A true story

This is a  true incident  from the life of three great religious gurus. 

Every day one of RamaKrishna’s disciples used to go to Calcutta from Dakshineswar on a boat and fetch items for the Ashram. One day, it was Brahmananda’s turn. He was sitting in a corner of the boat and was immersed in meditation. One passenger from the city pointed his finger at Brahmananda and told other passengers in a loud voice, “RamaKrishna had no work to do. He is gathering this type of disciples, making them lazy and is spoiling them”. Brahmananda was of a soft nature. Considering any argument to be a wasteful exercise, he remained silent, while feeling sorry that he had to listen to abuses about his Guru.

Brahmananada conveyed to his Guru RamaKrishna in the evening  all that happened on the boat that day. Vivekananda heard Brahmananda’s word. Rama Krishna rebuked Brahmananda saying, “How could you keep quiet listening to the abuses upon your guru! How do you call yourself devoted to The Guru

A few days after that, it was Vivekananda’s turn to go to Calcutta. That day, another person started abusing RamaKrishna and his disciples.  Vivekananda stood up in anger, went near, held his neck and said, “If you utter one more word about my Guru I will throw you into the river.” The boatman cautioned that person saying, “Sir! Be careful. He is capable of doing what he said!” There was  a commotion in the boat; and every one remained silent.

After returning to the asharm, Vivekanananda informed Ramakrishna all that happened on the boat. RamaKrishna listened and said, “You  wear clothes meant for sadhus. You have to keep your temper under control. I am shocked how you lost your temper.''

After a while Vivekanada approached RamaKrishna and asked  “Guruji, you found fault with Brahmananda, the other day, for remaining silent when someone was talking ill of the Guru. Today you are finding fault with me for having confronted the one jeering at you. What is the message to us?” Paramahamsa smiled and said, “Treatment must be in accordance with the disease. Brahmananda is by nature mild. He is totally lacking anger. That is why I cautioned him in that manner. You have a haughty temperament; you  need to acquire patience.  Medicine must be given according to the disease.''


Written for B A R weekly thread 27th to 4th July2015