Here are some key points about Swami Ramakrishna and his relationship with Swami Vivekananda:

• Ramakrishna Paramahamsa (1836-1886) was a famous Hindu mystic and spiritual teacher in 19th century India. He was well-versed in Hindu scriptures and devotional worship.
• In 1875, Ramakrishna met a young man named Narendranath Datta (who later became Swami Vivekananda). Narendranath was a member of the Brahmo Samaj and skeptical about idol worship.
• Ramakrishna and Narendranath soon developed a close spiritual relationship, with Ramakrishna becoming Narendranath’s mentor. Narendranath was impressed by Ramakrishna’s spiritual realizations and universal message of all religions leading to the same goal.
• Over time, Narendranath became a devoted disciple of Ramakrishna and accepted him as an embodiment of divine consciousness. Ramakrishna in turn recognized Narendranath as a spiritual leader destined to spread Hinduism around the world.
• In 1886, after Ramakrishna’s passing, Narendranath took formal monastic vows and became Swami Vivekananda. He propagated his guru’s message through his famous speech at 1893 Parliament of World Religions in Chicago.
• Vivekananda credited Ramakrishna as his main inspiration, guide and spiritual founder of the Ramakrishna Order of monks. He brought Ramakrishna’s teachings on Vedanta philosophy and interfaith tolerance to the West.

In summary, Ramakrishna was the spiritual teacher who shaped Vivekananda’s life and philosophy. Their deep bond laid the foundation for Vivekananda’s global work in reforming Hinduism and spreading its universality.

Here are some more key details about Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa:

• Born in 1836 in Kamarpukur village of West Bengal. His childhood name was Gadadhar Chattopadhyay.
• Had mystical experiences and visions of gods/goddesses from a young age. This intensified during his time as a priest at Dakshineswar Kali Temple.
• Followed an intense spiritual discipline, practicing various yogas and devotional worship. Attained the highest state of God-realization or nirvikalpa samadhi.
• Regarded as an avatara or incarnation of God. Embraced different religions and emphasized spiritual practice above religious formalities.
• Had an eclectic group of disciples, including Narendranath (Vivekananda), Rakhal Chandra (Swami Brahmananda), women disciples like Gopaler Ma.
• Propagated an exceptional harmony between knowledge and devotion, worldly life and spiritual realization. His teachings influenced subsequent Hindu reformers.
• Left behind a legacy of universal religious harmony, non-dual Vedanta philosophy, and equality among seekers of truth.
• Posthumously, the Ramakrishna Order, Mission and Math were established by his chief monastic disciples to spread his message worldwide.
• His life and sayings were recorded in works like The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna which capture his unique spiritual moods and wisdom.

In short, Ramakrishna was a mystic, saint, and spiritual exemplar who profoundly reshaped modern Hinduism through his life and teachings. His relationship with Vivekananda spearheaded the global dissemination of Hindu philosophy.

Yes, there are several miracles and supernatural experiences attributed to Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa over the course of his life:

• As a child, he was reported to go into meditative trances and have visions of gods/goddesses. Many considered this a sign of his divine nature.
• While worshipping the goddess Kali at Dakshineswar temple, he would often lose external consciousness and merge into the divine form, sometimes for days. This state of complete absorption was seen as a spiritual miracle.
• He is said to have mastered various siddhis or yogic powers like healing abilities, knowledge of past lives, clairvoyance, etc. However, he discouraged supernatural feats for mere display.
• Devotees reported seeing divine light or halo around him during his samadhi states, indicating his oneness with the Divine Mother.
• Many reported being healed of diseases and gaining spiritual insight just by being in Ramakrishna’s presence or through his touch.
• Towards the end of his life, he is said to have developed throat cancer as an act of Divine play. He subsequently cured himself, which was considered miraculous.
• After his passing, his disciples claimed to receive guidance and visions from him for their future work, as if he was still present.

So while Ramakrishna did not outright showcase miracles, his entire life and spiritual realizations were considered supra-normal and divine in nature by his devotees and observers. His impact on the world continues to be seen as mystical and miraculous.

