Incarnation can bestow upon others the boon of liberation, whereas even an illumined
saint is devoid of such power.
Thus the Master, on his death-bed, proclaimed himself through his own words as the
Incarnation or God-man of modern times.
On August 15, 1886, the Master's suffering became almost unbearable. After midnight
he felt better for a few minutes. He summoned Naren to his beside and gave him the
last instructions, almost in a whisper. The disciples stood around him. At two minutes
past one in the early morning of August 16, Sri Ramakrishna uttered three times in a
ringing voice the name of his beloved Kali and entered into the final samadhi, from
which his mind never again returned to the physical world.
The body was given to the fire in the neighbouring cremation ground on the bank of
the Ganga. But to the Holy Mother, as she was putting on the signs of a Hindu widow,
there came these words of faith and reassurance: 'I am not dead. I have just gone from
one room to another.'
As the disciples returned from the cremation ground to the garden house, they felt great
desolation. Sri Ramakrishna had been more than their earthly father. His teachings and
companionship still inspired them. They felt his presence in his room. His words rang
in their ears. But they could no longer see his physical body or enjoy his seraphic
smile. They all yearned to commune with him.
Within a week of the Master's passing away, Narendra one night was strolling in the
garden with a brother disciple, when he saw in front of him a luminous figure. There
was no mistaking: it was Sri Ramakrishna himself. Narendra remained silent, regarding
the phenomenon as an illusion. But his brother disciple exclaimed in wonder, 'See,
Naren! See!' There was no room for further doubt. Narendra was convinced that it was
Sri Ramakrishna who had appeared in a luminous body. As he called to the other
brother disciples to behold the Master, the figure disappeared.
AS A WANDERING MONK
Among the Master's disciples, Tarak, Latu, and the elder Gopal had already cut off
their relationship with their families. The young disciples whom Sri Ramakrishna had
destined for the monastic life were in need of a shelter. The Master had asked Naren to
see to it that they should not become householders. Naren vividly remembered the
Master's dying words: 'Naren, take care of the boys.' The householder devotees,
moreover, wanted to meet, from time to time, at a place where they could talk about
the Master. They longed for the company of the young disciples who had totally
dedicated their lives to the realization of God. But who would bear the expenses of a
house where the young disciples could live? How would they be provided with food
and the basic necessaries of life?