Meeting the Great Master

Sri Ramakrishna

Narendra had heard about Sri Ramakrishna from the principal of his college, Reverend William Hastie. One day, Hastie was describing to his students about the word 'ecstasy' in Wordsworth's poem, 'The Excursion'. Hastie told them that he had seen that rare condition only in Sri Ramakrishna, the saint of Dakshineswar. 

Sri Ramakrishna lived in the temple garden at Dakshineshwar. He was the priest of the Bhavatarini Temple for many years. He hailed from Kamarpukur. It was a small village in West Bengal, situated some 107km from Kolkata. He was completely unlettered and spoke in rustic Bengali. However, his simplicity, purity, and love of God were unparalleled. With simple parables, he taught about God. Those  sincerely seeking spiritual guidance and solace came to Sri Ramakrishna and felt blessed.

November 1881. Narendra reached his eighteenth year. One day, he was invited to a festival at his friend and neighbour, Surendra's house. On Surendra's request, Narendra sang some devotional songs. The chief guest at the event was Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Moved by Narendra's singing, Sri Ramakrishna requested Surendra to bring him to his place at Dakshineshwar.  

When Narendra, again and again, refused all marriage proposals, his uncle Ramachandra Datta advised him: "If you sincerely wish to lead a spiritual life and realise God, then go to the Master at Dakshineswar. There is no point in visiting the Brahmo Samaj or other places." 

Dakshineswar Temple

About a month later, Surendra took Narendra to visit the temple garden of Dakshineswar. It was Narendra's first visit to Dakshineswar. 

The temple garden of Bhavatarini at Dakshineshwar was situated on the banks of the Ganges river. The temple was constructed in 1855 by Rani Rasmani. Today, it is one of the main pilgrimage centres in Kolkata. The temple has twelve shrines of Shiva in a row and a shrine for Radhakanta (Lord Krishna and Srimati Radharani). The main temple was dedicated to Goddess Bhavatarini (a benign form of Goddess Kali). 

The first meeting between Sri Ramakrishna and Narendra was significant. On Sri Ramakrishna's request, Narendra sang a few songs starting with the famous 'Mano Calo Nija Niketan'. 

When Narendra finished the songs, Sri Ramakrishna stood up and went to Narendra. Then, holding Narendra's hand, he took him out to the verandah. Closing the door, he stood to face Narendra. As it was winter, a bamboo screen was hung to stop the cold wind. Suddenly, Sri Ramakrishna held Narendra's hand and shed tears of joy. He spoke to him as if they were long-lost friends. "You have come very late! How could you do this? Don't you know that I am waiting for you here? My ears are scorched by listening to the talks of worldly people." He continued to cry and talk for some time. Narendra was flabbergasted. He did not know what to do. Then, Sri Ramakrishna stopped crying and stood still. Folding his hands, he saluted Narendra as if he was a god and said: "I know who are you, my Lord. You are Nara, the ancient Rishi, the incarnation of Narayana. You have come to earth to remove the sufferings of all." 

Narendra had learned from his father to never show surprise. Though he was shocked with the behaviour of Sri Ramakrishna, he did not show any reaction. He thought to himself: "Who is this strange man? He must be mad!" 

Sri Ramakrishna went back to the room and came out shortly with sweets. Despite Narendra's protest, Sri Ramakrishna fed him with all the sweets. Then, Sri Ramakrishna said: "Please promise me that you will come again soon." Narendra could not refuse his earnest request and said, "I shall try, sir." 

Then, Sri Ramakrishna took him back to his room. Narendra sat with his friends. Sri Ramakrishna started talking to everyone casually. There were no signs of madness or unusual behaviour. Narendra watched him eagerly. Though he felt Sri Ramakrishna was mad, he was also convinced that Sri Ramakrishna was a pure man. Therefore, he burst out the question which was in his mind for many months - "Can God be seen?"

Sri Ramakrishna looked at him and said: 

"Yes, I have seen God. I see Him as I see you here, only more clearly. God can be seen. One can talk to him. But who cares for God? People shed torrents of tears for their wives, children, wealth, and property, but who weeps for the vision of God? If one cries sincerely for God, one can surely see Him."