said, "Please come with the flowers as soon as they are brought." The Mother used to perform the worship after making all the necessary arrangements for it herself. She was sitting on her cot, and beckoned me near her and enquired about a certain devotee.
Mother: Is he downstairs?
Disciple: Yes, Mother.
Mother: What does he do? Is he studying?
Disciple: May be. But probably he is not a regular student.
Mother: Won't he go to the Belur Math?
Disciple: No. He doesn't want to go there.
Mother: All of you should persuade him.
Disciple: I tried my best. You please tell him, Mother. May be then he will go and stay at the Math at least for some days.
Mother: I have also told him, but he would pay no heed. He doesn't want to go. He fears that others may tease him for going there. Sarat also spoke to me about that boy: "Shouldn't the boy have some regard for our advice, and the words of Maharajji (Swami Brahmananda)? Let him go and stay for at least two days at the Math in obedience to Maharajji's wish." That is right. The boy should go with Rakhal and stay for some days at Puri. How will the boy be able to wander about alone? Where will he get food?
Disciple: That is no problem. He will beg for food. But he should go to the Math once, at least in obedience to the advice of Maharaj and the other elders.
Mother: That is right. The advice of the elders must be obeyed. The boy has no desire to work. How can the mind be kept well without any work? Is it possible to meditate for all the twenty-four hours of the day? So one has to take up some work. That keeps the mind in good shape. How is your work going on?
Disciple: It is going on all right.
Mother: You had written about going to Rameswaram. It is good, my child, that you did not go. The journey is indeed hazardous.
Disciple: Sarat Maharaj wanted to send me. But from where could the funds come? Had I gone, all the burden of bearing my expenses would have fallen on Sasi Maharaj.