Sri Ramakrishna is regarded variously as a sage, spiritual leader, world teacher, prophet, Avatara of the present age and so on. Finding these terms unsatisfactory, the noted British author Christopher Isherwood described Sri Ramakrishna as a “phenomenon”. The present book is a modest attempt to understand that phenomenon in the context of world thought currents and in the light of authentic sources.
On the occasion of Sri Ramakrishna’s 175th birth anniversary, it gives us great pleasure to present to our readers The Light of the Modern World. In the history of the human race the advent of great spiritual personalities like Krishna, Buddha, and Christ has always been seen to mark the beginning of a new epoch. Though the meaning of their appearance is not discerned by the laity during their lifetime, as time passes their impact on the core aspects of human life begins to be felt. Thus, in retrospect, a new view emerges of their lives, and we begins to ascribe to them the momentous changes seen in society. According to Swami Vivekananda, “With the birth of Sri Ramakrishna the Golden Age has begun.” But today, for the generality of people, such an assertion may appear preposterous, with no sign of such a beginning visible anywhere. Who was Sri Ramakrishna? What was the purpose of his advent? Did he bring about a silent revolution, unseen on the surface?
This book skillfully deals with these issues, taking for its subject the Avatarahood of Sri Ramakrishna and its universal significance. In the course of his discussion the author presents the different facets of an Avatara and the universal relevance of his message. Many other spiritual topics too are dealt with, all of which go into the making of this impressive and inspiring work.
The author is a senior Trustee of Ramakrishna Math and member of the Governing body of the Ramakrishna Mission. He was formerly an Editor of Prabuddhha Bharata for several years, and is currently an Assistant Secretary of the world-wide Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math.
This volume was originally serialized as articles in Prabuddha Bharata. However, the articles have been thoroughly revised and also new material has been added. We believe this work will go a long way in enlightening the readers about the significance of Sri Ramakrishna’s advent and his message, and also in understanding the epochal dimensions of his personality.
This book is being published as a part of the celebration of the 175th birth anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna. Sri Ramakrishna is regarded variously as a saint, sage, spiritual leader, world teacher, prophet, Avatara of the present age and so on. Finding these terms unsatisfactory, the noted British author Christopher Isherwood described Sri Ramakrishna as a “phenomenon”. The present book is a modest attempt to understand that phenomenon in the context of world thought currents and in the light of authentic sources.
By “authentic sources” is meant primarily Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita (translated into English as The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna), Sri Ramakrishna Lilaprasanga (translated into English as Sri Ramakrishna, the Great Master), state-ments of Swami Vivekananda and a few other disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, and the original ideas on Avatarahood propounded by Sri Krishna in the Gita. All references to miracles or miraculous events have been avoided. The main attempt is to understand the universal significance of the Avatarahood doctrine associated with Sri Ramakrishna in the light of modern thought.
The book has a prologue and two parts. The prologue, entitled “Sri Ramakrishna the Known and the Unknown”, is intended to serve as a general introduction to the central theme of the book
Part I constitutes the main body of the book. It is a fairly comprehensive study of the phenomenon of Avatarahood as revealed in the person of Sri Ramakrishna, and the universal significance of this phenomenon not only to the devotees of the Master but to all spiritually minded people all over the free world.
Part II is a detailed study of the message of Sri Ramakrishna and its universal significance.
The prologue originally appeared as an editorial in the March 1979 issue of Prabuddha Bharata, the journal started by Swami Vivekananda. The first and second parts also originally appeared as a series of articles in Prabuddha Bharata from January 2011 to May 2012. The original articles have, however, been thoroughly revised and enlarged in the present edition.
Apart from the doctrine of Avatarahood, the book also contains a lot of discussions on the practical aspects of spiritual life which sincere spiritual seekers will find helpful.
