Sri Ramakrishna had made a prediction about Brahmananda to his close disciples: “When Rakhal knows his real nature, his body will not last anymore.” The Master never told Rakhal about this vision, and he forbade his disciples to reveal it as well. About 1910, when Saradananda was publishing Sri Sri Ramakrishna Lilaprasanga (Sri Ramakrishna, The Great Master) in Bengali, Premananda went to visit him in Udbodhan. Saradananda read to Premananda from his manuscript about the Master’s vision concerning Maharaj. Startled, Premananda said: “Sharat, what have you done? Maharaj is still living. Don’t you remember what the Master said: ‘When Rakhal knows his real nature, his body will not last anymore.’” Immediately Saradananda removed that part from his manuscript and also called back the proof from the press and destroyed it.
One night, while Maharaj was living at Balaram’s, he suddenly had a vision of Sri Ramakrishna. The Master appeared before Maharaj and disappeared without saying anything. Brahmananda sat on his bed and tried to understand the meaning of that vision. He then said to his attendant: “Suddenly my sleep broke, and I saw the Master standing near my bed. He didn’t say a single word. I couldn’t figure out the cause of his sudden appearance and disappearance.” Pausing a little he gravely said: “I have no desire in my mind. I don’t even have the desire to chant his name — only to surrender and surrender.”
On 1 January 1921, while Maharaj was in Balaram’s house, Ramlal, Sri Ramakrishna’s nephew, came from Dakshineswar to see him. Immediately Maharaj became jubilant. Ramlal was very dear to him and reminded him of his days in Dakshineswar. Maharaj would tease Ramlal since he was very simple and guileless. Maharaj said to him: “Brother, you will have to dress this evening as a gypsy woman and sing the songs that the Master used to sing.” Ramlal shyly replied: “Maharaj, it is not the monastery. It is a devotee’s house; moreover, people may misunderstand me, especially women.” But when Maharaj insisted, Ramlal agreed.
In the evening Maharaj’s attendants borrowed ladies’ garments and jewelry from Balaram’s family and decorated Ramlal. Maharaj sat on his chair in the big hall; the disciples and devotees sat around him, and the ladies watched from the veranda. As soon as Ramlal entered the hall the audience smiled. He began to sing and dance, twisting his waist and gesturing with his hands before Maharaj. This is part of that song:
Ekbar broje chalo brojeswar dinek duyer mato
O Lord of Vraja (Krishna is the Lord of Vraja; Vraja refers to his childhood haunt, Vrindaban), let us go to Vraja for a few days.
(O tor) mon mane to thakbi setha noile asbi druta
If you like that place, stay there or return quickly.
Age Rakhal chile akhan raja hoyecho
Previously you were a cowherd, and now you have become a king, etc.
When Ramlal repeated the last line, Maharaj’s smiling face turned grave. That first line had reminded him of his real nature, and immediately the whole atmosphere changed. He realized what Sri Ramakrishna had seen in a vision long ago about his true nature. He also understood why the Master had silently appeared before him. Maharaj began to prepare himself for his final journey, fulfilling his unfinished mission.
—–
On Saturday, 8 April, at 9:00 p.m., he touched the hand of his attendant, who was seated nearby, and blessed him, saying: “Don’t be afraid, my son. You have served me well. Be absorbed in God. I bless you — you will attain the knowledge of Brahman. I say you will attain the knowledge of Brahman.” After a while he blessed other monastic attendants: “Never forget God, and you will realize the highest good. Do not grieve. I shall be with you always.” Then he inquired about Saradananda, who would stay the whole day with Maharaj and at night would return to Udbodhan. A monk immediately ran to Udbodhan to bring Saradananda.
A deep silence pervaded the room. The monks and devotees encircling Maharaj were anxious. He opened his eyes again and began to speak: “I am floating on the banyan leaf of faith in the ocean of Brahman. Vivek — my Vivek — Vivekananda-dada [brother]! Baburam-da, Baburam-da [Premananda]! Jogen — Jogen [Yogananda]! I see the feet of Sri Ramakrishna!” Thus he was seeing and addressing the deceased disciples of the Master.
In the meantime Saradananda arrived. Seeing him Maharaj said: “Brother Sharat, you have come. My knowledge of Brahman and Vedanta are getting mixed up. You are a knower of Brahman, please tell me about it.”
“My goodness!” replied Saradananda, “You are full of that knowledge. The Master gave you everything.”
Then Maharaj said: “The Master is real and so is his lila [divine play]. I have almost reached Brahman — only a little veil is left.” He wanted to drink a little lemonade and then said with a smile: “Look, what is this? I am saying Brahman, Brahman, and again lemonade, lemonade!” He continued: “Father in Heaven — look, this is a wonderful idea. It is also a path of God.”
When Saradananda suggested that he sleep after drinking a little lemonade, Maharaj said: “My mind is in the realm of Brahman. It does not come down. All right, pour lemonade into Brahman!” After sipping a little he said: “Aha-ha, Brahman — the Reality — the vast ocean! Om Parabrahmane namah [salutations to the supreme Brahman]; Om Paramatmane namah [salutations to the supreme Atman]!” When Maharaj described his experience of Brahman, all felt peace and serenity in their hearts.
He slowly calmed down. His face was glowing with joy and he gazed without blinking as if he were meditating, or seeing something. After a while he exclaimed in his sweet voice:
Ah, here is the full moon — Ramakrishna! I want the Krishna of Ramakrishna. I am the cowherd boy of Vrindaban. Put anklets on my feet. I want to dance holding the hand of my Krishna. Jhum — Jhum — Jhum! [It refers to the sound of the anklets.] Krishna, Krishna, Krishna has come. Can’t you see him? You don’t have the eyes. Aha-ha, how beautiful! My Krishna — on the lotus — of Vrindaban! It is not sad-Krishna. My play is over now. Look, the child Krishna is caressing me. He is calling me to come away with him. I am coming… . Om Vishnu, Om Vishnu, Om Vishnu!
Maharaj greeted Shivananda and Abhedananda who came to see him. Saradananda later said: “This time we shall not be able to keep Maharaj anymore. His vision of Krishna on the lotus, which the Master forbade us to disclose to him, has come out from his own lips.” (Source: God Lived with Them)