Ghandi Center, Indian Embassy, The Hague, Holland - October 2025
Swami Probuddhananda Puri
Swami Probuddhananda Puri, a devoted disciple of Sri Sri Bhagavan, is the General Secretary of the International Vedanta Society and the Director of its ashram in Varanasi, India. As a renowned teacher of Advaita Vedanta, he shares the message of Truth from the depths of his heart, enabling seekers from all around the world to connect with the Self within — regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or cultural background.
Early Life
Swami Probuddhananda Puri was born on December 5th, 1971. He grew up in Maligaon, Guwahati, in the Railway Quarters - just one house away from Bhagavan, whom he called “Uncle” as a child. During his teenage years, he worked with Bhagavan in theatre and often played the role of His son- pre-empting the future of a life with Bhagavan. Around the age of 17, Swamiji felt a growing attraction to Bhagavan after hearing his future Master speak about the Buddha and Swami Vivekananda. He began visiting Bhagavan with his friends to hear more about Vedanta, and started hosting Bhagavan’s talks at his family home, where everyone was welcome. He became more and more drawn to Bhagavan and to the message of truth, knowledge, non-duality, and love found in Advaita Vedanta. Bhagavan soon became the center and source of Swamiji's life.
A turning point
Swamiji continued his studies in chemistry at Ananda Chandra College in Jalpaiguri from age of eighteen to twenty-one, while visiting Bhagavan in any spare time he had. At twenty-two, a profound turning point unfolded in his life. He went into the depths of realization on September 11th, 1994, when Bhagavan told him to sink into the ocean of consciousness, where he attained Self-realization - by the grace of his Master.
Not long thereafter, he left his professional life. On April 5th, 1998, he embraced monkhood and vowed to serve Bhagavan and humanity by spreading the message of Vedanta.
Coming home
After spending time as a roaming monk in Delhi and other parts of India, Bhagavan instructed Swami Probuddhananda in November 1999 to start an ashram in Varanasi.
Within just ten years, and with the help of his spiritual brothers, he developed both the main ashram and an ashram for women. Thereby fulfilling Bhagavan’s wish to establish an IVS ashram in the holy city, which brought Him great joy.
Spreading the message
Bhagavan then gave Swamiji the responsibility to travel and spread the message of Vedanta across the world, helping to plant the seeds of Bhagavan’s love in places such as Spain, The Unites States, Brazil, The Netherlands, Germany, and France.
The present
Today, Swami Probuddhananda continues to tirelessly lead the IVS Ashram in Varanasi and serves on the board of IVS as the General Secretary. He travels across India, Asia, Europe, and the United States to spread the message of Vedanta, both in person and online. In this capacity, he addresses large audiences at universities, ambassies, spiritual centers and international forums and institutions, as well as smaller communities and people of all walks of life. In addition, he trains men and women who feel called to enter the life of monkhood.
Serving the community
Swami Probuddhananda and his brothers in the ashram serve the community through various charitable projects. During the Covid-19 pandemic, they provided foor for over 300 families each day (see Projects). He also supports underprivileged children and the elderly, for example by providing scholarships through a collaboration between IVS, the Sarasvati Mataji Foundation and the Durga Bari ashram from the Netherlands.
Despite his full schedule, Swami Probuddhananda always finds time for the poor and underprivileged in Varanasi and throughout India. Quietly he extends his hand to anyone who comes to him for help.
Daily satsangs
In addition to addressing large audiences with his lectures, Swami Probuddhananda also provides daily satsangs on Advaita Vedanta in Varanasi, and several times a week he teaches online classes in Bali (Indonesia), Malden (the Netherlands), Leersum (the Netherlands), and Barcelona (Spain). For more information or to participate, see the Program. He tours to these ashrams several times a year to give classes and retreats - such as the Love Manifest Tour in 2024 - as well as guiding special events, including Navaratri.
The deep imprint of Bhagavan
Swamiji’s entire life bears the deep imprint of his beloved Master, Bhagavan. Every word he speaks and every action he performs is a reflection of Bhagavan’s teachings. His journey with Bhagavan began with a simple yet profound confession: “I cannot speak the Truth.” At that time in his life, this was indeed true. Bhagavan, however, firmly insisted that he must always stand upon the Truth.
Standing upon the Truth and being honest with himself and the world, led Swamiji through countless trials and challenges. The path was never easy. Yet, Swami Probuddhananda was and is determined to make the words of Bhagavan a living reality through his tireless hard work, unwavering dedication, deep devotion, and steadfast truthfulness.
If you please, Swamiji would be delighted to welcome you to one of his classes or retreats in the IVS ashram, and pass on the spiritual inheritance of Sri Bhagavan and therefore the path to true bliss.
Books and Publications
Swami Probuddhananda is co-author of the biography of Bhagavan, Bhagavan, the Living God. He has also published a book of letters to devotees, titled With Love, Swami Probuddhananda: Letters on Advaita Vedanta, which can be purchased at the ashram and, at a later stage, also online.
He has a new book coming out in January 2026, Communion with the Divine, where his online classes are published, alongside his experiences with Ma Kali. If you would like to know more about his writings, please feel free to contact us.
Swami Probuddhananda Puri
Yogi and yoga - online satsang, May 2025
4/4/2005
This temple (IVS ashram in Varanasi) is my abode to rest. After a long time did I get some rest. I am satisfied, very satisfied.
Bhagavan of the new age
Shri Krishna
Ma Kali
Shiva
_____
Evening- 10 pm
Writing from Bhagavan