Prologue | ||
Sri Ramakrishna The Known & The Unknown | ||
The Timeless Adoration | 15 | |
Kasmai Devaya Havisa Vidhema | 16 | |
"What Do You Think Of Me?" | 18 | |
Aura Of Mystery | 19 | |
Temporal And Eternal Aspects | 21 | |
Embodiment Of Infinite Spiritual Ideas | 23 | |
Part One : The avatarahood of sri ramakrishna and its universal significance | ||
Introduction | ||
The New Man Of The Modern Age | 29 | |
Ages or Epochs | 32 | |
Epochal Paradigm Shifts | 33 | |
Power Of Ideas | 36 | |
Swamiji's Concept Of Epochal Ideas | 38 | |
Role Of The Prophet | 39 | |
Sri Ramakrishna | 41 | |
Significance Of Sri Ramakrishna's Avatarahood | 47 | |
Different Facets Of An Avatara | ||
Avatara As Liberator | 50 | |
Avatara As The Door To The Infinite | 52 | |
Avatara As Ishtadevata | 56 | |
Ishtamantra | 59 | |
Avatara As The Centre Of Divine Harmony, | ||
Divine Will, Divine grace | 61 | |
Avatara As The Divine Worker | 63 | |
Love, Work, Service | 63 | |
Divine Work Of the Avatara | 66 | |
Divine Yoga | 70 | |
Divine Tapas | 71 | |
Divine Lila | 71 | |
Divine Sacrifice | 72 | |
Sri Ramakrishna As A World Teacher | 73 | |
Function Of the Guru | 74 | |
God as the Adi Guru | 74 | |
Inentification With the Cosmic "I" | 75 | |
Spiritual Knowledge as Inner Illumination | 76 | |
The Arrow of Knowledge that | ||
Kills the Demon of Doubt | 77 | |
Avatara as the Eternal Guide | 78 | |
Starting a New Line of Gurus | 79 | |
The Massage of the World Teacher | 79 | |
Avatara's Universal Love And Compassion | ||
Premarpana | 83 | |
Identification With Divine Motherhood | 86 | |
The Love And Compassion Of The Avatara | 90 | |
Sri Ramakrishna's Rejuvenation of Indian Spirituality | 95 | |
Reliving The Truths of The Scriptures | 97 | |
Purification And Revitalization Of Spiritual Paths | 100 | |
Integration Of The Spiritual | ||
Experiences Of The Past | 103 | |
Awakening Of Cosmic Kundalini | 107 | |
Unification Of Spiritual Traditions | 109 | |
Sri Ramakrishna And Spiritual Renaissance | ||
Indian Spirituality | 112 | |
Peaceful Dialectics of Indian Culture | 114 | |
Unique Features Of The Modern | ||
Spiritual Renaissance | ||
1 | Universal Significance | 115 |
2 | Emphasis On Direct Experience | 116 |
3 | Separation of Spirituality from Religion | 118 |
4 | Harmony of Religions | 119 |
5 | A Universal Scripture | 121 |
6 | Setting in Motion a New Spiritual Movement | 123 |
The New Monastic Order | 124 | |
(a) | Universal Outlook | 127 |
(b) | Modernity | 128 |
(c) | Discipline and Freedom | 129 |
(d) | Synthesis of Yogas | 130 |
(e) | Service as a Way of Life | 131 |
(f) | Brotherly Love | 133 |
(g) | Centred Round Sri Ramakrishna | 134 |
Community of Lay Devotees | 134 | |
Other Streams of | ||
the Ramakrishna Movement | 136 | |
7 | Strengthening the Moral Foundations of Culture and Spirituality | |
8 | Manifestation of Divine Glory in Man | 141 |
Sri Ramakrishna As The Spiritual Ideal Of The Modern Age | ||
Meaning of "Ideal" | 146 | |
Four Global Trends | 149 | |
Meaning of Spirituality And Spiritual Life | 151 | |
Traditional Spirituality | 154 | |
The Modern Spiritual Movement | 155 | |
The First Phase | 156 | |
The Second Phase | 157 | |
The Third Phase | 158 | |
Change In Attitude Towards Spirituality | ||
(a) | Quest for the Ultimate | 159 |
(b) | Existential Problems | 159 |
(c) | Overcoming Stress in Life | 160 |
(d) | Shift in Management Philosophy | 161 |
(e) | Support of Science and Technology | 162 |
Universal Spirituality-Its Salient Features | 164 | |
Drawbacks of Modern Secular Spirituality | 169 | |
Dawn of The Golden Age | ||
Power of Religion or Spirituality | 171 | |
Sri Ramakrishna and Satya Yuga | 172 | |
Spiritual Evolution | 173 | |
Characteristics of the Golden Age | ||
1 | Rishis or Prophets would be Numerous | 175 |
2 | Unity of the East and West | 177 |
3 | Equality and Love | 178 |
4 | The Courage to be | 179 |
5 | Unity of Spirituality and Science | 180 |
6 | Utopia or Reality? | 180 |
Sri Ramakrishna As The Ideal Of The Golden Age | 181 | |
Conclusion | 183 | |
Part Two : The Massage Of Sri Ramakrishna And Its Universal Significance | ||
Experience And Expression | 193 | |
Sri Ramakrishna 's Bhavamukha Perspective | 195 | |
Basic Teachings Of Sri Ramakrishna | ||
The Goyal of Life | 197 | |
The Ultimate Reality or God | 197 | |
The Means of Realizing God | 198 | |
The Human Being | 199 | |
Society and Duties of Life | 200 | |
Spiritual Realization | 200 | |
General Characteristics Of | ||
Sri Ramakrishna's Massage | ||
1 | Modern | 201 |
2 | Universal | 201 |
