Master in ecstasy

It was now dusk. Sri Ramakrishna, as was usual with him during this part of the day, chanted the names of God and turned his mind to contemplation.

Soon the moon rose in the sky. The temples, courtyards, and trees were bathed in its silvery light, and millions of broken moons played on the rippling surface of the Ganges. Rakhal and M. were with the Master in his room.

Ramakrishna

(to M.): “Baburam says, ‘Oh, the worldly life! God forbid!’”

M

“His opinion is based on mere hearsay. What does he know of the world? He is a mere child.”

Ramakrishna

“Yes, that is true. Have you noticed Niranjan? He is utterly artless.”

M

“Yes, sir. His very appearance attracts people. How expressive his eyes are!”

Ramakrishna

“Not only his eyes, but his entire person. His relatives proposed that he marry. At this he said, ‘Why are you going to drown me?’ (With a smile) Tell me this. People say that a man finds great pleasure in the company of his wife after the hard work of the day.”

M

“That is no doubt true of those who think that way. (To Rakhal, with a smile) We are now being examined. This is a leading question.”

Both Rakhal and M. were married.

Ramakrishna

(with a smile): “A mother says, ‘I shall heave a sigh of relief if I can procure a “shade-tree” for my son. He will rest in its shade when scorched by the heat of the world.’”

M

“True, sir. But there are parents and parents. A father who is spiritually illumined doesn’t give his children in marriage. If he does, his is a fine spirituality!”

Adhar Sen arrived from Calcutta and saluted the Master. After a few minutes, he went to the temple of Kāli, where M. followed him.

A little later M. was sitting at the Bathing-Ghat on the Ganges. The flood tide had just set in.

As he listened to the waters lapping against the bank, many pictures of Sri Ramakrishna’s divine life flitted before his mind.

Adhar and M. returned to the Master’s room. Adhar had been to Chittagong, in East Bengal, on official duty.

He was telling the Master about his visit to the Chandranath Hills and Sitakunda, sacred places of Chittagong.

Adhar

“Near Sitakunda I visited a well where I saw fire in the water. It is always burning on the water with leaping tongues.”

Ramakrishna

“How is that possible?”

Adhar

“The water contains phosphorus.”

Presently Ram Chatterji entered the room. The Master said some kind words about him to Adhar.

Ramakrishna

“Ram’s presence in the temple garden has relieved us of many anxieties. He searches out Harish, Lātu, and the others at meal-time. Very often they are absorbed in meditation in some corner of the temple garden. It is Ram who sees that they eat at the proper time.”