TWO EPISODES BY SHRI KUMUD BANDHU SEN
S
ome twenty years back, revered
by his side. I took my seat and continued
Swami Sankaranandaji Maharaj,
‘you had related a beautiful episode of
the present President of the
Sri Ramakrishna’s life to Maharaj, how Sri
Ramakrishna Math & Mission, told me, in
Ramakrishna
course of conversation, that one evening
faquir. Would you kindly repeat it to me?
when
the
Moreover, I am greatly interested to
Deshabandhu Park, Calcutta, he met an
know when and how you came to meet
old gentleman who had the privilege of
Sri Ramakrishna. It is with this end in
seeing Shri Ramakrishna. The gentleman
view that I have come here. The old
incidentally related to him a unique
gentleman was very glad and said, ‘oh
episode of Sri Ramakrishna’s life in
yes, I will tell you everything.’ he
connection with a Muslim faquir, the
started:
he
was
strolling
in
came
to
a
Musalmaan
faquir used to stay in a Mosque near Geartala in Calcutta. The episode is not
I was then residing on Beadon Street.
published in any of the biographies of Sri
In those days young men used to spend
Ramakrishna. The Maharaj gave me the
much
whereabouts of that old gentleman and
entertainment.
asked me to get all first hand information
concert parties also. I was then just on
about
Sankaranandaji
the threshold of youth, and being rather
Maharaj was then staying at Balaram
indifferent to studies, had a strong
Mandir in Baghbazar.
inclination to music. My friends were all
the
episode.
of
their
time
There
in
musical
were
several
members of one such party. I used to A few days later I, according to his
frequent their rendezvous.
directions, went to meet the gentleman. He was then living in a two storied building
on
the
trip in boat and were proceeding towards
was
Panihati on the Ganges. The famous Kali
to
temple of Rani Rasmani at Dakshineswar
Sankaranandaji and told him that I had
lay on our way. So we asked our boatmen
come to meet him at the Swamiji’s
to anchor the boat there. As we were
request, at which the old gentleman
approaching the landing ghat, one of our
showed great respect and bade me to sit
friends exclaimed ‘I am very hungry.
Deshbandhu Manmathanath
the
west
Park. Gosh.
side
His I
Prabuddha Bharata, September 1955
of
‘One day we were having a pleasure
name referred
Page 1 of 4
They say there is a Paramahamsa (a sage
this without sharing it with my friends.
or an enlightened soul) living in this
And further I am not going to take this
temple and he offers sweets and fruits to
small quantity also; so let it remain with
the visitors. However on reaching the
you!’ so saying I was about to come back
landing ghat we could not decide who
when Sri Ramakrishna called me sweetly
would go to the Paramahamsa for sweets
to his side and said, ‘oh, come, come you
and fruits. Finding my friends shy and
don’t have to make your self miserable.’
afraid of meeting Sri Ramakrishna I had
this time he gave me little more but I
volunteered myself for the errand. After
again grumbled, ‘what shall we do with
making necessary inquiries as to his
this when everyone of us is feeling
whereabouts
Sri
extremely hungry? You have enough to
Ramakrishna. Just then he asked me
spare and you are so reluctant to give
what I wanted. I told him plainly, ‘sir, we
more!’ Sri Ramakrishna said laughingly,
are residents of Calcutta and proceeding
‘what’s that to you? And why should I
towards Panihati with a concert party of
give to any and everybody? Couldn’t they
our own. We did not have our lunch, so
all come here and take things directly
we are feeling very hungry now. Please
from me, ye self chosen leader? I was
give
Shri
offended and said, ‘well if you don’t
Ramakrishna looked at me intently for a
believe me, come and see whether there
minute or so and then went brought
are not a dozen of us there.’ Why should
some sweets and fruits on a leaf. It was
we come to you if we are not really
not much, so I said, ‘what shall I do with
hungry?’ at this Sri Ramakrishna sent for
this small quantity, sir? We are about a
somebody and asked him to give a basket
dozen persons in all. This is not enough
of fruits and sweets to us. Overjoyed, I
even for me alone!’ seeing that there
returned to my friends and exclaimed,
were in the room several baskets full of
‘you
eatables I added, ‘let me have more, you
Paramahamsa. See, how I have brought
have plenty in there.’ Just like a boy Sri
all this, for you.’
us
I
came
something
to
upon
eat.’
did
not
dare
to
go
to
the
Ramakrishna instantly tried to hide them from me; it seemed as if someone was
That was the first time I met Shri
going to snatch them away. Them he said
Ramakrishna. Afterwards I had been to
petulantly, ‘well take that if you like.
