One day Swami Gahananandaji addressed a brahmachari who had joined the Shillong Ashrama just a few days before thus: "Whenever you used to come here as a devotee, we used to say,'Please come, do take a seat, help yourself to a little prasad, etc.' But from now onward, you will not get that treatment. Now, you are our younger brother in the Ramakrishna family. If need be you will be chastised and you will also receive affection due to a younger brother. If you expect the earlier treatment, you will be sorely disappointed. Remember this."
The aforesaid brahmachari used to pluck flowers from the Ashrama garden to adorn Sri Sri Thakur's image in his room. When it came to the notice of Gahananandaji, he spoke to the brahmachari thus : "Is it not a fact that you will have a good meditation if fragrant flowers are kept in your room? But, never pick flowers in the garden for your personal benefit. Know for certain that all the flowers in the garden are for Sri Sri Thakur in the temple and not in your room. Moreover, Sri Sri Thakur walks about in the Ashrama enjoying the fragrance and the beautiful sight of the flower-laden plants and trees. I have heard that Revered Raja Maharaj used to say so. Therefore, keep this in mind, won't you?" These words were a revelation to the young aspirant and acted as a beacon in his spiritual life.
Remarkable were the ways in which Gahananandaji taught spiritual lessons to the young brahmacharis. Once a group of devotees from a far-off place arrived at the Shillong Ashrama without prior intimation, weary and hungry. Quite some time had elapsed yet, they had not been provided any refreshment. When the matter came to the notice of Gahananandaji who was the Manager of the Ashrama, he was very aggrieved. He immediately summoned the brahmachari who looked after the kitchen and asked him to make arrangements for food for the devotees without delay. The brahmachari said that as the Bhandari Maharaj (the swami in charge of the kitchen) was at that time not at the Ashrama, he would be incurring his displeasure and wrath if he acted thus without his permission. With much gravity in his tone Swami Gahananandaji said, "This Ashrama belongs to Sri Sri Thakur. The devotees who come here are His guests. Go, feed them, for is it not our responsibility to look after Sri Sri Thakur's guests? If on that score the Bhandari gets vexed, let him. Sometimes it is better even to take the blame on oneself for the good and welfare of others."
A senior monk of the Order, speaking of his Shillong days, said, "Revered Naresh Maharaj was my main adviser and helper in good times and bad times. He helped me in so many ways ever giving me sound advice on perplexing issues that I can only say I can never repay his debt. I literally learnt from him the rudiments of the congregational life. Truly, it was his inspirational personality and life that cemented my resolve to become a monk."
In 1954 the birthday of Swami Vivekananda was observed at the Shillong Ashrama on the holy Sankranti day, largely due to the enthusiasm of Swami Gahanananda. Lay devotees and monks all joined hands to make the celebration a grand success. The programme was held in the Quinton Hall where Swami Vivekananda had lectured on his visit to Shillong.The President of the function enthralled the audience when he mentioned that many years ago he had had the blessed opportunity to garland Swamiji during his reception in Shillong. The same year the birth centenary of the Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi was celebrated at the Shillong Ashrama with much festivity. A three-day celebration also took place at Shella. Gahananandaji and others carried with them rice, potato and other items to help the festival organizers at Shella. Special worship of Shiva, Chandi and other local deities was performed to mark the occasion. In later years Gahananandaji reminisced, "It was a mart of joy, those three days of the Mother's birth centenary celebration at Shella. On the day of our return from Shella to Shillong the women-folk wept as if they were on their way from their parental house to their in-laws' after marriage."
Adapted by Sugata Bose from 'Swami Gahanananda', a Belur Math publication, 16 November, 2007.
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