s_ upon certain points, or interpretations
of meaning exists in the Orient, as in the western world, in regard to the
possible meaning of the Scriptures.

Sri Ramakrishna, who passed from this earth life at Cossipore, in 1886, was
a disciple of the Vedanta system, as founded by Vyasa, or by Badarayana,
authorities failing to agree as to which of these traditional sages of
India founded the Vedantic system of religion or philosophy.

Vedanta, particularly as interpreted by Sri Ramakrishna and his successors,
offers a wider field of effort, and a more intellectual consideration of
Hindu religion than that of the Yoga system as interpreted from the
original Sankhya system by Patanjali, about 300 B.C.

Patanjali's sutras are considered the most complete system of Yoga
practice, for the purpose of mental control, and psychic development.
Patanjali's sutras are almost identical with those employed in the Zen sect
of Buddhist monasteries, throughout Japan.

These sutras, together with Buddhist mantrams will be considered in a
subsequent chapter, devoted to the development of spiritual consciousness
as taught by the Oriental sages and philosophers.

One other great teacher of modern times who has left a large following, was
Lord Gauranga, who was born in India in the early part of the fifteenth
century. Gauranga was worshipped as the Lord God, whether with his consent,
or without, it is not exactly clear, even though his biographers are united
on the fact of his divine origin.

Those who have espoused the message of Gauranga claim that he brought to
the world "a beautiful religion, such as had never before been known." But,
as this claim is made for all teachers and founders of religions and
philosophies, we suggest that the reader compare the message of Lord
Gauranga with those of other avatars and teachers.

Lord Gauranga's message is known as Vaishnavitism, and we will here
consider only those passages of his doctrine which shed light upon his
attainment of cosmic consciousness. Certainly his breadth of mind, and his
standards of tolerance, justice and consideration for all other systems of
worship, would indicate his claim to cosmic consciousness.

One of the contentions of the Vaishnavas is that they alone of all
religious faiths, admit the divine birth and mission of the founders of all
religions.

Thus the Christians have declared that Jesus was the only Son of God; the
Buddhists have claimed Buddha; the Hebrews