Devendranath Majumdar

When God Calls

- DR. RUCHIRA MITRA

यमेवैष वृणुते तेन लभ्यः

It is attained by him alone whom It chooses (Kathopanishad. 1.2:23)

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

It was circumstances that brought Devendra to Sri Ramakrishna. Born in an orthodox Brahmin family, little Devendra yearned for God and practised austerities. Though blessed with visions, he could not proceed beyond a point. Understanding his limitations, he started searching for a guru at the age of forty. At a friend’s house he chanced to read about the ‘Paramahamsa of Dakshineswar’. The name struck a chord in his heart: “Surely a paramahamsa can be a true guru for a seeker of God?” Another friend told him that Sri Ramakrishna lived at the Dakshineswar Kali Temple . He immediately set out to Dakshineswar!

Rushing there, he met Sri Ramakrishna, whose injured left hand was in a sling . Assuming the posture of Sri Krishna with legs crossed, flute in hand, Sri Ramakrishna asked, “Have you come to see this deity?” “No Sir, I have come to see you,” Devendra replied. Soon Devendra was enchanted by Sri Ramakrishna’s childlike nature and simple but profound words.