Spiritual Teachings Of Swami Brahmananda
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SWAMI BRAHMANANDA
SPIRITUAL
TEACHINGS OF
SWAMI BRAHMANANDA TRANSLATED FROM CONVERSATIONS AND LETTERS
IN
BENGALI
Second Edition
SRI
RAMAKRISHNA MATH MYLAPORE, MADRAS 1933 (All Bights Reserved)
SPIRITUAL TEACHINGS OF
SWAMI BRAHMANANDA
FOREWORD Swami Brahmananda was one of
the
most
eminent
and one of the most beloved of the
disciples
of
come as
to
His own
intimacy.
Ramakrishna
Sri
Him.
Sri
the
first
also
to
regarded him
Ramakrishna
son and admitted him to the utmost
In this
familiar
intercourse
daily
of
the
the
Master's
efful-
to dispute.
This
the
caught glint shone gence. through all he said, all he did, all he was. It gave him unlimited power and insight, disciple
It
and an authority no one thought last he used sparingly. He led appeal
than
mighty was suggestion
by more his
was
insistent
spiritual
to those
force
who
rather
by quiet methods, but so that
heard
it,
his
a
gentlest
word of
command. It
was my blessed
privilege to be closely associat-
ed with the Swami during the six months of his first visit to Madras. When the present book of coun-
sels
was put for
pare
into
my
hands to
revise, edit
once again the picture of that majestic, yet in the twilight
moving the dim monastery figure
and pre-
my mind
before
publication, there rose
child-like,
shadow up and down
Mylapore; once again his gentle voice sounded in my ears; once again the hall at
benediction of his loving presence fell in refreshing
shower over
my
I
spirit.
have striven
unmuted through
voice sound
to lit that
these pages; to lea^e
unbarred the benediction of that presence.
The
spiritual instructions
spoken in largest Belur,
or
in
elsewhere,
Some were earlier
measure
days
written in
of
the
at
which follow were Benares,
informal
personal
Swami's
Kankhal,
conversations.
letters.
In
administration
the as
President of the Ramakrishna Mission he remained nearly always in retirement at Puri, or at the
Head
Monastery of the Order on the Ganges above At that time he was reluctant to assume Calcutta.
At Madras, if any one asked him a question he would answer: "Go and ask Sasi Maharaj. He knows everything. I know the place of teacher.
nothing." vi
Later he emerged from his seclusion and be-
came an
and stimulating
active
The
Centres of the Mission. the present It
in
volume belongs
visitor at the various
teaching set
down
in
to this second period.
was preserved by devout disciples and published the "Vedanta Kesari," the Official Magazine of
the
work
Mission's
reverently revised,
Madras.
at
it
now
appears
and
Carefully in
more perma-
nent form. *
The They
counsels given are pre-eminently practical.
are
Swami's
the
spontaneous
own wide
experience.
Their
vision
transform and redeem. in
the
heart.
and profound
power
of
expression
spiritual
irresistible.
is
They kindle
They transmute
life
the
They
fresh ardour into
living.
Charged with a holy message they go forth now, bearing to world and cloister alike, the promise of spiritual achievement.
DEVAMATA ANANDA-ASHRAMA, LA CRESCENTA, CALIFORNIA, U. June, 1931. vii
S.
A.
CONVERSATIONS
PRINTED AT THE MADRAS PUBLISHING HOUSE,
MOUNT
ROAD, MADRAS.
LTD.,
CONTENTS PAGIi
FOREWORD
CONVERSATIONS J.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
MEDITATION AND REALIZATION
VI.
HAPPINESS
WORLDLY
IX.
X.
XI XI] XIII.
XIV.
XV.
XVI XVIJ XVIII.
XIX.
XX.
XXL XXII. XXIII.
6
WORSHIP AND MEDITATION THE KUNDALINI WORK AND WORSHIP
VII.
VII!
1
SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
11 17 21
29
AND SPIRITUAL LIFE REALIZATION THROUGH SELF-SURRENDER LIFE
.
36
43
DIVINE GRACE
52
POWER OF RENUNCIATION BRAHMACHARYA COMPANY OF HOLY MEN THE WORLD AND GOD NATURE OF MAN SEEK GOD ONLY CONTROL OF THE MIND TURNING THE MIND TO GOD EXAMPLE OF HOLY MEN
60 68 75
82 89 95 100 .
103 112
MEDITATION GOD- VISION
124
DIFFERENT METHODS OF ATTAINMENT
130
SAMADHI POWER OF MIND
144
117
139
xi
PAGE
XXIV.
XXV. XXVI. XXVII. XXVIII.
XXIX.
XXX. XXXI. XXXII.
WORSHIP OF GOD FRAGMENTS OF CONVERSATIONS GOD-MINDFULNESS ATTACHMENT FOR GOD WHAT A SADHU SHOULD DO NAME OF THE LORD THE PROCESS OF MEDITATION .... TRUE VISION WHAT IS TAPASYA?
XXXIV.
XXXV. XXXVI.
.
.
LETTERS XXXIII.
150 .
AND STRAY
.
-
.
.
155
163
169 175
183
.189 193
196
COUNSELS.
LETTER TO A DISCIPLE LETTER TO A DISCIPLE EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS
229
STRAY COUNSELS
234
203
216
I
MEDITATION AND REALISATION (CONVERSATION AT BENARES,
1921)
t
p tion,
Maharaj, I am practising ]apam and meditabut I have not yet acquired any taste for these.
Somehow I
or other
I
am
struggling on.
What must
do?
THE SWAMI in
Is
the beginning?
Concentrate
it
possible to have that taste
No.
Struggle hard to attain
your energies on
its
achieve-
ment, and never for a moment pay heed
to other
it.
all
matters. to
it
Apply yourself whole-heartedly to alone. Onward, onward! Never be
it
and
satis-
with your present state of mind. Try to create within yourself a burning dissatisfaction. Say fied
to yourself
a bit."
Mother
Sri
"What
progress
am
Ramakrishna used
1
making?
Not
to say to the Divine
"Mother, another day
not seen Thee!"
I
is
gone and
I
have
Spiritual Teachings
Every night before you go to bed, think for a while how much time you have spent in doing good
how much
deeds,
again in doing useless things;
how much time you have utilised in meditation and how much you have wasted in idleness. Make your
mind
strong
through
f
Tapasya
and Brahmacharya (continence) In rich men's houses they
austerity)
.
keep
Darwan
a
whose duty is to prevent thieves, cows, The sheep, etc., from entering the compound. mind is man's Danvan. The stronger the mind (porter)
Mind
becomes, the better.
ed to a
restive
horse.
takes the rider along
who can hold go the are you
the
a tight rein
right way.
doing?
Is
has also been compara horse generally
Such
wrong
path.
Only he
and check the horse can
Struggle,
struggle on!
everything
achieved
What the
by
mere wearing of the Gerua cloth (ochre-coloured cloth of the Sannyasin) or by renunciation of hearth
and home? flying.
Do
What have
you
realised?
not waste a single moment.
Time
You
is
will
be able to work hard only another three or four 2
Meditation and Realisation years at the most.
Afterwards both body and mind
become weak and infirm and you will not be able to do anything. What can be achieved withwill
out diligence?
You
are thinking, "Let us
and devotion;
ing, faitfe
Sadhana
Can we
(spiritual
first
then
practices)."
have yearnshall do our
of
all
we
that possible?
Is
dawn?
see the day without the break of
When
the Lord comes,
follow
Him
as
His
love,
devotion and faith
retinue.
Can anything be achieved without Tapasya? Brahma at first heard "Tapas (meditate), Tapas
Do
(meditate), Tapas (meditate)/*
you not see
what a severe Tapasya even the Avataras (Incarnations of God) had to perform? Has anybody gained Sankara ties
anything
and
labour?
without
others
what
tremendous
What
they practised in their lives!
renunciation they possessed!
What
Buddha, austeri-
burning
severe Sadhana
they performed!
Real faith cannot be had in the beginning. realisation,
then faith.
But 3
at
first
the
First
Sadhaka
Spiritual Teachings
(aspirant)
may
be
to
the precepts
or of
teacher)
"
has to pin his faith
some great
blind faith"
Guru
of his
it
(spiritual
soul; then only can he
advance toward the goal.
Do
you not know the parable of the oyster as The oyster floats about told by Sri Ramakrishna?
on the surface of the sea with just for a little
its
shell
wide open,
drop of the Swati-rain (rain falling
when the star Swati or Arcturus As soon as it gets a rain drop,
is
in the ascendant)
it
dives
down
.
to the
ocean-bed and there forms a fine pearl. Like the oyster, you too should be up and doing and then dive deep into the ocean of meditation.
You have no
Personal exertion
self-reliance.
an indispensable factor for success life.
years.
gress,
in the spiritual
Do
something for a period of at least four Then if you do not make any tangible pro-
come and take me
to task.
Japam and meditation
are impossible unless you
transcend the limitations of Rajas vity)
is
and
Tamas
(inertia
or
(excessive acti-
lethargy).
After-
wards, you have to rise even above Sattwa (illumi-
4
Meditation and Realisation
and attain the high where there is no return.
nation)
How Yet
it
tion
is
difficult is the
Strive
possible.
human
birth!
birth that God-realisa-
hard in
from which you
that state
from
attainment of a
human
only in this
is
spiritual plane
this life
will not
and reach
have
to
come
back.
^he mind
be raised, step by step, from the gross state to the subtle, then to the causal state, to
further to the Great Cause
still
yourself
There
to
fully
is
nothing
this is
the
is
Life
is
achieved. eternal.
most a hundred
years.
and, with
it,
if
is
Is
that
One must The span
is
is
Resign
everything.
ggfeq^ 3^jj
Everything
When
these hundred years, life
^
calculating.
possible in a day?
thing
He
Lord.
besides.
Brahman."
Never be
only.
(Mahakarana) and
Samadhi (highest illumination).
finally to
all
is
"Verily
His and His self-surrender
achieved, every-
struggle hard for
it.
of man's life
at
is
Give up the pleasures of you want to enjoy eternal
eternal bliss.
II
SPIRITUAL PRACTICES (CONVERSATION AT BENARES)
THE SWAMI
Are
your
religious
practices
going well? S
No, Maharaj.
spiritual
mind.
With
hence
unfoldment;
Evidently
we
all I
my
efforts I see
find
no
peace
no of
are born with evil Samskaras
(impressions) and these stand
in the
way of our
spiritual progress.
THE SWAMI My thus.
Practise
cannot do hours
Do
of
the
dead of night. If you that time, do it during the early
Japam
at
it
boy, you should not think at
Perform Puras charana*.
morning.
not waste your valuable time any more.
yourself
in
prayer
and
meditation.
All
Lose inner
it implies regular Japam or the repetition of the the Deity a prescribed number of times, followed by Homa and other ceremonies. Additional Jtipam is also permissible in place of these ceremonies.
*Usually
name of
6
Spiritual Practices
come by themselves, Sadhana for some time. will
truths
The
At
Then reduce
may
the quantity
much food
to
In
half.
the
some weakness of the body. be all right after some time, and feel
body will will remain active and the*
practise
take three-fourths of your usual
first
beginning you
But
you
spiritual aspirant should not take
at night. diet.
if
in perfect condition.
(The Swami then referred to the days when he practised Sadhana in the company of his brotherdisciples
and
said:
We
used to take only a single
meal during the whole day and night.") THE SWAMI A Sadhaka should
first
learn
about the spiritual path from some great soul, then follow it methodically. If he does it haphazard,
he cannot achieve much it
Again
if
he gives
up, he will have to put forth double the
effort to is
success.
lost.
gain the desired Lust,
anger,
vity)
is
and Tamas
now
But no endeavour
go
away
covered over by Rajas
(acti-
gradually
greed,
from him who leads the
Your mind
result.
usual
spiritual life.
(inertia).
7
It
must be made pure
Spiritual Teachings
and
subtle,
and raised
(illumination).
the
mind
Sattwa
will
find
pleasure
in
and will
also
feel
inclined
to
more and more time
devote
of
state
Then you
religious practices
when
the
to
attains
to them.
perfect
purity,
Later
on,
you
will
naturally devote yourself to spiritual culture.
mind it
ly
on the gross
at present
is
leans
toward
becomes awakened, spiritual.
increases
When
it
gross it
plane.
ConsequentBut when it *
things.
inclines naturally
grows
and the aspirant
The
toward the
subtler, its capacity also is
able
understand
to
within a short time the truths about God.
When
you
sit in
meditation,
first
think of a bliss-
This will have a soothing effect on your nerves and mind. Otherwise meditation ful Divine form.
will
become dry and
tedious.
Think of the form
of your Ishtam (Ideal) as smiling and
While away your time no
full
longer.
This
is
Sadhana continuously for seven or eight you
Now
must be kept under no doubt a troublesome task. But
senses are strong and
of
bliss.
the
control. practise
years, then
will enjoy the fruits of your practices, the peace
8
Spiritual Practices
and
attained also
thereof.
bliss
That
women have
But
strive for it? is
have
devotees
Should
illumination.
spiritual
than men.
women
Many
not
you
greater faith
they succeed in a compa-
why
ratively short time.
Belie^ me, the Lord practise a
He will extend His He who is protecting
little,
to you.
It is
miseries
and
How
grace!
troubles.
can
You have been things.
Now
them.
Now
up
When
you
will feel the joy of
you
helping hand us all from
His
is
you? all these spiritual
You have done enough do some
that aspect
appeals to you most.
Sadhana.
to
it
\'L
unbounded
only hearing of
realise
First take
How
describe
I
study and reasoning. tice.
always with you.
is
of
Follow your
God
realise
realising
Him
spiritual prac-
God which own path of
through also
it,
in
you
other
aspects and through other paths. One should meditate on the form of the Ishtam
does
not
along with Japam.
Otherwise
become
you cannot think of the whole
effective.
If
form, think only of a part.
9
Japam
Begin your meditation
Spiritual Teachings
on the "lotus feet" of the Deity. Continue to do it even if you fail in the Why should beginning. until
you stop
Practice will Is
you succeed?
make
Succeed you must.
everything easy.
meditation an easy affair?
next only to Samadhi.
it
is
to leave everything to
Resign yourself wholly unto Him. Then,
the Lord,
through
Try
Remember,
your
thing will
Sadhana, self-surrender
come from
within.
10
and
every-
Ill
WORSHIP AND MEDITATION (CONVERSATION AT BENARES) Maharaj, you spoke to us of the practice of Puja (worship) meditation, continence and study of the Scriptures. What does Puja mean? K.
,
THE SWAMI mental
worship.
Puja means both external and In
external
worship certain and water are
accessories such as flowers, incense,
necessary.
It is difficult
So mental
worship
is
to get these things always.
more convenient
for you.
After worshipping the Ishtam (Chosen Ideal) mentally with Padya (water for washing the feet)
,
flowers and incense, which are offered in external
worship, practise meditation and mental Japam. In purely mental Japam the Mantram (name of the Deity) lips.
is
to be repeated without
moving the
But in ordinary Japam one has to utter the 11
Spiritual Teachings
Mantram and
there
is
movement of
therefore
the
lips.*
In meditation you should think of the form of
your Ishtam as effulgent. is
shining through
its
Imagine that everything
Think of
lustre.
gence as non-material and possessed This
gence.
kind
of
meditation
this efful-
wirt\, intelli-
will
later
on )>
develop into meditation on the formless and aspect of God.
infinite
In the beginning the aspirant has
to take the help of imagination; later on,
when he
develops his spiritual sense, he will feel the presence
of
the
Divine.
Next,
when he
highest spiritual vision, he will
with Truth.
He
is
come
gets
the
face to face
then transported into a different
realm altogether, of which
this
world of matter
appears to be a mere shadow and, as such, something unreal.
Samadhi
The mind
(superconscious
is
then lost in Savikalpa
vision
with
Next comes Nirvikalpa Samadht vision without thought).
There
thought).
(superconscious is
then the
reali-
*Japam may be (i) loud, that is, audible to all, (ii) (a) audible to oneself only, or (b) silent but with the movement of the lips, and (iii) mental without any movement of the lips.
12
Worship and Meditation sation of that
which
In this state there
be heard.
When
beyond thought and speech.
is
nothing to be seen; nothing to
is
Everything
lost in the Infinite.
is
one attains to
one can bring down the mind only with great effort to the world of phenomena, which appear to be unreal. It is %cfT%cT - fcrefsrcf "beyond duality and non-duality,
Seme
persons
upon the body broken
Samadhi. Sri
state,
to
attaining as
spiritual
this
an obstacle
way of
un-
off
in
the breaking of an earthen
jar,
Ramakrishna used
tration to explain
the
in
and
experience,
It is like
Suppose sun the reflected water,
the cast
it
to give a beautiful illus-
highest
there are
realisation.
of
state
nine
in each one.
broken.
it;
finally
Then whatever
is,
is
even
spiritual
pots
You
pots one after another until only one
the sun reflected in
look
state
this
is
break the left,
this last
there. It
of
full
with
pot
is
can neither
be seen nor described.
K
Maharaj,
all-pervading
some think of the Ishtam
Spirit.
Is
this
meditation ? 13
as
not also a form
the
of
Spiritual Teachings
THE SWAMI
meditation
this
practise
some progress ning.
The
in
but
spiritual
Everyone has to
so.
Yes, quite
life;
He who
also impersonal
is
making
not in the begin-
presence of the Ishtam
everywhere.
after
only
is
to
be realised
personal and with form
He
and without form.
is
dwells in
every being.
He
prevades land and water, hills
and
and
stars,
dales, sky
K the
everything.
Maharaj, the Scriptures speak of service to
Guru
as a necessary
How far is THE SWAMI
tion.
stage.
means
to spiritual realisa-
this true ? It is
necessary at the preliminary
But afterwards one's mind
itself
plays the
part of the Guru.*
The Guru should not be looked upon His physical body ordinary human being. temple in
which resides the Lord.
If the
an
as is
the
Guru
is
served with this idea in mind, one comes to acquire love and
devotion
for
him, which can then be
directed toward the Lord.
*The guidance
of
God
the
Guru
comes through one's purified mind.
14
of Gurus, dwelling within
Worship and Meditation There are Sadhakas
upon
the
Guru
who
(aspirants)
in the Sahasrara (thousand-petalled
and next they merge the form
lotus in the brain),
Sri
Rama-
"The
Guru
of the Guru into that of the Ishtam.
used
krishna
meditate
to
say
very clearly:
appears before the disciple in his spiritual vision; then pointing out the Ishtam to him he says, 'Look,
Aere
your Ishtam?
is
Really the
Guru
is
and
loses
can
you about
I tell
Follow the
in
it."
not different from the Ishtam.
There are so many practices
How
himself
spiritual
all
in the spiritual life.
of them ?
path in right earnest.
When
the
mind becomes pure through
you
will understand all the truths of the spiritual
world. are
Remember, there
The
countless.
is
religious practices
no end
spiritual
to
them; they
aspirant
remains
wholly absorbed in them.
Q
Sadhaka gets a little taste of Ananda (Divine bliss), he is very much encouraged to proceed on his spiritual path. Is this not so? If the
THE SWAMI ual state there
is
But
True.
in the higher spirit-
neither bliss nor sorrow, pain nor
15
Spiritual Teachings
existence nor non-existence.
pleasure, that
you speak of
of Sadhana. able
wind
tion.
The
only a help during the period boat stands in need of a favour-
is
so long as
But when
The Ananda
it
it
has not reached
has once reached
it
its
destina-
there
no
is
need for wind, whether favourable or unfavourable.
Ananda
helps the aspirant in his onward course like
the favourable wind.
Knowledge, the object known and the knower, all three lose
been
only have the Scriptures
what takes place
One
describe.
so
much
say.
But
themselves in the Absolute;
after this,
able
to
none has the power
has to realise
it
to
for oneself through
spiritual practice.
How
wonderful neither
is
want nor
there
is
of
elevates the soul.
it
men who
Infinite fear.
Existence
The
where
very thought
There are some
spiritual
Absolute (Nitya) as distinct Others (Lila, Divine Sport).
realise the
from the Relative
look upon both of these as one and the same. There is yet another state of spiritual experience,
which
is
beyond both Absolute and Relative. 16
IV
THE KUNDALINI (CONVERSATION AT BENARES)
Q
how
%Maharaj,
can
Kundalini*
the
be
awakened ?
THE SWAMI
practice of
Through the
]apam
(repetition of the Lord's name) Dhyana (meditaAccording to tion) and other spiritual exercises. ,
some Yogis
there are special forms of meditation
and practices which awaken it, but I believe be best done through ]apam and Dhyana. practice of
Japam
*Lit. co /led. sleeping in the latent in all
It is
is
it
can
The
specially suited to our present
described in the Tantras as a coiled serpent
human body. Kundalini is the spiritual power With its awakening begins the real religious beings.
of the aspirant. According to the Yogis there exists in the column a hollow canal called Sushumna with seven spinal These centres begin with the Muladhara lotuses or centres. or the centre at the base of the spinal column, and end in the Sahasrara or the thousand-petalled lotus in the brain. As the life
Kundalini
rises
higher and higher, wonderful psychic powers and
When
it reaches the Sahaspiritual visions come to the Yogi. srara the Yogi attains the highest spiritual illumination.
17
Spiritual Teachings
iron age (Kali
Yuga)
practice easier
than
There
.
this.
is
But
no other
spiritual
must
meditation
accompany the repetition of the Mantram. Q Does meditation mean thinking of the form of the Deity ?
THE SWAMI
It
of
thinking
implies
the
Divine, both with form and without form.
Q one
the
Guru who decides whethe.
for meditation
on God with form or with-
Maharaj, is fit
is it
out form?
