SRK X “One Infinite Reality, many true revelations.”

 A

Concept	Definition	Śrī Ramakrishna’s Teaching	Citation
Chameleon Parable	Metaphor for many valid perceptions of one Reality	Different seekers see different “colours,” but all see the same chameleon — one Infinite Reality with many aspects.	“Although different people see the chameleon in different colors, they all see one and the same chameleon.”
Vijñānī’s View	Realizes both saguṇa and nirguṇa aspects of God	Affirms that all religions are salvifically efficacious because God truly manifests in many forms.	“Represents the vijñānī who has realized both the saguṇa and nirguṇa aspects of God… all religions are salvifically efficacious.”
Non‑hegemonic Pluralism	No single path is imposed as superior	Unlike Advaita, which centres nirguṇa Brahman, Ramakrishna allows multiple equally real realizations.	“The Advaitin… imposes the goal of realizing nirguṇa Brahman… By contrast, Ramakrishna’s parable implies a very broad and nonhegemonic outlook.”
Bhakta’s Realization	Personal God as eternally real	Bhakta realizes God as “nitya sākār” — eternally with form — equally valid as nirguṇa realization.	“The bhakta… can realize the same Infinite Reality as ‘eternally endowed with form and personality’ (nitya sākār).”
Harmony of Religions	All religions reveal real aspects of the Infinite	Each religion captures a unique, true facet of God; all contribute to spiritual understanding.	“Each religion captures a real and unique aspect of the infinite and illimitable God.”
Learning Across Traditions	Pluralism as enrichment, not tolerance	We should actively learn from other religions because each reveals something real about God.	“We can—and should—actively learn from religions… they can enrich and broaden our own spiritual outlook.”
Scriptural Roots	Vedic and Gītā support for pluralism	“Truth is one, sages speak of it variously” and Gītā’s multiple yogas affirm many valid paths.	“Ekaṃ sad viprā bahudhā vadanti… Some realize the Ātman… through dhyānayoga… sāṃkhyayoga… karmayoga.”
Contrast with John Hick	Hick: Real an sich is unknowable	Ramakrishna rejects Kantian unknowability; God’s many aspects are directly realizable.	“He would reject Hick’s Kantian distinction… all religions capture real aspects of one and the same infinite God.”
Experiential Basis	Pluralism grounded in direct realization	Ramakrishna practiced Hindu and non‑Hindu paths and verified their truth experientially.	“On the basis of his own practice of both Hindu and non-Hindu religions… he proclaimed the harmony of all religions.”
Maximally Expansive Theism	God is infinite, illimitable, multiform	God is personal + impersonal, with form + without form, immanent + transcendent — all equally real.	“Everything is possible for God… God actually assumes the various personal forms… reveals His impersonal aspect…”