Mahanambrata Brahmachari (1904-1999)
Preaching “Mahanam” in India and the West
Keywords:
Mahanambrata Brahmachari, Mahanam Sampradaya, Prabhu Jagadbandhu, Gaudiya Vaishnavism, World Federation of Faiths, Krishna Bhakti, Spiritual Autobiography, Thomas Merton, Universal BrotherhoodAbstract
This article chronicles the life and mission of Mahanambrata Brahmachari (1904–1999), a significant figure in the Mahanam Sampradaya, a branch of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition founded by Prabhu Jagadbandhu (1871–1922). It details Brahmachari's intellectual and spiritual journey, including his conversion experience with Jagadbandhu and his academic pursuits in Western Philosophy at the University of Chicago. The abstract highlights his efforts to spread the message of "Mahanam" (the Great Name) and universal brotherhood in both India and the West, notably through his participation in the World Federation of Faiths in Chicago in 1933 and his extensive lecture tours. The article emphasizes Mahanambrata's unique approach, synthesizing deep spiritual understanding with intellectual rigor to bridge Eastern and Western thought.
