"The Condensed Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is M's own English version of some of the most important and representative chapters of his voluminous work in Bengali. It is more a translation of the thought contained in his original diary than of its language. In this sense, as also in that it contains several new elaborations and doctrinal disquisitions, it takes more of the nature of an original work by ""M"" in English than of a mere translation.
Till 1942 it was in print, but was withdrawn after the full translation entitled Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna appeared that year. It is now revived, because its literary worth and M's own full authorship of it have led to a persistent demand for its republication. A handy abridgement of this voluminous text has also become a necessity to the large number of people who use it for their everyday devotional purposes."