Swami Ranganathananda (1908-2005) was the 13th President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. During his long monastic career of eight decades, the swami traveled all over the world as a cultural and spiritual ambassador of India. He is recognised all over the world for his astounding contributions in the fields of spirituality, philosophy, religion, culture, and global integration. An enlightened proponent of Vedanta, he declined the Padma Vibhushan as it was conferred on him in his individual capacity but accepted the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration in 1987 and the Gandhi Peace Prize in February 1999 as both were conferred on the Ramakrishna Mission. His books, 'Universal Message of Bhagavad Gita' (3 Vols) and 'The Message of Upanishads' are a must read for seekers of Self, as are the four volumes of 'Eternal Values for A Changing Society'.
'Swami Ranganathanandaji's phenomenal mental acumen and memory were a revelation to many - even scientists. His sharp intellect and tempered devotion set him apart from the ordinary. He avidly and intensely studied not only Indian scriptures and mythology, but also those of other religions. In his intellectual journey, he traversed through the minutiae of Eastern and Western philosophies, the various branches of science, history, sociology, psychology and economics - in fact there was no field of knowledge that he did not touch. His intellectual appetite was so great that even ordinary subjects received his attention, not to speak of scientific discoveries and social trends, with which he kept himself abreast till the very end. The development of his brain was complemented with his athleticism. He exercised regularly and was agile and vigorous. Even in his seventies, Maharaj could be seen playing volleyball, leaping and smashing the ball like a young man. His missionary activity reflected a wonderful blend of ancient wisdom and modern science.'

Born on 15 December 1908 in Trikkur, a small village near Thrissur in Kerala, Swamiji's pre-monastic name was Shankaran Kutty. Since childhood he was full of energy, honesty, equality, and truthfullness. Early in his life he encountered 'Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna' and 'Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda' which made him decide the goal of his life - Godward Passion and Manward Action. In 1926 he joined Ramakrishna Math and Mission at its Mysore branch; he was initiated that same year by Revered Swami Shivanandaji Maharaj. He received the Brahmacharya and Sannyasa diksha also from Mahapurush Mj in 1929 and 1933 respectively. For twelve years Swamiji worked hard at Mysore and Bangalore Ramakrishna Ashramas in many sections including kitchen and boy's hostel; even while busy in ashrama work, he managed to study Sanskrit, Indian scriptures, Western philosophy, various branches of science etc. After Bangalore, Swami Ranganathanandaji was Secretary and Librarian at Ramakrishna Mission, Rangoon, Burma, from 1939 to 1942. 'When Rangoon had to be evacuated in the face of an impending Japanese invasion, he chose to return to India on foot along with thousands of other refugees, braving untold dangers but yet helping many on the way. During 1942-48 he headed the Mission's Karachi centre. His lectures there were very popular and were attended by all sections of society. Following the closure of the centre in the wake of the Partition, he was sent to head the Ramakrishna Mission in New Delhi between 1949 and 1962. This period turned out to be the most fruitful in the centre's history. Apart from helping the victims of the Partition who were temporarily sheltered near Delhi, Maharaj built a temple, a students' library and an auditorium that used to be packed with the city's elite during his lectures. During 1962-67 he was in Calcutta as Secretary of the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture and Director of its School of Humanistic and Cultural Studies. His lectures in the city became very well known among the intelligentsia.'

