##21 Take Care Of The Disciples

After the demise of Ramakrishna, It fell on the part of Narendra, To take care of the disciples, A task found not so simple. Who would bear the expenses? Where to find a suitable house, With all the basic facilities, To keep the young disciples? A disciple of Ramakrishna, By name Surendranath Mitra, Came forward to meet All their expenses at last. In the small Town Barangore, A place near Dakshineswar, An old house was rented, By ghosts, that was haunted. Thus, the first headquarters, Came there into existence, To the delight of young boys, Who were trained as monks. As his visible presence, The Master’s sacred ashes, Were kept in a shrine room, For daily worship by them. Finally, they all renounced, Their own homes and stayed In this monastery as inmates To pursue their daily practices. During the day time, Narendra was at home. And to stay with them, By nightfall, he came. In the spiritual disciplines, He trained the disciples, Who found his presence, As a source of happiness. As a course of self-purification, They practiced daily meditation. They weren’t so keen on food Whatever that was served. At late hours by nights, They slept on straw mats, After finishing their prayer songs, Accompanied by musical instruments. Thus went on their routine, That was full of strain, Due to minimum facilities Found within their resources.