Swami Brahmananda

Swami Brahmananda (Bengali: স্বামী ব্রহ্মানন্দ) (January 21, 1863 – April 10, 1922), born Rakhal Chandra Ghosh, was one of the direct disciples of Ramakrishna and the first president of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. He was born in Sikra Kulingram near Basirhat, Kolkata. His pre-monastic name was Rakhal Chandra Ghosh (Bengali: রাখালচন্দ্র ঘোষ). Shri Ramakrishna recognised him as his 'spiritual son'. He became the first president of the Ramakrishna Mission. Known as "Raja Maharaj", he was largely responsible for the initial development of the Ramakrishna Mission, which was remiss due to the death of Swami Vivekananda.