Master Mahashay is sitting with Thakur Ji, and Thakur Ji asks him, “Is your wife a Vidya Shakti or Avidya Shakti?” Master Mahashay is tensed and says, “She is Avidya Shakti. She is illiterate.” Thakur Ji scolds him and says, “Are you Vidya Shakti? Have you realized your self attaining your education? The biggest obstacle in your journey is your education. ‘Earn to learn’ makes you worthless. You merely think for yourself, become selfish. Education makes you intelligent, Vidvaan but illiteracy makes you wise, Vidyavaan. Ravan is Vidavaan and Hanuman Ji is Vidyavaan. The one who is devoid of ego is Vidyavaan.” Master Mahashay is left startled and says, “I meant.. she is illiterate.” Thakur Ji says, “I didn’t ask about her education. I asked the Vidya or Avidya. I’m also illiterate. Any education which takes you away from your soul is worthless. The one who fixes his attention on the soul is Vidyavaan. If you wish to become educated, you can collect information and fill it in your brain. But, if you wish to become Vidyavaan, you need to empty your mind.” Master Mahashay realizes and says, “I have realized. She is not Avidya Shakti. She has faith in Lord. She has compassion and love; she is Vidya Shakti.”
A great literate man named Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar is running philanthropic organizations and has great fame. Master Mahashay works in one of his schools. One day, Thakur Ji asks Master Mahashay, “Such a famous personality. He may be such a grand ocean of knowledge. I wish to meet him.” (If Thakur Ji preferred to go to Vidyasagar Ji, it meant that Vidyasagar Ji was a being who attained a certain manifestation of Lord within. Thakur Ji went to him to guide him for he covered the little gap and merge with the self.)
Master Mahashay takes permission from Vidyasagar Ji. Vidyasagar Ji asks him, “What kind of Paramhamsa is he? Does he live naked? Does he reads scriptures?” Master Mahashay replies, “No, sir. He is a humble soul, wraps a shawl, wears slippers, and lives in jolly.”Vidyasagar Ji is tense and says, “Well, come with him on one of the Saturdays.” (See, how we fit a Paramhamsa in our limited brain?)
Master Mahashay makes all arrangements and hires a carriage. Thakur Ji asks Master Mahashay, “Am I dressed well? Is my coat tidy? I have to meet a personality.” (Innocence, just like a child) Master Mahashay says, “You are best in every attire. Kindly come.” They leave the mandir.
In this way, Thakur Ji is in divine bliss. Suddenly, the carriage crosses a big farmhouse, and Master Mahashay says, “This is the mansion of Raja Ram Mohan Roy.” Thakur Ji scolds him, “Your mind is still fixed on worldly Rajas. Haven’t you felt the supremacy of the soul?” Master Mahashay asks for forgiveness and shuts his mouth along the journey.
At Vidyasagar Ji’s house, Vidyasagar Ji greets him and takes him inside his big house. In the house, all the family members greet him as they all wished to see the Paramhamsa. Thakur Ji sits and sees to boys sitting before him. He suddenly starts talking to Mother Kali, “Mother! Where have you brought me? I see two contrasts, Avidya and Vidya Shakti. One of them wishes to become educated to earn money. He wishes to become meagre for money. It is not good.” Then, he becomes still. Vidyasagar Ji feels uncomfortable and says, “Will you take some water?” Master Mahashay says, “Yes, he will”. He brings the water. (It is quite important. Thakur Ji never received anything from anyone. He couldn’t tolerate even the slightest negativity. But, Mother Sharda never differentiated and received everything, thinking of everyone as her children.)
Vidyasagar Ji arranges some prasad and offers everyone. Thakur Ji drinks a few sips of water and says, “Till now, I have met lakes and ponds. But, now I am meeting an ocean of knowledge.” Vidyasagar Ji says, “No sir, I’m a dry sand.” (This statement doesn’t indicate humbleness. He contradicted Guru’s words. It is worthless to prove ourselves humble before the Guru.) Thakur Ji continues, “You have been doing good jobs.” He again replies, “It is nothing.” Thakur Ji says, “You are doing a noble job. But don’t consider yourself a doer. Then, you shall become a saint. You are already soft at heart.” Vidyasagar Ji asks, “How?” Thakur Ji explains, “Just as we boil a potato, it becomes soft. Similarly, the world has softened you.” Vidyasagar Ji says, “I’m like this lentil. It hardens when boiled.” Thakur Ji (with deep love, though Vidyasagar Ji appears ignorant) says, “No worries. Take the name of the Lord, feel his presence, and do come to visit me once. I’m like a tiny boat, which came to your ocean. Come with your ocean to our boat.” Vidyasagar Ji nods in yes and agrees. (He couldn’t go to Dakshineshwar ever in his lifetime. If he had gone, he could have become the yogi.)