| Swami Madhavananda | |
| Religion: | Hinduism |
| Birth Name: | Nirmal Chandra Basu |
| Birth Date: | 1888 12, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Baganchra, Bengal Presidency, British India |
| Death Place: | Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan, Kolkata, West Bengal, India |
| Order: | Ramakrishna Mission |
| Guru: | Sarada Devi |
| Disciples: | Swami Girishananda |
| Philosophy: | Vedanta |
Swami Madhavananda (born Nirmal Chandra Basu; 15 December 1888 – 6 October 1965) was the ninth President of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission was born in Bengal Presidency of British India.
Born into the family of Hariprasad Basu in Baghanchra, Nadia district, Madhavananda, originally named Nirmal Chandra Basu, demonstrated exceptional academic abilities from an early age.[1]
Madhavananda graduated with distinction from the University of Calcutta. During his academic years, he extensively studied the works of Vivekananda and found inspiration in the ideals and teachings of Ramakrishna and Vivekananda. He received initiation from the Holy Mother Shri Sarada Devi at Jayrambati in March 1909 and subsequently joined the monastery in Chennai in January 1910. In January 1916, Madhavananda was formally initiated into sannyasa by Swami Brahmananda.[2] Later, his younger brother Vimal joined the Order, adopting the name Swami Dayananda. Swami Dayananda went on to establish the Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan in Kolkata in 1932.
Following this, Madhavananda spent several years at the Udbodhan office, where he contributed to the publication of the journal. Subsequently, he was appointed as the head of the Advaita Ashrama in Mayavati. There, he initiated the publication of a Hindi-language periodical called Samanvaya, with the assistance of the Hindi poet Suryakant Tripathi, 'Nirala'. Madhavananda played a significant role in promoting the teachings of Ramakrishna and Vivekananda in Gujarat and in establishing the Rajkot Center. Additionally, he was assigned to the United States to deliver lectures at the San Francisco monastery.
Madhavananda was appointed as a trustee of the Ramakrishna Math and became a member of the governing body of the Ramakrishna Mission in 1922. He returned to India in 1929 to serve as a Joint Secretary of the Order. In May 1938, he was appointed General Secretary, a position he held for 24 years until his appointment as Vice President in March 1962. Following the passing of Vishuddhananda, Madhavananda assumed the role of President of the Order on August 4, 1962. During his tenure as President, he presided over the Birth Centenary Celebrations of Vivekananda in 1963.
Madhavananda was known for his austere lifestyle and devoted practice of japa and meditation for extended periods. Holy mother Sarada Devi once said about Swami Madhvananda "He is like ivory encased in gold", this statement itself is a testimony of his purity and spiritual wisdom. He engaged in translating various scriptures, including the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, the Brahma Sutras, and the Bhasha Paricchheda.
Madhavananda passed away on October 6, 1965, at the age of 76 years and ten months.