- Good Impressions of Previous Lives
- Unconditional Love
- Don’t See Fault in Others
- Purna and The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna
- Sri Ramakrishna carrying Purna to bed
Purnachandra Ghosh (1871 ? – 1913)—Born in a distinguished family of Simulia in Calcutta, son of Rai Bahadur Dinanath Ghosh, a high-ranking government official, and Krishnakamini belonging to the family of Balaram Basu. Under the guidance of M. had visited the Master at Dakshineswar (1885) at the age of 13/14 years when a student of Class III, an instant rapport being established between them. Of the Master’s band of devotees of the inner circle, he was the last to arrive, the Divine Mother having said to the Master, “With this the coming of those of whom you have had vision is complete. No one else of this class will come in future” (Sri Ramakrishna, the Great Master, Vol. II, p. 699).The Master told the devotees, “Purna is a part of Narayana and a spiritual aspirant possessing a high degree of Sattva … immediately below Naren” (Ibid., p. 899). Since that day Purna’s mental state underwent a change. Tears of bliss ran down his eyes, he became calm and withdrawn. Thereafter the Master was very eager to see him often and feed him (Ibid). He would weep to see him and whenever he went to Calcutta, sent word to him to see him. Asked by the Master as to Purna’s idea of him, the latter had replied, “You are the Divine Lord, God himself” (Ibid., p. 900). The Master blessed him, initiating him with a powerful mantra. Purna was designated by the Master as belonging to the class of “Ishwarakoti”. For frequenting Dakshineswar and ignoring parental disapproval was withdrawn from M.’s school but Purna continued to meet the Master secretly at houses of other devotees. On a sudden visit to M.’s residence, one night the Master sent for Purna and imparted spiritual instructions to him (The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, pp. 912-13). Once Purna having had food at Nahabat the Master advised the Holy Mother to offer him one full rupee (16 annas) after the meal. Himself wiped away the sweat on Purna’s face with his own cloth. After Purna had had refreshments the Master personally held water at his lips, and washing his hands, offered him “supari and elchi” (Antyalila, 1.10).
After the Master’s passing, circumstances compelled Purna to marry but he always maintained a secret spiritual life. To prevent his associating with brother disciples and embracing monastic life, besides his early marriage his father ensured his employment in the Revenue Department of Government of India, being posted at Delhi or Simla. Whenever at Calcutta, visited Belur Math and Balaram Mandir regularly. Cordial relations with Swami Vivekananda and others. For some time (1907) Secretary of Vivekananda Society. Contributed articles to the Brahmavadin. Offered felicitations to Mme. Calve on behalf of Vivekananda Society upon her arrival in Calcutta (1910/11). The Master had forecast a short life for him if in the midst of domesticity. Critically ill at the age of 35/36, died after prolonged illness on 16.11.1913. When very ill and out in the verandah alone one night, being dizzy, was about to fall when the Master appeared and helped him to bed. Wife and younger brother disciples of Holy Mother. The Udbodhan published an article on him by Kumudbandhu Sen, “Purnachandra” in two instalments (49.6, 7).
Purna Chandra Ghosh was one of the six direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna who were designated by the Master as Ishvarakotis, that is, great souls who are eternally free from the bonds of karma and who take birth of their own will to do good to humanity. The other five Ishvarakotis were Swamis Vivekananda, Brahmananda, Premananda, Yogananda, and Niranjanananda. Although Purna did not become a monk, he commanded much respect from the Master’s devotees for his spirituality. On a number of occasions Sri Ramakrishna talked about Purna’s true nature: “Purna is a part of Narayana and a spiritual aspirant possessing a high degree of sattva. In this respect he may be said to occupy a place just below Narendra [Vivekananda].” “Purna was born with an element of Vishnu. I worshipped him mentally with bel leaves, but the offering was not accepted. Then I worshipped him with tulsi leaves and sandal paste. That proved to be all right.” (The leaves of the bel tree are offered to Shiva, whereas tulsi leaves and sandal paste are offered to Vishnu.)
On another occasion Sri Ramakrishna said: I want to tell you something very secret. Why do I love boys like Purna and Narendra so much? Once, in a spiritual mood, I felt intense love for Jagannath, love such as a woman feels for her sweetheart. In that mood I was about to embrace Him, when I broke my arm. It was then revealed to me: “You have assumed this human body. Therefore establish with human beings the relationship of friend, father, mother, or son.” I now feel for Purna and the other young boys as I once felt for Ramlala [a metal image of the boy Rama]. Purna belongs to the realm of the Personal God. Ah, what yearning he has!
Practising spiritual disciplines without having love and longing for God is like eating curries without salt. Yearning is the only thing needful in spiritual life, and Purna had this precious trait from the beginning of his life. On 13 July 1885, M. told the Master: “One day I was riding on a tram. He [Purna] saw me from the roof of his house and ran down to the street. With great fervour he saluted me from the street.” Sri Ramakrishna was overwhelmed to hear that. With tearful eyes he said: “Ah! Ah! It is because you have helped him make the contact through which he will find out the supreme ideal of his life. One doesn’t act like that unless one longs for God.”
How can one live in the world and at the same time keep one’s mind in God? The scriptures have answered this vital question thus: “A woman who is attached to a paramour will constantly have her mind on him, even though she is engaged in her household duties.” Likewise, one should establish a relationship with God and constantly think of Him. This is exactly what happened in Purna’s life. His parents confined him to the house, but his mind dwelt in the Master. On 29 August 1885, the Master received a letter from Purna, in which he had written: “I am feeling extremely happy. Now and then I cannot sleep at night for joy.” After hearing the letter, the Master said: “I feel thrilled to hear this. Even later on he will be able to keep this bliss. Let me see the letter.” He pressed the letter in the palm of his hand and said: “Generally I cannot touch letters. But this is a good letter.”
When Purna was thirty-five he became seriously ill and the doctors gave up hope for his life. One day during this critical period Swami Premananda came to see him. Sitting on Purna’s bed, he became absorbed in a divine mood. Shortly after this Purna recovered. Swami Premananda later said that the Master had extended Purna’s life for another seven years because his children were then quite young.