Ramakrishna Paramahansa: A Complete Biography

Book excerpt: Ramakrishna Paramhansa, a famous saint of nineteenth century India was the guru of Swami Vivekananda. He was born in a poor Brahmin family in 1836, in a small town near Calcutta, West Bengal. His life was devoted to mysticism and religious pursuit. A great believer in goddess Kali, he often lost consciousness while praying to her. Many disciples were attracted to him. His main disciple was Swami Vivekananda. Ramakrishna started a mission – Ramakrishna Mission which was very influential during the nineteenth and the twentieth centuries and even now. The objective was to spread the idea of potential divinity of every being and to manifest it through every action and thoughts. The mission that was founded by Ramakrishna was universally spread by Swami Vivekananda. His promotion of Hinduism started with his keynote address at the world Parliament of Religious meeting in Chicago. He also advocated the idea of harmony of religions based on his experience that all religions lead to the realisation of the same reality. It won accolades and people were mesmerised by the speaker and his message. In his last days he gave Vivekananda the responsibility of looking after the disciples and running the mission. He left for his heavenly abode on August 16, 1886 and till the last moment the name of his Goddess was on his lips.