10 Interesting facts about Ramakrishna Paramahansa

Ramakrishna Paramahansa was a humble and gifted individual, devoted to serving living beings and worshipping the goddess Kali. He played a pivotal role in revitalizing Hinduism, and his teachings deeply influenced the previously atheist Swami Vivekananda, who became his devoted disciple. In this article, we will explore the life, philosophy, and mission of Ramakrishna Paramahansa.

Ramakrishna Paramahansa – Overview

Shri Ramakrishna Paramahansa was born on February 18, 1836, in the small village of Kamarpukur, a few miles away from Kolkata, into a poor Brahmin family. His childhood name was Gadadhar, and he was beloved by the villagers. Known as one of the greatest saints of the nineteenth century, he was an ultimate mystic and a true yogi. A devout worshipper of Goddess Kali, Ramakrishna was believed to be a modern-day incarnation of Lord Vishnu, although he never claimed this himself. During a time when Bengal was experiencing an intense spiritual crisis and a severe decline in humanism, he emerged as a central figure in the revival of Hinduism. His teachings deeply influenced the atheist Swami Vivekananda, who later became his devoted disciple. In this article, we will explore more about Ramakrishna Paramahansa, his philosophy, and his mission.

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10 facts about Ramakrishna Paramahansa

Below are the 10 interesting facts about Ramakrishna Paramahansa-

1. Ramakrishna Paramahansa: Life

From an early age, Ramakrishna showed little interest in formal education or worldly affairs. Gifted in singing and painting, he preferred serving holy men and listening to their discourses. Frequently found in spiritual states, he first experienced ecstasy at six years old while watching white cranes against a backdrop of black clouds. This tendency for ecstatic experiences grew stronger over time. During a school play where he portrayed Shiva, he once lost all awareness of the outer world. Ramakrishna enjoyed studying Sanskrit and Mathematics and cherished the folk tales his mother told him. After his father’s death, his elder brother, Ram Kumar, became the priest at the Dakshineshwar Temple. Upon Ram Kumar’s retirement, Ramakrishna succeeded him in this role.

2. Ramakrishna Paramahansa: Guru

Ramakrishna was inspired by a wandering monk named Totapuri, who initiated him into Advaita Vedanta at the Dakshineshwar temple. Following this initiation, it is said that Ramakrishna remained in a state of meditation for approximately six months.

3. Ramakrishna Paramahansa: Career

Dakshineshwar Temple was founded by the esteemed philanthropist Rani Rashmoni, the Queen of Janbazar in Calcutta. Ramakrishna served as the priest at the Kali Temple in Dakshineshwar. At the age of 23, he married 5-year-old Saradamoni Mukhopadhyay. Later, Saradamoni joined Ramakrishna at Dakshineshwar.

Also Read: Swami Vivekananda Biography

4. Ramakrishna Paramahansa: The Revolutionary

One of the remarkable aspects of Ramakrishna’s greatness is his belief in the inherent holiness of every man and woman. He never claimed to be superior, considering himself just an ordinary man who saw the goddess Kali as a common woman, both playful and kind.

Ramakrishna emphasized that one could achieve godliness not through salvation but through dedicated work. He often stated that kindness to humans is equivalent to kindness to God, as God resides within every person. Did you know he declared his wife to be the embodiment of the Divine Mother and performed the Shodashi Puja with her in the seat of Goddess Kali? This act was indeed revolutionary.

5. Ramakrishna Paramahansa: Followers

Some of the followers of Ramakrishna are playwright, poet, theatre director Girish Ghosh, Swami Vivekananda, Zamindar Rakhal Chandra Ghosh etc.

6. Ramakrishna Paramhansa: Influence

One of Ramakrishna’s remarkable qualities was his belief in the inherent holiness of every man and woman. He never claimed to be greater than anyone else, considering himself a common man who viewed the goddess Kali as an ordinary woman, both playful and kind. He emphasized that achieving godliness was not through salvation but through work. Ramakrishna often said that being kind to humans was equivalent to being kind to God because God resides in every person. Notably, he proclaimed his wife as the embodiment of the Divine Mother and performed the Shodashi Puja with her in the seat of Goddess Kali, showcasing his revolutionary views.

Also Check: 1000 Facts in Hindi

7. Ramakrishna Mission

Swami Vivekananda, a devoted disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahansa, established the Ramakrishna Mission to disseminate his Guru’s teachings. The headquarters of this mission is located at the Ramakrishna Ashram in Belur. The primary objective of the mission is to assist individuals in achieving salvation. Essentially, it operates as a non-profit organization.

8. Ramakrishna Paramahansa: Teachings

Ramakrishna taught that

• To attain salvation, the main obstructions are lust and greed.
• Human beings are equal and there is oneness of existence.
• All living beings are divine. God is present in all man, woman etc.
• There is only one God. All religions have different path to attain salvation but their aim is same that is God.
• The main aim of each human being is to become one with God.

9. Ramakrishna Paramahansa: Book

Let us inform you that he neither wrote any books nor delivered public lectures. Instead, he chose to communicate using simple language, drawing observations from nature and everyday objects. Did you know that these conversations were recorded by his disciple, Mahendranath Gupta, who published them as the book “Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita” in Bengali? In 1942, its English version, “The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna,” was released.

10. Ramakrishna Paramahansa: Death

In 1885, Ramakrishna developed throat cancer. He was then moved to a spacious suburban villa where his young disciples cared for him tirelessly. During this time, they established the foundation for what would become the Ramakrishna Math, a future monastic brotherhood. On August 16, 1886, Ramakrishna passed away, uttering the name of the Divine Mother and entering Eternity. Following his death, Saradamoni emerged as a prominent religious leader in her own right.

FAQs on Ramakrishna Paramahansa

Why is Ramakrishna Paramahamsa famous?

Ramakrishna Paramahamsa is famous for his deep spirituality, mystical experiences, and teachings that emphasized the unity of all religions. He inspired the Ramakrishna Movement and the Ramakrishna Mission.

Who was Ramakrishna Paramahamsa short information?

Ramakrishna Paramahamsa (1836-1886) was a renowned Indian mystic and saint, known for his devotion to the goddess Kali and his teachings on the harmony of religions.

What are the important points of Ramakrishna Mission?

The Ramakrishna Mission, founded by Swami Vivekananda, focuses on spiritual development, social service, education, healthcare, and disaster relief, promoting the principles taught by Ramakrishna.

What is the nickname of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa?

Ramakrishna Paramahamsa is often referred to as Thakur by his devotees.