Devi Mandir

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Ramakrishna, The Nectar of Eternal Bliss

Ramakrishna, The Nectar of Eternal Bliss, by Swami Satyananda Saraswati

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Ramakrishna was a 19th century saint who was instrumental in exemplifying the universality of God. The majesty of Ramakrishna’s thoughts can be summarized in a few short statements: There is One God of us all, who is called by many names in many languages. As many as there are individuals, so many are the ways of worshiping the One God. The point of religious experience is not to engage in intellectual debate, but to become submerged in the ecstasy of divine love through devotion to our path. He told stories in a simple way, but with a big meaning. This book is a compilation of community gatherings that took place across the world between 1998 and 2001.
These gatherings revolved around Shree Maa and Swamiji’s translations of Mahendra Gupta’s book, “Kathamrita”.  This book contains discussions between Ramakrishna and his devotees.  It is a storehouse of practical, entertaining, and applicable wisdom from the sincerity of Ramakrishna’s devotion to God.

About the Author

Swami Satyananda Saraswati is considered to be one of the foremost Vedic scholars and Sanskrit translators in the West. He is the author of nearly 60 books in nine different languages representing a significant contribution to the understanding of Hinduism and Vedic religious practices.

Swamiji comes from the Dashnami lineage of Adi Shankaracharya, and belongs to the Saraswati tribe of renunciates and scholars who are living the life of a teacher and a knower of wisdom, worshiping with both spiritual knowledge and devotion. His Guru, Swami Amritananda Saraswati, initiated him into the Vedic Knowledge, Sanskrit, and the Chandi Path and sacred fire ceremony as his primary system of spiritual discipline in 1971.

He practiced the recitation of the Chandi Path in the Himalayan snow and in the hot springs of Bakreswar. Through this rigorous penance, he became impervious to the influences of heat and cold. Through his experiences walking the length and breadth of the Himalayas over 15 years, Swamiji fell in love with Sanskrit and became proficient in numerous languages including Bengali and Hindi. Wherever he went he would learn the local systems of worship and inspire those around him to participate. Swamiji’s expertise and experience spans many different religious traditions. His realizations and teachings make him a living example of Ramakrishna’s Gospel, “as many as there are individuals, so many are the paths to God”.

In 1979, Swamiji met Shree Maa when he was performing a vow of worship in a small temple in the interior of West Bengal. They toured India, spreading their divine love and inspiration by performing pujas, homas, and sharing their realizations, and teaching their methods of spiritual practice. In 1984 they came to America and established the Devi Mandir, where he and Shree Maa shine their beacon of light from Napa, California. Today, they share all their resources to give every individual an opportunity to access these spiritual teachings.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 400 pages
  • Publisher: Devi Mandir Publications (February 11, 2005)
  • ISBN-10: 1877795666
  • ISBN-13: 978-1877795664
  • Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds

Book Reviews of Ramakrishna, The Nectar of Eternal Bliss

By Stephen Connor (Austin, TX USA)

If you have read Swami Nikhilananda’s original translation, “Gospel of Ramakrishna,” and were moved, I highly suggest you read this book as well. As always, the question for people devoted to spiritual work is, “HOW do I apply this?” The authors have very skillfully clarified the text so our grasp of Ramakrishna’s message is more potent, more relevant, and more applicable than ever.

By Ms. Read 

Riveting contemporary information combined with traditional wisdom. An excellent introduction to Sri Ramakrishna for the new seeker as well as specially “flavored” retellings of familiar favorites for the Ramakrishna devotee.

By Nanda

It started one Saturday evening with a devotee asking Shree Maa to read aloud the original Kathamrita in Bengali to the assembled gathering . Soon this became a most anticipated hour – Shree Maa reading the Bengali and her principle disciple Swami Satyananda Saraswati translating in English to those that clustered around them on the weekend evenings.

