Life story of Thakur Anukulchandra

Thakur Anukulchandra is a great spiritual person. He was born on 14 September 1888 (Bangla 30th Bhadra, 1295). In a small village called Himaitpur in the Pabna district of the eastern zone of Bengal (the then undivided India) which is now in Bangladesh. He was born to Sri. Shibchandra Chakravarty (Shandilya Gotra, Kanyakubja Brahmin) and Manmohini Devi. His father was a sincere devoted Brahmin. He was disciple of Sri Sri Hujur Maharaj of North India. Both his parents were extremely devoted to God. It is said that His mother Manomohini Devi received initiation in her dream when she was sleeping at the age of five.

Sri Sri Thakur Anukulchandra was extremely devoted to his parents. He was a bit mother centric, from his early life. His mother remained his guru throughout his life. He was lover of the mankind. Anukulchandra took his initiation (called 'Dikhsha') from his mother on behalf of Huzur Maharaj. Huzur Maharaj was from Radhaswami Satsang, Dayalbagh, Agra. From the very beginning, Anukulchandra had been showing tremendous spiritual signs. He always used to do 'Kirton'/Naam-Kirton ("Hare Rama- Hare Krishna") with his friends and followers. Regularly he was getting into trance which was sometimes remaining even for more than 6 hours. He used to utter something during these trances and these are recorded and known as "messages". These were later collected and published in Punyapunthi. All these around him made him to be addressed as "Thakur".

Anukulchandra set up an Ashram( like hermitage ) at Pabna (later it was named Satsang). At Deoghar in India 1946 for fostering spiritual development a new Ashram had been set up by him. Eventually Satsang ashram at Deoghar became a major place of attraction in Deoghar of all kind of people in the society. Satsang is set up on its four ideals which are education, agriculture, industry, and good marriage. As a matter of fact he did not 'set up' any organization or institution. The organization started to be evolved around Thakur Anukulchandra. Charitable hospitals, a publishing house, engineering workshops, a printing press and schools came up over there to help the organization to be strong. Through-out his life he never wrote any book except one - 'Satyanusaran' (The Pursuit of Truth), which was only a letter to one of his friend Atulchandra. Conversations of various people with Sri Sri Thakur was recorded and published latter. And his direct sayings were compiled. This gave birth to the huge literature of his sayings. Among all these Satyanusaran, Anushruti, Punyapunthi, Pritibinayak, Chalar Sathi, Adarsh Binayak, Shashvati, Alochana Prasange series, Deeprakkhi series, Vigayn Vibhuti .

Mother Monmohini Devi was deeply inclined towards spiritualism, mainly towards prayer and meditation to The Almighty. She had the initiation from Huzurji Maharaj. The spiritualism consolidated within her was initiated by Huzurji Maharaj. In 1946 Thakur went to Deoghar in Bihar. And Deoghar ashram came up there as well. He proclaimed that until the marriage system in the human society does not take place as per the rules of Varnashram, there will be no peace and harmony in the world. All development work will happen to be futile.

To his devotees and followers, He was an 'avataar' who used to impart, manage and elongate existential becoming.He was the guide and the goad of life, towards existential proficiency with concentric zeal. He passed away on 27 January of 1969. Though He is no longer in the world but his followers are still patronizing his words, messages in many parts of India and Bangladesh.

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Life story of Sri Bijoy Krishna Goswami

He born in 1841 (Bangali year-1248) at Shantipur of Nabadip. The month was Sravan (Shraban or Srabon) and the day was full moon. His father was Anandakishor Goswami and mother was Swarnamoyee Devi, both were very pious.

His education life started from his village school, later he learned Sanskrit at Shantipur Tole (School). Completing His study in here, he moved to Kolkota Sanskrit College for higher study. He was a polite and cool person. He remained very religious and His friends were astonished to His attention towards religious activities.While He was a student of Sanskrit College, He got married. Bijoykrishna married Yogmaya, the daughter of Ramchandra Bhaduri of Shikarpur.

