The underlying excerpt has been picked up from
“The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna”.
Since childhood, Sri Ramakrishna has heard of Vidyasagar’s acts of charity. In the Kali Temple at Dakshineswar, he learned of his scholarship and compassionate nature. M. (Mahendranath Gupta, one of the eminent disciples of Thakur Ji) is a teacher in Vidyasagar’s school. Learning this, Thakur asked him, “Will you take me to see Vidyasagar? I would like very much to meet him.” M. spoke to Vidyasagar, a grand philanthropist, and he asked M. to come on Saturday at four o’clock. Vidyasagar had asked him, “What kind of a paramahamsa is he? Does he wear gerua (saffron)?” M. had replied, “No sir, he is a unique child-like person. He wears a dhoti and varnished slippers. He lives in a room in Rasmani’s Kali Temple. He sleeps on a wooden cot with only a bedspread and a mosquito net. Outwardly there is no sign of holiness, but inwardly he knows nothing but the Lord. Day and night he meditates on Him.”
They leave for Vidyasagar’s house. Before departing, Thakur touches the buttons of his shirt and asks M. in a childlike manner, “My shirt is unbuttoned. Is there any harm in it?” He is dressed in a broadcloth shirt and a red-bordered dhoti with one end over his shoulder. He has varnished slippers on his feet. M. says, “Please don’t worry about it. You will not offend anyone. You needn’t button your shirt.” Just as a child feels reassured after an explanation, Thakur’s mind is at peace.
As the carriage approaches Rammohan Roy’s garden house, M. hasn’t noticed the change in Thakur’s mood. Hurriedly he exclaims, “This is Rammohan Roy’s house.” Thakur is annoyed and says, “Such things don’t appeal to me now. I don’t care about them. I just want to listen about God”. He is passing into divine ecstasy. After this, the journey becomes a silent sojourn.
Reaching his house, Vidyasagar Ji is seen standing at the gate to greet Thakur Ji. He asks if Thakur Ji needed some support. In a trance, Thakur Ji gazes at Vidyasagar Ji and smiles. All the three walk across the garden towards the main door of the house. In his house, there are few members of his family, two students and some guests. In the house, Vidyasagar Ji askes them to a seat. In front of him is a long rectangular polished table. On the east side of the table is a bench with a back. A number of chairs have been placed to the south and west of the table. Thakur Ji stands near the eastern edge of the table facing west with his right hand on the table. Behind him is the bench. He looks at Vidyasagar as though he were a former acquaintance.
Vidyasagar is seated at the north end of the room facing south. Thakur Ji sits on the bench, still absorbed in ecstasy.
Thakur Ji talks with Vidyasagar, a smile playing on his face. Vidyasagar Ji asks them if they will take some refreshments. Merrily, Thakur Ji says that He is ready to accept anything, as an offering to Mother Kali (prasaad), from “an ocean of knowledge”. [Thakur Ji is referring to the literal meaning of Vidyasagar, which is the ‘ocean of knowledge’.]
Vidyasagar leaves and returns with numerous sweets and are offered to Thakur Ji. When M. is offered them, Vidyasagar says, “He is a child of this house. There is no formality with him.”
A boy of seventeen or eighteen is already sitting there. In such a spiritual mood, with the insight of a rishi, Thakur Ji is able to understand what the boy is thinking. He moves away a little and says, in ecstasy, “Mother, this boy has great attachment to worldly life, your world of ignorance. This boy belongs to the world of ignorance.” Vidyasagar Ji becomes perplexed and asks M. in a silent tone, about the interpretation of His statements. M. indicates him to ask Thakur Ji again. Vidyasagar asks about it to Thakur Ji. He mumbles, “his (the boy’s) soul is wrapped by layers of ‘concrete’, industrious efforts are needed to break through the wall and unveil the hidden soul.”
Then, Thakur Ji speaks of a particular young man who has been sitting in front of him. He says, “This boy possesses good sattvic qualities. A fine feathery veil covers his Self. With practice, he will attain it soon.”
Listening to the majestic statements of Thakur Ji, the congregation is left dumbfound. The two scholar are shocked after knowing their inner scenario, as if a magician has read their minds. The two kids feel bad over the comments, but the tenets of the stranger bewilder them.
Feeling as if the boys might be offended, Vidyasagar Ji changes the topic of conversation. He asks Thakur Ji about the journey to his house. In transcendental state, He replies, O gentleman! We have gone to wells, lakes and rivulets. But, we are in an ocean today. The Infinite Bliss is Eternal”. With a shy smile, Vidyasagar Ji says,” O Thakur Ji! I’m an ordinary man, with few attributes. These alliterations do not suit me”.
Thakur Ji continues,” Potatoes aren’t tender until they’re well-boiled. Your kindness for others has made you soft and tender of heart. But, you are still behind the petty assets of the world. Craving for name and fame has jammed your progress. Fondness for the world is avidya; compassion, devotion, love of God, non-attachment, are the wealth of vidya. Vidyasagar Ji is listening to the words of ambrosia, speechlessly.
Concluding His words, Thakur Ji took a deep breath and became still, slipped into the state of samadhi. The congregation is confused. Vidyasagar Ji asks M. about the incident. M. explains him about the Bhaav Samadhi, Ecstasy and the rest. Then, M. brings some water for Thakur Ji. He knows that He will not accept anything from a common man, as it might be ruined with absurd thoughts of the person. Inhaling deeply, Thakur returns back to the plane of gross consciousness and stands quiet for quite some time. He takes few sips of water and the same childish smile occupies His face.
Everybody is listening to Sri Ramakrishna, still and silent. Vidyasagar Ji peeps at his watch. Thakur Ji smiles and says, “I know it is the time of our departure. I should leave now. But, do pay us visit in Dakshineshwar“. Vidyasagar Ji says,” I shall be obliged to come to Thee, but my job requires my frequent interventions. I will try my best.” Thakur Ji rises to leave, along with his devotees. Vidyasagar also stands with his relatives and friends. He sees Thakur Ji off in the carriage.
The Guru goes to the disciple, when he is ready. But, an efficient receiving end is important to accept the showers, as they are being rendered. Any mindful analysis shall ruin us, and carry us to successive births.