Beyond the mortal veil

Ramakrishna Paramahamsa is one of the most venerated spiritual figures of 19th century India, whose teachings surpassed religious boundaries and emphasised the unity of all faiths. His life, rooted in intense devotion and spiritual realisation, continues to inspire seekers of truth across the globe.

Born on February 18, 1836, in the small village of Kamarpukur in Bengal, Ramakrishna's early years were marked by simplicity and a deep connection with spirituality. His father, Kshudiram Chattopadhyay, passed away when Ramakrishna was just seven years old, placing the burden of the household on his elder brother, Ramkumar. Despite having little formal education, Ramakrishna's innate spiritual inclination became evident from a young age. He spoke only Bengali, knowing neither English nor Sanskrit, yet his words carried profound wisdom.

In 1852, compelled by poverty, Ramakrishna and Ramkumar moved to Calcutta (now Kolkata) where they took up priestly duties at the Dakshineswar Kali Temple. After Ramkumar's death in 1856, Ramakrishna, now the temple's head priest, immersed himself in devotion to Goddess Kali. His longing for a vision of the Divine Mother was so intense that it brought him to the brink of despair. Traditional accounts tell of a moment when overwhelmed by spiritual anguish, Ramakrishna prepared to end his life, only to be engulfed by an ocean of blissful light that he attributed to Kali's divine presence. This experience marked the beginning of his lifelong spiritual journey.

Ramakrishna's devotion to Kali deepened, and he often lost himself in ecstatic worship, transcending the rituals of priestly duties. Concerned for his mental well-being, his family arranged his marriage to Sarada Devi, a young girl from a nearby village. However, Ramakrishna's commitment to celibacy and spiritual pursuits remained unshaken, and the marriage evolved into a divine companionship, with Sarada Devi becoming his spiritual consort.

Driven by an insatiable thirst for spiritual realisation, Ramakrishna pursued various religious paths under the guidance of accomplished teachers. In 1861, Bhairavi Brahmani, a female tantric adept, introduced him to rigorous tantric practices, which he mastered with remarkable ease. Three years later, the wandering monk Totapuri led him to the pinnacle of spiritual experience—Nirvikalpa Samadhi, the state of absolute, non-dual existence. Ramakrishna remained immersed in this state of transcendence for six months, detached from the material world.

What set Ramakrishna apart was his belief in the harmony of religions. He explored Islam and Christianity with the same earnestness, experiencing divine revelations through each faith. For him, all paths led to the same ultimate truth. His famous dictum, "Yato mat, tato path" (as many faiths, so many paths), encapsulated this universal message of religious inclusivity.

As his spiritual reputation grew, devotees began flocking to Dakshineswar to seek his guidance. Among them was Narendranath Datta, later known as Swami Vivekananda, who would carry Ramakrishna's message of Vedanta across the world, revitalising Hinduism and awakening the soul of India.

Unlike many religious leaders, Ramakrishna did not write books or deliver public lectures. Instead, his teachings were simple, yet profound, conversations rich with parables and metaphors drawn from everyday life. These discourses, meticulously recorded by his disciple Mahendranath Gupta, were compiled into the celebrated work "Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita," later translated into English as "The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna."

Despite his spiritual raptures, Ramakrishna's physical body succumbed to illness. Diagnosed with throat cancer in 1885, he was moved to a suburban villa where his young disciples cared for him with tireless dedication. Even in his final days, he continued to inspire and unite his followers, laying the foundation for what would become the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. In the early hours of August 16, 1886, Ramakrishna breathed his last, uttering the name of the Divine Mother, Kali, and passing into eternity.

As the sun of spiritual wisdom that Ramakrishna kindled continues to shine, his message echoes through time: The ultimate goal of human life is God-realisation, and the divine resides not in distant heavens, but within every living being.