THE SWAMI
But the pure mind itself At times the mind is plays the part of the Guru. Yes.
At other times
inclined to think of the form.
formless aspect of
God
cannot be had always.
with
his
spiritual
comprehension also
appeals.
As
The
outer
Guru
the aspirant goes
on
power of Then his mind can
practices,
increases.
the
his
act as a guide.
The Yogavasishtha-Ramayana
that
mental
wasted through various distractions. A is drawn to the body, another part to the
energy part of
is
senses,
still
it
says
another
part to the
18
objects
of sense.
The Kundalini
The mind bonds.
tied to
is
Collect
forces of the
mind
in a particular direction.
This
the task of the spiritual
Concentrate
the
life.
whole mind and
spiritual practices until the goal
Be up and doing.
You
are
is
direct
reached.
young now.
not be able to do anything
exercises as
the
mind
it
is
part of the
likes it or not,
some
these
old.
is
will
In
spiritual
Whether
routine.
daily
to
Strive,
This
when you grow
necessary to do
it
You
the time to practise spiritual exercises.
the beginning
the
all
Snap
things.
the scattered
and make them flow is
many
must be followed
regularly.
Begin your spiritual life in right earnest. If you can concentrate all the distracted powers of the mind, you will find that this will generate a
tremendous through
Know
energy.
meditation
that
all
these
Do or
it
through
through
Japam
or
discrimination.
means are equally
effective.
Take up any one and merge yourself in Sadhana* Do not question any more. First do something; then come and ask questions, if you have any. 19
Spiritual Teachings
Q
Maharaj,
is
true
it
that
Kundalhri
the
awakens by the grace of the Guru?
THE SWAMI
Through
the grace of the
Guru
not only can the Kundalini be roused, but everything else can
Brahman.
One
easily.
Ask
But
the
be had, this
^even
grace
the knowledge of
cannot
to this
mind
in your
thing
discipline.
and else.
attained
has to strive one's utmost to get
calm moments
done any spiritual practice. It will you have done absolutely nothing. spiritual
be
it.
if
you have
tell
you that
Practise
some
Devote yourself not pay heed to any-
Begin now.
this alone.
Do
Plunge into the very depth of your
soul.
20
V
WORK AND WORSHIP (CONVERSATION AT BENARES)
THE SWAMI How
are you getting
on with
your spiritual practices?
S
Maharaj,
There
is
too
do not
I
much work
THE SWAMI Sadban a for
(spiritual
want of
time.
It
find
enough time for them.
to do.
is
a
mistake to
think
that
cannot be practised The real cause is the restlessness exercises)
of the mind.
Work and very good ual
if
worship must go hand in hand. one can devote oneself solely to
But
practices.
how many
can do
it?
It is
spirit-
Two
men can sit still doing nothing. One is The other the idiot, who is too dull to be active. As is the saint who has gone beyond all activity.
types of
the Gita says,
"
Without performing work none can 21
Spiritual Teachings
reach worklessness."
One can
attain
knowledge
As we
merely through the discipline of work. even those
have
who
give up work and lead
see,
a retired life
spend a good deal of their time in putting up thatches, cooking food and doing other things. Instead of working for yourself, work for the to
Know
sake of the Lord.
have
do
to
is
Vivekananda's.
your work
Ramakrishna's
Sri
If
work you and Swanu
that all the
you can work with
will not bind you.
On
this
idea,
the other hand,
improve you in every way, spiritually, moralOffer your ly, intellectually and also physically. soul of these at the feet body and great teachers. it
will
Give yourself up wholly to them; be their servant and tell them, "I give you my body, soul and all I have.
Do
with them what you will;
serve you to the best of this,
rests self
the
responsibility
with them.
any more.
the right
spirit.
my
power/'
of your
You need
I
am
If
ready to
you can do
spiritual
welfare
not bother about your-
But you should resign yourself in You should not do it with a doubt-
ing heart "taking the
name of God and 22
at the
Work and Worship time keeping your clothes untouched
We then
led a set
life for five
wandering
ourselves called
Vivekananda) "There is nothing
to
work.
me
aside
in a
We
work, but Rather,
it
I
do not think
infinite
faith in these
*This reference
is
to
Sri
life.
Work
for
did various kinds of it
did us great good.
faith in Swamiji's words.
or six years and
Swamiji (Swami one day and said,
wandering
the sake of the Lord/'
by water*."
I tell
did us
any harm.
But we had strong you, you must have
two great
souls,
Sri
Rama-
Ramakrishna's parable of the milkto supply milk
maid and the Brahmin priest. A milk-maid used to a Brahmin priest living on the other side of a
river.
Owing
the irregularities of boat service, she could not deliver the milk punctually every day. Once being rebuked for her delay I have to wait the poor woman said, "What can I do, Sir? a long time for the boatman." The priest said, "Woman! people cross the ocean of life by uttering the name of God, and canst thou not cross this little river?" The simple-hearted woman And from the next day she began to cross believed the priest. the river uttering God's name. One day the priest asked her why she was never late as before. The woman replied, "I cross the river by uttering the name of the Lord as you bade me The priest could not believe this, and wanted to see dp." himself how the woman crossed the river. The woman took him with her and began to walk over the water repeating the name of the Lord. But looking behind, she saw the priest following "How is it, Sir," she said, "you timidly, holding up his clothes. are uttering the name of the Lord, but at the same time you are trying to keep your clothes untouched by water? You do not fully rely on the Lord." Complete resignation and absolute faith in God are at the root of all miracles. to
23
Spiritual Teachings
krishna and Swamiji, and
not be afraid.
work
Keep your
for their cause.
faith firm.
Do
Hereafter
many will try to shake your faith by saying, "The work you have taken up has nothing to do with Sri Ramakrishna or Swamiji/' But pay no heed to them. Even if the whole world stands against you, never give up what you have once believed to he true.
S
It is
very difficult to devote oneself exclusive-
ly to spiritual practices.
I
tried but could not con-
tinue for a long time.
THE SWAMI Why not do
it,
do you think
falls
again
"The new-born
down many and
you can-
because you failed once or twice?
has to try again and again. to say
that
Ramakrishna used
calf tries to stand up, but
times.
again.
Sri
One
does not stop. It tries then at last, it not only
It
And
stands up, but also learns to run."
The mind
gets
up some regular work at the beginning of the spiritual life. Then the trained mind can be applied to meditation and other
good
training if one takes
spiritual
practices.
The mind 24
that
is
allowed to
Work and Worship will
drift
at
drift
the time of spiritual practices
also.
To
the spiritually advanced
when he wants
time
to
meditation and prayer.
from him by mind awakens
man
there comes a
devote himself solely to
At
that time
work
falls off
This takes place wheu the Otherwise, even if one spiritually.
itself.
of exclusive spiritual practice by sheer effort of the will, one can go on only for a few
takes
to
a
life
Then comes monotony.
days.
by persisting.
Some even go mad
Others follow the spiritual path in
a haphazard way, and keep their
mind busy with
other things as well.
Great strength can be acquired through the practice of Brahmacharya (continence and service). A true
Brahmacharm can do
men. nence,
work of
twenty-five
In olden days, besides the practice of conti-
Brahmacharya included ]apam
of the Lord's name) tures,
the
,
(repetition
meditation, study of the Scrip-
pilgrimage, association with holy men, and
even more. All
men
cannot
know what 25
is
good
for them. For
Spiritual Teachings
one should keep the company of holy
that reason
Here
men.
I
give you full freedom.
Let
how
perly trained.
mind
see
Not long
long you can follow the right path. not more than a .few days.
All troubles arise because the
me
is
not pro-
no enemy more harmful ruins one completely.
There
is
than idle gossip. It Unless one spends some time in solitude,
one
cannot understand the workings of the mind and realise the Truth.
ually
along any
It is
very difficult to
particular
line
in
grow
the
spirit-
midst of
tumult and confusion. I
give
freedom
to
all.
I
want everybody to But when I find that
advance along his own line. he is not able to do so, I come to his help.
good in every way to stay at a particular You will place and take up some form of service. It
is
you stay here for a long time without doing any work useful to the institution. But if you render some form of service every day, you will feel feel
uneasy
if
right in both
mind and body.
During the days of our
active life,
26
we used
to
be
Work and Worship and keep excellent health
in high spirits
too.
I
we used to feel much better then than now when we do not do any regular work. I am telling
think
you my innermost thoughts what I actually feel. I I have now retired from active work. speak of myself just by way of illustration. Some people think they, too, should do like me and be less active. Itfever entertain
such a thought.
Eternal life
before you.
a
few
lives
is
What
to the cause of Sri
you devote Ramakrishna and if
Swamiji ? Even if it is a mistake to do so, But I tell you, lives be spent in vain.
going to be
so.
Through the grace of
a few
let it
Sri
not
is
Rama-
krishna and Swamiji, you will see to what grear spiritual heights
Do -do,
properly.
now
life
any more.
If
you
will not be able to practise spiritual exer-
Any work
with your whole heart. as Swamiji used to say. are
soar.
not lead an easy-going
you
cises
you will
that
This
is
you take up, do the secret of work,
Set yourself to work.
required to conduct a magazine.
27
Do
You it
by
Spiritual Teachings all
means.
It is
nothing to you,
it
is
very easy for
you.
Before you begin to work, remember the Lord
and at
offer
your salutations to Him.
intervals
after
you
of the
in the course
of the work,
the
same
and
also
f
Spend all your time in k''nking teachings and commandments of Sri
finish
life,
Do
it.
Ramakrishna and Swamiji. Know in your heafc of hearts that the work you do is for their sake.
28
VI
HAPPINESS (CONVERSATION AT BENARES)
THE SWAMI Do
you
know why
I
ask
seriously, all of you, to devote yourselves heart
soul to the Lord
Thakur
(Sri
When we
?
Ramakrishna)
make us do our the mind remains
you and
spiritual
were of your age, used to push us and
indelible impression
In
practices.
plastic like clay.
from whatever
It it
boyhood
receives an
comes in con-
So long as clay remains soft, you can any shape you like. But when the clay is give burned, this cannot be done. Your mind now is It can be moulded in any way like unburnt clay. tact with. it
you want. It is be directed very is
pure and untainted, so it can If the mind easily toward God.
still
kept wholly occupied with thoughts of the Lord this time on, no foreign thought can disturb If the mind be now firmly fixed on the Divine,
from it.
29
Spiritual Teachings
you need have no anxiety about your
spiritual pro-
gress.
The mind
is
packet of mustard seeds.
like a
the seeds are once scattered,
gather them up. before
its
energy
frittered
efforts to concentrate difficulty
scattered.
is
Whgn
you
mind has been
the
mind of a
you will experience
it;
when you
Do
particular object.
try to focus
it
on a
how impressionYou are now like
you not see little
boy?
you want to mould yourselves, strive for earnestly from your sixteenth to your thirtieth
him. it
becomes
away, you will have to make very strenu-
tremendous
able
mould your mind
ask you to
I
very difficult to
it is
old and the energy of your
grow ous
So
If
year.
If
After that there
illumination.
Up
is
less
chance of achieving
to the thirtieth
and the mind remain
fresh.
That
year is
the
the
body
time when
mind can be given a definite shape. But you must labour hard and devote yourselves heart and the
soul to your ideal of
the
mind may
throughout
life.
receive
life.
Whatever impression
during
If therefore
30
youth
will
last
you have determined
Happiness to lead a holy life in order to realise
The mind
also
for spiritual practices.
constant struggle. by,
will be
it
is
health
is
all right
plastic.
This
is
the time
Mould your mind through
If this period of
more
strive
Your
your utmost from today.
now.
God,
difficult to
your
life
do anything
goes after-
wards. If
you can leave a strong stamp on the mind
during
this period, if
and end-all of your
you can make
from
the be-all
you can devote Him, you will be free
existence,
yourselves sincerely to realise
God
if
sorrow and pain. jNo misery, no unhappiness will be able to throw you 5if-yaiir balance. You all
become the
will
inheritor of everlasting bliss
#nd
joy divine.
What
How
does
he runs
man want? He wants happiness. after it! What plans he makes! What
strenuous efforts he puts forth! it? is
After baffled.
purpose.
He
many
attempts, after
But does he get
many
a plan,
he
He plans again and again, but to no In this way his whole life ebbs away.
has not the good fortune to enjoy peace and 31
Spiritual Teachings
happiness at labourer and
Then he and
Thus he
departs from this world.
who
the goal of
Nothing
lives
better can be expected
runs after empty pleasures, forgetting
life.
you wish to attain
sacrifice
hard like an ordinary reaps sorrow and pain.
toils
return
in
dies in vain.
by one
If
He
all.
all
fleeting joys,
worldly pleasures,
and
you must attachment fo?
real happiness, all
whole energy of your The more you advance toward
direct the
mind toward God.
Him, the greater the bliss you will realise. The more your mind becomes attached to the world and to
sense-enjoyments,
the
more
will
you
suffer.
Do you know the nature of the ordinary man? He seeks only pleasure, joy and diversion. And he makes
this
mistake from the very beginning.
Ninety-nine per cent of those
who
do not know what
is.
it
really
seek happiness
They grasp
at
whatever they find near at hand and believe they
have got the thing they seek. disappointed,
when
they
again they
they are
up something else; and But they bemoan their lot.
take
fail,
Then when
32
Happiness see the folly of
again;
still
they will not change their course, they
will not take lives receiving
destiny.
up the right path. They pass blow after blow and bewailing
Thakur
pare theni to a
good
they are disappointed again and
it;
grass even
their
Ramakrishna) used to comThe camel will not take
(Sri
camel.
when
their
close by.
It
knows well
that
thorny grass makes the mouth bleed, but still it on eating it. In the same way man insists suffers
because
of
wrong thoughts and
wrong
desires.
You
are
boys
very
young
boys.
Your mind
has not yet received any evil impression from the If you can struggle hard from now outside world. on, you will be able to escape
life's
sorrows and
miseries.
Whatever the
you may possess, whatever your chances of living a happy and prosperous life, however wide your circle of friends and wellriches
you will not have
All happiness. these things last for a few moments, or at the mbst
wishers,
an hour; they do not
last longer.
33 2
real
Then comes
a
Spiritual Teachings
reaction of misery. If
one
is
Thus
reaction follows action.
and eternal happiness, one that joy which brings no reaction
to attain true
must aspire
after
Wherein
in its train.
It
happiness?
lies
that
lies
in realising
true
and eternal
God.
This divine
enjoyment alone brings no reaction; all other kinds of enjoyments you can name are followed by re-
And you must know
action. is
reaction, there is
Never forget is
that wherever there
sorrow and suffering.
the ideal of
human
life.
This
life
not given us to while away in eating, drinking
and sleeping
When
things.
being,
spurn
an animal, in idle gossip and such you have been born as a human
like
all
solve to realise
worldly
God and
enjoyments.
Firmly
attain infinite bliss.
re-
Flinch
not, even if
you die in the attempt. Why have you come away from your hearth and home in the name of our Thakur (Sri Ramakrishna)
?
Is it
not to realise Him, to get rid of
the sorrows and sufferings of the world and attain
and happiness ? Sincerely struggle then toward the
everlasting peace
34
ideal of life, so
Happiness long as you have strength of body and mind.
no means relax your
efforts,
realise the ideal later or that
it
through the Lord's grace.
It
talk in this way.
I
By
saying that you will will be possible only is
idlers alone
do not want you
to idle
that
away
you are not in earnest, speak out Say, "I have a desire to enjoy worldly clearly. I have not a sincere longing to realise pleasures. your time.
Truth
If
to attain
God/
1
Let your speech and your
thought be one.
When The
do
are you going to
best part of life, as
I
spiritual practices?
told you,
sixteenth to the thirtieth year.
Do
is
from the
you hope that
after wasting these valuable years in useless pursuits,
you will be able to take up
in old self.
age?
Do
Know
that
is
cheating, deceiving one-
not cheat yourselves.
35
spiritual practices
VII
WORLDLY
LIFE
AND
SPIRITUAL LIFE
(CONVERSATION AT THE BEUJR MATH)
THE SWAMI trivial
Most people waste
concerns; then
many who
are in
spend their
last
(devotion)
their life in
old age overtakes them.
service retire
on pensions and
days at some place of pilgrimage. that thus they will attain Bhakfi
think
They
when
and Mukti
also that the Tirthas
(liberation).
They hope
(places of pilgrimage)
will
enable them to expiate all the sins they have comIs it not sheer madness to think thus?
mitted.
What
else can
purifying receive
it
be ?
He who
firmly believes in the
power of the Tirthas will, no doubt, some spiritual impetus therefrom. The
pure and holy, and those who have good Samskaras (tendencies) are somewhat Tirthas are always
benefited by them spiritually. That more can be expected from them. ever,
has to
be considered
is all.
Nothing Benares, how-
an exception.
Many
Worldly Life and Spiritual Life people, for this reason, are anxious to spend there the last days of their
life.
entertain the firm
They
hope
that they will attain liberation if they pass
away
in that sacred city.
True
it is
man
that a
is
freed from the bonds of Samsara (birth and death)
he breathes
if
Viswanach*
his last at Benares.
is
the Lord of the Universe, and strange and inscrutable are
His ways. misery and suffer
Is it desirable to live a life in
ing and then
attain
Mukti
(liberation)
wiser to enjoy the present
in
life
the
not
Is it
?
ecstasy
of
devotion and spiritual practice and then once for all
enter the portals of infinite bliss?
(Sri
Ramakrishna)
a house through
door/*
its
used to
say,
As Thakur
"You can
front gate or through
But which of these
is
better?
enter
back
its
When
it is
possible to gain entrance through the front gate,
why should we Decide now which
enter
through
the
back
door?
of these two you should choose
momentary happiness or
infinite bliss, the pleasures
*Lit. Lord of the Universe, a name for Shiva who, as the devotee believes, confers the highest knowledge and salvation to those who die in the holy city or Benares.
37
Spiritual Teachings
of
this life or
the
everlasting
peace of the
life
beyond ?
One
great thing to be considered
is
Kripa (Divine grace). The breeze of His grace is always blowOnly unfurl your sails and you will have it. ing.
How
can you catch the breeze
now
furled?
Hoist them
longer.
Give up your
desires
your hankering for
ments, fully
you keep your sails and do not delay any
resign
yourself
if
name
the
to
for worldly enjoy-
and fame, and
Lord.
impossible to enjoy worldly pleasures
same time
realise
God and mammon
It
is
and
quite at the
God.
You
cannot serve both
at the
same
time.
If
you want
God, you must renounce worldly pleasures. If, on the other hand, you desire to enjoy temporal pleasures, you will have to give up God. to realise
Do
not keep your feet in two boats, as they say.
If
you do, you will only make yourself miserable. You must have a clear conception of your life's ideal. Decide now what life you want to lead. Should
it
be
this fleeting life
or the everlasting
life
of transient pleasures
of eternal bliss ?
38
Worldly Life and Spiritual Life
You
are
young
innocent
boys,
Worldliness has not yet
left
its
and
guileless.
impress on your
you will be up and doing now, you can escape from the clutches of the trials and tribulamind.
If
tions of worldly life.
See that your principles are not done now,
fixed even
now.
be done.
Mere skipping on the surface will be of Hold to your ideal; hold fast, and never
no
avail.
If
loosen your grip.
God
as the be-all
saken
ments binds
it is
To
the
man who
and end-all of
life,
it
will never
has accepted has for
who
and cravings for sensual enjoyto him God is very near. Such a man desires
all
God
with the
ties
of his love as Yasoda and
the Gopis did Gopal. Sri
Ramakrishna used
himself for the sake of
puted claim on
so
a
"He who
has denied
God
has a strong and undisAs one can endearingly
Him."
demand anything of relations,
to say,
one's parents or one's near
devotee has a right to
ask God,
"Lord, appear before me. Will you not come? You must come." When a devotee is earnest, GoI
cannot remain unmoved. 39
He
hastens to
him and
Spiritual Teachings
takes
him on His
joy!
How
it
who
people, Sri
it,
He
boundless that bliss!
has had
pared to
Oh, how inexpressible that
lap.
that
supreme
become
insipid
experience.
Corn-
dear
most
so
worldly pleasures,
alone knows
to
and worthless.
Ramakrishna used
to say,
"He who
has totally
given up carnal enjoyments for the sake of God has already covered three-fourths of his journey." Is
easy to renounce all enjoyments?
it
man
Only
the strength required for renunciation.
mind it
a
has God's grace and has done severe Tapas
(spiritual discipline) in his past life, can
in
if
in such a
way
that vile thoughts
he acquire
Purify your
may
not arise
at all.
You
are all Brahmacharins
(unmarried).
you have pledged your pleasures, enjoyments and
will not marry,
life to
sacrificing
all
sake.
But bear in mind that
a pure and unsullied
young boys take like?
sword.
it
life.
to be.
it is
It is
Do
You
God, for His
very hard to lead
not so easy as yoii
you know what
it is
walking on the edge of a drawn Every moment there is the chance o a 40
It is like
Worldly Life and Spiritual Life of being sliced to pieces. Perfect continence the only condition of success in this life. And
fall, is
nay impossible, to practise absolute You have purity without love and faith in God. to live in a world full of passions and enjoyments. it
is
difficult,
Every day you have to see before you more than per cent of the people running
ninety-nine
after sensual
there
pleasures;
is
constant
mad
risk
of
your mind being contaminated with evil thoughts. If your mind becomes tainted by them, there is no
hope for you.
Those who want
to lead a life of
Brahmacharya (continence) must always engage their minds in thinking good thoughts, studying good books and in discussing elevating subjects.
