History of Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Gwalior
Brief History
Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission are twin organizations which form the core of a worldwide spiritual movement (known as Ramakrishna Movement or Vedanta Movement), which aims at the harmony of religions, harmony of east and the west, harmony of the ancient and the modern, spiritual fulfilment, all round development of human faculties, social equalities, and peace for all humanity without any distinctions of creed, caste, race or nationality - Service of man in God. From 1st Nov. 2016, Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Thatipur, Gwalior has come into existence as one of the official branch centers of worldwide Ramakrishna Mission having its head quarters at Belur Math, Kolkata (WB). Earlier to this, Ramakrishna Ashrama, Gwalior was functioning as one of the private centres managed and run by local devotees. This private Ashrama was started in 1966 by late Swami Swarupanandaji Maharaj who lived till 5th Feb. 2014. After his demise the Ashrama was handed over to Belur Math authorities and ultimately on 1st Nov. 2016 this Ashrama was merged with Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math.
Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Gwalior is a branch center of worldwide Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission Po – Belur Math, Howrah, W.B. The ideology of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission consists of the eternal principles of Vedanta as lived and experienced by Sri Ramakrishna and expounded by Swami Vivekananda. This ideology has three characteristics: it is modern in the sense that the ancient principles of Vedanta have been expressed in the modern idiom; it is universal, that is, it is meant for the whole humanity; it is practical in the sense that its principles can be applied in day-to-day life to solve the problems of life. The basic principles of this ideology are given below:1. God realization is the ultimate goal of life: One of the important discoveries made in ancient India was that the universe arises from and is sustained by infinite consciousness called Brahman. It has both impersonal and personal aspects. The personal aspect is known by different names, such as God, Ishwar, Jehovah and so on. Realization of this Ultimate Reality is the true goal of life, for that alone can give us everlasting fulfilment and peace.2. Synthesis of the Yoga's: The removal of ignorance and manifestation of inner divinity leading to God realization are achieved through Yoga. There are four main Yoga's: Jnana Yoga (Yoga of Knowledge); Bhakti Yoga (Yoga of Devotion); Raja Yoga (Yoga of Meditation); Karma Yoga.