Recorded at the Vedanta Society of Western Washington on March 2, 2014.
In this lecture, Swami Bhaskarananda reflects on the meaning of divinity as the true nature of all beings and explains why saints and divine incarnations appear enigmatic. Using vivid analogies—such as the movie screen and projected images, light bulbs of varying wattage, and colored glasses altering our perception—he clarifies that God is one, all-pervading Reality, though differently manifested. He describes Sanatana Dharma as the eternal religion of humankind and explains dharma as that which sustains existence, identifying divinity as the core sustaining principle of every being. Sri Ramakrishna is presented as one in whom this divinity was extraordinarily manifest, recognized by a few as a divine incarnation whose life served to awaken awareness of inherent divinity in others.
The Swami recounts episodes from Sri Ramakrishna’s life—his childlike simplicity, his spiritual power to awaken seekers through touch, and his deep devotion to the Divine Mother—to illustrate both his humanity and his hidden spiritual stature. He explains that divine incarnations often remain unrecognized during their lifetime, their true nature understood only by spiritually mature souls. Through stories, humor, and philosophical reflection, the talk emphasizes that God’s love, like a mother’s love, is profound and difficult to comprehend, yet ever-present. Sri Ramakrishna’s life, though mysterious, stands as a compassionate manifestation of that divinity guiding humanity toward knowledge of the Self.
