Swami Atmapriyananda

Swami Atmapriyananda
Swami Atmapriyananda (seated in center) at the Annual Convocation of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University, 2014
Born
J. Prabhakaran [1][2]
EducationPh.D. in theoretical physics, University of Madras
OccupationsHindu monk, physicist, academic administrator
Organization(s)Ramakrishna Order, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission
Known forFirst Vice-Chancellor of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute
TitlePro-Chancellor, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute
Co-President, Religions for Peace

Swami Atmapriyananda is an Indian university administrator, academic, public speaker and a monk (Sannyasin) of the Ramakrishna Order. He was the first Vice-Chancellor of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute [3]at Belur, West Bengal, and served the position from 2005 to 2020, thereafter he became the Pro-chancellor at the university.[4][5]

Biography

Born J Prabhakaran, [1][2] he studied physics at Vivekananda College, Chennai (then Madras), graduating from the University of Madras in 1968. Next, he did M.Sc. in physics, specialising in theoretical nuclear physics, at Presidency College in 1971, postgraduate diploma in theoretical physics in 1972. He subsequently undertook doctoral research in the Department of Theoretical Physics at the University of Madras, completing his Ph.D. in 1975.[6][7] He also taught physics at Loyola College, Chennai for three years.[8]

During the period, through his association with Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, his interest in spiritual life deepened through meditation and service. Eventually he joined Ramakrishna Mission Saradapitha at Belur Math as a brahmacharin in 1978.[9] After he joined the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission as a monk, he was posted to Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, where he taught physics for nearly 25 years and later serving as Vice-Principal and Principal for alltogether 19 years. This was followed by his appointment as Vice-Chancellor of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University in July 2005, a post he held till 2020, thereafter he became the Pro-chancellor at the university; he is also Co-President of New York-based international interfaith initiatives Religions for Peace.[10]

In August 2026, Atmapriyananda was appointed a member of the West Bengal School Service Commission as part of a reconstituted panel intended to improve transparency and public confidence in SSC teacher recruitment in the state of West Bengal, marred by the 2022 scam.[11][12]

Honours

He received an honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) from IIT Kharagpur in 2021 and an honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) from Assam University in 2022.[13][14]

See also

Books

  • Atmapriyananda, Swami (2013). Advaita Vedanta (PDF). Occasional Publication. Vol. 55. New Delhi: India International Centre.
  • Sannyasa Upanishads. Translated by Swami Atmapriyananda. Kolkata: Advaita Ashrama. 2013. ISBN 9788175054103.
  • Bhar, Gopal Chandra; Atmapriyananda, Swami, eds. (2019). Science-Philosophy-Spirituality Interface: Handbook and Reference Manual. Belur Math: Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute.
  • Shankaracharya (2025). Atma Anatma Viveka. Translated by Swami Atmapriyananda. Chennai: Ramakrishna Math. ISBN 9788198127846.
  • Sannyasa Upanisads. Vol. 1. Translated by Swami Atmapriyananda. Belur Math: Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute. 2026. ISBN 9788199221024.

References

  1. 1 2 Prabhakaran, J. Studies on the interactions of higher spin particles. Department of Theoretical Physics (Ph.D. thesis). Supervisor: P. M. Mathews. University of Madras. Retrieved 22 August 2026 – via Shodhganga.
  2. 1 2 University Yearbook: Academic Audit Report 2005–10 (PDF). Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute. p. 197. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  3. ↑ Formerly known as Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University
  4. ↑ "Swami Sarvottamananda to take charge as Vice Chancellor of RKMVERI (Deemed University) on 3 August 2020". Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute. 1 August 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  5. ↑ "Yoga guru will be PM's guest". The Hindu. 21 June 2015.
  6. ↑ "Swami Atmapriyananda". Sarva Yoga University. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  7. ↑ "Swami Atmapriyananda - Director, Standing Academic & Accreditation Committee of IYA". Indian Yoga Association. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  8. ↑ "Appendix 1". University Yearbook (Academic Audit Report 2005–10) (PDF). Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute. p. 197. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  9. ↑ "Swami Atmapriyananda" (PDF). J. D. Birla Institute. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  10. ↑ "Dr. Swami Atmapriyananda". Religions for Peace. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  11. ↑ Chowdhury, Subhankar (13 August 2026). "Transparency push in teacher recruitment: RKM monks, IIM Calcutta professor join SSC". The Telegraph. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  12. ↑ Press Trust of India (12 August 2026). "WBSSC to speed-up teacher recruitment, appointments to follow rules and court orders". The Indian Express. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  13. ↑ "IIT Kharagpur to felicitate six luminaries with honorary awards for exemplary contributions to society". The Economic Times. 5 February 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  14. ↑ "19th Convocation: Assam University confers D.Sc. degree to Das". The Sentinel. 6 May 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
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