In what way did Ramakrishna infuse a new vigor and dynamism into Hinduism
Ramakrishna Paramhansa was a priest at the Kali temple in Dakshineswar near Calcutta. He believed in inherent truth of all the religions and beliefs.
He put his conviction to test by practicing religious rites of not only different Hindu sects but also of Islam and Christianity.
His tolerance and simplicity attracted Bengali middle class. His popularity can be gazed from the fact that Narenath Datta, Swami Ramakrishna's humanism found an ardent advocate and exponent in his favorite disciple Vivekananda.
In 1893, he went to Chicago in the USA to address the Parliament of religions where he projected the Indian spirit of universality and broad mindedness. He stayed in America for some time and founded Vedanta societies. On his return to India, he organised Ramakrishna Mission in a vigorous way.
His main contributions were:
Ramakrishna Paramhansa was a priest at the Kali temple in Dakshineswar near Calcutta. He believed in inherent truth of all the religions and beliefs.
He put his conviction to test by practicing religious rites of not only different Hindu sects but also of Islam and Christianity.
His tolerance and simplicity attracted Bengali middle class. His popularity can be gazed from the fact that Narenath Datta, Swami Ramakrishna's humanism found an ardent advocate and exponent in his favorite disciple Vivekananda.
In 1893, he went to Chicago in the USA to address the Parliament of religions where he projected the Indian spirit of universality and broad mindedness. He stayed in America for some time and founded Vedanta societies. On his return to India, he organised Ramakrishna Mission in a vigorous way.
His main contributions were:
- For the first time in the modern age of India, he boldly proclaimed before the world the superiority of Hindu culture and civilisation, the greatness of his heritage and the hope for the future.
- In the place of an inferiority complex, an inherent cowardice in relation to the Western culture and manners, there was a refreshing boldness and consciousness of an inherent strength in the Indian religion and culture, civilization and heritage that marked the views and utterances of Vivekananda.
- Although, he was not in favour of agitational politics, yet building up of a strong, brave and dynamic nation was dearest to his heart.
- He sought to rouse a spirit of heroism and love of the people, particularly, the distressed, the deprived, the downtrodden and the poor in whose service he saw service to God. He said, "Do not forget your society the varies shadow of the great illusion, do not forget the lowly, the poor, the ignorant, the currier, the sweeper, are your blood, are your brethren. 0 ye brave one, take courage, be proud that you are an Indian and proudly proclaim—I am an Indian—every Indian is my brother ...The soul of India is my highest heaven, India's good is my good".
- His political faith was proclaimed in his words "Believe, believe the decree has gone, the fiat of the Lord has gone—India must rise, the poor are to be made happy, and rejoice that you are the chosen instruments in his hands."