Swami Atmasthananda (1919–2017) was an Indian Hindu monk and a prominent member of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. He served as the 15th President of both the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, holding the position from 2007 until his death in 2017. He was a direct monastic disciple of Swami Shivananda, who was himself a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Swami Atmasthananda played a significant role in the spiritual and organizational activities of the Ramakrishna Movement, including educational, charitable, and missionary work both in India and abroad. He was known for his contributions to the expansion and administration of the Mission’s global centers.
Born on September 23, 1919, he joined the Ramakrishna Order in 1942 and was initiated by Swami Virajananda, then President of the Ramakrishna Math. He held several key leadership positions within the organization over the decades before assuming the highest office. His tenure as President emphasized spiritual guidance, service activities, and the preservation of the teachings of Ramakrishna, Sarada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda.
He passed away on June 17, 2017, at the age of 97.
Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmasthananda