Born around 1846 in the village of Maragore near Shihar, to the west of Kamarpukur, educated in the village school and raised in the Vaishnava tradition. His father, a farmer, having died, had to take care of the family and soon incurred a heavy debt. An egotistical man, untruthful, greedy, selfish, jealous, mischievous, fault-finding and hypocritical, first met the Master at Hriday’s residence in Shihar (1880). Left home in 1882 in a spirit of pseudo-renunciation and moved to Dakshineswar where he sat for his sadhana in the south-east verandah of the Master’s room, the Master having received him cordially and arranged for his room and board, himself providing all other necessities. Exploited the wealthy devotees and indulged in criticism of the Master, not hesitating to establish himself as the Master’s equal, if not superior. The Master remarked, “I have found Hazra to be like a piece of dry wood. Then why does he live here? This has a meaning too. The divine play is enlivened by the presence of trouble-makers like Jatila and Kutila” (The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, p. 270). Narendranath was initially drawn to Hazra because of the latter’s inclination towards the path of jnana (knowledge) and his interest in Narendra’s talk about Western philosophy. The Master said Hazra was Narendra’s “ferend” and the latter humorously referred to Hazra as “Thousanda” (Hazar = thousand). Hazra, however, had steadfast devotion for japam. He would always repeat the name of God with rosary in hand, even advised the Master to do as he did. Tried to pollute the minds of the Master’s young disciples. The Master, however, needed a religious hypocrite in order to illustrate some spiritual lessons for his disciples and Hazra served that purpose well.
The Gospel records his stay at Dakshineswar in the presence of the Master from 5.8.1882 to 22.2.1885. “For some reason he had had to leave the Kali Temple” (The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, p. 768), probably on 24.4.1885, on which day from the conversation of the Master and Narendranath his absence is obvious, but met Narendranath occasionally (Ibid., pp. 765-66). Visited the Master at Shyampukur on 8.11.1985 and 13.11.1885 (Antyalila, 1.96). Present at Cossipore in early January 1886 but missed the Master’s bounty of compassion on 1.1.1886. Under pressure from him Narendranath pleaded for him with the Master who promised him darshan of his Ishta, though only in his last moments. Latu Maharaj remarked that it was only because of Narendra’s persistence that Hazra received the Master’s grace (Sri Sri Latu Maharajer Smritikatha, p. 107). Hazra left Cossipore on 6.1.1886 and was there again on 20.2.1886. After the passing of the Master, is known to have been in the Kali Temple at Dakshineswar where Saradaprasanna Maharaj (Swami Trigunatitananda) met him on 8.5.1887 (The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, p. 993). Met the devotees of the Master during the birth anniversary of the Master, seated on the north-east verandah practising japam (1894). M. said Hazra passed away in 1900, chanting the Master’s name. According to the author of Yugavatar Sri Ramakrishna he died holding the picture of the Master on his chest and looking at him. An account in the Tattvamanjari says he had forecast his death at 9.00 a.m. the next morning. At 8.30 a.m. he was engaged in making japam on his rosary and apparently had a vision of the Master whom he heartily welcomed, asking his wife to bring a seat for him. He also welcomed Ramchandra Datta and Swami Yogananda. Requesting the Master with folded hands to follow him to the tulsi grove in the courtyard and, lying on his bed there, continued japam and uttering “Hari” three times passed away. This proves the saying in the Hindu scriptures that if a man thinks of God constantly, with love or with animosity, he will realize God, for the thought of God destroys evil propensities.