Tuesday 29 April 2014

THE MISSION OF RAMAKRISHNA 1


The mission of Ramakrishna is founded on truth, truth temporal and truth transcendental. When Kshudiram Chattopadhyay refused to testify falsely in a law-court on behalf of the local landlord and was in consequence implicated in a false case by the latter which led to his eviction from his village, homeless and destitute with a dependent family to feed and provide shelter, the battle-lines were drawn for the tussle of ideology for the coming Age. This venerable Brahman hung onto truth despite the heaviest of odds having been pitted against him, the power of property and deceit, and the spectre of sudden destitution looming large with an uncertain future holding no promise save that of spiritual survival in the name of the family deity Raghuvir.

Ksudiram and his family did survive the ordeal as a dear friend in neighbouring Kamarpukur village offered them shelter and means of subsistence whereupon the Chattopadhyays settled down to living their virtuous lives centred around Raghuvir.

Incidentally, we see that the ideal of truth formed the basis of the development of the mythological figure of Ramachandra. He being the deity of adoration for the Chattopadhyays, truth formed the basis of their lives too. Kshudiram was a staunch practitioner of Hindu caste observances. Steeped in the Brahmanical tradition, he rose to spiritual eminence in his new home, Kamarpukur. His life was cast in the mould of the orthodox devout Brahman with unflinching faith in God and unfailing adherence to truth.

Into this household was born the Avatar of the Age, Sri Ramakrishna.

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