Matangini, Baburam’s mother, was a devotee of the Master. When she visited Dakshineswar during this time, the Master asked her, “Will you give me something?” “Yes, sir, whatever you ask.” “Will you give me your son? I want a pure-hearted boy to live here. I am greatly pleased even when he gives me a glass of water.” Matangini at once agreed: “It is my good fortune, sir, that you will accept him and that he will live with you. But, does anybody give away her son for nothing?” Ramakrishna smiled and asked, “What shall I give you?” Matangini humbly said, “I have just two requests: one is that I may have unflinching devotion for God; the other is that none of my children dies before I do.” Sri Ramakrishna granted her those boons. (Source: God Lived with Them)
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After returning from East Bengal to Belur Math, Premananda was stricken by cholera. Two reputable doctors treated him. One day he lost outer consciousness and the monks almost lost hope. Gradually he opened his eyes and said feebly: “Don’t fear. I shall not die, because my mother is still alive.” (Sri Ramakrishna had given his mother the boon that her children would not die before she did.) Premananda recovered from his illness and left for Puri, where he stayed for three months. In September 1915 he returned to Belur Math. (Source: God Lived with Them)
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On 20 October 1917 Shantiram informed his brother Premananda that their mother had been attacked by plague and her condition was critical. Premananda asked his attendant Satyananda to check on his mother, since he had worked for some time in the hospital. After checking her pulse and observing her condition, Satyananda told Shantiram that most probably his mother would pass away that very day. According to Hindu custom, it is very auspicious to die touching the Ganges. So Premananda’s brothers, relatives, and Satyananda took Matangini to the bank of the Ganges so she could touch the water. While lying on a cot she continued to repeat the mantram with her rosary. Shortly she said, “Jai Ramakrishna, Jai Ramakrishna, Jai Ramakrishna” (Victory to Ramakrishna), and then passed away.
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On Tuesday Premananda’s condition deteriorated. Brahmananda was gravely pacing on the veranda and engaged his attendant to chant hymns near Premananda. All of a sudden he carried a picture of Sri Ramakrishna to Premananda and said, “Brother Baburam, please look at the Master.” Brahmananda tried to suppress his own tears by pressing a cloth on his mouth. He then left the room. After a while Brahmananda returned again and said loudly, “Brother Baburam, Brother Baburam, do you remember the Master?” Premananda opened his eyes, looked with a smile at the oil painting of the Master hanging on the wall, and saluted him with folded hands. He uttered feebly “grace, grace, grace,” and then passed away. It was 4:14 p.m. on Tuesday, 30 July 1918. His body was taken to Belur Math and cremated there on the bank of the Ganges.
When the news of Premananda’s death reached Holy Mother in Udbodhan, she cried bitterly. She told the devotees: “Baburam was dearest to my heart. All the energy, devotion, and wisdom of Belur Math were embodied in my Baburam and walked there on the bank of the Ganges.” Brahmananda cried like a child and then remarked, “Belur Math has lost its mother.” M. said, “Sri Ramakrishna’s love aspect has disappeared.”
Premananda closed his market of love and flew away into the Infinite on two powerful wings: renunciation and love. At the time of his passing, his possessions were an empty canvas bag, a couple of ochre cloths, a short tunic, a chadar, a towel, a pair of slippers, an umbrella, and a few books, including a copy of the Gita. Truly he was Premananda — bliss in love. He was Bliss and he was Love — an all-consuming love that revealed itself in the service of all — it was the burning passion of his life. Towards the end of his life he casually wrote to someone: “I feel a desire now to love everybody. This is a disease which has now possessed me.” (Source: God Lived with Them)