Turiyananda or “Hari Maharaj” as he was popularly known as, was a direct monastic disciple of Ramakrishna, the 19th-century saint. He was one of the earliest missionary to be sent by his leader and brother disciple Vivekananda to United States of America to preach the universal message of 
Vedanta to the western audience from 1899–1902.
Swami Turiyananda was renowned for his fearlessness. Once when was harassed by the British police in Northern India, a high ranking police officer asked him whether he was afraid of police. He responded, I do not even fear death, why should I fear any human being?” His work was based upon individual character building. He preferred the style of an inward, meditative and contemplative life. He seemed to be of the opinion that with large organisations, spiritual work is apt to suffer. “Lectures,” he used to say, “are to reach the public, but the real work can be done only through close personal contact, yet both are necessary. His method of teaching was through conversation with quotations from holy scriptures. “There are two ways of answering a question,” he said. “One is to answer from intellect, the other is to answer from within. I always try to answer from within . Even though he was not actively involved in philanthropic activity of the Ramakrishna Mission, he held it in high regard. He used to say, If one serves the sick and distressed in the right spirit, in one single day one can get the highest realisation. He sympathised with the masses, and encouraged philanthropy and work for the poor and distressed.
With whatever evil tendencies one may come,one is sure to improve in holy company.When you go into a perfume shop,the scent will enter your nostrils,whether you will it or not.
There are three classes of disciples.The third-class disciple merely does the guru’s bidding.The second-class disciple does not have to be told.He acts as soon as the thought arises in the guru’s mind.But the first-class disciple acts even before the guru has had time to think.
If one serves the sick and the distressed in the right spirit,in one single day one can get the highest spiritual realization.
Only through work can it be known how much desire for results still lingers in the mind,how far the mind has been purified,how much selfishness is there still…When love enters the heart,work no more is felt as work;work then turns into worship.That is true love.
Make every act of worship.Whatever you do,do as an offering to Mother,and do it as perfectly as you can.
