BIOGRAPHY OF SWAMI VIVEKANANDA

34 SWAMI VIVEKANANDAloving and devoted service to the Master. Narenwas to them a constant source of inspiration.During their leisure periods, he would gather themtogether, and the time was spent in study, music,conversation, and discussions of the divine traitsof their Master’s character. Naren was the leader inevery respect.As the end of the Master came nearer, NarendraNath’s passionate desire for the realization of Godincreased and intensified. The Master would oftensend Naren and other disciples to meditate; andNaren, in the intensity of his meditations, becameblessed with many rare spiritual experiences. TheMaster had already initiated him into various pathsof spiritual discipline and was preparing him to bethe head of the group of young monks who wereto consecrate their lives in the near future tocarrying out his mission. One day the Masterexpressly commissioned him to look after the youngdevotees, saying, ‘I leave them to your care. See thatthey practise spiritual exercises even after mypassing away and that they do not return home.’Another day, in preparation for the prospectivemonastic life, the Master commanded the youngboys to beg their food from door to door as monksdo. The food which they collected in this mannerwas cooked in the garden and offered to the Master,who was overjoyed. The Master knew that soon