Latu Maharaj was the first young disciple to come to Shri Ramakrishna at Dakshineswar. The sage gave him various spiritual instructions and guided him carefully in the development of his character.
– Swami Vivekananda speaking about Latu Maharaj
Latu had come to the Master with a habit of making blunt remarks, which Ramakrishna gradually corrected. One day, when a devotee at Dakshineswar did not behave well, Latu reprimanded him with hurtful words.
The Master happened to see Latu’s harsh treatment of the devotee. The Master was filled with kindness and forbearance. He waited for the devotee to leave. Then he spoke lovingly to Latu, that his correction might take full effect:
“It is not good to speak harshly to those who come here. They are tormented with worldly problems. If they come here and then are scolded for their shortcomings, where will they go? In the presence of holy company never use harsh words to anyone, and never say anything to cause pain to another. Tomorrow, visit this man and speak to him in such a way that he will forget what you said to him today.”
Latu was humbled by Shri Ramakrishna’s loving words and gracious attitude towards him in his weakness. He obeyed. Latu Maharaj visited the devotee the following day. He spoke to him sweetly and returned to Shri Ramakrishna with a lightened heart.
The Master asked him, “Did you offer him salutations from me?” Latu was amazed at the Master’s wonderful words and had to admit that he had not done so. Shri Ramakrishna told him, “Go to him again and offer him my salutations.” When Latu did this faithfully, the devotee was overcome with emotion at the Master’s grace and burst into tears.
Latu was deeply touched and returned to tell the Master what had happened. Shri Ramakrishna poured his grace upon Latu Maharaj and said, “Now your misdeed is pardoned.” The humility that Latu saw in the Master gradually brought about his complete transformation; after this he was unable to hurt anyone’s feelings. Under the Master’s vigilant guidance, Latu also made great progress in meditation.
The above post on the “Politeness Teachings of Sri Ramakrishna” has been excerpted from the article Shri Ramakrishna and The Common Person by Swami Tathagatananda of the Vedanta Society, New York. © Vedanta Society of New York; reprinted by permission.
