Ramakrishna Mission, History, Objective, Feature and Significance

Ramakrishna Mission

The Ramakrishna Mission, often referred to as the Vedanta Movement, is centred on the Hindu religious and spiritual organisation known as the Ramakrishna Mission. The mission is named after and inspired by the Indian spiritual leader Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and was founded on May 1, 1897, by Swami Vivekananda, who was Ramakrishna Paramahamsa’s primary disciple.

The organization’s main causes are the Hindu philosophy of Advaita Vedanta and the four yogic precepts of Jnana, Bhakti, Karma, and Raja yoga. You will learn about the Ramakrishna Mission in this article, which will aid with your preparation for the UPSC Civil Service Exam.

Read More: Young Bengal Movement

Ramakrishna Mission History

In 1897, Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission. A well-known humanitarian, Vivekananda used the Ramakrishna Mission to aid those in need. A group called The Mission is committed to advancing both religion and society. Vivekananda advocated for service, which he described as providing for all living things.

Serving jiva is the act of worshipping Jiva (living objects). Life itself is a form of religion. Through service, the Divine exists inside man. Vivekananda promoted the use of modern science and technology for the good of humanity. The first Math was established in Baranagar. In Belur, another math was started in 1899, and it eventually became the main math.

It is in charge of managing and running all maths located throughout India and even outside of the nation. Additionally, it serves as the saints of the Ramakrishna Mission’s educational hub. Everyone has been drawn to the Mission by Sri Ramakrishna’s life and teachings’ values and principles. Gadadhar Chattopadhyay was Ramakrishna’s childhood name, and he was raised in a low-income Brahmin family. He is acknowledged as one of India’s most revered spiritual teachers. He was a follower of Goddess Kali and lived and worshipped in the Dakshineswar temple.

Read More: Socio-Religious Reform Movement

Ramakrishna Mission Features

The mission’s objectives included helping the poor, advancing women’s rights, eradicating superstition and untouchability, and reforming the educational system. Swami Vivekananda highlighted the importance of Hindu culture and religion. He claimed that western culture and civilisation will be materialistic, whereas Hinduism would be oriented on spiritual principles.

He firmly believed that all religions are equal and are one. He preferred agro-based small-scale businesses in terms of economics. His ideas on religion, spirituality, and society were all based on humanism. Monasticism became socially and spiritually relevant to the lives of regular people thanks to the Ramakrishna Mission.

The first to ask that priests make it their duty to lessen suffering was Vivekananda. He believed that Indian nationalism might be supported by four pillars: recognition of India’s past magnificence, national awakening, growth of moral and physical toughness, and unification based on shared spiritual ideals. He wanted the nation’s youth to rise up, become aware, and fight against poverty and illiteracy.

Read More: Sargeant Plan of Education

Ramakrishna Mission Significance

A well-known humanitarian, Swami Vivekananda used the Ramakrishna Mission to aid that in need. A group called The Mission is committed to advancing both religion and society. The doctrine of service, which Vivekananda advocated, was characterized as the service of all creatures. Vivekananda promoted the application of modern science and technology for the benefit of humanity.

Since its inception, the Mission has run numerous schools, hospitals, and clinics. It helps those who are impacted by diseases, famines, floods, and other natural calamities. The Mission has developed into a multi-national corporation. Although it is a very religious group, it does not engage in evangelizing.

The Mission, in contrast to the Arya Samaj, acknowledges the value of image worship in fostering devotion to the eternal Almighty God, but it places more emphasis on the vital spirit than on symbols or rituals. It asserts that Vedanta philosophy may make both Christians and Hindus into better versions of themselves.

In 1898, Swami Vivekananda bought a sizable tract of land in Belur, where the Ramakrishna Math was eventually registered and relocated. No of their caste or religious beliefs, all males are welcome to join the monastic order.

Read More: Wardha Scheme

Ramakrishna Mission and Ramakrishna Parmahamsa

Poor Brahmin priest Gadadhar Chattopadhyaya later became renowned as Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Sri Ramakrishna was born on February 18th, 1836, into a humble Brahmana family in the Bengali village of Kamarpukur. His father, Khudiram Chatterjee, was a man of great piety and moral integrity. His mother Chandramani Devi served as an example of strong female characteristics.

His official education in Shastras or philosophy was nonexistent, and he only completed the first grade of school. Ramakrishna was a priest of the Dakshineswar Kali Temple who attracted a sizable following of laypeople and monks. By comprehending the Hindu epics, imitating India’s great spiritual principles by hearing scholars recite and explain them, and, most importantly, by going directly to Nature to study people and things, he educated himself in a deeper way.

Ramakrishna Paramahamsa’s wife and spiritual companion was Sarada Devi. Ramakrishna Paramahamsa’s most devoted student, Narendra Nath Datta (1863–1902), afterwards known as Swami Vivekananda, disseminated Ramakrishna’s teachings throughout the world, particularly in America and Europe. After Ramakrishna’s passing on Christmas Eve in 1886, the youthful adherents made informal monastic vows.

Read More: Sadler Commission

Ramakrishna Mission UPSC

In addition to providing religious and spiritual teaching, the organisation engages in extensive educational and social work both in India and abroad. This trait was also adopted by many other Hindu tribes. The mission’s work is built on karma yoga principles, which are those of selfless service to God. A large number of important Hindu works are published by the Ramakrishna Mission, a global institution. It is connected to a monastic group. Vivekananda’s guru (teacher), Ramakrishna, had a profound influence on him.

Sharing is caring!