They must spend
time in worship of God,
their
service of holy
and
men, in the company of pious people, the practice of meditation and other kinds
in
of spiritual
mould
is
the
only
way
to
one's character.
First tice
This
discipline.
of
of
else will
all,
be firm in your devotion to the prac-
Brahmacharya
come by
(continence).
itself.
41
Everything
Perfection in continence
Spiritual Teachings
be
cannot
practices)
tion of
;
attained
(spiritual
and without perfect continence,
God
is
impossible.
real bliss cannot
ness,
Sadhana
without
human
young boys
Unless
God
be had, and without
life will
with
be spent in vain.
pure minds
realisa-
is
realised,
real happi-
You
and noble
are ail aspira-
beg of you, my dear ones, do a little Sadhana and you will see how Shraddha (faith) and Bhakti (devotion) will be roused within you. tions.
You
I
will
become
heirs of
immortal
bliss;
you will
be blessed with the vision of your Ishtam (Chosen You will then Ideal), with the vision of God. attain to the ultimate goal of
42
human
life.
VIII
REALISATION
THROUGH
SELF-
SURRENDER 'AT THE BELUR MATH.
THE SWAMI
Sri
Ramakrishna used
to say that
person can attain God if he possesses the intensity of this threefold love the love a devoted wife
Tt
a worldly man feels for the world, and the attachment the miser
bears her husband,
the
attraction
has for his hoarded gold. Intense yearning of this kind is sure to enable one to realise God. Do you
know what
it
means?
It
means
that
one can reach
the Lord and be blessed with His vision and spiritual touch the moment the mind is cleansed of all desires
and
filled
The Lord
with a sincere longing for God-realisation. says in the Gita
*
in
'Relinquishing alone."
all
individual effort, take refuge
Me
Self-surrender,
self-surrender,
43
self-surrender
Spiritual Teachings
that
is
the only way; there
age (Kali Yuga)
and
is
He
span of
life.
the energy,
strength,
much on food
too
has to do
He
In this iron
other.
man depends
shortlived.
this brief
no
is
many
things little
possesses very
renunciation,
courage
in
of
and
of penance, that are essential for God-realiHis mind is weak and naturally runs after sation. spirit
9
But
enjoyment. realised,
God
in spite of all this,
Without
God-realisation
has to be
life
is
one comes into the world and goes out of out
accomplishing
therefore realise God, and there
is
with-
it
Man
must
no path
easier
worthy.
anything
vain;
than self-surrender.
it
What do we understand by self-surrender ? Does mean that we have not to do anything, that we
have only
to sit quiet?
The devotee
No,
has to pray
heart in this manner,
it
does not
constantly
"Oh
Lord!
I
with
is
for spiritual will bring
me
life.
that.
a pure
do not know
good and what is bad for me. dependent on Thee. Grant unto me all what
mean
I
am
solely I
need
Take me along the path
that
the greatest good.
44
that
Vouchsafe unto
Realisation
me
Through Self-Surrender
the faith and strength constantly to
remember
Thee and meditate on Thee." indeed no easy thing to dedicate oneself heart and soul to the Lord. Many people say: "I have It is
surrendered myself,
my
God.
to
all,
am
I
doing as
He
is
we
shall see that their actions are quite contrary to
making me do/'
what they take the
over
and
it,
If they
profess. credit
But
to
if
we
observe their
do anything good, they
themselves,
feel
highly
"Oh, what a great thing
think:
life,
elated I
have
But when even a slight trouble besets them, they immediately throw the blame on the achieved!"
Lord,
saying:
"What
bringing on me!'*
a
This
great is
misfortune
how most
He
is
people spend
life.
We
judge
men
only by their exterior, but
looks into their innermost mind.
who
prays
certain.
be
with a
Be pure
different
sincere in
heart.
heart.
God
God
runs to him
Know
this
as
Let not your words
from your thoughts
and
God
will
reward you according to your deserts. Sri Ramakrishna used to say "If you do one45
Spiritual Teachings
sixteenth part of the that
I
have done,
Sadhana so
very
indolent that
we
duty.
Sadhana
it is
He
enough."
shirk our
made
has
But
we
are
work and
fail
in our
for
easy
practices)
(spiritual
us.
By doing so we cheat
ourselves.
so
some
If
one gives us good things to eat, we want them to be put into our mouths. There are many who request
me
to
myself
them.
bless
when
I
moment
The
to
laughing
help
They do not do
hear them.
them.
instruct
cannot
I
leave
they
as
I
my
do whatever they like. If I should ask any one of them whether he follows my instructions, he would reply, "No, Sir, I had no time to
presence, they
do
"Weak and
or
it,"
was not able
do
to
desire to follow
it."
me and
evil-minded as
I
Those who have no have no faith in
am,
I
sincere
me may do
anything they like without asking me. not follow
my
instructions
blessed by me. sation
without
dodging.
When
the time in
They wish the
and
yet
They will they want to be
to attain spiritual reali-
necessary
such people come,
aimless
talk
46
in
by mere while away
exertion,
jesting
I
and making
Realisation
What
fun.
is
Through Self-Surrender
the use of tiring myself by talking
of spiritual practices to people
them?
who
will not follow
speak of higher matters only to a very
I
few who,
I
think, will take
my words and
on
act
But even then they do not follow the instructions fully and properly. Always accustomed
them.
to
shirking work,
without
that
want
to
attain
everything
effort.
There is
they
is
no dearth of Divine
men do
realise
the
in idle gossip only.
trouble
is
No
Man
Supreme Truth.
pride in talking nonsense; that
And
The
not care to avail themselves of
They take pleasure wants to
grace.
how he
it.
one takes
spends his
he sows, so he reaps. "Teachers can be had by thousands, but rare indeed is a true life.
disciple."
teachers, their
as
There are many to take up the role of but where are the men to hear and follow
teachings?
higher
life,
one goes on
striving
for
a
with strong faith in the words of the
GurUj then there
who
If
is
an end to one's miseries.
He
has such faith need not run about here and
there with a restless mind.
47
The Lord
looks to
all
Spiritual Teachings his wants.
He
him by
takes
the
hand and leads
him along the right path. There need be no for him who has been blessed by the Lord.
anxiety
given only to one in a million to cherish noble desires and sublime thoughts, and of such It is
souls as are so privileged very ideals to the last.
few can
Those persons
in
stick to their
whose mind
good thoughts have already sprung up should try their utmost to strengthen and make them permaIn order to keep
nent.
their fervour they
up
should
unto pray unceasingly to the Almighty, "Vouchsafe Lord, Thy grace! me, May it be on me forever!'*
O
Sri
the
Ramakrishna used
to say,
maid-servant in a house
"To looks
all
appearances
upon
all
that
belongs to her master as her own, but in her heart of hearts she knows that they do not belong to her at all.
So long as
without attachment.
we
We
of hearts that this world
we must do should know in
live,
our work
our heart
not our permanent home, but only a temporary abode. And we should direct is
our mind to God, the heavenly
we
came.
48
home from where
Realisation
How many with pride,
Through Self-Surrender
care for Truth or
man
sometimes
God?
raises himself
Puffed
up
on such a
high pedestal that he totally denies even the existence of God. Everyone thinks himself infallible
and
his
the only
way
know what
way
to salvation.
such a one says?
what we cannot understand." limited
is
his
Do
you
"We do not accept He little thinks how
power of comprehension!
What he
thinks right today, he gives
Thus
his
up as false tomorrow. opinion changes from day to day. In
making a parade of his knowledge, he does not care a straw for what is high and noble. The Divine Mother alone knows
in
how many ways man
is
deluded.
Every person conceives of God in his own little individual way. But our conception of the Lord should not be so limited, for sive. tellect.
He
is
He
is
all-comprehen-
not perceptible to the mind and in-
That one alone can
realise
God's nature,
whom He is pleased to reveal His mysteries. And when He is realised, the gates of knowledge to
are opened, the knots of the heart are cut asunder
49
Spiritual Teachings
and
wisdom
infinite
realises
this
relation
between
is
his
Man Mother
cannot reveals
attained.
he
can
state,
own and he
is
God and is
fully
understand
himself
that the
its
range,
is
Lord
any knowledge unless the The mysteries of this world and
attain it.
The
them out of Her mercy. understood,
the
the Lord's.
the next will be revealed only
ly
Only when man
is
not the real
when She
discloses
intellect, as ordinariintellect.
Its
Those who want
very limited.
real bliss in this life, those
who
area
3
to gain
really desire to solve
"Who am I?" "What have I come here for?" "Why am I suffering from so much misery?" "Why does one man attain to its
intricate
problems
God-hood and another remain a mere brute?" those
who
desire answers to these problems
have
one and only one duty, to strive to realise God by all possible means. Life's perplexing problems will be solved the moment
He
is
realised.
Children find joy in turning round a ing on to
it
firmly.
tion is fixed?
It is
Do you know on the
pillar,
where
their atten-
pillar; for they
50
hold-
know
full
Realisation
well that
down and
if
as
many
they loosen their grip, they will fall
be injured.
the Pillar of it
Through Self-Surrender
life,
So
then you
first
life is to realise
Our
God.
all
may go on
first
hold fast to
circling
round
There will be no fear
times as you like.
of falling down.
of
and foremost duty
Know
that
He
is
in
the Pillar.
Whatever you do, do clasping Him; then you not take any false step and fall. What you do
will will
be right and will be for the good of yourself and of the world. Blessed will be your life on earth.
51
IX
DIVINE GRACE (CONVERSATION AT THE BELUR MATH)
THE SWAMI
The name of
the
Lord
purifies
"I have taken the both the body and the mind. name of God; what have I to fear? What is there in the 'world to bind
by taking the Lord's faith
me? I have become immortal with such a burning name
one should practise
What
is
spiritual exercises.
the goal of spiritual practices?
It is to
God, to attain Divine grace. The practices are meant to clear the heart of all the impurities
realise
brought there by lust and greed. Unless this is done, you can never reach your goal, however much
you may
You unless
try.
cannot attain God's grace nor realise
you
Him
your heart. Impurities have through innumerable lives, and they
purify
gathered in it are to be removed.
Sri
Ramakrishna used 52
to cite a
Divine Grace
"So long as the
beautiful illustration:
covered with mud,
But when the
stone. is
it
is
is
washed
towards
mind
the needle
off,
the
loadstone."
washed away can think of the Lord and meditate on Him; Similarly the dirt of the
can cry unto forgive me.
is
not attracted by the load-
mud
drawn
naturally
needle
if
one
if
one
is
Him I
with repentance, saying, "Lord! will not do wrong in the future." At
once the magnet of God draws the needle of the mind. Divine grace flows the moment the mind
becomes pure; and then the
realisation of
God
takes
place as a matter of course.
God only
is
the sun of knowledge.
when He
He
can be seen
reveals His glory to the seer.
In
fact, so long as a person cherishes a desire for world-
ly
enjoyment, he cannot have sincere yearning for
the knowledge or vision of God.
themselves sweets to
when eat.
they get
But
dolls
Children forget to
play with
or
after a time the dolls lose all
charm for them; they want to go to the mother. Such is the case with men. Only after they become satiated with the enjoyments of the
53
world do they
Spiritual Teachings
long for God. Then the thought of God-realisation becomes uppermost in their mind. They are eager to hear what others have to say about
and they Noble
Know
try to realise
do not
desires
this;
Him in
those
who have
course.
lives.
mind
easily.
them, have them by
In this world of Maya,
receive innumerable blows
miseries;
own
arise in the
the special grace of God,
men
their
God
and
do not want
suffer untold
change their Strangely enough, they go again and again still
they
to
same place only to get blow after blow. If some one gives them good counsel they feel annoyed to the
with that person.
Men know into the
fire,
full it
will get
Not
again and again. to
do
call
likewise.
well that
If
any
if
they put their hand
burned;
still
they do
it
only that; they invite others
man
him mad and even go
differs
from them, they
to the point of persecut-
ing him.
Do
how
guardians try their best ta raise obstacles in the way of the boy who wishes to take
you not see
up the
religious path, to lead a Sannyasm's
14
Divine Grace
But they make
life?
who
is
little effort to
source of evil to
the objections rise only
virtuous
life.
turn back one
and who may become a himself and to his country. AH
leading a wild
life
when
a boy wants to live a
People try their utmost to drag him
own level. Do you know what the father of a monk once said referring to his own son? He said, "I would down
to their
have been happier had he died instead of becoming a monk. There is no control over death; one has to yield to
it.
But
I
cannot bear to see others tak-
ing away what belongs to me/'
This
is
what
is
called the world, so full of selfishness.
People lose themselves in anger the moment selfBut they have not the sense to interest is hurt. person is able to be a true Sannyasin, not only does he do good to himself, but
understand
also
that if a
he paves the way for the
ment of those near
spiritual
advance-
to him.
Nowadays people have become
so very restless,
they have not the patience to think seriously before acting.
They take up whatever comes 55
in
their
Spiritual Teachings
way, without caring to think whether or not it is But the mischief does not likely to do them good.
People train up their children in such a way that they too have to suffer like them when
end here.
grow
they
up.
Everyone is born with the impressions of innumerable past lives. The tendency to enjoyment is
already strong and the training one gets in child-
hood
intensifies
must they be ing
to
this
propensity.
who have
escape from
fortunate
escaped already or are
the manifold
threaten their spiritual
How
dangers
try-
that
life!
Through the grace of God, you have been able to Beware, that you do not miss give up the world. opportunity of reaching your desired goal. Be up and doing. Realise God. Do not pay heed He will to anything else; look up to Him alone. this rare
Then you
take your whole burden.
your lower desires
and cravings
will see that all will
leave you
altogether.
What Nothing.
can
we know
Therefore
of I
God
with our
little
brain?
ask you to surrender your-
56
Divine Grace self completely to
for
Him.
is
Work
Have
God.
is
All
The goal
God.
not an end in
itself,
that
for something;
after fleeting objects of this
for
is
intense yearning
mad
can never be the aim of is
man?
has
The whole world
why run mad Better be mad work
to love
He
His will be done!
What power
omnipotent!
you can do
Him.
world?
God.
to realise
is
life.
Even
selfless
but only a means to
Divine realisation. Practise spiritual
way of God. is
real,
God
is
and
discipline
Then you all else
will
and advance
know
that
in
God
the
alone
unreal; that the realisation of
the ultimate goal of
life.
You may
get a
little
more
tice.
But do not think that you have got everyContinue your discipline and move onward
thing.
few
light after a
and onward.
Then you
religious prac-
will realise
be blessed with His vision.
know Him
days'
You
God. You
will
will be able to
intimately.
Hear me, my boys. You are all born of good families and are well educated. You have had enough of
study,
argument and discussion; why 57
Spiritual Teachings
it
Now
more?
care for
on God.
compose your mind and fix mind: "Plunge into the
Say to your
You have
ocean of God/'
given up the world. If with trash and do not dediagain you remain busy cate yourself to
God, you
will lose both this
world
Through the grace of the Lord you have got noble thoughts and aspirations. Make and the
next.
the best use of this Divine grace.
the
infinite
bliss
of
God
for
Do
not
sacrifice
the sake of the
ephemeral pleasures of the world. Pray to the Lord, "Grant me, O Lord! the necessary strength to overcome all the obstacles that stand in my way to
You/' All worldly pleasures become insipid to
gets a taste of Divine bliss.
world?
Be
it
name
nothing can bring
add
to his misery
What
is
him who
there in the
or fame, wealth or children,
peace to
man.
These only
and anxiety.
have you come here, leaving your family and home? Is it to increase your burden or to
Why
lessen it?
All the objects of enjoyment that you
see before you vanish the
moment you
58
breathe your
Divine Grace last.
To
speak the truth, they only tend to take
you into greater and greater darkness. Do you want to tread the path of darkness or the path of
When
you have once got a glimpse o the Do light, you should not turn your face from it. not look at the things of the world. If you do so,
light?
you will get
So great is the influence they once leave an impression on
lost in
of desires that
if
them.
your mind, they will drag you down lower and lower; yet they will not let you feel your downward course.
dangers
The only way is
to
be
saved
to offer yourself solely to
59
God.
from these
X
POWER OF RENUNCIATION (AT THE BELUR MATH)
THE SWAMI
Complete self-surrender
to
the
an easy matter. The mind always creates doubts and raises such questions as this How is it "I have neither seen nor known God.
Lord
is
not
possible for
me
to love
and resign myself
to
Him?"
The natural tendency of the mind is to drag us down from higher thoughts and ideals to the things of the world.
Once a
certain person
krishna, "Sir,
I
of the Lord."
do not
feel inclined to
"What
Ramatake the name
complained to
is
it
Sri
then that draws your
mind away?" asked Sri Ramakrishna. "It is my ram. I love it more than anything else," was the "Very well/' said Sri Ramakrishna, "when you feed and serve your ram, think that you are feeding and serving the Lord Himself. Do this reply.
60
Power of Renunciation for
sincerely
thing
some time and you
will
find
every-
all right."
The Guru
(spiritual teacher)
shows the
the path to life eternal, and protects
him from
all
Putting great faith in the words of the
troubles.
GurUj
disciple
let
After a time he
the disciple live them.
will feel that the impurities of his
and Divine Light within. There is no
is
ing
achieved
mind
making
doubt
its
that
are vanish-
appearance
everything
The
through faith in the perfect Guru.
disciple should look
upon him
as
God
is
incarnate
on
Through constant thought and meditation
earth.
on the Guru, the disciple is purified both in body and mind. Then the Guru appears before the disciand revealing the Ishtam (Chosen Ideal) It is said latter, he passes out of sight.
to the
ple,
salutations to the
is
himself.
Brahma; Guru Verily
the
Guru
an?
"Guru
in
Guru
is
is
*sr
Vishnu; Guru
is
Shiva
no other than the highest
61
Spiritual Teachings
Brahman.
Salutations unto the Guru."
has sincere faith in the Guru,
If the disciple
him
it is
tion.
Divine knowledge and devoThe one thing needful is faith in the Guru.
When
this is gained, everything is gained.
easy for
to attain
God
Realisation of
cation of the heart. "If the
Guru
Guru himself
his disciple
the disciple fetters that
sible for
is
is
have to is
Ramakrishna used
Sri
destroyed in no time.
But
if
unillumined, then both he and suffer a great deal.
Anyway
not able to get rid of his ego or the
bind him to the world/'
It is
not pos-
an unillumined Guru to bring about the
liberation of his disciple.
an ordinary the world? this
to say
a perfect and illumined soul, the
is
ego of the disciple the
impossible without purifi-
is
man
How
to save another
The Lord
alone,
is
it
possible for
from the
who
is
world-enchanting Maya, can free
fetters
of
the author of
man from
its
meshes.
Only the knower of God can show the way of salvation to another.
not realised God,
But
who
how
can he,
who
has
has no commission from
62
Power of Renunciation Him, who has not been strengthened by Divine strength, how can he free a soul from the bonds of the world?
sure to
If the blind lead the blind,
come
tion that
to grief.
only after God-realisa-
It is
one gets the inner
both are
vision.
Then only can
one
truly understand the difficulties of another
give
him proper
If a
person
Lord and
is
and
instruction.
sincere
possesses
yearning
for
the
eager to follow the spiritual path, he
sure to find a real
Guru through
is
the grace of the
Therefore a spiritual aspirant need not feel anxious about finding a Guru.
Lord.
Those who come under the guidance of a Guru who has attained realisation need have no anxiety about
their
spiritual
progress.
They have been
put on the right way. Now their only task is to follow it. If they meet with any trouble or make
any mistake, the Lord
show them in the
sure to protect
is
the right course.
words of the Guru
path shown by him; that
What
is
this
is
let
them and
Having sincere faith them walk along the
enough.
world like? 63
It is
like the country
Spiritual Teachings
containing only stone and skin, but no Besides, it brings acidity and colic to the
hog-plum pulp.
one who
eats
it.
Your mind
You are now under
control, not being distracted by worldly
thoughts.
You
from now out it
much
is
all
souls.
God
can realise
is
strive
God
with-
exertion so long as you are young.
But
on.
You
can
fix
hard task to
control once
"The
young
you
a very
The
pure,
it
easily, if
your mind on
mind under
the
bring
gets scattered.
Vaishnavas have
this
beautiful
]iva has the grace of the three,
the Lord and the devotees of the Lord.
out the grace of the one
it
comes
to
saying the
Guru,
But withutter
ruin/'
The meaning is: The disciple has received the has grace of the Guru through the grace of God, he also been
imbued with noble
ideals; besides these
two he has the company of holy men. Now what is wanted is the grace of the one, that is, of the mind.
If
the
accomplished.
only
when
the
mind
is
favourable,
The grace of the mind is free from 64
everything
is
others can be felt restlessness.
The
Power of Renunciation mind must be brought under control. is done, all strivings prove of no avail. Therefore
I
mind has not
warn you, my reins.
as
Just
this
"Beware!" Your
boys,
yet learned to wander.
hold fast the
so,
Unless
Before
it
does
the driver
first
huge elephant and then makes it do whatever he pleases, so also we have to train the mind trains a
such a
in
command.
way
way It
that
it
act
according to our
must not be our master.
to train the
mind
is
desire for enjoyment. it
may
becomes your
slave.
to lead
it
to relinquish the
The moment It
is
The only
this
is
done,
for this reason that
Bhagavad Gita and other Scriptures speak again and again of the glory of renunciation. What we want is renunciation. That is the only
the
path, and they alone can realise the glory of renunciation
whose mind has not been
things of the world,
Sri
distracted by the
Ramakrishna used to
say,
"The
parrot learns to repeat the words taught to
when
it is
age,
it
it
young. When it grows beyond a certain cannot learn anything. Then it can only
cry 'caw,
caw/
"
65
Spiritual Teachings
Divine thoughts leave a deep mark on the tender
mind.
