Once the Master (Sri Ramakrishna) was ill at Cossipore. A number of his disciples, including Gopal (Swami Advaitananda), were taking turns attending to his needs. But one day, instead of serving the Master, Gopal went off somewhere to meditate. He meditated for a long time. When Girish Babu heard about this, he remarked: “The one upon whom Gopal is meditating upon him!” Gopal was sent for. When he arrived the Master asked him to stroke his legs. Then he said to Gopal: “Do you think I am asking you to stroke my legs because they are aching? Oh, no! In your previous births you did many virtuous acts; therefore I am accepting your service.”