Sri Ramakrishna
Sri Ramakrishna: A Spiritual Master of Modern India
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Sri Ramakrishna's full name was Gadadhar Chattopadhyay. He is commonly known as Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a title bestowed upon him by his disciples.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on February 17, 1836, in Kamarpukur, Bengal (now West Bengal), India, Sri Ramakrishna passed away on August 16, 1886, in Calcutta (now Kolkata).
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Indian mystic and spiritual master. His profession was that of a temple priest at the Dakshineswar Kali Temple.
Early Life and Background
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Sri Ramakrishna was born into a devout Hindu family. His father, Kashi Singh Chattopadhyay, was an accountant in the local government and his mother, Chandramani Devi, was known for her piety and spirituality. From an early age, Sri Ramakrishna demonstrated a deep spiritual inclination, often indulging in devotional practices such as worshiping idols and chanting scriptures.
As he grew older, he became increasingly fascinated with the divine feminine aspect of the Hindu pantheon, leading him to renounce worldly life at the tender age of 23. He then began his journey of spiritual exploration, visiting various temples and ashrams throughout India in search of enlightenment.
Major Accomplishments
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Sri Ramakrishna's life was marked by numerous remarkable accomplishments:
Spiritual Realization: He achieved a profound state of spiritual realization at the age of 30 through intense devotion and meditation. This experience led him to realize that he had transcended his individual self and become one with the ultimate reality.
Establishment of Monastic Order: In 1886, Sri Ramakrishna founded the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, a monastic order dedicated to spiritual growth and service to humanity. This institution continues to flourish today, spreading the teachings of its founder across the globe.
Notable Works or Actions
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Although Sri Ramakrishna did not leave behind any written works, his conversations with devotees have been compiled into several books, including:
The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna: A collection of dialogues between Sri Ramakrishna and his disciples.
The Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna: A compilation of quotes from the master's lectures.
His actions and teachings emphasized the importance of:
Selfless Service: He believed that service to others is a means to attain spiritual growth and self-realization.
Devotion and Surrender: He encouraged his followers to cultivate devotion and surrender to a higher power, rather than adhering to dogmatic rituals.
Impact and Legacy
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Sri Ramakrishna's impact on modern spirituality cannot be overstated:
Synthesis of Traditions: He blended elements from various Eastern spiritual traditions, creating a unique philosophy that transcended sectarian boundaries.
Influence on Social Reform: His teachings inspired social reformers like Swami Vivekananda, who carried forward his message to the world.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Sri Ramakrishna's quotes and teachings continue to inspire seekers of truth from all walks of life. His emphasis on:
Spiritual Realization: He showed that spiritual growth is not limited to specific rituals or dogmas, but rather a personal experience of unity with the ultimate reality.
Love and Compassion: Through his teachings and actions, he demonstrated the importance of cultivating love and compassion in daily life.
As a result, Sri Ramakrishna's legacy extends far beyond his physical presence. His message continues to resonate with people across cultures and generations, making him one of the most revered spiritual masters of modern times.
Quotes by Sri Ramakrishna
Sri Ramakrishna's insights on:
The nearer you approach to God, the less you reason and argue. When you attain Him, then all sounds—all reasoning and disputing—come to an end. Then you go into samadhi—sleep—, into communion with God in silence.
Do you know my attitude? Books, scriptures, and things like that only point out the way to reach God. After finding the way, what more need is there of books and scriptures? Then comes the time for action.
1. Is anything impossible for the grace of God? Suppose you bring a light into a room that has been dark a thousand years; does it remove the darkness little by little? The room is lighted all at once. Intense renunciation is what is needed.
In the scriptures you will find the way to realize God. But after getting all the information about the path, you must begin to work, Only then can you attain your goal.
God has revealed to me that only the Paramatman, whom the Vedas describe as the Pure Soul, is as immutable as Mount Sumeru, unattached, and beyond pain and pleasure. There is much confusion in this world of His maya. One can by no means say that 'this' will come after 'that' or 'this' will produce 'that'.
One man may read the Bhagavata by the light of a lamp, and another may commit a forgery by that very light; but the lamp is unaffected. The sun sheds its light on the wicked as well as on the virtuous.
Only two kinds of people can attain self-knowledge: those who are not encumbered at all with learning, that is to say, whose minds are not over-crowded with thoughts borrowed from others; and those who, after studying all the scriptures and sciences, have come to realise that they know nothing.
You speak of doing good to the world. Is the world such a small thing? And who are you, pray, to do good to the world? First realise God, see Him by means of spiritual discipline. If He imparts power you can do good to others; otherwise not.
What Brahman is cannot be described. All things in the world — the Vedas, the Puranas, the Tantras, the six systems of philosophy — have been defiled, like food that has been touched by the tongue, for they have been read or uttered by the tongue. Only one thing has not been defiled in this way, and that is Brahman. No one has ever been able to say what Brahman is.
