On one of the weekends, Master Mahashay comes to Dakshineshwar. He is a married man and has a different perspective on life. While Thakur Ji is also married and both (Mother and Thakur Ji) are sannyasi. One day, Master Mahashya is upset. Narendra and other young boys are sitting before Thakur Ji, and Master Mahashay is sitting aloof. (Narendra, later called Swami Vivekananda. Thakur Ji has said, “Narendra is a lotus in the entire ocean of the world.)
Thakur Ji says, “You must fix your attention on God. You need to remain in the meditative state 24*7, not meditating for a few minutes. Work in the world, but fix your mind on the soul.” Master Mahashay thinks, “I can’t do this. My mind always wanders in my family and the worldly business. I’m a married man.” Thakur Ji says, “Why are you upset? Are you an old man? Can’t you laugh as these young children?” Master Mahashay remains silent and cannot cope with the stress. He cannot express himself.
Thakur Ji says, “Talk with Narendra, but in English.” The thing is, Thakur Ji doesn’t know English; Master Mahashay and Thakur Ji are literate. They begin conversing in English but suddenly start talking in Bengali. After a minute or so, Thakur Ji says, “Stop, you can’t beat Narendra. Never mind.” Master Mahashay is still uneasy. Thakur Ji asks, “Why are you upset?” Master Mahashay says, “Do the householders like we have any way to reach God? Can’t we reach God easily as these young boys?” (Thakur Ji conveyed the discourse differently to the boys who grew up as sannyasis. He saw the saplings of Sannyas germinating in Narendra.) Thakur Ji says, “Are you married? Do you have children?” Master Mahashay replies, “Yes, I do.” Thakur Ji says, “Do you think your family is complete?” Master Mahashay replies, “Yes, I do.” Thakur Ji says, “Then, why do you live like husband and wife? If you wish to progress in the path of spirituality, then you need to live like brother and sister. If you are still with lust, you can never realize it. You cannot enjoy Lord and world at the same time.” Master Mahashay realizes, “This is the point where I was going wrong.” Master Mahashay accepts the words of his Guru and practices ceaseless Brahmacharya. He carries out all the responsibilities of his family but remains a Brahmachari.
Gradually, his wife progresses on the same path.
Another day, Master Mahashay is upset. Thakur Ji asks, “What’s the problem now?” Master Mahashay replies, “I can’t focus on Mother. I still can’t see Mother.” Thakur Ji asks humbly, “It’s okay. Do you meditate in Brahma Muhurta and Godhuli Bela?” He replies, “Sleep… I can’t.” Thakur Ji says humbly, “It’s okay. From tomorrow, you shall be able to wake. Tell your pillow to wake you.” (No alarms existed. He had faith in the words of his Guru.)
Master Mahashay wakes up at 3 in the morning and meditates till 6 a.m. He practices seeing Mother at the eyebrow center, surrendering and chanting the name. Thakur Ji has said, “Think that Mother is taking our mind and body. You are becoming his. You are surrendering to her.” These are the only two moments when Master Mahashay becomes upset.
Moral: Not getting married is not a qualification of being a Brahmachari. We inside out should be impregnated with Brahma. Brahma Muhurta is the important time of the day to introspect.
Other discussions during the session: A question arose, “What if we leave some remnants of food on the plate? It appears offensive to dispose it in the dustbin.”
Explanation: Think that you are offering food to the creatures who need them at this moment. If you leave a bit of food undisturbed for some time, you see that tiny microorganisms grow on it. It is best to take limited amounts on the plate and offer fresh food to everyone. But, if it happens, this is the way you can. There are many cities in India where hundreds of mother cows face road accidents, but there are places where there is no one to be served. The one who receives is more superior. If you wish to give and no one exists to receive, it is worthless.
You may offer something spoiled to someone, knowingly or unknowingly. Don’t feel guilty later. Just think that Lord offered that thing to himself, in another being.
Listening to the hymn, Achyutam Keshwam.. a beautiful discourse began. There is nothing worth saying, ‘Lord comes.’ A devotee may go to his Guru, but there is no speck where Lord does not exist. As clouds of thoughts move, we can feel him.
Age-wise changes: She says, “When a young child comes to me to learn about the spiritual path, I ask him to keep his mind fixed on the soul, being a sannyasi inside out. When a middle-aged person comes, I ask him to practice the Name and become a brahmachari. If he or she is unable to tackle his body for waking in Brahma Muhurta, or tackle his mind for fixing it on the soul, I ask him or her to give charity. It is mandatory to start renouncing step-wise. For the old-age person, I ask him or her to perform charity and chant the Name, according to the capability. As the age changes, paths vary.
A story from Bhaagvat: There was a saint who consumes a lot of butter and milk. Then, he went to River Yamuna and said, “If I haven’t eaten anything since morning, then let the river split into two parts.” Soon, the river split into two parts. The gopis wondered, “He ate all our butter and ghee, and still, Yamuna Maa split.”
This indicates that the saint didn’t consider himself as the body and mind. He taught us that we must carry out all the responsibilities but fix the focus within. Even before Sri Krishna, the river split as he claimed to be a Brahmachari. He had many children and wives. But, he was Yogeshwar. He did everything in the world but was focused within.