In September 1885 Ramakrishna was moved from Dakshineswar to Shyampukur in Calcutta for cancer treatment, and in December 1885 he was moved again to Cossipore. Sarada continued his visits to the Master, serving him during his last days. Sometimes he stayed overnight, enduring his father’s scoldings. On 3 January 1886 Sarada’s mother told him that his father had finalized arrangements for his marriage. Sarada was stunned. He could not believe it. He hurried to his room, and after thinking about his future, wrote a short note: “My respected parents, I will not marry. I have no desire to be trapped in the meshes of maya. In whatever direction my eyes go, I am going.” He put the note on his desk and left at 11:30 a.m. He first went to Cossipore, and after receiving the Master’s blessings, left for Puri (300 miles away) on foot. He had not told the Master that he had run away from home.
Meanwhile Sarada’s parents discovered that he was missing and began to search for him. Finally they went to the Master and learned what had happened. After a few days Sarada wrote to them from Panshkura, Midnapore: “Respected parents, I am your ungrateful son and have caused you so much pain. Please forgive me. Millions of people in our country are suffering — under such circumstances that it is hard for me to live idly at home. Don’t worry about me. I am fine. Please don’t come here to get me because I shall leave this place as soon as I mail this letter.”
After travelling to various places, Sarada reached Puri via Bhadrak, Orissa. His parents had also departed for Puri. They arrived there on Wednesday, 27 January 1886, and found Sarada. They were overwhelmed with joy. Sarada narrated his journey to his parents:
After writing to you I began to walk and did not get any food for two days. I was hungry and exhausted. I expected to find a village before evening, but unfortunately I reached a dense forest. I followed a zigzag path for some time and then I was lost in darkness. I began to chant Sri Ramakrishna’s name and prayed to God for help. Without finding any way out, I climbed up a big tree and fell asleep on its branch. Suddenly I heard a man’s voice, saying: “Hello, holy man. Here are some sweets. Please come down and appease your hunger.” After a short while he brought a jug of water and disappeared in the darkness. I was impressed with his sympathy and received that food and drink as the grace of the compassionate God. At daybreak I searched for that man in the forest, but I couldn’t find any human being or any village nearby.
When Sarada had left Cossipore, Tarak gave him five rupees, knowing he was penniless. But in spite of all hardships, Sarada didn’t spend the money. Such was his spirit of renunciation! He wanted to experience the divine promise, “Lo, I am with you always.” (Source: God Lived with Them)