During this period, Lalitmohan Chattopadhyay, a wealthy man who held an important position at the Dickinson Company, became a devotee of Holy Mother. One day he arranged a festival in his house on Chhutarpara Lane and invited M., Dr. Kanjilal, and some devotees of the Master and Mother. On that occasion Holy Mother initiated him and his wife, Prasadi Devi, in his shrine. Lalit had his own carriage, which he placed at Holy Mother’s disposal. The Mother used his carriage whenever she needed it. When gramophones first became available in Calcutta, Lalit bought one and played it for Holy Mother. She and her companions enjoyed hearing kirtan and other songs played on the machine.
Lalit was a heroic devotee and a great benefactor of the Ramakrishna Mission. He had a moustache like the German Kaiser, so Swami Brahmananda used to call him “Kaiser.” Whenever Holy Mother had any problem, Lalit was there to take care of it, and whenever she was ill, Dr. Kanjilal would rush to look after her. When these two visited Jayrambati, the Mother cooked for them and tried to make their lives comfortable there.
Once Lalit was seriously ill and several famous doctors were treating him. Every day Holy Mother sent Ashu for news of Lalit’s condition. When his condition became critical, Prasadi rushed to Holy Mother and asked her to bless her dying husband. Holy Mother told Ashu: “Take this offered flower and put it on his head. Tell him that he will be cured soon. Ask him to have ayurvedic treatment. I am offering tulsi [holy basil] every day to the Master for him.”16 Lalit came around after taking the ayurvedic treatment, but the Mother said: “It is due to Prasadi’s virtue that Lalit got back his life this time. I can’t bear to hear Prasadi’s pitiful cries.”
On 19 December 1909 Holy Mother told Arupananda: “Lalit has given me much financial help. He takes me out in his carriage. He regularly sends money for worship services in Dakshineswar and Kamarpukur. My Lalit has a heart worth a million rupees! There are many who are miserly despite their wealth.”
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