Subodhananda

Rare are the persons who can combine in their lives the unsophisticated simplicity of a child with the high wisdom of a sage. This wonderful combination was present in full measure in Swami Subodhananda, endearingly called Khoka (meaning child) Maharaj for his simple, childlike nature. Swami Vivekananda and other brother disciples greatly loved the childlike aspect of Swami Subodhananda. Once, at Alambazar monastery, to encourage the art of public speaking among the monks Swami Vivekananda arranged for each of them to speak on a fixed day. When the turn of Swami Subodhananda came, he tried his best to avoid the meeting, but Swamiji was adamant. Just as Swami Subodhananda rose to speak, the earth trembled, buildings shook, and trees fell – it was the earthquake of 1897. The meeting came to an abrupt end and Swami Subodhananda escaped the ordeal of lecturing, but not the fun at his cost. “Khoka’s was a ‘world-shattering’ speech”, Swamiji said, and all the others who had assembled joined in the joke.

The early name of Swami Subodhananda was Subodh Chandra Ghosh. He was born in a well-to-do family in Calcutta to parents of very religious disposition. While still very young, love for truth and devotion to God were implanted in him. From his very boyhood he showed a remarkable spirit of devotion.

Coming to know of Shri Ramakrishna through a book of his teachings, young Subodh lost no time in meeting the saint of Dakshineswar. Gauging the spiritual potential of the boy, the Master received him affectionately, and treated him as a close relation.

From his boyhood Subodh was very frank, open-minded, and straightforward in his speech. What he felt, he would say clearly without mincing matters, even to the Master. But the Master enjoyed this aspect of his nature, which only brought forth Subodh’s great spirit of renunciation. His whole life was one of great austerity, prayer, and steadfast devotion.

Gradually the attraction of young Subodh for the Master grew stronger, and some time after the passing away of the Master, he left his parental homestead and joined the monastic order organized by Swami Vivekananda at Baranagore.

After practicing much austerities and spiritual disciplines as an itinerant monk, he returned from a life of seclusion in response to Swamiji’s appeal to his brother-disciples to work for the spread of the Master’s message and the good of humanity.

He had a very tender heart. The sight of distress and suffering always found an echo in him. He would often be found near sickbeds nursing the sick and helpless, with loving care and attention, at considerable risk to his own health. He was actively associated with many relief works of the Ramakrishna Mission. Later, although Swami Subodhananda could not personally work so much, wherever he would be, he would inspire people to throw themselves heart and soul into the work started by Swamiji.

In religious giving also, he spent himself without any reserve. The joy of giving was always radiant in his face. His affection for the weaker section of the society was not a whit less than for those disciples who were more fortunately placed in life.

Swami Subodhananda was extremely devoted to the Holy Mother. His love and respect for Swamiji was phenomenal. His love for Swamiji was second only to his love for the Master. When he was once asked who was greater – Trailanga Swami or Swamiji, he unhesitatingly replied: “Trailanga Swami is the greatest among men, but Swamiji is Shiva Himself.” Swamiji also had great affection for him. Sometimes when Swamiji would become serious and none of his brother-disciples dared approach him, it was left to Khoka Maharaj to go and break his seriousness.

As a child’s attraction for chocolates, Swami Subodhananda had a great love for drinking tea. Swami Subodhananda had his morning cup of tea till the last day of his life. His unassuming nature and plain clothing hid the fact that he was a great soul; but his renunciation and simple, joyful face attracted devotees towards him. He was easy of access, and everybody would feel free with him. Many on coming in contact with him, would feel his love so much that they would altogether forget the wide gulf of difference between their and his spiritual life. Many are the persons who, though not religiously inclined, were drawn to him simply by his love and were afterwards spiritually benefited.

The young novitiates and monks of the Order found in him a great sympathizer. He took trouble to find out their difficulties, if any, nurse them like a loving mother when they fell sick, and help them with advice and guidance when required. He would be their mouthpiece before the elders, mediate for them and shield them when they inadvertently did something wrong.

He was self-reliant and would not accept personal service from others, even if they were devotees or disciples. He always emphasized that one should help oneself as far as possible, and himself rigidly adhered to this principle in his everyday life.

His wants were few, and he was satisfied with anything that came unsought for. His personal belongings were almost none. The great spirit of renunciation, always evidenced in his conduct, was the result of complete surrender to God. For him God was a greater reality than earthly relations and companions. The form of his personal worship was singularly free from ritualistic observances. His relationship with God was just as free and natural as human relationship. He realized the goodness of God, and so he was always optimistic in his views. For this reason, his words would always bring cheer and strength to weary and despondent souls. He was fond of talking about the Master and taught people from his own experiences. It was not in his nature to give unwanted advice to anybody; if anybody asked spiritual questions, he would answer in a simple way. One day he said to a devotee: “Do you expect anything when you present some gifts to your little brothers and sisters? One should love God like that. Say: “Master, I offer my body and mind, my life, and everything to you. Give me shelter at your blessed feet. I don’t want anything else.”

His spiritual life was as marked by his directness as his external life was marked by its simplicity. He had no philosophical problems of his own to solve. The Ultimate Reality was a fact to him. Swami Subodhananda remained the same joyful little boy in his demeanour throughout his life, fully conscious and cheerful until the last - the ideal model of a divine child of Shri Ramakrishna.