Heart

Parable of the False Ascetic

One night a fisherman went into a garden and cast his net into the lake in order to steal some fish. The owner heard him and surrounded him with his servants. They brought lighted torches and began to search for him. In the mean time the fisherman smeared his body with ashes and sat under a tree, pretending to be a holy man. 

The owner and his men searched a great deal but could not find the thief. All they saw was a holy man covered with ashes, meditating under a tree. 

The next day the news spread in the neighbourhood that a great sage was staying in the garden. People gathered there and saluted him with offerings of fruit, flowers, and sweets. Many also offered silver and copper coins. 

'How strange!' thought the fisherman. 'I am not a genuine holy man, and still people show such devotion to me. I shall certainly realize God if I become a true sadhu. There is no doubt about it.' 

If a mere pretense of religious life can bring such spiritual awakening, you can imagine the effect of real sadhana. In that state you will surely realize what is real and what is unreal. God alone is real, and the world is illusory.  

Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, P 233

                          (4 June 1883)

Worldliness and Liberation

Love of God

Blissful Kali

… overpowered with divine ecstasy, the Master sang: 
                  O Kāli, my Mother full of Bliss! Enchantress of 
                                                                           the almighty Śiva!  
                  In Thy delirious joy Thou dancest, clapping Thy  
                                                                              hands together!  
                  Eternal One! Thou great First Cause, clothed in 
                                                                       the form of the Void 
                   Thou wearest the moon upon Thy brow, 
                 Where didst Thou find Thy garland of heads 
                                                    before the universe was made? 
                  Thou art the Mover of all that move, and we are 
                                                              but Thy helpless toys; 
                  We move alone as Thou movest us and speak as 
                                                           through us Thou speakest. 
                   But worthless Kamalakanta says, fondly 
                                                                           berating Thee: 
                       Confoundress! With Thy flashing sword 
                           Thoughtlessly Thou hast put to death my 
                                                               virtue and my sin alike!  

                    - Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, P 223 
                                    (27 May 1883)

Responsibility for Sins

Why there is Evil in the World

BRAHMO: "If the power of avidyā is the cause of ignorance, then why has God created it?" 
  
MASTER: "That is His play. The glory of light cannot be appreciated without darkness. Happiness cannot be understood without misery. Knowledge of good is possible because of knowledge of evil. 
Further, the mango grows and ripens on account of the covering skin. You throwaway the skin when the mango is fully ripe and ready to be eaten. 
It is possible for a man to attain gradually to the Knowledge of Brahman because of the covering skin of maya. Maya in its aspects of vidyā and avidyā may be likened to the skin of the mango. Both are necessary."  

- Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, P 216 
                        (22 April 1883)