Bijoykrishna started to study Vedanta and at that time a change in religious faith was happening in Him. He became Mayabadi though He was from Goswami family. He wrote an annotation about Vedanta philosophy and became supporter of Advaitabad (Monism) and Mayabad. After studying sometime at Sanskrit College, He admitted into Medical College. He formed a forum or club with the help some student. They named it 'Hitasancharani'.They decided in meeting that what one believes as true, he would to try to implement it by heart and soul. Once Bijoykrisnha told, "Paita(sacrad thread) is the symbol of dividation". Hearing this, those classmates who were Brahmin, dropped their Paita. Gradullay He came contact with Brahmo Samaj. Debendranath Thakur and Keshob Sen's lecture inspired Him much, He felt an inclination towards this philosophy and decided to take this Brahmo Dharma. He came to Shantipur but He was not cordially receieved. Local people and even His kith and kin started to rebuke Him for following Brahmo religion.

He then returned to Kolkata. His medical admission was very near. He got a call from Brahmo Samaj to preach this philosophy. Without thinking much about his life as doctor, he took up the responsibility to preach Brahmo Dharma. He then became Acharya Bijoykrishna of Brahmo Samaj. He visited various parts of India and Bangladesh to preach Brahmo Dharma.Once He reached Kashi and met Trailongaswami at 'Monikornika Ghat' of river Ganga. Trailongaswami realized Bijoykrisnha's spiritual awakening and foretold Him that He would soon get His guru.

While staying in Northern India, Bijoykrishna got sick. One of his devotee sought help Loknath Brahmachari Maharaj of Barodi. Loknath Brahmachari saved Bijoykrishna's life. This incident made a deep impact in His life. With the blessings of Baba Loknath Brahmachari and Thakur Sri Ramkrishna Bijoykrishna truned into Goswami again.Bijoykrishna suddenly met powerfull yoga saint Brahamananda Swami at Akashganga Hill of Gaya. Brahmananda initiated Him and made Him a Hindu Yogi. After taking initiation Bijoykrishna came to Akasganga Hill and started meditation which lasted consecutively 11 days. Finally he went to Kashi by His guru's advice. There he met a Brahmachari, named Sri Hariharananda Saraswati. He took sainthood from Him. He wanted to leave His home and family for good but His guru Brahmananda forbade Him to do that. Bijoykrishna also left Brahmo Samaj.

After leaving Brahmo Samaj, Bijoykrishna fell in severe financial problem with wife,son,daughter and desciple. During that time Loknath Brahmochari suggested him to come and live at Gandaria near Dhaka (capital of Bangladesh) and start chanting and kirtan(a type of devotional song). It would help him to survive.

Though He set up an Ashram(hermitage) in Dhaka but he lived at Kolkata at times. Once He went to Vrindavan with His wife and there she died by cholera. In the bengali year of 1304 of Falgun month, Bijoykrishna left Kolkata and planned to visit Srikhetra though His mother forbade Him not to visit Srikhetra as she had a belief that her son would not return from there. His Swarnamoyee Devi was a great devotee and her anticipation did not go wrong. Bijoykrishna never returned from Srikhetra.

Bijoykrishna's name was spreading day by day and after short span of time, His name and fame spreaded to the other parts of Orissa. He created a divine environment and inspired people by His Kirtan. People were gathering and became His follower.

His name and fame made some people envious. One day a saint came and game Him sweetmeat as prasad. This sweetmeat was poisonous. Bijoykrishna took it with innocent mind and fell in sick after a short period of time. His treatment was going on but no sing of recovery was seen. Finally in 1899 (Bengali year 22 Jaistha of 1306), Sunday, He ended His human life. He was a devoted person and also was a loving person. His words and work still has a impact to the mankind.

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Life story of Tulsidas

Tulsidas is an well-known name to the spiritual people of Hinduism. He is also familiar as Goswami Tulsidas. He was a poet, saint and philosopher. Tulsidas is considered to be an incarnation of Valmiki, the sage who composed the original Ramayana, and is counted among the foremost devotees of Lord Rama. He was born in Rajpur (or Rajapur) in the Banda district of Uttar Pradesh. Biographers are not identical about the year. Sometimes it is mentioned that He was born in 16th century where some say it was 1497. Sometimes it is also heard that the year could be 1532 or 1554 or 1589. Is is believed that He was born in Hindu month Sravana (Srabon or Shraavana [July-August]).

His father's name was Atmaram Dubey(somebody mentioned as Atmaram Shukla Dubey ) and mother's name was Hulsi. He was a Sarayuparina Brahmin by birth, although some sources claim he was a Kanyakubja or Sanadhya Brahmin. His birth was a bit pathetic because he was born under the Abhuktamula constellation, which according to Hindu astrology causes immediate danger to the life of the father. That's why his parent abandoned him after couple of days of his birth. He was taken away by a servant to avoid inauspicious astrological event. It is heard that when born he did not cry rather he was chanting Sri Rama's name and therefore named Rambola (literally, he who utters Rama).

