Born Suresh Chandra Guha Thakurta, in a distinguished family of Bananipara in Barisal district, youngest son of Ananda Chandra. Motherless at 9 years, came to learn about the Master while reading out to his father from Teachings of Sri Ramakrishna. The companionship of Swami Nityananda, a monastic disciple of Swami Vivekananda, whetted his desire for renunciation. Accompanied a group of pilgrims to Belur Math and was overwhelmed upon meeting Swamiji (1901). Back home, determined to renounce the world, secretly left for Belur Math at the age of 17 and being a minor was permitted to stay one night only. Swamiji, for whom he sang a song, permitted him to stay on taking “full responsibility” for him. Seeing his cheerful countenance Swami Brahmananda called him “Basanta” (Spring) quoting Shankaracharya, “A saint is like the spring, wherever he goes he carries the song of birds and fragrance of flowers.” Also, he joined the Order in spring. Had been sent home to be with his father for some time and returned with his blessings. Ordained into sannyasa by Swamiji on 2.1.1902. Sent to assist Swami Ramakrishnananda at Madras was trained by him for five and half years, the latter his friend, philosopher and guide then onward. Called “Baby Swamy” by Nivedita and Swami Sadananda. Accompanied Swami Abhedananda to New York where he arrived in December 1906, assisting the former at the Vedanta Centre. In December 1908 guest of Mrs. Ole Bull at Boston and founded the Vedanta Centre there with her help (Dec. 1909). Soon very popular in U.S.A. for his sharp intellect, powerful oratory and saintly nature. Toured Europe three times propagating Vedanta (1912-14); founded Los Angeles Vedanta Centre (1916). Established Ananda Ashrama at La Crescenta in California under the aegis of the Boston Centre (April 1923). Founded Vedanta Kutir, a retreat centre, at Cohasset near Boston (1929). Set up Temple of the Universal Sprit, symbol of religious harmony, at Ananda Ashrama (1928). Visited India five times (1911, 1926, 1933, 1935, 1937). Presided over the Morning Session of the World’s Parliament of Religions at the Town Hall on 4.3.1937 on the occasion of the Master’s birth-centenary, his speeches being received “with enthusiastic and almost deafening applause”. Sudden death after morning meditation at Cohasset on 21.6.1940 and cremated in the courtyard of the temple at Ananda Ashrama. After his death La Crescenta and Cohasset centres ceased to be under the Ramakrishna Order. The Ananda Ashrama set up by him at Dhaka moved to Calcutta (1950) on account of communal discord there. Had started a magazine, The Message of the East (January 1912) to propagate Vedanta. Works: The Path of Devotion (1907), Veda in Practise, The Way of Peace and Blessedness, Rhythm of Life (poems), The Vigil (poems), Soul’s Secret Door (poems), Concentration and Meditation, The Creative Power of Silence, Self-Mastery, translations of the Bhagavad Gita and some Upanishads, Books of Daily Thoughts and Prayers, Reincarnation and Immortality, Emerson and Vedanta, Christ and Oriental Ideals, Plato and Vedic Idealism, etc. His biography Swami Paramananda and His Work authored by Sister Devamata in 2 volumes (California, 1926, 1941) (Udbodhan, 42.7.388-90).