GAHANANANDA 4

A few days into his stay at the Shillong Ashrama the consecration of the Sri Ramakrishna Temple there was scheduled to take place. To grace the occasion, Swami Sankaranandaji (President of the Order), Swami Madhavanandaji (General Secretary of the Order) and many other venerable monks had assembled at the Ashrama. One day a devotee chanced to address Swami Sankaranandaji thus:"Maharaj, you are going to install the image of Sri Ramakrishna."Instantly, Swami Sankaranandaji corrected him saying," No, because He will reside here, I had to come." This simple remark made a profound impression on Swami Gahanananda's mind as he pondered over its vast significance. His monastic ideal stood transfigured into a life-long consecration of worshipful service to his Chosen Ideal Sri Ramakrishna who was now, more than ever before, a living ideal permeating the Order, not merely in figurative terms but in terms tangible, the soul and substance, the spirit and essence of the Order. The sage gave utterance to the Word, the young aspirant plumbed the depths of its oceanic significance. And thus is the Word carried from the luminous preceptor to the befitting recipient. The consecration ceremony was duly performed and the Shillong Ashrama became a mart of joy. To Swami Gahanananda it was Sri Ramakrishna's advent indeed at the Ashrama that had ushered in the supernal bliss.

In Shillong Swami Gahanananda used to conduct relief services along with Swami Soumyanandaji and some lay devotees.

Worship of the Divine Mother was prevalent among the local Khasi people. Once, Swami Gahanananda gave a discourse on Mother worship in a local village and spoke at length on the profundity and sublimity of such worship. This so appealed to the simple village-folk that they said to Maharaj, "You are the first one of all who have visited us who says that our way of worship is right. Those who have come here before you have all said that our worship is all wrong."

Naresh Maharaj had witnessed how much the Khasi people loved his cousin, the great Ketaki Maharaj who had given his life for the uplift of these people. One day, the simple hill-men had come and sung ' Guru kripa hi kevalam ' to the ailing Ketaki Maharaj, then in his final illness, and paid their last respects, so to say. The incident made an indelible impression on Naresh Maharaj's mind and forever endeared him to the people of Meghalaya. They became his kith and kin and he drew closer to them than the more sophisticated people among the so-called educated classes.The simplicity of their being was the flavour of their souls. Swami Gahanananda would reminisce, "I was in Shillong for only four years and a half but the memory of working in the midst of the hill people is still undiminished. The joy one got by serving them could only be compared with the joy one derived by providing drinking water to a thirsty person. The mind would fill to the brim, even unto overflowing."

Many young aspirants joined the Shillong Ashrama at this time. Naresh Maharaj inspired them with the high ideals of monasticism and upheld before them the glorious tradition of the Ramakrishna Order.

A novice, within a few days of joining the Ashrama, was down with severe B-coli infection which resulted in frequent urination with bleeding and excruciating pain. There being no attached bathroom, Swami Gahananandaji used to lead him, holding him by the hand, to the bathroom which was at a distance from his room.The Brahmachari recovered in a few days from his illness.

At the dining hall one evening, Gahananandaji noticed that a certain Brahmachari was absent for dinner. On enquiry he came to know that the said person was suffering from an upset stomach. Maharaj affectionately asked him if he had seen a doctor. But the Brahmachari said that he did not think it necessary to see one as he thought he would be alright in a couple of days. At this Maharaj pointed to the Brahmachari's body and asked, "Whose body is this?" The Brahmachari replied, "It is mine." With firmness born out of conviction Maharaj replied,"Yes, this body was yours, but from the day you joined the Ramakrishna Order, it is the property of Sri Ramakrishna, and you have no right to neglect it or misuse it."

Adapted by Sugata Bose from Swami Gahanananda, a Belur Math publication, 16 November,2007.