M. was seated by his side. Sri Ramakrishna asked him by a sign to come nearer. The sight of his suffering was unbearable. In a very soft voice and with great difficulty he said to M.” “I have gone on suffering so much for fear of making you all weep. But if you all say: ’Oh, there is so much suffering! let the body die’, then I may give up the body.” These words pierced the devotee’s hearts. And he who was their father, mother and protector had uttered these words! What could they say? All sat in silence. Some thought, “Is this another crucifixion – the sacrifice of the body for the sake of the devotees.
(p.941, The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, the Master at Cossipore on 14 March, 1886)