Swami Ashokananda
Swami-in-Charge: 1939 – 1969

After receiving Brahmacharya vows from Swami Brahmanandaji Maharaj in 1921, Swami Askhokananda was ordained in Sannyasa by Swami Shivanandaji Maharaj in 1923. He was sent to San Francisco in 1931 as an assistant to Swami Vividishananda and in 1932 was appointed as the Minister-in-Charge of the Vedanta Society of Northern California. Since 1927 Swami Ashokananda served as an editor of Prabuddha Bharata journal at the Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati.

Swami Ashokananda attracted hundreds of people through his inspiring and motivating lectures while unfolding the principles of Vedanta. Through his courage, hard work and perseverance, Swami Ashokananda overcame many challenges and difficulties in establishing the Vedanta Society Berkeley and dedicated the temple on 20 October 1939. As the Swami-in-Charge he worked assiduously towards its development until leaving his mortal body in December 1969. He was truly one of the forerunners who disseminated the spirit of Vedanta in the West.


Swami Shantaswarupananda
Swami-in-Charge: 1969 – 1970

Swami Shantaswarupananda was initiated (dikhsha) by Swami Shivanandaji Maharaj in 1923 and joined the Ramakrishna Order in 1925. He came to San Francisco in 1948 to assist Swami Ashokananda and from 1953 till 1969, he was a resident swami in Berkeley. From December 1969 to November 1970, he served as the Swami-in-Charge of Vedanta Society Berkeley. He returned to India in 1970. Before coming to the United States, he served in Rangoon, Myanmar. Swami Shantaswarupananda was well known for his calm demeanor and balanced attitude towards life. His equanimity and composure influenced many younger devotees to join the Vedanta movement in the West. He had an infectious sense of humor accompanied with unabashed laughter.


Swami Swahananda
Swami-in-Charge: 1970 – 1976

Swami Swahananda was initiated (diksha) by Swami Vijnananandaji Maharaj in 1937 and was ordained in Sannyasa vows from Swami Shankaranandaji Maharaj in 1956. He came to the United States in 1968 to assist Swami Ashokananda at the San Francisco Center. Before coming to the United States, Swami Swahananda served at Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Delhi, and other centers of the Ramakrishna order, India. He was the editor of Vedanta Kesari journal from 1956 to 1962 in Madras (Chennai). In December 1970 he became the Swami-in-Charge of the Vedanta Society Berkeley. He remained in Berkeley for six years until he was assigned to take charge of the Vedanta Society of Southern California, Hollywood, in 1976. Swami Swahananda was renowned for visionary and missionary zeal, selfless attitude of service, and projecting an extremely affable, compassionate and jovial nature.


Swami Swananada
Swami-in-Charge: 1977 – 1985

Swami Swananda was initiated (diksha) by Swami Virajanandaji Maharaj in 1947 and received his Sannyasa vows from Swami Shankaranandaji Maharaj in 1957. He was appointed as the Swami-in-Charge of the Vedanta Society Berkeley in April 1977. Before that, he served at Ramakrishna Mission Saradapitha, Patna, Delhi, and other centers of the Ramakrishna Order, India. He assumed the role of Swami-in-Charge of the Berkeley Center for the next eight years until April 1985, when he returned to India. Swami Swananda was known for his ascetic nature and scholarly intellectual pursuits.


Swami Aparananda
Swami-in-Charge: 1985 – 2014

Swami Aparananda was initiated (diksha) by Swami Shankaranandaji Maharaj in 1957 and received his Sannyasa vows from Swami Vireshwaranandaji Maharaj in 1966. He was sent to the United States in 1978 to serve as Assistant Swami at the Vedanta Society of Southern California, Hollywood. Before coming to the United States, he served at several Centers of the Ramakrishna Order in India, including the Advaita Ashrama, Cherrapunji, New Delhi, and Ramakrishna Mission Mauritius. He was appointed the Swami-in-Charge of the Vedanta Society Berkeley from May 1985 to September 2014. Swami Aparananda is known for his modest humility, loving, cordial, and affable nature.


Swami Prasannatmananda
Swami-in-Charge: 2014 – Present

Swami Prasannatmananda received his initiation (diksha), brahmacharya and Sannyasa vows (1995) from the twelfth President of the Ramakrishna Order, Swami Bhuteshanandaji Maharaj. He came to the United States in 2011 as Assistant Swami at the Berkeley Center. Before that, he served at Ramakrishna Mission Saradapitha and Vidyamandira College at Belurmath, Ranchi Morabadi center, and at the Institute of Culture, Golpark, Kolkata. He was primarily involved in teaching, educational initiatives and research activities throughout his service tenure as a monk in India. He was appointed the Swami-in-Charge of the Vedanta Society Berkeley in October 2014.

Swami Prasannatmananda is glad to confer with aspirants interested in knowing more about Vedanta or want to discuss their individual spiritual interests. Appointments can be made after weekly lectures or classes, or by calling the Berkeley Center at (510) 848-8862, or by sending email at society@vedantaberkeley.org.