Swami Adhbhudhanandha  - Sri Latu Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Latu Maharaj!

Chapter – 13

One day a staunch devotee arrived in Dhakshineshwar, he was too haughty so Latu became angry upon him, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa saw the conflicts between the two.  Once the devotee left the scene, Thakurji called Latu and said “ Latu, whoever comes to visit the shrine should be treated with kindness, devotees are coming to shrine after extreme exhaustion of worldly matters, they are here in a search of peace and love, therefore you should not behave harshly to them.” Later Thakurji sent Latu to pacify the devotee,  Thakurji asked, “ did you convey my Pranams to him?” Latu was surprised why Thakurji should bow before a devotee, Latu kept silent.  Thakurji said “ Go once again and convey my Pranams to him.” Latu sincerely followed the instruction of Thakurji, when the devotee heard this from Latu, he wept bitterly.  Latu understood the depth of devotion from him.  Later, Latu Maharaj adopted his Master’s nectar-like advice to instruct his disciples.

One day a wealthy man offered Pranams with folded hands before Latu Maharaj, he said “A devotee should pay obeisance with the head bow down at the feet Saints and holy men.” even Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa also mention the same.  When the wealthy man asked the reason, Latu Maharaj described a story.  Once  Girish Babu offered Pranams to Thakurji with folded hands, Thakurji also did the same to him, later he bowed head down before Thakurji, even Thakurji did the same, finally, Girish Babu bowed his head down at the feet of Thakurji and received blessings from Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.

Swami Adhbhudhanandha  - Sri Latu Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Latu Maharaj!

Chapter – 12

Swami Bhramanand was a favorite disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa who undertook the proceedings of the Mutt.  Once, Thakurji asked Bhramanand to prepare Pan for him, but he refused to do that, Latu witnessed their relationship as son and father.  Latu said, “ you are not listening to Thakurji and giving back the answer, it is not good.” Bhramanand became angry, they both had an argument, Bhramanand said: “ I do not know how to fix pan, don’t teach me lessons.”  They continued to have arguments of devotion to Thakurji.   Thakurji takes pleasure in these silly arguments of his disciples.  Thakurji called Ramlal to watch these arguments between his two favorites disciples, asked Ramlal to name the sincere devotee of Thakurji, Ramlal said: “ Bhrmanand is a superior devotee.” Latu became very angry to hear this, Thakurji continued to laugh at them saying that Ramlal was right because Bhramanand was not serious in his arguments but  Latu was angry. Thakurji said, “ How can my devotee get angry in front of me, so Bhramanand is a superior devotee, only Chandal will get angry, anger will take away the devotion and concentration of the devotee.”  Latu felt ashamed after listening to Thakurji,  Latu gave up his anger and cried “ Thakurji, I will not show anger in front of you” Thakurji said “ This body had a desire to eat pan, Bhramanand refused to feed it, if the soul has the desire to do so, Bhramanand will not refuse,” after sometime Latu went to prepare Pan for Thakurji.  In this way, Thakurji kept advising about spirituality and stirred the emotions in Latu.  Once Thakurji asked, “ You are a devotee of Lord Ram, tell me what’s he doing at this moment?” Latu innocently replied “ How do I know about Lord Rama’s deeds?” many a time Thakurji intent to say himself as Lord Rama, but Latu failed to understand it.  After these incidents, Latu always considered Paramahamsaji as Lord, Thakurji took all the effort to educate him with the knowledge of the supreme Lord.

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.