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Yugacharya Srimat Swami
Pravanandaji Maharaj, Founder of the original Organization.
Yugacharya Srimat Swami Pranavanandaji Maharaj was a great spiritual leader of modern
India. He was revered for his message of universal love, nationalist zeal and social
reform.
He was born on January19, 1896, the auspicious day of Magha (16th Magha, 1302), in
Bajitpur, a village in Faridpur district in undivided India (presently in Bangladesh). His
parents Bishnu Charan Bhuia and Saradadevi were very pious and blessed by Lord Shiva to
have a son for the mitigation of human suffering and universal emancipation. He was
affectionately named Jaynath by his father at birth and later in his boyhood he was called
Binode.
Binode showed uncommon philosophical inclinations since childhood and often could be seen
in deep contemplation at the village school. He was popular with the children of the
locality because of his helpful nature. He visited Gorakhpur in 1913 and met Yogiraj Baba
Gambhirnathji Maharaj. This meeting proved to be a landmark event in his life and he was
formally initiated by Baba Gambhirnathji into the world of spirituality.
Swamiji launched a mission to carry out social services and spread his spiritual ideas in
the tradition of Hindu (Sanatan Dharma) religion. The mission took a formal shape as
Bharat Sevashram Sangha on the Maghi Purnima day in the year 1916. He wanted this
organization to strive tirelessly and selflessly to awaken and unite all sections of the
people to build strong India.
The Sevashram started building Cottage Industry centers, Monastic Schools, Primary Schools
and free Dispensaries. Branches were started at different parts of the country for various
humanitarian tasks, including relief work at the time of flood, famine, earthquake and
pestilence. Oversees missions were also founded.
Swamiji was a source of great inspiration to many freedom fighters. He always extended
moral and material help to them. He continued to work tirelessly till the last day of his
life (January8, 1941) — awakening, uniting, and strengthening the people of India.
The great Acharya propagated practical spirituality in preference to theoretical
philosophy. Though the literature on his teaching is not elaborate, the essential truths
have been codified as the “Sangha Geeta”. This book offers adequate guidance to
his followers in achieving self-realization. He emphasized in the ideals of sacrifice,
self-discipline, truth, and continence. He urged his followers to shun idleness,
procrastination, slumbering habits, and lust. He wanted the country to rise above the
divisions of communalism.
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