Ramakrishna used to tell a story about himself: Once he went to call on a great initiate, Tailanga. Tailanga lived in Benares. But he observed a strict vow of silence. No one ever heard him speak. Ramakrishna came back from his visit to that silent initiate and told us all about it. He said, "Wonderful talks he and I had. Nearly a week we sat beside each other and meditated. A great talker is Tailanga; he unburdens his thoughts with such clear words." We said to Ramakrishna, "But he never speaks." Ramakrishna answered, 'What has that got to do with it?"
— Dhan Gopal Mukerji, Sri Ramakrishna, The Face of Silence by Swami, Dhan Gopal Nikhilananda, Mukerji