A life with a mission

Swami Ramakrishnananda
(1863 - 1911)

`One afternoon it was drizzling and the sky was overcast with clouds. A hackney carriage came in time to take the Swami (Swami Ramakrishnananda) to his class. The swami asked a brahmacharin [probably Shankarananda himself] to accompany him that day. The carriage arrived in George Town, where the swami used to hold on of his classes. …. There was no one else in the room. The swami waited for about a quarter of an hour but no one turned up. He then opened his Upanishad and began to read and explain with all ardour and amiability. After an hour he stopped, closed his book and said to the brahmacharin, ``Well, let us go.`` The brahmacharin followed him to the carriage which was waiting. On the way he asked the swami, ``How is it that you gave the class for fully one hour though nobody turned up.`` The swami replied, ``I have not come to teach anybody. I only fulfill the vow I have taken.`` ₁

1. Reminiscences by Swami Shankarananda (God Lived with Them, Swami Chetanananda. Advaita Ashrama, Kolkata 14. Page No. 284)