Gyanendra Nath Chakravarti
Gyanendra Nath Chakravarti | |
|---|---|
জ্ঞানেন্দ্র নাথ চক্রবর্তী | |
Portrait of G. N. Chakravarti | |
| Appointed by | Harcourt Butler, Governor of United Provinces |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 1, 1861 |
| Died | October 7, 1936 (aged 75) |
| Spouse | Monica Devi Chakravarti ('Yashoda Mai') |
| Children | 4 biological, 40 adopted |
| Education | LL.B., M.A. |
| University of Calcutta | |
| Occupation | Academic Administrator |
Gyanendra Nath Chakravarti (January 1, 1861 – October 7, 1936), also known as G.N. Chakravarti, was an Indian theosophist and scholar. In 1893, he lectured at the World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago.[1]
Early life and education
Chakravarti received his early education at a missionary school in Banaras. He studied at the University of Calcutta and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Law and a Master's Degree in Arts.
Career
Chakravarti began his career as a lecturer in physical science at a college in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. In 1893, he was appointed as Professor of Mathematics at the University of Allahabad. During his time at university, he became friends with Motilal Nehru. Later, he served as the Chief Inspector of Schools in the United Provinces.
He was appointed the first Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lucknow on December 16, 1920, after previously serving as pro-vice-chancellor at Banaras Hindu University.[2][3]
Theosophical Society
Chakravarti was introduced to the Theosophical Society by his uncle and became a member of the organization.[4][5]
In 1893, the Theosophical Society sent a delegation to the World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago that included Chakravarti and Annie Besant. After traveling to England, he sailed for the U.S. in August 1893 with Besant to meet with American Theosophists to organize lectures.[6][7]
Reception
Chakravarti was awarded the title and medal of "Rai Bahadur" by the British colonial administration. The Dr. Chakravarti Gold Medal is awarded annually at the University of Lucknow for "social service contributions."[8]
Writings
The Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals lists two articles by or about Chakravarti.
- The Influence of Theosophy on the Life and Teachings of Modern India. 1906. Adyar Pamphlet Series No. 35. Reviewed in The Theosophic Messenger 7.8 (May 1906), 124.
- Spirituality and Psychism. 1914. Adyar Pamphlet Series, No. 48[9]
Personal life
Chakravarti was married to Monica Devi Chakravarti (1882–1944). The couple had four biological children and forty adopted children.[10] In 1928, Monika Devi sought her husband's permission to take sannyasa (renunciant vows) and continue her spiritual endeavors in the Himalayas. He granted her request and personally initiated her into a renunciant order, where she assumed the name Sri Yashoda Ma.[11]
References
- ^ Wilson, Angela Cavender (1996). "American Indian History or Non-Indian Perceptions of American Indian History?". American Indian Quarterly. 20 (1): 3. doi:10.2307/1184936. ISSN 0095-182X.
- ^ "How a two-room memorial school turned into a 225-acre Lucknow University". The Times of India. November 11, 2019. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
- ^ "University of Lucknow / Former Vice Chancellors". www.lkouniv.ac.in. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
- ^ Binford, Harry. "Mirtola: A Himalayan Ashram with Theosophical Roots". Theosophical Society in America. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
- ^ Binford, Harry. "Sri Krishna Prem: The Forgotten Theosophist". Theosophical Society in America. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
- ^ [1]
- ^ "Faces of Friends" (PDF). The Path. VIII (7): 205. October 1893.
- ^ "Storyteller with 1.75 lakh Insta followers to get LU's top medal". The Times of India. September 8, 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
- ^ Chakravarti, Gyanendranath (1914). Spirituality and psychism. University of Connecticut Libraries. Adyar, India : Theosophical Publishing House.
- ^ Ashish, Madhava (1976). "Forward: Shri Krishna Prem through the eyes of a disciple". In Prem, Shri Krishna (ed.). Initiation into yoga: an introduction to the spiritual life. Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House. p. 22.
- ^ Ashish, Madhava (1976). "Forward: Shri Krishna Prem through the eyes of a disciple". In Prem, Shri Krishna (ed.). Initiation into yoga: an introduction to the spiritual life. Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House. p. 23.