Ramakrishna Quotes

Powerful Ramakrishna for Daily Growth

About Ramakrishna

Ramakrishna Paramahamsa (February 1836 – August 1886), a prominent spiritual leader in the late 19th century India, was renowned for his profound wisdom, unique spiritual experiences, and profound teachings that continue to influence millions globally. Born as Gadadhar Chattopadhyaya in Bengal, he was initially a priest at the Dakshineswar Kali Temple. His life took an extraordinary turn when a divine vision of Goddess Kali transformed him from a devout but ordinary temple priest into a spiritual maverick. Ramakrishna's teachings were profoundly influenced by Hindu scriptures, particularly the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads, as well as diverse religious traditions such as Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and Tantra. He emphasized the unity of all religions, stating that "As many faiths, so many paths." This universal inclusivity has resonated deeply with people worldwide. In 1881, Ramakrishna met Narendranath Dutta, who later became Swami Vivekananda, one of the most influential spiritual leaders in modern India. Their association proved to be pivotal, as Vivekananda would spread Ramakrishna's teachings globally after his guru's passing. Ramakrishna's major works consist of a collection of his discourses, known as the 'Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna.' These conversations, encompassing philosophy, mysticism, and human values, provide timeless insights on spirituality and life. His teachings revolve around three key aspects: God as the only Reality, the path to realizing this Truth through selfless service, and the manifestation of divine love towards all beings. Ramakrishna's life and teachings remain a beacon of inspiration for countless seekers across the globe, bridging cultural divides and promoting spiritual harmony.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The more a man knows about spiritual matters, the more humble he becomes."

This quote emphasizes that as an individual gains deeper knowledge and understanding of spirituality, they become increasingly humble. The wisdom acquired from studying spiritual matters instills in them a profound sense of their own insignificance compared to the vastness and mystery of the spiritual realm. This humility is not about self-degradation but rather recognition of one's limitations and dependence on a greater power or truth beyond oneself.

"God is not a far-off spectator enthroned in some cosmic temple, but he is our ever-near, intimate friend."

This quote by Ramakrishna suggests that God is not a distant, detached deity, but rather an intimately involved presence in our lives. It emphasizes the idea that God is accessible, approachable, and close to us. Unlike a distant spectator, God is portrayed as a friend who is always near, ready to interact with us in our daily lives. This perspective encourages the idea of a personal, intimate relationship with the divine, rather than viewing it as an abstract concept or remote entity.

"Truth is one, sages call it by various names."

This quote implies that there is a fundamental, universal truth that underlies all existence, and different spiritual leaders or wise individuals may refer to this truth using different terms, beliefs, or philosophies. Essentially, Ramakrishna is suggesting that the essence of reality is one and the same, despite the varied labels we attach to it in our individual pursuits of wisdom.

"The world is the Great Mother; the universe is the Great Father."

This quote by Ramakrishna personifies the universe as a loving parental figure, with the world representing the nurturing, caring aspect (the Great Mother), and the cosmos symbolizing the creative, protective aspect (the Great Father). It suggests that everything in the universe is interconnected, and we should treat it with the same respect and love as one would treat a parent or mother.

"As soon as you open your mouth to speak about Vedanta, you are a Vedantist, and there is no help for it."

This quote emphasizes that by expressing or discussing the philosophical teachings of Vedanta, one automatically identifies oneself as a follower or proponent of Vedanta. In other words, merely engaging with its ideas or principles makes someone a Vedantist, irrespective of their intentions or previous beliefs.

If you desire to be pure, have firm faith, and slowly go on with your devotional practices without wasting your energy in useless scriptural discussions and arguments. Your little brain will otherwise be muddled.

- Ramakrishna

Desire, Wasting, Otherwise, Argument

The world is indeed a mixture of truth and make-believe. Discard the make-believe and take the truth.

- Ramakrishna

World, Discard, Take, Mixture

When one has love for God, one doesn't feel any physical attraction to wife, children, relatives and friends. One retains only compassion for them.

