The legend of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa -

Pranams at the lotus feet of Thakurji!

Chapter – 18

Rameshwar Chatterji was a cousin brother of Thakurji, he had a daughter Lakshmini, her marriage was fixed, Hridhayram informed this matter to Thakurji, that time Thakurji was in a transcendental state, he said “ Lakshmi’s marriage? It is not going to bring any good. Lakshmi will become a widow soon.” Hridhayram holding Thakurji’s face said “ Mama, what did you say? On this auspicious occasion why did you say such a thing about your cousin?” soon Thakurji got out of the state, he asked “ Hridhu, did I say something? Did I say anything about bad omen?’.  Things happened in real, soon after marriage, Lakshmidevi became a widow.  Thakurji considered her as Devi Sitala.

One of the residents of Hooghly, Mahendrapal was doing the job of a physician,  Thakurji took help of this physician for his cousin, one-day Mahendrapal paid five rupees to Ramlal, another cousin of Thakurji to give to Thakurji, that night Thakurji was terribly anxious and felt pain on the chest, soon he understood the money paid by Mahendrapal was causing him the pain.  Next day Ramlal returned the five rupees to Mahendrapal, all the uneasiness of Thakurji went off.  Mahendrapal gave this money for a personal motive not with love.  Thakurji always give lectures on this to his disciple that money earned by a doctor, poets, advocates, agents, and all the professionals should not receive as contribution.  Thakurji never liked to receive any contributions, there were rich Marwadis used to visit him with fruits and sweets, he never touches these things with his hands, it would be sent to the houses of Balramvasu or Narendra, whoever pays any contribution with the pure heart would bring happiness, he was not willing to accept any contribution from selfish people.  He would say Narendra is a fire pit; all the impurities will burn into ashes.

The legend of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa -

Pranams at the lotus feet of Thakurji!

Chapter – 17

Prabudhayalmisri is a Bhramin, there was a tragedy took place in his family, so he became so depressed and spend some days in solitude in a cave under the mountain where no people lived, one day he witnessed a divine personality who had great effulgence, soon he accepted the Isai Dharma and went in search of Lord of Christ, on this mission he met several saints and holy men,  he realized that a holy person is living near the shores of Ganga.  Soon he arrived to meet Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, he saw Thakurji and he recollected the dream he had and said “These people do not recognize you, I have recognized you. You are the Lord of Christ.” Thakurji asked ‘Could you see the light?” Misri said “Yes I can. While I was living in my home I could see that often.” Soon Thakurji became emotional and went into Ghat. He gave hand to Misri and said: “It will work the way you want.”

Vishwanath Upadhyay was appointed as representative of Nepal Government in Kolkata, he has profound knowledge in scriptures and engaged in Dharmic activities.  One night he had a dream in that an effulgent divine personality calling him, he was surprised who was that? Where did he live? He did not find the answer so left the dream unnoticed.  After some time there was a flood took place in Ganga and there were many blocks of wood were washed away, it brought heavy damage to public properties, he was not in a position to submit the report of the same to the authorities, after few days the Government of Nepal collected information about him and he was aware of the fact that he would be punished for his absence in the duty.  We all remember Lord only at the time of trouble, during that time we may rush to meet saints and holy men for advice.  Finally he arrived to Thakurji “ Maharaj, kindly shower your mercy on me, otherwise, I will die of guilt and shame.” Thakurji said, “ You narrate all your troubles to Jagathjanani, pray to her, no need to be scared, inform the Government of Nepal about the issue, describe the truth, you will not be harmed.” Later Viswanath Upadhyay was promoted to a higher official for his honesty by the Government of Nepal, he believed it all because of the mercy of Thakurji.

The legend of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa -

Pranams at the lotus feet of Thakurji!

Chapter – 16

There was a person named Prathapchandra Hajra who belonged to Shudra class came under the shelter of Thakurji, so he was made to stay in the shrine, he meditates with prayer beads, but he was never been successful in achieving concentration.   Thakurji realized it soon, one-day Thakurji shouted at Hajra saying that he is not sincere in his prayers.  Hajra felt very sad and said he is too kind to others but not to him, Thakurji said “I love everyone including Narendra, he does not have money to buy even salt” he remained silent after listening to Thakurji, one day he took away the beads from him and said “ Ma, Hajra is really foolish, he is sitting and counting beads, whoever visits you will attain the fruit instantly,” Thakurji like Hajra very much, sometimes he allows him to massage his feet, sometimes he does not allow to touch his feet at all, then immediately Hajra would understand that he had committed a sin that is why Thakurji does not allow him to touch his feet.  During those days he goes to Ghat in the night and mix mud in the Ganga water and consume, sit and do meditation.  Soon Thakurji’s eyes fall on him, he immediately call for Hajra to resume his duty of massaging Thakurji’s feet. Thakurji would say “yes it is enough, you can stop now.” Hajra would say “ No, I would continue to do this until my heart says to stop.”  These were the pastimes of Thakurji with his staunch devotees.

The legend of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa -

Pranams at the lotus feet of Thakurji!

Chapter – 15

There was a devotee of Thakurji named Ramdhutt, his friend Sureshchand who is from well to do family, he was taking immense pleasure in the drinks and illicit relationships, but there was no peace of mind.  Sureshchand went extremely depressed and decided to take off his life.  One day Ramdhutt seeing the pathetic situation of his friend, said “You come with me to Dhakshineshwar, all your troubles will go away,”   Sureshji arrived with Dhutt to Dhakshineshwar, he did not prostrate before Ma Kali or Thakurji, he went to sit in a place, and he had no faith in ascetics or holy men.  Seeing him Thakurji said “ There are two kinds of devotees, one is like kitten which keeps crying for its mother without moving an inch, lives only with the support of its mother and another kind of devotee is like the child of a monkey, immediately after getting out of mother’s womb it starts running and jumping all over the places, it becomes highly confident, it does not care about anyone.  A devotee should be like a kitten, completely surrendered to Mother, she will not let any evil happen to her child,” These inspiring speeches of Thakurji echoed in the mind of Sureshji, he slowly moved toward Thakurji and prostrated before him.

The legend of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa -

Pranams at the lotus feet of Thakurji!

Chapter – 14

Thakurji’s wife Saradadevi arrived in Dhakshineshwar.  He asked his wife to attend his aged mother and he returned back to the service of Ma Kali. Hridhayram continued the daily rituals of Ma Kali.   The fame of Ramakrishna Thakurji spread all over the place in Dhakshineshwar, several disciples came to be with Thakurji, Swami Vivekananda/Narendranath Dutt, Bhramanda, Niranjjanand, Athbhuthanandh, Sadanand, and many devotees arrived, several prominent people and devotees were becoming a disciple of Thakurji, some people who were really afflicted with various illnesses also came there to be with the divine presence of Thakurji.

Thakurji had a desire to visit Kashi and have a Dharshan of Baba Vishwanath,  Madhuranath made all the arrangements to fulfill the desire of Thakurji and left to Kashi.  On January 17^th, 1868, they arrived at Baidhyanath Dham and Kashi.  Thakurji met Thrailangaswamiji and told Madhuranath “ he is divine personified, he is Lord Vishwanatha of Kashi,”.  They proceed to Vrindavan and various sacred places and returned to Dhakshineshwar.  Madhuranath noticed the spiritual achievement of Thakurji, it enthused him.  There were people who where jealous of the spiritual achievement of him.  Once Thakurji was in Ardhasamadhi, then the priest of Kalighat Haldhar mocked at him, he went close to Thakurji and started talking disrespectfully, he did not receive any reply from Thakurji, so kicked him hard and went off.  Actually, Thakurji was not in a position to talk anything, he thought if Madhuranath comes to know that the priest kicked him and went away, he will not tolerate.  Soon, the priest was removed from the work due to some malpractices.  One day Thakurji discussed the matter of the priest of Kalighat with all, Madhuranath burst into rage, "why you did not tell me before? If you were told me that day, I would have cut him alive.”

The legend of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa -

Pranams at the lotus feet of Thakurji!

Chapter – 13

Parivrajakacharya Thottapuri during the spiritual tour arrived in Dhakshineshwar, he settled in the Ghat, Ramakrishna roams around and sat near Thottapuri who was surprised to see the state of Ramakrishna.  Thottapuri understood the spiritual powers of Thakurji, he remarked this youth is not an ordinary human, he is an incomparable Yogi.  He was amazed to see the kind of practice of meditation carried out by Ramakrishna could not be seen easily, Thoththapuri after keenly observing Ramkrishna replied “you are a supreme spirit, I wanted to teach you Vedantha and Sadhana, will you learn?”  Thakurji said “I do not know anything, do not know what I want to do, my mother Kali knows everything; if she permits me I will learn.”  Thottapuri said “ Ok, right. Go and ask this matter to your Mother, I will not wait for too long here,” Thakurji went straight to Jagadamba’s shrine and became too emotional,  Ma Kali ordered “ Go and learn lessons from Him.  He came here for that purpose only” Thakurji returned to Thottapuri and informed the message of Ma Jagadamba, Swami Thoththapuri was too glad to receive him, “ In order to learn and practice Vedantha you should sacrifice the Shikha Suthra, and fine clothes,” Thakurji  said “ Please tell me what all to follow I will do it, otherwise, my mother will be disappointed,” One-day Ramakrishna was initiated into Sanyasa under the supervision of Thottapuri and continued Vedantha sadhana, but Thakurji failed to attain Nirvikalpasamadhi, Thottapuri felt so angry, he took a piece of glass and scratched on the middle of the two eyebrows, “ concentrate on this point,” previously whenever he concentrates on the meditation he was always taken to Ma Kali,  this time he firmly concentrated on the point, seeing his disciple immersed in meditation, Thottapuri came out of the chamber and closed it from outside, so that no one can break his meditation, thinking that when he gets out of the meditation, he will call for someone to open the door.  Three days went off, but Ramakrishna did not get out of the Samadhi, Ramakrishna did not ask to open the door, Thottapuri was extremely worried, he opened the lock and saw, Ramakrishna was sitting in the same posture how Thoththapuri was instructed, his body has no sign of life, his face was serene and majestic with radiance.  Thottapuri was stunned to see the Samadhi of Ramakrishna, he took forty years to achieve this state of spiritual advancement, and this Mahapurusha attained that highest state in a day.  He continued to keep checking on Ramakrishna’s breath; he said: “It is the miracle of Ma Kali.” 

The legend of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa -

Pranams at the lotus feet of Thakurji!

Chapter – 12

In the year 1861 Bhairavi Bhramani came to visit Dhakshineshwar, she was middle-aged ascetic covered in a saffron robe, she holds a trident,  she was from the pious Bhramin family, she carries a Raghubir Shila, she was well conversant with the Thanthri principles and texts of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.    She converses with Thakurji for hours after seeing his intense meditation, she got too pleased at him, and she considered Ramakrishna as her own son.  While talking Bhairavi said “ Oh! Child, I was searching for a disciple like you, You practice Thanthrasadhana, I will teach you the process,” after a few days Bhairavi told Madhuranath that Thakurji is not an ordinary human, he is an incarnation of Lord, you should take care of him in a special manner,  Thakurji will be highly propitious for all of you,” Madhuranath had the experience of the same.  Thakurji undertakes extreme Sadhanas under the bale tree, at the northern end of Dhakshineshwar garden.

One day Madhuranath arrived at the shrine with Rani Rasmoni.  At the end of Puja, Rani requested Thakurji to sing praising Ma Kali,  Ramakrishna started to sing the glories of Ma Kali. While singing he gave a slap on the upper back of Rani Rasmoni saying that “you are thinking all those things sitting before Ma Kali” All the temple workers were got infuriated at the senseless act of Ramakrishna.   Madhuranath’s eyes became red with anger, everyone knows that Thakurji is mad, at that moment Rani Rasmoni showed a gesture to stop all the chaos, she prostrates before Ramakrishna and said “ Thakur, kindly forgive my mistake,  now you start singing. I will not let my mind wander.”  Later Rani Rasmoni was surprised and said “ Thakur is Antharyami, he is omniscient, he is the knower of all while listening to his singing, my mind wandered into court matter,” Madhuranath became too devoted to Thakurji after listening to Rani Rasmoni.  He always takes sincere care of Thakurji, like a sincere servant of Lord, he remembered the words of Hridhayram “ Ma Kali always appears before Mamaji, she consumes offerings from his hand, she converses with Mamaji,” Ramkrishna learned Thanthric practices from Bhairavi Bhramani, he had some changes in his behavior.   Madhuranath was always worried about the mental health of Thakurji, he brought a doctor to treat Ramkrishna, his mother arrived to Dhakshineshwar after hearing the difficulties of Ramakrishna, saw three cousins were taking care of Ramakrishna.   Thakurji’s spiritual practices went up to the supreme state, he started practicing Adhvaithasadhana, his health conditions were getting worse day by day, he was void of sleep, hunger, clothes and  unaware of the need to perform necessary tasks for living, he stopped talking to people completely.