In late 1909, Advaitananda, an all-renouncing sannyasin of the Master, made himself ready to depart from this world. He had suffered from stomach trouble off and on, and towards the end he had a fever. Dr. Matilal Mukhopadhyay of Ghusuri, Howrah, was his physician and all the monks served their old brother with loving care. One day the swami stood in front of Sri Ramakrishna’s picture and prayed, “Master, please release me from this pain.” The Master soon answered the prayer of his old disciple. Swami Premananda later said: “Before his death Gopal-da saw the Master carrying a mace on his shoulder. He then asked, ‘Master, why are you carrying the mace on your shoulder?’ The Master replied: ‘I am Gadadhar [literally, “Upholder of the Mace,” an epithet of Lord Vishnu. Gadadhar was also Sri Ramakrishna’s childhood name]. In this age I shall rebuild after destroying everything.’” Truly, Sri Ramakrishna was born in this modern time to destroy doubt and delusion from the minds of the people.
Advaitananda passed away at 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday, 28 December 1909. Until the end he was fully conscious, chanting the name of Sri Ramakrishna. As soon as Premananda put a little charanamrita (sanctified water) in his mouth, he breathed his last. Premananda wrote a vivid account of his death in a letter: “Gopal-da has gone to the abode of the Master. He had a little fever and nobody realized that he would leave the body so soon. During his last moments his face looked so beautiful! It is a wonderful play of the Master’s devotee! At that time Dr. Matilal Mukhopadhyay was present. Gopal-da drank a little lemon juice and milk. He greeted Mati Babu [Dr. Mukhopadhyay]. Smiling, he left the body.” He was then eighty-one. His body was cremated at Belur Math on the bank of the Ganges.
Swami Advaitananda started his spiritual journey late, but his sincerity and steadfast devotion to the Master brought fulfillment at the end of his life. Sri Ramakrishna made him a role model for elderly seekers of God. He will be remembered by the Ramakrishna Order for his cheerful manner and methodical ways, his self-reliance, his untiring zeal in every work he undertook, and his implicit devotion to the Master and his cause. (Source: God Lived with Them)