Swami Niranjanananda (Niranjan Maharaj)

Niranjanananda স্বামী নিরঞ্জনানন্দ (Bengali)
Niranjanananda
Religion	Hinduism
Philosophy	Vedanta
Personal
Born	Nityaniranjan Ghosh 1862 Rajar Hat – Bishnupur, Bengal Presidency, British India
Died	9 May 1904 Haridwar, India
Guru	Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

Niranjanananda (Senior), born as Nitya Niranjan Ghosh, usually called by the shortened name of Niranjan, was one of the foremost monks of Ramakrishna Mission and was one of the direct monastic disciples of Ramakrishna. Niranjanananda was one of those few disciples, whom Ramakrishna termed as "Nityasiddhas" or "Ishwarakotis" – that is, souls who are ever perfect. [Niranjanananda is termed Senior since there was another swami, Niranjanananda (Junior) also known as Pandalai Maharaj, later in the Ramakrishna Mission who died in 1972]. Even though his tenure with the newly formed Ramakrishna Mission was short lived owing to his early death, he left an indelible mark in spiritual and philanthropic activities. He had a majestic appearance, being tall with broad shoulders and strong physique.

Niranjanananda was born as Nityaniranjan Ghosh and he was called by the short name of Niranjan. Little is known about his early life except that he came from a village called Rajarhat-Bishnupur in 24 Paraganas of Bengal province. He lived in Calcutta with his maternal uncle Kalikrishna Mitra. In his boyhood he became associated with a group of spiritualists and was considered as a successful medium. He was very frank and open minded, a trait which was appreciated by Ramakrishna. He had an abhorrence for married life and a relatively short temper, even though he was tender in nature. He later took up job with an indigo planter in the district of Murshidabad.

Niranjan was about eighteen years old when he met Ramakrishna for the first time. When he came to know of his leanings towards spiritualism, Ramakrishna apparently chided him saying that, "if you think of ghosts and spooks, ghosts and spooks you will become, if you think of God, divine will be your life." He later told Niranjan when he visited him for the second time, "My boy, days are passing, when will you realise God?". Niranjan was very impressed and he continued his association with Ramakrishna. Once when Niranjan was travelling by a boat to Dakshineswar, some of his fellow passengers began to speak ill about his master. At this, Niranjan got angry and threatened to drown the entire boat. When Ramakrishna heard about the incident he disapproved by saying that, "Anger is a deadly sin, why should you be subject, to it? Foolish people in their pitiable ignorance say many things. One should completely ignore them as beneath notice".

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Wikipedia