'Then, for twenty years from 1973 to 1993, Maharaj was President of Ramakrishna Math, Hyderabad, where he founded an ashrama on land provided by the Andhra Pradesh government. There he undertook various rural development programmes and stirred the people of that city with his brilliant and profound discourses on Vedanta. At the Government's urging Maharaj gave yearly talks to trainees at the National Academy of Administration, first at Delhi in 1956 and after that at Mussoorie, for many years. He also regularly addressed cadets at the National Defence College, Delhi. Generations of administrators and bright minds destined to lead the country heard his wonderful expositions on Indian values and how they could be implemented in administrative fields. He served as a member of the Indian National Commission for cooperation with UNESCO during 1964-67. Between 1956 and 1972 he went on several world tours as an ambassador of religion and Indian culture, travelling to over fifty countries in North and South the then Communist states of USSR, Poland, and Czechoslovakia. During these government-sponsored tours, he lectured regularly, tirelessly and brilliantly. Universities, colleges, schools, cultural institutions, clubs and small groups of interested people all received something solid from him. From 1973 to 1986 Maharaj undertook annual tours to the US, Europe and Australia spreading the message of Vedanta and Ramakrishna Vivekananda. Never confined within the limits of race, language or nation, his consciousness was always international and universal. So his audiences, be they learned or ordinary, young or old, immediately connected with him. He loved and dared to discuss the challenging contemporary problems in the light of eternal values and Vedantic concepts and drew appreciation from one and all - from savants to servants. His national tours, which took him to all kinds of institutions were as demanding as they were enlightening. He was proficient in several languages and was instrumental in starting many new Ramakrishna Math and Mission centres. He also helped and inspired other organizations and individuals to start ashramas where Swami Vivekananda's practical Vedanta could be practised.'

'Ranganathanandaji always remained apolitical; yet statesmen and politicians of all creeds and affiliations, including rebels, came to him for sage advice. He worked for national integration at all levels, bringing politicians and administrators, industrialists and technocrats, educationists and students, scientists and professionals, doctors and lawyers, businessmen and workers, and even children to believe in their country, to stop exploitation of every kind, and to work for the amelioration of the poor and the downtrodden. Maharaj never kept any money with him; whatever money came to him was spent on charitable and social service schemes that helped humanity, either through the branch centres of the Ramakrishna Mission or other philanthropic organizations. For all his towering public stature, he was still an utterly simple, honest, humble and loving person. During the 1943 Bengal famine he collected and shipped 1,250 tons of rice from Karachi. He also raised over Rs 1.5 lakh for the Mission's relief work among the victims of civil strife in Bengal and Bihar, and cholera victims in Kerala. Revered Maharaj saw that India was on the threshold of a great revival due to the advent of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda, and he energetically spread their message. He was a constant traveller and an unrelenting karma-yogi of the highest order who never thought twice about foregoing food and sleep to help people selflessly. In appreciation of his noble contribution as an integrator of humanity, he was honoured in 1985 with the first Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration.'

'Swami Ranganathanandaji was elected a trustee of the Ramakrishna Math and a member of the governing body of the Ramakrishna Mission in 1961. On 1 April 1989 he was elected a Vice President, and on 7 September 1998 he became President of the Order. It was as Vice President that he commenced giving mantra diksha, spiritual initiation, and over 60,000 people were formally initiated by him into spiritual life over the next sixteen years. From 1998 onwards he lived at Belur Math.'

'A large number of Swami Ranganathanandaji's lectures have been published in book form, notable among which are: The Message of the Upanishads, Universal Message of the Bhagavad Gita (three volumes), The Central Theme of Srimad Bhagavatam, The Message of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Eternal Values for a Changing Society (four volumes), A Pilgrim Looks at the World (two volumes), Vedanta and the Future of Mankind, Social Responsibilities of Public Administrators, Enlightened Citizenship and Our Democracy and Spiritual Life of the Householder. His 600 audio tapes and 50 video tapes on various spiritual topics and cultural themes, including scriptural talks, discourses on Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda and Vedanta, and lectures on science and religion, are a great source of inspiration. His lectures and talks were in simple and beautiful language, and so are his books. He used to himself edit and proofread his books a habit he never gave up, despite his failing health.' (all the quoatations given above are from Prabuddha Bharata June 205 homage article)

The great Swami's Mahasamadhi on 25 April 2005 attracted homage from across the globe; it included people from many countries and all cross-sections of society. Highest national and international dignitaries remembered Maharaj's great contribution to the upliftment of humanity. Let us make our lives blessed by studying some of the quotes from Gurudev Swami Ranganathanandaji Maharaj. May He bless us all!

Some Pictures of Revered Swami Ranganathanandaji Maharaj (The Section 'Swami Ranganathananda' under the board 'Siddhas'):