There are many obstacles and pitfalls in spiritual life. But even these can be turned to the advantage of spiritual aspirants by increasing their longing and determination, and strengthening their relationship with God. There is a saying, “Love becomes intensified by troublemakers.” Such was the case with Purna. Purna wanted to visit the Master again, but he was afraid that his parents would find out. Meanwhile, Sri Ramakrishna’s heart was crying for Purna. The Master secretly began to send sweets, fruits, and other things to Purna through some devotees. One day he cried bitterly for Purna in front of the devotees and said to them: “You are amazed to see me thus attracted towards Purna. I don’t know how you would have felt had you seen the longing that arose in my heart when I first saw Narendra and how very restless I was on that occasion.”
Whenever Sri Ramakrishna was eager to see Purna, he would come to Calcutta at midday and wait at Balaram’s or someone else’s house near Purna’s school. He would then send somebody to bring Purna to him. Thus Purna’s second meeting with the Master took place at Balaram’s house. On that occasion the Master asked him, “What do you think of me?” Filled with devotion, Purna replied without hesitation, “You are God Himself, come to earth in flesh and blood.” Sri Ramakrishna was delighted with his answer. He blessed Purna wholeheartedly and gave him some secret spiritual instructions along with a mantra. After returning to Dakshineswar, Sri Ramakrishna said to his disciples: “Well, Purna is a mere boy and his intellect has not yet matured. How then could he recognize me as an Incarnation of God? Under the impulse of divine impressions some other people also answered that question as Purna did. It is definitely due to the good impressions accumulated during previous lives that the picture of untarnished truth spontaneously appears to their pure sattvic minds.” (Source: They Lived with God)
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On 15 July 1885, Balaram asked the Master, “Sir, how was it possible for Purna to know all of a sudden that the world is illusory?” Sri Ramakrishna replied: “He has inherited that knowledge from his previous births. In his past lives he practised many disciplines. It is the body alone that is small or grows big, and not the Atman. Do you know what these youngsters are like? They are like certain plants that grow fruit first and then flowers. These devotees first of all have the vision of God; next they hear about His glories and attributes; and at last they are united with Him.” (Source: They Lived with God)
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