Sometime in the middle of 1883, Tarak’s (Swami Shivananda) wife, Nityakali, fell ill and died. Tarak performed the customary ritual for his departed wife, then resigned from his job and decided to lead the life of a monk. When Tarak told his father of his determination, tears began to trickle down his father’s cheeks. Ramkanai asked Tarak to salute their family deity in the shrine and then blessed him, placing his hand on his son’s head: “May you realize God! I myself tried to renounce the world and realize Him, but I failed. Therefore I bless you that you may attain God!” When Tarak told the Master about this, he was quite pleased to hear it and said, “It is good that this has happened!” (Source: God Lived with Them)
On Christmas Eve of 1886, Gangadhar (Swami Akhandananda) went with the other disciples to Antpur and took vows of renunciation. He returned home and told his father secretly that he would leave for the Himalayas very soon. His father gave his consent. In February 1887 Gangadhar took the ochre cloth that the Master had given to him and left the monastery without telling anyone. Only his noble father came to Howrah Station to see him off. He blessed his son: “Go, my son. Fulfill your mission in life. This world is unreal. I bless you: May you attain unflinching devotion to God.” (Source: God Lived with Them)