Background
His father was Hariprasad Basu.
His father was Hariprasad Basu.
University of Calcutta.
His pre-monastic name was Nirmal Chandra Basu. He was a brilliant student and did his graduation from the University of Calcutta with distinctions. During his student life he read the works of Swami Vivekananda and was inspired by the ideals and message of Sri Ramakrishna and Swamiji.
He was initiated by the Holy Mother at Jayrambati in March 1909.
The Holy Mother considered him to be as commendable as "the elephant"s tusk covered with gold". He joined the monastery at Chennai in January 1910.
He was initiated into sannyasa by Swami Brahmananda in January 1916. Swami Madhavananda spent a few years at the Udbodhan office assisting in the publication of the journal.
He made several improvements there and started a Hindi organ of the Order called "Samanvaya", with the assistance of the renowned Hindi poet, Suryakant Tripathi "Nirala".
He was instrumental in spreading the ideals of Sri Ramakrishna-Swami Vivekananda in Gujarat and also in founding the Rajkot Centre. He was called back to India in 1929, for serving as a Joint Secretary of the Order. He took the charge of the General Secretary in May 1938 and continued working in that capacity till he was made a Vice President in March 1962.
Till date, his tenure as the General Secretary is the longest one.
After the demise of Swami Vishuddhananda, he became the President of the Order on 4 August 1962. As the President of the Order, Swami Madhavananda presided over the Birth Centenary Celebrations of Swami Vivekananda, in 1963.
Swami Madhavananda was austere by nature and used to practise japa and meditation for long hours despite his rigorous work schedule. His adherence to principles, able administration, scholarship and loving disposition made him a legendary monk of the Order.
More remarkable were his poise and forbearance.
Swami Madhavananda left his mortal body on Wednesday, 6 October 1965 at the age of 76 years 10 months.