His failure in the examination had the desired result: His father lost interest in Subodh’s marriage. Sometime in 1885 Krishnadas told his son about Sri Ramakrishna and his meeting with Keshab Chandra Sen. Subodh had read about the Master in the Brahmo journals. One day Krishnadas presented a book to him, Sri Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamser Ukti (The Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna) compiled by Suresh Chandra Datta in December 1884. Subodh was so deeply impressed with the book that a great desire arose in his mind to meet Sri Ramakrishna. When he told his father of this desire, he was promised a trip to Dakshineswar on a holiday with the rest of his family.
When a person knows the location of a hidden treasure, it is impossible for him to be patient. Similarly, Subodh became restless to see the Master. He could not wait for a holiday. So one morning in August of 1885 he started for Dakshineswar with his friend Kshirod Chandra Mitra. However, they did not know where Dakshineswar was, except that it was situated on the bank of the Ganges and north of Calcutta. They walked quite a distance and lost their way. Subodh was worried because he had not gotten permission from his family, but Kshirod asked him to be patient. They arrived at Ariadaha and asked a man the way to the Dakshineswar temple garden. The man pointed out a shortcut over the ridges of a paddy field, and soon Subodh and Kshirod reached Dakshineswar.
Subodh thought that a paramahamsa was some sort of magician. He had never before spoken to a sadhu or monk, so he said to Kshirod: “You must go first and talk to the holy man. I don’t know the proper etiquette.” Kshirod agreed. They entered the room and saluted Sri Ramakrishna with folded hands. Kshirod went to the Master, who was seated on his bed. Subodh remained at the threshold. “Where do you come from?” asked Sri Ramakrishna. “From Calcutta,” Kshirod replied. Pointing to Subodh the Master said: “Why is that gentleman standing so far away? Come nearer.” This encouraged Subodh to move closer. “Do you not belong to the family of Shankar Ghosh?” asked the Master. Subodh was surprised and said, “Yes, sir, but how did you know it?” “When I was staying at Jhamapukur,” said the Master, “I often visited your home as well as your Kali Temple at Thanthania. That was before you were born. I knew you would come. Well, the Divine Mother sends here those who will attain spirituality. You belong to this place.” “Sir, if I belong to this place, why did you not call me earlier?” asked Subodh. The Master replied, “Look, everything happens at the right time.” (Source: God Lived with Them)
In September 1885 Sri Ramakrishna moved to Shyampukur in North Calcutta for cancer treatment. Whenever he found any opportunity, Subodh would visit the Master. On Kali Puja day in 1885, Subodh met M. at 9:00 a.m. in their family temple where the latter had come to offer worship at the Master’s behest. Subodh was sad because he could not go with M. to visit the Master on that auspicious day. M. consoled him: “Don’t feel bad. Today is Kali Puja — an auspicious day. Please make yourself cheerful.” Subodh then told M. his plan: “Tonight, when everyone will be busy in their temple’s worship service, I shall secretly visit the Master.”
On that particular night there was a special worship at the Shyampukur house, and the devotees worshipped the Master as the Divine Mother. In the darkness of the early morning hours, Subodh speedily reached the Master and surprised him. “My goodness! Where did you come from?” asked Sri Ramakrishna. Subodh humbly replied: “Yesterday I couldn’t come with M. to see you; since then my heart has been restless to see you. I didn’t sleep at all last night. Now after seeing you I feel peaceful.” The Master joyfully told his attendants: “Listen to what this boy says! He was longing to see me and so spent a sleepless night! Please give him some prasad.” When Subodh returned home, his mother asked: “Where have you been? I thought you were sleeping somewhere in the house.” Subodh replied: “I went to see the Master at Shyampukur. Please don’t tell the others.” (Source: God Lived with Them)