It is
only in youth that one
and grasp the higher
ciate
the advance of age the
fold things; to
wander;
it
is
It is
any deep impression on
But with
occupied with mani-
restless
loses steadiness
tained thinking.
able to appre-
ideals of life.
mind
becomes
it
is
very
and always wants
and the power of sus
difficult,
then, to
5
make
it.
How
simple and strong is the faith of little boys? They believe what they hear from others and try to
act accordingly.
They
attain success
they apply their undistracted mind.
advance of age
there
is
a
whenever
But with the
tendency
to
become
As people grow older, they begin to doubt everything. At last they reach such a state sceptical.
becomes very hard for them to have faith Therefore I tell you do what you anything.
that in
it
want
We speak
do now, when you are young. saw in the life of our Master that he used to
to
of
the
young men.
life
of renunciation particularly
He wanted
to impress
the idea that God-realisation
66
is
on
their
to
mind
the highest object
Poiver of Renunciation
of
He knew
life.
that the
young alone would be
able to take up his ideal fully.
Fortunately, you
young and your mind is not tainted by worldGive up all desires and dedicate yourthoughts.
are all ly
You
self solely to the Lord.
cannot have Divine
and worldly enjoyments at the same time. You cannot get the one without renouncing the bliss
You
other.
come
cannot give up the lower unless you
to possess a taste for the higher.
This
is
the proper time for you to
fill
your mind
with the thoughts of the Lord to the fullest extent. Make Him your own. "He is my all" when this firmly fixed in your mind, all your troubles
idea
is
will
come
to
an end.
Then no one
do you harm either here or Does he who has tasted relish
molasses?
when one
and
let
the syrup of sugar-candy joys
lose
gets a taste of Bliss Divine. to
their
flavour
All objects
be not only insignificant
What
wish to say to you offer yourself, heart and soul, to the Lord
but positively this
hereafter.
Worldly
of enjoyment appear
is
will be able to
bitter.
Him do
with you as
67
I
He
pleases.
XI
BRAHMACHARYA AT THE BELUR MATH
THE SWAMI
In spiritual practices, the
rule cannot be applied to
We
all.
same
must know the
peculiar tendencies of each individual before any
can be given for his guidance. If the instruction goes against the particular bent
spiritual instruction
of his nature, not only will
it
do no good, but
it
give rise to harmful consequences. It is, therefore, very essential that the Guru should study
may even closely
the individual tendencies and peculiarities
of his disciples, and give instructions in such a form as will readily appeal to their temperaments.
Beyond one or two general
rules,
no individual
can be told in the presence of others what particI have seen in ular path he should follow. the case of Sri Ramakrishna disciple
how he would
alone and give him 68
take each
in private the special
Brahmacharya instructions necessary for him.
If
you want
to ask
your Guru anything regarding your Sa4hana, you
must do so in
a general
In
private.
the
way,
observance of a few rules will be beneficial to In
spiritual aspirants.
the
if
you
realise
which you have taken
will gain the object for
and on getting a become immortal.
birth;
will
Next strict
is
Brahmacharya^
it
hold fast to great
mind,
strict
memory and
is
this
of Eternal Bliss you
Without
(continence).
not possible for any one
ideals.
vitality
Brahmacharya
observe
taste
Bfahmacharya
development and
ing.
you must
the problems of your life will be solved; you
all
to
place,
You must be fully conGod and obtain His grace,
have firm faith in God. vinced that
first
all
is
To
secure the
full
of the body, brain and essential.
Those
Brahmacharya develop
a
who strong
a remarkable capacity for understand-
By means of Brahmacharya a f
special
nerve
developed which brings about these wonderful powers. Do you know why our great teachers have is
laid so
much emphasis upon Brahmacharya? 69
It is
Spiritual Teachings
because they
knew
The
lost.
is
everything
not lose his
man
that if a
strict
brain
Brahmacharin does
He may
vitality.
Pal wan (a great athlete) his
fail in this respect,
look
not
supersensuous things
is
a
but the development of
so fine that his capacity
is
like
for grasping
remarkable.
There are certain rules which a Brahmacharin
He
must observe.
sleep, over-exercise,
conversation.
brain
gets
thoughts,
If
must avoid exciting food, overlaziness, bad company and evil
you
suffer
idle
cannot
you
excited,
and you
indulge in
from
talk
control
sleeplessness
your your
and
other troubles.
The
control
of
the
appetite
is
also
essential.
Otherwise you will be subject to many troubles. Sri Ramakrishna used to say, "Keep your Bhudi (stomach) and Mudi (brain) cool." It means you can do effective work only if your head and stomach
remain calm and
cool.
The
glutton
control over his appetite brings ruin
and mind.
Eating
too
who on
has no
his
body
much of such foods
garlic, onion, or chilli, excites the system,
70
as
and one
Brahmacharya finds
it
hard
extremely
to
who want
believe that those
control
mind.
the
I
to lead a spiritual life
should pay special attention to what they eat and drink.
It
is
desirable to take only nutritious
easily digested food.
There
is
no good
and
in overload-
ing the stomach.
No
hard and
fast rule
With some,
diet.
well, while to
can be laid
down
regarding
and meat might agree very others they may do harm. Every infish
dividual must find out from his
own
experience the
food that agrees with him.
We
should eat only in order that our body
remain
fit
and that we may be able
true nature. *TTOT*[
practice).
The
Sastras declare :^rtr*JTq*r
see that the
unimpaired.
isrer
our
wr-
(Health is the vital factor in spiritual This does not mean that one should
think of his body day and night.
should
to realise
may
One
vitality
It
of the
means
that
one
body remains
should eat healthy food, avoid-
ing that which excites or produces lethargy. Sri
Ramakrishna used
to say,
71
"You may
eat as
Spiritual Teachings
much
as
during the day, but you must
like
you
The
eat only sparingly at night/'
you take only a little food remain light and you can mind.
Would you
in meditation?
it
tractions
and hence
is
at night all creatures is
calm and
to meditate
the
mind
that if
your body will
easily concentrate
your
is
silent.
away the night or
sleep
Daytime has many
go This
on the Lord.
to rest is
and nature herself
the time for aspirants
In the depth of the night
easily concentrated.
or for show.
If
in public
People will mock at you,
you advice
offer
done
you do them before others, they
will be harmful to you. will
dis-
unsuited for meditation, but
Spiritual practices should not be
they
is
Otherwise you will have a tendency to sleep
or be lazy.
spend
at night,
idea
and give you of which various
gratis
conflicting suggestions, as a result
doubts will arise in your mind and your spiritual progress
will be
behaves thus,
obstructed.
The
he goes to bed
ideal
Sadhaka
at night
with the
mosquito curtain drawn down; everybody thinks that he is sleeping, but as a matter of fact he spends 72
Brahmacharya the whole night in meditation lying quietly on his bed.
While you taste of taste,
are young, you must try hard to get a
Divine
Bliss.
once you have got
you can never forsake your Sadhana.
at the risk
of your
spiritual practices.
too
When
much
life,
this
Even
you will continue your
Those who are troubled with
sleep in the night will
do well
to sleep
during the day, with a view to devote the night to The best time for meditation is dawn, meditation. eventide and midnight. this
Too
often people waste
time in useless ways.
Sri
Ramakrishna never used
to
spend the night
would he allow the young devotees who stayed with him to sleep long. When others had gone to bed, he would wake up his disciples, in sleep, nor
give them definite instructions and send them to the Panchavati, or the Mother's Temple, or Shiva's
Temple
They would spend
for meditation.
whole night
in
Sadhana as
directed,
and take
the rest
way that Sri Ramaduring the day. It was krishna used to take them through various spiritual in this
73
Spiritual Teachings exercises.
Often he used to
say,
"Three
classes of
people keep awake in the night, Yogis, Bhogis (seekers of enjoyment) and Rogis (sick persons). You are all Yogis. You should by no means sleep
away
the night."
74
XII
COMPANY OF HOLY MEN AT THE BELUR MATH
THE SWAMI When
once you get established in meditation, you will come to know how sweet is the bliss of it. Days and nights pass away unnoticed.
of
You
infinite
feel that
bliss.
you are floating
Do
not
speak
experiences to everybody, least of
in
an ocean
about
all to
your
those of a
hinder your growth. But if you exchange your experiences with one of a like nature with yours and in harmony with your contrary nature.
It
may
temperament, you may be helped in your progress. Both of you are travellers on the same path. Perhaps your companion has already walked along it and is aware of its dangers and difficulties. Benefited by his experiences, you may be able to avoid those dangers and difficulties. Do you know the object of Satsanga (company ^f holy men) ? The experiences of holy men are a
75
Spiritual Teachings
When you visit a new great help to a Sadhaka. if you have the help of a good guide, you will place,
be able to see within a short time
worth
all that is
you will be saved from the dangers and difficulties into which strangers are Similarly, from the company of adlikely to fall. there;
seeing
also
vanced Sadhakas you will be able to gather many valuable hints, and your spiritual struggle will be very
much
ordinary
simplified.
The
man
and many
intelligence
does not go very far. things have to be done.
find out the best
short a time as
Life
of
an
short
is
So you must
way of doing your work within as Hence the need of holy possible.
company. This life may come to an end after some years or even today. Nobody knows when the end will come. as
It is
soon
as possible.
strange and suffering to death.
better to get equipped for the journey
unknown
and sorrow.
To go empty-handed place
to a
would involve much
Birth must inevitably lead
Death means going to an unknown
place,
so you should provide fully for the journey. Finish
76
Company of Holy Men your duties here and be ever ready for the great Then you will be able to depart from this call. all
world with a smiling
If
face.
you have finished
your work, there is no fear for you. You that you are well provided for the journey.
You have
all
know
seen that children, while turning round
a post, keep firm hold of it. You too should by all to the Pillar of life possible means hold firmly
Have
(God).
man;
I
faith in yourself.
in yourself forge life's
With such
can do anything."
am
Believe, "I
a
strong faith
ahead and you will attain to your
goal and be blessed forever.
Fear
is
the greatest
Banish
sin.
When
weakness from your mind. realise
God
is
alive in
you,
all
the
fear
desire
when you have
and to
the
a spiritual life, put forth all opportunity to lead The your might and get a taste of Supreme Bliss. cycle of births
the
from
and deaths
best use of your this cycle
is
full
present
of misery.
life.
Make
Free yourself
and become the eternal companion
of the Lord. 77
Spiritual Teachings
Unless you can find
your mind on God, you will
fix
keep yourself pure in
very difficult to
it
Mahamaya (The Divine Mother)
world.
in diverse
ways and
innumerable
it
is
sports
not easy to withstand the created
temptations
Her.
by
anger, greed are almost invincible; to conquer is
no
child's
this
Lust,
them
Through the strength of the
play.
Lord alone, not by any other means, can you cut the meshes of Maya and make yourself free. Therefore
I
urge you to become strong in the
Then you can
might of the Lord. your
life as
He
wills
ordinary mortals to exertion.
whom
and
directs.
pass the rest of
It is
not given to
know God through
their
own
They alone can understand Him,
out of His infinite grace
He
to
reveals Himself.
Only such fortunate persons become free from the net of Samsara (worldliness) and obtain pure devo tion
and
liberation.
You must have Nishtha
a routine for spiritual practices.
(steadfastness)
factor; without
it
is
a
very
no great achievement 78
important is
possible.
Company Your
steadfastness
of
Holy Men
must be of such a nature
wherever and under whatever circumstances
may
be, the rules that
you have
must be observed
self
at
laid
down
cost.
any
that,
you
for your-
For
your
meditation, your study, your reflection, your sleep,
you must have certain definite hours. If you lead an irregular life, you cannot succeed in anything.
Whether
it
is
physical or mental development, the
only way to attain If a
life.
sets
it
it
through a
is
right; then
it
continues to keep correct time.
you
try to
has become irregular
By keeping get your mind
mould your
instructions of holy pitfalls
It
to various reasons.
of good men, you will If
regular
clock gets out of order, the watch-repairer
So with the mind of man.
owing
strictly
life
life.
company
set properly.
according
men, you will
and temptations of
the
to
the
easily avoid the
Following in their
footsteps you too will reach the goal attained by
them and
fulfil
your
life's
purpose.
So long as your mind is not controlled there is great need to observe certain definite rules. Without them
you can
never
79
get
mastery
over
your
Spiritual Teachings
The
mind.
observe
tell
ed in
They
this,
like
When
control.
is
you must
not,
you have succeed-
you need not observe any more
will fall off of their
Life
or
it
In this way, you should try to bring
it."
mind under
the
to
when you have made a routine, your mind, "You are subject to this
now; whether you
rule
is
but
shirk work;
you must
tendency of the mind
natural
fast flowing
own
away
rules.
accord.
The day So make
like a stream.
once gone can never be recalled. the best use of your time. Crying out, "Alas! Alas!!" at the last moment will be of no avail.
that
is
Therefore be up and doing.
Make up
your mind
Death
to realise your goal or die in the attempt. is
certain.
may come
It
life in trying to attain
you lose your loss,
God,
it
is
If
no
but a positive gain.
Try
world?
misery.
beyond
mind on the Lord and
to fix your
solve to realise this
today or tomorrow.
It
Treat all
Him. is it
all
as
What
happiness
nothing but worthless.
sorrow and misery. 80
If
firmly re-
is
there in
sorrow
and
You must go you get a glimpse
Company
of Holy
Men
of God, you will have Infinite Bliss; and sensuous pleasures will lose all
charm for you.
When
you
have once come to the Lord, there will be no room
Give up all things of the world and dwell on Him and Him alone. for fear or
anxiety.
81
XIII
THE WORLD AND GOD AT THE NAYA BAZAR BUNGALOW, BHADRAK
THE SW AMI God
the
is
Kalpataru
(the
man desires From Him one gets
mythical tree that grants whatever a
when he
is
sitting
whatever one asks rare privilege of
it).
Yet, having obtained the birth, man does not care to
for.
human
mind toward
direct his
the lotus feet of the Lord.
drowns himself
Instead, he
Sam sara and
exclaims,
him
also allows until,
under
to
tossed about
in the
"How
happy
remain in that
deep ocean of
am
I!"
God
state undisturbed
on the waves of sorrow and
misery, he repents for the past and cries,
"Alas!
Then He makes him
feel his
what have mistake.
I
done!"
Man
is,
as
it
shadow of the Kalpataru. so can he be;
if
were,
sitting
under the
he wants to be a God, he wishes to be a brute, that also
he may become. 82
If
The World and God
The Lord has given man both Vidya and Avidya. Vidya means discrimination and renunciation. With it
man may
attain
the grace of the
Avidya, which means envy, degrades culture fit
for
man
lust,
Lord; while
anger, greed, egoism and
to the level of the brute.
of Vidya destroys Avidya and makes
Supreme
Bliss;
The
man
but the growth of Avidya
strengthens the idea of "I" and "mine," and binds
him more and more
the world.
to
He
is
taken
and further away from God, and has to Man possesses bear many sorrows and difficulties. further
not only Vidya and Avidya, but also the power co discriminate between the two.
On
the nature of
depends the success or failure of his life. a great mistake to hold God responsible for
his choice It is
your sufferings.
own
You
chose a
path
according
to
and pleasure, and now enjoy the consequences of your choice. How can you blame God? For a moment's pleasure you forgot every-
your
will
thing else; you did not pause to consider right and
wrong.
If
you put your hand into the
naturally get burned.
Is
it
83
fire it will
the fault of the fire?
Spiritual Teachings
You
No.
alone
Ramakrishna
Some
ing.
to
may
read its
is
while
light,
some other
the two paths,
.
Sri
burn-
is
Bhagavatam
(Sacred
others mischief.
may The
The Lord has placed
not to blame for it"
man
before
it
"A lamp
say:
forge a document or do
lamp
for
responsible
used
by
Scriptures)
are
good and
evil.
Choose
as you please.
As you
think, so
With
you become.
the help of
discrimination and renunciation, realise God, and
become
heir
to
If
you run after
may no doubt
enjoy sensuous
Infinite
worldly things, you
Bliss.
pleasures for a time; but you
may be
sure your
gloomy and you will have The world is so to pass through endless suffering. constituted that, if you want pleasure, you must future will be dark and
undergo pain. Whether you like it or not, you cannot have the one without the other. Sri
the
Ramakrishna used to
popular
*Name
belief,
when
say:
the
According
Malaya*
to
breeze
of a mountain range in the South of India abounding
in sandal trees.
84
The World and God
sandal
the
all
blows,
timber
converted
are
trees
trees,
other trees remain what they are.
men
are two classes of
ing to the
first
awaken
and Vairagya
regard the world as
grace
of
realise
Him
the
belong-
Lord.
in
spirit-
them Viveka
(renunciation).
(dis-
They
They
are
determined
to
and solve the mystery of existence even
tion they begin their
The people
awakened
Men
worthless and yearn for the
at the risk of their lives.
end.
Similarly there
in this world.
of these are easily influenced by
ual teachings which
crimination)
into
while the bamboo, the plantain and
With such
a firm resolu-
Sadhana and succeed
in the
of the second class can never be
either by the sorrows
or by any lofty spiritual ideas.
and miseries of
life
They think they
are
going to live eternally and fondly imagine that without them the world cannot go on. "What I have in
my
hand,
I
must enjoy
shall be a fool"
down
to the full; otherwise
thinking thus they drag themselves
to the depths of ignorance
What
I
and
suffering.
you want the sweet perfume of sandal or the foul odour of filth? Do you want is it
that
85
Spiritual Teachings
and
Decide exactly what you want
or unrest?
peace
Time
strive for its attainment.
a swift stream.
the past
the
when
it
It
will be of
is
too late.
without
present,
no
flowing like
avail to cry over
Make
wasting
is
a
the best use of
moment.
single
Train your mind in such a way that you stantly think of
God and
may Your
else.
nothing
are numbered; they are fast running out.
spend your time in vain. Pray to the Lord with "Lord! give
Give up
all
all
not
me wisdom and make me Thine own." ideas of "I" and "mine". You have
enough on that account. "mine" by "Thou" and "Thine." you can
Replace "I" and
call
your
own
the
Is
their time comes,
without
there anything
moment you
Nothing you now cherish as yours Those you hold very dear you.
when
days
your heart and soul,
suffered
that
Do
con-
die?
will
accompany
will
pass
caring
for
away you.
Leaving everything behind, you will have to go to
an unknown
place.
The more you
think of "I"
and "mine", the more you fetter yourself. What is there in this Samsara for which to spend your 86
The World and God whole
Can
life?
this
the ocean of birth and
death?
from the troubles
may
What
life?
than to
leave
have
you effort
that
greater
and pray
to
this
Him
the
do
to
cry for a sight
at
me
can
after-
befall
purpose for
you which
strenuous
a
with earnest devotion that
Dakshineshwar ? of the
Sri
How
Ramakrishna used bitterly
Divine Mother,
he used saying,
gone and Thou with vision of Thee!" Call on
"Mother, one more day yet blessed
in
you
Make
birth!
you may reach the goal. Have you not heard what to
attend
misfortune
unfulfilled
taken
help you cross Will it save you
life
worldly
hast not
is
with an intense yearning.
What
is
this
Him
world but
an abode of misery? You have spent most of your wish days here in sorrow and trouble; and do you to
do the same hereafter
as well
?
You have come under the shelter of Sri Ramakrishna; know that you have been blessed by Him. Make good use of the grace you have received. It you fail to solve and death, and do not obtain
will be really very unfortunate
the
riddle of life
87
if
Spiritual Teachings
You
Eternal Bliss.
have caught
its
men
are the
spirit.
Do
not
of this age, and fail
to
take
full
advantage of it. No one in any age has shown the path in such a simple and easy manner as Sri
Ramakrishna
has
done.
If
miss
you
this
opportunity, you will have to suffer long.
Spread the sails of faith and devotion, and with the aid of the spiritual breeze that is blowing push on to your goal. Do it, and your boat will be carried
for
swiftly to
you.
within you.
Arise!
Have
its
destination.
Awake!
feet; fear
Do
I
I
capacity
is
have taken shelter at
will attain
Go
not look back.
with His vision; thus
and partake of
waiting
and weakness can have no place in
me; by His grace life."
Infinite
is
firm faith in yourself and say:
"I have heard His name,
His
He
fulfil
in this very
ahead.
Be blessed
the mission of your life
Infinite Bliss.
88
Him
XIV
NATURE OF MAN AT THE RAMAKRISHNA SEVASHRAM, KANKHAL, HARDWAR
THE SWAMI it
is
not
to
difficult
The
mind.
This place
very
and
is
Here
very sacred.
concentration
attain
atmosphere
the
is
of
the
The holy
pure.
Himalayas naturally induce the mind to become calm and meditative.
Ganges
The
eternal
sound of Omkara can be heard here.
Having come tunate
if
majestic
to this place,
it
you spend your time
Far better practising
Human
to
will be really unforin sleep
up your body meditation and austerities. give
birth
is
for the
and
in
attainment
idleness.
this
place
of wisdom
and devotion, not for living and procreating like God is most manifest in the human body; brutes. try to grasp
and
realise this.
89
Have you
not heard
Spiritual Teachings
what severe
the disciples of Sri
austerities
Rama-
krishna used to perform to realise the Truth? all
saw
in
Ramakrishna
Sri
a
blazing
They
fire
of
and hence they could do so much. It may not be possible for you to do all they did, but
spirituality,
at least try.
gave his very life to build up this organisation and to give facilities to you all for your spiritual Sadhana. Try to realise the great Swamiji
He
love that Swamiji bore you.
cut short his life
by overwork out of his infinite love for
be
ungrateful
Bengal.
has
To true
manifested
men
you, young
great
of Bengal,
Do
not
faith
in
Swamiji
charge of his mission as a sacred
left the
Remain
He had
him.
to
all.
and
loyal
Himself
to him.
to the
Sri
trust.