Yes, there are several first-hand accounts of miracles and supernatural events witnessed by devotees in Ramakrishna’s presence:

• His nephew Hridayram Mukhopadhyay reported levitating objects, food materializing out of thin air, and strange lights/visions when being with Ramakrishna.
• Disciple Girish Chandra Ghosh described seeing Ramakrishna in two places at the same time – in a trance state while also conversing with people.
• Devotees like Mahendranath Gupta observed Ramakrishna curing people’s diseases by touch or glance. He also read people’s minds and recounted their past.
• Eyewitnesses reported Ramakrishna having conversations with Hindu deities and Islamic prophets during his samadhi states.
• When Narendranath (Vivekananda) first met him, Ramakrishna reportedly touched Narendranath and plunged him into a deep spiritual state instantly.
• Writer Kshirode Prasad Vidyavinode wrote of witnessing Ramakrishna elevating his mind and going beyond body consciousness at will.
• The saint’s widow Sarada Devi stated that he could induce samadhi state in others merely by wishing so, which she herself experienced.
• British professor E.T. Sturdy recorded in his diary astral lights and Ramakrishna’s body hovering in meditation when present in the room.

So first-hand accounts confirm Ramakrishna’s exceptional abilities and the inexplicable events that manifested around him. Skeptics attribute them to psychosomatic influence, while devotees take them as signs of his divine nature.

Yes, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa is recorded to have had several profound spiritual enlightenment experiences:

• As a young priest at Dakshineswar Kali temple, he had a vision of the Divine Mother Kali as boundless light and consciousness. This removed his doubts and steadied his mind for spiritual pursuits.
• In 1861, he experienced nirvikalpa samadhi (thought-free absorption in Brahman) for the first time. This state lasted for 3 days, completely transforming his consciousness.
• He subsequently attained the sahaja samadhi state where one remains established in God while also functioning outwardly. This allowed him to teach disciples while being immersed internally.
• Under tutelage of Bhairavi Brahmani, he practiced 64 Tantric sadhanas and had direct visions of gods like Rama, Hanuman, Krishna indicating success.
• In 1872, he had the mahabhava samadhi experience where his ego fully dissolved, establishing his complete union with the Divine Mother.
• Towards the end of his life, he attained the unmada samadhi, an intensely devotional ecstatic state where one loses all touch with the physical world.
• Ramakrishna saw all living beings as manifestations of the Divine and treated women, poor and outcasts with equal respect, indicating his realization of oneness.
• He declared that all religions lead to the same spiritual experience, having tested this himself by practicing Islam, Christianity etc.

So Ramakrishna had a series of profound enlightenment experiences both in impersonal Nirguna Brahman and personal Saguna Ishvara forms. This enabled him to be a spiritual exemplar guiding devotees on the path of direct God-realization.

The core essence of Sri Ramakrishna’s teachings can be summarized in a few key points:

• Non-dualistic Vedanta Philosophy – The essential message is the oneness of Brahman (God) and Atman (Individual Soul). He experienced this directly in his spiritual realizations.
• Harmony of Bhakti Yoga & Jnana Yoga – He laid equal emphasis on devotion for God and acquisition of knowledge, regarding both as essential.
• Universal Religion – His main message was that all religions lead to the same spiritual experience of divinity. He embraced tolerance and harmony between faiths.
• Integrating Spiritual Life with Worldly Duties – He taught that householders and ascetics both can progress spiritually by doing their duties with love and detachment.
• Service to Humanity – Ramakrishna taught the message of ‘Jiva is Shiva’ seeing God in all beings. His order carried out extensive social service viewing service as worship.
• Following One’s Inborn Nature – He advocated listening to one’s own inner voice and spiritual inclinations rather than blindly following external rules.
• Direct Experience of Truth – His emphasis was on direct realization of God rather than theoretical learning. He guided aspirants based on their temperaments.