While he was growing up at the servant's house, one day Rambola met Narharidas, a descendant of Ramanand (Vaishnava saint). It is type of hearsay information that Narharidas is the fourth disciple of Ramanand. Narharidas took him to Ayodhya. Rambola was then only five years old. He was given Diksha(initiation) and Narharidas named him Tulsiram from a reference to a tulsi leaf used during that ceremony which later became Tulsidas. When Rambola was 7 years old, his Upanayana (a sacred-thread ceremony) was performed by Narharidas on the fifth day of the bright half of the month of Magha [January - February]. After some days (may be couple of months), Narharidas took him to Sukar-khet (Sukar-kshetra or Varaha kshetra), now known as Paska, near Ayodhya. There he started his teachings. It was here that Tulsidas heard the fascinating story of Sri Ramchandra for the first time. Tulsidas then moved to Varanasi, another sacred city. There He met Shesha Sanatana. Shesha Sanatana was a friend of Narharidas. He was hailed from Pancaganga Ghat. He was a learned person and had vast knowledge in Hindu philosophy. Tulsidas studied Sanskrit grammar, four Vedas, six Vedangas, Jyotisha and the six schools of Hindu philosophy over a period of 10-15 years from guru Shesha Sanatana.

Tulsidas was married to Ratnavali. Ratnavali was a daughter of a Brahmin. Tulsidas was very much devoted or compassionate towards Ratnavali. Tulsidas worshiped Hanumanji by heart and oneday when He was in Hanumanji temple, Ratnavali went to her father's home with her brother. After coming from temple when Tulsidas did not find her at home, He began to search her and came to know that Ratnavali went to her parent's house. He quickly decided to meet her and then swam across the Yamuna river in the night to meet his wife. Seeing Him, Ratnavali was not pleased and she rebuked Him and remarked that if He had devotion towards God as much as He had towards her, He would have found God. Tulsidas was a devotee of Lord Rama from early childhood, and these words affected him deeply. Tulsidas left her instantly, renounced householder's life and and became a Sadhu (Hindu ascetic). He left for the holy city of Prayag. Tulsidas and Ratnavali had a son named Tarak. He did not live long and died as a toddler. Here controversy also lies as some biographers mentions that Tulsidas never married, He was a saint for time. He maintained celibacy from His childhood. They marks it as later interpolation.

After renunciation, He traveled the length and breadth of India, visiting Prayag, Ayodhya, and Chitrakuta and many more places, met different type of peoples, saints and sages. Perhaps the best known part of His spiritual traveling was the meeting of Sri Hanumanji and Lord Rama. Tulsidas had the habit of pouring some water at the base of a banyan tree when he passed that way after His morning ablutions. Oneday, on His return, He was pouring water as usual, a spirit that was suffering the effects of past evil deeds lived on a tree, quenched his thirst and got some relief. The spirit was pleased and in order to express gratitude, it appeared to Tulsidas and offered Him a boon. As Tuslidas was devotee of Sri Ramchandra, His only wishes was to see His Lord. The spirit replied this is beyond his capacity but he could guide Him. The spirit said you could take the help of Sri Hanumanji, He comes everyday in guise of an old to listen the hymn of Sri Rama, he is the first to arrive and last to leave. The next day, when Tuslidas recognized this old man, He bow down to the old man's feet and started lamenting, "I have come to know that who are you. Please bless me. I want to see my Lord Sri Rama."

Hanumanji was pleased and instructed Him. According to His advice, Tulsidas remained in Chitrakut and making sandalwood paste and giving it to the devotees who came there. One day, while he was making the paste, Sri Ram appeared in front of him and said: ''Baba, give me some sandalwood paste for Tilaka (a religious mark on the forehead)." Tulsidas was overwhelmed as He started to see His dearest Lord and went into samadhi. Sri Rama took some sandalwood paste and put it to Tulsidas's forehead with his own hand. Tulsidas remained in samadhi(transcendental meditation) for three days. This was the first time he experienced samadhi through the darshan(see) of Sri Rama Himself!

