A DISCIPLE asked his teacher, "Sir, please tell me
how I can sec God." "Come with me," said the
Guru, "and I shall show you." He took, the disciple
to a lake, and both of them got into the water.
Suddenly the teacher pressed the disciple's head
under the water. After a few moments he released
him and the disciple raised his head and stood up.
The Guru asked him, "How did you feel?" The
disciple said, “Oh! I thought I should die; I was
panting for breath”. The teacher said, "When you
feel like that for God, then you will know you
Monday, December 31, 2012
IF YOU ARE EARNEST
A MAN may not know the right path, but if he has
bhakti and the desire to know God, then he attains
Hint through the force of sheer bhakti.
Once, a sincere devotee set out on a pilgrimage to
the temple of Jagannath in Puri. He did not know
the way; he went west instead of south. He, no
doubt, strayed from the right path, but always
eagerly asked people the way, and they gave him
the right directions, saying, This is not the path;
follow that one.' At last the devotee was able to get
to Puri and worship the Deity.
So you see, even if you are ignorant, some one will
tell you the way if you are earnest.
bhakti and the desire to know God, then he attains
Hint through the force of sheer bhakti.
Once, a sincere devotee set out on a pilgrimage to
the temple of Jagannath in Puri. He did not know
the way; he went west instead of south. He, no
doubt, strayed from the right path, but always
eagerly asked people the way, and they gave him
the right directions, saying, This is not the path;
follow that one.' At last the devotee was able to get
to Puri and worship the Deity.
So you see, even if you are ignorant, some one will
tell you the way if you are earnest.
THAT DIVINE YEARNING
GOD cannot be seen without yearning of heart,
and this yearning is impossible unless one has
finished with the experiences of life. Those who
live surrounded by 'woman and gold', and have not
yet come to the end of their experiences, do not
yearn for God.
When I lived at Kamarpukur, Hriday's son, a child
of four or five years old, used to spend the whole
day with me. He played with toys and almost
forgot everything else. But no sooner did evening
come than he would say, "I want to go to my
mother." I would try to cajole him in various ways
and would say, "Here, I'll give you a pigeon." But
he wouldn't be consoled with such things; he
would weep and cry, "I want to go to my mother."
He didn't enjoy playing any more. I myself wept to
see his state.
One should cry for God that way, like a child. That
is what it means to be restless for God. One
doesn't enjoy play or food any longer. After one's
experiences of the world are over, one feels thisand this yearning is impossible unless one has
finished with the experiences of life. Those who
live surrounded by 'woman and gold', and have not
yet come to the end of their experiences, do not
yearn for God.
When I lived at Kamarpukur, Hriday's son, a child
of four or five years old, used to spend the whole
day with me. He played with toys and almost
forgot everything else. But no sooner did evening
come than he would say, "I want to go to my
mother." I would try to cajole him in various ways
and would say, "Here, I'll give you a pigeon." But
he wouldn't be consoled with such things; he
would weep and cry, "I want to go to my mother."
He didn't enjoy playing any more. I myself wept to
see his state.
One should cry for God that way, like a child. That
is what it means to be restless for God. One
doesn't enjoy play or food any longer. After one's
restlessness and weeps for God.
TO HAVE GENUINE YEARNING FOR GOD IS TO ATTAIN HIM
A MAN had a daughter who became a widow
when she was very young. She had never known
her husband. She noticed the husbands of other
girls and said one day to her father, "Where is my
husband?"
The father replied: "Govinda25 is your husband. He
will come to you if you call Him." At these words
the girl went to her room, closed the door, and
cried, to Govinda, saying: "O Govinda, come to
me! Show Yourself to me! Why don't you come?"
God could not resist the girl's piteous cry and
appeared before her.
when she was very young. She had never known
her husband. She noticed the husbands of other
girls and said one day to her father, "Where is my
husband?"
The father replied: "Govinda25 is your husband. He
will come to you if you call Him." At these words
the girl went to her room, closed the door, and
cried, to Govinda, saying: "O Govinda, come to
me! Show Yourself to me! Why don't you come?"
God could not resist the girl's piteous cry and
appeared before her.
SINGLE-MINDEDNESS IS ANOTHER NAME FOR DEVOTION
A MAN was angling in a lake all by himself. After a
long while the float began to move. Now and then
its tip touched the water. The angler was holding
the rod tight in his hands, ready to pull it up, when
a passer-by stopped and said, "Sir, can you tell me
where Mr. Bannerji lives?' There was no reply from
the angler, who was just on the point of pulling up
the rod. Again and again the stranger said to him in
a loud voice, "Sir, can you tell me where Mr,
Bannerji lives?" But the angler was unconscious of
everything around him. His hands were trembling;
his eyes were on the float. The stranger was
annoyed and went on. When he had gone quite a
way, the angler's float sank under water and with
one pull of the rod he landed the fish. He wiped
the sweat from his face with his towel and shouted
after the stranger. "Hey!" he said, "Come here!
Listen!" But the man would not turn his face. After
much shouting, however, he came back and said to
the angler, "Why are you shouting at me?" "What
did you ask me about?" said the angler. The
stranger said, "I repeated the question so many
times, and now you are asking me to repeat it oncelong while the float began to move. Now and then
its tip touched the water. The angler was holding
the rod tight in his hands, ready to pull it up, when
a passer-by stopped and said, "Sir, can you tell me
where Mr. Bannerji lives?' There was no reply from
the angler, who was just on the point of pulling up
the rod. Again and again the stranger said to him in
a loud voice, "Sir, can you tell me where Mr,
Bannerji lives?" But the angler was unconscious of
everything around him. His hands were trembling;
his eyes were on the float. The stranger was
annoyed and went on. When he had gone quite a
way, the angler's float sank under water and with
one pull of the rod he landed the fish. He wiped
the sweat from his face with his towel and shouted
after the stranger. "Hey!" he said, "Come here!
Listen!" But the man would not turn his face. After
much shouting, however, he came back and said to
the angler, "Why are you shouting at me?" "What
did you ask me about?" said the angler. The
stranger said, "I repeated the question so many
more!" The angler replied, "At that time my float
was about to sink: so I didn't hear a word of what
you said."
A man can achieve such single-mindedness in
meditation that he will see nothing, hear nothing.
He will not be conscious even of touch. A snake
may crawl over his body, but he will not know it.
Neither of them will be aware of the other.
THORNS DENIED PRICK NO LESS KEENLY
ONCE, finding it difficult to reconcile the
contradictory doctrines of man's free will and
God's grace two disciples of the Master went to
him for a solution of the same. The Master said,
"Why do you talk, of free will? Everything is
dependent upon the Lord's will. Our will is tied to
the Lord's, like the cow to its tether. No doubt we
have a certain amount of freedom even as the cow
has, within a prescribed circle. So man thinks that
his will is free. But know that his will is dependent
on the Lord's."
Disciples: "Is there then no necessity of practising
penance, meditation and the rest? For one can as
well sit quiet and say, "It is all God's will; whatever
is done, is done at His will."
Sri Ramakrishna: Oh! To what effect, if you simply
say that in so many words? Any amount of your
verbal denial of thorns can never save you from
their painful prick when you place your hand on
them. Had it been entirely with man to do spiritual
practices according to his will, everybody would
contradictory doctrines of man's free will and
God's grace two disciples of the Master went to
him for a solution of the same. The Master said,
"Why do you talk, of free will? Everything is
dependent upon the Lord's will. Our will is tied to
the Lord's, like the cow to its tether. No doubt we
have a certain amount of freedom even as the cow
has, within a prescribed circle. So man thinks that
his will is free. But know that his will is dependent
on the Lord's."
Disciples: "Is there then no necessity of practising
penance, meditation and the rest? For one can as
well sit quiet and say, "It is all God's will; whatever
is done, is done at His will."
Sri Ramakrishna: Oh! To what effect, if you simply
say that in so many words? Any amount of your
verbal denial of thorns can never save you from
their painful prick when you place your hand on
them. Had it been entirely with man to do spiritual
practices according to his will, everybody would
have done so. But no; everyone can't do it, and
why? But there is one thing: If you don't utilise
properly the amount of strength He has given you,
He never gives more. That is why self-exertion is
necessary. And so everyone has to struggle hard
even to become fit for the grace of God. By such
endeavour, and through His grace, the sufferings
of many lives can be worked out in one life. But
some self-effort is absolutely necessary. Let me tell
you a story.
Once, Vishnu, the Lord of Goloka, cursed Narada,
saying that he would be thrown into hell. At this
Narada was greatly disturbed in mind; and he
prayed to the Lord, singing songs of devotion, and
begging Him to show where hell is and how one
can go there. Vishnu then drew the map of the
universe on the ground with a piece of chalk,
representing the exact position of heaven and hell.
Then Narada said, pointing to the part marked
'hell', "Is it like this? This is hell then!" So saying he
rolled himself on the spot and exclaimed he had
undergone all the sufferings of hell. Vishnu
smilingly asked, "How is that?" and Narada replied:
"Why, Lord, are not heaven and hell Thy creation?
When Thou didst draw the map of the universewhy? But there is one thing: If you don't utilise
properly the amount of strength He has given you,
He never gives more. That is why self-exertion is
necessary. And so everyone has to struggle hard
even to become fit for the grace of God. By such
endeavour, and through His grace, the sufferings
of many lives can be worked out in one life. But
some self-effort is absolutely necessary. Let me tell
you a story.
Once, Vishnu, the Lord of Goloka, cursed Narada,
saying that he would be thrown into hell. At this
Narada was greatly disturbed in mind; and he
prayed to the Lord, singing songs of devotion, and
begging Him to show where hell is and how one
can go there. Vishnu then drew the map of the
universe on the ground with a piece of chalk,
representing the exact position of heaven and hell.
Then Narada said, pointing to the part marked
'hell', "Is it like this? This is hell then!" So saying he
rolled himself on the spot and exclaimed he had
undergone all the sufferings of hell. Vishnu
smilingly asked, "How is that?" and Narada replied:
"Why, Lord, are not heaven and hell Thy creation?
Thyself and point out to me the hell in the plan,
then that place became a real hell; and as I rolled
myself there, my sufferings were intense. So I do
say that I have undergone the punishments of hell.
"Narada said all this sincerely and so Vishnu was
satisfied with the explanation.
NO BEGGAR, I, FOR COMMON FRUIT
JUST imagine Hanuman's state of mind. He didn't
care for money, honour, creature comforts, or
anything else. He longed only for God. When he
was running away with the heavenly weapon that
had been secreted in the crystal pillar, Mandodari
began to tempt him with various fruits so that he
might come down and drop the weapon. But he
couldn't be tricked so easily. In reply to her
persuasions he sang this song;
Am I in need of fruit?
I have the fruit that makes this life
Fruitful indeed
Within my heart
The tree of Rama grows,
Bearing salvation for its fruitscare for money, honour, creature comforts, or
anything else. He longed only for God. When he
was running away with the heavenly weapon that
had been secreted in the crystal pillar, Mandodari
began to tempt him with various fruits so that he
might come down and drop the weapon. But he
couldn't be tricked so easily. In reply to her
persuasions he sang this song;
Am I in need of fruit?
I have the fruit that makes this life
Fruitful indeed
Within my heart
The tree of Rama grows,
Under the wish-fulfilling Tree
Of Rama do I sit at ease
Plucking whatever fruit I will
But if you speak of fruit—
No beggar, I, for common, fruit.
Behold, I go
Leaving a bitter fruit for you
GOD ALONE IS THE GIVER
WHEN Akbar was the Emperor of Delhi there
lived a hermit in a hut in the forest. Many people
visited the holy man. At one time he felt a great
desire to entertain his visitors. But how could he
do so without money? So he decided to go to the
Emperor for help, for the gate of Akbar's palace
was always open to holy men. The hermit entered
the palace while the Emperor was at his daily
devotions and took a seat in a corner of the room.
He heard the Emperor conclude his worship with
the prayer, "O God, give me money; give me
riches", and so on and so forth. When the hermit
heard this he was about to leave the prayer hall, but
the Emperor signed to him to wait. When the
prayer was over the Emperor said to him, "You
came to see me: how is it that you were about to
leave without saying anything to me?" "Your
Majesty need not trouble yourself about it",
answered the hermit. "I must leave now." When
the Emperor insisted, the hermit said: "Many
people visit my hut, and so 1 came here to ask you
for some money." "Then", said Akbar, "why were
you going away without speaking to me?" Thelived a hermit in a hut in the forest. Many people
visited the holy man. At one time he felt a great
desire to entertain his visitors. But how could he
do so without money? So he decided to go to the
Emperor for help, for the gate of Akbar's palace
was always open to holy men. The hermit entered
the palace while the Emperor was at his daily
devotions and took a seat in a corner of the room.
He heard the Emperor conclude his worship with
the prayer, "O God, give me money; give me
riches", and so on and so forth. When the hermit
heard this he was about to leave the prayer hall, but
the Emperor signed to him to wait. When the
prayer was over the Emperor said to him, "You
came to see me: how is it that you were about to
leave without saying anything to me?" "Your
Majesty need not trouble yourself about it",
answered the hermit. "I must leave now." When
the Emperor insisted, the hermit said: "Many
people visit my hut, and so 1 came here to ask you
for some money." "Then", said Akbar, "why were
hermit replied:
"I found that you too were a beggar; you too
prayed to God for money and riches. Thereupon I
said to myself:
'Why should I beg of a beggar? If I must beg, let
me beg of God."
CONCEIT IS TO DEVOTION WHAT CANKER IS TO BUDS
ONCE upon a time conceit entered into the heart
of Narada, and he thought there was no greater
devotee than himself. Reading his heart, the Lord
said: "Narada, go to such and such a place. A great
devotee of mine is living there. Cultivate his
acquaintance; for he is truly devoted to Me."
Narada went there and found an agriculturist who
rose early in the morning, pronounced the name of
Hari (God) only once and, taking his plough, went
out and tilled the ground all day long. At night he
went to bed after pronouncing the name of Hari
once more. Narada said to himself:
"How can this rustic be a lover of God? I see him
busily engaged in wordly duties, and he has no
signs of a pious man about hirn." Then Narada
went back to the Lord and spoke what he thought
of his new acquaintance. Thereupon the Lord said:
"Narada, take this cup of oil and go round this city
and come back with it.
But take care that you do not spill even a single
drop of it." Narada did as he was told, and on his
return the Lord asked him, "Well, Narada, howof Narada, and he thought there was no greater
devotee than himself. Reading his heart, the Lord
said: "Narada, go to such and such a place. A great
devotee of mine is living there. Cultivate his
acquaintance; for he is truly devoted to Me."
Narada went there and found an agriculturist who
rose early in the morning, pronounced the name of
Hari (God) only once and, taking his plough, went
out and tilled the ground all day long. At night he
went to bed after pronouncing the name of Hari
once more. Narada said to himself:
"How can this rustic be a lover of God? I see him
busily engaged in wordly duties, and he has no
signs of a pious man about hirn." Then Narada
went back to the Lord and spoke what he thought
of his new acquaintance. Thereupon the Lord said:
"Narada, take this cup of oil and go round this city
and come back with it.
But take care that you do not spill even a single
drop of it." Narada did as he was told, and on his
many times did you remember Me in the course of
your walk round the city?" "Not once, my Lord,"
said Narada, "and how could I, when I had to
watch this cup brimming over with oil?" The Lord
then said: "This one cup of oil did so divert your
attention that even you did forget Me altogether.
But look at that rustic, who, though carrying the
heavy burden of a family, still remembers Me twice
every day."
BACK TO THE DIVINE MOTHER
A DEVOTEE, who is born with an element of
Vishnu, cannot altogether get rid of bhakti.
Once I fell into the clutches of a Jnani, who made
me listen to Vedanta for eleven months. But he
could not altogether destroy the seed of bhakti in
me. No matter where my mind wandered, it would
come back to the Divine Mother. Whenever I sang
to Her, Nangta would weep and "say, 'Ah! What
is this?' You see, he was such a great Jnani and still
he wept. Remember the popular saying that if a
man drinks the juice of the alekh creeper, a plant
grows inside his stomach.
Once the seed of Bhakti is sown, the effect is
inevitable: it will gradually grow into a tree with
flowers and fruits.
Vishnu, cannot altogether get rid of bhakti.
Once I fell into the clutches of a Jnani, who made
me listen to Vedanta for eleven months. But he
could not altogether destroy the seed of bhakti in
me. No matter where my mind wandered, it would
come back to the Divine Mother. Whenever I sang
to Her, Nangta would weep and "say, 'Ah! What
is this?' You see, he was such a great Jnani and still
he wept. Remember the popular saying that if a
man drinks the juice of the alekh creeper, a plant
grows inside his stomach.
Once the seed of Bhakti is sown, the effect is
inevitable: it will gradually grow into a tree with
flowers and fruits.
You may reason and argue a thousand times, but if
you have the seed of bhakti within you, you will
surely come back to Hari.
