Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa 1836-1886

A great spiritual luminary of 19th-century India, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa was born to poor but pious parents in Kamarpukur, West Bengal, on February 18, 1836. Even from a very early age, he displayed signs of a spiritual inclination. His first experience of ‘Samadhi’ occurred when he was about ten years old, inspired by the sight of a flight of cranes under a dark-blue cloud.

The majority of his life was spent in the temple of Kali at Dakshineshwar, a suburb of Calcutta. The image of Kali in the temple was to him a living deity, and his intense longing for God-vision led him to realize God as Mother in the image of Kali. Kali became a living companion to this young man who, to all appearances, was considered mad. In his 23rd year, he was married to a young girl named Sarada, but their life remained free from physical pleasures. Sri Sarada Devi, affectionately known as the Holy Mother, accepted him as her Guru and carried on the work as laid down by him.

Having successfully practiced the disciplines of various religious cults of India and proved the efficacy of different paths in realizing God-head, his attention turned to the faiths of Islam and Christianity, where his efforts were rewarded with the realization of the Divine. He proved by his personal experiences the truth of the Vedic saying “Ekam sat viprah bahudhah vadanti” (Truth is one, sages call it by different names).

Just as a flower in full bloom attracts bees, many ardent souls in search of God were drawn to him, and he could awaken the latent spiritual impulses in them with a touch, a word, or a glance. Narendra Nath Dutta, who later became the world-famous Swami Vivekananda, was one of the most important disciples of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. After the Master’s passing away on August 16, 1886, Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission.

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa symbolized the efflorescence of Indian spiritual life, which was withering under the impact of a predominantly materialistic alien culture. He taught that service to man amounted to worship of God and that all religions are true. The P & T Department feels honored to commemorate this prophet of New India by bringing out a commemorative stamp.