Ramakrishna
world through Swami
Vivekananda, and gave His message through him. Sri Ramakrishna is too great for the ordinary mind to
understand.
has
Swamiji
placed
Sri
Rama-
krishna and His ideals before the world so that they
may be understood by
the
blessed souls will have to
90
ordinary
mind.
All
come under His banner.
Nature of
Man
Read Swamiji's works carefully; and whenever and you do not understand any point, ask S others
to
has
preached
Sri
Ramakrishna's ideals in a form intelligible to
all.
madness
It is
except
again
and
explain
it.
Swamiji
to try to understand Sri
Ramakrishna
Read
the light of Swamiji's teachings.
in
and again the Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna Swamiji's works, and plunge yourselves in
you cannot fix your mind now, you will repent hereafter. This is the best period of meditation.
your
life.
If
Make good
use of
it.
Once you
get well
established in the spiritual life there will be for
you.
Then you can
turn
your mind
no fear in
any
Bring your mind under control. done, a good advance has been made.
direction you like.
When
this is
But take care
let
not your
mind swerve from
straight path even by an inch.
When
it
by every possible means. Beginners should have a routine for
run astray, curb
practices,
and "
study.
with
to
it
fixed hours for
With
Whether you
wants
the
Japam,
firm determination
like
it
tell
spiritual
meditation
your mind,
or not, these rules must be 91
Spiritual Teachings
After some time a habit will be formed
followed/'
and
it
will be painful to remain without meditation.
When
such a state
is
attained,
progressing toward the
nearing as a
God when you get a taste
immortal.
of
the
you are for His vision that
man
for food
Divine
Bliss
and
sleep.
and become
Then come what may, whether you
cast into the street or placed all
means you are
feel as restless
hungry and sleepy
First
it
Know
ideal.
same
to you.
When
on a throne, the iron
is
it
are
will be
turned into
gold by the touch of the philosopher's stone, it does not matter whether it is kept in a safe or buried in the ground. Sri
Ramakrishna
used
knowledge of Advatia
to
say,
in your pocket
"Have and
act
the as
you please/' After attaining the knowledge of the Absolute or supreme devotion to the Lord, what-
work you do The religious
ever
Mother does not of Her Maya.
will not bind you. life
is
full
of obstacles.
easily release
To
obtain
men from
the bonds
Her grace one should
pray with a devout and yearning heart.
92
Divine
You have
Nature of
Man
a whole bundle of Samskaras (tendencies) acquired in previous lives to overcome,
and even now new
Samskaras are being formed and added. All your life you must be prepared to fight these Samskaras.
The more you become.
If in the
ments you can
them, the stronger will they
resist
midst of defeats and disappoint-
your path, you will surely
stick to
reach the goal.
There are two tendencies
in
human
nature,
good
The former tends toward renunciation
and bad.
toward enjoyments. There is conThe victory of stant warfare between these two. the one or the other determines the nature of man.
and the
latter
Finding innumerable means of enjoyment in this world,
men become
so
they forget that there
They
think:
should
we
"No one
much
is
attached to them that
another side to the picture.
can be sure of the future;
not enjoy what
we have
Nobody knows whether God can be whether Eternal enjoy the world
we
at
present?
realised or not,
Bliss is possible or not. is
therefore give
within our reach. it
up?" 93
why
Why
But to should
Consequently they rush
Spiritual Teachings
headlong into sense enjoyments. experiences teach
them
But when
bitter
that worldly pleasures bring
only pain and misery and not peace and happiness, they cry with disappointment, "Alas, what have we
done?"
By following an unbridled ment men become slaves of the senses.
94
life
of enjoy-
XV SEEK GOD ONLY AT THE RAMAKRISHNA SEVASHRAM,
KANKHAL, HARDWAR
THE SWAMI Everyone wants Who likes to undergo pain and misery? to obtain that happiness
?
Who
mind.
He
is
But
how
Certainly not by running
after the fleeting pleasures of the senses
ing Him, has created
happiness.
the abode of
all
and ignor-
happiness.
He
many playthings to delude the human Throw away all these and pray to Him,
will then hasten to take
you
in
His arms.
had play enough; it is high time now to give it up and call upon the Mother. When a child is fond of play, the mother gives it I
toys
tell
to
you, you have
while away
its
time.
But the child that
does not care for play she carries about with hen Happy is the child that sits in the mother's lap. not only enjoys the play but has also the happiThe child that is ness of the mother's company. It
95
Spiritual Teachings
engaged
in play enjoys
it
the risk of being hurt in
no doubt, but its
It
play.
also runs
may
quarrel
playmates and get beaten. But the child in the mother's lap has no such troubles. It is
with
its
always happy and knows full well that the mother will take care of it and supply all its wants. The parable of the mango grove told by Sri
Ramakrishna
very instructive.
is
to eat the mangoes.
Why
about the number of
trees,
the garden?
fil
your
into this
Accomplish life's
do you bother yourself branches and leaves in
Eat the mangoes and be satisfied."
You have come of God.
"You have come
world for the realisation
this object first
mission.
Solve your
of
all
and
ful-
own problem
and equip yourself for life's journey. Struggle hard and become deathless by tasting Immortal Bliss.
Him
day and night. Whatever the form in which you think of Him, it will certainly do you Pray to
Whatever form or name appeals to you, take You are sure to get sincerely and pray to Him.
good. it
the vision of Him.
how
Parvati once asked
Sachchidananda could be
96
realised.
Mahadeva
The
reply
Seek
God Only
was, "Through faith."
You have been shown with
the right path.
patience 2nd perseverance.
faith,
more time
forms and
in discussing the
your Sadhana.
Him
to
Follow
it
Waste no details
of
in
any way you Sri His to sure are and blessing. you get please, Ramakrishna used to say, 'Sweetened bread will Pray
'
taste
sweet in whatever
You
are,
as
it
way you begin
to eat
it."
were, sitting under the Kalpataru
will get whatever you (wish-yielding tree) and you
ask for.
Do
not think yourselves too clever.
thinks itself very clever, but
who
it
lives
on
The crow
filth.
Those
are too clever in this world get cheated in the
long run.
With
a faith that knows no
deep meditation.
yourselves
in
heartened,
if after
realise
God.
but you
may
a
little
The ocean
is
wavering,
Do
practice
plunge
not get
dis-
you do
not
full of precious pearls,
not get them at the
first
dive.
My
boys, once again I enjoin you, have firm faith in
the words of your Guru, and try to get absorbed in
97
Spiritual Teachings
deep meditation. Be sure, sooner or have a vision of the Lord.
later
you will
Do
not allow your mind t5 get distracted. Keep His grace steadily and patiently to your Sadhana. will
descend on you in due
wish to see a great man. his
satisfy
attendants.
time.
You
Suppose you have first to see and
Similarly
obtain
to
the
grace of the Lord you have to seek the help of godly
men
and
many spiritual practices. undergo Knowing Him to be dearer than the dearest, pray to Him with a yearning heart for His grace and vision.
Cry unto the Lord cannot but
make
with the Lord.
who
like a child.
Incessant crying
the mother run to
He
reveals
it.
So also
Himself to that one
unceasingly prays for His grace and vision.
Shake
off
your sleep, and seek the grace of the
Lord with steadfast devotion.
Make
the
mind
one-pointed like the mariner's compass. In whatever direction the ship may sail, the compass
always points to the north, thus keeping the ship on its course. Even so with the human mind. If
98
God Only
Seek
on God, there will be nothing to fear. If by chance one is thrown into a bad environment, even then his faith and devotion will remain it is
fixed
The moment he
unshaken.
God, he
will
hears any talk about
become mad with Divine Love
just
flint, lying under water for a hundred years, when taken out and struck, emits sparks.
as the
Those who have been favoured with a the Lord have their
They of
have no
will
Him
and
mind always
taste for
to seek the
vision of
on Him.
fixed
anything except to talk
company of holy men.
Like a fallen leaf tossed to and fro by the wind,
be content to remain wherever you are placed by the Lord. Do not have any will or desire of your own.
Your mind it
keep is
in
this
like a dry
you
strike
is
it,
pure and untainted.
state
always.
match but
You may go on into pieces.
now
it
It
stick. is
striking
it,
but
Similarly if the
it
if
the it
to
mind
moment gets wet.
will only break
mind once becomes
you will find it extremely to its former purity.
99
spotless
ignites
of no use
soiled, it
The
Try
difficult to restore
XVI
CONTROL OF THE MIND DISCIPLE
my
control
how
Maharaj, with
mind,
to curb
is
it
so restless.
but
difficult,
tell
me
is
it
doubt to control the mind not impossible.
By regular
can be quieted and brought under reTherefore perform a little meditation
straint.
every day, and never fail to do
it
Please
cannot
it
practice
the
efforts I
it.
THE SWAMI No is
my
all
mind
to
is
run away like a
back whenever
it
seeks to
it.
The
nature of
restless boy.
go
out,
and
set
Drag it
to
meditating on God. If you can continue this struggle for two or three years, you will find in you a joy unspeakable; your mind will be calm and In the beginning meditation proves very But if you persist, as in the dry.
docile.
and
difficult
taking of a medicine, you will find in it a perennial source of joy, pure and unalloyed. What terrible ordeals does a student pass through for his examinations! If
you
God-realisation
call
upon
Him
is
far
easier
than
that
with sincerity and an unper100
Control of the turbed mind,
He
Mind Himself unto
will surely reveal
you.
at
DISCIPLE times when
All this I
no doubt hopeful, but
is
much meditation
think that with so
have not made any progress, everything seems vain, and a horrible despondency overwhelms me. I
I
THE SWAMI cause for despair. If
tible.
good in
What
despair of success.
With
effect.
it
despair.
The law of Karma
you do a good deed,
any way you
God,
Never
will produce a
it
it,
Name
of
like, if
you chant the holy
you good.
Therefore shake
off
all
and push on in the struggle with regularity.
is irresis-
sincere devotion or without
will always bring
inevitable.
do then, Sir? There is no
shall I
Then peace
will surely
The
result is
your despair strictness
and
come and dwell
Through meditation, not only does the mind become pacified, but the body also improves in
you.
and
diseases
standpoint
lessen.
Therefore,
of good health
one
even
from the
should
practise
meditation.
DISCIPLE
Maharaj, what 101
is
the
necessity
of
Spiritual Teachings
Without the help of a guide,
spiritual initiation?
man
own way
devotes himself entirely
if
a
to
God, will not that be enough
in his
THE SWAMI
Initiation
to realise
is
Him ?
necessary
because
When
you are initiated you are shown the object upon which the mind is it
helps
to
be
concentration.
concentrated.
You
cannot
let
your
mind
waver from one thing to another. If you are not initiated, you have no particular object to concentrate upon. Today you fix your mind on Hari,
tomorrow on less
This
Brahman. is
state
is
attitude
and the
Kali,
third
day on the form-
A
grim restlessness is the result. most harmful to an aspirant. Until this
overcome of
mind,
and
replaced
spiritual
by a peaceful
realisation
will
ever
remain a distant prospect. To attain this calmness of mind and to avert unsteadiness, initiation or the help of a guide is
path merable
is
necessary.
The
spiritual
a most formidable one, strewn with innu-
man
guided by an experienced hand, however clever he may be, he is pitfalls.
Unless a
,&
sure to stumble.
102
is
Control of the
Without tormenting then will you find
drudge on
as if
yourself,
joy.
Mind work hard, my
boy,
In the beginning you are to
you were learning the alphabet.
Do
not worry, do not complain, gradually peace will come. Do you know how I behave with those who
always complain that they are not finding peace or joy? For the first two or three years after their initiation I give
After that, they are
some
joy
no
when
nor do
reply,
I
pay heed to them.
they meet me, they
tell
me
that
making some progress and also finding and peace. A man must try steadily for
some time before he can expect a peaceful
state
of
mind. Therefore I ask you to struggle for a period of at least three years without any break; then you can have a claim to joy and not earlier. You will not do anything and yet you want to succeed. Is it not
Nothing great can be achieved by or idleness. If you really want peace, if
absurd?
trickery
you truly desire to realise God, then work steadily and wait. Spiritual realisation is a question of time.
Yours bird
is
to struggle
and
knows well when 103
to
to wait.
The mother
open the egg.
So the
Spiritual Teachings
Divine Mother reveals Herself to the devotee when the time
period
is
is
a very hard time.
is
moment
But
if
he
till
is
relieved of
This waiting
The devotee
is
always
now
joy, the hope, now despair; sorrow: so the struggle goes on. He
constantly
continues
wait.
now
in suspense
next
Work and
ripe.
a
fighting
he
is
duel
fierce
and
this
blessed with the vision of God.
led by a competent guide, he can be
much
of this struggle.
A
wise guide
can give an upward lift to the struggling mind, even when it is not mature. Such help also has its dangers.
If repeated too often,
and a deeper despair may
a greater struggle
result.
In this period of struggle and Sadhana the aspiHe must follow certain rant must be always alert. fixed rules of conduct
and never deviate from them.
He
must observe perfect continence and eat only such foods as have a soothing effect on his body. He will have to be under the direct guidance of one
who understands. He must not exert his brain too much in meditation. Otherwise he is sure to suffer; his brain will
become heated; he 104
will feel giddy,
Control of the
and other brain troubles Meditation
Mind
will follow.
in the primary stage being
warfare with the mind
the
mind
regular
constantly going
outward and the Sadhaka trying to drag it back to there is every possibility of the feet of the Lord brain
the
becoming
overheated.
The
aspirant
prevent this. In the beginning of his Sadhana he should apply himself to Pranayama
should
of
(control exercises. in
the
He
and
other
Hatha-Yoga and should proceed slowly steadily breath)
spiritual
path.
Then
these
preliminary
struggles will disappear one by one until finally will attain to the state of real meditation.
he
Then
even though he meditates for long hours at a stretch, he will feel as refreshed both in body and
mind
as after
deep sleep.
He
will also feel great
joy within.
must keep a special eye on The body and the mind being closely his diet. connected, the least change in the one is followed
The
spiritual novice
by a corresponding change in the other. If the stomach is irritated by taking any improper food, 105
Spiritual Teachings
the
mind too
will
have a
mind meditation
restless
and for a
like effect;
is
It
impossible.
reason that such stringent emphasis the dietetic regulations of a Sadhaka.
this
Under Sadhaka
no fill
with food.
circumstances,
again,
more than one-half of
(And
is
is
for
laid
on the
should his
stomach
half of the remaining half
is
to be left for water, while the rest should be kept
empty for the free passage of air.) An aspirant must not be dejected in spirit, brooding on his failures
However
and mistakes.
man may have
committed,
limited vision of
it
man; from
is
great a
the absolute stand-
from the standpoint of God, A single glance of the Lord
nothing at
it is
all.
sets at
the
sins
of millions of
a
a sin only to the
point,
all
sin
births.
nought
The
heavy
punishments prescribed for sin in the Scriptures are merely to maintain social order and to make people refrain from the evil ways of our Father, is ever merciful to us. loving evils.
to
His
His children.
Therefore,
there
is
106
Name
God,
life.
He
is
removes
ever all
no cause for dejection
Control of the if
we
Mind
upon Him sincerely. true, no doubt, that as the
call
It is
our past
result of
and despair sweep over no reason why a Sadhaka
actions, at times dejection
our mind; but that
is
should yield to them. try to
may
overwhelm him, he should be prepared
God
to fight against them.
Name
His
that past actions
Knowing
him
will give
strength.
an impenetrable armour. It will save him from all consequences. This is one will
be
way of Sadhana.
It is
There
in the beginning.
of It
the
Vaishnavite.
It
does not involve so
and deeds of
other
is
another path, the path
is
a
much
Sri
Incarnation
establish
It
some
of
path.
more
It is
But
this
fallen off
from
it.
or some
There
A
is
no
devotee must
God and
worship
Him
also has great dangers.
has often been found that
attempt to
Rama
Lord.
the
relation with
that aspect.
their
pleasant
hardship.
Krishna, Sri
monotony, no drudgery in in
very
In this path you are to contemplate the
gentle. life
and monotonous
rather dry
worship
their ideal.
107
many
God
unfit persons, in
as a
lover,
have
XVII
TURNING THE MIND TO GOD DISCIPLE God?
Sir,
THE SWAMI
how
can
we
turn our
mind
By keeping company with
to
the
wise and the good; by observing their daily actions and living them in your own life, you can turn your
You are to imitate the ways and manners of those who have their minds turned toward Him. The great barrier that obstructs your correct vision of God is the doubt and confusion of mind
to
God.
your mind.
They haunt the mind, swing
it
to
and
Drive fro, and lead it to run after diverse objects. them out with the sharp sword of discrimination. If you are not able to do so by your own strength, seek the aid of those
who
are adept in doing
it,
the Sadhus.
A
beginner should sit beside holy men and listen to them with profound attention and retain their
words of counsel
in his
memory. 108
But
it
must not
God
Turning the mind to
end
He must
there.
from
them.
try to realise
Bear in mind
what he neither
that
learns
talking,
nor learning, nor study, will lead you to realisation, you practise and live what you hear and
unless
Practice in life
learn.
is
not at
Hence
out Brahmacharya, or absolute continence.
Brahmacharya to realise
God
do not know can catch the realise
is
very
Many
necessary.
attempt
by studying the Scriptures; but they
Brahmacharya no one
that without spirit
of the Scriptures,
much
less
God.
For various reasons Brahmacharya
is
most
essen-
you have the desire to turn your mind to and realise Him, perform spiritual practices If
tial.
God
based on Brahmacharya.
books Sri
with-
all possible
I
If
would recommend
Ramakrishna"
you wish to read any
to
you "The Gospel of
and such works.
Read them
what you read. The more you read such books, the more light you will find in them. Your knowledge of God derived from ^hearand then
say
is
try to realise
quite different
ing Sadhana.
from
that acquired by practis-
This again
109
differs
widely from the
Spiritual Teachings
knowledge you acquire after realisation. Do you know what Nag Mahashaya used "It
is
who
easier to earn
can renounce
fame than
it is
to
renounce
a really great man/'
to say?
He
it.
He
also
"An anchored boat does not move forward." He meant, a man whose mind is deep-rooted in lust and gold cannot move Godward unless he can free said:
himself
from
their
God and
austere Sadhana.
not go together.
deluding
If
influence
through
pleasure-seeking can-
you want the one you have
to
banish the other.
Human do
is
a rare privilege; having
it,
if
you
you are surely very unfor-
not strive after
tunate. Sri
birth
God, Your human birth
will have been in vain.
"Human
Sankara has said:
birth,
desire for
and the company of holy men are rare Those who are blessed with all things on earth. three are the most fortunate among men."
salvation
DISCIPLE mind inward
As to
to the best
God,
Sri
way of
directing the
Ramakrishna has
prescrib-
ed occasional retirement into solitude
for a day or
a month or for a year, as opportunity
may
110
permit;
God
Turning the mind to
you prescribe the company of the holy. of
two are we
the
follow
to
Now
which
holy company or
solitude?
THE SWAMI
Both are true and both are to be
In the primary stage a
followed.
suddenly retire into solitude. great
danger.
human
associations
caution
is
necessary.
made some
in
Many
their
man
To do effort
should not so involves to
cut
off
have gone mad; hence great It is
only
when a man has
progress in the spiritual path that he
without danger. True solitude can be found nowhere in this world. Time,
can
retire into solitude
space and causation are too small to give
beyond mind, beyond intellect. It can be It is in Samadhi (super-consciousness). with the Most Tranquil.
Ill
it.
It is
felt
only
identical
XVIII
EXAMPLE OF HOLY MEN THE SWAMI Read or hear however much may, nothing will leave a
you so largely and You as the company of holy men. from watching their daily life. As an
on your mind and
sion
practically
learn just
illustration, I
the
life
you
more profound impres-
would
of a
benefit
like to relate
an incident from
Adhar Sen went
devotee.
to
Sri
Ramakrishna accompanied by a friend of his, an This friend would at times Inspector of Schools. experience a kind of inspiration and lose
ward
consciousness.
People called
it
all out-
One
Bhava.
day it so happened that just after their arrival, the Master fell into deep Samadht. From his face
beamed a
lustre divine indicating
joy that the Master felt.
Babu
said
to
his
At
the
unbounded
sight of this,
companion:
"Look
Adhar
here,
my
your Bhava is not real Bhava. Whenever you enter it, you seem to feel a great torment friend. I see
112
Example of Holy Men
From Divine communion no torment
within.
can
torture
see
I
Divine
of
flood
this
Master,
By what
result.
now
joy,
my
or
in
the
eyes
are
opened/'
Another
man
once visited Trailinga Swamt, the
great saint of Benares,
who
usually kept silent.
On
he thought within himself: "I went, but he did not speak; then what is the good of going to
his return
him any more?" Nevertheless he paid him visit.
This time, no sooner had he
the side of the
Swami than
a second
taken his seat
the latter suddenly began
weep bitterly and then he began to laugh. was beside himself with madness of devotion. to
this the
man
said to himself:
"What
I
today a thousand books shall so yearn for
shall see
I
He At
have learnt
could not teach.
God,
by
When
Him; when
I
I shall
have His grace, only then shall I enjoy such bliss." DISCIPLE Maharaj, many maintain that merely paying
visits to
holy
men
or observing their life
is
is
enough
hearing them
not necessary.
