Monks & Acharyas

Paramahamsa Prajnanananda

Founder & President Prajnana Mission

Paramahamsa Prajnanananda is the president of Kriya organizations started by Baba Hariharananda Maharaj and the current head of a great lineage of Kriya Yoga Guru Parampara. A disciple and the successor of Paramahamsa Hariharananda, he is an advanced yogi, teacher and proponent of Kriya Yoga, a path of self-realization and a scientific technique of concentration, meditation and breath control. He helps spread the message of Kriya Yoga around the world through public lectures, media interviews, seminars and meditation classes. Kriya Yoga is an ancient powerful system of meditation, which promises perfect health, peace of mind and a stress-free life. It has been practiced by people of India for many centuries under the guidance of trained teachers. Paramahamsa Prajnanananda was born in 1960 in the state of Orissa in India. He is a former professor of economics, a prolific author and speaker, and a scholar of scriptures of the East and West. The mission has provided educational grants to the blind, to handicapped and orphaned students, and toward the construction of a high school library. Paramahamsa Prajnanananda also founded Hand in Hand, a non-profit organization in Austria and USA, which provides humanitarian aid to victims of natural calamities and free medical treatment for the poor.

Swami Shuddhananda Giri

A native of the state of Orissa, the young dynamic monk, a disciple of Paramahamsa Hariharanandaji, entered the monastic order at a very young age. Formerly an engineer by profession, he had an intense desire for spiritual knowledge from his childhood and studied the Scriptures of many religions. At present he is the Vice President of 'Prajnana Mission' assisting in organizing the many activities of the Mission at the Cuttack and Balighai ashrams. He also manages Yuktashram, a beautiful hermitage in Bishindipur, Bengal and frequently travels to Europe to hold programs.

Swami Samarpanananda Giri

Professor Suresh Chandra Mishra was popular among the students of Political Science in the state of Orissa. As a brahmachari and dedicated person, he inspired his students in many ways. In 1982, he met Gurudev Paramahamsa Hariharananda and in the later part of his life he was initiated into Kriya Yoga. His entire life has been a life of discipline and study accompanied with prayer and meditation. His deep desire for renunciation and serving the society brought him to Hariharananda Gurukulam. In 2004, he joined the monastic order and was named Swami Samarpanananda. Officially stationed in Hariharananda Gurukulam, he looks after the ashram activities as well as helps people in their spiritual path and guides Kriya Yoga meditation.

Swami Arupananda Giri

Previously known as Brahmachari Shivananda, he began serving Gurudev in 1985 at the Rourkela Meditation Center and continues his service now at Hariharananda Gurukulam in Balighai. In 1996, he was initiated into monkhood and was named Swami Arupananda. He went to the West in 2001 and traveled to many countries in Europe and cities in the USA. Swami Arupananda received Gurudev's grace and affection in many ways. His simplicity and love accompanied with hard work and service is an inspiration to others. He currently resides in Hariharananda Gurukulam guiding meditation.

Swami Samvidananda Giri

He was born in Orissa, India. After completing his education, he worked in the Middle East countries for some time and then returned to India with a sincere quest for spiritual progress. He met Gurudev Paramahamsa Hariharananda in 1994 at Rourkela, Orissa and was initiated into Kriya Yoga. He later joined Hariharananda Gurukulam, Balighai in 1996. In 1999, he was initiated as a brahmachari and was given the name, Brahmachari Saralananda. In February, 2004, Brahmachari Saralananda was ordained into monastic life and became known as Swami Samvidananda. As a silent and sincere seeker he lives in Hariharananda Tapovanam, Uttarkashi spending his time in service and meditation. He helps people in many ways through his life of action and meditation

Swami Mangalananda Giri

Born in Germany, Swamiji grew up near Stuttgart. In 1992 Swamiji took initiation from Rajarshi Peterananda and met her beloved master Paramahamsa Hariharananda for the first time in spring 1994. From this time on she remained with Paramahamsa Hariharananda in various ashrams, and also traveled with him throughout Europe. After studying philosophy for some years Swamiji began studying medicine in Germany. However she chose to continue her medical degree at the University of Vienna enabling her to complete her studies while simultaneously serving and living with her master.She received her medical degree in July 2000, thus becoming a fully qualified doctor of medicine. Shortly after the completion of her studies, in September 2000, she was ordained as a swami in the Giri monastic order and reborn, by the grace of God and Gurus, under the name Swami Mangalananda (Bliss of Auspiciousness). Swamiji is the first female monk in the lineage of Paramahamsa Hariharananda. At her Master's bidding, she is currently teaching the original spiritual science of Kriya Yoga in the Tattendorf ashram in Austria.

Swami Atmavidyananda Giri

Swami Atmavidyananda was born Arvind Joshi to a traditional Brahmin family in 1971, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. At an early age, the spiritual environment and guidance of his parents nurtured in him a real quest for God. Upon completion of a degree in mechanical engineering, he met Paramahamsa Hariharananda and, with his blessings, was initiated into Kriya Yoga in 1994, at Rourkela Ashram in India. Along with his professional responsibilities, after completing the first Residential Brahmachari Training Course organized under the auspices of Paramahamsa Prajnanananda, having studied Sanskrit and scriptures, he dedicated his life to his spiritual practice and quest for God as a resident at Hariharananda Gurukulam. He was ordained as a monk in the Giri monastic order in February 2009 and given the name Swami Atmavidyananda, which means "bliss of Self-knowledge". He has been guiding and teaching meditation at Hariharananda Gurukulam in Balighai since September, 2004. He is traveling and teaching Kriya Yoga in the USA, Canada, and Europe.

Swami Amritananda Giri

Swami Brahmananda Giri

A senior monk and a long time disciple of Paramahamsa Hariharananda, Swamiji was with the education department of the state of Orissa in his premonastic life. Even while active in the world he lead a life of celibacy and strict spiritual discipline. Formerly working for the education department in the state of Orissa, India, Swamiji was one of the oldest disciples of Paramahamsa Hariharanandaji. A humble monk of profound wisdom, Swamiji toured many Kriya centers in India and in Europe spreading the message of Kriya Yoga. Swamiji left his physical body in the year 2005.

Swami Divyananda Giri

Swami Divyananda Giri (previously known as Michael Tobe) was one of Paramahamsa Hariharananda’s first New York Center leaders. At the end of 2004, having terminal cancer his desire was to become a renunciate. He asked Paramahamsa Prajnanananda to give him sannyas as a final wish. His request was granted. On the auspicious day of December 7, 2004 he received sannyas. This personal sannyas was given in a quiet manner to strengthen his personal meditation practice and deepen his relationship with God and gurus. He left his mortal body eight months later on August 20, 2005 at 8:35 am. In the early 1980s as New York center leader he was entrusted with Baba Hariharananda’s care, as well as with guiding Sunday meditations and organizing events. The center was small at that time, but he was out there doing the necessary seva (selfless service). Kriyavans in New York fondly remember him plastering the East Village and Soho areas with those now famous huge posters announcing Baba’s visit. Driving around New York City one would see these huge posters of Baba Hariharananda smiling everywhere. Under the umbrella of the love for the gurus we have all taken refuge. Swami Divyananda took refuge in the gurus and Baba. Now his refuge is complete. We will remember our friend and brother, Swami Divyananda Giri.

Swami Akhandananda Giri

Known as Prakash Chandra Shrivstav in his pre-monastic days, Swami Akhandananda Giri was born in the District of Madhya Pradesh, India. Married at a young age, his love of math and literature lead him to pursue a career in teaching at a local school in Bemetara. After his wife passed away, his destiny took a turn in another direction. Spiritually oriented by nature, his attraction for learning the ancient, divine technique of Kriya Yoga was impassioned after reading Paramahamsa Yogananda’s Autobiography of a Yogi. While living in Durg, in 2000, he was initiated into Kriya Yoga by Swami Brahmananda Giri. Shortly thereafter, because of his intense devotion, he became vice president of the Durg Kriya Yoga Center. In 2003, Swamiji relocated to the Hariharananda Gurukulam in Balighai. While residing there, he translated many books from English to Hindi for Prajnana Mission. Then, in 2007, on his 70th birthday, during the auspicious Centenary Celebration of beloved Gurudev, he received the monk’s initiation from Paramahamsa Prajnananandaji. However, within a few months after his initiation his destiny, once again, took another turn, and Swami Akhandananda left his worldly body, which is now laid to rest at Hariharananda Gurukulam.