- Ramakrishna

Love, Relationship, Wife, Attraction

Travel in all the four quarters of the earth, yet you will find nothing anywhere. Whatever there is, is only here.

- Ramakrishna

Travel, Will, Here, Quarters

When the flower blooms, the bees come uninvited.

- Ramakrishna

Gardening, Blooms, Uninvited, Flower

The fabled musk deer searches the world over for the source of the scent which comes from itself.

- Ramakrishna

Deer, Over, Which, Scent

A man is truly free, even here in this embodied state, if he knows that God is the true agent and he by himself is powerless to do anything.

- Ramakrishna

Here, Anything, Agent, Powerless

Work, apart from devotion or love of God, is helpless and cannot stand alone.

- Ramakrishna

Love, Work, Alone, Helpless

God can be realized through all paths. All religions are true. The important thing is to reach the roof. You can reach it by stone stairs or by wooden stairs or by bamboo steps or by a rope. You can also climb up by a bamboo pole.

- Ramakrishna

Stairs, Reach, Through, Stone

Through love one acquires renunciation and discrimination naturally.

- Ramakrishna

Love, Through, Naturally, Renunciation

Bondage is of the mind; freedom too is of the mind. If you say 'I am a free soul. I am a son of God who can bind me' free you shall be.

- Ramakrishna

Soul, Mind, Shall, Bind

More are the names of God and infinite are the forms through which He may be approached. In whatever name and form you worship Him, through them you will realise Him.

- Ramakrishna

Through, May, Which, Forms

Many are the names of God and infinite the forms through which He may be approached.

- Ramakrishna

God, Through, Which, Forms

When the divine vision is attained, all appear equal; and there remains no distinction of good and bad, or of high and low.

- Ramakrishna

Bad, Distinction, Remains, Attained

Many good sayings are to be found in holy books, but merely reading them will not make one religious.

- Ramakrishna

Religion, Holy, Religious, Sayings

The physicians of one class feel the patients and go away, merely prescribing medicine. As they leave the room they simply ask the patient to take the medicine. They are the poorest class of physicians.

- Ramakrishna

Medical, Away, Patients, Poorest

Disease is the tax which the soul pays for the body, as the tenant pays house-rent for the use of the house.

- Ramakrishna

Soul, Disease, Which, Pays

Unalloyed love of God is the essential thing. All else is unreal.

- Ramakrishna

Love, God, Else, Essential

Through selfless work, love of God grows in the heart. Then through his grace one realize him in course of time. God can be seen. One can talk to him as I am talking to you.

- Ramakrishna

Love, Through, Grows, Realize

One must be very particular about telling the truth. Through truth one can realize God.

- Ramakrishna

God, Through, Very, Realize

Longing is like the rosy dawn. After the dawn out comes the sun. Longing is followed by the vision of God.

- Ramakrishna

Vision, Like, Rosy, Longing

If you first fortify yourself with the true knowledge of the Universal Self, and then live in the midst of wealth and worldliness, surely they will in no way affect you.

- Ramakrishna

Knowledge, Wealth, Surely, Universal

Pray to God that your attachment to such transitory things as wealth, name, and creature comforts may become less and less every day.

- Ramakrishna

Wealth, Every Day, May, Creature

God is everywhere but He is most manifest in man. So serve man as God. That is as good as worshipping God.

- Ramakrishna

Most, Worshipping, Manifest

To work without attachment is to work without the expectation of reward or fear of any punishment in this world or the next. Work so done is a means to the end, and God is the end.

- Ramakrishna

Reward, Next, Means, Attachment

It is easy to talk on religion, but difficult to practice it.

- Ramakrishna

Religion, Practice, Talk, Easy

If you want to go east, don't go west.

- Ramakrishna

Wisdom, Want, East, West

If you must be mad, be it not for the things of the world. Be mad with the love of God.

- Ramakrishna

Love, God, World, Mad

Unless one always speaks the truth, one cannot find God Who is the soul of truth.

- Ramakrishna

Truth, Always, Unless, Speaks

God is in all men, but all men are not in God; that is why we suffer.

- Ramakrishna

God, Men, Why, Suffer

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