The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna.

The Gospel of Ramakrishna, written by M (Master Mahasaya), tells the life and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna. The book conveys powerfully the devotion, philosophy and ecstasy of the great saint and spiritual Master Sri Ramakrishna.

Born to poor parents in a simple Indian village Sri Ramakrishna led an unorthodox life; from an early age he felt an overwhelming desire to have a direct experience of God. When he took a job as a priest in a temple in Dakshineswar he was able to devote himself to an intense sadhana (spiritual practise). First and foremost Ramakrishna was a devotee of Mother Kali. He would pray and meditate for hours on end in order to receive a vision of his beloved Mother Kali. Ramakrishna became so absorbed in contemplation of God that he struggled to maintain interest in the world. During one period of his sadhana, many mistook his divine intoxication for madness, but Sri Ramakrishna didn’t care for the opinion of the world. He would later teach his disciples to pay no attention to the world, but only “dive deep into the ocean of Satchidananda”.

“If you must be mad, be it not for the things of the world. Be mad with the love of God…”

Sri Ramakrishna was also inspired to practise spiritual disciplines from all the major world religions and spiritual paths. His conclusion from these spiritual practises was that all religions did lead to the same Goal. To Ramakrishna there was only 1 religion, the love of God. The name people gave to God was unimportant. Ramakrishna experienced God as an unidentifiable consciousness, to him name and form were unimportant.

“Many are the names of God and infinite the forms through which He may be approached.”

The Gospel of Ramakrishna deals mostly with the latter period in Ramakrishna’s life. During the last seven years of his life Ramakrishna spent most of his time training and inspiring his disciples who were drawn to his inspirational spiritual magnetism. Ramakrishna was largely uneducated but from his own spiritual experiences he could explain complex spiritual ideas in simple parables and stories.

Sri Chinmoy in paying tribute to Sri Ramakrishna said:

“Sri Ramakrishna’s precepts were couched in the simplest language, in words that flew straight into the hearts of the people. The blessings that India — nay, the world — received from him, his unique universal sympathy, stand matchless. “I do not care,” he said; “I will give up a thousand such bodies to help one man. It is glorious to help even one man.” (2)

Often scholars and pandits would come to sit at the feet of Ramakrishna and be in awe of his spiritual wisdom. Ramakrishna also had a delightful sense of humour; he used it to punctuate egoism or the pride of others. Ramakrishna was fearless and would always seek to illumine other people, even if it meant injuring the pride of notable figures in society such as Devendranath Tagore.

The gospel of Sri Ramakrishna also gives us an introduction to some of the great disciples of Ramakrishna; such as Naren, who would later be called Swami Vivekananda. Throughout the book the overriding impression is of a Spiritual Master who was totally attached to God alone. Every thought and action of Ramakrishna seemed to come with the purest motive. The book will definitely inspire those with an interest in yoga and spirituality. In particular the Gospel of Ramakrishna is a remarkable insight into a modern day saint and devotee of Mother Kali.

“Unalloyed love of God is the essential thing. All else is unreal.”

See also: Tribute to Sri Ramakrishna

Quotes from Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

2. Ramakrishna Soul of the East at Sri Chinmoy Library.