Akka Mahadevi: The Blazing Sun of Bhakti

In the series on the Saints of India, this article presents the life and message of Akka Mahadevi, the third saint presented here from the Veerashaiva tradition.

The Art of Forming and Reforming Habits

The art of forming and reforming habits is of great relevance to all of us, irrespective of gender, race, colour, and age. This article examines how habits are formed and how they can be reformed or changed.

Swami Ramakrishnananda: His Contribution to the Philosophical Tradition of the Ramakrishna Order

Born on 13 July 1863 in Ichapur village, West Bengal, to parents who were sincere spiritual aspirants, Shashi Bhusan Chakrabarty was a brilliant student of Sanskrit and Mathematics, and a scholarship holder of Calcutta University. He came to Sri Ramakrishna in 1883 and soon became his close disciple. After Sri Ramakrishna’s mahasamadhi in August 1886, in keeping with his matchless devotion and service to the Master, Swami Vivekananda gave him the sannyasa name Ramakrishnananda. On Swamiji’s instruction, he came to Madras (now Chennai) in March 1897 and worked tirelessly to establish Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai and spread the Ramakrishna – Vivekananda Movement in South India. His lectures, writings, and letters are available in three volumes published by Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai.

You Are My Ideal

A fictional narrative based on incidents from the childhood of Swami Vivekananda.

Music And Mynah In Gramercy Park

This article is reproduced from Ka Jingshai – The Light, a biennial e-zine (also a printed magazine) published from Ramakrishna Mission, Shillong in Khasi, English and Hindi languages. The magazine portrays the culture and spirituality of Meghalaya in a universal context through art, poetry, literature and humour. Ka Jinghsai is the first e-zine of Ramakrishna Order in Khasi. Subscription to this e-zine at https://kajingshai.rkmshillong.org is free.

The Talented Naren

A fictional narrative based on incidents from the childhood of Swami Vivekananda.

The Light Beckons

The Stories of Nammaazhvaar and Madhura Kavi

Sri Sarada Devi as Shodasi

The young girl stood by the window of her modest house in Jayarambati. Her eyes shone with the green of the luxuriant paddy fields as they swayed to the gentle breeze. In striking contrast to the luster in her eyes was a dull heaviness in her heart. Barring her Bhanupisi, the entire village was taunting her with the jibe that she was married to a madman. Saradamani sighed as she turned away from the window and smiled. Her people were wrong in their surmise. Whirling the hypnotic currents of the world of senses, they could not just fathom someone who defiantly stood beyond its magnetic field, mocking its famed irresistibility. Saradamani mentally embraced her Bhanu pisi, the only one outside of herself who had perceived the preternatural personality of her husband Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, and set about planning her trip to Dakshineswar, her husband’s domicile.

Pariprasna

Srimat Swami Tapasyananda Ji (1904 – 1991) was one of the Vice-Presidents of the Ramakrishna Order. His deeply convincing answers to devotees’ questions raised in spiritual retreats and in personal letters have been published in book form as Spiritual Quest: Questions & Answers. Pariprasna is a selection from this book.

Captain Vishwanath Upadyaya

It is attained by him alone whom It chooses (Kathopanishad. 1.2:23)

A Day in the Life of Sri Ramakrishna

This is a re-presentation of one of Sri Ramakrishna’s visits to Kolkata, which is found in The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna in the chapter ‘Visit to Nanda Bose’s House’. In this time of social distancing when social visits are unwelcome, let us swing back in time and accompany Sri Ramakrishna and his disciples on this visit.

Rabindranath Tagore And The 1918 Influenza Pandemic

A ship carrying Indian troops from World War I docked at the port of Bombay on 29 May 1918.

The Dread Seven

Shitala is the goddess of smallpox. Sister Nivedita presents a charming account of Goddess Shitala’s personality and her worship, in this write-up titled ‘The Dread Seven’ which appears in her Studies from an Eastern Home. This selection from ‘The Dread Seven’ is taken from the second volume of The Complete Works of Sister Nivedita, p .381

Sri Ramakrishna and the Pilgrimage Mindset

This series which discusses the pre-pilgrimage, during pilgrimage, and post pilgrimage mindset concludes with this article.

Maari – the Mother

This article introduces Goddess Maariamman who is the local deity in several villages across South India. Devotees worship Her for relief from viral diseases and chicken pox, measles, etc.

The Light Beckons

The Stories of Nammaazhvaar and Madhura Kavi

Home Schooling

A fictional narrative based on incidents from the childhood of Swami Vivekananda.

Biology of Coronavirus and Call for United Action

The article presents a brief, clear picture of Coronavirus – why it is so lethal, fastspreading, its biology, disease, and cure, and a call for united action against the pandemic.

A Vedantist Views the Coronavirus

Does Vedanta have an explanation for the coronavirus pandemic which is currently engulfing the world?

Pariprasna

Srimat Swami Tapasyananda Ji (1904 – 1991), was one of the Vice-Presidents of the Ramakrishna Order. His deeply convincing answers to devotees’ questions raised in spiritual retreats and in personal letters have been published in book form as Spiritual Quest: Questions & Answers. Pariprasna is a selection from this book.

The Order on the March

News & Notes from Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission

Reminiscences of Sargachhi

Swami Premeshananda (1884 – 1967) was a disciple of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi. For over two decades he lived at Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Sargachhi, West Bengal. Under his inspiration countless people led a life of spirituality and service, and many young men and women entered into monastic life. His conversations – translated from Bengali and presented below – were noted by his attendant who is now Srimat Swami Suhitananda, one of the Vice-Presidents of the Ramakrishna Order.

Bengaluru's Floral Tribute to Swami Vivekananda

A unique form of floral tribute was offered to Swami Vivekananda in January 2020 in the city of Bengaluru. A brief description of this Flower Show is presented here.

A Day of Surprises

A fictional narrative based on incidents from the childhood of Swami Vivekananda.

Sri Ramakrishna Vijayam – Touching 100 Years

Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission brings out 22 cultural and spiritual magazines in 13 languages.

Sri Ramakrishna: A Divine Incarnation

What is the Vedanta preached by Sri Ramakrishna? A brief answer is found in this selection from Synthesis of Vedanta, published last year by Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai. The book is itself a compilation from two books by the author – Sri Ramakrishna: Life and Teachings and Bhakti Schools of Vedanta. Swami Tapasyananda (1904 – 1991) was one of the Vice-presidents of the Ramakrishna Order. Cover page artist: Sri Maniyam Selvan, Chennai.

Pariprasna

Srimat Swami Tapasyananda Ji (1904 – 1991), was one of the Vice-Presidents of the Ramakrishna Order. His deeply convincing answers to devotees’ questions raised in spiritual retreats and in personal letters have been published in book form as Spiritual Quest: Questions & Answers. Pariprasna is a selection from this book.

A Curious Boy

A fictional narrative based on incidents from the childhood of Swami Vivekananda.

Vivekananda Rock Memorial

The Vivekananda Rock Memorial is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. This article gives a brief account of how it came into being.

The Order on the March

News & Notes from Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission