^365:* Nangta was the name by which Sri Ramakrishna called his spiritual teacher in the Advaita Vedanta. The word literally means, "One who does not cover his body with any clothes." Tota Puri was his real name. He was a Sannyasin monk of Sankara's school and was a great Vedanta scholar. He reached the highest state of Nirvikalpa Samadhi after practising for forty years. He used to travel from place to place in India, never spending more than three days in one spot. When he came to Dakshineswara he lived under the trees at the Panchavati and wore no clothes. After seeing Ramakrishna he desired to instruct Him in Advaita Vedanta. Ramakrishna like a child replied. "I shall ask my Divine Mother, and if She gives me Her permission I shall learn of you." The sage Tota Puri was pleased with His answer. He then stayed with Ramakrishna for eleven months, which was quite unusual for him to do. He gave Him instructions on the oneness of the Jiva with Brahman, and within three days Ramakrishna realized that supreme oneness by reaching the Nirvikalpa Samadhi. Seeing this state Tota Puri declared in utter amazement: "How wonderful is the Divine mystery! Thou hast acquired in three days what I accomplished after forty years of hard struggle." Since then he regarded Ramakrishna as his Spiritual Brother.

^370:* Sankara, see note <page 279>.

^370:+ Ramanuja was the founder of the Visishtadvaita, or Qualified Non-dualistic School of Vedanta. He was born about 1017 A.D. at Sri Parambattur, a town near Madras in Southern India. He is regarded by His followers as the incarnation of Sesha or Ananta. He wrote Sanskrit Commentaries on the Upanishads, Vedanta Sutras and the Bhagavat Gita, and preached His doctrines all over India. He is said to have lived for one hundred and twenty years and died in 1137 A.D. His doctrines were distinct from the Absolute Monistic philosophy of Sankaracharya. He has now millions of followers among all classes of Hindus in India.