Mysore/Mysuru: Srimat Swami Harshanandaji Maharaj (91), one of the senior monks of the Ramakrishna Order,  passed away in Bengaluru yesterday afternoon.

In his condolence message, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: Swami Harshanandaji Maharaj of the Ramakrishna Math at Basavanagudi, Bengaluru, worked tirelessly for the betterment of society. His compassionate nature and insightful knowledge on a wide range of issues will never be forgotten. Condolences to his devotees. Om Shanti. 

Profile: Swami Harshanandaji received his initiation from Swami Virajanandaji Maharaj, who served as the sixth President of the Ramakrishna Order and was one of the disciples of Swami Vivekananda. 

After completing his graduation and qualifying as a Mechanical Engineer (for which he received a gold medal) from UVCE College, Bengaluru, he commenced his spiritual life in 1954 in Ramakrishna Math, Bengaluru. He was ordained as a monk by Swami Vishuddhanandaji Maharaj who was then the eighth President of Ramakrishna Math and Mission.

He rendered service as a monk in the centres of Ramakrishna Math and Mission in Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Allahabad and the Headquarters of the Ramakrishna Order, Belur Math. After arriving in Bengaluru in 1989, he remained as an inmate of Bengaluru Math, rendering exemplary service for thirty-one years.

Swamiji was multi-lingual and was an expert in Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Hindi, Bengali and English. He composed several works in Kannada, Sanskrit and English and was also an exceptional singer and orator. A great thinker, he was especially known for his comprehensive knowledge and deep insight into the Sanatana Dharma.

He laboured diligently for about thirty years and produced his masterpiece A Concise Encyclopaedia of Hinduism which was lauded as being greatly beneficial for those engaged in the study of Sanatana Dharma. Several of his works have been translated into foreign languages.

He enjoyed excellent rapport with people of all ages and guided several young men on their spiritual path.

Incidentally, Swami Harshanandaji attained the holy feet of Sri Ramakrishna on the National Youth Day which celebrates the great monk Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary on Jan. 12.