Swami Prabhavananda

Vedanta Society of Southern California

Swami Prabhavananda (1893–1976) was one of the most influential Vedanta teachers in the West and the founder of the Vedanta Society of Southern California. A disciple of Swami Brahmananda, he was among the pioneer swamis sent to America to build on the work begun by Swami Vivekananda. In addition to his teaching and institution-building, he became widely known through his books and translations, including works on the Gita, the Upanishads, Patanjali, and Vedanta for modern readers.