- Sri Ramakrishna as Kali and Shiva
- He Who Makes a Law Can Unmake It
- Man of God
- Theft in Krishna Temple Dakshineswar
- “What is There in This Shawl?”
- “Rascal, You Want to Make Me a Worldly Man?”
- “Don’t Be Afraid. Your Wife Will Recover.”
- “Sri Ramakrishna Alone is Real.”
- Effect of Subtle Thoughts on The Gross Plane
- “No One Can Know if He Doesn’t Allow”
- “Mother Accepts Worship in Your Heart”
- Preparation for Spiritual Experience
- Worship the Living Gods
- Vision of Shiva in Varanasi
- “I Seek The Dust of Your Feet to Cross Maya”
Mathuramohan Biswas (1817-71)—Son-in-law of Rani Rasmani, one of the Master’s earliest and most distinguished devotees, his first supplier of provisions. Born in Bithari village of Basirhat sub-division, ancestral home in Sonabera village near Satkshira of Khulna district, the surrounding land being part of his estate. Having married the Rani’s third daughter first, came to be known as “Shejo (Third) Babu”, married her youngest daughter after the death of his first wife (1832). Took charge of the Rani’s vast estate after the death of his father-in-law Rajchandra (1836). Attracted by young Gadadhar at Dakshineswar appointed him priest. Increasingly conscious of the young priest’s sublime spirituality, deeply devoted to him and allowed him to practise spiritual disciplines freely, releasing him from the responsibility of formal worship. Introduced him to Rani Rasmani who was wonderstruck by the exalted spirituality of the young priest. Mathur Babu aided and facilitated his spiritual pursuits, ensured his well-being in every way, even when at Kamarpukur. Fulfilled his every wish, took him on pilgrimages, and regarded him as his Ishta. At his behest summoned an assembly of scholars to determine the essential divinity of the Master. Mathur took refuge at the Master’s served feet and was convinced that his own well-being and worldly prosperity depended on the grace of the Master. To please him he performed the extremely expensive “Annameru” ceremony (1864), served holy men as directed by him, took the Master to Ranaghat, his own home at Sonabere, Navadvip, Kalna, and other places spending huge sums of money to satisfy the Master’s whims. During Durga Puja at Janbazar took the Master there and the latter slept between Mathur and his wife at night. Ultimately Mathur attained selfless devotion as the result of whole-hearted service to the Master for 14 years. Told the Master, “I want the dust of your feet to cross the sea of the world” (Sri Ramakrishna, the Great Master, Vol.1, p. 324). The Master had promised Mathur that even after the latter’s death he would remain at Dakshineswar as long as Mathur’s son and wife lived and kept his promise. Mathur died on 16.7.1871 and his wife and Dwaraka, his son, died before the Master left Dakshineswar. Mathur had made provisions for the Master’s residence at Dakshineswar and remuneration on a permanent basis (Swamijike Jerup Dekhiachhi, p. 233).
“It was written in Mathur’s horoscope that his Ishta[Chosen Deity] would always be gracious to him — nay, would even accompany him wherever he went and protect him, assuming a human form.” Thus Sri Ramakrishna described Mathur Nath Biswas’s wonderful good fortune to the devotees who came to him long after Mathur had passed away.
…. Soon Mathur’s part in Sri Ramakrishna’s divine drama came to an end. On 14 July 1871, he died of typhoid fever after a short illness. Sri Ramakrishna did not go to see him while he was ill but sent Hriday every day except the last. That day Mathur was taken to Kalighat, a holy place in South Calcutta. Sri Ramakrishna meanwhile became absorbed in deep samadhi in his room for a couple of hours while his spirit went forth to help Mathur attain the goal. At 5:00 p.m. Sri Ramakrishna came out of samadhi and said to Hriday, “The companions of the Divine Mother took Mathur with love and care into their celestial chariot and his soul has ascended to the sphere of the Mother [Deviloka].” Later that night the news reached Dakshineswar that Mathur had indeed passed away at 5:00 p.m.
Mathur’s service to the Master is now legendary. In later years Sri Ramakrishna never tired of telling the devotees about him. Once one of the devotees asked the Master: “Sir, what became of Mathur after death? Surely he wouldn’t have to be born again, would he?” The Master replied: “Perhaps he has been born as a king somewhere. He still had a desire for enjoyment.” Then he changed the subject. But no matter what happened to Mathur after his death, he undoubtedly loved and served the Master with all his heart. More importantly, he realized who the Master was. Once he said to Sri Ramakrishna, “Father, there is nothing inside you but God.” (Source: They Lived with God)