Thakur Anukulchandra - The Great Master

Towards the close of the nineteenth century, humanity found itself in a critical phase. The human mind was disturbed and disintegrated, reflecting in the complexities of life. Anti-human and anti-religious activities shattered lives, causing a departure from the laws of nature. Mother India endured severe pain under the foreign rule. However, amidst this darkness, some pure souls with crystal-clear lives still existed, one of them being Shivchandra Chakraborty, a saintly figure living in the Himayetpur village of Pabna district in the northern part of undivided Bengal, India.

 

Himayetpur village was blessed by the bounty of nature, with abundant trees, fruits, and flowers. The river Padma skirted the village, providing a perennial flow from the Himalayan range. The fertile fields surrounding the village cultivated various crops, making life in Himayetpur less stressed and ravaged compared to the neighboring areas.

 

Shivchandra Chakraborty, a pious Brahmin from the Sandilya clan, was renowned for his wisdom and altruistic nature. His wife, Manamohini Devi, epitomized duty and purity. Blessed with spiritual merit from a dream diksha by the saint of Agra, Huzur Maharaj, at a young age, Manamohini Devi dedicated herself to spiritual practice while fulfilling her responsibilities as a homemaker. Both Shivchandra and Manamohini devoted themselves to serving the people, greatly benefiting the villagers.

 

Manamohini Devi gave birth to her first child, Sree Sree Thakur Anukulchandra, on the 14th of September 1888. Anukulchandra's extraordinary qualities, such as charm, hyperactivity, and leadership skills, were accompanied by a divine aura. His endearing manners, love, and compassion for others left a lasting impression on those who encountered him. His friends affectionately addressed him as "Raja bhai" (brother royal). Anukul was particularly close to his mother, who initiated him into diksha at the behest of Sant Sarkar Saheb.

 

Anukulchandra received his primary education from the local Pabna Institution and later attended the Mahendra Nath School for his matriculation examination. One incident during his school days showcased his generous and compassionate nature when he helped a classmate pay his examination fee. However, Anukulchandra's formal education came to an end after this incident.

 

At the age of 17, in the Bengali year 1313, Anukulchandra married Sarasibala, the 11-year-old daughter of Ramgopal Bhattacharya from Dhopadaha village. Sarasibala Devi was an exemplary homemaker, dedicated to her husband and family. Over time, she bore two sons and two daughters. Later, some women expressed their desire to be married to Anukulchandra, and his mother reluctantly convinced him to accept them as wives. One notable among them was Sarbamangala Devi, the younger sister of Sarasibala Devi.

 

Anukulchandra pursued his medical education at the National Medical School in Kolkata, enduring harsh poverty. Despite the challenges, he completed his medical studies and became a popular doctor known for his accurate diagnoses and compassionate treatment. People believed his healing abilities were linked to some supernatural power. Patients from far-flung areas started visiting Himayetpur seeking his treatment.

 

However, Anukulchandra realized that treating only physical ailments was not enough; mental well-being was equally important. He believed that the root cause of suffering lay in the human mind and its complexes. Therefore, he organized massive kirtans with his friends and followers to spread divine consciousness and peace among people.

 

These kirtans revealed the divinity within Sree Sree Thakur Anukulchandra and attracted a large following. He displayed extraordinary and charismatic leadership during these gatherings. Sometimes, he would enter a state of suspended animation (samaadhi) during the kirtans, emitting heat or cold, and uttering profound messages and sounds. Devotees recorded these experiences, and some were compiled into the 'Holy Book.' Anukulchandra's teachings and advice were also documented in a pocketbook called 'Satyanusaran.'

 

The growing impact of Sree Sree Thakur's ideology and activities created a sensation within and outside the country. Himayetpur's abode became known as the 'Sree Sree Thakur Anukulchandra Ashram' or 'Pabna Satsang Ashram' as desired by his mother. As a prophet of the age, he united people with the principle of "God is one, dharma is one, prophets are the same, servers of the One." He revered past prophets while emphasizing adherence to the principles of the present one.

 

Sree Sree Thakur's movement led to the establishment of various institutions aimed at promoting creative, scientific, and entrepreneurial activities, nurturing human faculties in a balanced way. He valued the unification of science and dharma, material and spiritual aspects, body, mind, and soul. His teachings and actions gave hope to the suffering humanity.

 

Sree Sree Thakur's life took a turn with the passing of his father, Shivchandra Chakraborty, and later his mother, Manamohini Devi. In 1946, he traveled to Deoghar, seeking a change of climate for his health. Sadly, his birthplace, Himayetpur, remained on the side of Pakistan (now Bangladesh) after India's partition in 1947. Sree Sree Thakur never returned to Himayetpur, and the devotees migrated to India, establishing a new ashram at Deoghar.

 

In Deoghar, Sree Sree Thakur's movement flourished, with people from all walks of life seeking solace and guidance. His ideology spread through his literature, created by devoted followers, and his teachings were published in various magazines and newspapers. The mission and movement of Sree Sree Thakur continued to inspire and uplift countless souls.

 

On the 27th of January 1969, Sree Sree Thakur left the earthly realm. His physical departure did not diminish his presence among his devotees, as he remained accessible and responsive to those who sought his guidance. His ideology continued to illuminate the path for humanity, and his devotees strived to fulfill his expectations and carry forward his legacy. Sree Sree Thakur Anukulchandra's undying ideology continues to inspire generations, guiding them toward a harmonious and fulfilled life.