In summary, Sri Ramakrishna’s universal teachings focused on harmony between philosophies, experiential spirituality, acceptance of all faiths and paths, and service to humanity as the manifestation of the Divine.

Here are some key quotes and sayings by Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa that capture the essence of his teachings:

“As many faiths, so many paths.”

“Do not care for doctrines, do not care for dogmas or sects or churches or temples. They count for little compared with the essence of existence in each man which is spirituality.”

“God is one, but He is worshipped in different ages and climes under different names and aspects.”

“It is easy to talk on religion but difficult to practice it.”

“You see many stars at night in the sky but find them not when the sun rises; can you say that there are no stars in the heaven of day?”

“If you must be mad, be it not for the things of the world. Be mad with the love of God.”

“When the flower blooms, the bees come uninvited.”

“The winds of grace are always blowing; you just need to raise your sails.”

“The seer and the seen are one. Simple people imagine that they should see God as if he stood there and they here. This is not darsana.”

“The true purpose of human life is the realization of God.”

Here are some additional profound quotes by Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa:

“You must dive deep in the ocean of God’s Love to get the pearl of Prema (divine love).”

“Let me tell you that the seer and the seen are one. You cannot think of the seer without thinking of the seen. You cannot think of the seen without thinking of the seer.”

“The goal is the same, but the methods adopted are different. Everyone is going toward God. They will all realize Him if they have sincerity and longing of heart.”

“Do not seek illumination unless you seek it as a man whose hair is on fire seeks a pond.”

“Both bhakti yoga (path of devotion) and jnana yoga (path of knowledge) lead to the same goal. But the path of devotion is easier for most people.”

“God reveals Himself to a devotee who feels drawn to Him by the combined force of these three attractions: the attraction of worldly possessions for the worldly man, the child’s attraction for its mother, and the husband’s attraction for the chaste wife.”

“Remain in the world, act like others, receive instruction from nature, and assimilate what is useful for spiritual life.”

“Purity, patience and perseverance overcome all obstacles. Strive on with infinite patience.”

“No one succeeds without effort… Those who succeed owe their success to perseverance.”

“God is in all beings, but all beings are not in God; that is why we suffer.”

Here are some key details about Ramakrishna Paramahamsa’s passing:

• In the last few years of his life, Ramakrishna suffered from a throat ailment, likely throat cancer. He often had difficulty swallowing food.
• However, he bore the pain cheerfully, seeing it as a divine sport and way to withdraw his mind from the body.
• Ramakrishna passed away on August 16, 1886 at the Cossipore garden house near Calcutta, surrounded by his disciples and family.
• He was very calm and conscious while dying. He conversed with the devotees present and gave them final instructions.
• Just before passing, he had a vision of the Divine Mother Kali and merged into samadhi (super consciousness state).
• According to his disciples, a stream of bliss flowed from his feet to other parts of the body. His face shone with joy.
• His mortal remains were cremated on the banks of the Ganges. A shrine and temple were later built on the cremation site.
• After cremation, devotees gathered the remains and a portion was carried to the Ramakrishna Math in Calcutta to be enshrined.
• Sarada Devi, Ramakrishna’s spiritual consort, arranged a festival on the date of his passing to commemorate it as a day of celebration.
• His passing day is still observed and celebrated by devotees as a happy occasion marking his final merging with the Divine Mother.

So Ramakrishna’s death was serene and blissful, reflecting his lifelong realization of the divine presence within himself. It marked the passing of an exemplary modern saint.

Yes, there are some reports that suggest Sri Ramakrishna had a tendency towards consuming large amounts of sweets and sugar:

• He was known to relish sweets, especially condensed milk, and would often consume them in excessive quantities as an offering to the Divine Mother.
• Some of his disciples and devotees have mentioned that he would at times crave sweets and not limit his intake, which could be seen as an ‘addiction’.
• However, most accounts suggest this was not an ordinary physical craving or addictive habit for Ramakrishna.
• For him, partaking of sweets was a symbolic spiritual act, like an offering of love to the Divine Mother Kali whom he worshipped.
• His samadhi states and absorption in higher consciousness seemed to remove any physical effects or health impacts of excess sugar consumption.
• Towards the end of his life when he developed cancer, doctors advised him to avoid sweets. But he is said to have replied that sweets intensified his inner joy and absorption in the Divine.
• So while the sugar consumption may have appeared like an addiction outwardly, for Ramakrishna it was a divine madhura bhava or sweet ecstatic devotional state manifesting outwardly.