Ramcharitmanas is Tulsidas's one of great literary work. He is also the author of several other works including Vinaya Patrika, Gitavali, Dohavali and Kavitavali. His minor works include Baravai Ramayana, Janaki Mangal, Ramalala Nahachhu, Ramajna Prashna, Parvati Mangal, Krishna Gitavali, Hanuman Bahuka, Sankata Mochana and Vairagya Sandipini. Furthermore, he is the seer of the Hanuman Chalisa, a powerful and popular mantra for Hanuman, in 40 verses. Tulsidas died at the Ashi Ghat on the bank of the river Ganga in the year 1623.

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Life story of Prabhu Jagadbandhu

It was almost hundred years ago, a theater was going on at Pabna. The name of that drama was 'Dhrubacharitra'. Many people of different age came to watch this. Dhruba came and started to sing. The audience was silent, suddenly a teenage boy became unconscious with ecstasy. His mind became eager to meet 'Sri krishna', the boy lost his consciousness. There present a doctor, name Dr. Chandrashakher Kali, he inspected the teen but did not find any clue of his consciousness. The boy went in deep meditation thinking about God. He came to normal position gradually when he was listened to divine song of God. The name of that teenage boy was 'Jagat'. Later he was renowned as Sri Sri Jagadbandhu Sundar.

He was born in 17th May of 1781 in Dahapara village of Murshidabad district. His father name was 'Dinanath Chakraborti and his mother's name was 'Bamadebi'. Dinanath Chakraborti was a knowledgeable person. They were Brahmin. Dinanath's ancestral house was in Komarpur village of Faridpur (now in Bangladesh) district.

Jagat was their third son. After His birth, a Nepali saint told to His father that He would be a king. Hearing this, Dinanath said, 'My holy saint, pardon me, I am a poor Brahmin.'' The saint smiled, and told, " He will be the king of yoga.

Jagat lost his mother at childhood. Dinanath then came back to his own village Gavindapur of Faridpur district. Jagat was then brought up by his cousin Digambari. He lost his father at the age of five and after five month they returned to Faridpur town due to loss of their house. The bank of the river Padma was breaking and it took away their house.

Jagat was enrolled in the Faridpur Zila School. Later he went to Pabna town and continued his study. There lived a saint under a ancient plain tree near the uptown. People used to call him a 'Khepa baba'. Jagat loved to visit Him and He called him 'Old Shiv'. They both met day after day and started to share spiritual experience. Then He composed many hymn. He went to meditate under the banyan tree at His leisure time.

He did not continue much to the school then. Many divine gestures were seen in him and gradually a folk of fan has been gathered. They sang kirtan ( a type of devotional song) and chanted the name of God. Since then he became familiar as 'Jagadbandhu' and won people's heart.

Oneday he left his devotees and prepared to visit holy places. He visited many places, villages and spread the name of God. In this way, one day he reached 'Sri Dham Vrindaban'. He was going deeper and deeper in spiritual practice. Sometimes he lay down on the road by surrendering himself at the feet of Vrishabhanu (Sri Radharani). Sometimes he cries and walk around the 'Radhakunda'. Finally his passion and devotion for God brought result and he got the divine blessings of God Himself. He got the blessings of Sri Sri Radharani and wrote:

Jay Radhe Dharma, Jay Radhe Jay
Jay Radhe Karma, Jay Radhe Jay

He returned to Faridpur in 1890 and started to living in Brahmankanda. In that period, Saotal (a type of tribe) and Namahsudra (lower class caste) lived in uptown of Faridpur. They were neglected and untouchable in the eyes of so called higher class people. Christian priest took the advantage of it. They used to campaign to convert those into Christianity. His mind cried out when he saw them converting. He decided to meet their leader Rajani and when Rajani came to meet He(Jatatbandhu) quickly clung him. He asked him why do you want to convert into Christianity? Rajani replied,"We are lower class people and poor. Everybody look down on us. If we convert into Christianity then we will have no such problem". Listening all these, Prabhu told him, "Why do you think in this way? Who said you are low caste and poor? All are equal. You are human. There is no high-low variation in human race. You all are the servant of God. From today you are Haridas Mohanto. Chant the name of Hari (God), you all will be blessed."

Getting divine blessings from Prabhu Jagadbandhu, these lower caste people started to enjoy 'Harinam' (name of God). Soon Haridas Mohanto became familiar as 'Kirtaniya( devotional song)' by the inspiration of Prabhu Jagadbandhu Sundor. Gradually this ''Harinam Kirtan'' spread to the nearby district of Faridpur like Barisahal, Jessore etc. In this way, 'Mahanam Sampradaya' formed. Sripad Mahandraji, another great devotee of Prabhu Jagadbandhu contributed immensely to form this team.

