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“When religion declines and irreligion
prevails, I incarnate myself in every age to re-establish religion” – Bhagawat
Gita
All the avatars or Divine incarnations have
fulfilled the need of the particular age and restored Dharma thereby paving way
for peace. The Divine advent of Sri Ramakrishna was a grand reestablishment of
the Sanatana Dharma, the eternal religion.
Down the millennia, the entire Indian
society has been nourished by a set of selfless souls – realized, or striving
to realize the ultimate Truth. Such renunciates have only sustained our
society. Sanyasa Ashrama, as this may be broadly referred to, needed a radical
change due to western influences on our society. With the change in attitude of
the people and increasing emphasis on economics and materialism, the need for
preserving ‘Sanyasa Ashrama’ became paramount. Sanyasis, who would live
alongside householders, actively participate in the society and strive for all
round spiritual advancement through service to mankind became an absolute
necessity. ‘For the first time ever, in the history of India, an order of monks
found themselves banded together’ – and this is the Ramakrishna Order, a gift
of Swami Vivekananda with the blessings of Sri Ramakrishna. Prior to his
passing away in his 51st year in 1886, he had left a group of
Sanyasis and innumerable householder devotees who later contributed to the
formation of Ramakrishna Math and Mission.
The Math
Truly the Math had its genesis on Tuesday,
12th January 1886, Makara Sankaranthi day – when elder Gopal (later
Swami Advaitananda) gave rosaries and ochre clothes to Sri Ramakrishna who
sanctified them with a Mantram. Sri Ramakrishna himself distributed them among
his young disciples who in turn wore the ochre clothes and saluted him. Pleased
immensely by their monastic attire, Sri Ramakrishna blessed them. The Order
thus founded by him, however came into official existence after His
Mahasamadhi.
The Math (Monastery) strives
to bring into existence a band of monks devoted to leading a life of purity,
renunciation and practical spirituality under inspiration of the life of Sri
Ramakrishna, from among whom, teachers and workers could be trained and sent
out to serve the world in all possible ways (Belur Math Trust, 1889)
To anyone desiring to embrace monastic life
represented by ‘The Royal Saffron’, Ramakrishna Math offers excellent avenues
suiting the modern age, keeping at the same time the ancient values intact.
Again, like the seekers of the past, the monks of the Order radiate peace and
spread Divine Knowledge, thereby sustaining the society.
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