THE 17 DIRECT MONASTIC MALE DISCIPLES OF SRI RAMAKRISHNA

THE 17 DIRECT MONASTIC MALE DISCIPLES OF SRI RAMAKRISHNA 

Standing from left: Latu Maharaj (Swami Adbhutananda), Yogin Maharaj (Swami Yogananda), Kali Maharaj (Swami Abhedananda), Saradaprasanna Maharaj (Swami Trigunatitananda), Hari Maharaj (Swami Turiyananda), Hariprasanna Maharaj (Swami Vijnanananda), Sashi Maharaj (Swami Ramakrishnananda), Niranjan Maharaj (Swami Niranjanananda) and Tulsi Maharaj (Swami Nirmalananda);

seated on chair from left: Rakhal/Raja Maharaj (Swami Brahmananda) and Naren Maharaj/Swamiji (Swami Vivekananda);

seated on the floor from left: Tarak/Mahapurush Maharaj (Swami Shivananda), Sharat Maharaj (Swami Saradananda), Khoka Maharaj (Swami Subodhananda), Gangadhar Maharaj (Swami Akhandananda), Baburam Maharaj (Swami Premananda) and Burogopal Maharaj (Swami Advaitananda).

This photograph taken by Sister Devamata (maiden name, Miss Laura Glenn) points to the fact that Sri Ramakrishna had 17 direct monastic male disciples as opposed to the 16 propagated since several decades by the Order in his name. It is time to rectify this historical discrepancy and put forward the pertinent fact. Tulsi Maharaj must not only be accorded his due status as Thakur's dear direct disciple, Swamiji's exemplar of a perfect renunciate and one of the most dynamic monks in the history of the Ramakrishna Order who set up a series of branch centres in South India, especially Kerala, but his dynamic life, deeds and message must be widely propagated by the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission to set aflame the youth with Vedantic vigour. In Tulsi Maharaj we have a dormant volcano today which will become active once the Mission sets the record straight about the direct disciples of the Master.

Written by Sugata Bose 

Photo: courtesy, Manoj Sivan