Swami Prameyananda - Belur Math

Humility was second nature to him. Going slowly but steadily was his trait.
A gentleman to the core, he never spoke loudly but always slowly and
softly. Owing to his firmness, no one dared to speak lightly or irrelevantly
in his presence. By a mere glance he could silence people. An interesting
incident brings out some of his qualities. A brahmacharin from Belur Math
was to be sent to Barasat to perform Durga Puja. He did not want to go and
therefore said that the devotees there create a lot of difficulties. He was
brought to the presence of Prameyananda. Maharaj simply asked him, “Is
it not our responsibility to take care of the birthplace of one of Thakur’s
direct disciples?” When the brahmacharin answered, “Yes, it is our
responsibility,” Maharaj simply said, “Then go.”
One of the senior monks narrated the following reminiscences: (a) I first
saw Prameyananda at Sargachhi centre. He and Swami Bhaskarananda
(both of whom were brahmacharins then) had been sent there by Swami
Saumyananda of Shillong to meet Swami Premeshananda. I had the occasion
to be present when they put many questions to Premeshananda. The questions
clearly showed that both the boys were quite keen to lead ideal monastic
lives.
(b) In 1972 I sent a letter written on birch bark (Bhurjya patra) from
Gangotri to Swami Vireswarananda, the then President of the Order. I did
not expect any reply. But Swami Prameyananda sent me an encouraging
reply signed by President Maharaj.
(c) Once a young sannyasin who had been just assigned to serve the then
President Maharaj, approached me and asked, “What are the things I should
be careful about in sadhu life?” I replied, “You go to Ramgopal Maharaj.
He has served Swami Vireswarananda for many years and has been very
particular to keep his monastic life untarnished. This is worth emulating.
Go to him; he will answer all your queries.”
Swami Prameyananda was very actively involved in Ramakrishna-
Vivekananda Bhava Prachar activities. Through the member-ashramas of
Bhava Prachar Parishads, he was ever keen to spread the teachings of
Thakur, Maa, and Swamiji, for character-building. This concept of Bhava
Prachar was Swami Vireswarananda’s brainchild, and Swami Prameyananda
inherited Prabhu Maharaj’s enthusiasm in this regard. Prameyananda was
always full of encouragement for people involved in Prachar activities.
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And having been associated with Swami Vireswarananda for a long time
he knew many of the Sangha’s devotees of long standing which helped the
cause of Bhava Prachar.
Just like Swami Vireswarananda, Prameyananda also was an ardent champion
of relief and Pallimangal activities. An initiated lady devotee of Swami
Vireswarananda had started the Pallimangal Sarada Samity at Belur.
Prameyananda helped her in whatever way possible and would tell her, “It
is difficult for sadhus to work for women’s welfare. Such work should be
done by women. You must make poor women competent to stand on their
own feet.”
Belur Math was very dear to him. So long as he was manager of the Math
he would keep a watchful eye on everything. He had come to identify
himself with the Math and this would be reflected in his behaviour and
talk. One could talk with him freely on any topic, and even suggestions
from juniors would be well received.
Whenever he talked about the earlier days at Belur Math, his face would
be flushed. He would say, “How many senior sadhus I have seen! During
our early days the Math was full of the disciples Holy Mother and those
of Thakur’s direct disciples.” Prameyananda would always tell devotees,
“Don’t forget to visit Belur Math. Whether I am here or not does not matter.
You must come and see Thakur in the Math.” He has shown through his
life how one should live at Belur Math.
He had studied a number of books on the Tantra to understand scriptural
prescriptions regarding puja and was an adept in ritualistic worship. He
was alert to the details of all special pujas at the Math.
In 2001 the Durga Puja at Belur Math was shifted from Thakur’s temple
to the eastern lawn for the convenience of thousands of devotees. At this
some sadhus commented that this would reduce the solemnity of the puja.
To this Prameyananda replied, “Why will the solemnity be reduced? Can’t
we through our prayers to Mother and through japa convert the Pandal
itself into a temple?” Once he said to a pujari, “Look, devotion and spirit
of puja are more important than mantras and formalities.” He considered
puja to be an essential part of sadhana. He would often say that the newly
joined brahmacharins should be engaged in worship or in the shrine bhandar.
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