Girish Chandra Ghosh and the Grace of the Master

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Girish Chandra Ghosh, the colourful playwright who became one of Sri Ramakrishna’s most devoted followers
Girish Chandra Ghosh, the colourful playwright who became one of Sri Ramakrishna’s most devoted followers

Here is a story that tells us that a spiritual life goes far beyond outward appearances and conventions. This is the story of Girish Chandra Ghosh, the legendary playwright, actor, impresario and bohemian, whose colourful life and unconventional ways shattered the societal norms of his time.

But Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa saw something very different in him. He said to Girish, "You see only your outer life and what you are doing outwardly, but inside you there is so much divinity and love for God."

Girish was astonished. He replied, "I am living such an undivine life and you see so much purity and divinity in me! And love for God! If I had even an iota of love for God, would I be leading this kind of unspiritual life? Absolutely not!"

Sri Ramakrishna insisted, "No, no, I am seeing it! I am seeing it!"

Girish’s role in life, it seems, was to demonstrate how a sinner can become a saint—how an atheist, drunkard and debauchee can be transformed into a great devotee and lover of God.

Girish himself used to say that he was Ramakrishna’s miracle. No doubt he was his least orthodox and most colourful devotee, but was he really a sinner? Did he kill anyone? No. Did he cheat anyone or commit robbery? No. Did he misbehave with women? No. Then what had he done to be called a sinner? Perhaps the term had been coined by Girish himself out of remorse. But in Sri Ramakrishna’s eyes he was a pure soul, filled with love and divinity. That is what mattered.

In this story of spiritual transformation, the role of the master is perhaps even more significant than that of the devotee. Had Sri Ramakrishna not recognised the inner purity and divinity of his outwardly errant disciple, Girish might never have transformed and might have continued in his wayward ways. It was the large-heartedness of the master, and his deep sense of inclusiveness, that redeemed a soul.

It is an inspiring and fascinating story. For all an individual's outward appearances and ways, it is the inner purity that truly matters. Girish's transformation was swift once his master had shown him his inner light, his true self. His surrender to the master after that was complete, and so was his transformation.


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