The Present World and Sri Ramakrishna- Vivekananda

“This “epochal new dispensation' established by Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna, the incarnation of the age, for the fulfilment of the need of the age does not ‘destroy' the modern scientific materialism but ‘fulfils'it - removes its ‘soulless’ness and thereby unequivocally tells, shows and teaches how to imbibe the good part of this materialism discarding the evil, how to accept its boons avoiding its banes. So, to conclude it in Swami Vivekananda's words born out of conviction and in turn creating conviction, it is -“This epochal new dispensation is the harbinger of great good to the whole world, especially to India; and the inspirer of this dispensation, Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna, is the reformed and remodelled manifestation of all the past great epoch-makers in religion. O man, have faith in this, and lay it to heart'.”

In commemoration of 150' Birth Anniversary of Revered Swami Vivekananda, we are extremely glad to present to the readers this unique publication entitled, “The Present World and Sri Ramakrishna-Vivekananda' in English. It was originally written in Marathi by Swami Shivatatvananda (1919-1991) and published by Ramakrishna Math, Nagpur, in the year 1974.

SE Materialism, based and raised on science is the special feature of the modern age. This materialism has cast evil effects upon the modern man's personal-family-social-national and international life and has given rise to conflicts of various types. Today we find there is perpetual dissatisfaction and restlessness, tremendous unrest and discontent in the life of modern man. The ultimate goal of human life is attaining Liberation or Self knowledge and modern scientific materialism has struck a blow on this very goal itself. Its soul is hopelessly split as a result of which modern man has lost faith on Atman or God, leading to enhancement in sensuality. In such situation Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda adopted the scientific means and gave apt reply to this materialism and sensuality verily by the sciencebased, science-approved and science-oriented method and established the importance of spiritual life.

The highest spirituality manifest in the most concrete form in Sri Ramakrishna's life was preached by Swami Vivekananda in the most convincing and easily comprehensible language in the East and the West. In the context of problems as well as hopes and aspirations of modern age, the practical religion preached by Swami Vivekananda has a special significance today.

Sri Ramakrishna-Vivekananda have imparted to the modern man, the right attitude towards life and shown the path of eternal peace and happiness. The detailed exposition of how they fulfilled this great need of the age is being explained in the most rational and discerning manner in the present book. We sincerely hope and have faith that the nature of spirituality and practical religion which has been narrated in the form, most useful to this age by Sri Ramakrishna-Vivekananda will definitely bring new light and new inspiration to the readers and help them in attaining spiritual progress and prosperity in their lives in this modern age.

For wider circulation and for the benefit of English readers we have undertaken this enterprise of translating this book from Marathi into English. Hope this translation turns out to be equally effective in leading the spiritual aspirants to their goal.

**Contents and Sample Pages**