Ramakrishna Photo. R1 shrine pose

This is the classic shrine pose of Sri Ramakrishna, and the best image quality we offer. The photo is printed on thick archival stock.

You can also order the print from http://vedanta.zenfolio.com/ and have more size choices and lower prices.

The picture itself was taken in front of the Krishna temple at Dakshineswar in 1884, when Sri Ramakrishna was 48 years old. According to Swami Nirvanananda, Bavanath Chatterjee, the Sri Ramakrishna's devotee from Baranagore, wanted to take a photograph of the Master. One day he requested him very strongly to give his consent, and on the afternoon of the next day brought a photographer along with him from Baranagore. He could not make the Master agree. The Master just went away near the Radhakanta [Krishna] temple.

In the meantime Narendra arrived on the scene, heard everything and said, ‘Wait a bit. I shall put everything straight.’ Saying this, he went to the veranda to the west of the Radhakanta temple where Sri Ramakrishna was sitting and started a religious conversation with him. The Master went into samadhi. Swamiji went and called the others and ordered them to get ready quickly to take the picture.

In the state of samadhi the Master's body was bent on one side and therefore the cameraman went to make him sit erect by softly adjusting his chin. But as soon as he touched his chin the whole body of the Master came up like a piece of paper - so light it was!

Swamiji then told him, "Oh, what are you doing? Be quick. Get the camera ready."; The cameraman took the exposure as hurriedly as possible. The Master was completely unaware of this incident.