LotusShri Gurudev Ranade Samadhi TrustLotus

Key Milestones

Calendar of Events in Shri Gurudev R. D. Ranade's Life

DateMilestone Description
July 3, 1886Birth
1895Joins Sir Parshuram Bhau High School, Jamkhandi
Nov. 25, 1901Initiation into spiritual life, by Shri Bhausaheb Maharaj, Umadi
1902Matriculation exam. Receives coveted Jagannath Shankarsheth Scholorship in Sanskrit. Stood second in Mumbai Province.
1902First mystical experience at Jamkhandi.
1903Joins Deccan College, Pune
1904Sad demise of Gurudev's father.
1905Varjivandas Scholorship in Inter exam.
1906Published his article - An Ideal Critic, in Deccan College Journal
1907Stood 1st in B.A. & received Bhau Daji Scholorship
1907Dakshina Fellow in Deccan College
1908An article - The Centre of the Universe, published
1908Huge expanse of spiritual light seen by Gurudev along with friends. Prof. Wodehouse said 'My spiritual career began today.'
1908Visits Annie Besant at Benares. The venerable lady attentively heard all the details of the spiritual experiences of young Ranade and asked whether he was initiated by a Master. On getting a reply in the affirmative, she asked whether he had with him a photo of his Master. Young Ranade handed over a photo of his Master which she eyed as with a search-light and exclaimed: “You are in safe hands.”
1909Serious Brain Tuberculosis. Shri Bhausaheb Maharaj assured to his mother: 'Your son shall have no fear of death till sixty years.'
1910First meet with Shri Amburao Maharaj
1911Tutor in English, in Fergusson College, Pune
1912Article in Modern Review, Kolkata, Vindication of Indian Philosophy, published
1912Curator in Deccan College, Pune
1914Spiritual Master Shri Bhausaheb Maharaj's Niryaan.
1914M.A. - Awarded Chancellor's and Justice Telang Gold Medals. One of the Examiner have written on his answerbook that the 'Examinee knows more than the examiner'.
1914Professor of Philosophy in Fergusson College, Poona.
1915Lectures at Bangalore on the Philosophy of the Upanishads at the time of the foundation of Sanskrit Academy.
1916Lost his only son in infancy.
1916Publication of a Critical Edition of Carlyle’s Signs of the Times and Characteristics. Correspondence with Shri Aurobindo Ghosh who on reading Gurudeva’s writings on Greek Philosophy observed: “The perfect writer and scholar .... possesses in a superlative degree the rare gift of easy and yet adequate exposition and leaves us charmed ..... enlightened and satisfied. A complete history of Greek Philosophy by this “perfect writer and scholar would be a priceless gain.”
1917Lokamanya Tilak asks Ranade to enter politics. On getting a reply that he had an inherent liking for religion and spirituality, Lokamanya said: “Arvind Babu also is a mystic like you.”
1918Lost his revered mother and wife within a span of 2 months due to plague epidemic.
1920-21Gurudev attained spirtual pinnacle, crowned as Sadguru.
1922Second marriage with Manutai Vaidya, as per instructions received in meditation.
1922Came to stay in Nimbal.
1924Resigned from Life Membership of Deccan Education Society
1924Started Academy of Philosophy and Religion. Launched upon the scheme of the Encyclopaedic History of Indian Philosophy in sixteen volumes.
1925Birth of daughter - Shakuntala
1926Publication of 'Constructive Survey of Upanishadic Philosophy'
1926Publication of Jnaneshwar Vachanamruta, Tukaram Vachanamruta and Ramdas Vachanamruta.
1927Publication of 'Sant Vachanamruta'
1927Publication of ‘History of Indian Philosophy Vol. II: The Creative Period’ (in collaboration with Dr. S.K. Belvalkar)
1927Invited to the Chair of Philosophy, Allahabad University by Dr. Ganganath Jha, Vice-Chancellor.
1928Delivered Rao Bahadur Kinkhede Lectures under the auspices of the Nagpur University, which were later published under the title: ‘The Bhagavad-Gita as a Philosophy of God-realisation.’
1928Delivered Basu Mallik Lectures on Vedanta under the auspices of Calcutta University which were later published under the title: ‘Vedanta, the Culmination of Indian Thought.’
1930Started the Quarterly: Review of Philosophy and Religion.
1933Publication of 'Mysticism in Maharashtra'.
1933Niryaan of Shri Amburao Maharaj (Baba)
1936Started initiating Mumukshus
1937Presided over the XIII Indian Philosophical Congress held at Nagpur.
1940-41Birth of second son, who passed away within 4 months.
1942Second building constructed at Nimbal.
1945Became Vice-Chancellor of Allahabad University.
1946Awarded Emiratus Professorship by Allahabad University.
1947Awarded D.Litt. degree honoris causa by the Allahabad University
1947Delivered Koushik Endowment Lectures at Poona presided over by the then Chief Minister, Shri B.G. Kher who said: “I shared with Prof. Ranade the Sanskrit Prize at the University Examination. What a great good fortune would it be if I were to share his spiritual prize as well!”
1947Marriage of daughter, Shakuntala.
1947Delivered Lectures at Ahmedabad under the auspices of Gujarat Vidya Sabha on (i) The Spiritual Task before New India and (ii) How Humanity can be one? These were later brought out in a book form under the title – The Conception of Spiritual Life in Mahatma Gandhi and Hindi Saints.
1952Lectures at Rashtrapati Bhavan and Constitution Club, New Delhi.
1954Release of Paramartha Sopan (Hindi Source Book), at Ganapati Mandir,Sangli by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan who observed: “I enjoyed Sri Ranade’s friendship and affection from the first time I met him. His simplicity, his integrity, his sweet and affectionate nature impressed all those who came into contact with him. Dr. Ranade lived philosophy and was touched by the Grace of God. My life is richer for having known him.”
1954Publication of ‘Pathway to God in Hindi Literature’. The book was released by Dr. Rajendra Prasad at Rashtrapati Bhavan who said: “So the philosophy which we have inherited from the past now lives in him.”
1954Lectures at Karnataka University, Dharwad which were later published under the title: ‘Pathway to God in Kannada Literature.’
1955Publication of 'Eknath Vachanamrut'.
1956Publication of 'Philosophical and Other Essays' Part I.
1956Amrut Mahotsav (70th birth celebration at Jamkhandi)
6th June 1957Mahaniryaan. Last message: 'Follow the will of God and meditate on Him.'

Choose Your Experience

Select how you would like to explore the milestones of Shri Gurudev R.D. Ranade's life.