His name and fame expanded to Kolkata also. The morticians in Kolkata also came under touch of Prabhu. They also formed 'Harinam Shonkirtan' (devotional song) team.

Prabhu Jagadbandhu founded 'Sri Angan' ashram in Faridpur. There he started transcendental practice of spiritual life. His 'Gambhira Leela' (Silence worship) started there. From 1902-1918(Bangla Ashaar,1302 to 16th Falgun of 1325), 16 years 8 months, he continued his silence. In 1921, he left his mortal body.

He wrote 3 books, 'Sri Sri Harikatha', 'Chandrapat' and 'Trikal'. He also composed many Kirtan (devotional song).

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Life story of Swami Swarupananda

Swami Swarupananda is a another great saint of India. He is hailed as Swami Swarupananda Paramhansa . He is also known as Sri Sri Babamoni to his disciples. He was a great orator also.

Swami Swarupananda was born on 25 December 1885, Bengali 1294 (Many disciples/followers believe that date of birth is 27th December 1899(13th Pous 1306 B.S. Tuesday) at Chandpur district of Bangladesh. His childhood name was Bankim Chandra Gangopadhyay (nickname Baltu). He was son of Satish Chandra Gangopadhyay and Mamata Devi. Satish Chandra Gangopadhyay was a great poet and a pure devotee of God and simple nature man. The whole family was religious by nature and was very kind and they were famous for donations.

Since Childhood Baltu was religious in nature and his favorite game was meditation with friends. He used to meditate under the tree at the lonely ground at Chandpur village. He successfully completed his matriculation with distinction from a school in Dahka. Later he came to Kolkata and took admission in Surendranath College but it is said that he could not complete his education there as he was arrested several times by the then British Government. Some of his book made tremendous impression amongst the freedom-fighters. Many of them used to read and keep these books. But the authority failed to prove anything harmful in this book and freed him later.

Bankim Chandra Gangopadhyay(Baltu) took formal vows of Sannyas just after the independence. He took initiation from Mahamandaleshwar Jayendra Puri. It is heard that He took initiation on the occasion of Maha Kumbha at Haridwar. His Master Mahamandaleshwar Jayendra Puri named him as Akhanda Mandaleshwar Sri Sri Swami Swarupananda Paramhansa Deva. Later, his followers used to respectfully address him as 'Babamoni'.

He decided to dedicate his entire life to work & worship. His selfless love was visible in all his actions. He was generous and compassionate to all and had a truly divine sense of humor. He inspired by example, and to see Babamani performed Samabeta Upasana created a desire in the blessed observer to also worship the Divine. To hear him chant filled with the bhava of inspired enthusiasm, creates a desire in devotees mind to learn the mantras. To watch him, sparks a desire to experience that same depth of absorption.

He used to chant "Hari Om" as unique mantra (hymn). He believed that by chanting "Hari Om", one can attain ultimate goal in spiritual life. During his life time he visited and traveled several places and sprinkle name of God. He was a great orator. He also wrote many books for all classes of people. On 21st April, 1984, he left this mortal body for the heavenly abode in the lap of the spirit. His funeral (Mahasamadhi) was done in 27th April, 1984.

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Life story of Sri Ramkrishna

Sri Ramakrishna was born on 18 February 1836 in the village of Kamarpukur about sixty miles northwest of Kolkata. His parents, Kshudiram Chattopadhyaya and Chandramani Devi, were poor but very pious and virtuous. As a child, Ramakrishna (his childhood name was Gadadhar) was dearly loved by the villagers. From early days, he was disinclined towards formal education and worldly affairs. He was, however, a talented boy, and could sing and paint well. He was fond of serving holy men and listening to their discourses. He was also very often found to be absorbed in spiritual moods. At the age of six, he experienced the first ecstasy while watching a flight of white cranes moving against the background of black clouds. This tendency to enter into ecstasy intensified with age. His father's death when he was seven years old served only to deepen his introspection and increase his detachment from the world.

