Ramthakur (Bengali:শ্রীশ্রী রামঠাকুর )

 (2 February 1860 - 1 May 1949) born Ram Chandra Chakraborty(Bengali: রাম চন্দ্র চক্রবর্তী), was an Indian mystic during 19th century India.

Ramthakur's followers believe that he was an Avatar or incarnation of Truth. He is their most revered " Kaibalyanath" or " Satyanarayan". According to their belief he took the 'human form' for the spiritual uplift of all irrespective of religion, caste and class. A considerable section of his followers were the so-called 'untouchables' and people of other religions (Hindu, Muslim, Christian,Buddhist etc.). Most of them were drawn towards him fascinated by his magnetic divine personality, his magnanimity & affection for all and also by his pleasant personality.

He said that to attain "Brahma", the supreme being, requires a lot of perseverance and practice of the ways and means demonstrated by a great soul. Renunciation of Samsara (material world) is not the only path to realize the Self. God-consciousness may be achieved by chanting of Maha-Nama within this mundane world by means of hard work without attachment.

First phase

Ramthakur was born in the famous Bidyalankar family at Dingamanik, in Faridpur district, Bangladesh, in the month of Magha, 1266 B.S (2 February 1860) on Thursday, the 10th of the New Moon with Rohini (Aldebaran) in the ascendant. His father Sri Radhamadhab Chakravarty was an ascetic, devoted to penance according to the tantras. His mother Srimati Kamala Devi had a frank and simple nature. Ramthakur had two elder brothers, one twin younger brother named Lakshman who died at early age and one sister.

Ramthakur was from his early years different from the others. He, since his boyhood, always liked to be alone with himself. His chief pastime was worshiping the gods and goddesses. His schooling at the primary institution was brief. As a boy he felt strongly attached to, and was deeply loved, by his father's spiritual guide Sri Mrityunjoy Nyayapanchanan, who died one year after his father's death. Ramthakur was then only 8 years old. Soon after, on the third day of the New Moon of Vaishakha, he was initiated by the Guru in ways considered subtle and mysterious. A few years after, he met the Guru at Kamakshya, Assam.

Second phase

The second period of Ramthakur's life is shrouded in mystery. From Kamakshya he disappeared with his Guru to return home after 8–10 years. During this period he visited several places at Himalayas and other places. Soon after he probably went to Noakhali,Bangladesh, and spent a few years there and at Feni, Bangladesh, where Poet Nabin Chandra Sen met him. He was then 26/27 years old. Immediately after, he disappeared again to reappear in Kolkata around 1902-'03.

When his mother died in 1903, he was in Kalighat . He next spent a few years in the well-known village of Uttarpara in the suburbs ofKolkata and one day disappeared from there. Ramthakur and his twin brother Lakshman thakur were unmarried. During this period he visited a village named Ranibari where he has his room ( still prevailing)

Third phase

For more than a year he was on walking tours in the south, and returned home probably towards the end of 1907 or beginning of 1908. From this time till his passing away, during various crises like the two World Wars, riots, famines, political movements, nuclear explosion and British repression, He stood by the suffering humanity giving them constant courage, hope and blessings while moving from door to door. He was adored and revered by both the Hindus and people of other religion, irrespective of their faith. Ramthakur used to stress constantly on the efficacy of the repetitions of the Lord's Holy Name as a spiritual discipline and penance for all ills which subsequently would lead to God and eternal peace.

During the last few years of his life, in spite of his frail health, the tempo of Ramthakur's ministrations increased tremendously. His grace overflowed and touched the lives of thousands of men. Ramthakur died on the third day of the New Moon of Vaishakha 18, 1356 B.S (1 May 1949) at Chaumohani, a town in the District of Noakhali, Bangladesh. His holy remains were laid to rest at Chaumohani, where a hermitage named Samadhi Mandir has been established as per his desire.

Currently there is a temple in his memory situated in DIngamanik, Bangladesh. The present mohanto of Kaibalyadham is Shri. Ashok kumar Chattopadhyay. His descendants are known to be living in Kolkata in Bow Bazar area. Tal Nabami Utsab is still organized by his descendants in 24, Jelia Para Lane, Kolkata- 700012.

ওঁ অজ্ঞান-তিমিরান্দ্বস্য জ্ঞানাঞ্জনশলাকায়া

চক্ষুরুন্মীলিতং যেন তস্মৈ শ্রীগুরবে নমঃ

যিনি জ্ঞানাঞ্জনশলাকায় অজ্ঞান-তিমিরাচ্ছন্ন অন্ধজনের চক্ষুরুন্মীলিত করিয়া দেন সর্ব্বপ্রথমে সেই শ্রীগুরুর শ্রীপাদপদ্মে সাষ্টাঙ্গে প্রণিপাত করিতেছি।

আপনাদের সবাইকে শ্রীশ্রী কৈবল্যধাম আশ্রমে স্বাগতম।

এই ধাম/আশ্রমটি হইল একটি আধ্যাত্মিক কেন্দ্র যেখানে যে কোনো ধর্মবিশ্বাসী মানুষ বা একেবারেই বিশ্বাস নাই এমন মানুষ ও প্রতিফলিত হইতে, প্রশ্ন করিতে, আলোচনা শুনিতে, প্রার্থনা করিতে, গান গাহিতে/ শুনিতে, ধ্যান বা জ্ঞান অথবা নিজেকে পর এর সেবায় উত্সর্গ করিতে আসেন।

