Swami Brahmananda Giri

Loving and Divine Soul,
            
A bright star in the horizon of Kriya's heritage has disappeared. A beloved disciple of Gurudev, a sincere and silent seeker of Truth, a humble and loving teacher known for his simplicity and compassion, Swami Brahmananda Giri, whom we all loved as our older brother, breathed his last on April 2, 2006 at 4:43 am IST (Vedic tradition on April 1). Although he has physically left us, he will be ever in our hearts and minds.
            
Gurudev called him back much earlier than we expected. Surely his soul is resting in the heavenly abode in the loving company of our beloved Gurudev. His love and kindness, his sincere practice of meditation, his devotion to God and Gurus will help every spiritual seeker in times to come. No doubt it is a great loss for us and many kriyavans all over the world will miss him. His teachings will guide everyone. His devoted life to Gurudev over three decades and his sincere service to kriyavans in particular, and to humanity at large, will inspire all of us. We all love him and will continue our love for him as a child of Gurudev.
            
This is also a very auspicious time in India. The bhu-samadhi will be performed on the afternoon of the 3rd of April at Hariharananda Gurukulam, Balighai.
            
You all please pray and meditate. Intensify your Kriya practice in his loving memory. Let his life of simplicity inspire us in our daily lives.
            
 I am praying for you all.
            
Please be strong through prayer and meditation during this difficult time.
            
With love,
Prajnanananda
April 2, 2006

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Satyendra Nath Ray was born on February 8, 1947 in Sehalampur in Bengal, India. After completing his education he worked for the education department in the state of Orissa. He always lived a life of brahmacharya: a life of thorough sense-restraint even while remaining active in the world.
    
He met Paramahamsa Hariharananda in 1976 and received Kriya initiation. In 1993, he was initiated into brahmacharya by Gurudev with the name Brahmachari Brahmananda. He was also authorized by Gurudev to teach Kriya Yoga in the same year and began residing at the ashram in Rourkela. In 1996, he was initiated into monkhood by Gurudev and was given the name Swami Brahmananda Giri. He then moved to the Kriya Yoga Ashram in Jagatpur, Cuttack, and took charge of the ashram activities. He began traveling throughout India as well as paying frequent visits to Europe and the USA to spread the message of Kriya Yoga through his humble and profound wisdom.