Swami Akhandananda was one of the sixteen monastic disciples of Sri Ramakrishna. He was one of the pillars of the Ramakrishna Movement’s service activities. He practised till the very end of his life his Master’s call: Worship jiva as Shiva. This book reminisces the inspiring saga of that adventurous monk who was wholeheartedly dedicated to the tireless service of God in man. Published by Advaita Ashrama, a publication house of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math, India.

This book is a collection of precious reminiscences of Swami Ramakrishnananda, who was a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna and who pioneered the Ramakrishna movement in southern India. Along with the reminiscences recorded by both monks and lay devotees, the book contains a short biographical sketch of Swami Ramakrishnananda, reports and descriptions of his mahasamadhi, Swami Vivekananda’s letters to the Swami, and appendices containing the accounts of his influences in various places and people. The articles in this book are mainly drawn from the Bengali work Ramakrishnanander Smriti Mala, Tar Patro O Rachanasangraha and from the archives of the monthlies The Vedanta Kesari, Prabuddha Bharata, Vedanta for East and West, and Brahmavadin. This book will help the readers to comprehend Swami Ramakrishnananda’s distinct, grand and saintly personality.

Swami Brahmananda, regarded as the spiritual son by Sri Ramakrishna, was a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna and the first president of the Ramakrishna Order. This book is a compilation of the personal accounts of monastic and lay members who intimately knew Swami Brahmananda and had many occasions to closely observe his daily life and day-to-day dealings. These reminiscences record the charm of his unassuming personality, the silent influence of his deep spirituality, his practical hints for living a spiritual life, and his keen sense of humour and insights into human mind. An unpublished letter and a couple of speeches of Swami Brahmananda and some remarkable articles on his life and precepts are included in this book. The impressive volume is interspersed with valuable illustrations. This book will be of immense help and inspiration to all spiritual seekers.

Swami Adbhutananda was a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. Although he never underwent any formal education, he was a perfect knower of God and a personification of simplicity, straightforwardness and spirituality. This book is a translation of the original Bengali Sri Sri Latu Maharajer Smritikatha written by Chandrashekar Chattopadhyay. It is a charming account of Adbhutananada’s association with Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda and other disciples. It also provides intimate glimpses of his austere life, devotion to God, dispassion towards the world, and intense spiritual practices.

A collection of 40 reminiscences of disciples, friends, and relatives who describe their association with Ramakrishna in detail.

Swami Adbhutananda, or Latu Maharaj, was one of the sixteen monastic disciples of Sri Ramakrishna. Swami Vivekananda called him Sri Ramakrishna’s greatest miracle. He remarked upon Latu Maharaj’s uniqueness saying: “Latu progressed so quickly in the spiritual realm that, considering the different circumstances of his background and ours, he is far greater than us. We were all born of high ancestry and came to the Master with an intellect refined by formal education whereas Latu was entirely illiterate. If we did not care to meditate or do other spiritual practices, we could escape such a mood by studying. But Latu had no other recourse. He had to hold on to a single idea throughout his life. Starting from a very ordinary and low state, by keeping his mind unruffled by meditation and other spiritual practices alone, Latu became fit to receive the highest spiritual wealth. This indicates his inner potential power and the limitless grace of our Master.” Published by Advaita Ashrama, a publication house of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math, this is an English translation of ‘Sat Katha’ in Bengali by Swami Siddhananda. The translation was completed in 2012 and thereafter serialized in the monthly Prabuddha Bharata. Swami Siddhananda was Latu Maharaj’s attendant and was fortunate to hear the spiritual instructions which flowed from him. He published a number of his talks serially in the Udbodhan magazine under the title Satkatha which later was published in book form.

This book provides information and guidelines to pilgrims to Belur Math founded by Swami Vivekananda that is well known for its architecture, elegance and spiritual atmosphere.It is also a reliable guidebook for devotees to make their pilgrimage fruitful to Belur Math and places associated with the Holy Trio. Appendices at the end of the book provide additional information like distances between various places and the time taken to reach them, list of books to be read before undertaking the pilgrimage, and the contact addresses of the various pilgrim centers. A color sketch of the entire Belur Math premises adds value to the book.