3 | Practical | 202 |
4 | Positive Outlook | 202 |
5 | Stress On Morality | 203 |
6 | Free from the Occult | 203 |
7 | Harmony and Peace | 203 |
Need For Philosophical Concepts | 203 | |
Sri Ramakrishna's Acquisition of Knowledge | 204 | |
Integral Vedanta of Sri Ramakrishna | ||
Philosophy and Religion | 205 | |
Vedanta Philosophy | 206 | |
Hindu Religion | 207 | |
Sri Ramakrishna's Integral Vedanta | 208 | |
From Religion To Spirituality | 209 | |
Main Philosophical Concepts In | ||
Sri Ramakrishna's Message | ||
1 | Message of Spiritual Fulfilment | 210 |
2 | Direct Transcendental Experience as Proof | 214 |
3 | Integral View of Reality | 216 |
4 | Divinization of Life | 218 |
5 | Message of Love and Service | 222 |
6 | Message of Purity | 223 |
7 | Development of Spiritual Personality | 226 |
8 | Message of Harmony | 228 |
i | Harmony of Religions | 230 |
ii | Harmony within Hinduism | 237 |
iii | Harmony of spiritual paths | 240 |
iv | Harmony of Spiritual Life and social Life | 242 |
v | Harmony of the Acient and the Modern | 246 |
9 | Practical Vedanta | |
The Atman as our True Abode | 248 | |
Doing the Duties of Life with Detachmant | 249 | |
Need for Skill to Lead a spiritual Life | 249 | |
Realistic Approach to Reality | 250 | |
Adaptation to Circumstances | 250 | |
Stages in Spiritual Progress | 251 | |
Universal Significance Of | ||
Sri Ramakrishna's Massage To The Present Times | 252 | |
Need for Message of Harmony | 253 | |
Neohumanism | 254 | |
Feminist Movement | 255 | |
Moral Decline | 255 | |
Global Spiritual Movement | 257 | |
Conclusion | 259 | |
Index | 263 |
Sri Ramakrishna is regarded variously as a sage, spiritual leader, world teacher, prophet, Avatara of the present age and so on. Finding these terms unsatisfactory, the noted British author Christopher Isherwood described Sri Ramakrishna as a “phenomenon”. The present book is a modest attempt to understand that phenomenon in the context of world thought currents and in the light of authentic sources.
On the occasion of Sri Ramakrishna’s 175th birth anniversary, it gives us great pleasure to present to our readers The Light of the Modern World. In the history of the human race the advent of great spiritual personalities like Krishna, Buddha, and Christ has always been seen to mark the beginning of a new epoch. Though the meaning of their appearance is not discerned by the laity during their lifetime, as time passes their impact on the core aspects of human life begins to be felt. Thus, in retrospect, a new view emerges of their lives, and we begins to ascribe to them the momentous changes seen in society. According to Swami Vivekananda, “With the birth of Sri Ramakrishna the Golden Age has begun.” But today, for the generality of people, such an assertion may appear preposterous, with no sign of such a beginning visible anywhere. Who was Sri Ramakrishna? What was the purpose of his advent? Did he bring about a silent revolution, unseen on the surface?
This book skillfully deals with these issues, taking for its subject the Avatarahood of Sri Ramakrishna and its universal significance. In the course of his discussion the author presents the different facets of an Avatara and the universal relevance of his message. Many other spiritual topics too are dealt with, all of which go into the making of this impressive and inspiring work.
The author is a senior Trustee of Ramakrishna Math and member of the Governing body of the Ramakrishna Mission. He was formerly an Editor of Prabuddhha Bharata for several years, and is currently an Assistant Secretary of the world-wide Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math.
This volume was originally serialized as articles in Prabuddha Bharata. However, the articles have been thoroughly revised and also new material has been added. We believe this work will go a long way in enlightening the readers about the significance of Sri Ramakrishna’s advent and his message, and also in understanding the epochal dimensions of his personality.
This book is being published as a part of the celebration of the 175th birth anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna. Sri Ramakrishna is regarded variously as a saint, sage, spiritual leader, world teacher, prophet, Avatara of the present age and so on. Finding these terms unsatisfactory, the noted British author Christopher Isherwood described Sri Ramakrishna as a “phenomenon”. The present book is a modest attempt to understand that phenomenon in the context of world thought currents and in the light of authentic sources.
By “authentic sources” is meant primarily Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita (translated into English as The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna), Sri Ramakrishna Lilaprasanga (translated into English as Sri Ramakrishna, the Great Master), state-ments of Swami Vivekananda and a few other disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, and the original ideas on Avatarahood propounded by Sri Krishna in the Gita. All references to miracles or miraculous events have been avoided. The main attempt is to understand the universal significance of the Avatarahood doctrine associated with Sri Ramakrishna in the light of modern thought.
The book has a prologue and two parts. The prologue, entitled “Sri Ramakrishna the Known and the Unknown”, is intended to serve as a general introduction to the central theme of the book
Part I constitutes the main body of the book. It is a fairly comprehensive study of the phenomenon of Avatarahood as revealed in the person of Sri Ramakrishna, and the universal significance of this phenomenon not only to the devotees of the Master but to all spiritually minded people all over the free world.
Part II is a detailed study of the message of Sri Ramakrishna and its universal significance.
The prologue originally appeared as an editorial in the March 1979 issue of Prabuddha Bharata, the journal started by Swami Vivekananda. The first and second parts also originally appeared as a series of articles in Prabuddha Bharata from January 2011 to May 2012. The original articles have, however, been thoroughly revised and enlarged in the present edition.
Apart from the doctrine of Avatarahood, the book also contains a lot of discussions on the practical aspects of spiritual life which sincere spiritual seekers will find helpful.
Prologue | ||
Sri Ramakrishna The Known & The Unknown | ||
The Timeless Adoration | 15 | |
Kasmai Devaya Havisa Vidhema | 16 | |
"What Do You Think Of Me?" | 18 | |
Aura Of Mystery | 19 | |
Temporal And Eternal Aspects | 21 | |
Embodiment Of Infinite Spiritual Ideas | 23 | |
Part One : The avatarahood of sri ramakrishna and its universal significance | ||
Introduction | ||
The New Man Of The Modern Age | 29 | |
Ages or Epochs | 32 | |
Epochal Paradigm Shifts | 33 | |
Power Of Ideas | 36 | |
Swamiji's Concept Of Epochal Ideas | 38 | |
Role Of The Prophet | 39 | |
Sri Ramakrishna | 41 | |
Significance Of Sri Ramakrishna's Avatarahood | 47 | |
Different Facets Of An Avatara | ||
Avatara As Liberator | 50 | |
Avatara As The Door To The Infinite | 52 | |
Avatara As Ishtadevata | 56 | |
Ishtamantra | 59 | |
Avatara As The Centre Of Divine Harmony, | ||
Divine Will, Divine grace | 61 | |
Avatara As The Divine Worker | 63 | |
Love, Work, Service | 63 | |
Divine Work Of the Avatara | 66 | |
Divine Yoga | 70 | |
Divine Tapas | 71 | |
Divine Lila | 71 | |
Divine Sacrifice | 72 | |
Sri Ramakrishna As A World Teacher | 73 | |
Function Of the Guru | 74 | |
God as the Adi Guru | 74 | |
Inentification With the Cosmic "I" | 75 | |
Spiritual Knowledge as Inner Illumination | 76 | |
The Arrow of Knowledge that | ||
Kills the Demon of Doubt | 77 | |
Avatara as the Eternal Guide | 78 | |
Starting a New Line of Gurus | 79 | |
The Massage of the World Teacher | 79 | |
Avatara's Universal Love And Compassion | ||
Premarpana | 83 | |
Identification With Divine Motherhood | 86 | |
The Love And Compassion Of The Avatara | 90 | |
Sri Ramakrishna's Rejuvenation of Indian Spirituality | 95 | |
Reliving The Truths of The Scriptures | 97 | |
Purification And Revitalization Of Spiritual Paths | 100 | |
Integration Of The Spiritual | ||
Experiences Of The Past | 103 | |
Awakening Of Cosmic Kundalini | 107 | |
Unification Of Spiritual Traditions | 109 | |
Sri Ramakrishna And Spiritual Renaissance | ||
Indian Spirituality | 112 | |
Peaceful Dialectics of Indian Culture | 114 | |
Unique Features Of The Modern | ||
Spiritual Renaissance | ||
1 | Universal Significance | 115 |
