Romain Rolland
8 key ideas, each explained in our own words.
The Life of Ramakrishna
- IDEA 1
A Western writer's tribute
Romain Rolland, a French Nobel laureate, wrote this biography to introduce Ramakrishna to Western readers. He presents the mystic as a spiritual genius whose message of harmony was relevant to a divided world.
- IDEA 2
A village boy full of wonder
Rolland describes Ramakrishna's childhood in the village of Kamarpukur in Bengal. As a boy he often fell into spiritual ecstasy, and he showed little interest in formal schooling. His family worried about his future.
- IDEA 3
Kali became his mother
At Dakshineswar near Calcutta, Ramakrishna became a priest at a temple of the goddess Kali. Rolland describes his intense longing to see the goddess directly, and his overwhelming spiritual experiences.
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