Swami Prapannacharya, noted scholar of Vedanta Philosophy, passed away at his Mrigasthali Ashram inside the Pashupatinath Temple area early on Friday morning. He was 92.

His disciples said that he was long suffering from ailments related to prostate and respiration.

 Prapannacharya was popular among national and international scholars for his literary contribution. Throughout his lifetime, he published several books on Hindu religion, Vedic philosophy and cultures. ‘Bed ma k chha?’ (What is in the Veda?) is one of his most popular works.

Prapannacharya, who came from a Rai family from Panchthar district, went on to become a scholar of Veda which was unthinkable at the time since it was believed that only people of Brahamin background should study the discipline. Moreover, he had succeeded in attaining the Swami order as someone who did not know how to read or write until he was 30 years old. Learning has no age bar, they say. Prapannacharya was the proof.

He was recently honoured with Mahabidhyawaridhi title by the Nepal Sanskrit University.  For his contribution, the state had been providing him a lifelong allowance of Rs 30,000 per month.

Scores of people visited the ashram and paid their final tribute to Prapannacharya. His body was buried near the ashram.