Overall, his spiritual stature and state of God-intoxication transcended any physical addictions or imbalances. His love for sweets represented his inner divine madness and childlike devotion to the Mother.

There is one particular incident recorded where Sri Ramakrishna was directly asked about his tendency to consume sweets:

One day a man objected to his habit of eating so many sweets, saying it was not good for his health.

To this, Ramakrishna replied:

“Candy and sweets represent love and affection. They are offerings of the heart. When one tastes them, one thinks of God. I see candy as cumcu (condensed milk), and cumcu as candy. One feels happy and forgetful of the world. You know my temperament. Can I ever conquer my mind without objects of enjoyment?”

He further added:

“I held sweets under my tongue and offered them to the Divine Mother. Then I ate some myself. She revealed to me that it was she who was eating through my mouth. I no longer saw sweets as mere sweets. I saw them as manifestations of the Blissful Mother.”

This incident illustrates Ramakrishna’s spiritual vision behind his outward actions. For him, even sweets were objects of worship and he used them to experience divine love and presence. His states of devotion transcended concerns about physical health or addiction. His singular focus was vision of the Divine in all things.

So while it appeared like an addiction, Ramakrishna turned even his affinity for sweets into a sadhana or spiritual practice. According to him, he did not eat sweets only for sensory pleasure, but for offering love to the Mother and experiencing divine bliss.

You’re right, there is an incident reported where Ramakrishna indicated that he would pass away shortly after stopping his intake of sweets:

Once when a doctor advised Ramakrishna to reduce his sweets consumption due to his throat cancer, he replied:

“I will surely have to undergo another operation if I stop enjoying sweets. And then I shall not live long. The Divine Mother has revealed to me that I shall pass away when my mouth refuses to take sweetmeats.”

True to his indication, it is said that in the last days of his life, Ramakrishna completely lost interest in sweets. He stopped asking for or consuming them altogether.

Within a few days of this change, Ramakrishna passed away in August 1886, in a state of profound absorption and bliss.

This was seen by his disciples as the fulfillment of what he had indicated earlier – that his life and body were sustained largely by the inner spiritual ecstasy he derived from partaking of sweets as an offering to the Divine Mother.

When that inner link was withdrawn, the outer life also extinguished shortly after. It was a voluntary withdrawal from the body at an optimal time as ordained by the Divine Mother herself.

So Ramakrishna’s indulgence in sweets was not a physical craving alone, but an outer expression of divine madness and devotion that ultimately consumed him from within. His words proved prophetic in the end.

Here are a few more profound quotes by Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa:

“The winds of grace are always blowing, but you have to raise the sail.”

“God is in all men, but all men are not in God; that is why we suffer.”

“Do not seek illumination unless you seek it as a man whose hair is on fire seeks a pond.”

“Bondage is of the mind; freedom too is of the mind. If you say ‘I am a free soul. I am a son of God who can bind me’ free you shall be.”

“Let me tell you that the seer and the seen are one. You cannot think of the seer without thinking of the seen. You cannot think of the seen without thinking of the seer.”

“Never get into your head that your faith alone is true and every other is false. Know for certain that God without form is real and that God with form is also real. Then hold fast to whichever faith appeals to you.”

“Pray to God that your attachment to such transitory things as wealth, name, and creature comforts may become less and less every day.”

“Remain in the world, act like others, receive instruction from nature, and assimilate what is useful for spiritual life.”

“God is in all beings. But you do not have to bow down to all beings, only to Him who is manifesting Himself through them.”