Are we
to
believe this?
THE SWAMI
No!
Never! 113
You must mix
Spiritual Teachings
them
with
arises in
an open heart. your mind, you must tell it with
If to
any doubt
them frankly
and get it solved by their help, if you are not able to do it yourself. You must also observe their life in detail
and model yours by what you see in them.
DISCIPLE
Maharaj, you said that momentary
enthusiasm brings no good, that spiritual realisaam I then to give up tion is a question of time
my
yearning for God-realisation ?
THE SWAMI
I
might have said that in connec-
tion with something else.
asm
is
fit
manifestation of a sudden
dejection,
man
DISCIPLE
gives
As
up
Sri
internal
feeling.
This
the path altogether.
Ramakrishna has
place for digging a well
is
you will never get water.
THE SWAMI
of emotion: an external
then out of despair and
disappears in no time;
If
enthusi-
meant, to become restless and cry and jump
for a day or two from a
ed.
By momentary
said, if the
shifted again Is that
Yes, tenacity
is
what you mean? what is require-
a man's restlessness results
from sincere
love of God, he cannot live a God-less
114
and again,
life,
even
Example of Holy Men though he
may
fails to realise
Him.
Millions of births
will persist pass without attaining Him, yet he
in calling
upon
Him
steadily
and quite unmoved.
Swamiji (Swami Vivekananda) used to say that a little awakening of the Kundalini (individualised cosmic energy)
was
very
dangerous.
Until She
up higher, lust, anger and other lower passions become very disturbing. The Vaishnavite Sadhana of Madhur Bhava or Sakhi Bhava (the attitude of rises
worshipping
God
as
an eternal bridegroom or a
friend of the devotee)
is
exceedingly dangerous. In trying to remember constantly the story of Sri
Divine play with Sri Radha, they (Vaishnavites) cannot control their lust and they
Krishna's
do
all
sorts of lecherous acts.
Hence the
restric-
tion for the beginner in reading the Rash-lila (story
of
Sri Krishna's
Divine play with
Sri
Radha) and
such works.
Meditation
is
not an easy thing.
Eat a bit more
and your mind will not settle that day. When lust, are anger, greed and the whole host of evil passions does medikept under control, then and then alone 115
Spiritual Teachings tation
become
itself,
meditation will be impossible.
any one of these asserts
If
possible.
It
easier
is
burning fire. But to keep the passions under control and not allow them to make an impression upon the mind that is real Tapasya. to sit in a circle of
What
religion
can
there be for
of passions
control
engaged in unholy
acts, it is
not
is
the
greatest
men are constantly so much of a sin on
occasional evil thoughts crop
if
your part
up
in
Drive them out.
your mind.
Without
possible.
desires
Seeing that worldly
penance.
tranquil,
and
The
eunuchs!
meditation
the
and without
To
mind grows
shall
meditate
to think
is
is
not
when
the
religion
tranquillity
think "I tranquil"
mind cannot become
an impossibility.
go hand in hand. Ramakrishna so long as there
Tranquillity and meditation must
We is
cannot love Sri
the idea of bargaining in us.
despair"
prayer.
when we cannot Still
again,
it
see
is
not
That
Him
is
after
desirable
why we a
little
to
give
expression to our inner feelings, for that lessens the intensity of love.
116
XIX
MEDITATION DISCIPLE
JViaharaj,
how
can God-yearning be
intensified ?
THE SWAMI tice
company teacher)
a
Through steady
prac-
spiritual
mind purified by the influence of holy and the instruction of the Guru (spiritual
with a
Guru
In this world even in the art of stealing,
.
is
How much
required.
of
necessity
Guru
a
for
greater must be the
acquiring
supreme
knowledge of Brahman!
DISCIPLE
How
THE SWAMI and true
how
faith
together.
can one attain peace?
Him;
water.
a
Peace and sincere love of
come
lessness, yearning
seen
can one attain peace ?
man
At must come
God
the very start
First
rest-
and intense pain for not having
the greater the thirst, the sweeter the
We must
rouse unrest in the heart.
When
does not find happiness in the world, then he 117
Spiritual Teachings
and attachment to God awakens
restless
grows
within him.
How can love of God grow? THE SWAMI By Sadhana and prayer DISCIPLE
have
thus
all attained.
DISCIPLE
world?
Is it possible in the
THE SWAMI
Is
there
any one outside the
world ?
DISCIPLE
No,
THE SWAMI DISCIPLE
I
mean, living in the family. but very
It is possible,
When
for
dispassion
difficult.
the
world
comes, should one renounce?
THE SWAMI yam
yes,
that
Real Vairagyam
That
is is
is
real
what
called
is
Vairagyam
like
fire,
it
is
Vairag-
(dispassion).
never
extin-
guished, but gradually spreads and grows hotter. swims Sri Ramakrishna used to say, as a fish
about merrily when put in larger waters, so is the man who has renounced the world; never does he
want
to be fettered again.
DISCIPLE
Is it
possible without a
118
Guru?
Meditation
THE SWAMI who shows
Name
I
Guru means one
think not.
the path to the Ishtam through a
(Mantram).
Upa-gurus
(intermediaries)
But the supreme Guru "Practise these Sadhanas
can be many.
commands:
with holy men/'
is
one that
and
The Guru would watch
over the pupil and the pupil would serve him. the pupil went astray, the back.
move
In olden times the custom was
with the Guru.
to live
Holy
When
Guru would bring him
So none but the knower of the Brahman, or
one far advanced in Sadhana, should be chosen as the Guru.
How to know him? THE SWAMI By moving with DISCIPLE
some
time.
disciple.
The Guru
the
Guru
and can not be
will not initiate him.
Whomsoever
the
Guru
closely for
too will watch his would-be
If the disciple possesses
for enjoyment
him
a strong desire
easily
brought round,
He
will reject him.
chooses, he will keep with
him and watch over him. The family Guru has one advantage, that he knows everything regarding the family to which the disciple belongs.
119
Spiritual Teachings
The way ship,
mind
to focus the
concentration
and
(control of breath) too
air
Good
meditation. is
Pranayama
a way, but not safe for
good place and pure there is no other condition
food, a
these are necessary:
Meditation in solitude has to be
for meditation. practised
by prayer and wor-
the loss of the vital fluid brings
the householder
about disease.
is
not for an hour or for a day; the more
you practise, the more benefited you will be. Go wherever you choose. If you find a good place with favourable surroundings, take that for your practice.
Seek
Him
in
from earthly
Him
alone.
Give up
and greed). First practise draw in the mind the mind,
Kamini-Kanchana renunciation
and
(lust
things.
beginning meditation must be Sahara and finally (with form), then Nirakara (formless) In
you
the
realise that
The world
bliss, as after
joy."
is
real
and
all
else is
appears to us is all illuIn Samadhi the world does not exist, only
illusion/' sion.
"Brahman
When
as
it
man
says, "I tasted real
descends
(from Samadhi)
deep sleep a a
man
120
Meditation
he says of his experience, only; words cannot describe
like the Rishis bliss
T
and
bliss
and
'Thou'
Sachchidananda
vanish
"It
was
The
it.
(Exis-
tence-knowledge-bliss Absolute) alone remains."
"What
If asked,
is
the proof that
God
exists?"
have seen God, and you too can see Him if you follow me/' So have said all the As Sri Ramakrishna has said: saints and saviours. the answer
is,
"I
"By merely repeating the name of Siddhi (hemp Gather leaves) you cannot become intoxicated. them, grind and dissolve them, drink them and wait for a while, then alone will you feel the intoxication.
In the same way, simply crying out 'Lord',
'Lord' will not do;
DISCIPLE
practise
Sadhana and wait/'
In performing Japam
forget everything;
THE SWAMI
what
is
sometimes
that, Sir?
The Pancbadashi
is
of opinion
that this feeling stands as an impediment. tion
means
tensified,
to think of
I
Him; and when
when God becomes
visible, it is
Meditathis is in-
Samadhi.
After Samadhi the blissful emotion lingers on for a long time.
Some
hold,
it
121
continues for ever.
Spiritual Teachings Sri
Ramananda
man
a
sent
Chaitanya
to
Ramananda,
of luxury, but at the name
lived a life
of the Lord a fountain of tears of devotion bursi
from
The man
his eyes.
he wept. cannot
They
know
you are not a Sadhu you
say, if
a Sadhu
appraise a diamond.
did not understand wh)
as a brinjal seller cannot
Only
that
one who through
Sadhana has attained a higher stage can understand a true devotee.
At the time of meditation you must think that desires and passions have no existence, that they are unreal.
Gradually
your mind.
As you
impression will sink into
this
drive out these thoughts, force
good ones. During your meditation, if you perceive some light or sound, know that you are going in
along the right path.
trivial signs.
signs, they are
good. Meditating in a lonely place, one can hear the sound of Pfanava
Still,
as
But these are
(sound symbol of the Brahman) or that of a bell or a sound from a distant place.
There was a man, minutes
before
his
a great dare*devil.
death
122
he
said:
Fifteen
"Carry
me
Meditation
Do
you think I wish to die here?" Reaching the sacred stream he smiled and "Mother! I sinned have much. 1 prayed: straight to the Ganges.
believe,
Mother, Thou canst wash away everything.
Save me,
Oh
!
Mother! 99
And
123
he died.
XX GOD VISION ^Conversation 1922.
at
The Swam?
Calcutta, is
the
2nd of
February,
honoured guest of a
devotee.,
THE SWAMI A required. feet.
He
pure, healthy
Remain under
mind
is
what
is
the shelter of His lotus
do all that is needful; you have only mind fixed ever on Him. Give up all
will
to keep your
longing for the world. It is a very unholy place. Pay no more heed to it than is absolutely necessary; devote the rest of yourself to God.
I tell
you, you Try and you will succeed. Struggle and struggle you will have to hard. struggle Begin this moment; no more delay, no more doubt, no more speculation. Oh, the joy are just the person to do
this.
of realisation, the satisfaction of it
even, will suffice for you.
it!
Strive; strive to cross
over PAahamaya (Divine illusion)
124
Just a little of
;
yes, in this very
God-Vision
you must go beyond it. Strive hard; it is deed a difficult task. Faith, unshakable faith
life
Without
the
is
you cannot succeed. Be doubts; then you can tear of Maya and see God. Faith, you know, is
necessary.
determined; remove the veil
in-
only resource;
that
all
strengthen
it
by
all
at
times,
possible
means.
DISCIPLE shall
I
If
doubt creeps in
do?
THE SWAMI You faith
what
until
cannot
God-realisation
have unshakable
comes.
only when you have
the vision of
have realised Him.
Till
an approach
It is
possible
God, when you then you can only make
to true faith; nothing more.
When-
ever doubts disturb the even balance of the mind,
God and
you can do so over and over again, your conviction will be firm and invincible. Doubts surely will come, but drive them hold fast to
out in this wise. but because of
my
pray.
If
Think within lot I
yourself:
cannot see Him.
"God
is,
The mo-
ment His grace descends, that moment I shall be Do not lose faith. Cling blessed by seeing Him." 125
Spiritual Teachings to
Him
always and under all circumstances. This gross mind cannot comprehend God.
beyond mind, He world that you see is
mind; the mind
far
is
The
intellect.
within the domain of the
is
is its
beyond
God
author, the
mind has created
and beyond it the mind cannot go. But through Sadhana a subtle mind opens up the mind of it,
That
spirit.
and unfold.
own
The
self.
vision
already in you, but in the form of
In course of time this
a germ.
subtle.
is
The
mind
gross
germ
will develop
will lead
you
to the
subtle shines forth in the glory of
stage that you can have the
It is at this
of finer
its
truths.
The world with
all
charm for you.
It
diversity will then lose all
its
can
Then you will pass your you no more. time, day and night, completely lost in the contem-
delude
plation of
The
God and His
next stage
not be described.
is
glory.
Samadhi.
It
is
This Samadhi can-
beyond the reach of the
gross mind, beyond language.
It
is
beyond Asti
and Nasti (human calculation), beyond pleasure and pain, beyond joy and sorrow, beyond light, 126
God-Vision
beyond
darkness,
language
is
all
beyond
too feeble to say
duality.
what
Human
that blessed state
is.
"The Vedas thou free,
O
all
deal with the three Gunas.
Be
Arjuna, be thou free from the three
Gunas" Sri Krishna says in the Gita. If you want God, you must transcend the limits of the Gunas. Disputes and dissensions, wars and feuds, malice and jealousy, egotism and pride, these are the products of Tamas.
Rajas goads
man
to activity,
name and fame.
A man
and
creates the desire for
full
of Rajas meditates for half an hour at best and
then looks around to see notice of others.
If
it
in vain;
if
it
has attracted the
has not, he thinks his medithis half hour's meditation!
tation
is
He
a beggar of popular applause.
is
all
Then comes
Sattwa (the state of serene vision). The Vedas deal with these Gunast but we must not stop here.
We must go beyond the Gunas. DISCIPLE us as duties;
In this world certain works seem to
how
THE SWAMI
are
we
to
do
these, Sir?
"This world 127
is
God's.
Nothing
Spiritual Teachings in
it
can
I call
my own; He
is
getting His
work
done by me; verily nothing belongs to me." If you can do what you call your duties with this attitude, then they will do you no harm; your work will no "This thing belongs to me, that
longer bind you. is
this attitude
mine,"
in its stead say:
mind; myself;
I
am
you must banish from your "Everything is God's, even
placed here by His Will, and
moment He
be removed hence the
I
shall
wills it."
Let
be your principle of life. Do yourself with the things of the world. this
Do
your duties with
them thoroughly and
this
attitude;
not
identify
and also do
well, so that people
perceive your real motive and blame you.
may
not
But in
the heart of hearts know, earthly things you have
God
Doer and you the instrument Through you, He will get done what He likes to none.
the
is
have done.
DISCIPLE in this
way,
Maharaj, in if at
egotism asserts what then?
times
itself
I
my
attempt to do work
forget the true motive,
and
128
if
if
attachment prevails,
God-Vision
THE SWAMI Do Never allow yourself
not
yield
to
depression.
to be depressed.
If at times
you forget your true motive, never mind. Begin once more with redoubled energy and see that it does not
recur
Who
can
ed?
They
kill
Doubts
again.
and confusion?
them before God-realisation
come and
will
attain-
That
they will go.
But do not get dejected.
their nature.
is
Shake
is
off
despair, shake off disappointment, shake off doubt;
make no compromise. Have infinite "To do or die" let infinite energy. motto.
God you must
you must see Him.
In vain
your mind, in vain your if
you cannot
realise
Therefore, say boldly: body, what
God
is
is
life,
Him
I
Him."
129
I
be your
your being, in vain
here in
What do
and
in this very life
this
shall I
the use of the mind, if
with them?
this
everything
"What
Let them stay or go, but see
now
realise;
tenacity,
care
if
is
in vain,
very
life.
do with the I
cannot see
they perish?
must see God;
I
must
XXI
DIFFERENT METHODS OF ATTAINMENT
DEVOTEE
Maharaj, these different forms of
worship, these different rituals, these different gods
do they mean anything special? All these have one and the same
and goddesses,
THE SWAMI
purpose God-realisation. There is so much difference between one man and another in their inclinations
and
their
temperaments that no one method
can be assigned to all for their Sadhana or spiritual Different advancement. temperaments require
Sadhana and
ways of worship. To meet these varying demands the Scriptures hav^ four means, Sam ad hi> prescribed principal different
different
Dhyana, actual Japam, prayer, and external worship.
The
best kind of worship
worship of the Brahman
is
Samadhi or the
direct
the actual vision of
the
Omnipresent Reality.
The second
in
importance 130
is
Dhyana or medita-
Different tion,
where two things
holy
exist,
]apam, prayer and the
self."
here.
Methods of Attainment "Himself" and "mylike have no room
When
meditation deepens, one perceives the form of one's Ishtam or chosen Deity, the
form, pure and
Here again Japam
simple.
The
prayer have no place.
next step
is
and
Japam and
which one sings the glory of the Lord praying, chanting or repeating the hallowed Name of one's chosen Deity, simultaneously meditating prayer, in
upon the blessed form behind
The
last
the
images.
These
Supreme Being
different
gods and goddesses the
human mind.
all
onward march Sadhana.
to
its
God.
in
Pratika
or
forms of worship, different these are but creations of
They mark
progress of the mind,
Name.
This consists in
external worship.
is
worshipping
that holy
different degrees of
evolutionary stages, in
A man
its
desires to
Now, what should he do ?
perform he Can begin
from any point? No. He must start exactly where his mind stands and proceed stage after stage till
the Goal
is
ordinary man:
reached.
if
Take
the
case
of
an
you ask him to meditate upon the 131
Spiritual Teachings
Supreme Brahman who is without name or form; or if you ask him to practise Sawadhi, he will not comprehend, nor will he be well-disposed towards The result will be that he will give up his task.
Sadhana altogether.
On
the
other
he
if
hand,
worships the Brahman in an image with offerings of flowers and sacred leaves, he will think he has
done something. For some time will be free from distractions,
moment and
ed,
will
is
liable to fall.
He
into
which every
will be unperturb^
will rejoice in his worship.
outgrow that
The of
it
at least, his minct
By and by he
stage.
mind grows, the less becomes the joy things gross and secular. Jf you begin
finer the
man
in
Puja or external worship now, later on you will naturally that
]apam
a better substitute.
is
feel
Then
you will find in meditation a far better substitute, and so on. This gradual process is the natural way of growth for the human mind. In the course of mental evolution, the experience the mind this acquires
up
is
in the
not
lost; the
mind
memory. 132
retains
and
stores
it
Different
Take an
Methods of Attainment
down in the courtroof. What will you
illustration: standing
you wish to get on the do? You have to find the stair-case and, climbing the steps one after the other, you reach the roof. yard,
you are thrown through the air right up the house-top, that certainly would mean a great
Instead, if to
deal of discomfort and danger.
You
can avoid
hurt or injury only by following the gradual pro-
So
cess.
untoward
is it
To
with the world within.
circumstances in your
avoid
march toward
all
spirit-
ual realisation, you must follow the gradual path that is marked out for us by the seers of the past.
These
forms of worship constitute that Waytfe and means, rules and regulations path. these exist in the physical world as well as in that different
of the mind.
The same law
DEVOTEE known shall
I
to
do
me,
If
a
rules both.
thought,
distracting
persists in rising in the
then, Revered Sir ?
THE SWAMI
"This
mind, what
How shall thought
is
well-
I
check
it ?
immensely
harmful to me;
it
worst enemy"
impress this idea on your mind by
can bring about
133
my
ruin;
it is
my
Sptfitual Teachings
Once you can stamp this impresrepeated effort. sion upon the mind, you will find the distracting thought vanishing in no time. this
boy
he?
I
who
is
sitting here.
do not know him.
he
is
for
some
worthless"
become
if
tion,
a
mind
Because
that idea.
little child:
thinking thus
in
it
same thing
he has
it
you
have
impressed
Take one more
does not
know
illustra-
the results of
you give it a little poison it will will not be afraid. But if that very If
taking poison.
not care;
you persist
for nothing;
he will be of no importance Your mind will no longer turn toward
And why?
upon
good
for you
so;
the
is
time, before long you will find that
whatsoever.
him.
He
Take, for example, "This boy who is
given to you, you will It is because you to a safe distance. is
start
and
know
recoil
the effect
of poison. So we see the mind is a strange thing; whatever you hold before it, it will learn.
One you:
thing,
first
realise it is
and a very serious thing,
I
must
tell
choose your ideal and then struggle to
The
ideal
the highest ideal
must never be lowered.
God who 134
is
God
smaller than an
Methods of Attainment
Different
atom and bigger than the shines
forth
everywhere,
beings, in you
and
in
solar system; at all times
me;
is
and
He
is
the
same
that pervades the entire universe.
superior to
Make Him
Him.
in
all
differing only in mani-
festation, greater or smaller.
Atman
He who
your ideal,
as the
Nothing Him and
Him
alone. Try a little, and you will realise what an inexhaustible fount of joy He is. The world
you have had enough experience of it! Now try seek God. the other side The veil of Maya, ignorance, vision of cross
before
hangs
God;
tear
off
it
Maya's bounds
is
you,
and
lo,
obstructing
He
is
there!
your
To
indeed a hard task, but not
an impossibility. Men have crossed before you and you can also cross. Strive on, success is at hand; ''Knock and
it
shall
be opened unto you."
The
world will stand transformed to these very eyes of yours.
DEVOTEE
Regarding the Scriptures, what attitude should we maintain? Should we put faith in their authority?
THE SWAMI
Certainly!
135
All these Scriptural
Spiritual Teachings
For the good and guidance injunctions are true. of mankind through the ages, these have been for-
men
mulated by
of the past and handed
down from
generation to generation, from father to son, up to
You must
the present day.
Another thing: must never give very existence lead
obey them.
as regards
Karma (work), you
up wholly. Without it your would be impossible. It can also it
Man
God-realisation.
you, in the end, to
does not know when Karma began, but he knows where it ends. Verily, with God-realisation all the shackles
of
Karma
fall off; then,
no more work
But until that
remains to be done.
state is reach-
Karma and you By doing your Karma for the sake
ed you are within the bounds of
have to work. of
Karma you
will attain to the greatest
DEVOTEE And take, Sir?
what
Are there any
THE SWAMI A
sort of
Good.
food are
very difficult question!
Men
constitution that
hardly possible to lay
any hard and
is
fast rule
to
rules about diet?
very hard to answer. it
we
differ so
about food.
