Life story of Dr. Mahanambrata Brahmachari

Dr. Mahanambrata Brahmachari was a famous philosopher, eminent scholar and pioneer preacher of human religion. He was born in the village Khalishakota, district Barisal (currently in Bangladesh), on the 25th December in 1904. His father's name was Kalidas Dasgupta and mother Kaminisundari Devi. They were much regarded in the locality for nobility, scholarship and religious inclination. Their family was middle class Hindu family and of vaidya community (a higher caste in Hindu hierarchy). He was the youngest of son his parents. He had an elder sister and two brothers also. His childhood name was 'Bankim'.

Bankim began his education in a nearby Pathshala Primary School. The period was around 1909-10 and got his basic education. Unfortunately he could not continue there in the end dut to his father's eye problem. Kalidas Dasgupta lost his eye-sight totally and became partially deaf which bound Bankim to dedicate himself in the service of his blind father. He used to recite aloud various scriptures of Hindu Dharma, such as Mahabharat, Upanishad, Gita, Bhagabatam etc. It is heard that His family was very patriotic and they supported The Non-Cooperation Movement initiated by Mahatma Gandhi. It aimed to resist British occupation in India through non-violent means. They boycott British goods and began to spun Charka and war Khaddar since then till attainment of independence in 1947. Bankim gave up English school education being inspired by the clarion call of Deshbandhu C. R. Das who stated English education as 'Slave making machinery'. Then he prosecuted his studies in Sanskrit Tol for 2 years.

Bankim heard about Prabhu Jagadbandhu and had an intention to meet Him. When he got the news that Prabhu has come out of his cottage at Sri Angan, Faridpur town after seclusion for about 17 years and giving 'darshan' to thousands of people, he travelled 80 miles on foot in order to meet Him. This was the most memorable turning point in Bankim's life. His heart received the news as unfailing truth and took Prabhu Jagad bandhu as the towering spiritual personality. A few months later an invisible power drew him again at the feet of Prabhu and by the grace of Sripad Mahendrajee, the chief Sebait of Prabhu, he was able to touch and worship the lotus feet of Prabhu. In 1921, Prabhu Jagadbandhu passed away and Bankim felt a tremendous shock hearing this news.

In 1922, Bankim lost His father. On completion of last rites and rituals for the departed soul Bankim appeared at Sri Angan, Faridpur to become an ascetic saint (Brahmachari) of MAHANAM SAMPRADAYA, the association dedicated solely for propagation of teaching and ideals of Prabhu Jagadbandhu. But Sripad Mahendraji, the then spiritual master and founder president of Mahanam Sampradaya advised Bankim to return home and continue study because of tender age. He suggested him to wait until he sits for Matriculation examination. Bankim respected Sripad Mahandraji's word and he decided to sit for the Matriculation examination. As he was out of touch with English School education for the last two years he had to study a few subjects including English anew. In 1923 he appeared at the Matriculation examination and obtained District Scholarship.

Then he left home for good, came to Sri Angan, Faridpur and was initiated as Ashramite saint by Sripad Mahendraji with the Ashram name, Mahanambrata sole debotation to preach Mahanam. He used to serve the Asram heart and soul. Some time later, Mahendraji, asked him to take admission in Rajendra College, Faridpur for further studies. After performing various duties of the Ashram and attending college-classes he had hardly any time for studies. On many an occasion he had to carry on without mid-day meals because of poor financial condition of the Ashram and his absence during mealtime for attending college classes. With such trials and tribulations he passed B.A. Exam in 1928 with Honours in Sanskrit. As desired by Mahendraji, he studied M.A. in Sanskrit, which he passed from Calcutta University in 1931 obtaining first class first position though appeared in sick bed. At the advice of Mahendraji he studied M.A. in Western Philosophy in Calcutta University and passed the examination honourably.

During the middle of 1933, when the result of his second M.A. exam was yet to publish, Mahendraji as President of Mahanam Sampradaya received an invitation from the President of World Fellowship of Faiths, Chicago, U.S.A. to send delegate to attend and deliver speeches in its conferences. Mahendraji thought this would the best platform to preach the most noble and beneficial teachings, Gospel and ideals of Prabhu Jagadbandhu, which would usher in an era of greatest good to the humanity. He sent Sriman Mahanambrata Brahmachari, though he never addressed any public gathering earlier. Mahanambrataji had to leave for U.S.A. without having full passage money for which he had to suffer from untold mental agony and affliction, cares and anxieties. He ultimately reached Chicago by the sheer grace of Prabhu Jagadbandhu. A true yogi and monk of Mahauddharan order, a vaisnava school of Bengal; named Mahanam Sampradaya Mahanambrata was a philosophy, interpreator, writer, master and 'order by divine right.

In 1947 when the subcontinent is devided into India and Pakistan in , he remained in the then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), in order to safeguard and protect the religion and culture of minority Hindus of his motherland. He raised fund and continues reconstruction works of temples and reinstallation of deities. After in 1971, in indipendent Bangladesh, He was present during reinstallation at many places like Dhaka, Narayangonj, Brahmanbaria, Sylhet, Sunamgonj, Faridpur, Chattagram etc. In 1975 he founded Bangladesh Sanatan Dharma Mahamondal to look after the religious and cultural interests and heritages of Hindus, being its founder President.

He died in 18 October 1999 (aged 94).