Once Holy Mother recalled a significant incident that took place when the Master lay ill at Cossipore. A number of his disciples, including Gopal, were taking turns attending to his needs. But one day, instead of serving the Master, Gopal went off somewhere to meditate. He meditated for a long time. When Girish Babu heard about this, he remarked: “The one upon whom Gopal is meditating with closed eyes is suffering on a sickbed, and fancy, he is meditating upon him!” Gopal was sent for. When he arrived the Master asked him to stroke his legs. Then he said to Gopal: “Do you think I am asking you to stroke my legs because they are aching? Oh, no! In your previous births you did many virtuous acts; therefore I am accepting your service.” (Source: God Lived with Them)
Sarada Devi (Holy Mother) used to live in the nahabat (concert tower) at Dakshineswar, where she cooked for the Master and for the devotees. The Master knew that she was alone and needed some help. One day, seeing Latu meditating on the bank of the Ganges, Ramakrishna said to him, “Look here, Leto, the one on whom you are meditating is now sweating over the flour.” (Evidently the Master meant Sarada Devi, whom he regarded as identical with the Divine Mother Kali. Latu had been meditating on Kali.) He then took Latu to the nahabat and said to Holy Mother: “This boy is a pure soul. He will knead the flour and flatten the chapatis for you. Whenever you need any help, please ask him.” (Source: God Lived with Them)