Post on 13-Aug-2015
In the spiritual firmament Sri Ramakrishna is a
waxing crescent. His message has spread across land
and sea. Romain Rolland has described him as the
fulfilment of the spiritual aspirations of the three
hundred millions of Hindus for the last two thousand
years. Mahatma Gandhi has written: "His life enables
us to see God face to face. . . . Ramakrishna was a
living embodiment of godliness." He is being
recognized as a compeer of Krishna, Buddha, and
Christ.
The life and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna have redirected the
thoughts of the Hindus to the spiritual ideals of their forefathers.
His was the time-honoured role of the Saviour of the Eternal
Religion of the Hindus. His teachings played an important part in
liberalizing the minds of orthodox pundits and hermits. He is the
silent force that is moulding the spiritual destiny of India. His
disciple, Swami Vivekananda, was the first Hindu missionary to
preach the message of Indian culture to the enlightened minds of
Europe and America. The full consequence of Swami Vivekānandā
work is still in the womb of the future.
The one thing necessary for God realization is
whole-hearted and whole-souled devotion to God.
It is not our business to correct the errors of other
religions. He who has created the world will correct
them in time. Our duty is in some way or other to
realize Him. God can be reached through many
paths; each of these sectarian religions points out a
path which ultimately leads to Divinity.
He is with form, yet He is formless. He is personal, yet
He is impersonal, and who can say what other aspects
He may have!
In our relation with men all that we can do is to take
heed to ourselves that we mix with good people and
avoid bad company. It is true, however, that God
resides in bad people also, yes, even in a tiger; but it
does not follow that we should embrace a tiger.
We should recognize Divinity in all, but we should
not mix with bad people or with those who do not
love God. Our relation with them must not be very
close. It is wise to avoid the company of such
people. Take refuge with the Lord. Think upon Him.
Do not let your mind be disturbed by any other
thing.
One can think on God even dwelling in the midst of
wicked people. The sages of ancient times, who lived in
forests, could meditate on God although surrounded by
tigers, bears, and other wild beasts. The nature of the
wicked is like that of a tiger or bear. They attack the
innocent and injure them. It is necessary, however, to
keep the company of holy men. Through such
association right discrimination will come.
The world may be likened to water, and the mind to milk. Pure
milk once mixed with water cannot be separated from it; but if
it is first turned into butter and then placed in water, it can
remain separate. Let the milk of your mind be turned into the
butter of Divine Love by means of religious practices in
solitude. The mind then will never get mixed with the water of
worldliness, but will rise above and remain unattached to the
world. Having attained true knowledge and devotion the mind
will stand apart from the world.
A blind man taking a bath in the holy water of the
Ganges has his sins washed off, but his blindness
continues all the same. It is the result of the actions of
his previous life. But however the body may be under
the influence of pleasure and pain, however the body
may be happy or miserable, the true devotee is all the
same rich in spirit, rich in knowledge (Jnana) and the
love of God (Bhakti).
"If you wish to catch a big fish, which lives in deep
water, you will have to make many preparations to
attract him. You must get the line, rod, hook and
float; you. must put on savory bait ; then when you
see bubbles in the water, you may know that he has
come near. Similarly, if you wish to see God, devote
yourself to the practice of true Bhakti."
Faith and devotion. One
realizes God easily through
devotion. He is grasped
through ecstasy of love.
The man who works for
others, without any selfish
motive, really does good
to himself
Selfless service is the Best self service