Ramakrishna Paramhansa
[Post # 526]:
In the middle of 1885 Sri Ramakrishna developed throat cancer and the
devotees arranged for his treatment in Shyampukur, Calcutta. Holy Mother
[Maa Sharda] took the responsibility of cooking special food for the
Master and some young disciples began to nurse him under Narendra's
leadership. Shashi [later Swami Ramakrishnanda] would eat at home, then
serve the Master at night. Shashi was then preparing for his B.A.
examination. His parents had great expectations for him because he was
their eldest son and a brilliant student.
Now Shashi faced a
great dilemma: Should he serve his guru or build his career through
study? His discriminating mind selected the first one. He stopped going
home, gave up his studies, and became a full-time attendant of the
Master. An old neighbour of Shashi asked him, "Why don't you serve your
guru after the examination?" Shashi replied: "Sir, could you give me any
guarantee that I shall not die before that examination?"
When
his father begged him to return home, he replied: "For me the world and
home are both like a place infested with tigers." His father even used a
mantram to get his son back home, but this failed. It is said that on
one occasion Shashi's father criticized Sri Ramakrishna in front of him.
Immediately Shashi was ready to stab him, saying, "Who is my father?"
His father was pleased with his son, and said to him, "Yes, your
devotion to your guru is genuine."
[Post # 526]:
In the middle of 1885 Sri Ramakrishna developed throat cancer and the devotees arranged for his treatment in Shyampukur, Calcutta. Holy Mother [Maa Sharda] took the responsibility of cooking special food for the Master and some young disciples began to nurse him under Narendra's leadership. Shashi [later Swami Ramakrishnanda] would eat at home, then serve the Master at night. Shashi was then preparing for his B.A. examination. His parents had great expectations for him because he was their eldest son and a brilliant student.
Now Shashi faced a great dilemma: Should he serve his guru or build his career through study? His discriminating mind selected the first one. He stopped going home, gave up his studies, and became a full-time attendant of the Master. An old neighbour of Shashi asked him, "Why don't you serve your guru after the examination?" Shashi replied: "Sir, could you give me any guarantee that I shall not die before that examination?"
When his father begged him to return home, he replied: "For me the world and home are both like a place infested with tigers." His father even used a mantram to get his son back home, but this failed. It is said that on one occasion Shashi's father criticized Sri Ramakrishna in front of him. Immediately Shashi was ready to stab him, saying, "Who is my father?" His father was pleased with his son, and said to him, "Yes, your devotion to your guru is genuine."
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