FOUNDER OF ÁNANDA MÁRGA · 1921–1990
Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar
Shrii Shrii Ánandamúrti
Spiritual teacher, philosopher, social theorist, writer, composer and tireless advocate for the welfare of all beings.
A LIFE DEVOTED TO HUMAN POTENTIAL
Ancient spiritual wisdom for the needs of a changing world.
Born in Bihar, India, in 1921, Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar developed a rational and practical system of spiritual disciplines for physical, mental and spiritual development. He adapted the ancient science of Tantra Yoga to contemporary life and guided people towards self-realization and compassionate service.
His followers called him Shrii Shrii Ánandamúrti—“one who attracts others as the embodiment of bliss”—or simply Baba.
A LIFE OF IDEAS AND ACTION
From personal guidance to a global mission.
1921
Born in Bihar
A life begins that would unite spirituality, science, social thought, literature and service.
1955
Ánanda Márga founded
The “Path of Bliss” is established for spiritual progress and constructive social change.
1963
ERAWS established
Education, relief and welfare become organised pillars of the growing mission.
1982–1990
Songs of the New Dawn
He composes 5,018 Prabháta Saḿgiita songs expressing devotion and universal human feeling.
SPIRITUAL PROGRESS · SOCIAL CHANGE
A spiritual path expressed through service.
In 1955, while working as a railway official, Sarkar founded Ánanda Márga with the twin purposes of spiritual progress and social change. He trained dedicated teachers to share meditation and the ideal of “Self-realization and service to humanity.”
The movement developed branches devoted to education, relief, welfare, ecology, the arts, women’s emancipation, intellectual renaissance and humanistic economics.
ERAWS and the Ánanda Márga Universal Relief Team translated these ideals into schools, medical services, free kitchens, children’s homes and disaster response.
Ánanda Nagar became a practical expression of this vision—a centre where spiritual growth, education, culture, service and sustainable development could advance together.
A VAST FIELD OF IDEAS
A vision spanning consciousness, society, science and culture.
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Tantra and meditation
A practical system of spiritual disciplines for developing the body, expanding the mind and realizing the deepest Self.
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Neohumanism
An expansion of humanism that includes love and respect for animals, plants and the entire living and non-living world.
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Language and culture
Extensive work on Bengali, Sanskrit, word origins, cultural history and connections among the world’s languages.
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Microvita
A theory exploring subtle entities and proposing new connections between consciousness, life and the physical sciences.
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Arts and literature
A call for art that serves human elevation, expressed through philosophy, stories, drama, poetry and music.
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PROUT
A socio-economic theory advocating the progressive use and rational distribution of physical, mental and spiritual resources.
5,018
SONGS OF THE NEW DAWN
PRABHÁTA SAḾGIITA
Music expressing the universality of the human heart.
From September 1982 until October 1990, Sarkar composed 5,018 songs encompassing devotion, mysticism, human emotions, social awareness, nature and universal love.
Known collectively as Prabháta Saḿgiita, or “Songs of the New Dawn,” they form one of his most distinctive cultural and spiritual contributions.
COURAGE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
An uncompromising stand against exploitation.
Sarkar’s demands for social justice and his opposition to corruption brought severe resistance. Arrested in 1971, he spent seven years in prison and maintained a prolonged liquid fast in protest.
After being acquitted and released in 1978, he continued guiding the expansion of Ánanda Márga until his physical departure in 1990.
Human progress must include physical well-being, mental expansion and spiritual fulfilment.
A LIVING LEGACY
A body of work created for the elevation of all.
100+
BOOKS
Across spirituality, philosophy, sociology, history, education, science, ecology, economics, music and literature.
5,018
SONGS
Prabháta Saḿgiita compositions expressing devotion, beauty, social awareness and universal love.
130+
COUNTRIES
A global community inspired by meditation, universalism, service and constructive social change.
CONTINUE EXPLORING
Continue the story of Ánanda Márga and Ánanda Nagar.
THE PATH OF BLISS
About Ánanda Márga
Explore its spiritual practices, universal outlook and ideal of self-realization and collective welfare.
THE FOUNDER’S VISION
Ánanda Nagar: Beacon Light
Read Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar’s message on building Ánanda Nagar as a centre of spiritual, cultural and collective development.