One day Sri Ramakrishna asked Girish to massage his feet, allowing him the opportunity to give him loving personal service as an intimate disciple. Girish wrote later: “I was unwilling. I thought, ‘What nonsense! Who is going to sit and massage his feet?!’ But now when the memory returns I become overwhelmed with remorse. It is only the thought of his infinite love that gives me solace.”
Gradually, however, Girish began to notice how other devotees were serving the Master with love and respect, and by contrast, what a terrible life he was leading. He felt bad, but because of his dissolute lifestyle he was reluctant to offer his service. Then one day, when Sri Ramakrishna was visiting the theatre, Girish, under the influence of liquor, voiced his desire: “I have not been able to serve you in this life. But if you are born again as my son I can do so. Please promise me that you will be my son.” “What are you saying?” said Sri Ramakrishna. “Why should I be born as your son? I shall be your guru, your Chosen Deity.” Then Girish became angry and abused the Master in coarse language. The devotees who were present were very much shocked and upset and asked the Master not to see Girish again. Sri Ramakrishna quietly returned to Dakshineswar. He prayed: “O Mother, Girish is an actor. How can he understand your glory? Mother, please forgive him.”
The next day Ram Chandra Datta visited Dakshineswar. He heard the story of Girish’s behaviour the previous evening and told the Master: “Sir, the serpent Kaliyaa told Krishna, ‘Lord, You have given me only poison; where shall I get nectar to offer You?’ It is the same with Girish. Where will he get nectar? Girish has worshipped you with whatever you have given him.” Sri Ramakrishna smiled and said to the other devotees present: “Listen to what he is saying. Get a carriage. I shall go to Girish’s house right now.”
Meanwhile, Girish was very repentant. He had refused to eat and was weeping piteously. Suddenly he saw the Master at his house and was overwhelmed. He said, “Master, if you had not come today, I would have concluded that you had not attained that supreme state of knowledge where praise and blame are equal, and that you could not be called a paramahamsa [an illumined soul].” (Source: They Lived with God)
Devendra and Girish were friends and had known each other long before either met Sri Ramakrishna. Once the Master went to see one of Girish’s plays at the Star Theatre, where Girish had arranged a special seat for him. Devendra and Latu accompanied the Master. After the performance, Girish, who was drunk, used abusive language to the Master and humiliated him. Latu became furious and was about to hit Girish, but Devendra stopped him. The next day Devendra went to Girish’s house and said to him: “When you drink you lose control of yourself and talk nonsense. You should go to Dakshineswar and apologize to the Master.” But Girish replied: “No, I shall not go to Dakshineswar. And I shall not apologize either. Whatever qualities he gave to me I have offered back to him. I’ve been fasting and crying all day. Doesn’t he know it? If he is an avatar, doesn’t he realize what I am suffering? He will have to come here. Otherwise I shall not eat any food. I shall starve to death.” It was raining. At 4:00 p.m. Sri Ramakrishna arrived at Girish’s house with Ram Chandra Datta. Girish fell at the Master’s feet, and Sri Ramakrishna blessed him. (Source: They Lived with God)