When Sri Ramakrishna was sixteen, his brother Ramkumar took him to Kolkata to assist him in his priestly profession. In 1855 the Kali Temple at Dakshineswar built by Rani Rasmani was consecrated and Ramkumar became the chief priest in that temple. When he died a few months later, Ramakrishna was appointed the priest. Ramakrishna developed intense devotion to Mother Kali and spent hours in loving adoration of her image, forgetting the rituals of priestly duties. His intense longing culminated in the vision of Mother Kali as boundless effulgence engulfing everything around him.

Sri Ramakrishna's God-intoxicated state alarmed his relatives in Kamarpukur and they got him married to Saradamani, a girl from the neighbouring village of Jayrambati. Unaffected by the marriage, Sri Ramakrishna plunged into even more intense spiritual practices. Impelled by a strong inner urge to experience different aspects of God he followed, with the help of a series of Gurus, the various paths described in the Hindu scriptures, and realized God through each of them. The first teacher to appear at Dakshineswar (in 1861) was a remarkable woman known as Bhairavi Brahmani who was an advanced spiritual adept, well versed in scriptures. With her help Sri Ramakrishna practised various difficult disciplines of the Tantrik path, and attained success in all of them. Three years later came a wandering monk by name Totapuri, under whose guidance Sri Ramakrishna attained Nirvikalpa Samadhi, the highest spiritual experience mentioned in the Hindu scriptures. He remained in that state of non-dual existence for six months without the least awareness of even his own body. In this way, Sri Ramakrishna relived the entire range of spiritual experiences of more than three thousand years of Hindu religion.With his unquenchable thirst for God, Sri Ramakrishna broke the frontiers of Hinduism, glided through the paths of Islam and Christianity, and attained the highest realization through each of them in a short span of time. He looked upon Jesus and Buddha as incarnations of God, and venerated the ten Sikh Gurus. He expressed the quintessence of his twelve-year-long spiritual realizations in a simple dictum: Yato mat, tato path "As many faiths, so many paths. He now habitually lived in an exalted state of consciousness in which he saw God in all beings".

In 1872, his wife Sarada, now nineteen years old, came from the village to meet him. He received her cordially, and taught her how to attend to household duties and at the same time lead an intensely spiritual life. One night he worshipped her as the Divine Mother in his room at the Dakshineswar temple. Although Sarada continued to stay with him, they lived immaculately pure lives, and their marital relationship was purely spiritual. It should be mentioned here that Sri Ramakrishna had been ordained a Sannyasin (Hindu monk), and he observed the basic vows of a monk to perfection. But outwardly he lived like a lay man, humble, loving and with childlike simplicity. During Sri Ramakrishna's stay at Dakshineswar, Rani Rasmani first acted as his patron. After her death, her son-in-law Mathur Nath Biswas took care of his needs.

Sri Ramakrishna's name as an illumined saint began to spread. Mathur once convened an assembly of scholars, and they declared him to be not an ordinary human being but the Avatar of the Modern Age. In those days the socio-religious movement known as Brahmo Samaj, founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, was at the height of popularity in Bengal. Sri Ramakrishna came into contact with several leaders and members of Brahmo Samaj and exerted much influence on them. His teaching on harmony of religions attracted people belonging to different denominations, and Dakshineswar became a veritable Parliament of Religions.

As bees swarm around a fully blossomed flower, devotees now started coming to Sri Ramakrishna. He divided them into two categories. The first one consisted of householders. He taught them how to realize God while living in the world and discharging their family duties. The other more important category was a band of educated youths, mostly from the middle class families of Bengal, whom he trained to become monks and to be the torchbearers of his message to mankind. The foremost among them was Narendranath, who years later, as Swami Vivekananda, carried the universal message of Vedanta to different parts of the world, revitalized Hinduism, and awakened the soul of India.

Sri Ramakrishna did not write any book, nor did he deliver public lectures. Instead, he chose to speak in a simple language using parables and metaphors by way of illustration, drawn from the observation of nature and ordinary things of daily use. His conversations were charming and attracted the cultural elite of Bengal. These conversations were noted down by his disciple Mahendranath Gupta who published them in the form of a book, Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita in Bengali. Its English rendering, The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, was released in 1942; it continues to be increasingly popular to this day on account of its universal appeal and relevance.

The intensity of his spiritual life and untiring spiritual ministration to the endless stream of seekers told on Sri Ramakrishna's health. He developed cancer of the throat in 1885. He was shifted to a spacious suburban villa where his young disciples nursed him day and night. He instilled in them love for one another, and thus laid the foundation for the future monastic brotherhood known as Ramakrishna Math. In the small hours of 16 August 1886 Sri Ramakrishna gave up his physical body, uttering the name of the Divine Mother, and passed into Eternity.

