Shri Ramkrishna Paramahans

Childhood

Born on February 18, 1836 at Kamarpukur village in the then Bengal provine Ramakrishna Paramhansa was a great Saint from Bharat. He was named Gadadhar by His parents Khudiram and Chandradevi. Gadadhar could not concentrate on studying and teaching. In 1855 His older brother Ramkumar Chattopadhyay was appointed the chief priest of the Kali temple in Dakshineshwar. Gadadhar was allotted the responsibility of embellishing the idol of the Devi. In 1856 after the death of Ramkumar, Gadhadhar was appointed as a priest in the same temple.

Marriage

At the age of 23, in 1859, He was married to the 5-year-old Sharadamani Mukhopadhyay from Jayrambati situated three miles to the north-east of Kamarpukur. However even after marriage Sharada remained in Jayrambati and came to live with Ramakrishna at Dakshineshwar only when she was 18 years old. At that time Ramkrishna was leading the life of a renunciant (sanyasi). Sharadamani became His disciple after which she came to be known as Sharada Devi.

Spiritual practice

At Panchavati in Dakshineshwar Ramakrishnaji would remain engrossed in meditation. He would yearn for a vision of God. Though He was married to Sharadamani but His spiritual emotion towards a woman was only of Devotion similar towards a mother. He was not at all interested in worldly life. That is why He had left home at the age of 17 of His own accord and surrendered Himself at the Holy feet of Mother Kali. Day and night, He would remain engrossed in spiritual practice. He stunned everyone with His devotion. He would reveal how the Goddess Kali would come to meet him and how He would feed Her by his own hands. When She left, He would pine for Her and cry like a child does for its mother. Ramakrishna was an ardent devotee of Deity Kali.

Towards the end of His life He would remain in a state of samadhi (superconscious state). On the morning of August 16, 1886, Shravan 1 as per the Hindu lunar calendar, He renounced His body.

Inspiring incidents from the life of Ramakrishna Paramhans

The root cause of ego

Once there was an argument between two disciples of Ramakrishna Paramhansa on who is the greater one between the two of them. Eventually this conflict reached Gurudev. The disciples asked Paramhansa to give the final verdict.
When Paramhansa heard this He said – “You are fighting over petty issues. The answer to your question is very simple. The one who thinks that the other one is greater than him is the great one.”

After hearing this both disciples began calling the other great. This made Him smile mischievously.

The state of liberated souls

Once Ramakrishna Paramhansa came for a stroll to the river bank with a few disciples. Here He saw some fishermen fishing. Going close to the river with the disciples Paramhansa said, –“I am looking at the fish caught in the fishing net”.

Of the fish trapped in the net some were lethargic not making any effort to get out of it, some were unable to get out despite making efforts while some were successful in getting out and swimming back into the river. Paramhansa told His disciples – “Like these three types of fish man too is of three kinds – first the one caught in the web of worldly life and ready to die in it. He makes absolutely no attempt to get out of this web. The second type make attempts to get out of it but is unsuccessful and the third type is the one who manages to achieve his final target of getting out of this Great Illusion.”

A disciple said – “Gurudev there are one more type of people whom you have not mentioned.” Paramhans replied – “Yes, the fourth type are those great souls who do not even come close to this web of Great Illusion, so there is no question of their getting trapped in it.”

Teachings of Ramakrishna Paramhansa

• Self-realisation is impossible till the mind has desires.

• God has several forms and Names. His grace too can be received in different ways. Which form or Name you worship outwardly is unimportant. What is important is being able to perceive the God within yourself.

• Instead of craze for worldly objects become crazy for the love of God.

• Pray to God to reduce the desire for wealth, fame and comfort gradually on its own with each passing day.