After attaining illumination, Sri Ramakrishna waited for his disciples nearly twenty-five years. During the last few years of his life, when his young disciples joined him, the Master poured all his spiritual treasures into them and bound them with love. He hastened to train his disciples so that they could carry his message to the world. Once he said to Harinath: “I want to see you quite often, for I know you are dear to the Lord. Otherwise why should I spend my time on you? You can’t give me anything worth even a cent; and when I go to your house, you can’t even spread a torn mat for me to sit on. Yet I love you so much. Don’t forget to come here, because here you will get everything that is needed for your spiritual life. If you can find elsewhere opportunities for God-realization, you may go there. What I want is that you should realize God — that you should transcend the misery of the world and enjoy divine bliss; that you should attain Him in this life. The Divine Mother tells me if you only come here, you will realize God without any effort. That is why I ask you to see me so often.” Saying these words, Sri Ramakrishna was overcome with emotion and began to shed tears.
Turiyananda left Shanti Ashrama on 10 January 1901, and went to San Francisco for treatment of gallstones and other complications. A female student served the swami with great devotion, but she found it a difficult task to care for him. He appeared stubborn, seemed to want his own way in everything, and found fault even in small matters. She did not realize that Turiyananda was training her by curbing her sensitive ego.
One day when Turiyananda reprimanded her, she wept. Noticing this, the swami immediately changed his tone. With all gentleness, he said: “You don’t know that we are accustomed to act like this in India. We scold those whom we love for their own good. We never utter a harsh word to people to whom we are indifferent. We try to improve those whom we love. What does it matter whether I am in good health or in ill health? I have come to this country for your good and not for mine.”
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