Ram Chandra Datta

Ram Chandra Datta Biography

Ram Chandra Datta was a disciple of Ramakrishna and a relative of Swami Vivekananda. He was a chemist by profession, who later became a householder disciple of Ramakrishna. It was Ram Chandra Datta who encouraged his cousin Narendranath Datta to go to Dakshineswar and meet Ramakrishna. That’s how Narendra met Ramakrishna and became his foremost disciple. Ram Chandra Datta’s devotion to Ramakrishna was so deep that he placed the urn carrying his master’s ashes on Ramakrishna’s bed and wished to keep the remains in his Kankurgachi house. He believed that Ramakrishna was an incarnation of god and even built a temple for him. He also delivered 18 public lectures between 1893 and 1897 explaining the greatness of his guru.

Ram Chandra Datta was born in Kolkata in 1851. His father Nrisimha Prasad Datta was a devotee of Lord Krishna and his mother was Tulasimani. Datta lost his mother at the age of 2 and later he was brought up by Bhubaneshwari, mother of Vivekananda. Vivekananda and his brothers regarded Ram Chandra as their elder brother. Since young he was inclined towards Krishna worship and he used to interact with monks of different orders. He was a strict vegetarian even before 10 years old. When his father remarried, he couldn’t adjust with his step mother and he left his home to stay with a relative.

He graduated from Campbell Medical School in Kolkata and got married to Krishnapreyashi. He took the government job of an assistant to the Government Quinine Examiner, which improved his financial conditions. He got interested with Chemistry and invented an antidote for blood dysentery. He is known for promoting modern science. He also taught military medical students at the Calcutta Medical College. After the death of his younger daughter, he moved towards spiritual world and became a householder disciple of Ramakrishna. He is known for his deep admiration towards his guru, whom he regards as an ‘avatar’.

When Vivekananda returned from Chicago, Ram was seriously ill. When Vivekananda visited Ram Chandra to inquire about his cousin's health, he shed tears in happiness. He was so happy that his cousin didn’t forget him after becoming a celebrity in the western world. He compiled the teachings of his guru and later published his autobiography also. He passed away on 17 January 1899 aged only 47. He died of heart disease and chronic asthma.

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Updated: March 20, 2016