Manindra Krishna Gupta (1871-1939)—Born in Calcutta in early 1871. Father Gosaindas, mother niece of the poet Ishwarchandra Gupta. First saw the Master at Dakshineswar at the age of 11 or 12. About 4 years later asked by the Master at Shyampukur what he wanted, had desired the ability to portray the beauty of the world and of human nature. The Master had replied, “That’s fine, but everything will come if you only realize God.” Served the Master at Shyampukur and Cossipore, developed intimacy with other devotees. With the consent of the Master received mantra-initiation from Mahima Charan Chakravarty, a mantra received by the latter in a dream. Being young, called “Khoka” by devotees. At Cossipore fanned the Master with another young devotee “Patu” on the occasion of “Dol Yatra”, tending him, unmindful of the merry-making downstairs, refusing to leave the Master even when he urged them to join the others. In tears, the Master exclaimed, “Oh, these boys are that same Ramlala of mine, come to take care of me” (The Gospel of Holy Mother). Got married and inherited Ishwar Chandra Gupta’s journal Sambad Prabhakar. Tried his hand at writing plays too. When faced by dire poverty was given Rs. 1000 by Swamiji. Retained allegiance to the Master and maintained contact with his devotees till his death on 12.10.1939 at his residence (101C, Masjidbari Street). His reminiscences of the Master, “Sri Sri Ramakrishna Dever Punyasmriti”, appeared serially in the Udbodhan (38.3. onwards).
When Sri Ramakrishna moved to Cossipore on the advice of his doctors, Manindra took an active part in serving him. The Holy Mother once mentioned an incident that happened there: “When the Master was sick, Manindra and Patu [two teenage devotees of the Master] were fanning him. It was the day of the Holi Festival [an auspicious day when Krishna played with the gopis with coloured powder], and all were playing with the colours outside. The Master repeatedly asked the two boys to join in the festival, but they continued to stay and serve the Master. Seeing their love and devotion, the Master exclaimed: ‘Look, these boys are my Ramlala [the child Rama].’”