136
It
is
widely in their
One
down
thing
may
Different
Methods of Attainment
be suitable to your constitution, but the same may not suit mine. Our Scriptures therefore have not
much stress on this point. come across certain passages laid
about food;
crimination classification.
Roughly
to
referring that
speaking,
own food
Gita
the
it
we dis-
a
is
general can be said
One should
be avoided.
that rich dishes should
choose one's
but
In
according to one's power of
assimilation.
DEVOTEE does
it
Mahara
not involve
THE SWAMI injury)
is
the
non- vegetarian
j ,
sin,
No.
greatest
diet,
the sin of killing animals?
They virtue,
say
Ahimsa
(non-
when?
Only
but
Samadhi, when the supreme knowledge has been attained, when God has been realised in all
after
Then only can Before that, no amount of
creatures.
comes
when you
realise
there be true Ahimsa. talk can
that
make
the
you as well as in the little no difference exists. Before that it resides in
You
may
What 137
so.
It
same Atman ant, is
speak of Ahimsa, but truly
can you avoid Himsa?
it
and that
impossible.
speaking,
food do you take?
Spiritual Teachings
Potato?
forth
shoots
It
young
sprouts
when
is the potato lifeplanted; these bring a new crop; Sow the paddy grain; it grows into a plant; less?
and
this again bears
new paddy.
Is
the paddy then
lifeless ?
Examine a drop of water under a microscope and you will find millions of little lives; and you drink it!
to live is to take breath.
Again,
every
breath you
Take the
kill
case of those
millions of
Now,
little
who make much
with
creatures.
of this vege-
What food do they prescribe? Milk and Ghee? Now, how do you get milk? By table diet.
depriving a poor creature, the tiny calf, of
mate food. that
is
lies in
no
is
a bit of fish or meat!
cannot stand. ideas.
an extremely cruel act. But common parlance, and all the sin
That
sin, in
It is
its legiti-
The
old
Such flimsy arguments
Hindus never had such
a later Vaishnavite interpolation.
138
XXII
SAMADHI THE SWAMI Savikalpa
Samadhi state
(ecstatic
mainly of two kinds, of dual consciousness) is
and
conNirvikalpa (undifferentiated state of In a man the Samadhi sciousness). Nirvikalpa loses all knowledge of name and form, and the
whole
world vanishes into nothingness.
In
the
Cossipore Garden, Swamiji (Swami Vivekananda) few attained the Nirvikalpa Samadhi, but very
knew of There
it,
is
for he seldom spoke of his experiences. yet
Ananda Samadhi.
In
ecstatic joy that the
as
Samadhi
kind of
another
this the
body can
mind
called
such
tastes
scarcely hold
a consequence the Brahma-Randhra
it
(the gate
of the body in the top of the head) gives way. this blissful state of consciousness, the body three weeks at best,
Men
visualise
and
In lasts
and no longer.
God
Rajasic and Tamasic,
in
different
according
139
to
forms, Sattwic, the
predomi-
Spiritual Teachings
nance of one or other of these three
What
qualities.
a pity that instead of trading in this price-
people bargain for paltry worldly must cultivate the habit of remem-
less merchandise,
things!
bering
Men
and thinking on God
have only
God
to call their
for
constantly,
own and
they
they have to
realise this truth in this life.
The is
natural bent of the ordinary
towards
human mind
enjoyment, but that must be
changed and the mind given an upward turn. Sri Ramakrishna's mind ever soared in the region of Bliss
Supreme; especially during His Sadhana under the Panchavati
(at Dakshineswar)
it
reached
high pitch that time passed unnoticed. lost all appetite for food and drink.
such
He
a
totally
But,
since
His body had to be preserved, the man who waited upon the Master would thrust a morsel of rice into His mouth whenever
from the exalted remained.
He
state
In
seemed of
bliss
to
in
come down which
He
the way, during whole day and night, the Master was made to swallow some seven or eight morsels of rice at most. usually
this
140
Samadhi
Much mark
later
that
when we met Him, even then we could He had to bring His mind down to the
physical plane by force.
One day
length about the Shabda
spoke at
the subject of
and
my
lo!
words revealed
Brahman
(the
sound). This was noontide meditation in the Pan-
Brahman
manifestation of
chavati,
of His teaching the Master
in the course
I
suddenly to
me:
as
I
had the truth of His
heard the birds on the
around sing the Divine Vedic lore. On one occasion Sri Ramakrishna
trees
day as
I
vision
I
said:
"One
was meditating in the Kali Temple, in a saw the screens of Maya (ignorance) one
disappear
after
from
other
the
my
sight.
Another day, Mother held before my eyes a flood of light surpassing in effulgence and splendour a million suns, and out of that luminous mass
a
form,
purely
of the
nature
of
I
saw
consciousness,
emerge slowly, only to melt away into the light the next moment/* The formless assumed form, and the form lost
One day
itself in
the formless!
entering the Kali Temple, K. began to
141
Spiritual Teachings
admonish the Mother
his chest
in a violent tone:
became red and
tears trickled
in great anger.
Sri
down from
his eyes
Ramakrishna who had
all this
time been inside the Temple, perceiving his tone, came out and said: "True, temper can be shown to
our near and dear ones; but yours
is
a
very
(Virabhava or the attitude of a Mine is Matribhava (the consort).
attitude
difficult
lord to his
attitude of a son to his
The human body
is
mother)
."
the greatest temple of God.
reason the Scriptures enjoin that medita-
For
this
tion
and worship should be performed
In this body
is
in the body.
the Sahasrara (the thousand-petal-
led lotus in the head,
i.e.,
the upper brain)
from
where the mind does not ordinarily come down, once
it
ascends there.
Scriptures
say:
Vamana,
rebirth
in this very
and
It is
''When is
at
for this reason that the
in the
Ratha
Him
is
seen
the
an end"; which means that
God (Vamana) man escapes the
body (Ratha) resides
realising
if
therein,
repeated cycles of birth and death.
;
In this body
Ramaprasad saw the Lord, the Father and Mother 142
Samadhi of
body,
he sang, "Thou abidest Mother, and herein do I see Thee."
and
all,
Oh
There
is
instantly
in this
a third eye, the eye of knowledge, in
body on the forehead between the eye-brows. When it opens, one sees, as Sri Ramakrishna has this
said,
and happy around him. true of the Macrocosm is true of the
everything
What
is
blissful
Microcosm.
How
wonderful
Verily, if a taste
man
it
is
God is so near us! realise Him and have a
that
can once
of Bliss Divine, he will forthwith lose
taste for everything else.
The
all
temples, cars and
chariots used in external worship are but symbols
of the greatest temple of God, the
143
human
body,
XXIII
POWER OF MIND THE SWAMI A seven
within
A
gates.
poor man
Minister
a
granted.
The
Minister leads
the
royal presence.
to
gates
royal
man
asks his guide
they
enter
and
interview
officer richly dressed
in
lives
King
his
begs
his prayer
him
Now,
and stationed
palace of the is
through
the
finding
an
at each gate the
he (the officer) is the King; but every time the answer is in the negative. When the
exquisite beauty
man
at
like
the
if
seventh gate, at the
sight
and grandeur of the
real
of
the
King the
once recognises him as such and asks the Such is the case with the Guru: minister no more. Minister,
the
through different stages
Guru till
leads
the
disciple
he leaves him with the
Lord.
No Guru will see
is
own mind. You made steady through
greater than your
when your mind
is
Power of Mind from within what you have to do and which way to follow. Even in your daily duties it will show what is to be done first meditation,
and what
Goal
is
it
will
next.
dictate
Thus
it
will lead
you on
till
the
reached.
You
can develop your mind and make it steady in either of two ways, by retiring to a solitary retreat
ble to
and making the mind absolutely unsusceptiany change through concentration and medita-
good thoughts and developing love and attachment toward God. The mind is just like a milch cow which gives a larger tion or by continually thinking
supply
when
and you
fed well.
will find
it
Give the mind more food better
giving you
service
in
return.
And what
mind?
Meditation and concentration, prayer and
worship, and
There
is
all
constitutes
the
food
of
the
such practices.
a class of Sadhakas
who
mind and keep a strong watch over The mind, after roaming here and finds lasting peace, consequently
145
it
let its
loose their
movements.
there,
nowhere
turns back to
Spiritual Teachings
God and
takes refuge in
The
Him.
look after the mind, the mind This being the case,
it
fact
is,
if
you
will look after you.
behoves you to keep a vigilant
eye on the movements of the mind and analyse them
with the utmost care and scrutiny. analysis
no place
is
solitary retirement.
Rishis
of
old
retreats or the
It is
suitable than a place of
for this purpose that the selected
the to
The mind has
to
be purged of
it
will not be able to
must be made transparent or it catch the reflection of God. True
renunciation consists in giving
mind
is
attachment
all
up
for worldly objects to which the
the
mental
bank of the Ganges
attachment;
When
this
Himalayan carry on their
always
Spiritual practices. all
more
For
mind
once freed from
is
bound.
this shackle
will not be affected in the least, even
though
it
it is
placed in the midst of numberless objects of sense. Hence the value of struggle. man who has no
A
struggle in his life
But he
is lifeless.
faces any obstacle that
comes
in his
who
way
bravely
will have
the reward of everlasting peace.
The most favourable time 146
for meditation
is
the
Power of Mind
when the day closes and night commences, and when the night closes and day breaks. At these hours Nature is calm and at time of Samyama, the hour
This
rest.
is
the reason
why
early rising forms an,
essential factor in the religious life of a this
time the Sushumna
Nodi
At
man.
(the central nerve
within the spinal cord) sets to work and as a result the usual the breath passes through both nostrils, course which
is
generally through one only, either
the Ida or the Pin gala disturbing the mind. Certain
Yogins always watch for the time when the Sushumna starts to function and when it is actually at work,
at
once they will
for meditation, leaving
sit
may be engaged in. Man wants peace; but how can he realise it unless he can establish a close intimacy with God and aside whatever they
make Him
his
own; unless
in the
can hold intercourse with Him,
Him and just
as
friends
behave with
Him
he does with
his near
and
on
relatives
mental world he feed Him, dress
sweetly and cordially
and dear ones, his
this physical
course acquire this mental attitude the easiest
147
To
plane? is
to
Spiritual Teachings
think constantly on
of
Sadhanas.
all
He
infinite
is
self
in
Him?
the
Him;
it is
Mysterious
and
form.
the
Bhusandi,
is
He
finite.
human
therefore the simplest
the
also
Who
Crow,
way of God. incarnates Himunderstand
can
Rama-
took
at first
chandra for an ordinary being; but unable to procure any shelter in the three worlds heaven, earth,
when chased by
or the nether world
Hand
of Rama, at
incarnate and
last
prayed to
the unseen
he recognised Him as God Him. Many and varied are
the paths through which
God
leads
man; and
body knows through which path he
will
no-
be led.
sometimes leads him through a thorny path and other times through a soft, rosy one. The one
God at
course open to
wholly
The
at
man
His Feet.
body,
therefore
This
is
mind and the
is
to resign himself
the only
way
senses all
out.
become low
and benumbed through the debasing influence of Maya. says
weeps
"Ensnared in the trap of the Sri
and laments/*
man who
has
first
Brahman
"the
Ramakrishna,
Such
realised
five elements,"
is
Maya!
Himself But to a
God, who has transcended
148
Power of Mind once for
Her deluding charms and
all
attractions,
a thousand worlds cannot do the least harm.
a
man
beyond the bounds of Maya, and to such a
is
one alone are revealed Her
mysteries.
Under the delusion of cannot
comprehend
troublesome
The body
it is
is
to be
how
terribly
decaying day by day;
birth.
Maya,
man
painful
and
this divine
born and to
ful of the sacred mission for
human
Such
live in this world. still
he
is
forget-
which he has taken
this
In spite of the troubles and tribula-
tions of life here
on
this earth,
human
birth has a
unique advantage. It is only in this birth that a being can realise God. Therefore without paying heed to the ease and comforts of this frail form, a
man
should do here such meritorious works as will
produce lasting
effect hereafter
and thus terminate
the repeated cycles of birth and death.
Indeed, for
the sake of mental peace one has to invoke peacelessness.
Such
is
the teaching of the wise.
149
XXIV
WORSHIP OF GOD ADMONITIONS TO A DISCIPLE i
THE SWAMI many
Pilgrimages
The
ways.
chief advantage
enabled to meet holy
God.
and there
No
in
we
are
that
is
Another
serve them.
worldly is
beneficial
tend
to
remembrance
of
thoughts
constant
doubt these will aid us in our spiritual
We
progress.
men and
that
is
advantage decrease
are
will gain
much
spiritual
knowledge
also.
Kashi
(Benares)
Sadhus (holy men)
is
a very sacred
live there.
place.
Many
Thus we get the
A
spiritual opportunity to be in their company. current is always flowing in Kashi. Householders
have many there.
It
facilities for
would be good
the if
worship of the Lord
you could stay there for
a time.
Vrindavan
is
another sacred place.
150
There are
Worship of God
many Sadhus
there immersed in the contemplation
of the Lord day and night.
Work
see those places.
You ought
to
go and But
you will have always.
in spite of this, find time to visit these places at least
once.
So far as work
concerned, there
is
some
is
work
which will lead you
Godward.
Unselfish
belongs to this
But
work
will never
Know
that your
class.
selfish
help you in your spiritual path. wife, children and all which you
belong
to the Lord.
If
everything will go on
you have
all right for
now
call
yours
this firm belief,
you.
The
con-
trary belief will bring about a contrary result. ii
Repetition of the holy
good.
The mind
will
While repeating the
Name
of the Lord
is
very
become
Name
pure through it. of the Lord you should
keep remembrance of the Lord in your mind. Such repetition and remembrance will do much good. Mere repetition without the remembrance of the
Lord will not be of much this is easy.
initiation
To do
it
use.
I
do not say
that
one must have Upadesb, or
by the Guru. 151
Spiritual Teachings
The Guru
will
determine
Ishta-Devata
your
(form of Ideal) and other things necessary for your spiritual progress.
According to the difference in
the nature of each individual, there are
Devatas.
One
cannot
suit
Until
all.
Ishta-
many
spiritual
knowledge dawns upon you, you have to follow the directions of your Guru. The more you work, the purer you become.
To very
practise without the aid of the
A
difficult.
strength of
is
always
few rare souls of exceptional
mind might be able
any such external help.
Yet
it
under the guidance of a Guru. possibility of
Guru
to realise without is
better to
Then
there
your committing any mistake.
work is
no
Still
you should not remain idle because you have not got a Guru. Begin at once and the Guru will come in proper time.
The Guru must
select the Shishya (disciple)
the Shishya must choose the Guru.
one alone
selects,
it is
not so good.
and
Otherwise
if
Only a perfect
(Siddha-Guru) can really help the disciple. Such a Guru alone can give initiation according to soul
152
Worship of God
An
the differences in the nature of the disciples.
ordinary
Guru can do no such
thing.
This
latter is
ready to give Upadesh to anyone at any time. the proper time comes, God will send you
Guru.
Until you get such a Guru, your duty
worship of the Lord. spent in
If
not, your days
Hence have
vain.
regular
When your is
the
\vili
be
meditation,
Japam, and Bhajanam (singing the praises of the Lord) every day. iii
As you proceed with meditation you will you are getting more and more realisation. is
no use
in merely
reading the Shastras
see that
There (Sacred
and discussing about them. By medithe mind will become pure, and when the
Scriptures) tation,
mind becomes
pure, realisation of
matter of course.
worldly matters.
out of
this.
But
Ordinarily,
No if
we
God
follows as a
hold our mind on
result
worth the name comes
fix
your mind in the pure
you
thought of God, you will feel a taste of real bliss. All your energy is spent in worldly things. Exert You should yourself a little in the worship of God.
153
Spiritual Teachings
Begin at once the Our span of life is very
not spend your life thus in vain.
worship of the Lord. short. The most important duty for us in this short life is the worship of God. If we waste our time,
we
may be engaged is
Whatever work you think of the Lord always. It
can never regain
not enough
if
in,
it.
you merely
sit
in a corner for a
short time at a certain period of the day and shut
your eyes; for then you will see the whole world
coming before your mind's eye. It is best to start from Dualism.
If
you proceed
you will find that you are To see God outside naturally led to Non-dualism. of ourselves is a right path. Afterwards you will a
little
be able
along
this path,
to see
God
within yourself.
highest form of meditation.
ing?
alone. sation.
not
Until you get the taste of
practise meditation. sary.
Is
This
God
all-pervad-
you should Until then, Dualism is necesbliss,
In the state of Samadhi, you will see
None
the
is
can describe the nature of
self-reali-
So long as you have the thought of
you, sin will not affect you.
154
God
God
in
XXV FRAGMENTS OF CONVERSATIONS i
DEVOTEE me
Maharaj, the other day you told that the mind can be made steady in two ways.
Now, which
of these two
THE SWAMI feet of your
Hold
the
to follow ?
I
mind
fast to the sacred
Ishtam (Chosen Deity)
DEVOTEE Where blessed
am
form of
I
meditate upon the
Ishtam ?
my
THE SWAMI DEVOTEE In
shall
.
In the heart.
And how,
vener-
Consider your Deity as in are while meditation. you you
facing
the
heart!
able Sir?
THE SWAMI DEVOTEE
blood; Is
He
blobd ?
how
But
can a
in the heart there are flesh
man
residing in these things Shall
I
and
think of his Ishtam there?
think on
Him
155
flesh,
bones
in this wise ?
and
Spiritual Teachings
THE SWAMI and bones
No, do not think of the flesh Your Ishtam is residing right in
at all.
the core of the heart itself; develop this idea and
sciousness of
but
the beginning, of
In
meditate.
body will sometimes
afterwards
totally;
will
it
only the
not.
the
course, rise in
You
con-
your mind >
will forget
image of the Ishtam
will
it
then
reign supreme in your mind.
DEVOTEE as
I
find
other
Him
Shall
think on
my
Ishtam exactly
and images?
in pictures
Or
in
any
way?
THE SWAMI living
I
Not
exactly;
in
a
form,
but
and luminous. ii
DEVOTEE
In the Scriptures
I
have read and
formed, at
from many that ]apam should be perthe same time meditating on the mean-
ing of the
Mantram (holy Name).
also heard
think on this meaning?
Mantram
as a
man
Letter by letter, or
to
on the
whole?
THE SWAMI ing a
Now, how
Not
It is just like
so.
by his name.
The moment
156
I
address-
address
Fragments of Conversations you by your name, your form also flashes into my mind. Similar is the Mantram and the form that is
bom
out of
it.
DEVOTEE How
shall
I
]apam?
perform
Mentally or muttering low?
THE SWAMI When then do
retreat,
it
you are alone
manner
in a
as
in a solitary
may be
audible
you only. If there is anybody nearby, it must be done silently; but the lips must move in either to
case. iii
DEVOTEE I
tation,
For the
clearly
forth in letters,
Then
eyes.
I
few days
last
the
perceive
in
my
Mantram shining
and effulgent before
bright
of
I
my
Shall
do, Sir?
Ishtam
Mantram from
my
do not see my Ishtam, the Mantram
alone forming the sole object of perception. shall
medi-
the
THE SWAMI cious sign indeed.
I
alone,
try to think
after
on the image
driving
away the
Or what?
mind? That
What
is
very
good,
Yes, surely that
both have to be thought on. 157
is
an auspigood. But
The Mantram
is
no
Spiritual Teachings
other
than
the
Brahman
Himself
manifested
through name. Hence you should not drive it out of the mind. Think on the Mantram and also the holy form represented by
Think on both.
it.
It
better not to banish either.
is
DEVOTEE figure of
my
Well,
Sir,
Ishtam shall
which part of the blessed I think on first, the face
or any other part?
THE SWAMI Why,
begin from His lotus feet
offering unto
them your
then face, hands or feet
whatever
after
.
first
salutations; rises
DEVOTEE Why is the Mantram so THE SWAMI True, the Mantram
and
before you. very long?
sometimes
But long or short, it possesses a special power; and if you perform Japam constant-
becomes long.
ly,
you will know the truth of
DEVOTEE Many time of Japam and touches the rosary,
you,
Sir,
it
in
no
time.
are of opinion that if at the
meditation it
the
fourth
constitutes a sin;
may
finger I
ask
why?
THE SWAMI Do fourth finger?
you perform Japam with the
All right, do as you
158
like.
If
you
Fragments of Conversations perform Japam with the fourth
like to
can do
you
to
without any hesitation.
it
finger,
you
will not bind
It
any sin whatsoever. iv
DEVOTEE How shall I steady the mind, THE SWAMI By regular daily practice And
can make the mind firm and steady.
Sir?
you
for this
morning is the best time. Before meditation reading from any of the holy Scriptures early
practice
make
will
concentration
tation half an
hour's silent
it
you
divert
affairs,
may come
it
attention
your will not
general, but also
mind toward
it
only
mind; and
and
a
little
necessary;
for
There-
later.
abruptly
do you great
will deter the
secular
to
harm
in
growth of your
spiritual realisation in particular.
Japam and meditation, first
is
said that if immediately after meditation
fore
is
it
rest
medi-
you may not derive the
at the time of meditation
desired effect;
After
easier.
their
these are the food of the
practice
is
what
foremost necessity of
constitutes
man.
If,
beginning, you are not able to carry on your
159
in
the the
Japam
Spiritual Teachings
and meditation must
not
in
give
the right way, even
up the
practice
then you
altogether.