THAT PURE LOVE FOR GOD
IN the course of his pilgrimage through the
southern parts of India, Sri Chaitanya Deva came
across a certain devotee who was in tears all the
while a pundit was reading from the Gita. Now
this devotee knew not even a single word of the
Gita. On being asked why lie shed tears, he replied,
"It is indeed true that I do not know a word of the
Gita. But all the while it was being read, 1 could
not help seeing with my inner eye the beautiful
form of my Lord Sri Krishna seated before Arjuna
in a chariot in the field of Kurukshetra, and giving
out all those sublime thoughts embodied in the
Gita. This it was that filled my eyes with tears of
joy and love."
This man who knew not letters, had the highest
Knowledge, for he had pure love for God and
could realize Him.
southern parts of India, Sri Chaitanya Deva came
across a certain devotee who was in tears all the
while a pundit was reading from the Gita. Now
this devotee knew not even a single word of the
Gita. On being asked why lie shed tears, he replied,
"It is indeed true that I do not know a word of the
Gita. But all the while it was being read, 1 could
not help seeing with my inner eye the beautiful
form of my Lord Sri Krishna seated before Arjuna
in a chariot in the field of Kurukshetra, and giving
out all those sublime thoughts embodied in the
Gita. This it was that filled my eyes with tears of
joy and love."
This man who knew not letters, had the highest
Knowledge, for he had pure love for God and
could realize Him.
GLORY UNTO KRISHNA
ONCE I went to a certain place with Mathur Babu.
Many pundits came forward to argue with me. And
you know that I am a fool. The pundits saw that
strange mood of mine. When the conversation was
over, they said to me: "Sir, after hearing your
words, all that we have studied before, our
knowledge and scholarship, has proved to be mere
spittle. Now we realize that a man does not lack
wisdom if he has the grace of God." 'The fool
becomes wise and the mute eloquent.' Therefore I
say that a man does not become a scholar by the
mere study of books.
Yes, how true it is! How can a man who has the
grace of God lack knowledge? Look at me. 1 am
a fool. I do not know anything. Then who is it that
utters these words? The reservoir of knowledge of
God is inexhaustible. There are grain dealers at
Kamarpukur, When selling paddy, one man weighs
the grain on the scales and another man pushes it
to him from a heap. It is the duty of the second
man to keep a constant supply of grain on the
scales by pushing it from the big heap. It is the
same with my words. No sooner are they about to
run short than the Divine Mother sends a newMany pundits came forward to argue with me. And
you know that I am a fool. The pundits saw that
strange mood of mine. When the conversation was
over, they said to me: "Sir, after hearing your
words, all that we have studied before, our
knowledge and scholarship, has proved to be mere
spittle. Now we realize that a man does not lack
wisdom if he has the grace of God." 'The fool
becomes wise and the mute eloquent.' Therefore I
say that a man does not become a scholar by the
mere study of books.
Yes, how true it is! How can a man who has the
grace of God lack knowledge? Look at me. 1 am
a fool. I do not know anything. Then who is it that
utters these words? The reservoir of knowledge of
God is inexhaustible. There are grain dealers at
Kamarpukur, When selling paddy, one man weighs
the grain on the scales and another man pushes it
to him from a heap. It is the duty of the second
man to keep a constant supply of grain on the
scales by pushing it from the big heap. It is the
same with my words. No sooner are they about to
supply from Her inexhaustible storehouse of
knowledge.
You know I am a fool. I know nothing. Then who
is it that says all these things? Hers (Divine
Mother's) is the glory; we are only Her instruments.
Once Radha, to prove her chastity, carried on her
head a pitcher filled with water. The pitcher had a
thousand holes, but not a drop of water spilled.
People began to praise her, saying, "Such a chaste
woman the world will never see again!" Then
Radha said to them:
"Why do you praise me? Say, 'Glory unto Krishna!
Hail Krishna!' I am only His handmaid."
A DEVOTEE AVOIDS WHAT THE WORLD RUNS AFTER
AFTER the death of Ravana, his brother
Vibhishana refused to be the King of Ceylon. He
said: "O Rama, I have obtained you. What shall I
do with Kingship?"
Rama said: "Vibhishana, be King for the sake of
the ignorant, for those who might ask what riches
you have gained by serving me so much. Be King
to give them a lesson."
Vibhishana refused to be the King of Ceylon. He
said: "O Rama, I have obtained you. What shall I
do with Kingship?"
Rama said: "Vibhishana, be King for the sake of
the ignorant, for those who might ask what riches
you have gained by serving me so much. Be King
to give them a lesson."
DEVOTION, THE DIVINE OPEN SESAME
HAVING received no news of her Gopala
(Krishna, God incarnate), Yasoda once came to
Radha and asked her if she had any news from
Him. At that time Radha was in a deep trance,
and so did not hear Yasoda. Subsequently, when
her trance was over, she saw Yasoda, the queen of
Nanda, sitting before her. Bowing down to her at
once, Radha asked Yasoda the reason of her visit,
and when Yasoda stated the reason, she said:
“Mother, shut your eyes and meditate upon the
form of Copula, and you will be able to see Him”.
And as soon as Yasoda shut her eyes, Radha, who
was herself the very essence of spiritual feelings
(Bhava), overwhelmed her with her power, and in
that super-conscious mood, Yasoda saw her
Gopala. Then Yasoda asked this boon of Radha,
"Mother, grant me that I may see my beloved
Gopala whenever I close my eyes."
(Krishna, God incarnate), Yasoda once came to
Radha and asked her if she had any news from
Him. At that time Radha was in a deep trance,
and so did not hear Yasoda. Subsequently, when
her trance was over, she saw Yasoda, the queen of
Nanda, sitting before her. Bowing down to her at
once, Radha asked Yasoda the reason of her visit,
and when Yasoda stated the reason, she said:
“Mother, shut your eyes and meditate upon the
form of Copula, and you will be able to see Him”.
And as soon as Yasoda shut her eyes, Radha, who
was herself the very essence of spiritual feelings
(Bhava), overwhelmed her with her power, and in
that super-conscious mood, Yasoda saw her
Gopala. Then Yasoda asked this boon of Radha,
"Mother, grant me that I may see my beloved
Gopala whenever I close my eyes."
RAVANA—THE GREAT DEVOTEE OF RAMA
MANDODARI told her royal husband Ravana, "If
you are so intent upon having Sita as your queen,
why don't you impose on her by assuming the
form of her husband Rama with the help of your
magical powers?" ''Fie on you!" exclaimed Ravana
"Can 1 stoop to the pleasures of the senses while I
am in the holy form of Rama—a form the very
thought of which fills my heart with such
unspeakable joy and blessedness that even the
highest heaven appears to me worthless?"
you are so intent upon having Sita as your queen,
why don't you impose on her by assuming the
form of her husband Rama with the help of your
magical powers?" ''Fie on you!" exclaimed Ravana
"Can 1 stoop to the pleasures of the senses while I
am in the holy form of Rama—a form the very
thought of which fills my heart with such
unspeakable joy and blessedness that even the
highest heaven appears to me worthless?"
IN WEAL AND WOE, GOD FOR EVERMORE
IN a certain village there lived a weaver. He was a
very pious soul. Everyone trusted him and loved
him. He used to sell his goods in the market-place.
When a customer asked him the price of a cloth,
the weaver would say: "By the will of Rama the
price of the yarn is one rupee and the labour four
annas; by the will of Rama the profit is two annas.
The price of the cloth, by the will of Rama, is one
rupee and six annas." Such was the people's faith in
the weaver that the customer would at once pay
the price and take the cloth, The weaver was a real
devotee of God. After finishing his supper in the
evening, he would spend long hours in the worship
hall meditating on God and chanting His name and
glories. Now, late one night the weaver couldn't
sleep. He was sitting in the worship hall, smoking,
now and then, when a band of robbers happened
to pass that way. They wanted a man to carry
their goods and said to the weaver, "Come with
us." So saying, they led him off by the hand. After
committing a robbery in a house, they put a load of
things on the weaver's head commanding him to
very pious soul. Everyone trusted him and loved
him. He used to sell his goods in the market-place.
When a customer asked him the price of a cloth,
the weaver would say: "By the will of Rama the
price of the yarn is one rupee and the labour four
annas; by the will of Rama the profit is two annas.
The price of the cloth, by the will of Rama, is one
rupee and six annas." Such was the people's faith in
the weaver that the customer would at once pay
the price and take the cloth, The weaver was a real
devotee of God. After finishing his supper in the
evening, he would spend long hours in the worship
hall meditating on God and chanting His name and
glories. Now, late one night the weaver couldn't
sleep. He was sitting in the worship hall, smoking,
now and then, when a band of robbers happened
to pass that way. They wanted a man to carry
their goods and said to the weaver, "Come with
us." So saying, they led him off by the hand. After
committing a robbery in a house, they put a load of
things on the weaver's head commanding him to
carry them. Suddenly the police arrived and the
robbers ran away. But the weaver, with his load,
was arrested. He was kept in the lock-up for the
night. Next day he was brought before the
magistrate for trial. The villagers learnt what had
happened and came to the court. They said to the
magistrate, "Your Honour, this man could never
commit robbery." Thereupon the magistrate asked
the weaver to make his statement.
The weaver said: "Your Honour, by the will of
Rama I finished my meal at night. Then by the will
of Rama I was sitting in the worship hall. It was
quite late at night by the will of Rama. By the will
of Rama I had been thinking of God and chanting
His name and glories, when by the will of Rama a
band of robbers passed that way. By the will of
Rama they dragged me with them; by the will of
Rama they committed a robbery in a house; and by
the will of Rama they put a load on my head. Just
then, by the will of Rama the police arrived and by
the will of Rama 1 was arrested. Then by the will of
Rama the police kept me in the lock-up for the
night, and this morning by the will of Rama I have
been brought before Your Honour." The
magistrate realized that the weaver was a piousrobbers ran away. But the weaver, with his load,
was arrested. He was kept in the lock-up for the
night. Next day he was brought before the
magistrate for trial. The villagers learnt what had
happened and came to the court. They said to the
magistrate, "Your Honour, this man could never
commit robbery." Thereupon the magistrate asked
the weaver to make his statement.
The weaver said: "Your Honour, by the will of
Rama I finished my meal at night. Then by the will
of Rama I was sitting in the worship hall. It was
quite late at night by the will of Rama. By the will
of Rama I had been thinking of God and chanting
His name and glories, when by the will of Rama a
band of robbers passed that way. By the will of
Rama they dragged me with them; by the will of
Rama they committed a robbery in a house; and by
the will of Rama they put a load on my head. Just
then, by the will of Rama the police arrived and by
the will of Rama 1 was arrested. Then by the will of
Rama the police kept me in the lock-up for the
night, and this morning by the will of Rama I have
been brought before Your Honour." The
man and ordered his release. On his way home the
weaver said to his friends, "By the will of Rama I
have been released."
Whether you live in the world or renounce it,
everything depends upon the will of Rama.
Throwing your whole responsibility upon God, do
your work in the world.
SINGLE-MINDED DEVOTION TO ONE IDEAL
ONCE the Pandava brothers performed the
Rajasuya sacrifice. All the kings placed Yudhisthira
on the royal throne and bowed low before him in
homage. But, Vibhishana, the king of Ceylon, said,
I bow down to Narayana and none else." At these
words the Lord Krishna bowed down to
Yudhisthira. Only then did, Vibhishana prostrate
himself, crown and all, before him.
Such is unswerving and single-minded devotion
to one ideal.
Rajasuya sacrifice. All the kings placed Yudhisthira
on the royal throne and bowed low before him in
homage. But, Vibhishana, the king of Ceylon, said,
I bow down to Narayana and none else." At these
words the Lord Krishna bowed down to
Yudhisthira. Only then did, Vibhishana prostrate
himself, crown and all, before him.
Such is unswerving and single-minded devotion
to one ideal.
THREE FRIENDS AND THE TIGER
ONCE, three friends were going through a forest,
when a tiger suddenly appeared before them.
"Brothers," one of them exclaimed, "we are lost!"
"Why should you say that?" said the second friend,
"Why should we be lost? Come, let us pray to
God." The third friend said: "No. Why should we
trouble God about it? Come, let us climb this
tree."
The friend who said 'We are lost!' did not know
that there is a God who is our Protector. The
friend who asked the others to pray to God was a
jnani. He was aware that God is the Creator,
Preserver and Destroyer of the world. The third
friend, who didn't want to trouble God with
prayers and suggested climbing the tree, had
ecstatic love of God. It is the very nature of such
love that it makes a man think himself stronger
than his Beloved. He is always alert lest his
Beloved should suffer. The one desire of his is to
keep his Beloved from even being pricked in the
foot by a thorn.
when a tiger suddenly appeared before them.
"Brothers," one of them exclaimed, "we are lost!"
"Why should you say that?" said the second friend,
"Why should we be lost? Come, let us pray to
God." The third friend said: "No. Why should we
trouble God about it? Come, let us climb this
tree."
The friend who said 'We are lost!' did not know
that there is a God who is our Protector. The
friend who asked the others to pray to God was a
jnani. He was aware that God is the Creator,
Preserver and Destroyer of the world. The third
friend, who didn't want to trouble God with
prayers and suggested climbing the tree, had
ecstatic love of God. It is the very nature of such
love that it makes a man think himself stronger
than his Beloved. He is always alert lest his
Beloved should suffer. The one desire of his is to
keep his Beloved from even being pricked in the
foot by a thorn.
THAT GREAT DEVOTEE OF A CROW
RAMA and Lakshmana visited Pampa Lake.
Lakshmana saw a crow very eager for water. Again
and again it went to the edge of the water but
would not drink.
Lakshmana asked Rama about it. Rama said:
"'Brother, this crow is a great devotee of God. Day
and night it repeats the name of Rama. Its throat is
parched with thirst, but still it won't drink for fear
of missing a repetition of Rama's name."
Lakshmana saw a crow very eager for water. Again
and again it went to the edge of the water but
would not drink.
Lakshmana asked Rama about it. Rama said:
"'Brother, this crow is a great devotee of God. Day
and night it repeats the name of Rama. Its throat is
parched with thirst, but still it won't drink for fear
of missing a repetition of Rama's name."
WHO WINS THE PRIZE
KARTIKA and Ganesa22 were seated near
Bhagavati, who had a necklace of gems around Her
neck. The
Divine Mother said to them, "I will present this
necklace to him who is the first to go around the
universe." Thereupon Kartika, without losing a
moment, set out on the peacock, his carrier.
Ganesa, on the other hand, in a leisurely fashion
went around the Divine Mother and prostrated
himself before Her. He knew that She contained
within Herself the entire universe. The Divine
Mother was pleased with him and put the necklace
around his neck. After a long while Kartika
returned and found his brother seated there with
the necklace on.
Everything can be realised simply through love of
God. If one is able to love God, one does not
lackanything.
Bhagavati, who had a necklace of gems around Her
neck. The
Divine Mother said to them, "I will present this
necklace to him who is the first to go around the
universe." Thereupon Kartika, without losing a
moment, set out on the peacock, his carrier.
Ganesa, on the other hand, in a leisurely fashion
went around the Divine Mother and prostrated
himself before Her. He knew that She contained
within Herself the entire universe. The Divine
Mother was pleased with him and put the necklace
around his neck. After a long while Kartika
returned and found his brother seated there with
the necklace on.
Everything can be realised simply through love of
God. If one is able to love God, one does not
lackanything.
THE LOVE THAT FREELY G1VETH IS THE HIGHEST
PRIUE once entered into the heart of Arjuna, the
beloved friend of Sri Krishna. Arjuna thought
that none equalled ''him in love and devotion to his
Lord and Friend. The omniscient Lord, Sri
Krishna, reading the heart of His friend, took him
one day for a walk. They had not proceeded far
when Arjuna saw a strange brahmana eating dry
grass as food, but nevertheless had a sword
dangling at his side. Arjuna at once knew him to
be a holy and pious devotee of Vishnu, one whose
highest religious duty was to injure no being. As
even grass has life, he would not eat it green but
sustained his life by eating it dry and lifeless. Yet
he carried a sword.
Arjuna, wondering at the incongruity, turned
towards the Lord and said: "How is this? Here is
a man who has renounced all ideas of injuring any
living being - down to the meanest blade of grass;
yet he carries with him a sword, the symbol oF
death and hatred!" The Lord said, "You had better
ask the man yourself". Arjuna then went up to the
brahmana and said; "Sir, you injure no living being,
beloved friend of Sri Krishna. Arjuna thought
that none equalled ''him in love and devotion to his
Lord and Friend. The omniscient Lord, Sri
Krishna, reading the heart of His friend, took him
one day for a walk. They had not proceeded far
when Arjuna saw a strange brahmana eating dry
grass as food, but nevertheless had a sword
dangling at his side. Arjuna at once knew him to
be a holy and pious devotee of Vishnu, one whose
highest religious duty was to injure no being. As
even grass has life, he would not eat it green but
sustained his life by eating it dry and lifeless. Yet
he carried a sword.
Arjuna, wondering at the incongruity, turned
towards the Lord and said: "How is this? Here is
a man who has renounced all ideas of injuring any
living being - down to the meanest blade of grass;
yet he carries with him a sword, the symbol oF
death and hatred!" The Lord said, "You had better
ask the man yourself". Arjuna then went up to the
brahmana and said; "Sir, you injure no living being,
and you live upon dry grass. Why then do you
carry this sharp sword?"
