RAMAKRISHNA ORDER
RAMAKRISHNA ORDER Ramakrishna Order's Ramakrishna Math is a monastic organization for men brought into existence by Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886), the great nineteenth century saint of Bengal who is regarded as the Prophet of the modern age. It was founded by Sri Ramakrishna's chief apostle, Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902). The emblem of the Order was designed by him. It is a symbol of harmony and synthesis for reverential meditation. The swan represents the Atman which one tries to realize one's real Self to be free of all limitations, all bondages, all littleness. The meaning of this emblem is as stated by Vivekananda. The wavy waters in the picture are symbolic of Karma, the lotus of Bhakti and the rising-sun of Jnana. The encircling serpent is indicative of Yoga and awakened Kunadalini Shakti, while the swan in the picture stands for Paramatman. Therefore, the ideal of the picture is that by the union of Karma, Jnana, Bhakti and Yoga, the vision of the Paramatmam is ...