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.

The life and message of Swami Vivekananda are a source of great inspiration to many in their individual as well as collective life. The present short biography published by Advaita Ashrama, a Publication House of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math, is intended to meet the needs of those who have neither the time nor the opportunity to read bigger works about the Swami. A versatile genius as the great Swami was, and many-sided as were his activities, it is idle to hope that a complete picture of his wonderful life could be given in such a small compass. Here an attempt is made to give only a glimpse of this great personality so that people may become interested to know more about him.

This book is a short life and select teachings of modern Indian prophet Sri Ramakrishna whose life is a story of religion in practice that enables us to see God face to face. His life was one of constant communion with the divine. The author has presented in an original and striking way a biographical narrative of Sri Ramakrishna, interspersing it with detailed analysis of his deep spiritual states. The book, therefore, serves as an excellent interpretation of the life and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, for both devotees and scholars.