Mahasamadhi Part 2 from Om lala

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Continued mesg from Om Lala:-

 

To BE SENT OUT ON AUGUST 16th

SECOND PART OF SRI RAMAKRISHNA's MAHASAMADHI

 

Some day later, Narendra being alone with the Master, Sri Ramakrishna looked

at him and went into samadhi. Narendra felt the penetration of a subtle

force and lost all outer consciousness. Regaining presently the normal

mood,

he found the Master weeping.

 

Sri Ramakrishna said to him: Today, I have given you my all, and I am now

only a poor fakir possessing nothing. By this power you will do immense

good

in the world, and not until it is accomplished will you return. " Henceforth

the Master lived in the disciple.

 

Doubt, however, dies hard. After one or two days, Narendra said to himself,

" If in the midst of this racking physical pain he declares his Godhead then

only shall I accept him as an Incarnation of God. " He was alone by the

bedside of the Master. It was a passing thought, but the Master smiled.

Gathering his remaining strength, he distinctly said, " He who was Rama and

Krishna is now, in this body, Ramakrishna- but not in your Vedantic sense. "

Narendra was stricken with shame.

 

MAHASAMADHI

 

Sunday, August 15, 1886. The Master's pulse became irregular. The devotees

stood by the bedside. Toward dusk, Sri Ramakrishna had difficulty in

breathing. A short time afterwards he complained of hunger. A little

liquid

food was put into his mouth; some of it he swallowed, and the rest ran over

his chin. Two attendants began to fan him. All at once he went into

samadhi

of a rather unusual type. The body became stiff. Sashi burst into tears.

But after midnight, the Master revived. He was now very hungry and helped

himself to a bowl of porridge. He said he was strong again. He sat up

against five or six pillows, which were supported by the body of Sashi, who

was fanning him. Narendra took his feet on his lap and began to rub them.

Again and again the Master repeated to him, " Take care of these boys. " Then

he asked to lie down. Three times in ringing tones he cried the name of

Kali, his life's beloved and lay back. At two minutes past one, there was a

low sound in his throat and he fell a little to one side. A thrill passed

over his body. His hair stood on end. His eyes became fixed on the tip of

his nose. His face was lighted with a smile. The final ecstasy began. It

was mahasamadhi, total absorption, from which his mind never returned.

Narendra, unable to bear it, ran downstairs.

 

Dr. Sarkar arrived the following noon and announced that life had departed

not more than half an hour before. At five o'clock, the Master's body was

brought downstairs, laid on a cot, dressed in ochre clothes, and decorated

with sandal-paste and flowers. A procession was formed. The passers-by

wept

as the body was taken to the cremation ground at the Baranagore Ghat on the

Ganges.

 

While the devotees were returning to the garden house, carrying the urn with

the sacred ashes, a calm resignation came to their souls and they cried,

" Victory unto the Guru! "

 

The Holy Mother was weeping in her room, not for her husband, but because

she

felt that Mother Kali had left her. As she was about to put on the marks of

a Hindu widow, in a moment of revelation, she heard the words of faith, " I

have only passed from one room to another. "

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On this day let us not even try to comprehend and assimilate the power and

the glory of Thakur. It is unfathomable to our intellects. On this day,

let

us all sincerely take refuge at His feet.

 

Hari Om

-Om Lala