SWAMI ADVAITANANDA

Swami Advaitananda, born Gopal Chandra Ghosh (1823-1904), was the oldest monastic disciple of Sri Ramakrishna.  He was known as the elder Gopal, or Gopal Senior.  For some years he was a householder employed at a shop in Calcutta.

After his wife died, he began frequenting the temples where Ramakrishna lived in Dakshineswar, eventually becoming one of eleven disciples to whom Sri Ramakrishna gave the ocher cloth of renunciation.  This was in 1886.  After the passing of Ramakrishna in this same year Gopal took sannyasa vows and became Swami Advaitananda.

Swami Advaitananda visited Indian places of pilgrimage at different periods.  In 1901 he was made one of the trustees of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, later becoming the vice president.

Even in his old age he declined any personal assistance, believing that monks should be self-reliant. He chanted the Gita daily and accompanied the other monks on tabla when they sang.

Swami Advaitananda died on December 28, 1904 at the age of 81, chanting the name of Sri Ramakrishna.