The brahmana: it is to punish four persons if 1
chance to meet them.
Arjuna: Who are they?
The brahmana: The first is the wretch Narada.
Arjuna: Why, what has he done?
The brahmana: Why, look at the audacity of that
fellow; he is perpetually keeping ray Lord awake
with^ his songs and music. He has no
consideration whatsoever for the comfort of the
Lord. Day and night, in and out of season, he
disturbs the peace of the Lord by his prayers and
praises.
Arjuna: Who is the second person?
The brahmana: The impudent Draupadi!
Arjuna: What is her fault?
carry this sharp sword?"
The brahmana: it is to punish four persons if 1
chance to meet them.
Arjuna: Who are they?
The brahmana: The first is the wretch Narada.
Arjuna: Why, what has he done?
The brahmana: Why, look at the audacity of that
fellow; he is perpetually keeping ray Lord awake
with^ his songs and music. He has no
consideration whatsoever for the comfort of the
Lord. Day and night, in and out of season, he
disturbs the peace of the Lord by his prayers and
praises.
Arjuna: Who is the second person?
The brahmana: The impudent Draupadi!
Arjuna: What is her fault?
The brahmana: Look at the inconsiderate audacity
of the woman! She was so rash as to call my
beloved Lord just at the moment He was going to
dine. He had to give up His dinner and go to the
Kamyaka Yana to save the Pandavas from the
curse of Durvasa. And her presumption went so
far that she even caused my beloved Lord to eat
the impure remnant of her own food.
Arjuna: Who is the third?
The brahmana: It is the heartless Prahlada. He was
so cruel that he did not hesitate for a moment to
ask my Lord to enter the boiling cauldron of oil, to
be trodden under the heavy feet of the elephants
and to break through an adamantine pillar.
Arjuna: Who is the fourth?
The brahmana: The wretch Arjuna.
Arjuna: Why, what fault has he committed?
The brahmana: Look at his felony, he made my
beloved Lord take the mean office of a charioteer
of his car in the great wars of Kurukshetra.
Arjuna was amazed at the depth of the poorof the woman! She was so rash as to call my
beloved Lord just at the moment He was going to
dine. He had to give up His dinner and go to the
Kamyaka Yana to save the Pandavas from the
curse of Durvasa. And her presumption went so
far that she even caused my beloved Lord to eat
the impure remnant of her own food.
Arjuna: Who is the third?
The brahmana: It is the heartless Prahlada. He was
so cruel that he did not hesitate for a moment to
ask my Lord to enter the boiling cauldron of oil, to
be trodden under the heavy feet of the elephants
and to break through an adamantine pillar.
Arjuna: Who is the fourth?
The brahmana: The wretch Arjuna.
Arjuna: Why, what fault has he committed?
The brahmana: Look at his felony, he made my
beloved Lord take the mean office of a charioteer
of his car in the great wars of Kurukshetra.
brahmana's devotion and love, and from that
moment his pride vanished, and he gave up
thinking that he was the best devotee of the Lord.
THE BEST OFFERING TO GOD IS LOVE
ONCE a servant of a rich man came to his
master's house, and stood in a corner with great
reverence and humility. He held in his hand
something covered with a cloth, The Master
enquired, "What is there in your hand?" The
servant brought out a small custard-apple from
beneath the cloth and kept it humbly before the
master, feeling that he would be much gratified if
the master would take it. The master was much
pleased to see the loving devotion of the servant
and accepted the offering, though a trifle. With
great delight he exclaimed: "Ah, what a fine fruit is
this! Where did you get it from?"
In the same way God looks into the
heart of the devotee. He is infinite in His
grandeur, yet He is responsive to the influence
of love and devotion.
master's house, and stood in a corner with great
reverence and humility. He held in his hand
something covered with a cloth, The Master
enquired, "What is there in your hand?" The
servant brought out a small custard-apple from
beneath the cloth and kept it humbly before the
master, feeling that he would be much gratified if
the master would take it. The master was much
pleased to see the loving devotion of the servant
and accepted the offering, though a trifle. With
great delight he exclaimed: "Ah, what a fine fruit is
this! Where did you get it from?"
In the same way God looks into the
heart of the devotee. He is infinite in His
grandeur, yet He is responsive to the influence
of love and devotion.
THE DOUBTING SOUL PERISHES
ONCE a man was about to crass the sea.
Vibhishana wrote Rama's name on a leaf, tied it in
a corner of the man's wearing cloth, and said to
him: "Don't be afraid.
Have faith and walk on the water. But look here—
the moment you lose faith you will be drowned."
The man was walking easily on the water. Suddenly
he had an intense desire to see what was tied in his
cloth.
He opened it and found only a leaf with the name
of Rama written on it. "What is this?" he thought.
"It‟s just the name of Rama!" As soon as doubt
entered his mind he sank under the water.
Vibhishana wrote Rama's name on a leaf, tied it in
a corner of the man's wearing cloth, and said to
him: "Don't be afraid.
Have faith and walk on the water. But look here—
the moment you lose faith you will be drowned."
The man was walking easily on the water. Suddenly
he had an intense desire to see what was tied in his
cloth.
He opened it and found only a leaf with the name
of Rama written on it. "What is this?" he thought.
"It‟s just the name of Rama!" As soon as doubt
entered his mind he sank under the water.
POWER OF THE HOLY NAME
A KING who was guilty of the heinous sin of
killing a brahmana went to the hermitage of a Rishi
to learn what penance he must perform in order to
be purified. The Rishi was absent, but his son was
in the hermitage.
Hearing the case of the king, he said, "Repeat the
'name' of God (Rama) three times, and your sin
will be expiated."
When the Rishi came back and heard of the
penance prescribed by his son, he remarked
indignantly, "Sins committed in myriads of births
are purged immediately by uttering the 'name' of
the Almighty but once. How weak must be your
faith, O fool, since you have ordered the holy
'name' to be repeated thrice? For this weakness of
your faith, you shall become an outcaste." And the
son became Guhaka of the Ramayana.
killing a brahmana went to the hermitage of a Rishi
to learn what penance he must perform in order to
be purified. The Rishi was absent, but his son was
in the hermitage.
Hearing the case of the king, he said, "Repeat the
'name' of God (Rama) three times, and your sin
will be expiated."
When the Rishi came back and heard of the
penance prescribed by his son, he remarked
indignantly, "Sins committed in myriads of births
are purged immediately by uttering the 'name' of
the Almighty but once. How weak must be your
faith, O fool, since you have ordered the holy
'name' to be repeated thrice? For this weakness of
your faith, you shall become an outcaste." And the
son became Guhaka of the Ramayana.
BUT FAITH WORKS MIRACLES
A MILK-MAID used to supply milk to a
brahmana priest living on the other side of a river.
Owing to the irregularities of the boat service, she
could not supply him milk punctually every day,
Once, being rebuked for her going late, the poor
woman said, "What can I do?
I start early from my house, but have to wait for a
long time at the river bank for the boatman and the
passengers. The priest said, "Woman! They cross
the ocean of life by uttering the name of God, and
can't you cross this little river?" The simple-hearted
woman became very glad at heart on learning this
easy means of crossing the river. From the next
clay the milk was being supplied early in the
morning. One day the priest said to the woman,
"How is it that you are no longer late nowadays?"
She said, "I cross the river by uttering the name of
the Lord as you told me to do, and don't stand
now in need of a boatman." The priest could not
believe this and said, "Can you show me how you
cross the river?" The woman took him with her
and began to walk over the water. Looking
behind, the woman saw the priest in a sad plight
and said, "How, is it, sir, that you are uttering thebrahmana priest living on the other side of a river.
Owing to the irregularities of the boat service, she
could not supply him milk punctually every day,
Once, being rebuked for her going late, the poor
woman said, "What can I do?
I start early from my house, but have to wait for a
long time at the river bank for the boatman and the
passengers. The priest said, "Woman! They cross
the ocean of life by uttering the name of God, and
can't you cross this little river?" The simple-hearted
woman became very glad at heart on learning this
easy means of crossing the river. From the next
clay the milk was being supplied early in the
morning. One day the priest said to the woman,
"How is it that you are no longer late nowadays?"
She said, "I cross the river by uttering the name of
the Lord as you told me to do, and don't stand
now in need of a boatman." The priest could not
believe this and said, "Can you show me how you
cross the river?" The woman took him with her
and began to walk over the water. Looking
behind, the woman saw the priest in a sad plight
name of God with your mouth, but at the same
time with your hands you are trying to keep your
cloth untouched by water? You do not fully rely on
Him."
Entire resignation and absolute faith in God are at
the root of all miraculous deeds.
FAITH KNOWS NO MIRACLES
ONCE there lived two yogis who were practising
austerities with a view to realize the Lord. One day
Narada, the divine sage, was passing by their
hermitage, when one of them asked him, "Are you
coming from Heaven". Narada replied, "Yes, that
is so." The yogi said, "Do tell me what you saw the
Lord doing in Heaven." Narada replied, "I saw the
Lord playing by making camels and elephants pass
through the eye of a needle." At this the yogi
observed: "There is nothing in it to marvel at.
Nothing is impossible with God!" But the other
man exclaimed: "O nonsense! That is impossible! It
only shows that you have never been to the Lord's
abode."
The first man was a bhakta and had the faith of a
child. Nothing is impossible to the Lord, nor can
anyone know His nature fully. Everything can he
predicted of Him.
austerities with a view to realize the Lord. One day
Narada, the divine sage, was passing by their
hermitage, when one of them asked him, "Are you
coming from Heaven". Narada replied, "Yes, that
is so." The yogi said, "Do tell me what you saw the
Lord doing in Heaven." Narada replied, "I saw the
Lord playing by making camels and elephants pass
through the eye of a needle." At this the yogi
observed: "There is nothing in it to marvel at.
Nothing is impossible with God!" But the other
man exclaimed: "O nonsense! That is impossible! It
only shows that you have never been to the Lord's
abode."
The first man was a bhakta and had the faith of a
child. Nothing is impossible to the Lord, nor can
anyone know His nature fully. Everything can he
predicted of Him.
HANUMAN SINGH AND THE WRESTLER FROM THE PUNJAB
AT one time two men were engaged to wrestle.
One of them was Hanuman Singh and the other a
Mussulman from the Punjab. The Mussalman was
a strong and stout man. Pie had eaten lustily of
butter and meat for fifteen days before the day of
the wrestling-match, and even on that day. All
thought he would be the victor.
Hanuman Singh, on the other hand, clad in dirty
cloth, had eaten sparingly for some days before the
day of the match and devoted himself to repeating
the holy name of Mahavir21. On the day of the
match he observed a complete fast. All thought he
would surely be defeated.
But it was he who won, while the man who had
feasted for fifteen days lost the fight. (
One of them was Hanuman Singh and the other a
Mussulman from the Punjab. The Mussalman was
a strong and stout man. Pie had eaten lustily of
butter and meat for fifteen days before the day of
the wrestling-match, and even on that day. All
thought he would be the victor.
Hanuman Singh, on the other hand, clad in dirty
cloth, had eaten sparingly for some days before the
day of the match and devoted himself to repeating
the holy name of Mahavir21. On the day of the
match he observed a complete fast. All thought he
would surely be defeated.
But it was he who won, while the man who had
feasted for fifteen days lost the fight. (
THE POWER OF FAITH
You must have heard about the tremendous power
of faith. It is said in the Purana that Rama, who
was God Himself—the embodiment of Absolute
Brahman—had to build a bridge to cross the sea to
Ceylon. But Hanuman, trusting in Rama's name,
cleared the sea in one jump and reached the other
side. He had no need of a bridge
of faith. It is said in the Purana that Rama, who
was God Himself—the embodiment of Absolute
Brahman—had to build a bridge to cross the sea to
Ceylon. But Hanuman, trusting in Rama's name,
cleared the sea in one jump and reached the other
side. He had no need of a bridge
FAITH TREMENDOUS
IF a devotee believes one hundred per cent that his
Chosen Ideal is God, then he attains God and sees
Him.
People of bygone generations had tremendous
faith. What faith Haladhari's20 father had! Once he
was on the way to his daughter's house when he
noticed some beautiful flowers and Bel leaves. He
gathered them for the worship of the family Deity
and walked back five or six miles to his own house.
Once, a theatrical troupe in the village was enacting
the life of Rama. When Kaikeyi asked Rama to go
into exile in the forest, Haladhari's father, who had
been watching the performance, sprang up. He
went to the actor who played Kaikeyi, crying out,
"You wretch!", and was about to burn the actor's
face with a torch.
He was a very pious man. After finishing his
ablutions he would stand in the water and meditate
on the Deity, reciting the invocation: "I meditate
on Thee, of red hue and four faces," while tears
streamed down his cheeks.
Chosen Ideal is God, then he attains God and sees
Him.
People of bygone generations had tremendous
faith. What faith Haladhari's20 father had! Once he
was on the way to his daughter's house when he
noticed some beautiful flowers and Bel leaves. He
gathered them for the worship of the family Deity
and walked back five or six miles to his own house.
Once, a theatrical troupe in the village was enacting
the life of Rama. When Kaikeyi asked Rama to go
into exile in the forest, Haladhari's father, who had
been watching the performance, sprang up. He
went to the actor who played Kaikeyi, crying out,
"You wretch!", and was about to burn the actor's
face with a torch.
He was a very pious man. After finishing his
ablutions he would stand in the water and meditate
on the Deity, reciting the invocation: "I meditate
on Thee, of red hue and four faces," while tears
streamed down his cheeks.
FAITH UNBOUNDED
ONE day, Sri Krishna, while going in a chariot
along with Arjuna, looked up to the sky and said,
"Behold! What a nice flight of pigeons there!"
Arjuna at once turned his eyes in that direction and
exclaimed, "Really, friend, very beautiful pigeons
indeed!" But the very next moment Sri Krishna
looked again and said, "No, friend, they are not
pigeons, it seems." Arjuna, too, saw again and said,
"True, they are not pigeons."
Now try to understand the meaning of this. A great
adherent to truth that Arjuna was, he did not
possibly assent to whatever Sri Krishna said, simply
for flattering him. But he had such an unflinching
faith in Sri Krishna that he perceived at once
actually whatever Sri Krishna said.
along with Arjuna, looked up to the sky and said,
"Behold! What a nice flight of pigeons there!"
Arjuna at once turned his eyes in that direction and
exclaimed, "Really, friend, very beautiful pigeons
indeed!" But the very next moment Sri Krishna
looked again and said, "No, friend, they are not
pigeons, it seems." Arjuna, too, saw again and said,
"True, they are not pigeons."
Now try to understand the meaning of this. A great
adherent to truth that Arjuna was, he did not
possibly assent to whatever Sri Krishna said, simply
for flattering him. But he had such an unflinching
faith in Sri Krishna that he perceived at once
actually whatever Sri Krishna said.
FAITH ABSOLUTE
ONCE, a young sannyasin went to a house to beg
his meal. He had embraced the monastic life from
his very boyhood and so had not much knowledge
of the world, A young lady came out from the
house to give him alms.
Seeing her breasts, the young sannyasin questioned
her if she was suffering from boils on her chest. To
that her mother replied: "No, my son, she hasn't
got any boil. A child will soon be born to her, and
so God has provided her with two breasts to
suckle the child. The child will suck milk from
those breasts after it is born." No sooner did the
young sannyasin hear this than he exclaimed: "No
more will I beg my meals.
He, who has created me, will feed me too."
his meal. He had embraced the monastic life from
his very boyhood and so had not much knowledge
of the world, A young lady came out from the
house to give him alms.
Seeing her breasts, the young sannyasin questioned
her if she was suffering from boils on her chest. To
that her mother replied: "No, my son, she hasn't
got any boil. A child will soon be born to her, and
so God has provided her with two breasts to
suckle the child. The child will suck milk from
those breasts after it is born." No sooner did the
young sannyasin hear this than he exclaimed: "No
more will I beg my meals.
He, who has created me, will feed me too."
A TRUE DEVOTEE'S FAITH
OMCT, while going to Kamarpukur, I was
overtaken by a storm. I was in the middle of a big
meadow. The place was haunted by robbers. I
began to repeat the names of all the deities: Rama,
Krishna and Bhagavati. I also repeated the name of
Hanuman. I chanted the names of them all.
What does that mean? Let me tell you. While the
servant is counting out the money to purchase
supplies, he says, "These pennies for potatoes,
these for egg plants, these for fish." He counts the
money separately, but after the list is completed, he
puts the coins together.
Is there anything impossible for faith? And a true
devotee has faith in everything: the formless
Reality, God with form, Rama, Krishna and the
Divine Mother.
overtaken by a storm. I was in the middle of a big
meadow. The place was haunted by robbers. I
began to repeat the names of all the deities: Rama,
Krishna and Bhagavati. I also repeated the name of
Hanuman. I chanted the names of them all.
What does that mean? Let me tell you. While the
servant is counting out the money to purchase
supplies, he says, "These pennies for potatoes,
these for egg plants, these for fish." He counts the
money separately, but after the list is completed, he
puts the coins together.
