In the spiritual tapestry of 18th-century Bengal, few threads shine as brightly as that of Ramprasad Sen. A poet, a saint, and a mystic, Ramprasad’s life is a testament to the power of pure, unadulterated devotion. His story is not one of a lofty ascetic in a remote cave, but of an ordinary man whose extraordinary love for the Divine Mother, Kali, transformed his world and ours, proving that the divine can be found in the most unexpected of places—even in an accountant’s ledger.
Born around 1720, Ramprasad was a man of the world before he became a man of God. Obliged to support his family, he took up a position as an accountant in the household of Dewan Krishnachandra Ghoshal in Kolkata. Day after day, he was tasked with meticulously recording financial transactions. But Ramprasad’s heart and mind were elsewhere. While his hands were meant to tally figures, his soul was consumed with thoughts of his beloved Mother Kali.
His devotion began to spill onto the pages of his work. Instead of credits and debits, his account book started filling up with devotional poems and songs (known as Shyama Sangeet) addressed to the Goddess. One famous entry, rather than detailing expenditure, simply read: “Give unto Mother Shyama (Kali) …. Am I Thy hired servant any more? “
When another clerk reported this apparent negligence, Ramprasad was summoned by his employer. Facing dismissal, he stood before the Dewan, who was examining the song-filled ledger. But instead of anger, Krishnachandra Ghoshal was overcome with emotion. He saw not a delinquent employee, but a soul so deeply immersed in divine love that worldly duties had become meaningless. In a profound act of spiritual patronage, he did something remarkable. He tore up Ramprasad’s contract of employment, not to fire him, but to free him. He granted Ramprasad a monthly stipend of thirty rupees—a comfortable sum at the time—and instructed him to return to his village and spend his life doing what he was truly born to do: worship Kali and compose songs in her honour. This incredible generosity allowed Ramprasad’s spiritual genius to blossom, unburdened by financial worry.
Freed from his desk, Ramprasad’s relationship with Kali deepened into one of intimate, daily conversation. For him, the Goddess was not a distant, fearsome deity but a loving, accessible Mother who actively participated in his life. Two well-known accounts beautifully illustrate this personal connection.
One widely recounted tale speaks of a “radiant girl” who mysteriously aided him while he was repairing a fence. After his own daughter departed, an unknown, luminous girl appeared to assist him, only to vanish upon completion of the task. Ramprasad subsequently realised this enigmatic helper was none other than a manifestation of the Goddess Kali herself.
Another poignant legend describes Ramprasad’s encounter with the Goddess Annapurna of Varanasi. While on his way to his daily ritual bath, he was approached by a beautiful young woman who wished to hear his devotional songs. His request that she wait led to her disappearance, prompting Ramprasad to ponder if it was the “play of the Divine Mother.” During meditation, he was enveloped in a radiant light and heard Annapurna’s voice expressing her disappointment at not hearing his songs. Filled with remorse, Ramprasad embarked on a journey to Varanasi to find her, but during a rest at Triveni, he received another vision. The Mother’s voice instructed him to remain there and sing for her, declaring, “Varanasi is not the only place where I live; I pervade the whole universe.” These stories underscore Ramprasad’s deep spiritual experiences and the omnipresent nature of the divine, serving as enduring testaments to his devotion and the mystical grace that surrounded him.
According to Daniel Odier, in his book ‘Tantric Kali’, Ramprasad Sen’s worship of the Goddess was especially enlightened and peaceful, in as much as he was ‘…the first person to take an initiative to oppose animal sacrifices in the rituals’. Ramprasad Sen’s love knew no bounds, encompassing even the most vulnerable. As such, his devotion to the Goddess Kali extended to expressing her loving kindness to all living beings.
Ramprasad Sen’s life demonstrates that the most profound spiritual connection is a relationship of love. His songs, born from these direct, lived experiences, continue to be sung across Bengal and the world, carrying the powerful message that if you call out with a sincere heart, the Divine Mother will answer—perhaps as a helping hand in the garden, a beautiful stranger on a riverbank, or a merciful patron who sets you free to follow your heart’s true calling.
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