Swami Brahmananda

Who was Swami Brahmananda?

Swami Brahmananda, born Rakhal Chandra Ghosh, was one of the direct disciples of Ramakrishna and the first president of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. He was born in Sikra Kulingram near Basirhat, Kolkata. His pre-monastic name was Rakhal Chandra Ghosh. Ramakrishna recognised him as his 'spiritual son'. He became the first president of the mission. Known as "Raja Maharaj", he was largely responsible for the initial development of the mission, which was remiss due to the death of Vivekananda.