Disciple of Swamiji, pre-monastic name Kedarnath Moulik. Born in 1876 in Sonarpur area of Varanasi, son of Shambhuchandra, Secretary of Kashi Haribhakti Pradayini Sabha. Motherless in childhood, studied up to Entrance class, then joined the Police Service. Introduced to the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda by his friend Charuchandra Das (later Swami Shubhananda). The two of them led a group of idealistic young men who met regularly and read or discussed religions and philosophical books. Having met Swami Niranjanananda, then in Varanasi, Kedarnath and others developed a strong distaste for worldly pleasures and decided to dedicate themselves to serving the poor and the needy. Left home and went to Haridwar to be with Swami Niranjanananda who gave him ochre cloth. Blessed by the company of holy men and several monastic disciples of the Master at Haridwar and Calcutta. Devoted himself to social service and spiritual pursuits. Met the Holy mother at Jayrambati and spent two months there. Returning to Varanasi in June 1900 he joined his friends who had sown the seeds of the future “Ramakrishna Mission Home of Service” in his absence and an organization named “Poor Men’s Relief Association” was formed with his library as its headquarters. The name was changed to its present one at Swamiji’s request. Upon Swami Kalyanananda’s request Kedarnath went to Kishangarh in Rajputana to assist him in famine-relief work. Returned to Varanasi after visiting Jaipur, Vrindavan, Allahabad etc. Swamiji was much pleased with these youths putting his ideal of service into practice and took an active interest in their work. Kedarnath went to Belur Math in October 1901 to meet Swamiji and overpowered by the attraction of Swamiji’s personality, stayed there for nine months. Blessed by close company of Swamiji who called him “Kedar Baba”. One day Swamiji told him that he would not have to do any spiritual practice, he would attain spiritual realization without any effort. Swamiji initiated him into sannyasa on the birthday of Lord Buddha in 1902 with the name “Achalananda”, Kedarnath being his last monastic disciple. At his behest Achalananda accompanied Swami Shivananda to Varanasi in June 1902 to assist the latter in setting up an ashrama there and the Advaita Ashrama, Varanasi, was established on 4.7.1902. Also assisted Swami Ramakrishnananda at the Madras Math (1904). At the behest of Swami Brahmananda he supervised the construction of the hospital of the Sevashrama at Varanasi on its own land. On completion of the work (1910) Achalananda visited Kothar, Orissa, where the Holy Mother was at the time. Elected trustee of the Ramakrishna Order (24.8.1910) and Member of Governing Body. Vice-President of the Math and the Mission (1938) and the “Order found a friend, philosopher, and guide in this loving old monk.” (Monastic Disciples of Swami Vivekananda by Swami Abjajananda, p. 293). Severe austerities caused his health to break down and he passed away on 11.3.1947 at the Varanasi Sevashrama.