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Life story of Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda, or Narendranath Datta, or simply Naren, as he was called in his pre-monastic days, was born to Vishwanath Datta and Bhuvaneswari Devi in Calcutta on Monday, 12 January 1863. The Datta family was reach, respectable, and renowned for charity, learning, and a strong spirit of independence. Narandranath's grandfather, Durgacharan Datta, was well-versed in Persian and Sanskrit and was skilled in law. But after the birth of his son Vishwanath, he renounced the world and become a monk. He was then only twenty-five years of age.

Vishwanath Datta was an attorney-at-law in the Calcutta High Court. He was proficient in English and Persian, and took great delight in reciting to his family the poems of the Persian poet Hafiz. He also enjoyed the study of the Bible and of the Hindu scriptures in Sanskrit. Though charitable to an extravagant degree and sympathetic towards the poor, Vishwanath was rationalistic and progressive in outlook in matters religious and social, owing perhaps to the influence of western culture. Bhuvaneswari Devi was an accomplished lady with a regal bearing. She was deeply religious. Before the birth of Narendranath, though she had four daughters, she yearned for a son and asked one of her relatives at Varanasi to make religious offerings to Viresvara(Vireswara) Siva. It is said that she dreamt later that Siva promised to be born as her son. Narendranath was born some time afterwards.

In his early childhood, Narendranath was rather restless and given to much fun and frolic. But at the same time, he had a great attraction for spiritual matters and would play at worshipping or meditating on the images of Rama-Sita, Siva etc. The stories of Ramayana and the Mahabharata, which his mother told him, left an indelible impression on his mind. Traits such as courage, sympathy for the poor, and attraction towards wandering monks appeared spontaneously in him. Even in childhood, Narendranath demanded convincing arguments for every proposition. With these qualities of head and heart, he grew into a vigorous youth.

At the feet of Sri Ramakrishna:
As a youth, Narendranath's leonine beauty was matched by his courage. He has the build of an athlete, a resonant voice, and a brilliant intellect. He distinguished himself in athletics, philosophy, music and among his colleagues was the undisputed leader. At college, he studied and absorbed western thought,and this implanted a spirit of critical inquiry in his mind. His inborn tendency towards spirituality and his respect for ancient religious traditions and beliefs, on the one side, and his argumentative nature, coupled with his sharp intellect, on the other, were now at war with each other. In this predicament, he tried find comfort in the Brahmo Samaj, the popular socio-religious movement of the time. The Brahmo Samaj believed in a formless God, deprecated the worship of idols, and addressed itself to various forms of social reform. Narendranath also met prominent religious leaders, but could not get a convincing answer from them to his questions about the existence of God. This only accentuated his spiritual restlessness.

At this critical juncture, he remembered the words of his Professors, William Hastie, who had mentioned that a saint lived at Dakshineswar, just outside Kolkata, who experienced the ecstasy described by Words-worth in his poem, The Excursion. His cousin Ramchandra Datta also induced him to visit the saint. Thus came about, in 1981, the historic meeting of these two great souls, the prophet of modern India and the carrier of his message. Narendranath asked: "Sir, have you seen God?" Sri Ramakrishna answered his question in the affirmative: "Yes, I have seen Him just as I see you here, only more intensely." At last, here was one who could assure him from his experience that God existed. His doubt was dispelled. The disciple's training had begun.

In 1984, when Narendranath's father passed away, his family suffered many troubles and privations. At the suggestion of his Master, He tried to pray to Mother Kali at Dakshineswar for the alleviation of the family's distress but he could pray only for knowledge and devotion. Gradually Narendranath surrendered himself to the Master and Sri Ramkrishna with infinite patience, calmed the rebellious spirit of his young disciple and led him forth from doubt to certinity and from anguish to spiritual bliss. By this time, Ramkrishna became ill and was diagnosed to be a cancer in throat. In 1985, Ramkrishna was moved to Shyampukur and later in Cossipore. Sri Ramakrishna instilled in these young men the spirit of renunciation and brotherly love for one another. One day he distributed ochre robes among them and sent them out to beg food. In this way he himself laid the foundation for a new monastic order. He gave specific instructions to Narendra about the formation of the new monastic Order. In the small hours of 16 August 1886 Sri Ramakrishna gave up his mortal body. After the Master's passing, fifteen of his young disciples (one more joined them later) began to live together in a dilapidated building at Baranagar in North Kolkata. Under the leadership of Narendra, they formed a new monastic brotherhood, and in 1887 they took the formal vows of sannyasa, thereby assuming new names. Narendra now became Swami Vivekananda (although this name was actually assumed much later.)

