CHAPTER XIII

A DAY AT SHAMPUKUR

SRi RaMAKRISHNA was living at Shampukur at the request of His householder disciples, who had hired a house for Him there.

It was about half-past five in the afternoon of a day in October. Vivekananda, Brahmananda, Ramakrishnananda, Saradananda, Abhedananda and other disciples were with Sri Ramakrishna The great national festival Durgapuja had been celebrated only a few days back but it was difficult for the disciples to take part in the festivities with their whole heart. How could they rejoice when their Master was suffering from a serious malady? Their one thought was to serve Him, to nurse Him, to attend to His smallest wants day and night This devoted and unparalleled service of the Master led the way for the younger disciples (Vivekananda and others) to the great

renunciation of the world of which Bhagavan Sri was the ideal example. Through their intense love for the Master they left their homes and sacrificed the duties and pleasures of life that they might give their whole soul to His service.

Notwithstanding His illness, hundreds of people came every day to pay reverential homage to Him. They were eager to receive His blessing and to sit in His presence if only for a few minutes; for His presence brought peace and celestial happiness in the hearts and souls of all. Who had ever seen such unbounded compassion? He was anxious for the welfare of all those who came to Him and was ever ready to help them by removing their doubts and opening their spiritual eyes. This was the time when Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna showed to the world that He was not a man of this earth, but an embodiment of Infinite Love Divine.

His charm and fascination were so great that everyone who came into His presence would lose the consciousness of time and place. Even men like Dr. Sircar, [**] who was the busiest physician

in Calcutta and who usually spent a few moments only with each patient, would remain with the Bhagavan hours together and sometimes the whole day. He had just now been paying Sri Ramakrishna a long visit. Rising to go, he said to the Bhagavan, who was conversing with Syam Babu: [**] "Now that you have Syam Babu to talk to, I will bid you good-bye."

Sri Ramakrishna: Would you not like to hear some songs?

Doctor: I should like it very much; but your feelings will be too much worked upon and you will go off into a state of ecstasy.

The doctor took his seat once more, and Vivekananda sang to the accompaniment of instruments:

GOD AND HIS WORKS

1. Wonderful, infinite, is the universe made by Thee! Behold it is the repository of all beauty.

2. Thousands of stars do shine--a necklace of gold studded with gems. Innumerable are the moons and suns.