About Swami Chetanananda Saraswati

This is a website dedicated to the life and work of  Swami Chetanananda Saraswati (Prof Dr Chakrapani Misra)



Swami Chetanananda Saraswati was born as Chakrapani Misra in a poor brahmin family on 27th March 1933  in the village of Digapahandi, Ganjam district, Odisha. The teachings of Srimad Swami Nigamananda Paramahamsa deeply influenced him as a lad. In his youth, Srimad Swami Vishuddhananda Saraswati initiated him into sanyas (the Hindu order of monks). His journey from Chakrapani to Swami Chetanananda Saraswati has been a long and arduous yet fulfilling one. 

​He pursued a Science education and attended Benaras Hindu University (BHU) and IRRI, Pusa before going on to earn his PhD under the guidance of Prof Donald R Neilsen, a scientist of international renown, at the University of California at Davis in the USA. A modern western Science education, the responsibility of a large family with many children, his duty towards a rigorous career in academics, including research and guidance of PhD students, were part of his commitment to a deep passion for spiritual enlightenment. His work, as directed and desired by Guru Baba, has involved maintaining and expanding a network of spiritual and educational institutions in Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. Currently known as Sarvadhyaksha of BN Trust, Sri Sri Nigamananda Ashram, Bhubaneswar, Chetanananda Swami was guiding and will continue to guide through his works many spiritual seekers all over India and abroad, in both Sanyasashram and Grihasthashram.

​His younger brother, Dr. Neelakantha Mishra is a well-established doctor in the UK. His children from the grihastha ashram are well settled. Eldest son Dr Gadadhar Mishra is a Bhatnagar award-winning mathematician and second son Dr Barada Kanta Mishra is serving as the Director of IIT, Goa. Third son Air Commodore Annada Kanta Mishra is retired from Indian Air Force, Fourth son Subhada Kanta Mishra is working in Intel corporation Bangalore. Youngest son Dr Dhanada Kanta Mishra, who serves as the Director of KMBB College of Engineering is currently based in Hong Kong. The elder daughter Narmada is a school teacher in Bhilai, and the younger daughter Sharmada who is a homemaker is based out of Kolkata. He also leaves behind his wife Smt Arunabala Mishra who is now in sanyasharama known as Maa Amritamayee Saraswati.

He attained mahasamadhi early morning at Brahma Muhurt on the 18th of May 2021, Baisakha Shukla Shasthi.