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Source: The Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/03/19/stories/2002031900780800.htm)

Miscellaneous

-

Religion

 

 

Ramakrishna, `prophet for modern age'

 

 

 

CHENNAI

March 19

 

.. A simple, but profound Truth is that God is not a distant person, high above

and beyond our reach. He is near us, within our hearts, intimately our own. But

we have forgotten this in our involvement in petty worldly affairs. The task

before us therefore is that we must reorient ourselves and make God-realisation

the purpose of life. But we normally feel helpless, believe that we do not have

the requisite knowledge and means to undertake the spiritual journey. Hence

outstanding luminaries like Ramakrishna Paramahamsa came to our rescue to

emphasise that the obstacles in the path are the petty-minded desires and the

greed for more and more material possessions. One can do away with these through

sublime prayer. A sincere appeal is always honoured. Rightly he has been called

the "prophet for modern age" (Yuga Purusha). The mission of an "Avatar" is

two-fold to impart knowledge that saves and to demonstrate how to achieve

it. An aspirant feels lost in the forest of spir!

itual wilderness. Sri Ramakrishna has churned the ocean of the Vedas and

presented the nectar in a chalice, which is available to everyone without

distinction of caste or creed, race, status or sex. It is universal, suited to

the needs of all.

 

In a lecture on the occasion of the great apostle's birthday, Swami Gautamananda

said he was a blazing spiritual force who could empower anyone to walk the

spiritual path smoothly. There are innumerable instances to prove how he helped

sincere devotees. He did not stand on formalities. He went uninvited to the Star

Theatre of the famous playwright, Girishchandra Ghosh, who was an atheist, given

to all manners of vices. Sri Ramakrishna saluted him first and the latter had to

respond. Step-by-step he transformed him till the dramatist died with the name

of Sri Ramakrishna in his lips and his vision before his mortal eyes. Similarly

to a poor widow, he appeared as "Gopala" and filled her life with bliss. She

died with her head on the lap of the Holy Mother in whom she found her "Gopala".

The essential contribution of the saint was to make Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma)

the "Yuga Dharma". He showed how the modern age is no bar to the realisation of

the ultimate Jnana Marga and Karma!

Marga, coalesced into "Seva Dharma" a selfless service to fellow beings.

By following this, we can attain fulfilment in life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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