Mohendra Nath Dutta, as Vivekananda's younger brother, visited Ramakrishna many times in his early teens. This book contains his memories and reflections of the visits. It's fascinating to observe through the author what it was like to sit with Ramakrishna (referred to in the book as Paramahamsa Mosai.) and see how others reacted to him. Truly this is a book worth reading for devotees of Ramakrishna. Translated from the Bengali.

Excerpt:
I noticed a strange attractive power in Paramahamsa Mosai, be it while he was sitting in the drawing room or while singing in the courtyard, or while eating... It was as if our principal task was to observe him quietly. Often what he said was not remembered... but I noticed a kind of aura or energy emanating from the body of Paramahamsa Mosai. Coming from its source, the energy first enveloped the entire room and then the front verandah. It even used to pass through the bars on the window and undulate on the road. I observed this on several occasions. Many contemporaries had noticed this and discussed the matter.

Another thing that I noticed, was that the devotional songs that he sang were very common... they produced a different and altogether different kind of feeling when he sang them, as though he presented the song in a new way. Sometimes he appeared to be lost in himself; again, as if his throat had become dry, he took a little spice from the spice-box. His words were not being retained in the mind, but I felt convinced that whatever he said was correct. There was no desire to argue. The feeling arose in my mind that whatever he said was true and beyond doubt. Words and ideas were coming in such quick succession that there was neither opportunity nor time to retain them in the mind. His words were worth listening to, but but I could not understand their meaning or significance. It was as if all became overwhelmed and a kind of drowsiness overtook everyone...

Reviews