Totapuri³⁹

Totapuri was one of Sri Ramakrishna’s teachers. He always wore a loincloth. He did not wear proper clothes. Sri Ramakrishna used to call him always “Naked fellow.” In the beginning when Sri Ramakrishna was meditating very hard, Totapuri gave him some instructions. He taught many things to Sri Ramakrishna.

Totapuri was unable to accept Mother Kali. Sri Ramakrishna was all for Mother Kali. When Totapuri asked him, “Do you want to have lessons from me?” Sri Ramakrishna said, “I have to take permission from the Mother.”

Totapuri said, “What? You have to take permission from the Mother?”

Then Mother Kali gave Sri Ramakrishna permission. From Totapuri he learned everything, but they fell into disagreement. Totapuri could not accept Mother Kali, the Mother aspect, so Sri Ramakrishna said, “This is the time for you to go.”