Naren loved and respected Sri Ramakrishna but sometimes mocked his fervent devotion to Ma Kali.
Some years passed but, slowly under the influence of Sri Ramakrishna’s spiritual power, Naren’s doubts and skepticism melted. Though he continued to rebel and argue some times, in the end, he had to surrender to the Divine Mother.
When Naren’s father died in 1886 and left the family at the brink of starvation, Naren begged Sri Ramakrishna to ask a boon of Ma Kali on behalf of his family.
“My boy, I can’t make such demands,” said Sri Ramakrishna. “Why don’t you go and ask the Mother yourself.”
Desperate to save his family, Naren put aside Brahmo Samaj principles and bowed down low before Ma Kali. He stood in the inner shrine of the Divine Mother, but he could not pray. He saw the beautiful form of Ma Bhavatarini Kali and was engulfed in a surging wave of love. Naren forgot everything else.
Flushed, and intoxicated in a divine mood, Naren addressed Ma Kali with folded hands: “Ma, give me discrimination, give me renunciation, grant me knowledge and devotion. Ma, grant me that I may have uninterrupted vision of You!”
Naren failed to ask a boon for his family. Sri Ramakrishna sent him back three times, but every time, Naren forgot the world when he saw the beautiful face of the Divine Mother. He no longer saw a statue. He saw Ma and felt overwhelmed.
Sri Ramakrishna was very happy that his Naren had finally accepted the Divine Mother and, full of compassion he blessed him, saying: “All right, your people at home will never be in want of plain food and clothing.”
What followed was a night of blissful adoration during which Sri Ramakrishna taught Naren a song glorifying the Divine Mother. Naren was a superb musician and had a beautiful voice.
“Mother, Thou art our sole Redeemer,
Thou the support of the three gunas,
Higher than the most high.
Thou art compassionate, I know,
Who takest away our bitter grief.
Thou art in earth, in water Thou;
Thou liest at the root of all.
In me, in every creature,
Thou hast Thy home; though clothed with form,
Yet art Thou formless Reality.
Sandhya art Thou and Gayatri;
Thou dost sustain this universe.
Mother, the Help art Thou
Of those who have no help but Thee,
O Eternal Beloved of Shiva!
~Sri Ramakrishna and His Divine Play (tranlated by Swami Chetanananda)
