GOSPEL OF RAMAKRISHNA
It was about nine in the evening. Balaram had made his offerings ready for Sri Rama- krishna's supper. The gracious Bhagavan would not wound his feelings. He said to Balaram: "Send over to Girish's house the food that you have prepared for me." Saying this, He set out, followed by His disciples. Go- ing downstairs from the first floor, He became like another being; He looked as if He was lost in the thought of God — as if He had drunk deep! It seemed as if sense-consciousness was beginning to leave Him. A disciple went for- ward to hold Him by the hand, lest He should miss His footing. The Bhagavan said to him with great tenderness: " If you hold me by the hand, people will say, 'He is a drunkard.' Let me walk alone without any help." He crossed the next turning just a little way from Girish's house. What made Him walk so fast? The disciples were left behind. No one knew what Divine idea had found its way into His heart. What made Him walk like a madman? Was it because He was thinking of that Being who in the Vedanta is said to be beyond the reach of word and thought ? Here was Narendra coming! Many a day had the Bhagavan cried, calling "Narendra,
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