Dakshineswar
“He who has nothing to spare should not
attracted to him, but then I would not
keep a dog.” You are yourself hungry, so
have the courage even to address him
have your fill. Why do you plead for
when I saw many famous public men like
others?’ I replied ‘sir, I don’t wish to take
Keshab Babu and Vijay Krishna, sitting
Prabuddha Bharata, September 1955
several
times.
I
got
Page 2 of 4
round him and talking on various topics.
at
Dakshineswar.
However, as soon as Shri Ramakrishna
returning to Dakshineswar from the Kali
would see me he would bid someone or
temple at Kalighat. And on the way,
other to feed me sumptuously and would
before my very eyes was enacted the
add jokingly that I am always feeling very
divine scene, whose sweet memory is
hungry. And at this I would feel shy.
still so fresh in my mind. Alas! At that time
Later on I got married. I had to roam
I
did
Now
not
they
realize
Ramakrishna was! Now in
who
were
Shri
my old age I
about hunting for a job and so found no
grieve over my fate to think that though I
time to go to him. After a lot of struggle
had the supreme privilege of seeing one
I at last secured a job with Messrs. Rally
whom many now regard as God Himself, I
brothers and co. the pay was poor; and
then failed utterly to understand him!
everyday I had to foot out the whole
Ah! Time is all important. Now in my old
distance between Beadon Street and
age I am painfully reminded again and
Dharmatalla via Geratala. One evening as
again what a rare opportunity I missed in
I was returning from office I saw a
the prime of my youth.
Mussalman faquir standing in front of a mosque
in
out
He had ended his narrative when I
Beloved,
told him, ‘yet … you are really blessed,
come’, tears streaming profusely from
for you have seen him in human form.
his eyes. It was really touching; I stood
Why, you are certainly fortunate.’ I then
transfixed, watching his divine fervor. A
took leave of Manmatha Babu and related
hackney carriage rattled up to the
the
mosque and pulled up abruptly where the
Maharaj.
affectionately,
Geratala ‘come
calling my
whole
story
to
Sankaranandaji
faquir was standing. Sri Ramakrishna got down from the carriage and ran up to the
v
v
v
faquir. What happened next was simply indescribable—they were in each other’s arms in deep embrace, their faces beaming with a heavenly joy. They must have stood clasping like that for some seconds. Ramlal, Shri Ramakrishna’s nephew, was he who, often at Shri Ramakrishna’s bidding, would offer me fruits and sweets Prabuddha Bharata, September 1955
Page 3 of 4
I
t is about three months that
plight.’ I approached Shri Ramakrishna
buses began plying between
with great humility and saluted him. He
Howrah
was
then compassionately asked me, ‘what’s
returning by bus to Belur math one
the matter, my child?’ I replied ‘sir, we
evening. On the way a gentleman sitting
are a middle class family and are
by my side turned to me and asked. ‘Do
burdened with too many dependants but
you, sir, belong to the Shri Ramakrishna
as ill luck would have it our house and
Math? I answered,’ yes; why, would you
barn invariably catch fire every year. And
like to tell me some thing? He started,
we are reduced to paupers. I seek your
‘in my childhood I came to know from my
refuge. Please find some way out’. Shri
father – who had passed away some years
Ramakrishna inquired where my house
ago - about an incident in connection
was. Pointing it out I said, ‘please see,
with Shri Ramakrishna. Something really
the
mysterious. We are Mohammedans, you
Ramakrishna then asked the members of
know, and our homestead was not far
his party to wait to wait and he himself
from Kamarpukur. We keep a small shop
proceeded to the spot along with me. On
at Chandni in Calcutta. I will now repeat
almost reaching it he asked me to bring
what I heard from my father’s lips:
some jujubes. Taking those jujubes in
and
Bally.
I
ashes
are
still
there.’
Shri
hand Shri Ramakrishna asked me to go “Economically we belong to the
round the whole area on foot. I started
middle class. We had thatched house and
accordingly, Shri Ramakrishna following
a barn adjacent to it. But due to some
me with those fruits in his hand. He was
evil turn of fate, our house and barn
muttering inaudibly something and would
would
This
throw the fruits at intervals. When I had
happened not once or twice but several
covered the whole area I stopped. Sri
times and we were terribly worried about
Ramakrishna asked me if I had completed
it. I was one day relating this sad state
the round on my answering him in the
to a Brahmin friend of mine when we saw
affirmative he left me to join his party.
Shri Ramakrishna passing in a procession
After this never again did our house and
along the village road dancing and singing
barn catch fire and we, for our part, are
the glories of God. Referring to Shri
immensely grateful to Shri Ramakrishna
Ramakrishna my friend said to me, ‘seek
for that”.’
catch
fire
every
year.
the protection of that great soul. He
v
v
v
might free you from your entire strange
Prabuddha Bharata, September 1955
Page 4 of 4