Author of several exquisite Sanskrit hymns on Sri Ramakrishna and Holy Mother Sarada Devi, the most popular being ‘Prakritim Paramaan’, Swami Abhedananda was an extraordinary genius with a rare combination of prodigious intellect, devotional fervour and yogic introspection. He was a powerful speaker and a prolific writer. The blessing that he received from the Holy Mother - “May the Goddess of Learning ever dwell in your throat” - came to be fulfilled in letter and spirit in his life.

He was born in Calcutta to enlightened parents, Nayantara Devi and Rasiklal Chandra, both of whom were deeply devoted to Goddess Kali. He was named Kaliprasad (the grace of the Divine Mother Kali). From his very boyhood he used to listen with rapt attention to the inspiring stories of great spiritual heroes in the Indian epics and was inclined towards the study of Sanskrit. As he grew up he was drawn to the study of philosophical works, both eastern and western. His intellectual allegiance was not restrained by any prejudice. His interest in Hindu philosophy brought about in him a strong desire to practice Yoga. The yearning to be a yogi and attain Nirvikalpa Samadhi, the crowning glory of man’s spiritual experiences, made him restlessly search for a suitable teacher. His search bore fruit on the day when he made his way to the great saint at Dakshineswar. At the very first sight, the Master fathomed the depth of the boy’s soul, and was delighted to notice the vast spiritual possibilities latent in him. He instinctively felt that Kali belonged to the inner circle of his young devotees.

After the Master accepted him as his disciple, Kali began to practice religious discipline in right earnest under the loving guidance of the Master, and through his grace was blessed with many spiritual experiences. At the feet of the Master in the elevating environs of the temple-garden of Dakshineswar, his thirsty soul drank deep at the perennial fountain of heavenly wisdom that issued from the lips of his Guru. As time rolled on, Kali found in him the embodiment of the Absolute Truth inculcated by the highest philosophy as well as of the universal religion, which underlies all sectarian religions of the world. Kali soon became acquainted with Narendra Nath (Swami Vivekananda), and he often held learned discussions with him on various abstruse points of philosophy. During the illness of the Master, Kali, along with others, devoted himself heart and soul in his service. After the Master passed away, he renounced the world and became a Sannyasin with the monastic name of Swami Abhedananda. He was given to much study, contemplation and intense spiritual practices during the early days of his monastic life earning for himself the nickname “Kali Tapasvi” (the ascetic Kali).

For some years he embraced the wandering monastic life, travelling barefooted to various places of pilgrimage. He endured all sorts of privation and hardships and practiced severe austerities. During this period he met various saints and scholars and also made a special study of the Vedanta under a noted scholar and monk. These rich and varied experiences of his itinerant life made him eminently fit to deliver to humanity at large in his later life the lofty and universal message of his Master.

A new orientation of outlook on the monastic life came upon him and his other monastic brothers through the inspiring epistles of Swami Vivekananda, who was then in America.

The fact that mission of Swamiji’s life was to create a new order of monks in India who would dedicate their lives to serve others and scatter to broadcast over the entire world the life-giving ideas of the Master, brought about a change in their entire mind-set so long striving for their personal liberation and realization of the Supreme Truth. The idea of personal liberation, Swamiji pointed out, was unworthy of those who believed themselves to be the favoured disciples of a Prophet. Due to his profound faith in the leader, Swami Abhedananda together with the other brother-disciples accepted his views knowing that the voice of Swami Vivekananda was the voice of the Master.

Swami Abhedananda, in response to the call of Swamiji to help him with his work in the West, went there in the later part of 1896. His very first discourse on Advaita Vedanta delivered at London was an instant success. Swamiji’s joys knew no bounds. Swamiji was fully confident that even in his absence Swami Abhedananda would be able to successfully carry on the work that had been started. Swami Abhedananda later shifted to New York. He toured and lectured extensively in the West (both U.S. and Europe) for a quarter of a century, spreading the message of the Master in prominent centres of alien culture. His powerful lectures attracted the cream of Western intellects as also earnest seekers of truth. In addition, his eloquent writings also proved to be a valuable gift providing immense help and guidance to the spiritually inclined souls all over the world. He proved himself not only an able and efficient teacher, but furthered the success of his work in every way by his remarkable organizing ability, sound judgment, well-balanced opinion, and by his power of adaptability to Western methods of work and teaching. Contemplative by nature, he was able to maintain poise and calm even in the midst of his strenuous activities, which added grace and beauty to his manifold work with telling effect upon all who came in contact with his magnetic personality. His scholarship was the despair of many, and his intellectual brilliance, dignified bearing, as also his nobility of character, commanded loving homage from one and all. Under his able leadership, the seeds sown by Swami Vivekananda on the American soil went on ever growing vigorously as days passed, striking their roots deep into the heart of the nation.

He returned to India in 1921. To carry on the Vedanta work in India, he soon established the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society. His soul knew no rest, and he spent the last drop of his energy for the spiritual benefit of those who came in touch with him. His was indeed a life in which we find a happy blending of profound spirituality and a spirit of service – a life dedicated to the spiritual uplift of humanity. This great austere Vedantin Swami Abhedananda whose last wish was “Make a little place for me at the feet of the Master,” towards the end of his life told his disciples: “Tapasya or austerity enhances will-power. Have self-confidence. Have faith in yourself. Think: I am a child of Immortal Bliss. The infinite power is playing within me. If you have this conviction, you will conquer the world.”