Glimpses of a Great Soul: A Portrait of Swami Saradananda

Swami Saradananda was a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna and the first General Secretary of the Ramakrishna Order. He was an amazing combination of spirituality, patience, and effectiveness in dealing with the problems of a new organization. His is a story of a close contact with great saints, numerous religious leaders throughout the world, and outrageous eccentrics. Two major themes ran through Swami's life and are reflected in this book: his selfless devotion to Holy Mother, Sri Sarada Devi, and his closeness to his brother monks.

Of note is that Swami Vivekananda sent him to the East Coast of America, then later asked him to come back to India to help manage the new Ramakrishna Order that Swami Vivekananda founded.

The author, Swami Aseshananda, was a disciple of Sri Sarada Devi, and served Swami Saradananda as secretary and confidante. He was sent to the Hollywood center, then later went to Oregon where he served as the head of the Vedanta Society of Portland till his passing.

See also: The ABCs of Spiritual Life: Essential Vedanta Teachings of Swami Aseshananda. and Remembering Sri Sarada Devi's Disciple.