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Sri Ramakrishna at the Dakshineswar Temple with Rakhal, Ram, Kedar, Tarak, M., and other Devotees
Chapter I
At Dakshineswar Temple – worship of Thakur’s holy feet
After the evening worship in the Kali Temple at Dakshineswar, Sri Ramakrishna stands before the image of the Divine Mother. He fans her with a chamara[1] for some time.
It is summer, Friday, 8 June 1883, the third day of the bright fortnight of the month of Jaishtha. (Some incidents that happened on the new moon day[2] were recorded in Volume II, Section V of the Kathamrita.) After dusk Ram, Kedar (Chatterji), and Tarak arrived from Calcutta in a carriage. They have brought flowers and sweets for Thakur.
Kedar must be about fifty years old. He is a great devotee. As soon as there is talk of God, his eyes are filled with tears. He used to visit the Brahmo Samaj and then the Kartabhaja and several other new religious sects. At last he has taken refuge at the feet of Sri Ramakrishna. He holds a government accountant’s job. His home is in the village of Halishar near Kanchdapara.
Tarak[3] is about twenty-four years old. He had married but his wife died after only a few days. His home is in the village of Barasat. His father is a spiritual aspirant of a high order and has visited Sri Ramakrishna a number of times. After the death of Tarak’s mother, his father married a second time.
Tarak frequently visits Ram at his house. He often comes to visit Thakur with Ram and Nityagopal. He works in an office these days but his attitude is always one of indifference to worldly things.
Sri Ramakrishna comes out of the Kali Temple and lies prostrate on the platform in salutation to the Mother.
He sees Ram, M., Kedar, Tarak, and the other devotees standing there.
Affection for Tarak – Kedar and ‘lust and greed’
He touches Tarak’s chin affectionately. Indeed, he is very happy to see him.
Thakur sits on the floor of his room in an ecstatic mood. He stretches his legs out before him. Ram and Kedar decorate his feet with various kinds of flowers and garlands. Thakur is in samadhi.
Kedar has the attitude of a new devotee. He holds the big toe of Sri Ramakrishna, believing that by doing so, he will receive power from Thakur. Returning somewhat to the normal state, Thakur says, “Mother, what can he do to me by holding my toe?” Kedar humbly folds his hands.
Sri Ramakrishna (to Kedar, in the state of ecstasy): “Your mind is attracted to ‘lust and greed.’ What use is it just to say that your mind does not dwell in them?
“Go forward. There is more after the sandalwood forest. A silver mine, a goldmine, and then diamonds and jewels. You’ve attained a little divine inspiration – don’t think you’ve achieved everything.”
Thakur again begins to talk to the Divine Mother, “Mother, please take him away.”
Kedar says to Ram, his throat dry with fear, “What is Thakur saying!”
God-incarnate and his intimate disciples
Seeing Rakhal, Thakur is again absorbed in ecstasy and addresses him: “I have been here many days! When did you come?”
Is Thakur hinting that he is an incarnation of God and Rakhal is his intimate disciple, a companion of his inner circle?
[1]. Fan made from the tail of a yak, used in Hindu ritual worship.
[2]. Amavasya.
[3]. Later Swami Shivananda.
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