He was not one of those who are regarded merely as Sadhus or pious men. Though he practiced the methods of established religions, he never restricted himself to any one. Ordinarily we find that saints are adepts in one particular sadhana. For this reason, whoever became a Sadhu or saint following the sadhana prescribed by any particular sect, made his disciples also follow the same path. The Master was not of this class. So he cannot be said to be merely a saint. He was what is meant by the term saint and he was, besides, what saints are not. He was an adept in all the various doctrines. If anyone asked him the method of practicing religion according to any faith, he had his desire fulfilled; nay, the Master even helped him to attain the goad through those practices if he failed in his attempt. No one has ever seen such a saint nor even heard of such a one. Has there been or is there at present such a saint in any nation or sect, as could instruct a Mohammedan in Mohammedanism, a Christian in Christianity and at the same time remain a perfect master of the different kinds of spiritual practices prescribed by the different sects in Hinduism with all their rituals? There is no doubt that the Master was an adept in all kinds of spiritual practices. Men belonging to diverse sects or religions, among which there never was harmony nor any possibility of it in the future, such as Saktas, Vaishnavas, Christians and Mohammedans, had their heart’s desire fulfilled in him, and even attained their goal through his help. And that was not all; they found in him the unrivalled spiritual preceptor of their faith. History has no record of such a saint. So the question arises, what was he then? To which class did he belong ? He was no ordinary saint. Is it possible for a man to attain realization through so many diverse faiths and spiritual practices—a thing which no one till now has been able to accomplish?

Source: A Bridge to Eternity by Advaita Ashrama

An Article by Ramachandra Datta, a householder disciple of Sri Ramakrishna