Is there anything impossible for faith? And a true
devotee has faith in everything: the formless
Reality, God with form, Rama, Krishna and the
Divine Mother.
THE BASIC FAITH
A MAN must have some kind of faith before he
undertakes a work. Further, he feels joy when he
thinks of it. Only then does he set about
performing the work. Suppose a jar of gold coins is
hidden under-ground. First of all a man must have
faith that the jar of gold coins is there. He feels joy
at the thought of the jar. Then he begins to dig. As
he removes the earth he hears a metallic sound.
That increases his joy. Next he sees a corner of the
jar. That gives him more joy. Thus his joy is ever
on the increase.
Standing on the porch of the Kali temple, I have
watched the ascetics preparing their smoke of
hemp.
I have seen their face beaming with joy in
anticipation of the smoke.
undertakes a work. Further, he feels joy when he
thinks of it. Only then does he set about
performing the work. Suppose a jar of gold coins is
hidden under-ground. First of all a man must have
faith that the jar of gold coins is there. He feels joy
at the thought of the jar. Then he begins to dig. As
he removes the earth he hears a metallic sound.
That increases his joy. Next he sees a corner of the
jar. That gives him more joy. Thus his joy is ever
on the increase.
Standing on the porch of the Kali temple, I have
watched the ascetics preparing their smoke of
hemp.
I have seen their face beaming with joy in
anticipation of the smoke.
THE SIMPLE SECRET
GOD can be realised through child-like faith
and guilelessness.
A certain person, on coming across a sadhu,
humbly begged him for instruction. The sadhu's
advice was, "Love God with all your heart and
soul." The enquirer replied, "I have never seen
God, nor do I know anything about Him; how is it
possible that I should love Him?" The holy man
enquired whom the other loved most. The answer
was, "I have nobody to care for.
I have a sheep and that is the only creature I love."
The sadhu said: "Then tend the creature and love it
with all your heart and soul, and always remember
that the Lord abides in it." Having given this advice
the sadhu left the place. The enquirer now began
to tend the sheep with loving care, fully believing
that the Lord abode in the creature. After a long
time the sadhu, during his return journey, sought
out the person he had advised and enquired how
he was getting on. The latter saluted the sadhu and
said, "Master, I am all right, thanks to your kind
instructions. Much good has come to me by
following the line of thought prescribed by you.and guilelessness.
A certain person, on coming across a sadhu,
humbly begged him for instruction. The sadhu's
advice was, "Love God with all your heart and
soul." The enquirer replied, "I have never seen
God, nor do I know anything about Him; how is it
possible that I should love Him?" The holy man
enquired whom the other loved most. The answer
was, "I have nobody to care for.
I have a sheep and that is the only creature I love."
The sadhu said: "Then tend the creature and love it
with all your heart and soul, and always remember
that the Lord abides in it." Having given this advice
the sadhu left the place. The enquirer now began
to tend the sheep with loving care, fully believing
that the Lord abode in the creature. After a long
time the sadhu, during his return journey, sought
out the person he had advised and enquired how
he was getting on. The latter saluted the sadhu and
said, "Master, I am all right, thanks to your kind
instructions. Much good has come to me by
Time and again I see a beautiful figure with four
hands within my sheep and I find supreme bliss in
that."
A DISCIPLE AND HER POT OF CURDS
ONCE there was an annaprasana19 ceremony in a
Guru's house. His disciples volunteered, according
to their powers, to supply the different articles of
food. He had one disciple, a very poor widow, who
owned a cow. She milked it and brought the Guru
a jar of milk. He had thought she would take
charge of all the milk and curd for the festival.
Angry at her poor offering, he threw the milk away
and said to her, "Go and drown yourself.', The
widow accepted this as his command and went to
the river to drown herself. But God was pleased
with her guileless faith and, appearing before her,
said: "Take this pot of curd. You will never be able
to empty it. The more curd you pour out, the more
will come from the pot. This will satisfy your
teacher." The Guru was speechless with
amazement when the pot was given to him. After
hearing from the widow the story of the pot, he
went to the river, saying to her, "I shall drown
myeslf if you cannot show God to me." GodGuru's house. His disciples volunteered, according
to their powers, to supply the different articles of
food. He had one disciple, a very poor widow, who
owned a cow. She milked it and brought the Guru
a jar of milk. He had thought she would take
charge of all the milk and curd for the festival.
Angry at her poor offering, he threw the milk away
and said to her, "Go and drown yourself.', The
widow accepted this as his command and went to
the river to drown herself. But God was pleased
with her guileless faith and, appearing before her,
said: "Take this pot of curd. You will never be able
to empty it. The more curd you pour out, the more
will come from the pot. This will satisfy your
teacher." The Guru was speechless with
amazement when the pot was given to him. After
hearing from the widow the story of the pot, he
went to the river, saying to her, "I shall drown
appeared then and there, but the Guru could not
see Him. Addressing God, the widow said, "If my
teacher gives up his body because Thou doth not
reveal Thyself to Him, then I too shall die." So
God appeared to the Guru—but only once.
A BOY ACTUALLY FED GOD
A BRAHMANA used to worship his family Deity
with food offerings. One day he had to go away on
business. As he was about to leave the house, he
said to his son: "Give the offering to the Deity
today. See that God is fed." The boy offered food
in the shrine, but the image remained silent on the
altar. It would neither eat nor talk. The boy waited
a long time, but still the image did not move. But
the boy firmly believed that God would come
down from His throne, sit on the floor, and
partake of his food. Again and again he prayed to
the Deity, saying: "O Lord, come down and eat the
food. It is already very late. I cannot sit here any
longer." But the image did not utter a word. The
boy burst into tears and cried: "O Lord, my father
asked me to feed you. Why won't you come down?
Why won't you eat from my hands?" The boy
wept for some time with a longing soul. At last the
Deity, smiling, came down from the altar and sat
before the meal and ate it. After feeding the Deity,
the boy came out of the shrine room. His relatives
said: "The worship is over. Now bring away the
offering." "Yes," said the boy, "the worship is over.
But God has eaten everything." "How is that?",with food offerings. One day he had to go away on
business. As he was about to leave the house, he
said to his son: "Give the offering to the Deity
today. See that God is fed." The boy offered food
in the shrine, but the image remained silent on the
altar. It would neither eat nor talk. The boy waited
a long time, but still the image did not move. But
the boy firmly believed that God would come
down from His throne, sit on the floor, and
partake of his food. Again and again he prayed to
the Deity, saying: "O Lord, come down and eat the
food. It is already very late. I cannot sit here any
longer." But the image did not utter a word. The
boy burst into tears and cried: "O Lord, my father
asked me to feed you. Why won't you come down?
Why won't you eat from my hands?" The boy
wept for some time with a longing soul. At last the
Deity, smiling, came down from the altar and sat
before the meal and ate it. After feeding the Deity,
the boy came out of the shrine room. His relatives
said: "The worship is over. Now bring away the
offering." "Yes," said the boy, "the worship is over.
asked the relatives. The boy replied innocently,
"Why, God has eaten the food."
They entered the shrine and were speechless with
wonder to see that the Deity had really eaten every
bit of the offering.
THIS FAITH OF A CHILD
A BOY named Jatila used to walk to school
through the woods, and the journey frightened
him. One day he told his mother of his fear. She
replied: “Why should you be afraid? Call
Madhusudana.” “Mother", asked the boy, "Who is
Madhusudana?" The mother said, "He is your
Elder Brother." One day after this, when the boy
again felt afraid in the woods, he cried out, "0
Brother Madhusudana!" But there was no
response. He began to weep aloud: "Where are
You, Brother Madhusudana? Come to me. I am
afraid." Then God could no longer stay away. He
appeared before the boy and said: "Here I am.
Why are you frightened?" And so saying He took
the boy out of the woods and showed him the way
to school. When He took leave of the boy, God
said: "I will come whenever you call me. Do not
be afraid."One must have this faith of a child, this yearning.
through the woods, and the journey frightened
him. One day he told his mother of his fear. She
replied: “Why should you be afraid? Call
Madhusudana.” “Mother", asked the boy, "Who is
Madhusudana?" The mother said, "He is your
Elder Brother." One day after this, when the boy
again felt afraid in the woods, he cried out, "0
Brother Madhusudana!" But there was no
response. He began to weep aloud: "Where are
You, Brother Madhusudana? Come to me. I am
afraid." Then God could no longer stay away. He
appeared before the boy and said: "Here I am.
Why are you frightened?" And so saying He took
the boy out of the woods and showed him the way
to school. When He took leave of the boy, God
said: "I will come whenever you call me. Do not
be afraid."One must have this faith of a child, this yearning.
THE ONLY WAY
WHY shouldn't one be able to lead a spiritual life
in the world? But it is extremely difficult.
Once I passed over the bridge at Baghbazar. How
many chains it is tied with! Nothing will happen if
one chain is broken, for there are so many others
to keep it in place. Just so there are many ties on a
worldly man. There is no way for him to get rid of
them except through the grace of God.
in the world? But it is extremely difficult.
Once I passed over the bridge at Baghbazar. How
many chains it is tied with! Nothing will happen if
one chain is broken, for there are so many others
to keep it in place. Just so there are many ties on a
worldly man. There is no way for him to get rid of
them except through the grace of God.
THE INEVITABLES
EVFRYONE must reap the result of his past
Karma. One must admit the influence of
tendencies inherited from the past births and the
result of the Prarabdha karma. And one must
remember that pleasure and pain are the
characteristics of the embodied state. In Kavi
Kankan's Chandi it is written that Kaluvir was sent
to prison and a heavy stone placed on his chest.
Yet Kalu was born as the result of a boon from the
Divine Mother of the Universe. Thus pleasure and
pain are inevitable when one accepts a body.
Again, take the case of Srimanta, who was a great
devotee. Though his mother, Khullana, was very
much devoted to the Divine Mother, there was no
end to his troubles. He was almost beheaded.
There is also the instance of the wood-cutter who
was a great lover of the Divine Mother. She
appeared before him and showed him much grace
and love; but he had to continue his profession of
wood-culling, and earn his livelihood by that
arduous work. Again, while Devaki, Krishna's
Mother, was in the prison she had a vision of God
Himself endowed with four hands, holding mace,
discus, conch-shell and lotus. But with all that sheKarma. One must admit the influence of
tendencies inherited from the past births and the
result of the Prarabdha karma. And one must
remember that pleasure and pain are the
characteristics of the embodied state. In Kavi
Kankan's Chandi it is written that Kaluvir was sent
to prison and a heavy stone placed on his chest.
Yet Kalu was born as the result of a boon from the
Divine Mother of the Universe. Thus pleasure and
pain are inevitable when one accepts a body.
Again, take the case of Srimanta, who was a great
devotee. Though his mother, Khullana, was very
much devoted to the Divine Mother, there was no
end to his troubles. He was almost beheaded.
There is also the instance of the wood-cutter who
was a great lover of the Divine Mother. She
appeared before him and showed him much grace
and love; but he had to continue his profession of
wood-culling, and earn his livelihood by that
arduous work. Again, while Devaki, Krishna's
Mother, was in the prison she had a vision of God
Himself endowed with four hands, holding mace,
could not get out of the prison.
NOTHING IS LOST IN THE ECONOMY OF GOD
THERE is a story about a man who practised
Sava-sadhana17. He worshipped the Divine
Mother in a
deep forest. First he "saw many terrible visions.
Finally a tiger attacked and killed him. Another
man, happening to pass by and seeing the
approach of the tiger, had climbed a tree.
Afterwards he got down and found all the
arrangements for worship at hand. He performed
some purifying ceremonies and seated himself on
the corpse. No sooner had he done a little Japa
than the Divine Mother appeared before him and
said: “My child, I am very much pleased with you.
Accept a boon from Me”. He bowed low at the
Lotus Feet of the Goddess and said: "May I ask
you one question, Mother? I am speechless with
amazement at your action. The other man worked
so hard to get the ingredients for Your worship
and tried to propitiate You for such a long time,Sava-sadhana17. He worshipped the Divine
Mother in a
deep forest. First he "saw many terrible visions.
Finally a tiger attacked and killed him. Another
man, happening to pass by and seeing the
approach of the tiger, had climbed a tree.
Afterwards he got down and found all the
arrangements for worship at hand. He performed
some purifying ceremonies and seated himself on
the corpse. No sooner had he done a little Japa
than the Divine Mother appeared before him and
said: “My child, I am very much pleased with you.
Accept a boon from Me”. He bowed low at the
Lotus Feet of the Goddess and said: "May I ask
you one question, Mother? I am speechless with
amazement at your action. The other man worked
so hard to get the ingredients for Your worship
but You did not condescend to show him Your
favour. And I, who don't know anything of
worship, who have done nothing, who have
neither devotion nor knowledge nor love, and who
haven't practised any austerities, am receiving so
much of Your grace?" The Divine Mother said
with a smile, "My child you don't remember your
previous births. For many births you tried to
propitiate Me through austerities.
As a result of those austerities all these things have
come to hand, and you have been blessed with My
vision. Now ask me your boon."
One must admit the existence of tendencies
inherited from previous births.
A HINDU WHO WAS FORCED TO EMBRACE ISLAM
Once, there lived a very pious Hindu who
always worshipped the Divine Mother and chanted
Her name.
When the Mussalmans conquered the country, they
forced him to embrace Islam. They said to him:
"You are now a Miissalman. Say 'Allah'. From now
on you must repeat only the name of 'Allah'." With
great difficulty he repeated the word 'Allah', but
every now and then blurted out 'Jagadamba'. At
that the Mussalmans were about to beat hi in.
Thereupon he said to them: 'I beseech you! Please
do not kill me. I have been trying my utmost to
repeat the name of Allah, but our Jagadamba has
filled me up to the throat. She pushes out your
Allah".
It is not an easy thing to destroy old tendencies
always worshipped the Divine Mother and chanted
Her name.
When the Mussalmans conquered the country, they
forced him to embrace Islam. They said to him:
"You are now a Miissalman. Say 'Allah'. From now
on you must repeat only the name of 'Allah'." With
great difficulty he repeated the word 'Allah', but
every now and then blurted out 'Jagadamba'. At
that the Mussalmans were about to beat hi in.
Thereupon he said to them: 'I beseech you! Please
do not kill me. I have been trying my utmost to
repeat the name of Allah, but our Jagadamba has
filled me up to the throat. She pushes out your
Allah".
It is not an easy thing to destroy old tendencies
POWERFUL ARE THE INBORN TENDENCIES
Let me tell you how powerful inborn tendencies
are. A prince had, in a previous birth, been the son
of a washer-man. While playing with his chums in
his incarnation as the prince, he said to them:
"Stop those games, I shall show you a new one. I
shall lie on my belly, and you will beat the clothes
on my back as the washer-man does, making
swishing sound."
are. A prince had, in a previous birth, been the son
of a washer-man. While playing with his chums in
his incarnation as the prince, he said to them:
"Stop those games, I shall show you a new one. I
shall lie on my belly, and you will beat the clothes
on my back as the washer-man does, making
swishing sound."
HOW VANITY TURNS A PERSON'S HEAD!
THOSH who have read a few books cannot get rid
of conceit. Once I had a talk with Kalikrishna
Tagore about God. At once he said, "I know all
about that." I said to him: "Does a man who had
visited Delhi brag about that? Does a gentleman go
about telling everyone that he is a gentleman?"
Oh, how vanity turns a person's head! There was a
scavenger woman in the temple garden at
Dakshineswar.
And her pride! And all for a few ornaments! One
day a few men were passing her on the path and
she shouted to them, "Hey! Get out of the way,
you people!" If a scavenger woman could talk that
way, what can one say about the vanity of others?
of conceit. Once I had a talk with Kalikrishna
Tagore about God. At once he said, "I know all
about that." I said to him: "Does a man who had
visited Delhi brag about that? Does a gentleman go
about telling everyone that he is a gentleman?"
Oh, how vanity turns a person's head! There was a
scavenger woman in the temple garden at
Dakshineswar.
And her pride! And all for a few ornaments! One
day a few men were passing her on the path and
she shouted to them, "Hey! Get out of the way,
you people!" If a scavenger woman could talk that
way, what can one say about the vanity of others?
WHEN SIVA'S BULL BARED ITS TEETH
GOD alone is the Doer, and we are all His
instruments. Therefore it is impossible even for a
Jnani to be egotistic. The writer of a hymn to Siva
felt proud of his achievement; but his pride was
dashed to pieces when Siva's bull bared his teeth.
He saw that each tooth was a word of the hymn.
Do you understand the meaning of this? These
words had existed from the beginningless past. The
writer had only discovered them.
instruments. Therefore it is impossible even for a
Jnani to be egotistic. The writer of a hymn to Siva
felt proud of his achievement; but his pride was
dashed to pieces when Siva's bull bared his teeth.
He saw that each tooth was a word of the hymn.
Do you understand the meaning of this? These
words had existed from the beginningless past. The
writer had only discovered them.
SANKARACHARYA AND HIS FOOLFSH DISCIPLE
THE great Sankaracharya had a foolish disciple
who used to imitate his Master in all matters.
