19 Facts About Vijnanananda

Vijnanananda was an engineer and worked as the District Engineer in the erstwhile State of United Provinces, India.

Vijnanananda was a great scholar of Sanskrit with expertise in religio-philosophical works, astronomy, civil engineering etc.

Vijnanananda spent considerable time in Allahabad centre of Ramakrishna Math.

Vijnanananda had, in all probability, first seen Ramakrishna on 15 September 1879 at Keshab Chandra Sen's spiritual retreat at Belgharia.

Vijnanananda however saw the Master only a few more times in his life, as he was compelled to live at Bankipore in Bihar.

Vijnanananda stayed back in Dakshineswar one night upon request from the Master, and later he divulged that on that night Sri Ramakrishna granted him special spiritual favours.

Vijnanananda later recalled: 'As I approached the Master he asked me to stick out my tongue.

Vijnanananda graduated from Patna college and went to study Civil Engineering in Pune.

Vijnanananda did not appear for his final examination deliberately in order to help a poor but meritorious student to secure a job, as in those days only the first or second ranked students could get a Government job and Hariprasanna's classmates were of the opinion that he was to stand first or second.

Vijnanananda started his Government service as the district engineer of Ghazipur, Uttar Province.

Vijnanananda accompanied Vivekananda on his trip to Rajputana and elsewhere.

Vijnanananda lived a life of great austerity, often cooking his own food and spending time in meditation.

Vijnanananda paid only one more visit to Belur, on the occasion of Sri Ramakrishna's birthday.

Vijnanananda returned to Allahabad, where he died on 25 April 1938.

Vijnanananda supervised the construction of some of the buildings of Ramakrishna Mission Home of Service in Benaras as well as the Swami Vivekananda temple in Belur Math.

Vijnanananda provided valuable advice with regard to the construction of the other buildings of Ramakrishna Math.

Vijnanananda had several other spiritual visions in various places like Benaras, Kalighat, Sarnath and Triveni in Allahabad.

Vijnanananda was a great scholar and a voracious reader, and had varied intellectual interests.

Vijnanananda loved seclusion, was frugal in his speech, and avoided giving spiritual instructions.