[We were talking about Goutam’s premature death. Goutam(of Nakpur, Murshidabad) was a devotee of Banagram Ashram.]
What I heard about Goutam’s death then, I was telling that. (If I commit wrong in doing so, I am begging pardon in advance.) When Goutam’s body was brought to Malda Ashram, then Guru Maharaj was not in the Ashram. Then He was in a nearby village, in the house of any devotee. Rina Maa of Ashram identified the body. Some distance away from the Ashram- his body was found under a tree, leaning against it, in a mango orchard. The in- charge of Malda Ashram, Swami Bhagabatananda Maharaj brought the body to the Ashram and he arranged all the remaining activities, instructed by Guru Maharaj.
Bhagabatananda Maharaj adorned the body and renting a car, he placed the body on it. He bought sandalwood and the other necessary materials also and he sent these materials. The body was brought to Rasberulia Ashram first, from there the body was sent to his house -i.e Nakpur.
Goutam was very much devoted to the Ashram. That time, he was very much active for the development of Rasberulia Ashram with Swami Krishnananda Maharaj. Let he(may be his physical body is no more) stay to the feet of Guru Maharaj all time- I deeply pray this.
But his family is not deprived of the blessing of Guru Maharaj. His wife got a job immediately after his death. His daughter has got married in a good family. His son, Biplab, is now a teacher. Goutam’s family is deeply involved in the activity of Ashram still now.
Another primary school teacher, Ekkari Babu, was also very much devoted to the Rasberulia Ashram. He had two daughters – Mita and Tuktuki. Mita used to sing very well. She made Guruji listen to many songs. And Tuktuki always had a smile on her face. Just finishing the household works, she rushed to the Ashram . I did not see her bored with involving in any activity of the Ashram. The villagers did not like her staying in the Ashram in such way. As a result, the ‘master’ ( Ekkari Babu) and Swami Krishnananda Maharaj heard many rude words from the villagers.
Lab Daa and Kush Daa were also the devotees of the Ashram. They helped Swami Krishnananda Maharaj in any matter related to the Ashram. When I visited Rasberulia Ashram for the first time with Swami Krishnananda Maharaj from Banagram Ashram (1986/87), then there were only a few earthen houses. These houses were surrounded by the earthen walls. There was a small bathroom for Guru Maharaj. Then Maharaj ran a homeopathy dispensary – so many patients gathered there. Maharaj kept a donation box – he counted the collection daily. That day was very joyful to Maharaj, which day rupees 2 was dropped in the donation box!!!
That time, I noticed Shyamapada Mandal and his wife devoting to Guru Maharaj and the ashram very much. Shyamapada Daa was the main organiser in any development work of the ashram. But Parbati Daa and his other family members helped the ashram financially very much.
However, I was talking about Shyamapada Daa -then, what the activities of Shyamapada Daa!!! Every weekend, he went to Rasberulia Ashram (his village) after his school duty hour and he involved himself completely in the development and welfare of the ashram. When Guruji came to the ashram, Shyamapada Daa and his wife took all the responsibilities regarding Guru Maharaj’s attention. Swami Krishnananda Maharaj needed not to pay the least attention to Guru Maharaj. Once Guruji’s voice was attacked heavily, it happened due to very carefulness of this couple.
But “the days do not continue in the same way.” What happened – did you know? Shyamapada Daa started to boast.
In the dalliance of Swami Paramananda, we saw so many “Shyama Daa”!!! God leaves no one but “I” myself forget Him.
“I am the head here. My word is the last word.” Such this vanity is enough to throw him or her from the orbit of Swami Paramananda world. If you say, “I am…, I am…”, then you ruin yourself.
Being hurt, Shyama Daa stopped coming to the ashram due to a trivial matter. Even he did not come to meet Guruji.
After his retirement, he is not able to be normal still now. But it is not possible for him and his family to leave Guru Maharaj – so they are now living centring Swami Paramananda.
[Translated by Ramprasad, a former student of Banagram Ashram.]