Swami Vivekananda                           

(February 28, 1844 - February 8, 1912)

Swami Turiyananda's reminiscences:

We read page after page of scriptures. How much do we actually assimilate in our lives? Sri Ramakrishna once said to Girish Ghosh: 'What are you talking about the knowledge of Brahman! Sukadeva only saw and touched the ocean of Knowledge. Lord Shiva drank only three handfuls of its water and became unconscious.' Girish Ghosh clasped his head and exclaimed: 'Say no more, sir! My brain is reeling." Try to understand this. Try to understand Girish Ghosh also. What a great mind he had. And how he could assimilate spiritual teaching! With us it enters one ear and goes out the other. Think of Suka! How great he was! He did not want to be born in this world because he realized that it was illusory. 'And he only saw and touched the ocean of Brahman ! And Lord Shiva is the God of gods. He could only sip its water three times! How true! One's head would reel to think of it!'

If one is in the company of Girish Babu for even five minutes, one gets freed from worldly delusion...He has such keen insight that he can see at a glance the innermost recess of a man's heart, and by virtue of this powerful insight he was able to recognise the Master as an Avatar.
— Nag Mahashay

Short biographical detail by Banglapedia: