Swami Adhbhudhanandha  - Sri Latu Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Latu Maharaj!

Chapter – 11

Latu Maharaj visits many places and holy men, wherever he goes he became favorite of all, he used to share knowledge with the people that all he has learned from Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa who always says “The pure heart always attracts all, keep the intellect free from impurities, accept truth as a vow, don’t let anyone exploit you, contemplate upon supreme Lord to get rid of troubles, He always protects his devotees from the troubles, if not finding peace by reciting Nama, spend time close to Ma Kali and sit in her shrine or  rush to me.”  Latu Maharaj said “ Thakurji taught me to take pleasure in booze, not that ordinary one, it is supreme one, remembrance of Supreme Lord. The ordinary people introduce their children  to drugs, medicines, women, wealth, and  money, which can cause only addiction and never get peace or pleasure, but my Guruji taught me to take pleasure in the supreme Bhramam and this is the supreme drug that overpowers all other drugs.”  One devotee said to Latu Maharaj “We are also used to this type of drug reciting the names of Lord, but our cries often remain unnoticed,” Latu Maharaj said “ Your cries are definitely reaching to supreme Lord, you are crying for money, that is why you have money, when you start praying that I do not want money, wealth, fame, position, etc.. and when you pray that I want supreme Lord, He will definitely come to you.” 

Paramahamsaji knows that Latu is uneducated; he realized that Latu needs to learn something for the survival, he was taught the basic lessons.  But he had to drop that idea shortly because Latu was finding it difficult to learn.  Thakurji accepted him as he was, it was before the arrival disciples like Bhramananda and Swami Vivekananda.  Latu used to listen to more and more lectures on spirituality, he had an interest in wrestling, therefore, he used to consume a quite big meal. One day Thakurji scolded him not to give importance to meals which could bring distraction in meditation, after listening to this he gradually reduced the intake of the meal.  Initially, he felt it is difficult, eventually, he adapted to it and became one of the great Yogi.  One day he had wrestled with Bhramanandji, in that Latu was not able to perform well, Thakurji understood that he has drastically reduced the intake of the meal because of that he was growing weak. After this incident, Thakurji always took Latu with him while consuming meals, he used to keep his share on Latu’s plate, and gradually he learned to eat the required meal to keep him fit.  He left wrestling and started regular exercises.

Swami Adhbhudhanandha  - Sri Latu Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Latu Maharaj!

Chapter – 1o

 During this period of time, Sri Ramkrishna Paramahamsa was establishing a group of Youngsters to employ them in a mission for the development of the society, the group of young men was appointed as his disciple, who can carry out his mission, and Latu was also one among them, others were Swami Vivekananda, and Swami Bhramanand.  It was in the year 1880; an unfortunate event took place in Dhakshineshwar,  Hridhaynath who was the cousin of Thakurji working in the shrine was removed from the service of the shrine due to some malpractices by the son in law of Rani Rasmoni who was in charge of the temple of Dhakshineshwar.   Thakurji was ashamed of his atrocities and was deeply disturbed by his wicked deeds.  On the other hand, Hridhaynath was taking good care of Thakurji while he was troubled with the throat cancer, after removing him from the shrine, Thakurji became helpless.  It was difficult for the people there to give a bath, feed and take care of Thakurji.  Soon Thakurji thought of Latu, once there arrived Rambabu, he said “ Latu is a sincere servant, he is too devoted and good-hearted, I want him in my service, will you give him to me?. He is not happy to stay in your house anyway; if he stays here it would be helpful for me.”  Thakurji’s orders were sincerely followed; Rambabu brought Latu to Dhakshineshwar forever.

Swami Adhbhudhanandha  - Sri Latu Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Latu Maharaj!

Chapter – 9

After eight months Thakurji returned from Kamarpukur to Dhakshineshwar. One day Latu arrived in Dhakshineshwar, Thakurji was immensely pleased to see his beloved boy Latu.  He said  “  Latu, today you stay with me. You need not go back to the Dutt family.” Latu was extremely happy to hear from Thakurji.  It was the biggest turning point in his life.

There was Kedharnath Chattopadhyay in Dhakshineshwar, Latu was massaging the feet of Thakurji, he asked Latu “ Are you feeling sleepy? Are your hands are paining?” Latu said “ No, I am not feeling sleepy, my hands are not paining.” Thakurji asked “What happened to you Latu? Why you are so dull?” he did not answer anything.  After some time his eyes were overflowing with tears,  Thakurji said to Kedarnath “ See, this boy is crying always. He is not saying anything.” Kedarbabu said “ It is your pastime Thakurji.  You have inspired this child,” The next day,  Latu was in a state of transcendental until afternoon, there was the bell rang to inform to collect the Prasadh, Thakurji said “ Latu, how long will you sit like this? Do not want to take a bath or eat something?” Soon Latu got out of the transcendental state, he rushed to temple after Dharshan, went to Ghat for bathing, three days were gone like this, Thakurji engaged him various tasks so that he may return to normalcy.  Once Thakurji asked Latu “your Sahib is very much concerned about you, don’t you want to return home?” Latu said, “My Master will not get angry on me, they have appointed a new servant to take care of the work.” Thakurji said “What kind of boy are you? You should not do that, he fed you all these days. You should work for him because you are accepting money from them at regular intervals, you should not take money from one person and work for another.”  They often had a discussion about it.

One day Ramchandra Dutt and wife arrived in Dhakshineshwar, Thakurji said “ Ram, see what happened to this boy, he does not want to return to your house, I have tried to send him back, he is not willing to do so, if possible you convince him and take with you.” Rambabu understood from the words of Thakurji that Latu is inspired by Thakurji.  He pretended to be unpleasant and asked Latu “ What did you find here, do not want to come home?” Latu remained silent, later Rambabu said to Thakurji, “you have given lots of affection to this child, why you want me to come in between you and Latu.”  Mrs.Dutt convinced Latu and he agreed to return home.  Though he returned home, his mental state has remained the same, he was not finding any happiness without Thakurji, wanted to go back to Thakurji.

Swami Adhbhudhanandha  - Sri Latu Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Latu Maharaj!

Chapter – 8

Ramchandra Dutt felt Rakthuram is not a sincere servant anymore, he has no interest in the household chores, he has inspired by the teachings of Thakurji, therefore he informed the family not to burden with the household duties, let him do whatever he feels.  His wife was a little unhappy about this arrangement, but she sincerely followed the order of her husband.

Ramchandra Dutt was a fervent devotee of Thakurji, he worshiped Thakurji as Lord.  A new servant was appointed to work in place of Latu, when there is any celebration or rites at home, Latu takes care of all the works.  Several days passed like this, one-day an elderly saint  Nithyagopal Avadhooth visited the house of Ramchandra Dutt, he was severely ill, Ramchandra Dutt said: “ Latu, today onwards you will be serving Babaji.”  Latu felt extremely happy, he was yearning to serve noble-soul.  Nithyagopal Avadooth was a great saint who has achieved a higher status in spirituality. During the period of his illness, he used to remain in a transcendental state,  while serving Avadoothji, it has become a practice for Latu to contemplate upon Lord and recitation of Nama.  He continued to serve Avadhoothji for four months; eventually, he learned more knowledge about Sri Chaithanya Mahaprabhu.  During these days, Ramchandra Dutt used to read Nithya Chaithanya Charithamrith to Avadhooji on a regular basis.

Swami Adhbhudhanandha  - Sri Latu Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Latu Maharaj!

Chapter – 7

One day Ramchandra Dutt sent Rakthuram to Dhakshineshwar.  Sri Ramkrishna Paramahamsa was preparing to leave to Kamarpukur at the advice of the doctors.  Latu instantly said “ Thakurji , I want to be in the service of you. I do not want to go back to work in the house.” Thakurji laughed at Latu and said ‘ You cannot stay here,  I am going out from here, I am not well, I am going to get some fresh air, I do not know when I will be back to Dhakshineshwar. You better go back to Dutt's family and work sincerely.”  Latu became depressed after listening to Thakurji, he was thinking that If Thakurji is not staying in Dhakshineshwar, he felt nothing to do here; he sincerely wanted to serve Thakurji.  Paramahamsa understood the mind of little Rakthuram and said “ Latu, we should not go against the will of people who fed us. Your Master is your Annadhatha who is the provider of the meal, without informing him leaving the work is a sin. Dutt is a great man; he was taking care of your needs and sending you here very often to keep you cheerful.  When I come back from the village, you also come and join me.”

Later, Latu Maharaj used to discuss with his inmates of the Ashram about the mercy of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. He always remembers the advice of Thakurji before leaving to Kamarpukur.  Though Thakurji advised him enough to how to please the family of Dutt, his grief of separation from Thakurji was not leaving him, he passed days of extreme grief and agony.  Sometimes, he leaves to Dhakshineshwar without informing the Dutt family and sits near the banks of river Ganga, he did not find peace here too.  He goes to Panchavati and spends hours in solitude, he sits in a corner of the temple silently; people thought he must have got shouting from the Dutt family.  There was Ramlal Dhadha who was working in the shrine of Dhakshineshwar, he took great care of Rakthuram.  One day he arrived near Ganga Ghat to give Prasadh to Rakthuram, saw he was prostrating before waters of Ganga.  Suddenly he saw Ramlal Dhadha and asked, “ Where did Paramahamsa Mahashay go?” Ramlal Dhadha shocked at his question.  He said “ Mahashay did not go anywhere, he is here only, he did not go to the village,” Ramlal Dhadha took effort to convince the boy that Thakurji went to his village Kamarpukur, but Latu did not believe it, he could feel the constant presence of Sri Ramkrishna Paramahamsa in his life.

Swami Adhbhudhanandha  - Sri Latu Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Latu Maharaj!

Chapter – 6

There was an unexpected event that took place in Ramachandra Dutt’s house.  They used to send fruits and sweets to Dhakshineshwar to offer Thakurji.  On that day there was no one to take the offerings to Thakurji.  Little Rakthuram said “ Kindly give it to me, I will take it to Thakurji. I have been to Paramahamsa’s shrine once.”  That day he arrived at Dhakshineshwar with all the fruits and sweets around twelve in the afternoon.  He saw Thakurji from the distance, he offered humble Pranams to Thakurji, and they together arrived in his chamber.  That day Rakthuram could witness the afternoon Harathi Dharshan of Ma Kali, he felt extremely happy.  After Harathi Dharshan, they used to bring offerings to Thakurji in his chamber.  Thakurji advised Latu to take the offerings of Lord Vishnu. He was very considerate of Latu who was not used to the Bengali cuisine that is why he asked to consume offerings of Lord Vishnu.  Rakthuram said “I can eat whatever you give, I will not eat anything other the one you give.”  Thakurji burst into laughter and said “ This boy is too smart. He wants to get a share from me.” After consuming a meal, he stayed with Thakurji in the chamber until in the evening, seeing he is not leaving Thakurji asked “It is going to be evening, don’t you want to go back? Do you have money to go back?” Rakthu put his hands inside the pocket and took the coin out.  After coming back from Dhakshineshwar there were huge changes that took place in Rakthuram, previously he used to finish work at ease, but now a day’s his work became sluggish, and it has created unpleasantness in the Dutt family.   Ramchandra Dutt was worried about the boy little Rakthuram.  One day Dutt Sahib said to Thakurji “Now a day’s Latu behaving differently, he is not working properly, he sits eyes closed in a corner of the house and his eyes overflow with tears, he will not even answer to anyone’s call, if we ask the reason for tears, he won’t answer.  Seeing his strange behavior, my wife is very much concerned about this child.”  Thakurji said “It happens to people when they visit here. It is nothing,  his heart wants to be here.  Whenever time permits send him here.” 

Swami Adhbhudhanandha  - Sri Latu Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Latu Maharaj!

Chapter – 5

One day Rakthuram asked Babuji “ Babu, I want to visit Dhakshineshwar with you.” He was so surprised to hear that from little boy Rakthuram, he happily took Rakthuram with him to Dhakshineshwar.  Dutt Sahib and Rakthuram arrived in Dhakshineshwar, unfortunately, Thakurji was not in his chamber.  So he advised Rakthuram to stay in the Veranda and went in search of Thakurji.  After some time, both arrived together in the patio, suddenly Thakurji looked at the small boy standing on the Veranda. Thakurji asked “ Ram, did you bring this child with you? I can see divine symbols in this small boy.” They continued the conversation and went inside the chamber, Rakthuram understood this was the holy man he wanted to meet in all his life.  He went inside the chamber of Thakurji and prostrated before him, he stood there with folded hands.  Thakurji was giving lectures “people who have blessed with the divinity would attain supreme wisdom and knowledge in their birth.  They remain unchallenging like a rock that faces the blow of big waves but does not move away from its place and stands firm.” saying so Thakurji touched Rakthuram.  Soon he felt some divine powers entering through his body and disappeared instantly,  Rakthuram’s eyes were overflowing with tears, Ramchandra Dutt and Thakurji were watching the child, it continued for an hour or so.  Ramchandra Dutt asked, “How long he will continue crying like this?” Thakurji touched Rakthuram affectionately, soon he regained his normalcy.  Thakurji advised Ramchandra Dutt to send Rakthuram frequently to Dhakshineshwar, he said to Rakthuram “I have informed your Master,  come here often.”