In July 1890, the Swami took leave of Sri Sarada Devi, the divine consort of Sri Ramakrishna, known to the world as Holy Mother, who was then staying in Kolkata. He also took leave of his brother monks, with the firm to resolve to cut himself free from all ties. Swamiji left Baranagar Math and embarked on a long journey of exploration and discovery of India. His wandering took him to various places of pilgrimage and historical interest in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujrat, Maharashtra, Mysore, Kerala, Madras, and Hyderabad etc.During his travels all over India, Swami Vivekananda was deeply moved to see the appalling poverty and backwardness of the masses that caused his soul to burn in agony. While traveling in India, he came to know that World's Parliament of Religions to be held in Chicago in 1893.He felt an urgency that this conference would be the right stage to deliver his Mastar's message to the world. To provide help to the poor people of India, he had a realization that it is important to go to West. With this decision he journeyed to Rameswaram and Madurai. He then went on to Madras, where a group of young men, headed by Alasinga Perumal, were eagerly awaiting his arrival. To them, he revealed his intention of visiting America to attend the Parliament of Religious. His young disciples forthwith raised a subscription for his passage. But the Swami was not yet certain that it was the Divine Mother's will that he should go, and so he asked them to give away the money to the poor. At this juncture, the Swami had a symbolic dream in which Sri Ramakrishna walked out into the sea and beckoned him to follow. This dream, coupled with Sri Ma Sarada Devi's blessings, removed his skeptic and settled his mind to visit West.

His speeches at the World's Parliament of Religions held in September 1893. Parliament of the World's Religions opened on 11 September 1893 at the Art Institute of Chicago as part of the World's Columbian Exposition. He went there as a representative of India and Hinduism. He was very nervous just before his speech, he bowed to Devi Saraswati (the Hindu goddess of knowledge,learning and wisdom). He then began his speech with, "Sisters and brothers of America!". To these words he got a standing ovation from a crowd of seven thousand, which lasted for two minutes. The parliament ended on 27 September 1893. All his speeches at the Parliament had the common theme of universality, and emphasised religious tolerance. After the Parliament, Swamiji spent nearly three and a half years spreading Vedanta as lived and taught by Sri Ramakrishna, mostly in the eastern parts of USA and also in London. During his first visit to the West, he travelled to England twice -- in 1895 and 1896. He gave many private lecturers there.

He returned to India in January 1897. In response to the enthusiastic welcome that he received everywhere, he delivered a series of lectures in different parts of India, which created a great stir all over the country. His speeches had influence on the contemporaneous and subsequent Indian leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Bipin Chandra Pal, Balgangadhar Tilak and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose etc. Soon after his return to Kolkata, he founded a unique type of organization known as Ramakrishna Mission on 1 May 1897, in which monks and lay people would jointly undertake propagation of Practical Vedanta, and various forms of social service, such as running hospitals, schools, colleges, hostels, rural development centres etc, and conducting massive relief and rehabilitation work for victims of earthquakes, cyclones and other calamities, in different parts of India and other countries. In early 1898 Swami Vivekananda acquired a big plot of land on the western bank of the Ganga at a place called Belur to have a permanent abode for the monastery and monastic order originally started at Baranagar, and got it registered as Ramakrishna Math after a couple of years. Here Swamiji established a new, universal pattern of monastic life which adapts ancient monastic ideals to the conditions of modern life, which gives equal importance to personal illumination and social service, and which is open to all men without any distinction of religion, race or caste.

Vivekananda left for the West for the second time in June 1899 despite his declining health. He was accompanied by Sister Nivedita and with some disciples. He returned to Belur Math in December 1900. His health condition was not so good. In spite of that he carried his normal life. All his actions during the last days were deliberate and significant. On July 4 1902, he meditated from 8 to 11 in the morning. After evening, he went to his room and he lay down quietly and after some time he took two deep breaths and passed into eternal rest. The time was probably 9.00pm.He was cremated on sandalwood funeral pyre on the bank of Ganga in Belur. On the other bank of the river, Ramakrishna had been cremated sixteen years before.

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