Hanuman Prasad Poddar

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Hanuman Prasad Poddar (1892-1971) was an author and freedom fighter of India.

Lovingly called as Bhaijee, he was a multifaceted personality. As an editor of the religious magazine 'Kalyan', he is known for his untiring efforts to propagate and disseminate Hindu religion across the world .

The Government of India issued a postage stamp in his memory in 1992.

Hanuman Prasad Poddar was born in Ratangarh in Rajasthan .He dedicated his life to make available great epics like the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Puranas and the Upanishads translated in Hindi to the common people at affordable prices.

He started publishing and editing ‘Kalyan’ monthly Magazine from 1927 in Hindi with a view to ‘the betterment of life and the well- being of all’ This Magazine is basically dedicated to spirituality and gives wider exposure to the various aspects of Hindu religion. ‘Kalyan’ has published special issues on all Puranas, Upanishads and on many more subjects related to Hindu culture and religion. This magazine still continues to be in publication with approximately 2,50,000 subscribers.

He also published and edited ‘Kalyaan – Kalpataru’ in English from 1934 and the book continues to be in publication.

He was also the founder of Gita Press, Gorakhpur.

He wrote many books on spiritual and value–oriented subjects in Hindi and English. His translation of some Upanishads and Puranas in Hindi and English show his command over both languages. In these translations, he has taken care of the communicability of the language to the common people without causing any compromise with their poetic and philosophical heights and depths .

He actively participated in the freedom movement against British rule in India. He was jailed for being in close contact with revolutionaries of Bengal. This proved to be a turning point in his life. After being released from the jail he started publishing and editing ‘Kalyaan’ to reach the spiritual glory and high value oriented heroic deeds of heroes of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata to the each Indian to feel them spiritually free and proud of their achievements in the past as a source of inspiration to fight for the freedom of India. Mahatma Gandhi praised his work.