Further studies of Narendranath

 Narendranath had frdeindship with
Brajemdranath Seal.(Sir Brajendra Nath Seal (Bengali: ব্রজেন্দ্রনাথ শীল) (1864–1938) was a renowned Bengali Indian humanist philosopher. He was one of the greatest original thinkers of the Brahmo Samaj and did work in comparative religion and on the philosophy of science. He systematized the humanism of the Brahmo philosophical thought. In his work, he underscored the tectonic shift in Brahmo theology in the late eighteenth century from liberal theism to secular humanism. Like his better known 

ideological precursor Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar( 26 September 1820 – 29 July 1891) Seal was an educator, a firm believer in the cause of rationalism and scientific inquiry, a polymath in his own right and yet at the same time a preacher of humanism as a religious doctrine (as opposed to organized religion)),  who later became a

 savant of international reputation. Brajendranath was his classmate. They used to meet at a philosophical club and discuss philosophy. In 1883 Narendranath passed his B.A.Examination. Then he took admission in the Law
Department of the Metropolitan Institution (now Vidyasagar
 College ) in 1884 to prepare for the B.L. Examination. He
 completed his law studies in 1886 but did not appear at the
 final examination.
At the time (1886) the necessary fees for the B.L Examination were due to be paid very shortly. At first Narendra thought that the time-limit for this had been  but over but later on, counting the days, he exclaimed, "No,there is  time yet." But that was all; he did not care any further for the law examination.Narendranath had great proficiency in classical music. He inherited this trait from his father who practiced it in his youth. Narendranath learnt music from an Ostad(teacher) named Beni . It was heard from his mother that Kasi Ghosal had also been one of his ostads. It is said that
Kasi Ghosal used to play Pakhwaj etc. at the Adi Brahmo
 Samaj. Pekhwas Narendra learnt to play on the same
instrument and along with it on Banya and Tabla from him.
 Narendranath wrote a book in Bengali on how to play on
 these instruments. It was published by Baishnav chandra
 Basak of Bartola. There is a copy of it in the
Library of Belur Math . It was the fashion in those days of political awakening to practice body-building exercises. Surendranath Banerjea and Anandamohan Basu were thundering from the platform of the Students' Association founded by them that the
 young Bengalees must be physically strong and  aggressive. Being inspired with an awakened zeal in this matter, Narendranath joined Ambu Guha's Gymnasium (Akhara) to practice wrestling (Kusti). He was also proficient in the English system of physical exercises.
Many young men of good families used to throng the  gymnasium of Ambu Guha. The late Swami Brahmananda told  that he also used to  learn how to turn a man on his back. But he gave it up after meeting Ramakrishna.
The latter was a friend of his father. At the same time

 he studied law to prepare himself for the B.L. Examination.
Here an interesting fact is to be mentioned. We have already said that Narendra previously showed his desire to go to England to study law. On this issue, his elder brother, Mahendranath, says that Narendranath had the intention to complete his law studies in England and father concurred with this ambitious proposal. But the latter's sudden demise upset the plan. Again, to give a further lift to
 Narendranath's future career, his father made him enter Free masonry as a member. On being asked by his uncle the reason for this step, Narendranath's father answered that it would help him in his future life. A piece of printed application form of Freemason's Lodge among old household papers was found. (The paper has been sent to Belur Math.)

After the death of Narendranath's father he had to give up the articled clerk ship due to sudden economic stringency.