Reminiscences of Swami Brahmananda: The Mind-Born Son of Sri Ramakrishna
Swami Vivekananda once referred to Swami Brahmananda as a spiritual dynamo. These reminiscences related by Brahmachari Akshayachaitanya and freely translated by Swami Bhaskarananda clearly reveal the innumerable ways in which he radiated that spiritual power. His calm majestic personality is sweet, soothing, inspiring and enlightening. Though often lost in profound mystical moods, this man of God could be down-to-earth as well, dealing with day-to-day details of many centers of the Ramakrishna Order, expressing his sympathetic concern for devotees and, most importantly, showering his divine love on all. His deep insights into life and human nature touched the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to come into contact with him. It is said God has the nature of a child. Childlike himself, Swami Brahmananda was witty with an irrepressible sense of humor who delighted in playing practical jokes on many unsuspecting monks and devotees. These reminiscences are indeed a veritable spiritual feast for sincere seekers of God. --Swami Prabuddhananda, head of the Vedanta Society of Northern CaliforniaTo reminiscence is to simply recall. But when one reminisces ... about a spiritual giant of Swami Brahmananda s stature, it becomes an act of meditation. Swami Brahmananda, a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna and the first President of the Ramakrishna Order, has left behind a rich legacy of how to live a spiritual vibrant life. His lofty state of mind, practical wisdom and a deep love and sympathy for all those who came in touch with him, is a legend in the Ramakrishna tradition. Swami Bhaskarananda, the translator of the present volume, has taken great pains to provide a faithful and clear translation, with copious explanatory notes and a glossary. He has also added a short biographical sketch of Swami Brahmananda. ... Nothing could be of greater help in the contemporary world where the need for such books is keenly felt, but rarely met. --Publisher, Sri Ramakrishna Math, ChennaiTo reminiscence is to simply recall. But when one reminisces ... about a spiritual giant of Swami Brahmananda s stature, it becomes an act of meditation. Swami Brahmananda, a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna and the first President of the Ramakrishna Order, has left behind a rich legacy of how to live a spiritual vibrant life. His lofty state of mind, practical wisdom and a deep love and sympathy for all those who came in touch with him, is a legend in the Ramakrishna tradition. Swami Bhaskarananda, the translator of the present volume, has taken great pains to provide a faithful and clear translation, with copious explanatory notes and a glossary. He has also added a short biographical sketch of Swami Brahmananda. ... Nothing could be of greater help in the contemporary world where the need for such books is keenly felt, but rarely met. --Publisher, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai