Yogiraaj Pranabananda Pitaji Maharaj was an exponent of Brahmatantra cult. He was an accomplished astrologer. His relentless effort led to the discovery of a number of curative features of herbal medicines and also the healing powers of sunrays. On advice of his guru Shri Satchidanandaji Maharaj he founded Matrikasram Pranab Sangha to propagate of teachings of Matajis.
Pranabananda Pitaji Maharaj was born to Shri Sukumar Mukhopadhyay and Shri Mrinalini Devi in 1875 on the fifth of Vadra, according to Bengali calendar. His upbringing and education was guided by Shri Devimataji. He had a great love and respect for Matajis as well as his own mother.
He had intense feelings for the poor and had natural attractions for sanyasis (Monk). In early years of his life, he came in contact with an occultist (kapalik) and learnt the stringent occult practices for six long years. However, he realized that the occult powers did not bring him ultimate spiritual objective God. So, one night he decided to leave the occultist and as a matter of luck that in the same night he met Shrimat Swami Satchidanandaji Maharaj, his real guru for the first time.
He was initiated to sanyas (asceticism) by Satchidanandaji. Pitaji, under the able guidance of Satchidanandaji reached the pinnacle of spiritual learning within a very short period of time. In order to learn, perform and master different stringent rituals he stayed in Vindhyachal in the company of Shri Satchidanandaji Maharaj. After completed the stages of ascetic life Pitaji Maharaj came back to Matajis and started living with them. He accompanied Matajis in their journeys to various places in India. When Devishaktimataji left for heavenly abode, Shri Satchidanandaji Maharaj advised Shri Pranabanandaji to set up an institution which would act as a platform to spread the teachings of Matajis. As per this direction, Pitaji founded Matrikasram Pranab Sangha, the cultural seat of Brahmatantra. Initially ashram was established at Ramapura in Benaras. When Pitaji, along with Tarapranab Brahmachariji settled in Kolkata, the ashram was shifted to 15B Iswar Ganguly Street, Kolkata, Kalighat, it’s present location.
Pitaji Maharaj persistently tried to discover ways to keep people healthy. He experimented with various herbal medicines and also with different colors of sunrays as a curative measures for different diseases.Pitaji was the center of attraction around which a number of devotees gathered in the ashram.On a fateful day in 1976, Pitaji Pranabananda Maharaj breathed his last after bestowing on Shri Tarapranab Brahmachariji the responsibility of Matrikasram Pranab Sangha.