Monastic Name: Swami Subodhananda

Pre-Monastic Name: Subodh Chandra Ghosh

November 1867
Born on 8 November 1867 to Krishnadas Gosh and Nayantata Devi - both devout Hindus. His family owned the Siddheswari Kali Temple of Thanthania. (When Sri Ramakrishna first came to Kolkata in 1852, he often visited this temple as he stayed nearby)

August 1885
Heard of Sri Ramakrishna from his father, who promised to take the entire family to Dakshineswar on some holiday. However, he could wait no longer, and went off with a friend to visit him, even without knowing where Dakshineswar (where Sri Ramakrishna lived) was located. The Master told Subodh that he knew he would come, and that he belonged to 'this place'.

1886 onwards
Was extremely devoted to Sri Sarada Devi (Holy Mother), and would visit her every day when she was in Kolkata. Went to Jayrambati and Kamarpukur (birth places of Holy Mother and Sri Ramakrishna) when Holy Mother was there, and then went on pilgrimages, spending his days in austerity and travelling. Travelled to Varanasi, Omkarnath, Dwaraka, Pushkar, Himalayas, Gaya, and many other places.

January 1887
Took final monastic vows with other brother disciples by performing the traditional viraja homa in front of the Master's picture.

12 June 1897
According to Swami Vivekananda's (Swamiji) instructions, all brother disciples gave weekly lectures at the Alambazar Monastery. Swami Subodhananda was persuaded with great coaxing, but before he could speak a word, the building began to vibrate and rock and trees crashed down outside: this was the devastating earthquake of 1897! Later Swamiji humorously said "Well. … you have made an earth-shaking speech!"

1899 onwards
Lived at the Belur Monastery except for a few travels to East Bengal, Almota, Mayavati, and other places in the Himalayas, Assam etc. At Belur he worked, trained and initiated. He was among the first group of trustees of Belur Math appointed by Swami Vivekananda in 1901.

1899 and 1908
Served the afflicted in the plague epidemic in Kolkata with money, food, and medicines, and later the famine-stricken people in Chilka - Orissa by collecting and distributing food and materials for them.

1915
After great reluctance, began to initiate people on Holy Mother and Master's instructions. Visited East Bengal in 1924 and 1925, and initiated a lot of people there also.

December 1932
Passed away on Friday, 2 December 1932, with a smile on his face.

The night before he passed away he said, "My last prayer is that the blessings of the Master be always on the Order."

Compiled from various sources

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