Humble Teacher of Vedanta passes away...
Only a few days back I was talking to Prasanna about Sri. C.S. Ramakrishnan, popularly known as CSR among the circle of Ramakrishna Mission friends, heard just now that this genial vedantin passed away in the early hours of this morning.
Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore is one of the earliest modern day spiritual institutions to be set-up in Chennai city. With the Student's Home and the Vivekananda College all at Mylapore and the grand new temple this institution is a representation as well as a integral part of the Mylapore culture now. It was the citizen of Mylapore who offered the land and invited the brother monk of Swami Vivekananda to set up the monastery and stay there. In more than a century, this institutions have shaped not just the culture and landscape of Mylapore, but, much of Chennai and many other parts of Tamilnadu. The monks of the order have played a vital role, but, the role of the chennai citizens is no less significant. The voluntary spirit of the Chennai citizen who happily dedicated their all towards spreading the meaning of Vedanta and doing service in the true spirit of the motto of the RKM as laid out by Vivekananda, 'atmano mokshartam jagat hitaya ca' is to seen in person to be believed.
CSR can certainly be called the brightest star among such devotees of the Ramakrishna Mission. The HINDU for a very long time, maybe for decades, only had him review almost any work on Vedanta, many of his reviews not only carried clean and sharp review of the books, but, a reasonable preamble that would show his in-depth knowledge of the subject of the book. A true intellect, he has immensely contributed to the Vedanta literature published by the RKM and served as the editor of Vedanta Kesari, the flagship english publication of the order for a brief period.
Some of us had the unique opportunity as students to learn Vedanta from this gentle teacher, who would patiently explain the verses and meaning of the Upanisads to the level of the youngest of listeners. An unassuming person, he always had a warm smile and a gentle enquiry to everyone he recognized or was acquainted with at the Ramakrishna Math in Mylapore.
CSR lived a life of a role model whose likes are no longer common in Chennai. As the tradition of many centuries struggles to re-discover itself amidst the onslaught of commercialization and depletion of human values in public life, the departure of his humble teacher provides an opportunity to stop, ponder and yet again assert the values that still charecterize some parts of this city, and, perhaps could become its leit motif if only we understand and permit it to grow on us.
Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore is one of the earliest modern day spiritual institutions to be set-up in Chennai city. With the Student's Home and the Vivekananda College all at Mylapore and the grand new temple this institution is a representation as well as a integral part of the Mylapore culture now. It was the citizen of Mylapore who offered the land and invited the brother monk of Swami Vivekananda to set up the monastery and stay there. In more than a century, this institutions have shaped not just the culture and landscape of Mylapore, but, much of Chennai and many other parts of Tamilnadu. The monks of the order have played a vital role, but, the role of the chennai citizens is no less significant. The voluntary spirit of the Chennai citizen who happily dedicated their all towards spreading the meaning of Vedanta and doing service in the true spirit of the motto of the RKM as laid out by Vivekananda, 'atmano mokshartam jagat hitaya ca' is to seen in person to be believed.
CSR can certainly be called the brightest star among such devotees of the Ramakrishna Mission. The HINDU for a very long time, maybe for decades, only had him review almost any work on Vedanta, many of his reviews not only carried clean and sharp review of the books, but, a reasonable preamble that would show his in-depth knowledge of the subject of the book. A true intellect, he has immensely contributed to the Vedanta literature published by the RKM and served as the editor of Vedanta Kesari, the flagship english publication of the order for a brief period.
Some of us had the unique opportunity as students to learn Vedanta from this gentle teacher, who would patiently explain the verses and meaning of the Upanisads to the level of the youngest of listeners. An unassuming person, he always had a warm smile and a gentle enquiry to everyone he recognized or was acquainted with at the Ramakrishna Math in Mylapore.
CSR lived a life of a role model whose likes are no longer common in Chennai. As the tradition of many centuries struggles to re-discover itself amidst the onslaught of commercialization and depletion of human values in public life, the departure of his humble teacher provides an opportunity to stop, ponder and yet again assert the values that still charecterize some parts of this city, and, perhaps could become its leit motif if only we understand and permit it to grow on us.
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