The Bhagavan continued: I cannot use any object that is given to me by physicians and medical practitioners who live upon the painful diseases of other people. However, it is different with those physicians who are kindhearted, charitable and unselfish.

iii

To destroy the pride and egotism of His disciples, Sri Ramakrishna told them to wear the

[Taught His disciples renunciation.] seamless ochre robe of the Sannyasin and to take up the begging-bowl. Being Himself a perfect Sannyasin, He loved to see His disciples following Him in the path of renunciation. On different occasions He sent them out, as Buddha and Sankara had done with their disciples, to beg food from door to door. One morning He called certain among His beloved ones,--Narendra, Sarat, Jogen, Niranjan, Kali,--and asked them whether they could go forth with the Sannyasin's begging-bowl and beg uncooked food for Him. It was indeed a great blow to the caste pride as well as to the sense of self-respect of these young disciples. Obeying the Master's wish, however, they took the begging-bowl in their hands, walked from door to door in the neighborhood, collected various articles of food, brought them before their Master and offered them at His holy feet. Bhagavan Ramakrishna, blessed them and rejoiced at their sincere and earnest devotion. This was the manner in which the Bhagavan initiated His disciples in the life of absolute renunciation.

iv

[Meaning of His illness.] One evening Sri Ramakrishna was attended by His faithful servants Sashi (Ramakrishnananda) and Kali (Abhedananda), who were waiting upon Him. The Bhagavan opened His mouth and inspired them by saying: The illness of my body is caused by the sins of those who come and touch my feet. I purify the sinners by taking their sins upon myself and suffering for them. He who was Rama, who was Krishna, Buddha, Christ and Chaitanya has now become Ramakrishna. Blessed are those who know this truth. My Divine Mother has shown me that the photograph of this body will be kept upon altars and be worshipped in different houses as the pictures of other Avataras are worshipped. My Divine Mother has also shown me that I shall have to come back again and that my next incarnation will be in the West.

v

Narendra (Vivekananda) had extreme longing for the realization of Brahman the Absolute. One day Bhagavan Ramakrishna, addressing Narendra in the presence of other

disciples, said: I hold the key of the chest which contains the treasure of the highest realization. I shall not unlock that chest until you have finished my work which I wish you to do.

vi

[Cure of His illness.] Pandit Sashadhar came one day to pay his respects to Bhagavan Ramakrishna. Seeing His illness, he asked Him: Bhagavan, why dost Thou not concentrate Thy mind upon the diseased part and thus cure Thyself?