The Spiritual Teachers of Sri Ramakrishna
The boy often remained immersed in thought while walking along the bank of the Ganga or was found motionless and still under the Panchavati or was tracked down, after a long search, in the quietude of the jungle around Panchavati. Ramkumar Chattopadhyay, the elder brother of Gadadhar felt concerned to observe the apathy of his younger brother while staying at Dakshineswar. He was much relieved when Mathur, the son -in -law of Rani Rashmoni, appointed Gadadhar as the dresser of Goddess Kali and later on the office of the priest. Ramkumar was happy that Gadadhar was quick to learn and perform the traditional mode of worshipping the Goddess. However as this young priest was not initiated in Shakti Mantra, he decided to get initiated by a Guru.
Kenaram Bhattacharya was the first Guru of Sri Ramakrishna, who initiated him in Shakti Mantra. During these days Kenaram Bhattacharya, a devoted and dedicated Brahmin, frequently visited Dakshineswar as he was well acquainted with Mathur and others. The moment Sri Ramakrishna received his initiation, he went into ecstasy! The astounded, utterly surprised Guru, overwhelmed by his disciple’s concentration of mind, blessed Sri Ramakrishna that he might realise his chosen Deity.
The next Guru, who came to identify Sri Ramakrishna as God incarnate was the Bhairavi Brahmani. This Brahmani was thoroughly well versed in scriptures and at their first meeting, she could identify all the signs of an Avatar in the body of Sri Ramakrishna. She took him as his Gopala and started teaching him the Vaishnava Shastra and all the sixty-four kinds of Tantra Sadhana.
Jatadhari was the next teacher, under whom Sri Ramakrishna went deep into the mysteries of the worship of Rama and could actually visualise Ramlala, receiving loving service from him. This vision became more intense as Sri Ramakrishna progressed in his sadhana.
Sri Ramakrishna was initiated into the monastic life by an ascetic sannyasin named Totapuri. This was at the end of 1886. Sri Ramakrishna received his initiation in secret, where before the burning flame, he severed all his attachments with this world.
After the initiation", Sri Ramakrishna once said, describing the event, "Nangta began to teach me the various conclusions of the Advaita Vedanta and asked me to withdraw the mind completely from all objects and dive deep into the Atman. But in spite of all my attempts I could not altogether cross the realm of name and form and bring my mind to the unconditioned state. I had no difficulty in taking the mind from all the objects of the world. But the radiant and too familiar figure of the Blissful Mother, the Embodiment of the essence of Pure Consciousness, appeared before me as a living reality. Her bewitching smile prevented me from passing into the Great Beyond. Again and again I tried, but She stood in my way every time. In despair I said to Nangta: 'It is hopeless. I cannot raise my mind to the unconditioned state and come face to face with Atman.' He grew excited and sharply said: 'What? You can't do it? But you have to.' He cast his eyes around. Finding a piece of glass he took it up and stuck it between my eyebrows. 'Concentrate the mind on this point!' he thundered. Then with stern determination I again sat to meditate. As soon as the gracious form of the Divine Mother appeared before me, I used my discrimination as a sword and with it clove Her in two. The last barrier fell. My spirit at once soared beyond the relative plane and I lost myself in samadhi."
The arrival of Sufi Govinda Roy was immediately taken by Sri Ramakrishna as one sent by his Mother Kali. He was moved by Sufi’s devotion and love for God. Hence under his guidance Sri Ramakrishna started practicing Islam and also experienced the vision of Muhammad, the prophet.
Going through rigorous penance while undergoing almost all the major religious practices, Sri Ramakrishna came to one conclusion that it is Love only, which surpasses all religious dogmas and decorums. He thus observed……..
"I have practised all religions—Hinduism, Islam, Christianity—and I have also followed the paths of the different Hindu sects. I have found that it is the same God toward whom all are directing their steps, though along different paths. You must try all beliefs and traverse all the different ways once. Wherever I look, I see men quarrelling in the name of religion—Hindus, Mohammedans, Brahmos, Vaishnavas, and the rest. But they never reflect that He who is called Krishna is also called Siva, and bears the name of the Primal Energy, Jesus, and Allah as well—the same Rama with a thousand names..."
Sharmistha Chatterjee
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