No one was forcing him. Definitely not the Math. He is simply offered what each of us is offered by the organisation we work, the family we live, the political party we belong, by the Math. I mean that the group we are part of, support us and care us, he is offered the same.
No one says ‘go away’ when you declare allegiance to them. He went to them with conviction in their way of life or got convinced in the process.
In the Math, gates were open and nobody was stopping him. He was free to roam in the compound and even if he agreed to come with me. They would surely send him. He was there free like a bird. If he is willing to return, he could do that any time. That is a big ‘if’ though.
Belur Math is Ramakrishna Missions global headquarters established by Swami Vivekanada. It is a major tourist attraction where tourists flock to see the creation of Swami Vivekananda all the time. inside the Math, you feel great calm. As I explained, it is on the banks of the Hooghly river. River, the tourists, the missions buildings, together would create a wonderful feeling for the first time visitor but to me it was another jolt in my already frail heart which was reeling in pain ever since he left home.
In the evening, he bid me good bye and in a state half hibernated not knowing what more to tell him, I came out heads down and not looking back. Thus ending whatever meager hope I and the rest of the family had that he would return.
I asked him whether he was happier there than at his own home? He avoided a direct answer (probably not to hurt my feelings).
He smiled and then said he feels very comfortable at the Math and in his new role. He even said that a new name will be affixed to his name once he reaches a certain stage in his training. I was curios and worried whether that would end our ability to make the current one way contact we have with him. I asked whether he would let us know that new name leaving a feeble channel of communication open. He smiled at my question again.
