Swami Prajnananda

Swami Prajnananda
Swami Prajnananda pre-monastic name Debabrata Basu
Born	1879 Rangpur district, Bengal, British Raj
Died	20 April 1918 Calcutta, Bengal, British Raj
Other names	Debabrata Bose
Known for	Accused convict of Alipore Bomb Case & participation in Indian independence movement
Father	Ashutosh Basu

Swami Prajnananda pre-monastic name Debabrata Basu (Bengali: স্বামী প্রজ্ঞানন্দ দেবব্রত বসু) (1879–1918) was an Indian revolutionary, writer, and spiritual seeker, known for his close association with Barindra Kumar Ghosh and the Anushilan Samiti. He contributed actively to the revolutionary journal Jugantar, writing under the pseudonym Yogakshyapa, and helped establish Anushilan branches beyond Bengal. Arrested in the Alipore Bomb Case, Basu was remembered by fellow inmates for his moving revolutionary songs. After his release, he embraced monastic life, joining the Ramakrishna Mission, where he edited Udbodhan and Prabuddha Bharata, and led the Almora center. A unique figure, he blended political activism, literary expression, and spiritual devotion.

Early life & revolutionary activities

Debabrata Basu was born in Syedpur, in the Rangpur District of undivided Bengal (now in Bangladesh). His ancestral home was located in Khejuri village, under Haripal Thana, Hooghly district, in present-day West Bengal. He was the son of Ashutosh Basu. After graduating, he briefly served as an editor for the nationalist newspaper Sandhya.

Basu was an early member of the Anushilan Samiti, a revolutionary organization active in Bengal. He was deeply involved with the Jugantar group, and regularly contributed articles to its revolutionary publication Jugantar Patrika under the pseudonym “Yogakshyapa”. He is noted for pioneering the expansion of the Anushilan Samiti outside Bengal, a move later emulated by Pulin Behari Das in Dhaka. He worked extensively in Odisha to propagate the movement’s ideals.

Basu’s revolutionary work led to his arrest in the Alipore Bomb Case following the confession of the approver Naren Goswami. During this time, revolutionary leader Kiranchandra Mukherjee stayed with him in Kolkata. He was imprisoned at Alipore Central Jail, where his presence was a source of inspiration to fellow inmates. Upendranath Bandhopadhyay later recalled that the patriotic songs Basu composed and sang had a "mesmerizing impact" on others in the prison.

Trial & Judicial Observations

Debabrata Basu was one of the accused in the Alipore Bomb Case, a high-profile conspiracy trial following the Maniktala Bomb Case. The prosecution's case against him relied largely on circumstantial evidence, association with other conspirators, and materials recovered during searches of his residence.

According to the records, seditious literature was found at his home, including copies of The Modern Art of War, Mukti Kon Pathe, Deshacharjya, and Bhawani Mandir. He was also identified as having served as an editor of the newspaper Navasakti, which the prosecution attempted to link to the earlier revolutionary paper Sandhya. However, the court found that this connection was based on a misinterpretation of correspondence. Moreover, the articles published in Navasakti were not shown to be overtly revolutionary, the most controversial among them being one titled “Reconciliation Impossible.”

Letters presented as evidence indicated that Basu was personally acquainted with several key figures in the revolutionary network. A letter dated June 1904 (Exhibit 1072) showed communication with co worker Taranath, in which Basu mentioned he would not engage in any work that did not benefit the country. Though the prosecution argued this referred to a revolutionary fundraising effort, the defense countered that it could have been part of the Swadeshi industrial movement, which predated armed revolutionary activities.

Another letter (Exhibit 1077) dated 9 April 1904 established Basu's contact with Barindra Kumar Ghosh, while Exhibit 1085 referenced a “D.B.”—presumed to be Debabrata—in association with other revolutionaries such as Abinash Bhattacharya, Barindra Kumar Ghosh, and Bhupendranath Datta.

The prosecution attempted to suggest that Basu retained involvement in Navasakti even after Abinash Bhattacharya took over its management. This claim was supported by a bundle of postcards (Exhibit 1185) found at Basu’s residence. However, it was explained that the postmaster had been instructed to forward all correspondence related to Navasakti to Debabrata’s address, and these postcards, dated 3rd to 6th June, were likely brought to his residence by a durwan (caretaker) after police instructions to detain mail at the press address were lifted.

Further evidence presented, such as Exhibit 1198, included a copy of Lecture on Jnan Yoga addressed to Hrishikesh Kanjilal, believed to have reached Basu’s home through his sister Sudhira Devi, who was connected with the Mayavati Ashrama. Other books belonging to her were also found at the residence, supporting this explanation.

One item that attracted judicial commentary was Exhibit 942-6, a book of newspaper clippings concerning the Partition of Bengal, which contained a “partition vow” and a red seal. While the prosecution alleged that this was a seal made with blood, the judge found it just as plausible that it was created with sealing wax.

A letter (Exhibit 1214) discovered in the house mentioned an anticipated police search. Notably, Debabrata Basu did not abscond, a fact interpreted by the court in his favor.

In terms of ideology, Exhibit 1190—a copy of Matri Puja—contained marginal notes that were philosophically aligned with active spiritual resistance. The marginalia suggested:

"If the law is unjust, don't obey it, and take the consequences. Do not be violent, but if the law is unjust you are not bound morally to obey it; refuse to obey it and suffer."

These writings reflected a doctrine not of violent insurrection but of self-reliant moral resistance, emphasizing salvation through suffering, self-belief, and indigenous strength, as summarized by the defence counsel:

“He had been saying to the people, you are not cowards, believe in yourselves and attain salvation, not by assistance from outside, but through yourselves.”

