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Ramakrishna: His Life And Sayings
Ramakrishna (1833-86), was a Bengali Hindu sage. Although theoretically a high-caste Brahamin by birth, he came from a poor, low-caste village and had little or no education. He did not know a word of Sanskrit and his knowledge of the Vedas, Puranas, and Hindu Epics was obtained orally (in the Bengali language). In spite of this, he managed to convey in his aphorisms the essence of the Hindu religion. Ramakrishna also worshipped with Muslims and Christians, and propounded a simple approach to religious "Creeds and sects matter nothing. Let every one perform with faith the devotions and practices of his creed. Faith is the only clue to get to God." (#200). His often earthy sayings and short fables are immediately comprehensible to everyone, using vivid metaphors which employ everyday objects and settings to express deep Hindu philosophical concepts. This collection of sayings was collected by his followers after his death and translated by Max Muller.
- GenresPhilosophySpirituality
214 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1901
24 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
F. Max Müller
1,553 books133 followersFriedrich Max Müller, K.M. (Ph.D., Philology, Leipzig University, 1843)—generally known as Max Müller or F. Max Müller—was the first Professor of Comparative Philology at Oxford University, and an Orientalist who lived and studied in Britain for most of his life. He was one of the founders of the western academic field of Indian studies and the discipline of comparative religion. Müller wrote both scholarly and popular works on the subject of Indology and the Sacred Books of the East, a 50-volume set of English translations, was prepared under his direction.
Müller became a naturalized British citizen in 1855. In 1869, he was elected to the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres as a foreign correspondent. He was awarded the Pour le Mérite (civil class) in 1874, and the Bavarian Maximilian Order for Science and Art the following year. In 1888, he was appointed Gifford Lecturer at the University of Glasgow, delivering the first in what has proved to be an ongoing, annual series of lectures at several Scottish universities to the present day. He was appointed a member of the Privy Council in 1896.
His wife, Georgina Adelaide Müller was also an author. After Max's death, she deposited his papers at the Bodleian Library, Oxford.
Müller became a naturalized British citizen in 1855. In 1869, he was elected to the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres as a foreign correspondent. He was awarded the Pour le Mérite (civil class) in 1874, and the Bavarian Maximilian Order for Science and Art the following year. In 1888, he was appointed Gifford Lecturer at the University of Glasgow, delivering the first in what has proved to be an ongoing, annual series of lectures at several Scottish universities to the present day. He was appointed a member of the Privy Council in 1896.
His wife, Georgina Adelaide Müller was also an author. After Max's death, she deposited his papers at the Bodleian Library, Oxford.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 16, 2016
I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in philosophy. However, I found the initial part of the book to be the most interesting. It is a commentary by one of the then western world's authority on Indian History, Max Muller.
Max Muller talks about the philosophical leanings of ancient India much before foreigners set foot in the country thereby trying to subtly disprove the primitive connotations that several other European historians of that time had attached to India.
He was in particular fascinated by saints like Ramakrishna Paramhamsa and tried to explain through his own "unbiased" approach on the advancements in critical thinking in the country. The sayings of Ramakrishna Paramhamsa are interesting and mixed with examples from daily life so that one can easily understand the deep inner meaning attached to them. Max Muller personally received these sayings from Swami Vivekananda and several other disciples.
For anyone interested in analyzing History differently from what has been fed to us through a not so open educational system, this book serves that need and is part of a series of historical insights that we need to be aware of.
Max Muller talks about the philosophical leanings of ancient India much before foreigners set foot in the country thereby trying to subtly disprove the primitive connotations that several other European historians of that time had attached to India.
He was in particular fascinated by saints like Ramakrishna Paramhamsa and tried to explain through his own "unbiased" approach on the advancements in critical thinking in the country. The sayings of Ramakrishna Paramhamsa are interesting and mixed with examples from daily life so that one can easily understand the deep inner meaning attached to them. Max Muller personally received these sayings from Swami Vivekananda and several other disciples.
For anyone interested in analyzing History differently from what has been fed to us through a not so open educational system, this book serves that need and is part of a series of historical insights that we need to be aware of.
March 26, 2020
What made me buy the book - I was curious to know more about the Gods that walked amongst us
What I liked about the book - the sheer depth of philosophy, and the simple storytelling
Who will I recommend the book to - anyone who'd like to know more about them
What did the book teach me - all the paths indeed lead to Rome
#OBAAT One Book At A Time
What I liked about the book - the sheer depth of philosophy, and the simple storytelling
Who will I recommend the book to - anyone who'd like to know more about them
What did the book teach me - all the paths indeed lead to Rome
#OBAAT One Book At A Time
December 30, 2016
Timeless teachings of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa from the writings of Max Muller who was the first to showcase the Oriental thoughts to the western world. Each saying is a gem.
March 21, 2019
Ramakrishna - His life and sayings.
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Thank you for sending such a thoughtful book @niyogi_books :)
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I'm usually not one to pick up philosophical books but I decided to do so when Niyogi books sent me this beautiful copy. I assume we all are familiar with the name Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and this book speaks about his teachings in detail. Written by the famous Western Philologist, Max Muller, who is known for his take on Indian studies, this book was quite insightful.
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Professor Max Muller describes in detail about India before even the Westerners set foot in the country. The culture, traditions, people and everything else has always fascinated him to write a book about them. What particularly interested him were the many saints in India back when their words were valued the most and now being taught to kids at schools and colleges. It was no surprise that his eyes were drawn towards Ramakrishna.
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The initial few chapters didn't grasp my attention as I would have liked it to but it picked up pace later. It's wonderful how the sayings of Ramakrishna are so relatable even in this Era where people often forget to remember the wise saints who walked on our lands spreading peacefulness and knowledge. The book talks about a different India than we have witnessed and known over the years and this is something that turns the book into an educational read as well. The writing is fluent and depicts how profoundly knowledgeable Max Muller was.
~
Though this won't be everyone's cup of tea, particularly for those who aren't fond of philosophy, it does address our Nation's ways and values in surprising detail. An interesting read for all the philosophical mindsets who are on their next hunt for a perfect book.
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Rating - 3.7/5.
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Thank you for sending such a thoughtful book @niyogi_books :)
~
I'm usually not one to pick up philosophical books but I decided to do so when Niyogi books sent me this beautiful copy. I assume we all are familiar with the name Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and this book speaks about his teachings in detail. Written by the famous Western Philologist, Max Muller, who is known for his take on Indian studies, this book was quite insightful.
~
Professor Max Muller describes in detail about India before even the Westerners set foot in the country. The culture, traditions, people and everything else has always fascinated him to write a book about them. What particularly interested him were the many saints in India back when their words were valued the most and now being taught to kids at schools and colleges. It was no surprise that his eyes were drawn towards Ramakrishna.
~
The initial few chapters didn't grasp my attention as I would have liked it to but it picked up pace later. It's wonderful how the sayings of Ramakrishna are so relatable even in this Era where people often forget to remember the wise saints who walked on our lands spreading peacefulness and knowledge. The book talks about a different India than we have witnessed and known over the years and this is something that turns the book into an educational read as well. The writing is fluent and depicts how profoundly knowledgeable Max Muller was.
~
Though this won't be everyone's cup of tea, particularly for those who aren't fond of philosophy, it does address our Nation's ways and values in surprising detail. An interesting read for all the philosophical mindsets who are on their next hunt for a perfect book.
~
Rating - 3.7/5.
January 4, 2026
Ramkrishna is a man with deep insight. The paradigm of the unlettered saint with God in their heart.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews