(Translated by Sugata Bose) ... 4
Advent : 23 December, 1863 ; Mahasamadhi : 26 April, 1938
(The life, lectures, conversations and letters of Swami Nirmalananda, direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna)
Copyright : Sri Ramakrishna-Sarada Math, Baghbazar, Kolkata 700 003
Salutations to Nirmalananda
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Swami Nirmalananda was the intimate and direct mantra disciple of the Avatar of the age, Sri Ramakrishna. His biography was published through the earnest efforts of Swami Tripurananda, the then President of the Baghbazar Sri Ramakrishna-Sarada Math.
Many years have elapsed since 1962 and once more the demand for this book seems apparent. Some crucial facts related to the Ramakrishna Movement need highlighting, facts which have somehow gone under wraps for whatever reasons. It is in this regard that a new edition of this book needs to be published, so feel many a historically inclined reader and scholar. Swami Tripurananada gave mantra, brahmacharya and sannyasa initiation to the present President of the Sri Ramakrishna-Sarada Math, Swami Vishnudevananda. The latter has set himself to the arduous task of publishing this new edition of the book.
'The features evident in the establishment of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, and the temporal attitude of the venerable monks and the executive authorities of the Order, all these --- some which involved apparently unwarranted controversial actions --- will feature in this book.'
There is but one point of contention and it is this. Why did Ramakrishna Mission refuse to acknowledge Swami Nirmalananda as the direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna? And yet, in the publications of the Ramakrishna Mission there are countless clues hither and thither scattered among books, essays, letters and photographs that bear ample testimony to the fact that Swami Nirmalananda was Sri Ramakrishna's mantra disciple.
May the blessings of Thakur, Ma and Swamiji be showered on all those who have helped in various ways to bring about the publication of this second edition of the book ! We hope that the book will find favour with readers as in the past.
Seeking the grace of Thakur, Ma and Swamiji,
Swami Jyotirjayananda.
5 Paush, 1406 (Paush Shukla Chaturdashi) / December, 1999 (Eng)
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