A translation of the sri-sri-ramakrisna-kathamrita with explanatory notes and critical introduction

Abstract

This thesis contains the translation of the five volumes of the śri-śri-rȃmakrisna-kathȃmrita. It is preceded by a critical introduction which claims that in the teaching contained in the work Ramakrishna was attempting a synthesis of many different Hindu traditions, especially advaita and visistadvaita Vedanta and Tantrism. The introduction then briefly analyses Ramakrishna's views on the nature of reality, jnana and bhakti, and the way of realisation of God for house-holder devotees, to support this thesis. It concludes with a section on Ramakrishna's relation to the Indian tradition and a conclusion which sums up the argument. There follow some brief notes on important concepts in Ramakrishna's teaching not covered in the introduction.