Today we will discuss SWAMI RAMAKRISHNA PARAMHANSA THE SAGE WHO INSPIRED THE INDIAN RENAISSANCE
SWAMI RAMAKRISHNA PARAMHANSA THE SAGE WHO INSPIRED THE INDIAN RENAISSANCE
The man who inspired the leaders of the Indian Renaissance in the T nineteenth century was great saint Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa of Dakshineshwar. The life story of the sage reveals his deep passion for programs of social reform like eradication of untouchability and building communal harmony based on human dignity. A whole lot of reformers like Keshub Chandra Sen, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Devendra Nath Tagore and others flocked to him to seek spiritual guidance and solace.
It was Acharya Keshub Chandra Sen, the father of the Brahmo Samaj movement who wrote extensively about Sri Ramakrishna and introduced him to the people of Kolkata. Swami Vivekananda who later became a great exponent of his Master’s ideology, was introduced to him through the writings of Keshub Chandra Sen.
The contemporary accounts portray Sri Ramakrishna, as a simple and sincere man who had no formal education but had great felicity to explain difficult religious issues in plain and simple words. He not only accepted and believed in all religions and prophets but experienced their truth by living as a practising Christian and Muslim in various phases of his life.
Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa liked to know and encourage people devoted to public causes. Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar, who had earned a great reputation as an advocate of women’s education and social reforms, particularly fascinated him. On one occasion the sage went to visit him at his place. The conversation between the two was full of repartees and makes an interesting read.
SRP: I come here to you as a muddy little stream into the deep sea (Sagar)
ICV: But you must remember that seawater is full of salt, and the freshwater stream after mixing with the sea loses all its sweetness and becomes salty.
SRP: It is not the sea of ignorance (Avidya sugar), which indeed is to be shunned but the sea of wisdom (Vidya Sagar) that draws me into its welcome waters.
ICV: But the sea has dangers and perils and thousands of monsters hide in its treacherous waters.
SRP: Are there not pearls in the deep waters of the sea? In search of those pearls I am here The sea is known for its hidden treasures. Great is your value, Vidyasagar.
Right from his childhood Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, strongly disapproved birth-based discriminations. On the occasion of his thread ceremony, he refused to sit on platform until one Dhani, a woman belonging to blacksmith caste was accorded a place of honour. Later at Dakshineshwar, many a time he went missing and was found with a bucket and broom cleaning the lavatories of the temple.
Their sweeper of the temple, one Rasik Lal saw people coming to pay respects to the sage and he too felt like touching his feet But social customs prevented him from going near anything holy and he occasionally looked reverently at Sri Ramakrishna from behind the bush. One day Rasik Lal saw the sage walking towards him. Rasik Lal started retreating but Sri Ramakrishna walked fast, caught hold of him and gave him an affectionate embrace.
Similarly, Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa not only accepted and believed in the truth of all religious traditions but treated the adherents of other religions with same love and respect. When the force of customs and traditions impelled him to act otherwise, he felt no hesitation in acknowledging the lapse and take immediate remedial steps.
On one occasion, Sri Ramakrishna heard an ice cream vendor calling out in the street Being fond of ice cream, he sent for the vendor who turned out to be a Muslim. On account of prevailing social prejudices the Master hesitated to buy eatables from a Muslim and sent him off. But the exponent of the principle of ‘Jiva is Shiva’ (God abides in all) felt spiritually diminished by his own action. He immediately called back the vendor, expressed deep pain, bought the ice cream and had it in the presence of the vendor.
No wonder, the life of Sri Ramakrishna inspired and continues to inspire many people to take to renunciation and devote themselves to the service of mankind.
See more:
1 thought on “SWAMI RAMAKRISHNA PARAMHANSA THE SAGE WHO INSPIRED THE INDIAN RENAISSANCE”