In January 1916 Premananda again left for East Bengal with Brahmananda and a group of monks. They visited Kamakhya (a famous place for Mother worship), Mymensingh, and Dhaka. On this occasion Brahmananda laid the foundation stone of Ramakrishna Mission in Dhaka. While there the swamis stayed at Agnes Villa and met some revolutionaries who were fighting for India’s freedom. Swami Nikhilananda was then a college student and connected with a revolutionary society. He wrote in his memoirs:
One morning I went to the Villa with two members of our revolutionary society. Swami Premananda took us to a small room in which there were two beds. Swami Brahmananda was seated on one of them. Swami Premananda took his seat on the other. After saluting Swami Brahmananda we sat on the floor.
Swami Premananda introduced us to Swami Brahmananda and said to him: “Maharaj, look at these young men. They are all fine boys, but completely misguided. They have become revolutionaries in order to serve India. Please give them right advice.” Usually very reserved, Swami Brahmananda asked us in an earnest voice to give up the method of violence and follow in the footsteps of Swami Vivekananda. He said that we must first build our character and only then take up the service of the country. By way of illustration he said: “If gunpowder is damp it will not explode. However you may try to ignite it, you will only be wasting match sticks. But if the powder is dry, one match will be enough to produce the explosion.” He emphasized that Swami Vivekananda was a real patriot and that we should follow his instructions.
“But, sir,” I said, “you have not understood Swami Vivekananda. We read in his books that he wants us to shed our blood for India’s freedom. That is what the revolutionaries are doing. You have not understood Swami Vivekananda’s teachings.”
That was too much for Swami Premananda. “You idiot!” he exclaimed. “You do not know with whom you are talking. We knew Swamiji for over twenty years. We ate together, played together, talked together, and discussed our plans of work together — and we have not understood him! And you fools have read a few pages of his books and understand him completely!” Then, addressing Swami Brahmananda, he said: “Maharaj, did you hear that? He said that you did not understand Swamiji. Do you think he has the intelligence of a horse? Let me see if he can carry me on his back!”
Suddenly he left his bed and asked me to go down on all fours. Sitting on my back, with his feet hanging down on both sides, he asked me to take him round the room, as if I were a real horse. I did as I was asked. After a minute or two he dismounted and said to me that everything would be all right. Swami Brahmananda looked at the whole affair benignly and again advised us first to mould our character. We left the room — and that was the end of my connection with the revolutionary society. (Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna)