Sri Ramakrishna (1836–1886)
Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was born on 18 February 1836 in the rural village of Kamarpukur, outside Calcutta (now Kolkata), in Bengal, India. His life (1836–1886) was a living testament to truth, universality, love, and purity — qualities that shone through every aspect of his extraordinary existence.
As a young man he became a priest at the Dakshineswar Kali Temple on the banks of the Ganges. There he was seized by an unquenchable thirst for union with God. His intense longing led him through a series of profound spiritual disciplines and direct mystical experiences that transformed him into one of the greatest spiritual figures of the modern age.
Life and Teachings
Sri Ramakrishna practiced various spiritual disciplines, treading different paths within Hinduism — Vaishnavism, Tantra, and Advaita Vedanta. Remarkably, he also practiced Islam and Christianity, and in each case attained direct experience of God through that path. On the basis of these personal realizations he declared with absolute conviction that all religions lead to the same ultimate goal — the realization of God.
His teachings were simple and concrete, often illustrated with parables drawn from everyday life. He spoke in Bengali to fishermen and scholars alike, and his words carried the stamp of direct experience rather than book learning. He had no formal education and yet the greatest scholars of his time marvelled at the depth of his wisdom.
Sri Ramakrishna attracted disciples from all walks of life. His chief disciple was Narendranath Datta, who later became Swami Vivekananda and carried Sri Ramakrishna's message to the West. Sri Ramakrishna passed away on 16 August 1886, but his influence continues to permeate spiritual life across the world through the Ramakrishna Movement.
Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna
“He is born in vain who, having attained the human birth, so difficult to get, does not attempt to realize God in this very life.”
“You see many stars in the sky at night, but not when the sun rises. Can you therefore say that there are no stars in the heavens during the day? O man, because you cannot find God in the days of your ignorance, say not that there is no God.”
“Be not a traitor in your thoughts. Be sincere; act according to your thoughts; and you shall surely succeed. Pray with a sincere and simple heart, and your prayers will be heard.”
Recommended Reading
The following books are recommended for those who wish to learn more about the life and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna:
- The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna — M. (Mahendranath Gupta); translated by Swami Nikhilananda. Published by Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center, New York.
- Sri Ramakrishna the Great Master — Swami Saradananda. Published by Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai.
- Ramakrishna and His Disciples — Christopher Isherwood. Published by Vedanta Press.
- Sri Ramakrishna: A Biography — Swami Nikhilananda. Published by Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center, New York.
- Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna — Published by Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai.