Mathurmohan Biswas
Mathur Mohan Biswas or Babu Mathuranath Biswas, also known as Sejobabu, or simply, "Mathur Babu" was an Indian Zamindar, businessman, philanthropist and the third and youngest son-in-law of Rani Rashmoni. He was a devoted follower, disciple, attendant, and provider of Shri Ramakrishna.
Birth and early life
Mathur Mohan Biswas was born in the year 1817 in the village of Bithari, located in Swarupnagar, under the Basirhat subdivision of present-day North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, then part of British India. He was born into a wealthy Mahishya family, who were the local Zamindars. Mathur Mohan was the youngest of five sons of Joynarayan Biswas. His ancestral home was originally in Sonabaria village, in what is now Satkhira, Bangladesh. He received his education at the Hindu College in Calcutta, one of the most prestigious educational institutions of that time.In 1827, Mathur Mohan Biswas married Karunamoyi, the third daughter of Babu Rajchandra Das and Rani Rashmoni. As Rajchandra’s third son-in-law, he became affectionately known as "Sejobabu". However, after Karunamoyi’s death in 1831, Rani Rashmoni arranged for Mathur Mohan to marry her youngest daughter, Jagadamba, in 1833. Following this, Rani Rashmoni kept him in her household and entrusted him with managing the Janbazar Raj’s administrative and financial affairs.
At one point, Rani Rashmoni filed a legal case against Mathur Mohan, accusing him of misappropriating estate funds. However, she later withdrew the case, moved by her maternal affection and recognizing the practical needs of managing the zamindari. In the years that followed, Mathur Mohan proved himself to be exceptionally loyal and capable in all responsibilities entrusted to him.
Career
On 31 May 1855, after Rani Rashmoni established the Bhavatarini Kali Temple at Dakshineswar, it was Mathur Mohan Biswas, despite being educated in English and well-versed in Western rationality, who, with deep foresight, realism, and inner vision, recognized the spiritual greatness of Sri Ramakrishna. It was Mathur who appointed Sri Ramakrishna as the priest of the Bhavatarini Temple, and he went on to support all of Sri Ramakrishna’s spiritual practices with sincere devotion and commitment. For nearly eighteen years, Mathur served Sri Ramakrishna with unmatched dedication. With the approval of Rani Rashmoni, Mathur took care of Sri Ramakrishna’s food, clothing, shelter, personal security, and pilgrimage arrangements. His faith and devotion to Sri Ramakrishna were unwavering. Through logical reasoning and personal experiences, he became fully convinced of Sri Ramakrishna's divine incarnation, eventually surrendering himself at the feet of the Master, recognizing in him a true renunciate, free from all desire for lust and gold.On one occasion at Dakshineswar, Mathur had a divine vision of both Shiva and Kali simultaneously manifesting through Sri Ramakrishna's body. From that moment onward, he accepted the Master as his all-in-all, depending on him in every matter, both spiritual and worldly.
Mathur once said:
For Sri Ramakrishna, during his intense spiritual practices at Dakshineswar, the dedicated service of Mathur Mohan Biswas was absolutely essential. It was through Mathur's unwavering support that Sri Ramakrishna was able to overcome every obstacle and attain success in all forms of spiritual disciplines.
During one phase of his sadhana, Sri Ramakrishna prayed to the Divine Mother Jagadamba, saying:—"মা,আমাকে শুকনো সাধু করিস নি,রসেবসে রাখিস।" in the divine play of Jagadamba.
He, along with his wife Jagadamba and eldest son Dwarikanath, also helped to establish the Annapurna Temple in Titagarh, modelled after the Dakshineswar Kali Temple.
Swami Gambhirananda has mentioned about Mathuranath Biswas in his famous book ''"Sri Ramakrishna-Bhaktamalika" -''
Death
Mathur Mohan Biswas died on 16 July 1871 at 5 PM in Kalighat, Kolkata, at the age of 54.At the time of Mathur’s passing, Sri Ramakrishna was in deep samadhi for several hours, praying for Mathur’s successful spiritual journey. Remarkably, immediately after Mathur’s death, Sri Ramakrishna’s samadhi was broken, and he commented: