This biography of Ramakrishna was written for the West by one of
England's most talented authors, Christopher Isherwood.
The writing is beautiful in itself, but the story of a most unusual man with unheard of spiritual yearning is what this book is really about.
Christopher Isherwood introduces Ramakrishna as follows -
"This is the story of a phenomenon. I will begin by calling him simply that, rather than "holy man,""mystic,"or "saint"; all emotive words with mixed associations which may attract some readers, repel others.
A phenomenon is often something extraordinary and mysterious, Ramakrishna was extraordinary and mysterious; most of all to those who were best fitted to understand him.
A phenomena is always a fact, an object of experience. That is how I shall try to approach Ramakrishna ."
The author does not attempt to interpret the life of Ramakrishna, but is content to state the facts, incorporating all available data.
His prose is easy and flowing, not a word is wasted, and everything is seen in precise and daylight-clear shape.
His style impresses itself on the reader's mind as expressive of a calm conviction, unmixed with emotion.
Unlike earlier foreign biographers of Ramakrishna- Max Muller and Romain Rolland- Isherwood did not write of him as a distant admirer, but as a devotee who enjoyed an advantage over them; for he had at his disposal more material, collected through a careful Study of not only Ramakrishna literature, but also Hindu Religion and philosophy, besides two visits to India.
[Based on the book description available at Amazon.com and on the book jacket]
My Comments:
Surprisingly though Sri Ramakrishna has been highly venerated in by our family for almost 100 years (my father was named after him) , this is the first full length biography of his which I read.
It is a really moving account of his life which has created a strong desire in me to visit Dakshineshwar, the place he lived most of his life at least once in my lifetime.
Strongly recommend all the spiritually inclined people to read this book.
Goodreads Rating - 4.31 out of 5 ( 80 Ratings)
Buy the Kindle book version.
(Anybody can read Kindle books—even without a Kindle device—with the FREE Kindle app for smartphones and tablets.)
The writing is beautiful in itself, but the story of a most unusual man with unheard of spiritual yearning is what this book is really about.
Christopher Isherwood introduces Ramakrishna as follows -
"This is the story of a phenomenon. I will begin by calling him simply that, rather than "holy man,""mystic,"or "saint"; all emotive words with mixed associations which may attract some readers, repel others.
A phenomenon is often something extraordinary and mysterious, Ramakrishna was extraordinary and mysterious; most of all to those who were best fitted to understand him.
A phenomena is always a fact, an object of experience. That is how I shall try to approach Ramakrishna ."
The author does not attempt to interpret the life of Ramakrishna, but is content to state the facts, incorporating all available data.
His prose is easy and flowing, not a word is wasted, and everything is seen in precise and daylight-clear shape.
His style impresses itself on the reader's mind as expressive of a calm conviction, unmixed with emotion.
Unlike earlier foreign biographers of Ramakrishna- Max Muller and Romain Rolland- Isherwood did not write of him as a distant admirer, but as a devotee who enjoyed an advantage over them; for he had at his disposal more material, collected through a careful Study of not only Ramakrishna literature, but also Hindu Religion and philosophy, besides two visits to India.
[Based on the book description available at Amazon.com and on the book jacket]
'His prose is easy and flowing, not a word is wasted, and everything is seen in precise and daylight-clear shape.' His Style impresses itself on the reader's mind as expressive of a calm conviction, unmixed with emotion.
Unlike earlier foreign biographers of Ramakrishna-Max Muller and Remain Rolland-Isherwood did not write of him as a distant admirer, but as a devotee who enjoyed an advantage over them; for he had at his disposal more material, collected through a careful Study of not only Ramakrishna literature, but also Hindu Religion and philosophy, besides two visits to India. - See more at: http://www.printsasia.in/book/ramakrishna-and-his-disciples-christopher-isherwood-8185301182-9788185301181#sthash.Z4N9VklV.dpuf
Unlike earlier foreign biographers of Ramakrishna-Max Muller and Remain Rolland-Isherwood did not write of him as a distant admirer, but as a devotee who enjoyed an advantage over them; for he had at his disposal more material, collected through a careful Study of not only Ramakrishna literature, but also Hindu Religion and philosophy, besides two visits to India. - See more at: http://www.printsasia.in/book/ramakrishna-and-his-disciples-christopher-isherwood-8185301182-9788185301181#sthash.Z4N9VklV.dpuf
'His prose is easy and flowing, not a word is wasted, and everything is seen in precise and daylight-clear shape.' His Style impresses itself on the reader's mind as expressive of a calm conviction, unmixed with emotion.
Unlike earlier foreign biographers of Ramakrishna-Max Muller and Remain Rolland-Isherwood did not write of him as a distant admirer, but as a devotee who enjoyed an advantage over them; for he had at his disposal more material, collected through a careful Study of not only Ramakrishna literature, but also Hindu Religion and philosophy, besides two visits to India. - See more at: http://www.printsasia.in/book/ramakrishna-and-his-disciples-christopher-isherwood-8185301182-9788185301181#sthash.Z4N9VklV.dpuf
Unlike earlier foreign biographers of Ramakrishna-Max Muller and Remain Rolland-Isherwood did not write of him as a distant admirer, but as a devotee who enjoyed an advantage over them; for he had at his disposal more material, collected through a careful Study of not only Ramakrishna literature, but also Hindu Religion and philosophy, besides two visits to India. - See more at: http://www.printsasia.in/book/ramakrishna-and-his-disciples-christopher-isherwood-8185301182-9788185301181#sthash.Z4N9VklV.dpuf
'His prose is easy and flowing, not a word is wasted, and everything is seen in precise and daylight-clear shape.' His Style impresses itself on the reader's mind as expressive of a calm conviction, unmixed with emotion.
Unlike earlier foreign biographers of Ramakrishna-Max Muller and Remain Rolland-Isherwood did not write of him as a distant admirer, but as a devotee who enjoyed an advantage over them; for he had at his disposal more material, collected through a careful Study of not only Ramakrishna literature, but also Hindu Religion and philosophy, besides two visits to India. - See more at: http://www.printsasia.in/book/ramakrishna-and-his-disciples-christopher-isherwood-8185301182-9788185301181#sthash.Z4N9VklV.dpuf
Unlike earlier foreign biographers of Ramakrishna-Max Muller and Remain Rolland-Isherwood did not write of him as a distant admirer, but as a devotee who enjoyed an advantage over them; for he had at his disposal more material, collected through a careful Study of not only Ramakrishna literature, but also Hindu Religion and philosophy, besides two visits to India. - See more at: http://www.printsasia.in/book/ramakrishna-and-his-disciples-christopher-isherwood-8185301182-9788185301181#sthash.Z4N9VklV.dpuf
My Comments:
Surprisingly though Sri Ramakrishna has been highly venerated in by our family for almost 100 years (my father was named after him) , this is the first full length biography of his which I read.
It is a really moving account of his life which has created a strong desire in me to visit Dakshineshwar, the place he lived most of his life at least once in my lifetime.
Strongly recommend all the spiritually inclined people to read this book.
Goodreads Rating - 4.31 out of 5 ( 80 Ratings)
Buy the Kindle book version.
(Anybody can read Kindle books—even without a Kindle device—with the FREE Kindle app for smartphones and tablets.)
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