Anukul Thakur (also known as Thakur Anukul Chandra and Anukul Chandra Chakraborty) was a Hindu religious personality. He was one of the top 10 spiritual Gurus of Bengal. He is mostly known as a pioneer of the spiritual movement called Satsang.

Anukul Thakur’s Biography

Anukul Thakur was born on 14 September, 1888 in Hemayetpur village in the Pabna district of Bengal in undivided India, now in Bangladesh. Anukulchandra’s father Shivchandra was a devout Brahmin. His mother Manomohini Devi was a housewife.
Anukul Thakur spent his childhood and adolescence in the village of Hemayetpur. He had deep devotion to his mother. He was initiated into devotional ways (Diksha) by his mother. He was a disciple of Sri Sri Huzur Maharaj, a yogi (a practitioner of yoga) from northern India. After completing his studies at Hemayetpur, he was admitted to Pabna Institute. Anukul Thakur was a favorite among his classmates. Some would call him ‘Prabhu’ while others would call him ‘Raja Bhai’. Then Anukul Chandra came to Naihati High School from Pabna. From here he was selected for the entrance examination. But he could not sit for the exam due to some unavoidable circumstances. He then took admission in National Medical College, Kolkata to fulfill his mother’s wish.

Suddenly Anukul Chandra’s father fell ill. So the educational life of Anukul Chandra in Kolkata was hampered a little. Due to lack of money, he would not eat properly. Sometimes he had to drink water from a roadside tap. Fascinated by his behaviour, Anukul’s neighbouring doctor Hemant Kumar Chaterjee gifted him a medical box with medicine. Anukul Chandra started the treatment of sick people belonging to working group with that medicine.

Gradually the financial problem of Anukul Chandra ended. While in Kolkata, Anukul Chandra would occasionally sit on the banks of the Ganges and meditate. However, his career as a doctor began in Hemayetpur. This brought him unprecedented success. However, he not only treated the body of a patient, but also his mind. He realized that in order to permanently eradicate human suffering, all three types of physical, mental and spiritual diseases need treatment.

He started treatment for mental illness. The helpless, the neglected, the favorable were the friends of Thakur. He formed a Kirtan (chanting) group to chant the holy names of Almighty. Some educated young people were also attracted to him at that time. Anukul Chandra rejoiced with them. From then on, followers addressed him as Thakur, not as a doctor.

Thakur Anukul Chandra’s valuable conversations with different people, his direct sayings and letters were compiled and published as books. These are about 46 in number. Noted among these are Satyanusaran, Punyaputhi, Anushruti (6 volumes), Chalar Saathi, Shasvati (3 volumes), Vibaha Vidhayana, Samaj Sandipan, Yati Abhidharma etc.

Thakur Anukul Chandra gave many advice to his followers through his valuable quotes. The devotees of Thakur follows his quotes for their spiritual improvement. Some of these quotes are: “Dharma induces one to evolve out of ardor to a particular oneness”; “Energetic serviceable zeal is the root of Bhakti”; “Devoted love is the way to Knowledge”; “Love is always impregnated with love”; “Be constant to your Lord with meditation and have bliss”; “To Dwell in one’s good is the drive of love”; “Concentric Love is the boon of the Lord”; “Love is the omniscient Providence” etc.

Anukul Thakur and Subhash Chandra Bose

It is not known to many that Anukul Tagore’s disciples were Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s father Janakinath Bose and mother Prabhavati Devi. According to that source, Subhash Bose had met Thakur more than once. According to Netaji researcher, Dr. Jayant Chakraborty, ‘ In 1902, Janakinath Bose and Prabhavati Devi took initiation (Diksha) from a Shakta spiritual Guru, Shyamnath Bhattacharya who was also known as Unmatta (crazy) Thakur in the village of Kodalia. After his (Shyamnath Bhattacharya)death, they became disciples of Anukul Thakur, a resident of Hemayetpur in Pabna, present-day Bangladesh. ‘ He further said, ‘Netaji’s mother Prabhavati Devi took a photograph of Anukul Thakur on her head and it was photographed by Haridas Mitra.’ Some letters still remain as evidence. It was through this intensive communication that Netaji met Anukul Thakur more than once. Another Netaji researcher, Tarun Biswas said, “Anukul Thakur last met Netaji in 1936. Subhash Bose went to Pabna. Anukul Thakur brought him a chair to sit on. Then Netaji said ‘My parents were your disciples. How do I sit next to you? Instead, I’ll sit on the ground.’…..”

Hemayetpur Satsang Ashram Temple

Hemayetpur Satsang Ashram Temple of Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra is located in Hemayetpur village near Pabna to. It is one of the top 20 Hindu temples in Bangladesh. The Satsanga Ashram was originally built with a simple feature; No significant architectural features were maintained to build it. However, the top of the square building is covered by four declining triangular shaped roofs. The small pitcher-shaped peak of the temple is very attractive. The worship house of Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra is next to the temple. This small building is domed and has a variety of features with arched curved cornices and four scenic peaks at the four corners of the dome.

Satsang Ashram Temple was built in the memory of Sri Sri Anukul Chandra’s parents. The word ‘Smriti Mandir’ is engraved on the stone in the palace in front of the temple. Anukul Chandra had established ‘Satsanga’ as a public welfare organization. In the real sense, Anukul Chandra had sacrificed his land for human welfare. The memorial is still in better condition than other buildings. The Satsang Ashram Temple structure easily attracts everyone’s attention. A grand ceremony is organized here to mark the birth and death anniversaries of Sri Sri Anukul Chandra. At that time a lot of people/guests gather here.

Deoghar Satsang Ashram

In 1946 Anukulchandra migrated to Deoghar in Bihar and established an ashram there as well. He did not return to Pabna after the division of India, but continued to live in Deoghar permanently, where he passed away on 26 January 1969. Eventually, Deoghar Satsang Ashram turned into the headquarters of Satsang spiritual movement.
This ashram complex has a charitable hospital, boys and girls schools, a medicine preparing center (medicines formulated by Thakur Anukulchandra), seven storied free refectory Anandabazar Bhavan, residential areas, aviary, etc. Deoghar Satsang Ashram is also one of the major attractions in Jharkhand, India for tourists.

By Krishna Das