Master At Dakshineswar And Meeting Rani And Mathur

It was then 1855-56 andGadadhar was only nineteen years of age. One day, the great devotee Mathur, Rani’s son-in-law, having come across him inside the temple, asked Ramkumar: “Who is this young handsome brahmachari?” Ramkumar replied that he was his younger brother. Mathur said that he wanted very much to have that charming young boy stay at the temple. Ramkumar doubted if he would ever agree. Mathur just listened, but did not say anything on that day. That handsome face, however, was always in his mind and he was feeling increasingly attracted towards him. Due to circumstances, several events occurred simultaneously and one was the arrival of his nephew Hriday. Having his favourite Hriday with him the Master’s joy knew no bounds. The two were together all the time.

Now, since his childhood, the Master knew how to make clay images. In colour and gesture the icon was so exact that nobody could say that it was made out of clay it was as if all alive. … For his own worship, he made an image of Shiva with clay from the Ganga, complete with the trident, damaru, snake ornaments, crescent moon on the forehead, matted locks of hair on the head and the bull as the carrier. … While walking leisurely inside the temple, Mathur came across that Shiva’s image and was astonished. Who knows with what material the Master had created the image, it appeared that Shiva had come down from Kailasa in person. … Mathur took the image and at once rushed to the Rani’s place. In great wonder, Mathur said to her: “Where can one find out the maker of this exquisite image? Through our great fortune, he is right inside the temple and is no other than the handsome younger brother of the priest of Mother Kali. He is of tender age, and almost appeared to be a brahmachari, his very look captivates the mind. I strongly believe that if he could be persuaded to stay here as Mother Kali’s priest, in a short time, he could awaken Mother’s spirit in the deity. This is my firm conviction”. … 

Quickly, Mathur came outside and found that the Master and Hriday were pacing leisurely in the courtyard. He sent a message that he wished to talk to them. But the Master did not want to meet Mathur since he knew he would request him to stay at the temple. Mathur sent repeated requests and all were ignored by the Master. Ultimately, Mathur appealed to Ramkumar and, on his elder’s order, the obedient younger brother, accompanied by Hriday, who was like the shadow behind the tree, came to see Mathur. Seeing the Master, Mathur rose from his seat and then taking him aside respectfully requested him to assume the duties of the priest. The Master opposed, saying that the process of worship of a deity was indeed a veritable source of trouble, because one has to be always responsible for the costly ornaments and other articles of worship. However, he said, that if Hriday agreed to stay to help him, then he would agree to accept the proposal, however difficult the task might be. Mathur, overjoyed, immediately agreed to appoint Hriday. ...

(Akshay Kumar Sen "A Portrait of Sri Ramakrishna", Part II, “Master At Dakshineswar And Meeting Rani And Mathur, pp. 65-7)