Kathmandu, August 21

Swami Prapannacharya, a renowned scholar of eastern philosophy and vedas, passed away at his ashram in Mrigasthali, Pashupati area, today. He was 92.

He was battling with ailments related to prostate and respiratory system and diabetes for long. According to his aides, Prapannacharya was born in Bardanda of Panchthar district in 1923 and his original name was Kale Rai.

Coming from a Rai family with an exceptional thirst for knowledge, he faced great challenges and hardships to attain education at a time when education was considered to be the sole right of Brahmins.

A creator, a researcher, a thinker, a scholar and a spiritual leader, who inspired so many people, was a wanderer at heart and finally found shelter in an ashram in the Pashupati area. He was honoured by more than 100 social and religious organisations of Nepal, India and Myanmar.

He had also worked as an honourable member of the Raj Parisad Standing Committee.

He authored more than 50 books, including ‘Ved Ma Ke Chha ?’ As an illiterate young man, he left home for India in search of knowledge at the age of 30 and his devotion to research and study earned him PhD in eastern philosophy and vedas. He returned to Nepal at the age of 60 and served the nation from his front.

The government had been paying him Rs 30,000 a month for his living to recognise his contribution to the nation. He was laid to rest in the Pashupati area today itself.