Sankara uttered 'Sivoham' (I am Siva); the disciple
also repeated „Sivoham‟. To correct his disciple's
folly, Sankara one day, while passing by a smithy,
took a potful of molten iron and swallowed it; and
he asked that disciple also to do the same. Of
course, the disciple could not imitate this act of his
Master, and thence forward he left oil saying
„Sivoham‟.
who used to imitate his Master in all matters.
Sankara uttered 'Sivoham' (I am Siva); the disciple
also repeated „Sivoham‟. To correct his disciple's
folly, Sankara one day, while passing by a smithy,
took a potful of molten iron and swallowed it; and
he asked that disciple also to do the same. Of
course, the disciple could not imitate this act of his
Master, and thence forward he left oil saying
„Sivoham‟.
EGOTISM IS RUINOUS
A disciple, who had firm faith in the infinite power
of his Guru, walked over the river by simply
uttering his Guru‟s name. Seeing this, the Guru
thought, “Well, is there such a power in my mere
name? Then how great and powerful must I be!”
The next day, the Guru also tried to walk over the
river uttering „I‟, „I‟, „I‟, but no sooner did he step
into the water than he sank down and was soon
drowned; for the poor man did not know how to
swim even.
Faith can achieve miracles while vanity or egotism
brings about the destruction of man.
of his Guru, walked over the river by simply
uttering his Guru‟s name. Seeing this, the Guru
thought, “Well, is there such a power in my mere
name? Then how great and powerful must I be!”
The next day, the Guru also tried to walk over the
river uttering „I‟, „I‟, „I‟, but no sooner did he step
into the water than he sank down and was soon
drowned; for the poor man did not know how to
swim even.
Faith can achieve miracles while vanity or egotism
brings about the destruction of man.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
FROM 'HAMBA' TO TUHU'
'The cow cries „Hamba‟ which means „I‟. That is
why it suffers so much. It is yoked to the plough
and made to work in rain and sun. Then it may be
killed by the butcher. From its hide shoes are
made, and also drums, which are mercilessly
beaten. Still it does not escape suffering. At last
strings are made out of its entrails for the bows
used in carding cotton. Then it no longer says,
'Hamba! Hamba!', 'I! I!', but 'Tuhu! Tuhu!', Thou!
Thou!' Only then are its troubles over.
O Lord, I am the servant; Thou art the Master. I
am the child; Thou art the Mother.
Egotism is the cause of all suffering.
why it suffers so much. It is yoked to the plough
and made to work in rain and sun. Then it may be
killed by the butcher. From its hide shoes are
made, and also drums, which are mercilessly
beaten. Still it does not escape suffering. At last
strings are made out of its entrails for the bows
used in carding cotton. Then it no longer says,
'Hamba! Hamba!', 'I! I!', but 'Tuhu! Tuhu!', Thou!
Thou!' Only then are its troubles over.
O Lord, I am the servant; Thou art the Master. I
am the child; Thou art the Mother.
Egotism is the cause of all suffering.
THOSE FASCINATING OBSTRUCTIONS
ADDRESSING a devotee named Mahendra
Mukherjee, said Sri Ramakrishna: "You have no
children. You do not serve anybody. And still you
have no leisure! Goodness gracious!"
"You have no children to divert your mind. I know
a deputy magistrate who draws a salary of eight
hundred rupees a month. He went to Keshab's
house to see a performance. I was there too.
Rakhal16 and a few other devotees were with me
and sat beside me. After a while Rakhal went out
for a few minutes. The deputy magistrate came
over and made his young son take Rakhal's seat. 1
said, 'He can't sit there.' At that time I was in such
a slate of mind that I had to do whatever the
person next to me would ask me to do; so I had
seated Rakhal beside me. As long as the
performance lasted the deputy did nothing but
gibber with his son. The rascal didn't look at the
performance even once. I heard, too, that he is a
slave to his wife; he gets up and sits down as she
tells him to. And he didn't see the performance for
that snub-nosed monkey of a boy."
Mukherjee, said Sri Ramakrishna: "You have no
children. You do not serve anybody. And still you
have no leisure! Goodness gracious!"
"You have no children to divert your mind. I know
a deputy magistrate who draws a salary of eight
hundred rupees a month. He went to Keshab's
house to see a performance. I was there too.
Rakhal16 and a few other devotees were with me
and sat beside me. After a while Rakhal went out
for a few minutes. The deputy magistrate came
over and made his young son take Rakhal's seat. 1
said, 'He can't sit there.' At that time I was in such
a slate of mind that I had to do whatever the
person next to me would ask me to do; so I had
seated Rakhal beside me. As long as the
performance lasted the deputy did nothing but
gibber with his son. The rascal didn't look at the
performance even once. I heard, too, that he is a
slave to his wife; he gets up and sits down as she
tells him to. And he didn't see the performance for
that snub-nosed monkey of a boy."
HORSES IN COWSHED!
THL instruction of a man who has not seen God
does not produce the right effect. He may say one
thing rightly, but he becomes confused about the
next.
Samadhyayi15 delivered a lecture. He^said, "God is
beyond words and mind; He is dry. Worship Him
through the bliss of your love and devotion." Just
see, he thus described God, Whose very nature is
Joy and Bliss! What will such a lecture accomplish?
Can it teach people anything? Such a lecturer is like
the man who said, "My uncle's cowshed is full of
horses." Horses in cowshed! From that you
understand that there were no horses at all.
(.... Nor cows either!)
does not produce the right effect. He may say one
thing rightly, but he becomes confused about the
next.
Samadhyayi15 delivered a lecture. He^said, "God is
beyond words and mind; He is dry. Worship Him
through the bliss of your love and devotion." Just
see, he thus described God, Whose very nature is
Joy and Bliss! What will such a lecture accomplish?
Can it teach people anything? Such a lecturer is like
the man who said, "My uncle's cowshed is full of
horses." Horses in cowshed! From that you
understand that there were no horses at all.
(.... Nor cows either!)
WHAT OCCULT POWERS ARE LIKE
HRIDAY asked me—I was then under his control
to pray to the Divine Mother for (occult) powers. I
went to the temple. In a vision I saw a widow thirty
or thirty five years old, covered with filth. It was
revealed to me that occult powers are like that filth.
I became angry with Hriday because he had asked
me to pray for powers.
to pray to the Divine Mother for (occult) powers. I
went to the temple. In a vision I saw a widow thirty
or thirty five years old, covered with filth. It was
revealed to me that occult powers are like that filth.
I became angry with Hriday because he had asked
me to pray for powers.
WELCOME GOOD, AND EVIL WELCOMES YOU
A BRAUMANA was laying out a garden. He
looked after it day and night. One day a cow
strayed into the garden and browsed on a mango
sapling of which the brahmana used to take special
care. When he saw the cow destroying his favourite
plant, the brahmana became wild with rage, and
gave such a severe beating to the animal that it died
of the injuries received. The news soon spread like
wild-fire that the brahmana had killed the sacred
animal. When any one attributed the sin of that act
to him, the brahmana, who professed himself to be
a Vedantin, denied the charge, saying: '"No, 1 have
not killed the cow; it is my hand that had done it;
and as god Indra is the presiding deity of the hand,
it is he who has incurred the sin of killing the cow,
not I." Indra, in his heaven, heard of this. He
assumed the shape of an old brahmana, and
coming to the owner of the garden, said, "Sir,
whose garden is this?"
Brahmana: Mine.
Indra: It is a beautiful garden. You have got a
skilful gardener; for see how neatly and artistically
he has planted the trees.
Brahmana: Well, sir, this is all my work. The trees
were planted under my personal supervision and
direction.
Indra: Very nicely done, indeed! Who has laid out
this path? It is very well-planned and neatly
executed.
Brahmana: All that has been done by me.
Then Indra said with folded hands, "When all these
things are yours, and when you take credit for all
the work done in this garden, it is not proper that
poor Indra should be made responsible for killing
the cow."
looked after it day and night. One day a cow
strayed into the garden and browsed on a mango
sapling of which the brahmana used to take special
care. When he saw the cow destroying his favourite
plant, the brahmana became wild with rage, and
gave such a severe beating to the animal that it died
of the injuries received. The news soon spread like
wild-fire that the brahmana had killed the sacred
animal. When any one attributed the sin of that act
to him, the brahmana, who professed himself to be
a Vedantin, denied the charge, saying: '"No, 1 have
not killed the cow; it is my hand that had done it;
and as god Indra is the presiding deity of the hand,
it is he who has incurred the sin of killing the cow,
not I." Indra, in his heaven, heard of this. He
assumed the shape of an old brahmana, and
coming to the owner of the garden, said, "Sir,
whose garden is this?"
Brahmana: Mine.
Indra: It is a beautiful garden. You have got a
skilful gardener; for see how neatly and artistically
he has planted the trees.
Brahmana: Well, sir, this is all my work. The trees
were planted under my personal supervision and
direction.
Indra: Very nicely done, indeed! Who has laid out
this path? It is very well-planned and neatly
executed.
Brahmana: All that has been done by me.
Then Indra said with folded hands, "When all these
things are yours, and when you take credit for all
the work done in this garden, it is not proper that
poor Indra should be made responsible for killing
the cow."
FEIGNING MADNESS TOO IS RISKY!
A CERTAIN person, deeply involved in debt,
feigned madness to escape the consequences of his
liabilities. Physicians failed to cure his disease, and
the more he was treated for his ailments the greater
became his madness. At last a wise physician found
out the truth, and, taking the feigning mad man
aside, rebuked him saying: "My friend, what are
you doing? Beware lest in feigning madness you
become really mad. Already you have developed
some genuine signs of insanity." This sensible
advice awoke the man from his folly, and he left
off acting the part of a mad man.
By constantly acting a thing, one actually becomes
that.
feigned madness to escape the consequences of his
liabilities. Physicians failed to cure his disease, and
the more he was treated for his ailments the greater
became his madness. At last a wise physician found
out the truth, and, taking the feigning mad man
aside, rebuked him saying: "My friend, what are
you doing? Beware lest in feigning madness you
become really mad. Already you have developed
some genuine signs of insanity." This sensible
advice awoke the man from his folly, and he left
off acting the part of a mad man.
By constantly acting a thing, one actually becomes
that.
'SHE IS SO WELL OFF!'
PEOPLE with little occult power gain such things
as name and fame. Many of them want to follow
the profession of a guru, gain people's recognition,
and make disciples and devotees. Men say of such
a guru: "Ah, lie is having a wonderful time. How
many people visit him! He has many disciples and
followers. His house is overflowing with furniture
and other things, People give him presents. He has
such power that he can feed many people if he so
desires."
The profession of a teacher is like that of a
prostitute. It is the selling of oneself for the trifle
of money, honour, and creature comforts. For
such insignificant things it is not good to prostitute
the body, mind and soul, the means by which one
can attain God. A man said about a certain woman:
"Ah! She is having a grand time now. She is so well
off! She has rented a room and furnished it with a
couch, a mat, pillows, and many other things. And
how many people she controls! They are always
visiting her." In other words, the woman has now
become a prostitute. Therefore her happiness is
unbounded! Formerly she was a maid-servant in a
gentleman's house; now she is a prostitute. She has
ruined herself for a mere trifle.
as name and fame. Many of them want to follow
the profession of a guru, gain people's recognition,
and make disciples and devotees. Men say of such
a guru: "Ah, lie is having a wonderful time. How
many people visit him! He has many disciples and
followers. His house is overflowing with furniture
and other things, People give him presents. He has
such power that he can feed many people if he so
desires."
The profession of a teacher is like that of a
prostitute. It is the selling of oneself for the trifle
of money, honour, and creature comforts. For
such insignificant things it is not good to prostitute
the body, mind and soul, the means by which one
can attain God. A man said about a certain woman:
"Ah! She is having a grand time now. She is so well
off! She has rented a room and furnished it with a
couch, a mat, pillows, and many other things. And
how many people she controls! They are always
visiting her." In other words, the woman has now
become a prostitute. Therefore her happiness is
unbounded! Formerly she was a maid-servant in a
gentleman's house; now she is a prostitute. She has
ruined herself for a mere trifle.
AS ONE THINKS, SO ONE RECEIVES
A MAGICIAN was showing his tricks before a
king. Now and then he exclaimed: "Come
confusion! Come delusion! O King, give me
money! Give me clothes!" Suddenly his tongue
turned upward and clove to the roof of his mouth.
He experienced kumbhaka. He could utter neither
word nor sound, and became motionless. People
thought he was dead. They built a vault of bricks
and buried him there in that posture. After a
thousand years someone dug into the vault. Inside
it people found a man seated in samadhi. They
took him for a holy man and worshipped him.
When they shook him his tongue was loosened and
regained its normal position. The magician became
conscious of the outer world and cried, as he had a
thousand years before: "Come confusion! Come
delusion! O King, give me money! Give me
clothes!"
God is the Kalpataru, the wish-fulfilling tree. You
will certainly gel whatever you ask of him. But you
must pray standing near the Kalpataru. Only then
will your prayer be fulfilled. But you must
remember another thing. God knows our inner
feeling. A man gets the fulfilment of the desire he
cherishes while practising sadhana. As one thinks,
so one receives.
king. Now and then he exclaimed: "Come
confusion! Come delusion! O King, give me
money! Give me clothes!" Suddenly his tongue
turned upward and clove to the roof of his mouth.
He experienced kumbhaka. He could utter neither
word nor sound, and became motionless. People
thought he was dead. They built a vault of bricks
and buried him there in that posture. After a
thousand years someone dug into the vault. Inside
it people found a man seated in samadhi. They
took him for a holy man and worshipped him.
When they shook him his tongue was loosened and
regained its normal position. The magician became
conscious of the outer world and cried, as he had a
thousand years before: "Come confusion! Come
delusion! O King, give me money! Give me
clothes!"
God is the Kalpataru, the wish-fulfilling tree. You
will certainly gel whatever you ask of him. But you
must pray standing near the Kalpataru. Only then
will your prayer be fulfilled. But you must
remember another thing. God knows our inner
feeling. A man gets the fulfilment of the desire he
cherishes while practising sadhana. As one thinks,
so one receives.
FOR MAN PROPOSES AND GOD DISPOSES
THE Master (to Pratab Chandra Mazumdar14):
"You are an educated and intelligent man, and
you are a deep thinker too. Keshab and yourself
were like the two brothers, Gour and Nitai. You
have had enough of this world—enough of
lectures, controversies, schisms, and the rest. Do
you still care for them? Now it is high time for you
to collect your scattered mind and turn it towards
God. Plunge into the ocean of Divinity."
Mazumdar: "Yes, revered sir, that 1 ought to do;
there is no doubt about it. But all this I do simply
to preserve Keshab's name and reputation."
Sri Ramakrishna (smiling): "Let me tell you a story.
A man built a house on a hill. It was only a mud
hut, but he had built it with great labour. A few
days after, there came a violent storm and the hut
began to rock. The man became very anxious to
save it and prayed to the god of winds
"You are an educated and intelligent man, and
you are a deep thinker too. Keshab and yourself
were like the two brothers, Gour and Nitai. You
have had enough of this world—enough of
lectures, controversies, schisms, and the rest. Do
you still care for them? Now it is high time for you
to collect your scattered mind and turn it towards
God. Plunge into the ocean of Divinity."
Mazumdar: "Yes, revered sir, that 1 ought to do;
there is no doubt about it. But all this I do simply
to preserve Keshab's name and reputation."
Sri Ramakrishna (smiling): "Let me tell you a story.
A man built a house on a hill. It was only a mud
hut, but he had built it with great labour. A few
days after, there came a violent storm and the hut
began to rock. The man became very anxious to
save it and prayed to the god of winds
:'O god of the winds, please don't wreck the house!
But the god of the winds paid no heed to his
prayers. The house was about to crash. Then he
thought of a trick. He remembered that Hanuman
was the son of the god of the winds. At once he
cried out with great earnestness: 'O revered sir,
please don't pull down the house. It belongs to
Hamiman. I beseech you to protect it.' But still the
house continued to shake violently. Nobody
seemed to listen to his prayer. He repeated many
times,
But the god of the winds paid no heed to his
prayers. The house was about to crash. Then he
thought of a trick. He remembered that Hanuman
was the son of the god of the winds. At once he
cried out with great earnestness: 'O revered sir,
please don't pull down the house. It belongs to
Hamiman. I beseech you to protect it.' But still the
house continued to shake violently. Nobody
seemed to listen to his prayer. He repeated many
times,
'Oh, this house belongs to Hanuman!' But
the fury of the winds did not abate. Then he
remembered that Harm man was the devoted
servant of Rama, whose younger brother was
Lakshmana. Desperately the man cried, saying
aloud, 'Oh, this house belongs to Lakshmana!' But
that also failed to help matters. So the man cried
out as a last resort: 'This is Rama's house. Don't
break it down, O god of winds!
I beseech you most humbly.' But this proved futile,
and the house began to crash down. Whereupon
the man who had to save his own life, rushed out
of it with a curse: 'Let it go! This is devil's own
house!'"You may now be anxious to preserve Keshab's
name: but console yourself with the thought, it was
after all owing to God's Will that the religious
movement connected with his name was set on
foot, and that if the movement has had its day, it is
also due to that same Divine Will. Therefore dive
deep into the sea of Immortality."
the fury of the winds did not abate. Then he
remembered that Harm man was the devoted
servant of Rama, whose younger brother was
Lakshmana. Desperately the man cried, saying
aloud, 'Oh, this house belongs to Lakshmana!' But
that also failed to help matters. So the man cried
out as a last resort: 'This is Rama's house. Don't
break it down, O god of winds!