There are two parallel satsangs in the book. One that was happening around Ramakrishna and the other happening around Shree Maa and Swami Satyananda Saraswati. Where did Ramakrishna leave off and Shree Maa and Swami Satyananda Saraswati begin? It is very difficult to say – they seem to merge into one. The book has been brought to renewed life with Swami Satyananda’s translation. It is liberally annotated with Swamiji’s own brand of wisdom and humor and Shree Maa’s wise counsel. A must buy for Ramakrishna and Shree Maa devotees alike.

By sankarrukku “Sankar Viswanathan” (India)

This is the first translation of the Kathamrita after the one by Swami Nikhilananda. Swami Sathyananda Saraswati’s knowledge of the language and culture of Bengal, and the interaction with Shree MAA, the living Saint from Kamakhya, has given a new insight into the writing of M. A must read for all devotees of Sri Ramakrishna.

By Muktimaa

This book is without a doubt, one of the purest expressions of devotion ever written. Every page is filled with such nectar that it is impossible to express in just a few lines. i guarantee you, that you will experience glimpses of what it must have been like to sit at Sri Ramakrishna’s holy feet. You will ‘finish’ the book knowing that you have found a new spiritual companion to carry with you throughout your life. Shree Maa and Swami Satyananda Saraswati have brought every page to life with their love, devotional wisdom and their absolute respect for Sri Ramakrishna. This book is sure to become a spiritual classic. Keep a good supply of kleenex on hand, my dears, because you will be weeping out of sheer joy and wonder!

By Ardis Jackson “Devotee of Divine Mother” (Idyllwild, CA USA)

I have read many books about Sri Ramakrishna, His Disciples and Sri Sarada Devi. Most of the books which are available in English. I just wanted to share with you how very special “Ramakrishna, The Nectar of Eternal Bliss” is.

It has an immediacy that is truly contagious. One of the reasons that it grabs you and sits you down in His Presence is because it was written by two of His greatest disciples, Shree Maa and Swamiji. With their knowledge and love of Thakur and their knowledge of Bengali, they have offered us a fresh flower from His Garland of Bliss. All of the wonderful bhajans to the Divine Mother that Ramakrishna and his disciples delighted in singing together are presented with new translations.

I love Sri Ramakrishna with my whole heart. I have since I read my first sentence describing His Divine Love. I felt “at home” in his room at Dakshineshwar. This Love, this Divine Freedom, was what I had been searching for my whole life.

Please, take the time to read this Holy Book about our Beloved Avatar. Very few books have ever been written from first hand experience with an avatar. This book is an expanded translation based on the notes taken by Ramakrishna’s disciple M.

If you want to begin to get to know Shree Maa and Swami Satyananda Saraswati, this is a wonderful way to start. Their Divine Love shines through on every page.
Your sister

By Dawn Robertson, Chicago

A nectarous book about a wondrous personality, translated and written by saints who know him intimately! It is a must-read for all spiritual seekers!

By Mahesh Dayal, California

A great book that brings us into the Divine presence of Ramakrishna Deva – it is beautiful to read and has songs that Thakur used to sing with words in English. What a joy to read!

By Roopa Mittal, Florida

Jai Thakur! Jai Maa! I loved this book – one can feel that Ramakrishna Paramahamsa is talking to us directly in the translation and the songs and conversations and explanations make it all the more enchanting!

By John Topkins, New Haven

This great translation makes the Gospel of Ramakrishna come alive – it makes me realize how practical are the teachings and how I can change my entire life just following one or two of the teachings.

By Manoj Rao, Hyderabad

Excellent book!! I am waiting for Shree Maa to make a CD with all the songs that she sings in the book! I love Swamiji’s translation – it is clear, succinct and so very relevant to our lives today.

By Stephen Connor, Austin, Texas

If you have read Swami Nikhilananda’s original translation, “Gospel of Ramakrishna,” and were moved, I highly suggest you read this book as well. As always, the question for people devoted to spiritual work is, “How do I apply this?” The authors have very skillfully clarified the text so our grasp of Ramakrishna’s message is more potent, more relevant, and more applicable than ever.