Nag Mahashay

This is the twelth story in the series on devotees who had a role in the divine play of Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna.

- DR. RUCHIRA MITRA

On coming to know about the spiritual eminence of Sri Ramakrishna, a homeopath doctor, along with his friend, went to meet him at Dakshineswar. A man with a japamala in hand was sitting in the veranda. On being asked about Sri Ramakrishna, this religious looking man simply said, “He has gone to Chandannagar.1 Come another day.” As they stood there very disappointed, they noticed someone from inside the room beckoning them to come in. They eagerly went in, and found that it was none other than Sri Ramakrishna himself!

This physician was Durgacharan Nag, who later was revered as Nag Mahashay. He hailed from Deobhog, a remote village in erstwhile East Bengal. He was born in 1846. He studied homeopathy under Dr Beharilal Bhaduri2, a renowned physician of Kolkata and soon established a successful homeopathic practice. However, expectation and fame did not taint him. When a rich man, being cured of a painful disease, gratefully offered him a silver box filled with money, Durgacharan accepted just his fee of Rs. 2. He could not tolerate worldly talk; if anyone started mundane conversation, he would skilfully divert it towards spiritual discussion. His wife Sharatkamini was a vidya stree – pure, dedicated and self-effacing, simply his copilgrim. Her mind was tuned beyond the physical plane, which eased his spiritual pursuit.

From the beginning, Sri Ramakrishna bestowed his love on him, “I am very glad to see you. It is for you that I am here …. Do not fear. You have attained a very lofty state.” Speaking about him Sri Ramakrishna told others, “This man is like a blazing fire.”