Renaissance Yoga Master, Physical Culturist,
Showman, Kriya Yogi, Lawyer

“Bishnu worked devotedly to teach physical culture to the common man of India. His dedication fired the enthusiasm of India's youth: he attracted a large following and left a heritage that still lives today.”
Sananda Lal Ghosh, author
Mejda: The Family & Early Life of Paramahansa Yoganada

Bishu Ghosh created a uniqe and dynamic system of Physical Culture, synthesizing yogic Indian practices with Western. The 84 asanas, from his brother's Yogoda system, are the foundation of his regimen for heath and fitness of body and mind. Muscle Development, Breath Control, then Muscle Control completed the physical culture program.

He demonstrated the powers of yoga with amazing feats of strength to attract students and practitioners.

Bishnu Charan Ghosh, born 24 June 1903, the youngest of eight, was raised by his father, four sisters and three brothers after his mother died in his tenth month. His elder brother, Paramahansa Yogananda, founder of the Ranchi school for boys in India and the Self Realization Fellowship of America, was his spiritual guru and first hatha yoga teacher. His parents were devout practitioners of Kriya yoga, initiated by Lahiri Mahasaya.

From lack of his mother's nutrition and care, he was a frail child, but his health improved dramatically with disciplned practice of the Yogoda system of physical culture created by Yogananda, adapting ancient hatha yoga practices to the needs of contemporary householders. At 14, Bishnu was in the first graduating class of seven boys at Brahmacharya Vidyalaya, the Ranchi school for boys. Under Yogananda's care and training, Bishnu became healthy, but not terribly muscular.

In 1922, at age 19, entering Calcutta University, Bishnu weighed 68 pounds. After three months of training with the physical education director at the college, Professor Thakurta, he weighed 100 pounds and his chest grew by nine inches. Although he learned muscle-control as a young boy from Yogananda, his muscles were not developed enough to control at the time. After developing his body he was inspired to practice again after seeing a demonstration in Calcutta by Mr. Chit Tun, a Burmese physical culturist. After three months he was able to control his muscles to such an extent that Prof. Thakurta and some of his friends insisted he give a public demonstration. He was awarded a medal that gave him the impetus to “rise above the common level and become a source of inspiration”.

He then attended Bengal Engineering College where he entertained fellow students with muscle control and feats of strength learned from Professor Thakurta. They included taking a two-ton roller across his chest, lying under a loaded bullock cart, allowing a car to run across his chest, allowing a man to jump on his abdomen from 12 feet above, taking severe blows to his abdomen and twisting an iron bar into a coil.

In 1923, he established Ghosh's College of Physical Education, and in 1926, he and his college friend, Sen Gupta, who also trained with Prof. Thakurta, established Ghosh's Gymnasium for muscle development and control. In 1930 they published Barbell Exercises & Muscle Control and trained troupes of students to perform breathtaking feats of strength and control, touring around India and the world, marketing yoga, live. His 'star student', Buddha Bose, demonsted during his lectures in India, Japan and the US.

Bishnu earned a bachelor of science and a law degree, practicing for a short while before devoting all of his time to physical culture. Although their teachings were secular and solely for health and fitness, Bishnu and Buddha were initiated together into Kriya Yoga by Yogananda. Buddha established the Yoga Cure Institute in Calcutta, the first of its kind. Bishnu added a community clinic to Ghosh's College.

A wealthy Indian philanthropist, Sri Jugal Kishore Birla, was so impressed with Bishnu's work he purchased land and built a large gymnasium for him in Ballyganj. A tourist from Japan was so inspired by his performance that he founded a center in Japan where his daughter still teaches.

Bishnu and his students, who were known throughout India, traveled to the US and Europe to demonstrate the power of yoga. In the US his students appeared regularly on That's Incredible and, with his “star student”, Buddha Bose, demonstrating, he lectured at Columbia University. In London he was invited to serve as a judge in the Mr. Universe competition.

According to tradition, his marriage was arranged to Ashalata Roy, daughter of Sri Rosik Roy. They had a son, Bishwanath, and two daughters, Abha and Karuna who runs his center in Japan. Bishwanath, one of his best students, took his own troupes on tour in Japan and won a gold cup in competition. After his passing a few years ago, Bishnu's granddaughter is now running the center in Calcutta.

Bishnu passed away unexpectedly on 9 July 1970, but his legacy lives on .  .  .

Bishnu Ghosh affiliations & titles:

'Yoga' lecturer, Columbia University, New York
Founder & Honorary Physical Director to:

• Ghosh's College of Physical Education
• Vajranga Vayamagar, Ballygunj, Calcutta

Honorary Physical Director to:

• Calcutta University Law College
• Calcutta University Institute
• College of Engineering & Technology, Jadabpur
• City College, Calcutta
• Calcutta Medical College