In her message, chief minister Mamata Banerjee conveyed her condolences to all his fellow monks, followers and devotees. “Deeply saddened at the news of the demise of Srimat Swami Smarananandaji Maharaj, the Revered President of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. This great monk during his lifetime has given spiritual leadership to the world order of the Ramakrishnaites and remains the source of solace for millions of devotees across the globe. I convey my deepest condolence to all his fellow monks, followers and devotees,” the chief minister said on her X handle.
Swami Smaranananda was born at Andami village in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, in 1929. He came in contact with the Mumbai branch of the Ramakrishna order when he was about 20 years old. Inspired by the ideals of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda, he joined the Mumbai ashram in 1952 at the age of 22 and embraced monastic life.
The same year, Swami Shankarananda, the seventh president of the Ramakrishna order, gave him mantra diksha (spiritual initiation). He also received brahmacharya vows in 1956 and sannyasa vows from Swami Shankarananda and acquired the name “Swami Smaranananda” in 1960.
Swami Smaranananda travelled extensively in India and different parts of the world, visiting many branches of the Math and Mission and also unaffiliated centres, spreading the message of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda and Vedanta among a vast number of people. He also gave mantra diksha to thousands of spiritual seekers. Swami Smaranananda was a voracious reader and a deep thinker. He has contributed a number of articles to various journals of the Ramakrishna order.
