Ramakrishna Paramhansa, a famous saint of nineteenth century India was the guru of Swami Vivekananda. He was born in a poor Brahmin family in 1836, in a small town near Calcutta, West Bengal. His life was devoted to mysticism and religious pursuit. A great believer in goddess Kali, he often lost consciousness while praying to her. Many disciples were attracted to him. His main disciple was Swami Vivekananda. Ramakrishna started a mission – Ramakrishna Mission which was very influential during the nineteenth and the twentieth centuries and even now. The objective was to spread the idea of potential divinity of every being and to manifest it through every action and thoughts. The mission that was founded by Ramakrishna was universally spread by Swami Vivekananda. His promotion of Hinduism started with his keynote address at the world Parliament of Religious meeting in Chicago. He also advocated the idea of harmony of religions based on his experience that all religions lead to the realisation of the same reality. It won accolades and people were mesmerised by the speaker and his message. In his last days he gave Vivekananda the responsibility of looking after the disciples and running the mission. He left for his heavenly abode on August 16, 1886 and till the last moment the name of his Goddess was on his lips.

"This book provides deep insights into the life and personality of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. Describing his family background and early life, it discusses at length his marriage with Sarada devi, his life-long celibacy, his devotion to Goddess Kali and his philosophy of Advaita. Taking a lose look at his teachings and methods of imparting them, it tries to interpret the spiritual experiences of Sri Ramakrishna of assimilating different religions and sects, indicating the great path of religions synthesis—acceptance of all religions and rejection of none. "

This book on the legendary Indian religious missionary is a sequel to the author's earlier short biography titled 'Ramakrishna Paramhansa.' This is the life story of a prophet and messiah of the then undivided Bengal which would continue to be told and retold, because it is a testament of faith, devotion and God realization. Its appeal is universal and hence it belongs to the entire humanity. Nevertheless, the life and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa are so vast and multitudinous that even volumes of books can not exhaust them. The author has been in close touch with the life and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa as a reader for several years. Hence this book is an instant fallout of his studies in to the mysterious and fascinating life of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa.

Sri Ramakrishna's life is a life of spirituality in practice, a sublime sonnet with a singular note of God consciousness, a summary of all that the scriptures of the world have to say, and even much more. To contain such a boundless life and personality within a few pages is certainly as audacious a task as to attempt to contain the ocean in a pot. Yet this book published by Advaita Ashrama, a Publication House of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math, humbly attempts to portray his life and personality in a clear and candid style.

Of all the accounts of the life of Sri Ramakrishna, those written by his disciples who knew and lived with him are the most reliable. This book is an English translation of the Hindi book Paramahamsa Charit — a biography of the Master written by none other than Swami Vijnanananda. Paramahamsa Charit has the distinction of being the first Hindi biography of Sri Ramakrishna, as well as the only Hindi biography to be written by one of his disciples. It therefore has great historical significance. In addition to the life of Sri Ramakrishna and an early compilation of his teachings and parables, the book also contains a short biography of Swami Vijnanananda, his reminiscences of his Master, and a list of early writings on Sri Ramakrishna. Detailed notes and references further enhance the value of the book.