Founder of Ananda Marga
Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar known as Shrii Shrii Anandamurtijii in the spiritual world, was the founder-president of Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha, the world wide organization propagating the ideas and ideology given by its founder. He was born on Vaeshkhi Purnima day of 1921 in Jamalpur, Bihar and lived his ideals right from childhood. His spiritual dimension was unknown until the day of Shravani Purnima, 1939. On that day, He initiated his first disciple, Kalicharan Banerjee, an infamous dacoit, at Kashi Mitra Ghat in Kolkata. The first monk of the new order of Avadhutas; was named Kalikananda Avadhuta by his Guru Shrii Shrii Anandamurtijii.
Shrii Shrii Anandamurti was born in May 21, 1921, and left His body in October 21, 1990.
After Shri Laxminarayan Sarkar, His father, passed away (then he was Hardly 15), mother, smt. Abharani Sarkar, did not lose heart and directed Him to go to Kolkata for higher education. He went to Kolkata to study at Vidyasagar College, but had to come back after two years to support the family at Jamalpur.
He took up job in the same railway workshop where His father was working. While working there, Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar started initiating His colleagues and friends in spiritual practice. On 9th January 1955 He established Ananda Marga when the first Dharma Maha Cakra was held; He blessed His devotees who had met for the first time. To accelerate the pracar, He created full dedicated whole-time workers, who later joined the order of Avadhutas. The Pracar of Ananda Marga spread like wild fire all over India and within just a few years hundreds of whole-time workers joined the mission to spread the ideals of their Guru all over India and abroad.
In 1971, He was jailed on trumped-up murder charges. After declaring the state of emergency in 1975, the central Government banned Ananda Marga organization. All active followers were put behind bars.After a long time, ultimately truth prevailed. He was honourably acquitted of all charges by Patna High Court. When he was in jail, a heinous conspiracy was hatched to kill him by giving poison. Demanding a judicial inquiry into this attempt to kill Him, He fasted for more than 5 years and 4 months. He came out of jail on 2nd August 1978. Shrii P.R.Sarkar gave solution for all the problems humanity is facing and worked tirelessly to implement those solutions. He inspired His disciples to establish one an indivisible human society. Not only did He bring clarity to Dharma and Spiritual concepts, He also gave a very scientific spiritual cult. He asserted that without following Yama & Niyama the code of conduct- sadhana, psycho-spiritual progress cannot be achieved. He made a clear distinction between Dharma and Religion. He boldly declared that Dharma is one for whole humanity. It cannot change with changes in time, place & person.
The most important thing He did as the Guru of millions of His devotees all over the world is that He changed their lives, gave them a lot confidence, and inculcated positivity into their thinking. He was their Baba- the most beloved father.
Synthesis of the work of Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar:
In 1955, He founded the socio-spiritual organization, “Ananda Marga”-The Path of Bliss, Self-realization and service to humanity.
In 1958, He created the association “Universal Renaissance” to promote the use of the arts and sciences for the benefit of individual and collective welfare.
In 1959, He exposed Prout, “Progressive Utilization Theory” proposes a revolutionary socio-economic system based on moral and spiritual values.
In 1963, the project begins in a spiritual community Ananda Nagar, India, to build a model of exemplary society based on the highest human values.
In the same year 1963, He established the ERAWS (Relief and Welfare Education Section), which runs schools, orphanages, medical units, retirement homes, free kitchens, drug rehabilitation centers and homes for shelter less women throughout the globe. ERAWS section devoted specifically to the establishing of schools and other educational centers to spread the teaching based on universalism, ethics and spirituality.
WWD, Women Welfare Department founded in 1964 (department of welfare of women) a branch of Ananda Marga intended to work for development, equality and well-being of women worldwide.
In 1966, He founded the “Institute of Graduate Studies” of Ananda Marga.
In 1968, He creates the “Institute of Technology” of Ananda Marga.
In 1970, He created AMURT (Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team) The Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team (AMURT) has rendered disaster relief in fire, flood, typhoon, earthquake and war to help in cases of disasters and extreme needs, as well as through permanent projects. Amurt and Amurtel, the female branch of the organization, are registered by the United Nations in the US and also registered in many countries around the world, collaborating and participating with others in the time of natural or manmade disasters.
In 1982, He established the universal philosophy of Neo-Humanism, which protects the planet’s ecosystem and mental expansion proposed by the study, service and spiritual practices, to free the intellect from the dogma imposed and thus achieve spiritual development. The Neo-humanism in its concept encompasses humans, animals, plants and the whole universe.
In that same year He began the composition of His gigantic musical work, “Prabhat Samgiita” (Songs of the New Dawn). In eight years Shrii Shrii Anandamurti composed 5018 songs of a deep spiritual and social content that arouses the highest and universal human feelings.
In 1986, He established Microvita Theory, a revolutionary vision of the origin of life and evolution of the Universe.
In 1987, He sets out the basis of Biopsychology, a holistic vision and practice of the relationship between the body, emotions, mind and soul.
In 1990, He founds Gurukul the University Institute, Ananda Nagar, India, dedicated to the study and research in all branches of knowledge, based on the principles of Neo-Humanism.
The teachings of Shrii Shrii Anandamurti are compiled in 261 volumes in several languages, covering a variety of topics: Meditation, philosophy, metaphysics, medicine, economics, politics, anthropology, biology, psychology, history, language, music, art, literature, geography etc. Today thousands of people in 180 countries study and practice His enormous intellectual and spiritual legacy. His books on mystical and spiritual subjects are named after Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, while those covering other social issues, bear his civil name, Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar.