Prabhat Rainjan Sarkar

Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar, also known by his spiritual name Shrii Shrii Ánandamúrti, was an influential Indian spiritual guru, philosopher, social reformer, linguist, author, and composer. Born on May 21, 1921, in Jamalpur, Bihar, Sarkar dedicated his life to spiritual and social upliftment. He founded Ananda Marga (the Path of Bliss) in 1955, a movement that combines spiritual practices like meditation and yoga with social service and disaster relief initiatives. Sarkar's philosophy is a synthesis of Vedic and Tantric traditions, rejecting dogmas, casteism, materialism, and capitalism. He proposed PROUT (Progressive Utilization Theory), a socio-economic system aimed at optimizing resources for collective welfare and sustainability, and Neohumanism, a worldview emphasizing love and respect for all beings and the universe. Despite facing imprisonment and unjust accusations, Sarkar continued his work, advocating for a more just and harmonious world. He passed away on October 21, 1990, leaving behind a vast legacy of writings and a global spiritual and social movement.