Ramakrishna | |
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![]() Ramakrishna at Dakshineswar, 1883–84[1] | |
Personal life | |
Born | Ramakrishna Chattopadhyay 18 February 1836 |
Died | 16 August 1886 | (aged 50)
Cause of death | Throat cancer |
Nationality | Indian |
Spouse | Sarada Devi |
Honors | Paramahamsa |
Religious life | |
Religion | Hinduism |
Temple | Dakshineswar Kali Temple |
Founder of | Ramakrishna Order |
Philosophy | Advaita Vedanta Shaktism |
School | Vedanta |
Lineage | Daśanāmi Sampradaya |
Religious career | |
Guru | Totapuri, Bhairavi Brahmani, and others |
Disciples |
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Advaita |
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Hinduism |
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Ramakrishna (18 February 1836 – 16 August 1886[2]), also called Ramakrishna Paramahansa (Bengali: রামকৃষ্ণ পরমহংস, romanized: Ramôkṛṣṇo Pôromohôṅso; pronounced [ramɔkriʂno pɔromoɦɔŋʃo] ⓘ; IAST: Rāmakṛṣṇa Paramahaṃsa), born Ramakrishna Chattopadhay,[3][4][5] was an Indian Hindu mystic. He was a devotee of the goddess Kali, but adhered to various religious practices from the Hindu traditions of Vaishnavism, Tantric Shaktism, and Advaita Vedanta, as well as Christianity and Islam. His parable-based teachings advocated the essential unity of religions and proclaimed that world religions are "so many paths to reach one and the same goal".[6] He is regarded by his followers as an avatar (divine incarnation).[7]
"I have practised all religions - Hinduism, Islam, Christianity - and I have also followed the paths of the different Hindu sects. I have found that it is the same God toward whom all are directing their steps, though along different paths. You must try all beliefs and traverse all the different ways once. Wherever I look, I see men quarrelling in the name of religion - Hindus, Mohammedans, Brahmos, Vaishnavas, and the rest. But they never reflect that He who is called Krishna is also called Siva, and bears the name of the Primal Energy, Jesus, and Allah as well - the same Rama with a thousand names. A lake has several Ghats. At one, the Hindus take water in pitchers and call it ' Jal ' ; at another the Mussalmans take water in leather bags and call it ' pani '. At a third the Christians call it ' water '. Can we imagine that it is not ' Jal ' , but only ' pani ' or ' water '? How ridiculous! The substance is One under different names, and everyone is seeking the same substance; only climate, temperament, and name create differences. Let each man follow his own path. If he sincerely and ardently wishes to know God, peace be unto him! He will surely realize Him."
Ramakrishna was born in Kamarpukur, Bengal Presidency, India. He described going through religious experiences in childhood. At age twenty, he became a temple priest at the Dakshineshwar Kali Temple in Calcutta. While at the temple, his devotional temperament and intense religious practices led him to experience various spiritual visions. He was assured of the authenticity and sanctity of his visions by several religious teachers.
In 1859, in accordance with then prevailing customs, Ramakrishna was married to Sarada Devi, a marriage that was never consummated. He was initiated into sannyasa in 1865 by Tota Puri, a vedanta monk. Ramakrishna gained widespread acclaim amongst the temple visiting public as a guru, attracting social leaders, elites, and common people alike. Although initially reluctant to consider himself a guru, he eventually taught disciples and founded the monastic Ramakrishna Order.[9] His emphasis on direct spiritual experience instead of adhering to scriptural injunctions has been influential. Ramakrishna died due to throat cancer on the night of 15 August 1886.[10] After his death, his chief disciple Swami Vivekananda continued and expanded his spiritual mission, both in India and the West.[11]
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