I beseech you most humbly.' But this proved futile,
and the house began to crash down. Whereupon
the man who had to save his own life, rushed out
of it with a curse: 'Let it go! This is devil's own
house!'"You may now be anxious to preserve Keshab's
name: but console yourself with the thought, it was
after all owing to God's Will that the religious
movement connected with his name was set on
foot, and that if the movement has had its day, it is
also due to that same Divine Will. Therefore dive
deep into the sea of Immortality."
THE PANDIT WHO COULD NOT SWIM
Once, several men were crossing the Ganges in a
boat. One of them, a pandit, was making a great
display of his erudition, saying that he had studied
various books—the Vedas, the Vedanta, and the
six systems of philosophy. He asked a fellow
passenger, "Do you know the Vedanta?" "No,
revered sir." "The Samkhya and the Patanjala?"
"No, revered sir." "Have you read no philosophy
whatsoever?" "No, revered sir." The pandit was
talking in this vain way and the passenger sitting in
silence when a great storm arose and the boat was
about to sink. The passenger said to the pandit,
"Sir, can you swim?" "No", replied the pandit. The
passenger said, "1 don't know Samkhya or the
Patanjala, but I can swim."
What will a man gain by knowing many scriptures?
The one thing needful is to know how to cross the
river of the world. God alone is real, and all else is
illusory.
boat. One of them, a pandit, was making a great
display of his erudition, saying that he had studied
various books—the Vedas, the Vedanta, and the
six systems of philosophy. He asked a fellow
passenger, "Do you know the Vedanta?" "No,
revered sir." "The Samkhya and the Patanjala?"
"No, revered sir." "Have you read no philosophy
whatsoever?" "No, revered sir." The pandit was
talking in this vain way and the passenger sitting in
silence when a great storm arose and the boat was
about to sink. The passenger said to the pandit,
"Sir, can you swim?" "No", replied the pandit. The
passenger said, "1 don't know Samkhya or the
Patanjala, but I can swim."
What will a man gain by knowing many scriptures?
The one thing needful is to know how to cross the
river of the world. God alone is real, and all else is
illusory.
OCCULT POWERS ARE MORE A HINDRANCE THAN A HELP TO GOD-VISION
ONCE upon a time a sadhu acquired great occult
powers. He was vain about them. But he was a
good man and had some austerities to his credit.
One day the Lord, disguised as a holy man, came
to him and said, "Revered sir, I have heard that you
have great occult powers." The sadhu received the
Lord cordially and offered him a seat. Just then an
elephant passed by. The Lord, in the disguise of
the holy man, said to the sadhu, "Revered sir, can
you kill this elephant if you like?" The sadhu said,
"Yes, it is possible." So saying he took a pinch of
dust, muttered some mantras over it, and threw it
at the elephant. The beast struggled a while in pain
and then dropped dead. The Lord said: "What
power you have! You have killed the elephant!"
The sadhu laughed. Again the Lord spoke: "Now,
can you revive the elephant?" "That too is
possible," replied the sadhu. He threw another
pinch of charmed dust at the beast. The elephant
writhed about a little and came back to life. Then
the Lord said: "Wonderful is your power. But may
I ask you one thing? You have killed the elephantpowers. He was vain about them. But he was a
good man and had some austerities to his credit.
One day the Lord, disguised as a holy man, came
to him and said, "Revered sir, I have heard that you
have great occult powers." The sadhu received the
Lord cordially and offered him a seat. Just then an
elephant passed by. The Lord, in the disguise of
the holy man, said to the sadhu, "Revered sir, can
you kill this elephant if you like?" The sadhu said,
"Yes, it is possible." So saying he took a pinch of
dust, muttered some mantras over it, and threw it
at the elephant. The beast struggled a while in pain
and then dropped dead. The Lord said: "What
power you have! You have killed the elephant!"
The sadhu laughed. Again the Lord spoke: "Now,
can you revive the elephant?" "That too is
possible," replied the sadhu. He threw another
pinch of charmed dust at the beast. The elephant
writhed about a little and came back to life. Then
the Lord said: "Wonderful is your power. But may
and you have revived it. But what has that done for
you? Do you feel uplifted by it? Has it enabled you
to realize God?" Saying this, the Lord vanished.
Subtle are the ways of Dharma. One cannot realize
God. if one has even the least trace of desire. A
thread cannot pass through the eye of a needle if it
has the smallest fibre sticking out.
A SIDDHA STOPS THE STORM
Once, a great Siddha was sitting on the sea-shore
when there came a great storm. The Siddha, being
greatly distressed by it, exclaimed, "Let the storm
cease!" and his words were fulfilled. Just then a
ship was going at a distance with all sails set, and as
the wind suddenly died away, it capsized, drowning
all who were on board the ship.
Now the sin of causing the death of so many
persons accrued to the Siddha, and for this reason
he lost all his occult powers and had to suffer in
purgatory.
when there came a great storm. The Siddha, being
greatly distressed by it, exclaimed, "Let the storm
cease!" and his words were fulfilled. Just then a
ship was going at a distance with all sails set, and as
the wind suddenly died away, it capsized, drowning
all who were on board the ship.
Now the sin of causing the death of so many
persons accrued to the Siddha, and for this reason
he lost all his occult powers and had to suffer in
purgatory.
IF ALL IS REALLY UNREAL!
RAMA and Lakshmana wanted to go to Ceylon.
But the ocean was before them. Lakshmana was
angry. Taking his bow and arrow, he said: "I shall
kill Varuna. This ocean prevents our going to
Ceylon." Rama explained the matter to him, saying:
"Lakshmana, all that you are seeing is unreal, like a
dream. The ocean is unreal. Your anger is also
unreal. It is equally unreal to think of destroying
one unreal thing by means of another."
But the ocean was before them. Lakshmana was
angry. Taking his bow and arrow, he said: "I shall
kill Varuna. This ocean prevents our going to
Ceylon." Rama explained the matter to him, saying:
"Lakshmana, all that you are seeing is unreal, like a
dream. The ocean is unreal. Your anger is also
unreal. It is equally unreal to think of destroying
one unreal thing by means of another."
"IT'S NOTHING, IT'S NOTHING!"
IT is not easy to get rid of illusion. It lingers even
after the attainment of knowledge. A man dreamt
of a tiger. Then he woke up and his dream
vanished. But his heart continued to palpitate.
Some thieves came to a field. A straw figure
resembling a man had been put there to frighten
intruders. The thieves were scared by the figure
and could not persuade themselves to enter the
field. One of them, however, approached and
found that it was only a figure made of straw. He
came back to his companions and said, "There is
nothing to be afraid of." But still they refused to
go. They said that their hearts were beating fast.
Then the daring thief laid the figure on the ground
and said, "It is nothing, it is nothing." This is the
process of 'Neti, neti.'
after the attainment of knowledge. A man dreamt
of a tiger. Then he woke up and his dream
vanished. But his heart continued to palpitate.
Some thieves came to a field. A straw figure
resembling a man had been put there to frighten
intruders. The thieves were scared by the figure
and could not persuade themselves to enter the
field. One of them, however, approached and
found that it was only a figure made of straw. He
came back to his companions and said, "There is
nothing to be afraid of." But still they refused to
go. They said that their hearts were beating fast.
Then the daring thief laid the figure on the ground
and said, "It is nothing, it is nothing." This is the
process of 'Neti, neti.'
THE PROLONGED DREAM THAT WE CALL LIFE
THERE was a farmer who lived in the countryside.
He was a real jnani. He earned his living by
farming, He was married, and after many years a
son was born to him, whom he named Haru. The
parents loved the boy dearly. This was natural,
since he was the one precious gem of the family.
On account of his religious nature the farmer was
loved by the villagers. One day he was working in
the field when a neighbour came and told him that
Haru had an attack of cholera. The farmer at once
returned home and arranged for treatment for the
boy. But Haru died. The other members of the
family were grief-stricken, but the farmer acted as
if nothing had happened. He consoled his family
and told them that grieving was futile. Then he
went back to his field. On returning home he
found his wife weeping even more bitterly. She
said to him: "How heartless you are! You haven't
shed one tear for the child." The farmer replied
quietly: "Shall I tell you why I haven't wept? I had a
very vivid dream last night. I dreamt I had become
a king; I was the father of eight sons and was very
happy with them. Then I woke up. Now I am
greatly perplexed. Should I weep for those eight
sons or for this one Hani?"
The farmer was a jnani; therefore he realized that
the waking state is as unreal as the dream state.
There is only one eternal substance, and that is the
Atman.
He was a real jnani. He earned his living by
farming, He was married, and after many years a
son was born to him, whom he named Haru. The
parents loved the boy dearly. This was natural,
since he was the one precious gem of the family.
On account of his religious nature the farmer was
loved by the villagers. One day he was working in
the field when a neighbour came and told him that
Haru had an attack of cholera. The farmer at once
returned home and arranged for treatment for the
boy. But Haru died. The other members of the
family were grief-stricken, but the farmer acted as
if nothing had happened. He consoled his family
and told them that grieving was futile. Then he
went back to his field. On returning home he
found his wife weeping even more bitterly. She
said to him: "How heartless you are! You haven't
shed one tear for the child." The farmer replied
quietly: "Shall I tell you why I haven't wept? I had a
very vivid dream last night. I dreamt I had become
a king; I was the father of eight sons and was very
happy with them. Then I woke up. Now I am
greatly perplexed. Should I weep for those eight
sons or for this one Hani?"
The farmer was a jnani; therefore he realized that
the waking state is as unreal as the dream state.
There is only one eternal substance, and that is the
Atman.
MAYA VANISHES THE MOMENT IT IS KNOWN
A PRIEST was once going to the village of a
disciple of his. He had no servant with him. Seeing
a cobbler on the way, he addressed him, saying:
"Hulloa! Good man, will you accompany me as a
servant? You will be fed well and taken good care
of, if you come with me." The cobbler replied: "Sir,
I am of the lowest caste. How can I come as your
servant?" The priest said, "Never mind. Do not tell
anybody what you are. Do not also speak to
anyone, or make anybody's acquaintance. The
cobbler agreed. At twilight, while the priest was
sitting at prayers in the house of his disciple,
another brahmana came and said to the priest's
servant, "Go and bring my shoes from there." True
to the behest of his master, he made no response.
The brahmana repeated his order a second time,
but even then the servant remained silent. The
brahmana repeated it again and again, but the
cobbler did not move an inch. At last, getting
annoyed, the brahmana angrily said: "Sirrah; how
dare you disobey a bralimana's command? What is
your name? Are you indeed a cobbler?" The
cobbler, hearing this, began to tremble with fear,
and looking piteously at the priest, said: "0
venerable sir, I am found out. I dare not stay here
any longer. Let me flee." So saying, he took to his
heels.
Just so, as soon as Maya is recognised, she flies
away.
disciple of his. He had no servant with him. Seeing
a cobbler on the way, he addressed him, saying:
"Hulloa! Good man, will you accompany me as a
servant? You will be fed well and taken good care
of, if you come with me." The cobbler replied: "Sir,
I am of the lowest caste. How can I come as your
servant?" The priest said, "Never mind. Do not tell
anybody what you are. Do not also speak to
anyone, or make anybody's acquaintance. The
cobbler agreed. At twilight, while the priest was
sitting at prayers in the house of his disciple,
another brahmana came and said to the priest's
servant, "Go and bring my shoes from there." True
to the behest of his master, he made no response.
The brahmana repeated his order a second time,
but even then the servant remained silent. The
brahmana repeated it again and again, but the
cobbler did not move an inch. At last, getting
annoyed, the brahmana angrily said: "Sirrah; how
dare you disobey a bralimana's command? What is
your name? Are you indeed a cobbler?" The
cobbler, hearing this, began to tremble with fear,
and looking piteously at the priest, said: "0
venerable sir, I am found out. I dare not stay here
any longer. Let me flee." So saying, he took to his
heels.
Just so, as soon as Maya is recognised, she flies
away.
SUCH INDEED IS MAYA!
ONCE Narada besought the Lord of the universe,
"Lord, show me that Maya of Thine which can
make the impossible possible." The Lord nodded
assent. Subsequently the Lord one day set out on a
travel with Narada. After going some distance, He
felt very thirsty and fatigued. So He sat down and
told Narada, "Narada, I feel much thirsty; please
get me a little water from somewhere." Narada at
once ran in search of water.
Finding no water nearby, he went far from the
place and saw a river at a great distance. When he
approached the river, he saw a most charming
young lady sitting there, and was at once captivated
by her beauty. As soon as Narada went near her,
she began to address him in sweet words, and ere
long, both fell in love with each other. Narada then
married her, and settled down as a householder. In
course of time he had a number of children by her.
And while he was thus living happily with his wife
and children, there came a pestilence in the
country. Death began to collect its toll from every
place. Then Narada proposed to abandon the place
and go somewhere else. His wife acceded to it, and
they both came out of their house leading their
children by the hand. But no sooner did they come
to the bridge to cross the river than there came a
terrible flood, and in the rush of water, all their
children were swept away one after another, and at
last the wife too was drowned. Overwhelmed with
grief at his bereavement, Narada sat down on the
bank and began to weep piteously. Just then the
Lord appeared before him, saying, "O Narada,
where is the water? And why are you weeping?"
The sight of the Lord startled the sage, and then he
understood everything. He exclaimed, "Lord, my
obeisance to Thee, and my obeisance also to Thy
wonderful Maya!"
"Lord, show me that Maya of Thine which can
make the impossible possible." The Lord nodded
assent. Subsequently the Lord one day set out on a
travel with Narada. After going some distance, He
felt very thirsty and fatigued. So He sat down and
told Narada, "Narada, I feel much thirsty; please
get me a little water from somewhere." Narada at
once ran in search of water.
Finding no water nearby, he went far from the
place and saw a river at a great distance. When he
approached the river, he saw a most charming
young lady sitting there, and was at once captivated
by her beauty. As soon as Narada went near her,
she began to address him in sweet words, and ere
long, both fell in love with each other. Narada then
married her, and settled down as a householder. In
course of time he had a number of children by her.
And while he was thus living happily with his wife
and children, there came a pestilence in the
country. Death began to collect its toll from every
place. Then Narada proposed to abandon the place
and go somewhere else. His wife acceded to it, and
they both came out of their house leading their
children by the hand. But no sooner did they come
to the bridge to cross the river than there came a
terrible flood, and in the rush of water, all their
children were swept away one after another, and at
last the wife too was drowned. Overwhelmed with
grief at his bereavement, Narada sat down on the
bank and began to weep piteously. Just then the
Lord appeared before him, saying, "O Narada,
where is the water? And why are you weeping?"
The sight of the Lord startled the sage, and then he
understood everything. He exclaimed, "Lord, my
obeisance to Thee, and my obeisance also to Thy
wonderful Maya!"
HOW IS MAYA
A CERTAIN sadhu lived for some time in the
room above the nahavat-khana (concert-room) of
the temple of Dakshineswar. He did not speak with
anybody and spent his whole time in the
meditation of God. One day, all of a sudden, a
cloud darkened the sky and shortly afterwards a
high wind blew away the cloud. The holy man now
came out of his room and began to laugh and
dance in the verandah in front of the concertroom.
Upon this I asked him, "How is it that you,
who spend your days so quietly in your room, are
dancing in joy and feel so jolly today?" The holy
man replied, "Such is Maya that envelops the life!"
At first there is clear sky, all of a sudden a cloud
darkens it and presently everything is as before
once more.
room above the nahavat-khana (concert-room) of
the temple of Dakshineswar. He did not speak with
anybody and spent his whole time in the
meditation of God. One day, all of a sudden, a
cloud darkened the sky and shortly afterwards a
high wind blew away the cloud. The holy man now
came out of his room and began to laugh and
dance in the verandah in front of the concertroom.
Upon this I asked him, "How is it that you,
who spend your days so quietly in your room, are
dancing in joy and feel so jolly today?" The holy
man replied, "Such is Maya that envelops the life!"
At first there is clear sky, all of a sudden a cloud
darkens it and presently everything is as before
once more.
ENMESHED IN MAYA, BRAHMAN WEEPS!
VISHNU incarnated Himself as a sow in order to
kill the demon Hiranynksha. After killing the
demon, sow remained quite happy with her young
ones. Forgetting her real nature, she was suckling
them very contentedly. The gods in heaven could
not persuade Vishnu to relinquish His sow's body
and return to the celestial regions. He was
absorbed in the happiness of His beast form. After
consulting among themselves, the gods sent Siva to
the sow. Siva asked the sow "Why have you
forgotten yourself?" Vishnu replied through the
sow's body, "Why, I am quite happy here."
Thereupon with a stroke of his trident Siva
destroyed the sow's body and Vishnu went back to
heaven.
