Pranay Kumar Chatterjee (Kolkata, India)

From Dada Pranavatmakananda: The first General Secretary of Ananda Marga, Shrii Pranay Kumar Chatterjee (commonly known as Pranay da) passed away on 23 September, 2013 in his residence in Bally in the outskirts of Kolkata. He was 80 years old.

He was hired by the Accounts Office of the Jamalpur Railway workshop on June 2, 1947 where Baba was also working. They took evening walks together every night. Then in August 1949 He asked Baba to accept him as his disciple, and Baba initiated him. Among the Margis, he was the first to be initiated. He was witness to so many Marga's historical events including the starting of Marga of which he became the first GS. Baba taught him several kinds of Sadhana including Shava Sadhana. Baba arranged his marriage in 1962 with Pramila, a non-Margii girl from Kolkata. Two days after their marriage Baba initiated her. She also got all Sadhana lessons from Baba Himself. Later Pranay da resigned his job and shifted to Anandanagar.

He left Ananda Marga in Feb. 1966 as he could not adjust with the clashes caused due to the accelerated speed with which Baba was taking the organization forward. After leaving the organization, he did not keep any contact with Baba or Ananda Marga. A few weeks before Baba left His physical body, He sent a basket of fruits and sweets to Pranay da through a Margi brother. It was an indirect message that Baba was calling him. But he did not understand the significance of that. After a few days again Baba sent fruits and sweets to him through the same Margi. Still he did not respond. A few days later Baba left His body. It was then Pranay da understood the significance of the message through the fruits He sent twice. It was an invitation to him. Then he repented very much his failure to understand the subtle invitation of Lord.

Later he used to visit Tiljala occasionally to meditate in Baba's quarters and offer flowers at Baba's photo there. The last time he came was in May 2013 on Baba's birthday. Though he was away from all contact with Baba and the organization, he and his wife strictly continued with their spiritual practices. Especially Pranay da used to meditate for many hours each day. I visited them several times to record their reminiscences of Lord, some of which were very thrilling.

A week before his death, Pranay da started to say that he was going to leave soon. He was not sick, though he had some usual old age related problems. He was still active and carried on his daily chores as usual. On the 23rd around 8.30 p.m. he called his wife Pramila didi, two daughters-in-law and a son who were present in the house then. He told them that he was leaving the body. He consoled them saying that all those who have come to this world would have to leave one day and that nobody should weep after he departed. He instructed them to inform the Ananda Marga Tiljala Ashram immediately after his departure. He also gave the direction regarding his cremation and prohibited them from holding Shra'ddha ceremony. He only wanted a small gathering to be held in his remembrance. They protested saying that why was he saying all these things when he was perfectly healthy. He just smiled and asked Pramila didi to sit beside him and sing a devotional song. He closed his eyes while she was singing. She had hardly completed half the song, when he started to mumble some mantra and collapsed on the lap of his wife. And that was the end. They summoned a doctor immediately who declared him dead. Then they informed Tiljala Ashram about his passing away.

I was out of Kolkata and talked to them over the phone, when his son and Pramila didi narrated me about his last few minutes. Just the other day some of us from Tiljala visited the family. It was then that we got the detailed information of what happened. Sometime after their marriage Baba told Pramila didi that her husband's life was short and he would pass away soon. A shocked Pramila didi asked Baba why He arranged their marriage, when He knew it. She told Him that she was not going to let Pranay da leave her like that and He will have to extend his life. After some initial hesitation, He asked her how long she wanted him to live. She said that he should live a long life at least 80 years. Baba said 'Tatatsu' - 'So be it'. He reminded her that he would not live beyond 80. Pranay da's 80th birthday was on the 15th Sept. and after 8 days he passed away.