1. Swami Shivananda, born Tarak Nath Ghosal, was a Hindu spiritual leader and a direct disciple of Ramakrishna, who became the second president of the Ramakrishna Mission.
17 Facts About Shivananda
1. 2.
Shivananda's devotees refer to him as Mahapurush Maharaj.
3.
Shivananda introduced the celebration of the birthdays of his brother-monks.
4.
Shivananda was known to have laid the foundation stone of Shri Ramakrishna Temple at Belur Math, which was designed by Vijnanananda.
5.
Shivananda was born in the village of Barasat in Bengal.
6.
Shivananda's father was Ramakanai Ghoshal, a pious Brahmin who had a substantial income as a lawyer.
7.
Shivananda was a follower of tantra in his personal life.
8.
Shivananda went to Almora, where he was acquainted with a local rich man, Lala Badrilal Shah, an admirer of Ramakrishna's disciples.
9.
Shivananda was inclined towards leading a contemplative life and went to the Himalayas several times.
10.
Shivananda went to Madras to receive Vivekananda, and came back with him to Calcutta.
11.
Shivananda returned to the newly established Ramakrishna Math or monastery in Belur in 1898.
12.
Shivananda continued to look after the affairs of the Ashrama till 1909.
13.
Shivananda was one of the original trustees of Belur Math.
14.
Shivananda went to Dhaka and Mymensingh in what became East Bengal, and initiated many spiritual seekers.
15.
Shivananda washed the soiled clothes of a sick inmate to his monastery in Benaras.
16.
Shivananda started a free nursery school for the poor children in Benaras.
17.
Shivananda was in favour of disciplines in monastic life, and he himself practised them rigorously till he was physically unable to do.