Tarak Nath Ghosal (1854–1934), known as Shivananda, was born in the village of Barasat in West Bengal. He was a direct disciple of Ramakrishna, and became the second president of the Ramakrishna Mission. His devotees refer to him as Mahapurush Maharaj (Great Soul). Shivananda and Subodhananda were the only direct disciples of Ramakrishna to be filmed. He was a Brahmajnani ("knower of Brahman or the Supreme Being").Shivananda introduced the celebration of the birthdays of his brother-monks.