Despite the circumstantial associations, the court noted that intimacy with known revolutionaries did not by itself establish participation in violent conspiracy, and Basu’s role remained ambiguous. Ultimately, his philosophical writings and conduct suggested an inclination toward nationalist idealism, rather than active participation in militant revolution.

Transition to Monastic life

After his release from prison in 1909, Debabrata Basu, along with fellow revolutionary Sachindranath Sen (later Swami Chinmoyananda), took refuge in the Ramakrishna Math with the help of Swami Saradananda blessings of Sri Sarada Devi. Renouncing political activity, he embraced monastic life and was initiated as Swami Prajnananda. Sarada Devi considered him one of her most cherished disciples.

His younger sister, Sudhira Devi, was also closely associated with Sarada Devi and was an initiated disciple. She was a teacher at Sister Nivedita’s school, where she contributed to women’s education while maintaining involvement in revolutionary activities. In 1904, she accompanied Debabrata on a journey to Cuttack and Puri to promote nationalist ideals.

A notable anecdote from this period occurred in 1912, during the Delhi conspiracy case, when Basanta Biswas, under the guidance of Rash Behari Bose, attempted to assassinate Viceroy Lord Hardinge. At that time, Sarada Devi was in Kashi, accompanied by Debabrata Basu. When some monks expressed concern for his safety due to ongoing police investigations, Sarada Devi responded:

“What’s the matter? He’s not doing anything now. Why is everyone so afraid?”

Work in the Ramakrishna Mission

From January 1914 to May 1918, Swami Prajnananda was stationed at the Advaita Ashrama in Mayawati Ashram, located in the then United Provinces (now in Uttarakhand). He became the third President of Advaita Ashrama and conducted his responsibilities with “calmness and equanimity of temper,” earning the respect and affection of his co-workers, who saw in him both “a friend and guide.”

Swami Prajnananda edited Prabuddha Bharata for over four years, producing a series of intellectually significant articles. The Mayavati Diary entry dated 11 September 1913 mentions a letter from Swami Brahmananda praising him “for the nice articles he has been writing in the paper.” He also edited Udbodhan for a period, where he published a series titled “Bharater Sadhana” (India’s Spiritual Pursuit), offering reflections on India’s socio-spiritual challenges.

The Mayavati Diary entry dated 9 October 1914 records that:

“Baburam Maharaj sends a letter to Prajnananda Maharaj giving many instructions and advice and asking all to cooperate with each other and show to the world what Swamiji was, by our conduct, character and noble lives; it is far good, he says, to lead an exemplary life than to preach the high ideals.”

Swami Prajnananda is remembered for having lived up to this advice. On 4 December 1914, during the Homa ceremony to inaugurate the Mayavati Charitable Dispensary, he served as the pujak (officiating worshipper).

From left: Udbodhan & Prabuddha Bharata.

Sudhira Basu

Sudhira Basu, the younger sister of Debabrata Basu (Swami Prajnananda), played a pioneering role in advancing women’s education in Bengal during the early 20th century. In 1906, she joined Sister Nivedita’s school as a teacher and quickly became known for her dedication, energy, and organizational ability. Working closely with Sister Christine, Sudhira helped expand the school's outreach, increasing both enrolment and societal recognition.

In 1912, she chose to leave her family home to live with Sister Christine, devoting herself fully to the mission of women’s upliftment. Upon Christine’s departure to America in 1914 due to ill health, Sudhira Basu succeeded her as the administrator of the school.

Expanding the scope of her work, Sudhira established an Ashram for dedicated women workers and a boarding facility for female students. These initiatives also supported economically disadvantaged women, who were trained in needlework and other crafts to earn a livelihood. The Ashram was initially called Matri Mandir and was successively housed at 68/2B Ramkanto Bose Street and 53/1–2 Bosepara Lane, in Kolkata.

Sudhira Basu was not only an educational reformer but also had connections to the revolutionary movement, accompanying her brother Debabrata during his travels to Cuttack and Puri in 1904 to spread nationalist ideas. She was also an initiated disciple of Sarada Devi, who held both siblings in high regard.

From left: Swami Prajnananda & his sister Sudhira Basu.

Personal Qualities and Legacy

Described by his contemporaries as tall, dignified, and of serene disposition, Swami Prajnananda was known for his deeply reflective and creative mind. A political writer, accomplished music composer, and exceptional singer, he left a lasting impression on both revolutionary colleagues and monastic associates. Though reserved in manner, he displayed "infinite tenderness and protection" to those in distress, and offered spiritual help to all who sought it. He was guided by an abiding faith in Sri Ramakrishna, which deepened over the years.

He once expressed his wish to be "a humble worker in the vineyard of Swamiji." Despite poor health, he continued to serve the mission with unwavering dedication.

Death

Swami Prajnananda left Mayawati Ashram for Calcutta on 17 February 1918 to seek medical treatment. He passed away on 20 April 1918 due to heart failure at the age of 39. On hearing of his death, Sarada Devi reportedly wept profusely, referring to him as a “Yogipurush” (a yogic soul).

See also

• Upendranath Bandhopadhyay
• Indu Bhusan Roy (independence activist)
• Ullaskar Dutta
• Kanailal Dutta
• Barindra Kumar Ghosh
• Hemchandra Kanungo
• Pragyananda Saraswati

Bibliography

• Hemendranath Dasgupta, Bharater Biplab Kahini, II & III, Calcutta, 1948;
• Ramesh Chandra Majumdar, History of the Freedom Movement in India, III, Calcutta 1963;
• Abishmaraniya by Ganganarayan Chandra
• Mayavati Diary (entries dated 11 September 1913, 9 October 1914, 30 March 1916)
• Archives of Udbodhan and Prabuddha Bharata magazines