2 | Emphasis On Direct Experience | 116 |
3 | Separation of Spirituality from Religion | 118 |
4 | Harmony of Religions | 119 |
5 | A Universal Scripture | 121 |
6 | Setting in Motion a New Spiritual Movement | 123 |
The New Monastic Order | 124 | |
(a) | Universal Outlook | 127 |
(b) | Modernity | 128 |
(c) | Discipline and Freedom | 129 |
(d) | Synthesis of Yogas | 130 |
(e) | Service as a Way of Life | 131 |
(f) | Brotherly Love | 133 |
(g) | Centred Round Sri Ramakrishna | 134 |
Community of Lay Devotees | 134 | |
Other Streams of | ||
the Ramakrishna Movement | 136 | |
7 | Strengthening the Moral Foundations of Culture and Spirituality | |
8 | Manifestation of Divine Glory in Man | 141 |
Sri Ramakrishna As The Spiritual Ideal Of The Modern Age | ||
Meaning of "Ideal" | 146 | |
Four Global Trends | 149 | |
Meaning of Spirituality And Spiritual Life | 151 | |
Traditional Spirituality | 154 | |
The Modern Spiritual Movement | 155 | |
The First Phase | 156 | |
The Second Phase | 157 | |
The Third Phase | 158 | |
Change In Attitude Towards Spirituality | ||
(a) | Quest for the Ultimate | 159 |
(b) | Existential Problems | 159 |
(c) | Overcoming Stress in Life | 160 |
(d) | Shift in Management Philosophy | 161 |
(e) | Support of Science and Technology | 162 |
Universal Spirituality-Its Salient Features | 164 | |
Drawbacks of Modern Secular Spirituality | 169 | |
Dawn of The Golden Age | ||
Power of Religion or Spirituality | 171 | |
Sri Ramakrishna and Satya Yuga | 172 | |
Spiritual Evolution | 173 | |
Characteristics of the Golden Age | ||
1 | Rishis or Prophets would be Numerous | 175 |
2 | Unity of the East and West | 177 |
3 | Equality and Love | 178 |
4 | The Courage to be | 179 |
5 | Unity of Spirituality and Science | 180 |
6 | Utopia or Reality? | 180 |
Sri Ramakrishna As The Ideal Of The Golden Age | 181 | |
Conclusion | 183 | |
Part Two : The Massage Of Sri Ramakrishna And Its Universal Significance | ||
Experience And Expression | 193 | |
Sri Ramakrishna 's Bhavamukha Perspective | 195 | |
Basic Teachings Of Sri Ramakrishna | ||
The Goyal of Life | 197 | |
The Ultimate Reality or God | 197 | |
The Means of Realizing God | 198 | |
The Human Being | 199 | |
Society and Duties of Life | 200 | |
Spiritual Realization | 200 | |
General Characteristics Of | ||
Sri Ramakrishna's Massage | ||
1 | Modern | 201 |
2 | Universal | 201 |
3 | Practical | 202 |
4 | Positive Outlook | 202 |
5 | Stress On Morality | 203 |
6 | Free from the Occult | 203 |
7 | Harmony and Peace | 203 |
Need For Philosophical Concepts | 203 | |
Sri Ramakrishna's Acquisition of Knowledge | 204 | |
Integral Vedanta of Sri Ramakrishna | ||
Philosophy and Religion | 205 | |
Vedanta Philosophy | 206 | |
Hindu Religion | 207 | |
Sri Ramakrishna's Integral Vedanta | 208 | |
From Religion To Spirituality | 209 | |
Main Philosophical Concepts In | ||
Sri Ramakrishna's Message | ||
1 | Message of Spiritual Fulfilment | 210 |
2 | Direct Transcendental Experience as Proof | 214 |
3 | Integral View of Reality | 216 |
4 | Divinization of Life | 218 |
5 | Message of Love and Service | 222 |
6 | Message of Purity | 223 |
7 | Development of Spiritual Personality | 226 |
8 | Message of Harmony | 228 |
i | Harmony of Religions | 230 |
ii | Harmony within Hinduism | 237 |
iii | Harmony of spiritual paths | 240 |
iv | Harmony of Spiritual Life and social Life | 242 |
v | Harmony of the Acient and the Modern | 246 |
9 | Practical Vedanta | |
The Atman as our True Abode | 248 | |
Doing the Duties of Life with Detachmant | 249 | |
Need for Skill to Lead a spiritual Life | 249 | |
Realistic Approach to Reality | 250 | |
Adaptation to Circumstances | 250 | |
Stages in Spiritual Progress | 251 | |
Universal Significance Of | ||
Sri Ramakrishna's Massage To The Present Times | 252 | |
Need for Message of Harmony | 253 | |
Neohumanism | 254 | |
Feminist Movement | 255 | |
Moral Decline | 255 | |
Global Spiritual Movement | 257 | |
Conclusion | 259 | |
Index | 263 |