Everyone is under the authority of the Divine
Mother, Mahamaya, the Primal Energy. Even the
Incarnations of God accept the help of Maya to
fulfil their mission on earth. Therefore they
worship the Primal Energy.
kill the demon Hiranynksha. After killing the
demon, sow remained quite happy with her young
ones. Forgetting her real nature, she was suckling
them very contentedly. The gods in heaven could
not persuade Vishnu to relinquish His sow's body
and return to the celestial regions. He was
absorbed in the happiness of His beast form. After
consulting among themselves, the gods sent Siva to
the sow. Siva asked the sow "Why have you
forgotten yourself?" Vishnu replied through the
sow's body, "Why, I am quite happy here."
Thereupon with a stroke of his trident Siva
destroyed the sow's body and Vishnu went back to
heaven.
Everyone is under the authority of the Divine
Mother, Mahamaya, the Primal Energy. Even the
Incarnations of God accept the help of Maya to
fulfil their mission on earth. Therefore they
worship the Primal Energy.
SUCH IS THE PRIDE THAT MONEY BEGETS
A FROG had a rupee, which he kept in his hole.
One day an elephant was going over the hole, and
the frog, coming out in a fit of anger, raised his
foot, as if to kick the elephant, and said, "How dare
you walk over my head?"
Such is the pride money begets!
One day an elephant was going over the hole, and
the frog, coming out in a fit of anger, raised his
foot, as if to kick the elephant, and said, "How dare
you walk over my head?"
Such is the pride money begets!
MONEY IS ALSO A GREAT UPADHI
MONEY is also an Upadhi and that too of a very
strong nature. As soon as a man becomes rich he is
thoroughly changed.
A brahmana who was very meek and humble
used to come here12 every now and then. After
sometime he stopped coming and we knew
nothing of what had happened to him. One day,
we went over to Konnagore13 in boat. As we were
getting down from the boat we saw the brahmana
sitting on the bank of the Ganges, where, in the
fashion of big folks, he was enjoying the pure air of
the river. On seeing me he accosted me in a
patronising tone with the words, "Hallo Thakur!
How are you doing now?" At once 1 noticed a
change in his tone and said to Hriday who was
with me, "I tell you, Hriday, this man must have
come by some riches. Can't you see what a great
change has come over him?" And Hriday burst
into a loud laughter.
The possession of money makes such a difference
in a man!
strong nature. As soon as a man becomes rich he is
thoroughly changed.
A brahmana who was very meek and humble
used to come here12 every now and then. After
sometime he stopped coming and we knew
nothing of what had happened to him. One day,
we went over to Konnagore13 in boat. As we were
getting down from the boat we saw the brahmana
sitting on the bank of the Ganges, where, in the
fashion of big folks, he was enjoying the pure air of
the river. On seeing me he accosted me in a
patronising tone with the words, "Hallo Thakur!
How are you doing now?" At once 1 noticed a
change in his tone and said to Hriday who was
with me, "I tell you, Hriday, this man must have
come by some riches. Can't you see what a great
change has come over him?" And Hriday burst
into a loud laughter.
The possession of money makes such a difference
in a man!
IF YOU WOULD CONQUER LUST, LOOK
WHEN asked why he did not lead the life of a
householder with his wife, the Master replied:
'Kartikeya (Son of Siva) one day happened to
scratch a cat with his nail. On going home, he saw
that there was the mark of a scratch on the cheek
of his Divine Mother, Parvati. Seeing this he asked
her, 'Mother, low did you get this ugly scratch on
your cheek?' The mother of the universe replied,
'This is the work of your own hand; it is the scratch
of your nail.' Kartikeya asked in wonder: 'How is it,
Mother? I do not remember to have scratched you
at any time. The Mother replied, 'Darling, have you
forgotten the fact of your laving scratched a cat
this morning?' Kartikeya said, Yes, I did scratch a
cat, but how did your cheek get the scar?' The
Mother replied, 'Dear child, nothing exists in this
world but Myself. The whole creation is Myself;
whomsoever you may hurt, you only hurt me.'
Kartikeya was greatly surprised to hear this; and
then he determined never to marry. For, whom
could he marry? Every woman was mother to him.
Realizing thus the motherhood of woman, he gave
up marriage. I am like Kartikeya. I consider every
woman as my Divine Mother."
householder with his wife, the Master replied:
'Kartikeya (Son of Siva) one day happened to
scratch a cat with his nail. On going home, he saw
that there was the mark of a scratch on the cheek
of his Divine Mother, Parvati. Seeing this he asked
her, 'Mother, low did you get this ugly scratch on
your cheek?' The mother of the universe replied,
'This is the work of your own hand; it is the scratch
of your nail.' Kartikeya asked in wonder: 'How is it,
Mother? I do not remember to have scratched you
at any time. The Mother replied, 'Darling, have you
forgotten the fact of your laving scratched a cat
this morning?' Kartikeya said, Yes, I did scratch a
cat, but how did your cheek get the scar?' The
Mother replied, 'Dear child, nothing exists in this
world but Myself. The whole creation is Myself;
whomsoever you may hurt, you only hurt me.'
Kartikeya was greatly surprised to hear this; and
then he determined never to marry. For, whom
could he marry? Every woman was mother to him.
Realizing thus the motherhood of woman, he gave
up marriage. I am like Kartikeya. I consider every
woman as my Divine Mother."
HOW'S A FALLEN SANNYASI
Do you know how it looks for a Sannyasi to accept
money or to be attached to an object of
temptation? It is as if a brahmana widow who had
practised continence and lived on simple boiled
rice and vegetables and milk for many years, were
suddenly to accept an untouchable as her
paramour.
There was a low-caste woman named Bhagi Teli in
our part of the country. "She had many disciples
and devotees. Finding that she, a Sudra, was being
saluted by people, the land-lord became jealous and
engaged a wicked man to tempt her. He succeeded
in corrupting her and all her spiritual practice came
to nothing. A fallen Sannyasi is like that.
money or to be attached to an object of
temptation? It is as if a brahmana widow who had
practised continence and lived on simple boiled
rice and vegetables and milk for many years, were
suddenly to accept an untouchable as her
paramour.
There was a low-caste woman named Bhagi Teli in
our part of the country. "She had many disciples
and devotees. Finding that she, a Sudra, was being
saluted by people, the land-lord became jealous and
engaged a wicked man to tempt her. He succeeded
in corrupting her and all her spiritual practice came
to nothing. A fallen Sannyasi is like that.
MODERN JANAKAS!
A GENTLEMAN of modern education was once
discussing with the Master the nature of householder
uncontaminated by worldliness. To him, the
Master said, "I know of what sort is your
'uncontaminated family-man' of the present day! If
a poor brahmana comes to beg of this master of
the house, he (being an uncontaminated familyman
and having no concern with money matters,
for it is his wife who manages all those things!) says
to the begging brahmana, 'Sir, I never touch
money, why do you waste your time in begging of
me?' The brahmana, however, proves inexorable.
Fired with his importunate entreaties your
uncontaminated family-man thinks within himself
that he must be paid a rupee, and tells him openly:
'Well, sir, come tomorrow, I shall see what 1 can
do for you.' Then going in, this typical householder
tells his wife, 'Look here, my dear, a poor
brahmana is in great distress; let us give him a
rupee.' Hearing the word 'rupee' his wife gets out
of temper and says tauntingly, 'Aha, what a
generous fellow you are! Are rupees like leaves and
straws to be thrown away without the least
thought?" 'Well, my dear,' replies the master in an
apologetic tone, 'the brahmana is very poor and we
should not give him less.' 'No', says his wife, T
cannot spare so much. Here is a two Anna bit; you
can give that to him, if you like.' As the Babu is a
family-man quite uncontaminated by worldliness,
he takes, of course, what his wife gives him, and
next day the beggar gets only a two Anna piece.
So you see, your so-called uncontaminated familymen
are really not masters of themselves. Because
they do not look after their family-affairs, they
think that they are good and holy men, while, as a
matter of fact, they are hen-pecked husbands
guided entirely by their wives, and so are but very
poor specimens even of common humanity."
discussing with the Master the nature of householder
uncontaminated by worldliness. To him, the
Master said, "I know of what sort is your
'uncontaminated family-man' of the present day! If
a poor brahmana comes to beg of this master of
the house, he (being an uncontaminated familyman
and having no concern with money matters,
for it is his wife who manages all those things!) says
to the begging brahmana, 'Sir, I never touch
money, why do you waste your time in begging of
me?' The brahmana, however, proves inexorable.
Fired with his importunate entreaties your
uncontaminated family-man thinks within himself
that he must be paid a rupee, and tells him openly:
'Well, sir, come tomorrow, I shall see what 1 can
do for you.' Then going in, this typical householder
tells his wife, 'Look here, my dear, a poor
brahmana is in great distress; let us give him a
rupee.' Hearing the word 'rupee' his wife gets out
of temper and says tauntingly, 'Aha, what a
generous fellow you are! Are rupees like leaves and
straws to be thrown away without the least
thought?" 'Well, my dear,' replies the master in an
apologetic tone, 'the brahmana is very poor and we
should not give him less.' 'No', says his wife, T
cannot spare so much. Here is a two Anna bit; you
can give that to him, if you like.' As the Babu is a
family-man quite uncontaminated by worldliness,
he takes, of course, what his wife gives him, and
next day the beggar gets only a two Anna piece.
So you see, your so-called uncontaminated familymen
are really not masters of themselves. Because
they do not look after their family-affairs, they
think that they are good and holy men, while, as a
matter of fact, they are hen-pecked husbands
guided entirely by their wives, and so are but very
poor specimens even of common humanity."
GREATER EVEN THAN THE GURU!
A POOR brahmana had a rich cloth merchant as
his disciple. The merchant was very miserly by
nature. One day the brahmana was in need of a
small piece of cloth for covering his sacred book.
He went to his disciple and asked for the required
piece of cloth; but the merchant replied: "I am very
sorry, sir. Had you told me of this a few hours
earlier, I would have given you the thing wanted.
Unfortunately, now I have no small piece of cloth
which will answer your purpose. However, I shall
remember your requirement, but please remind me
of it now and then." The brahmana had to go
away disappointed. This conversation between the
guru and his worthy disciple was overheard by the
wife of the latter from behind a screen. She at once
sent a man after the brahmana, and calling him
inside the house, said, "Revered Father, what is it
that you were asking from the master of the
house?" The brahmana related all what had
happened. The wife said: "Please go home sir; you
will get the cloth tomorrow morning." When that
merchant returned home at night the wife asked
him, "Have you closed your shop?" The merchant
said, "Yes, what is the matter?" She said, "Go at
once and bring two cloths of the best quality in the
shop." He said, "Why this hurry? I shall give you
the best cloth tomorrow morning." The wife,
however, insisted, "No, T must have them just
now or not at all." What could the poor merchant
do? The person whom he had now to deal with
was not the spiritual guru whom he could send
away with vague and indefinite promises, but the
'curtain guru' whose behests must be
instantaneously obeyed, or else there would be no
peace for him at home. At last the merchant,
willingly enough, opened the shop, at that late hour
of the night, and brought the cloths for her. Early
next morning, the good lady sent the article to the
guru with the message, "If in future you want
anything from us, ask me, and you will get it."
his disciple. The merchant was very miserly by
nature. One day the brahmana was in need of a
small piece of cloth for covering his sacred book.
He went to his disciple and asked for the required
piece of cloth; but the merchant replied: "I am very
sorry, sir. Had you told me of this a few hours
earlier, I would have given you the thing wanted.
Unfortunately, now I have no small piece of cloth
which will answer your purpose. However, I shall
remember your requirement, but please remind me
of it now and then." The brahmana had to go
away disappointed. This conversation between the
guru and his worthy disciple was overheard by the
wife of the latter from behind a screen. She at once
sent a man after the brahmana, and calling him
inside the house, said, "Revered Father, what is it
that you were asking from the master of the
house?" The brahmana related all what had
happened. The wife said: "Please go home sir; you
will get the cloth tomorrow morning." When that
merchant returned home at night the wife asked
him, "Have you closed your shop?" The merchant
said, "Yes, what is the matter?" She said, "Go at
once and bring two cloths of the best quality in the
shop." He said, "Why this hurry? I shall give you
the best cloth tomorrow morning." The wife,
however, insisted, "No, T must have them just
now or not at all." What could the poor merchant
do? The person whom he had now to deal with
was not the spiritual guru whom he could send
away with vague and indefinite promises, but the
'curtain guru' whose behests must be
instantaneously obeyed, or else there would be no
peace for him at home. At last the merchant,
willingly enough, opened the shop, at that late hour
of the night, and brought the cloths for her. Early
next morning, the good lady sent the article to the
guru with the message, "If in future you want
anything from us, ask me, and you will get it."
BHAGAVATA IN THE EAR, BROTHEL IN THE MIND
Once, two friends were going along the street
hen they saw somwe people listening to a reading
of the Bhagavata. "Come, friend," said the one to
the other, "let us hear the sacred book." So saying
he went in and sat down. The second man peeped
in and went away. He entered a house of ill fame.
But very soon he felt disgusted with the place.
"Shame on me!" he said to himself. "My friend has
been listening to the sacred word of Hari and see
where I am!" But the friend who had been listening
to the Bhagavata also became disgusted. "What a
fool I am!" he said. "I have been listening to this
fellow's blah-blah, and my friend is having a grand
time." In course of time they both died. The
messenger of death came for the soul of one who
had listened to the Bhagavata and dragged it off to
hell. The messenger of God came for the soul of
the one who had been to the house of prostitution
and led it up to heaven.
Verily, the Lord looks into a man's heart and does
not judge him by what he does or where he lives.
hen they saw somwe people listening to a reading
of the Bhagavata. "Come, friend," said the one to
the other, "let us hear the sacred book." So saying
he went in and sat down. The second man peeped
in and went away. He entered a house of ill fame.
But very soon he felt disgusted with the place.
"Shame on me!" he said to himself. "My friend has
been listening to the sacred word of Hari and see
where I am!" But the friend who had been listening
to the Bhagavata also became disgusted. "What a
fool I am!" he said. "I have been listening to this
fellow's blah-blah, and my friend is having a grand
time." In course of time they both died. The
messenger of death came for the soul of one who
had listened to the Bhagavata and dragged it off to
hell. The messenger of God came for the soul of
the one who had been to the house of prostitution
and led it up to heaven.
Verily, the Lord looks into a man's heart and does
not judge him by what he does or where he lives.
MASTER OF EVERYTHING, SLAVE OF SEX!
A JOB-SEEKER got tired of visiting the manager
in an office. He couldn't get the job. The manager
said to him, "There is no vacancy now; but come
and f see me now and then." This went on for a
long time, and the candidate lost all hope. One day
he told his tale of woe to a friend. The friend said:
"How stupid you are! Why are you wearing away
the soles of your feet going to that fellow? You had
better go to Golap. You will get the job
tomorrow." "Is that so?" said the candidate. "I
am going right away." Golap was the manager's
mistress. The candidate called on her and said:
"'Mother, I am in great distress. You must help me
out of it. 1 am the son of a poor brahmana. Where
else shall I go for help? Mother I have been out of
work many days. My children are about to starve to
death. I can get a job if you but say a word." Golap
said to him, "Child, whom should I speak to?" She
said to herself: "Ah, the poor brahmana! He has
been suffering too much." The candidate said to
her, "I am sure to get the job if you just put in a
word about it to the manager." Golap said, "I shall
speak to him today and settle the matter." The very
next morning a man called on the candidate and
said, "You are to work in the manager's office,
from today." The manager said to his English boss:
"This man is very competent. I have appointed
him. He will do credit to the firm."
in an office. He couldn't get the job. The manager
said to him, "There is no vacancy now; but come
and f see me now and then." This went on for a
long time, and the candidate lost all hope. One day
he told his tale of woe to a friend. The friend said:
"How stupid you are! Why are you wearing away
the soles of your feet going to that fellow? You had
better go to Golap. You will get the job
tomorrow." "Is that so?" said the candidate. "I
am going right away." Golap was the manager's
mistress. The candidate called on her and said:
"'Mother, I am in great distress. You must help me
out of it. 1 am the son of a poor brahmana. Where
else shall I go for help? Mother I have been out of
work many days. My children are about to starve to
death. I can get a job if you but say a word." Golap
said to him, "Child, whom should I speak to?" She
said to herself: "Ah, the poor brahmana! He has
been suffering too much." The candidate said to
her, "I am sure to get the job if you just put in a
word about it to the manager." Golap said, "I shall
speak to him today and settle the matter." The very
next morning a man called on the candidate and
said, "You are to work in the manager's office,
from today." The manager said to his English boss:
"This man is very competent. I have appointed
him. He will do credit to the firm."
THE FALL OF THE TWELVE HUNDRED
THERE is the story of twelve hundred nedas10 and
thirteen hundred nedis11. Virabhadra, the son of
Nityananda Goswami had thirteen hundred
'shaven headed' disciples. They attained great
spiritual powers. That alarmed their teacher. "My
disciples have acquired great spiritual powers,"
thought Virabhadra. "Whatever they say to people
will come to pass. Wherever they go they may
create alarming situations; for people offending
them unwittingly will come to grief." Thinking
thus, Virabhadra one day called them to him and
said, "See me after performing your daily devotions
on the banks of the Ganges." These disciples had
such high spiritual nature that, while meditating,
they would go into Samadhi and be unaware of the
river water flowing over their heads during the
flood-tide. Then the ebb-tide would come and still
they would remain absorbed in meditation.
Now, one hundred of these disciples had
anticipated what their teacher would ask of them.
Lest they should have to disobey his injunctions,
they had quickly disappeared from the place before
he summoned them. So, they did not go to
Virabhadra with others. The remaining twelve
hundred disciples went to the teacher after
finishing their morning meditations. Virabhadra
said to them: "These thirteen hundred nuns will
serve you.
I ask you to marry them." "As you please, revered
sir," they said. "But one hundred of us have gone '
away." Thenceforth each of these twelve hundred
disciples had a wife. Consequently they all lost their
spiritual power. Their austerities did not have their
original fire. The company of women robbed them
of their spirituality because it destroyed their
freedom.
thirteen hundred nedis11. Virabhadra, the son of
Nityananda Goswami had thirteen hundred
'shaven headed' disciples. They attained great
spiritual powers. That alarmed their teacher. "My
disciples have acquired great spiritual powers,"
thought Virabhadra. "Whatever they say to people
will come to pass. Wherever they go they may
create alarming situations; for people offending
them unwittingly will come to grief." Thinking
thus, Virabhadra one day called them to him and
said, "See me after performing your daily devotions
on the banks of the Ganges." These disciples had
such high spiritual nature that, while meditating,
they would go into Samadhi and be unaware of the
river water flowing over their heads during the
flood-tide. Then the ebb-tide would come and still
they would remain absorbed in meditation.
Now, one hundred of these disciples had
anticipated what their teacher would ask of them.
Lest they should have to disobey his injunctions,
they had quickly disappeared from the place before
he summoned them. So, they did not go to
Virabhadra with others. The remaining twelve
hundred disciples went to the teacher after
finishing their morning meditations. Virabhadra
said to them: "These thirteen hundred nuns will
serve you.
I ask you to marry them." "As you please, revered
sir," they said. "But one hundred of us have gone '
away." Thenceforth each of these twelve hundred
disciples had a wife. Consequently they all lost their
spiritual power. Their austerities did not have their
original fire. The company of women robbed them
of their spirituality because it destroyed their
freedom.
COURT MARRIAGE AND YOU COURT SERVITUDE
TT is 'woman and gold' that binds man and robs -
*- him of his freedom. It is woman that creates the
need for gold. For woman one becomes the slave
of another, and so loses his freedom. Then he
cannot act as he likes.
The priests in the temple of Govindaji at Jaipur
were celibates at first, and at that time they had
fiery natures. Once the King of Jaipur sent for
them, but they didn't obey him. They said to the
messenger, "Ask the king to come to see us." After
consultation, the king and his ministers arranged
marriages for them. From then on the king didn't
have to send for them.
They would come to him of themselves and say:
"Your Majesty, we have come with our blessings.
Here are the sacred flowers of the temple. Deign to
accept them." They came to the palace, for now
they always wanted money for this thing or
another—the building of a house, the rice-taking
ceremony of their babies, or the rituals connected
with the beginning of their children's education.
*- him of his freedom. It is woman that creates the
need for gold. For woman one becomes the slave
of another, and so loses his freedom. Then he
cannot act as he likes.
The priests in the temple of Govindaji at Jaipur
were celibates at first, and at that time they had
fiery natures. Once the King of Jaipur sent for
them, but they didn't obey him. They said to the
messenger, "Ask the king to come to see us." After
consultation, the king and his ministers arranged
marriages for them. From then on the king didn't
have to send for them.
They would come to him of themselves and say:
"Your Majesty, we have come with our blessings.
Here are the sacred flowers of the temple. Deign to
accept them." They came to the palace, for now
they always wanted money for this thing or
another—the building of a house, the rice-taking
ceremony of their babies, or the rituals connected
with the beginning of their children's education.
THOSE WORTHLESS THINGS!
BODY and wealth are impermanent. Why go to
take so much trouble for their sake? Just think of
the plight of the Hatha yogis. Their attention is
fixed on one ideal only—longevity. They do not
aim at the realization of God at all. They practise
such exercises as washing out the intestines,
drinking milk through a tube, and the like, with
that one aim in view.
There was once a goldsmith whose tongue
suddenly turned up and stuck to his palate. He
looked like a man in Samadhi. He became
completely inert and remained so a long time.
People came to worship him. After several years,
his tongue suddenly returned to its natural
position, and he became conscious of things as
before. So he went back to his work as before.
These are physical things and have nothing to do
with God. There was a man who knew eighty two
postures and talked big about yoga-samadhi. But
inwardly he was drawn to 'woman and gold'. Once
he found a bank-note worth several thousand
rupees.
He could not resist the temptation, and swallowed
it, thinking he would get it out somehow later on.
The note was got out of him alright, but he was
sent to jail for three years.
take so much trouble for their sake? Just think of
the plight of the Hatha yogis. Their attention is
fixed on one ideal only—longevity. They do not
aim at the realization of God at all. They practise
such exercises as washing out the intestines,
drinking milk through a tube, and the like, with
that one aim in view.
There was once a goldsmith whose tongue
suddenly turned up and stuck to his palate. He
looked like a man in Samadhi. He became
completely inert and remained so a long time.
People came to worship him. After several years,
his tongue suddenly returned to its natural
position, and he became conscious of things as
before. So he went back to his work as before.
These are physical things and have nothing to do
with God. There was a man who knew eighty two
postures and talked big about yoga-samadhi. But
inwardly he was drawn to 'woman and gold'. Once
he found a bank-note worth several thousand
rupees.
He could not resist the temptation, and swallowed
it, thinking he would get it out somehow later on.
The note was got out of him alright, but he was
sent to jail for three years.
WHY YOGI SLIPS DOWN FROM HIS YOGA
AT Kamarpukur I have seen the mongoose living
in its hole up in the wall. It feels snug there.
Sometimes people tie a brick to its tail; then the
pull of the brick makes it come out of its hole.
Every time the mongoose tries to be comfortable
inside the hole, it has to come out because of the
pull of the brick.
Such is the effect of brooding on worldly objects
that it makes the yogi stray from the path of yoga.
in its hole up in the wall. It feels snug there.
Sometimes people tie a brick to its tail; then the
pull of the brick makes it come out of its hole.
Every time the mongoose tries to be comfortable
inside the hole, it has to come out because of the
pull of the brick.
Such is the effect of brooding on worldly objects
that it makes the yogi stray from the path of yoga.
THE JAR OF DESIRE CAN NEVER BE FILLED UP
A BARBER who was passing under a haunted tree,
heard a voice say, "Will you accept seven jars full
of gold?" The barber looked around, but could see
no one. The offer of seven jars of gold, however,
roused his cupidity, and he cried aloud, "Yes, I
shall accept the seven jars." At once came the
reply, "Go home, I have carried the jars to your
house." The barber ran home in hot haste to verify
the truth of this strange announcement. And when
he entered the house, he saw the jars before him.
He opened them and found them all full of gold,
except the last one which was only half-full. A
strong desire now arose in the barber's mind to fill
the seventh jar also for without it his happiness
was incomplete. He therefore converted all his
ornaments into gold coins and put them into the
jar; but the mysterious vessel was, as before,
unfilled. This exasperated the barber. Starving
himself and his family, he saved some amount
more and tried to fill the jar; but the jar remained
as before. So one day he humbly requested the
king to increase his pay, as his income was not
sufficient to maintain himself. Now the barber was
a favourite of the king, and as soon as the request
was made the king doubled his pay. All this pay he
saved and put into the jar, but the greedy jar
showed no signs of filling. At last he began to live
by begging from door to door, and his professional
income and the income from begging—all went
into the insatiable cavity of the mysterious jar.
Months passed, and the condition of the miserable
and miserly barber grew worse every day. Seeing
his sad plight the king asked him one day: "Hallo!
When your pay was half of what yon now get, you
were happy, cheerful and contented; but with
double that pay, I see you morose, care-worn and
dejected. What is the matter with you? Have you
got 'the seven jars'?" The barber was taken aback
by this question and replied, "Your Majesty, who
has informed you of this?" The king said: "Don't
you know that these are the signs of the person to
whom the Yaksha consigns the seven jars. He
offered me also the same jars, but I asked him
whether this money might be spent or was merely
to be hoarded. No sooner had T asked this
question than the Yaksha ran away without any
reply. Don't you know that no one can spend that
money? It only brings with it the desire of
hoarding. Go at once and return the money." The
barber was brought to his senses by this advice,
and he went to the haunted tree and said, "Take
back your gold, O Yaksha." The Yaksha replied,
"All right." When the barber returned home, he
found that the seven jars had vanished as
mysteriously as they were brought in, and with it
had vanished, his life-long savings too.
Those who do not understand the difference
between what is real expenditure and what is real
income, lose all they have.
heard a voice say, "Will you accept seven jars full
of gold?" The barber looked around, but could see
no one. The offer of seven jars of gold, however,
roused his cupidity, and he cried aloud, "Yes, I
shall accept the seven jars." At once came the
reply, "Go home, I have carried the jars to your
house." The barber ran home in hot haste to verify
the truth of this strange announcement. And when
he entered the house, he saw the jars before him.
He opened them and found them all full of gold,
except the last one which was only half-full. A
strong desire now arose in the barber's mind to fill
the seventh jar also for without it his happiness
was incomplete. He therefore converted all his
ornaments into gold coins and put them into the
jar; but the mysterious vessel was, as before,
unfilled. This exasperated the barber. Starving
himself and his family, he saved some amount
more and tried to fill the jar; but the jar remained
as before. So one day he humbly requested the
king to increase his pay, as his income was not
sufficient to maintain himself. Now the barber was
a favourite of the king, and as soon as the request
was made the king doubled his pay. All this pay he
saved and put into the jar, but the greedy jar
showed no signs of filling. At last he began to live
by begging from door to door, and his professional
income and the income from begging—all went
into the insatiable cavity of the mysterious jar.
Months passed, and the condition of the miserable
and miserly barber grew worse every day. Seeing
his sad plight the king asked him one day: "Hallo!
When your pay was half of what yon now get, you
were happy, cheerful and contented; but with
double that pay, I see you morose, care-worn and
dejected. What is the matter with you? Have you
got 'the seven jars'?" The barber was taken aback
by this question and replied, "Your Majesty, who
has informed you of this?" The king said: "Don't
you know that these are the signs of the person to
whom the Yaksha consigns the seven jars. He
offered me also the same jars, but I asked him
whether this money might be spent or was merely
to be hoarded. No sooner had T asked this
question than the Yaksha ran away without any
reply. Don't you know that no one can spend that
money? It only brings with it the desire of
hoarding. Go at once and return the money." The
barber was brought to his senses by this advice,
and he went to the haunted tree and said, "Take
back your gold, O Yaksha." The Yaksha replied,
"All right." When the barber returned home, he
found that the seven jars had vanished as
mysteriously as they were brought in, and with it
had vanished, his life-long savings too.
Those who do not understand the difference
between what is real expenditure and what is real
income, lose all they have.
WORLDLY GOODS ARE NOT THINE FOR EVER
THE steward of a certain rich man was left in
charge of his master's property. When asked by
someone as to whose property it was, he used to
say: "Sir, this is all my property; these houses and
these gardens are all mine.'' He would speak in this
strain and go about with an air of vanity. One day
he happened to catch fish in a pond of his master's
garden-house in contravention of his strict
prohibition. As ill-luck would have it, the master
came upon the scene just then, and saw what his
dishonest steward was doing. Finding out the
faithlessness of his servant, the master at once
drove him away from his estate, disgraced and
dishonoured, and confiscated all his past earnings.
The poor fellow could not take with him even his
rickety box of utensils which was his sole private
property.
Such is the punishment that overtakes
false pride.
charge of his master's property. When asked by
someone as to whose property it was, he used to
say: "Sir, this is all my property; these houses and
these gardens are all mine.'' He would speak in this
strain and go about with an air of vanity. One day
he happened to catch fish in a pond of his master's
garden-house in contravention of his strict
prohibition. As ill-luck would have it, the master
came upon the scene just then, and saw what his
dishonest steward was doing. Finding out the
faithlessness of his servant, the master at once
drove him away from his estate, disgraced and
dishonoured, and confiscated all his past earnings.
The poor fellow could not take with him even his
rickety box of utensils which was his sole private
property.
Such is the punishment that overtakes
false pride.
THAT OPPRESSING STENCH OF WORLDLINESS
Once, a fishwife was a guest in the house of a
gardener who raised flowers. She came there with
her empty basket, after selling fish in the market,
and was asked to sleep in a room where flowers
were kept. But, because of the fragrance of the
flowers, she couldn't get to sleep for a long time!
She was restless and began to fidget about. Her
hostess saw her condition and said, "Hello! Why
are you tossing from side to side so restlessly?" The
fishwife said: "I don't know, friend. Perhaps
the smell of the flowers has been disturbing my
sleep. Can you give me my fish-basket? Perhaps
that will put me to sleep." The basket was brought
to her. She sprinkled water on it and set it near her
nose. Then she fell sound asleep and snored all
night.
gardener who raised flowers. She came there with
her empty basket, after selling fish in the market,
and was asked to sleep in a room where flowers
were kept. But, because of the fragrance of the
flowers, she couldn't get to sleep for a long time!
She was restless and began to fidget about. Her
hostess saw her condition and said, "Hello! Why
are you tossing from side to side so restlessly?" The
fishwife said: "I don't know, friend. Perhaps
the smell of the flowers has been disturbing my
sleep. Can you give me my fish-basket? Perhaps
that will put me to sleep." The basket was brought
to her. She sprinkled water on it and set it near her
nose. Then she fell sound asleep and snored all
night.
THE TIGER THAT LURKS BEHIND WORLDLY JOYS
GOD is like the wish-yielding tree of the celestial
world (Kalpataru), which gives whatever one asks
of it. So, one should be careful to give up all
worldly desires when one's mind has been purified
by religious exercises.
Just listen to a story: A certain traveller came to a
large plain in the course of his travels. As he had
been walking in the sun for many hours, he was
thoroughly exhausted and heavily perspiring; so he
sat down in the shade of a tree to rest a little.
Presently he began to think what a comfort it
would be if he could but get a soft bed there to
sleep on. He was not aware that he was sitting
under the celestial tree. As soon as the above
thought rose in his mind, he found a nice bed by
his side. He felt much astonished, but all the same
stretched himself on it. Now he thought to himself,
how pleasant it would be, were a young damsel to
come there and gently stroke his legs. No sooner
did the thought arise in his mind than he found a
young damsel sitting at his feet and stroking his
legs. The traveller felt supremely happy. Presently
he felt hungry and thought: "I have got whatever 1
have wished for; could I not then get some food?"
Instantly he found various kinds of delicious food
spread before him. He at once fell to eating, and
having helped himself to his heart's content,
stretched himself again on his bed. He now began
to revolve in his mind the events of the day. While
thus occupied, he thought: "If a tiger should attack
me all of a sudden!" In an instant a large tiger
jumped on him and broke his neck and began to
drink his blood. In this way the traveller lost his
life.
Such is the fate of men in general. If during your
meditation you pray for men or money or worldly
honours, your desires will no doubt be satisfied to
some extent; but, mind you, there is the dread of
the tiger behind the gifts you get. Those tigers—
disease, bereavements, loss of honour and wealth
etc.,—are a thousand times more terrible than the
live tiger.
world (Kalpataru), which gives whatever one asks
of it. So, one should be careful to give up all
worldly desires when one's mind has been purified
by religious exercises.
Just listen to a story: A certain traveller came to a
large plain in the course of his travels. As he had
been walking in the sun for many hours, he was
thoroughly exhausted and heavily perspiring; so he
sat down in the shade of a tree to rest a little.
Presently he began to think what a comfort it
would be if he could but get a soft bed there to
sleep on. He was not aware that he was sitting
under the celestial tree. As soon as the above
thought rose in his mind, he found a nice bed by
his side. He felt much astonished, but all the same
stretched himself on it. Now he thought to himself,
how pleasant it would be, were a young damsel to
come there and gently stroke his legs. No sooner
did the thought arise in his mind than he found a
young damsel sitting at his feet and stroking his
legs. The traveller felt supremely happy. Presently
he felt hungry and thought: "I have got whatever 1
have wished for; could I not then get some food?"
Instantly he found various kinds of delicious food
spread before him. He at once fell to eating, and
having helped himself to his heart's content,
stretched himself again on his bed. He now began
to revolve in his mind the events of the day. While
thus occupied, he thought: "If a tiger should attack
me all of a sudden!" In an instant a large tiger
jumped on him and broke his neck and began to
drink his blood. In this way the traveller lost his
life.
Such is the fate of men in general. If during your
meditation you pray for men or money or worldly
honours, your desires will no doubt be satisfied to
some extent; but, mind you, there is the dread of
the tiger behind the gifts you get. Those tigers—
disease, bereavements, loss of honour and wealth
etc.,—are a thousand times more terrible than the
live tiger.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)