Ramakrishna Paramhansa (Mystic Saints of India: 5)

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Ramakrishna was perhaps the first modern saint of India who considered all the religions, many of which he himself practised, as pathways to God. Born about two centuries ago his teachings and precepts have still their relevance in the modern, complex life wherein man often finds himself bewildered at the confusing cross-currents of contradictory thoughts. He deprecated narrow sect differences and advocated unswering devotion to God as the means of salvation. He could change people's life by his mere touch or presence, and actually did so in the case of many including arch disciple, Vivekananda. This small volume endeavours to give a systematic account of Ramakrishna's life and disciples and of his philosophy explained in an unbiased and simple down-to-earth manner.

B.K. Chaturvedi, born in a village, Holipura (Agra, UP), on August 3, a reputed family, had his education in Allahabad (M.Sc.) and Bangalore 1945 in a. (Computer programming). Having served for a couple of years in HMT, he is now a freelance author, journalist, poet and translator based in New Delhi for about a couple of decades.

He has many articles/poems and books published in both Hindi and English to his credit. Prominent among them are the metered-verse English translation of the famous epic of modern Hindi, KAMAYANI; original long poem DEHA-DANSHA; English verse translation of Sahir Ludhyanvi's famous Nazm PARCHAAINYAN; the latest being a journalistic appraisal, KARGIL BETRAYAL. He has also rendered 'SRIMADBHAGWAT GITA' into Hindi & English, published a couple of years ago. His translation, both in Hindi and English, of 'SRI RAM CHARITA MANAS' is likely to be published soon. A profic writer he often writes for TV and Radio.

Rama Krishna Paramhansa was a saint of a unique class. Neither was he an ascetic saint like Shankaracharya, nor a pure Vaishnava saint like Chaitanya nor like the worldly wise saint Kabir - he was, in fact, a bit of each one of them. Although appearing quite different and liberal in his general outlook, he was no different from the poet saints of the Bhakti Kaal (the era of devotion) which saw the emergence of Nanak, Dadu, Kabir, Surdas, Tulsidas etc. The subterranean stream of total devotion to the chosen deity that flowed through his heart made him a saint of love. It has been an attempt to capture a glimpse of his total personality in this slender volume. Apart from giving the important events and incidents of his life we have also appended the essence of his views on various aspects of life.

While writing this book the author has heavily drawn upon the earlier authentic books written on him by his various associates and disciples and published by either the RK MISSION or other renowned publishers, for which the author is deeply indebted to them. It is hoped that our discerning readers would accord this fifth flower of the garland of India's renowned mystic saints the same warm welcome as they did to the other four. The aim has been to present these saints with an objective assessment sans any attempt to deify them.

Lastly the author expresses his gratitude to Pradeep Ji of Books For All who helped him in various ways to write this book fairly and frankly.