শ্রীশ্রীঠাকুর রামচন্দ্রদেব হইলেন এই আশ্রমের অভিভাবক। মরভূমের বিষম বিপাক হইতে স্ব্গণকে উদ্ধ্বার করিয়া নিবার জন্যই লোকালয়ে প্রকট হইয়াছিলেন ভগবানের অবতার পরম দয়াল শ্রীশ্রী রামঠাকুর। নরদেহে আবির্ভূত হইয়া জীবের পরম হিতৈষীর মূর্ত্তিতে স্বগণের গৃহে গৃহে, নিকটে নিকটে ঘুরিয়া সকলকে একান্ত আপন জন হিসাবে আকর্ষণ করিয়া প্রাণের ডোরে নিত্য সত্য ভগবৎপদে গাঁথিয়া নিয়াছেন; অনিত্য সংসারের ভ্রান্ত আসক্তি হইতে উদ্ধারের পথে টানিয়া লইয়াছেন।

শ্রীশ্রী গুরুদেব অনাদি, অনন্ত। প্রকটলীলা সংবরণ করিয়া ভক্ত হৃদয়ে তিনি ‘নাম’ রূপে নিত্য বিরাজ করিতেছেন, চিত্রপটে নিত্য অধিষ্ঠিত রহিয়াছেন এবং নামের ভান্ডারে নিত্য প্রতিভাত থাকিয়া কৈবল্যধামে সর্ব্বকালের কৃপ্রার্থীর আশ্রয় বিধান অব্যাহত রাখিয়াছেন। শ্রীগুরুর স্মরণ মননে প্রেরণার উত্স স্বরূপ হইতে এখানি আশ্রিতবর্গের সহায়ক হইবে বলিয়া মনে করি।

Teachings

Without the blessings of Sri Sri Ramthakur, it is quite impossible for someone to talk or put anything in black and white about Sri Sri Thakur Ramchandra Dev, an incarnation of Bhagwan Narayana. He disliked self-propaganda so much so that even if at some point of time His divine prowess happened to get revealed to ordinary people, He used to make light of the matter saying - "These things just happen!"His teachings and philosophy transpired through His personal ways of life, behaviour etc., His sermons to His disciples seeking His advice on different matters and His numerous letters written to His countless followers and those in distress.
PERSIONAL LIFE

"Pardon me. I am not an advisor, but a mere example," said Sri Sri Ramthakur once after delivering His valuable advice. He was a living example. What was the experience of His lucky disciples who had got the enviable opportunity to come close to Him? He was as great, liberal, solemn, generous, calm and quiet as the vast firmament unmoved by all storms, stresses mishaps, blots, joy and sorrow. Seasons did have no impact on Him at all. Like that very endless space He would shower His love and affection equally upon everyone, irrespective of their financial status, knowledge and wisdom, vice and virtue. He even used to enlighten people putting the most nonsensical queries before Him with utmost patience and without getting irritated a bit.
The embodiment of immense spiritual power, He always remained most courteous and strove for the betterment of the common man. Ever oblivious of His own comfort, never ever did He tolerate the slightest bit of indifference to His accompanying followers wherever He went and it would turn out to be a most uphill task to prevent Him from leaving that place at once under such circumstances. He was so gentle and courteous that He would always use the term 'apni' (you - used formally) to call someone and 'tumi' (you - used informally) in case of mere minors. During His stay in the residence of any of His disciples or followers or wherever it be, He would always mingle with others like the nearest one and did not even hesitate to contribute physical labour since he was totally devoid of any kind of dogma or ego. He was impartial in the true sense. This apart, excess, in any form, was not to His liking. He loved to live a very simple life - be it in terms of clothing or food. One ordinary dhoti and an ordinary chadar for clothing and a very nominal quantity of milk or dry fruits or boiled vegetables were sufficient for His daily life.
Besides, He was diligent and self-dependent. Discipline and dutifulness were parts of His life. Uttering even a single word or going somewhere without any reason were against His nature. It could be spelled without any hesitation that our mortal world would certainly benefit if the instances left behind Him were followed.
HIS TEACHING

He would show His followers the path of enlightenment with the help of very simple advice like, "Chant His name always wherever you are. Do your duties and keep faith. That will do since the Almighty and His name are inseparable, identical and the same. One can even overcome the predestined by chanting His name alone. Showiness is not desirable as it blurs the truth." His sweet and hearty advice lies deep-rooted in the hearts of His followers.
HIS LETTERS

His invaluable advice and directives are found in plenty in His numerous letters written to His disciples. His followers and common people cutting across nationalities and religions would surely be enlightened in terms of familial and spiritual aspects with the help of His advice and sermons.
After Sri Sri Ramthakur's departure from this mortal world, His 808 letters relevant to our day-to-day life were compiled and published in three volumes entitled "Veda-Vani" by Dr. Indubhushan Bandyopadhyay, former Ashutosh Professor of Calcutta University. None of these letters contains a single word that can hurt somebody or someone's belief. These letters can be helpful for someone eager to enter the Path of Infinite glee and joy.
He said "Follow your destiny. Keep faith in Him. Take refuge at the feet of Satyanarayana. People irrespective of nationality, religion or mental formation are parts of one single community - human community. Each and everyone can reach His feet if his/her religion is followed with love for truth and sincerity." On a certain occasion He said "What's wrong with an atheist? The essential motto should be to remain honest and preserve unadulterated belief and conviction."