By
you can gain a good deal. Daily two hours' ]apam and meditation and then half-
practice
alone
an-hour's Solitary
rest
is
what
retirement
is
is
required
also
of everybody.
a great help
to
the
Simply by sitting silently in the secluded nook of a garden or on the solitary spiritual
aspirant.
bank of a
open
field,
river, or
or shut
can profit much.
on the lonely
outskirt of a vast,
up within your own closet, you You must make up a routine
you commence your spiritual practices. And you must not take upon yourself any work which may stand in the way of following the before
routine.
v
DEVOTEE
If
at
the time of meditation any
form of any god or goddess other than that of my Ishtam appears to my mind, what should I do then, Sir?
THE SWAMI Know sign.
Your
it
to
Ishtam Himself
160
be a very auspicious
may appear
to
you
Fragments of Conversations in
He
various
forms.
He
many.
is
one,
and
at
the same
Enjoy the holy sight o your Ishtam and welcome that one which comes in His time
is
end you will find these different forms merging one by one into the sacred body of In
stead.
the
own Ishtam. You must lay much
your
tation,
especially
Ashtami
tit his
on ]apam and medion the Amavasya, Purnima and stress
(the last day of the dark fortnight,
moon day and
day of either fortnight of the month), and also on th^e occasions of the worship of Mother Kali (Shyama) Jagadthe full
the
eighth
,
dhatri
and Durga.
women
as
You must
your mother.
And
also look
upon
instead of
all
giving
any positive word to anybody simply say, "I shall try"; for you may not be able to keep to your promise.
DEVOTEE on the same is it
not a most unfortunate thing for me,
renouncing a
Maharaj, you are always insisting theme, "Serve your father'*. But
monk and
all, I
Sir,
that
have not yet been able to become
serve you ?
161
Spiritual Teachings
THE SWAMI The only
thing
You
Monk! is
are already that.
you have not taken the
that
Gerua (the ochre-coloured dress of a monk). my son, Gerua alone cannot make you a monk.
DEVOTEE
Is
it
not a great privilege
But,
to
be
Holy Order (Sri Ramakrishna Order) and become Sannyasin and serve you ?
able
to
join
the
THE SWAMI your sick
same
Indeed
my
father,
yourself
but
is;
by
boy, you will attain
result, the greatest
entangle
it
good.
furthermore
And
to
the
you do not
if
by
serving
marriage
or
otherwise, you have nothing to fear in this world. I
ask you again,
to your
father's
my
child, devote yourself
service
and also
to
Japam and
meditation and the study of sacred books.
162
wholly
XXVI GOD-MINDFULNESS DISCIPLE Work, have
Maharaj, while engaged in Relief have to labour very hard all day long; I
I
no opportunity to I find no time at practices:
little
spiritual
or
feel inclined to
all;
so
on I
my
do not
do such work.
THE SWAMI all
carry
But have you to work like that
through?
DISCIPLE
No,
THE SWAMI you
find
who
is
Sir,
for the
first
few days
Then why do you complain
no time?
It is
the
only.
that
ordinary worldling
often heard to grumble in this strain, that secular duties stand in the way of spiritual prac-
Such flimsy argument, my boy, does not You have the power of befit you, a Sadhu. Brahmacharya (absolute continence) in you; you must carry on both spiritual practices and
tices.
mundane
duties simultaneously.
163
My
idea
is
that
Spiritual Teachings
you do not possess any strong desire you only
spiritual exercises;
like to pass
your time
merriment; your plea of want nothing but a lame excuse. In Relief
in vain works,
of time
at heart for
is
operations the
and
in
few days may be a very busy
first
time for you and
I
fully appreciate that; but this
What
state of things does not continue for long.
do you do then? Why do you not carry on your Sadhana at that time? Do you not feel ashamed to
complain in
this
Those who are their
perform only
do
they
wherever
the
wise? really inclined
practices it
more
under
circumstances:
all
intensely
whenever
favourable.
is
opportunity
toward Sadhana
and
Those
who
always complain of inconveniences of time and place never make any progress in their life; they
wander
about
like
vagabonds
and
spend
soiil
in
their
precious time in vain.
Engage
yourself heart
and
Sadhana.
Plunge into your spiritual practices. Oh, the joy of it! If you once have a taste of that joy, all else will lose
its
savour for you.
164
Then, wherever and
God-Mindfulness in whatever circumstances
you will not
Providence,
you may be placed by relish
anything
except
Sadhana.
True, in the very beginning you cannot
have that
joy; but believing in the
Guru,
if
joy of
it
persist in
you
will descend
words of your Sadhana for some time, the
upon you unsought.
In performing ]apam and meditation, time and other conditions are indeed necessary, but Smaran
and Manan plation
of
remembrance and contem-
(constant
God) work
Whether
at
cultivate
this
wait
no such
for
conditions.
or idle, whether dining or sitting can alone, you always practise these. You must
adept in
it,
habit;
know
and that
when you become an you have made a fair
advance in mind toward God. According to Sri Ramanuja such an uninterrupted flow of thought is
called I
Dhyana (meditation) wonder why you are so much
(Pointing to
.
Swami
P.)
They
afraid of work.
are all saintly
men;
you must do whatever they ask you to do. This will surely bring you good. But if you disobey, you
will never
make any 165
spiritual
advancement.
Spiritual Teachings
Therefore
I
implicitly.
beg This
What
give you.
you, is
my
boy,
to
them
obey
the sincerest advice that
work we had
a huge lot of
I
to
can
do
under the Divine dispensation! Even as Sadhus we had to be involved in litigations and frequently visit
offices,
lawyers'
With
all that
we
seeking their
legal
advice.
cannot say that any evil result has
come from our work; was His.
for
we knew
*
*
that all
work *
*
THE SWAMI
(Seeing a small broken bottle) That bottle has been broken. This shows a bad habit of mind.
You work
with an unsettled mind.
you think of a hundred other things while engaged in work. But secular or sacred, nothing I
fear
can
great
Whether it
be
achieved
an unsteady mind.
with
humble one, must be done with the utmost care and attenit is
Let
tion.
secular
me
work
a lofty undertaking or a
tell
you, those
are
also
who
steady
in
are their
steady
in
spiritual
exercises. If
you desire to do work in the right manner, you 166
God-Mindfulness
must hold these two great principles in view. In the first place you must possess a profound regard
work undertaken, and secondly you must be quite indifferent to the fruits thereof. Then for
the
alone can you do work in the proper way.
work
avert all disinclination for sider
And you
the secret of Karma-Yoga.
called
it
God.
as belonging to
if
It is
is
can
you only con-
when you
you become disturbed
this secret that
This
in
forget
mind; with
a disturbed mind, you will not succeed either in
advancing spiritually or in secular work.
Under
the impulse of
name and fame,
it is
indeed
do a magnificent work, but through such work you cannot appraise the value of a man as he
easier to
really
In order to do so, you have to examine
is.
his daily actions; for
a
man which
(selfless
is
the ordinary actions of
reveal the real
actions alone can
developed
it
his
man.
Through such
you know how far the
character.
A
true
man
has
Karma-Yogin and soul in
worker) will lose himself heart
any undertaking, even though it is of a most inferior kind. He is never actuated by the least desire
167
Spiritual Teachings
of winning cheap popular applause.
Who
own
choice?
the difference between a
Karma-
cannot do a work
Where
then
lies
if it is his
A
Yogin and an ordinary layman? must welcome any work that may
Karma-Yogin
fall to his
share
and gradually adjust himself to all requirements. Simply carrying on some work is not sufficient; it must be done
disinterestedly
in the holy
Name
of
A
Karma-Yogin must keep three-fourths of his mind fixed on God, and with the remaining one-fourth he should do whatever he has to do. the Lord.
Follow
this rule,
then alone can you do your work
manner; your mind too will become expanded and you will feel great joy in you. But on in proper
the other hand,
if
you work forgetting God, egotism
and pride will easily get the better of you and quarrels and dissensions will ensue, disturbing the equanimity of your mind.
Therefore
I
tell
whether at work or not, never forget God. maintain
Sadhana
this
attitude,
you
(spiritual practices)
168
must by
all
stick
means.
to
you,
To your
XXVII
ATTACHMENT FOR GOD DISCIPLE
Sir,
is
THE SWAMI
Sri
Ramakrishna
still
Have you gone mad?
living? If
He
why should we then lead such a life, up our home and all? He is. Only pour
does not
live,
giving out your whole heart in prayer to Him, and He will stand revealed in His glory to you and will remove all
the doubts and confusions
that
are
troubling
you constantly.
DISCIPLE
Him now? when He is pleased
Maharaj, do you see
THE SWAMI
Yes, but only to reveal Himself to us; then alone can
Everyone alas!
who
yearning
we
see
Him.
Him
through His grace. But longs to see Him? How few have that
can see
!
DISCIPLE
Venerable
Sir,
please
tell
us some-
thing about the Master.
THE SWAMI boy; and very
His
little
of
is it
a never-ending story,
do we know!
169
You
my will
Spiritual Teachings
know Him only when He will be pleased to make you know Him. Bear this in mind; without the of
concentration
mental and
my
spiritual
God
possible.
the
threefold religious
realisation
is
power,
bodily,
unfoldment
not so
easy
is
a
not task,
son!
DISCIPLE tion,
find
I
universe;
it
when
Maharaj,
I
for
sit
medita-
my mind
roaming about the whole thinks on no end of things. How to
stop this restlessness of the mind, Sir ?
THE SWAMI
In
the
this
beginning
always
happens, but you must try diligently to check the
mad outward
course of your mind.
ceed in the following manner:
never
meditation immediately after sitting
Asanam the it
(holy seat).
mind back from
up
By its
You
can suc-
begin your
down on your
discrimination
first
draw
external pursuits and lock
within, at the sacred feet of your Ishtam; then
begin Japam and meditation. If you follow this course for some time, the mind will naturally cease to wander.
The
easiest
way
in this
Katt-Yuga (Iron Age) 170
is
Attachment for path of ]apam. Japam the mind can the
steady,
and
finally
it
By
God, but very
constantly
it
performing
made calm
and
will lose itself in the Ishtam. all similar
difficult to
ask you to perform Japam
with
be
easily
The path of Yoga and to
God
paths are paths
follow.
frequently,
think on the Ishtam;
in
Therefore
I
and along
doing
this
you
perform both Japam and meditation simultaneousThis dual method brings success sooner. ly.
Always perform your Sadhana with unswerving steadfastness and do not let a single day pass by
Whether you wish or not, sit down on your Asanam at the appointed hour every day. If you can carry on your practices for three years with without
it.
such unerring regularity,
attachment for feel
God
will
yourself nearer to
assure you that love
and
grow in you and you will Him. Then you will be
upon Him and Him not be able to turn your mind in
prompted from within alone; you will
I
to call
any other direction. It is at this stage that the joy of Sadhana is felt by an aspirant in his heart.
Without intense love and attachment for God, 171
it
Spiritual Teachings is
very difficult for a beginner to perform Sadhana
in the right way, even after retiring into solitude.
always a possibility of serious Therefore, two of a similar type
Being alone, there consequences.
is
and temperament should live together; in that case mutual help and guidance may be rendered, should any
crisis befall
one or the other
on the other hand,
if
the
number
gossip and confusion enter to
injurious
worldly
spiritual
mind
lose
tions,
but
its
not
more
than indulgence in
idle talk not only does the
made
to forget
supreme Ideal of human life. While carrying on spiritual
must
is
higher tendencies and nobler aspirais
it
is
any time. But, more than two,
and nothing
practice
By such
talk.
in,
at
God, who
is
the
an aspirant Chatrams (Rest-
exercises,
beg his food from
houses for pilgrims) ; for these are maintained in greater part with the funds of Shraddha (funeral
ceremony) given by worldly people with the purpose of serving the holy. A hundred other desires also
prompt the minds of the people before
subscri-
bing their share to these charitable food-supplying 172
Attachment j or For
agencies.
them
is
all
not pure.
these reasons, a meal supplied by
on Madhukan (holy very good; it is pure and un-
But to
live
begging of food) is contaminated by any unholy
At
God
desire.
down With a
the time of Sadhana, you must also cut
minimum;
the quantity of your food to a
loaded stomach Japam and meditation are not possible because the greater part of your energy will be
squandered in digesting the food, and the mind will remain perturbed. That is why moderation in food and recreation, in everything, has
habits, in
been so strongly enjoined in the Srimad-BhagavadGita. "Yoga is not for him," the Lord says, "who eats too
who
much
sleeps too
Again,
must
if
settle
or too
much
or too
him
spiritual realisation
you
little."
you really want
down
O
Arjuna, for
nor,
little;
in a particular place
and carry on
your Sadhana uninterruptedly for a length of time.
By wandering about you tangible or permanent.
will never gain anything
This
am
telling
my own life. But I doubt profit by my experience.
the pages of
prepared to
I
173
you from
if
you are
Spiritual Teachings
In
this sacred
monastery
Vivekananda) how Sadhana! Food and All
think about.
is
of
Swamiji
grand are the
facilities
clothes, nothing
ready at hand.
(Swami for
have you to
Why
do you
not live here and apply yourself whole-heartedly to
of constant prayer and meditation? But who will listen to us! No good comes of 'Vagabondisa
life
ing/'
my
child.
you think that you can become a Mahatma or a great saint by roaming about here and there for If
some
time, let
me
tell
you, you are misguided.
cannot become a saint in that way. ceasing
Without un-
you cannot have any religious cannot be had simply by trickery. If
practice
experience;
you
You
it
sincerely cherish a longing for God-realisation,
you must plunge into Sadhana and be completely lost in your practice. Without sincere Sadhana
what good from place
Cerua and
will
come out of your wandering about
to place,
living
though dressed in the sacred
on holy begging?
174
XXVIII
WHAT A SADHU SHOULD DO DISCIPLE
Maharaj,
I
have
been trying in senses under control but
various ways to bring my all are of no avail; will you
succeed in
my
tell
me how
I
can
lust, I will
con-
attempt?
THE SWAMI
"I will
conquer
try in this
way, you will if you can concentrate will of themselves be on mind senses the God, your curbed without much effort on your part. Sri quer anger, greed" if you never conquer them; but
Ramakrishna
used to say, the more you
proceed
eastwards, the further are you from the west; you have not to spend any energy to accomplish this.
Take up
this
direct
method;
call
upon God and
pray to Him; then the senses will lose their venomous sting in no time. The way in which you perform ]apam and mediWith such casual effort, tation is most superficial.
by an hour's practice or two, 175
God
can never be
Spiritual Teachings
you can lose yourself day and night in the contemplation of God, His Name and glory, then alone will you be blessed with vision of But
realised.
Him;
if
not. That is the only way: be Sadhana heart and soul; no more waste
otherwise
plunged
in
of time. In the primary stage of your Sadhana you should
go on increasing your Japam and meditation slowly and steadily, little by little. If today you spend an hour, a few days after add a little more time; again a few days
later,
devote
still
more, and so
way you should lengthen the time of your spiritual practice, more and more every day. on.
In this
But in momentary enthusiasm you must never crease your
bounds.
If
in-
Japam and meditation by leaps and you violate this law, I warn you, you
will suffer badly:' the
reaction
increase will be too severe for
consequently
you are
you
from the sudden to bear
unmoved;
likely to
undergo terrible Then you will have no more for fapatri. and meditation. It is an
depression of mind. inclination
arduous task to
lift
up a depressed mind and turn 176
What a Sadhu Should Do it
back to Sadhana once again. In all spiritual realisation His grace without
essential;
that
no
progress
is
Therefore, for His grace you must pray to
an of
its
also
own;
it is
most
possible.
Him
Prayer has a wonderful
heart.
eager
is
with
efficacy
pleasing to God.
In the beginning of your Sadhana you must not let yourself
For you,
be swayed by any desire for enjoyment.
now
is
the time for complete abstinence,
for controlling all desires.
of
By the grace
the
Lord when you are once well established in this practice, then you will have no more fear of being stained by desires, should they rise in your
mind
at
any time.
who have embraced the giving up their home and all,
Again, those
monk
after
most unworthy
life
of a
for
them
be actuated by the desire to For a monk such exercise authority over others.
it is
a motive
is
bondage. about
to
the root-cause of
Therefore
you
it
as
must
be
again
into
very careful
Whatever you may do or see, belonging to God and upon your-
this pitfall.
look upon
falling
177
Spiritual Teachings self as
Remember
an instrument in His hand.
the
words of the Gita, ''Being deluded by egotism, man himself the doer/'
calls
Lying
is
yet another great sin.
man who
or a
frequents places of
trusted, but not the
of
all sins in this
You must cise
them.
to one's
one who
lies.
Even a drunkard ill
It is
fame can be the blackest
world.
never find fault with others nor
Such a habit
own
good.
is
criti-
extremely detrimental
By thinking of
the evil quali-
of others day and night, they will be impressed on your own mind; and that, at the cost of the ties
good tendencies that you may possess. So there is no good in fault-finding! Rather, sing His glory and mix heartily with all and rejoice. But who will listen to this advice ?
It is
very bad for Sadhus
groups to find fault with others and launch a malicious crusade against them. None but the
to
sit
in
low-minded take part
Always
in such shameful actions
cultivate the
habit
of
looking
!
at
the
goodness of a man and doing him honour and praising him, even though only a slight trace of goodness 178
What a Sadhu Should Do is
found
to be
Take
in him.
it
from me,
my
boy,
you do not show due regard for other's greatness, your mind will never expand, nor will you ever be if
called great by others.
not honest on the part of a Sadhu to accept householder's without offerings performing
It is
a
Sadhana
in return.
The householder
supplies
with food and provisions, because he to
carry
on
his
himself from
Sadhana
all
Sadhana, therefore,
you must not
at
your
own
cost.
The
Without
life.
take
holder's service; if you disobey this rule,
you do so
expected
withdrawing
exclusively,
other pursuits of
is
him
a
house-
know
that
acceptance of
holy alms, in whatever shape, from a householder entitles the latter to a share of the former's religious
Therefore
merit.
much
Sadhu
Man
accumulate as
this charge.
composed of both good and bad tendenso do not slight another because only the evil is
ones are visible to you;
your
must
merit as will leave a decent remainder after
meeting
cies;
a
own
but,
considering
counterpart, try to rectify
179
him
as
him and by
Spiritual Teachings
Then only do
draw him towards the good.
love
you deserve crying
to
down *
What
be called a man.
a fellow-being! *
the use of
is
*
*
DISCIPLE
Maharaj, on some days during my meditation my mind of itself becomes calm and steady, while I
may;
it
on others
I
cannot
make
runs about to and fro;
how
it so,
to
try as
make
it
steady, Sir?
THE SWAMI tide of the
As you
Ganges,
my
see ebb
son, even so
ebb and flow.
is
not to
is
in the
the case with
Your Sadhana
everything in this world. its
and flow
too
has
In the beginning, however, this
be wondered
But
at.
to
stick
your
you can carry it on for some time, the ebb and flow will stop and your mind will flow
Sadhana.
in a
If
smooth and unobstructed
Whenever you
feel that the
steady, then leaving aside all
deeply in Sadhana.
sit
mind
is
calm and
work engage
yourself
Again when you are perturb-
ed in mind and do not
must
current.
feel
calm, then also you
for your usual daily exercises, and try to
180
What bring the
mind under
The mind does
tion.
once.
You
moment. and
have to
Through
control through discrimina-
become steady struggle and struggle not
mind and
struggle the
intellect, all will surely
Remember, my
come under
child, since
fair-spoken; goodness
all
at
every senses
control.
you are a Sadhu, you
are expected to be calm and gentle
word you
Do
a Sadhu Should
and modest and
must flow out through every
utter, every action
you perform, through
your behaviour and movements.
By
their contact
with you, others must attain peace of mind and be
drawn toward God and goodness.
DISCIPLE current
we
Maharaj,
of holy places;
hear of the spiritual
may
know what
I
that
means, Sir?
THE SWAMI when
has a time flow.
At
Yes, every place of pilgrimage
such
a
the spiritual
current begins
time the mind can be
pacified by means of ]apam and
also
you will
to
easily
meditation,
and
feel a great joy at heart.
How to know that time, Sir? THE SWAMI Oh, that is not so difficult DISCIPLE
181
to
Spiritual Teachings
know; a
sincere
man
can
easily
catch
it
at
a
slightly advanced stage of his Sadhana. Regarding Kashi (Benares), it is wholly beyond the ordinary world; it is a place of mighty spiritual
Whatever Sadhana
consciousness.
you
perform dormant
here will multiply itself tenfold; also the lion of
Mantram awakens
place.
In Kashi, the land of eternal freedom, Lord
very soon in this sacred
Viswanath bestows salvation unasked on or small, rich or poor, alike.
He who
thrice blessed
all,
virtuous or vicious,
great
on
all
can procure an honest living in this
home of
spirituality is
among men.
182
indeed a
man
XXIX NAME OF THE LORD THE SWAMI Do you perform prayer meditation
DEVOTEE No, Sir. Not at all. THE SWAMI It is better to do day. ness.
That I
a
little
every
you peace of mind and steadisure you have a family Guru; why
will give
am
have you not taken better receive
should
and
now?
it
perform
initiation
from him?
from him soon. a
little
Japam
You had
Every day you and meditation.
Purchase a string of Rudraksha beads; dip it in the holy waters of the Ganges and touch the sacred Feet of Lord
Viswanath
with
it;
then
perform
Japam with that a hundred and eight or a thousand times daily. If you like to do more, you can safely
do
so;
and you should.
DEVOTEE What shall I repeat, Sir? THE SWAMI The blessed Name of Among
His various
Names 183
that
the Lord!
one which
inspires
Spiritual Teachings
the greatest faith and devotion in you
that
is
the
Name
you should choose for your Japam. DEVOTEE Again, without a form, meditation
is
not possible; what form shall
I
meditate upon,
and where?
THE SWAMI You
must meditate upon that
one of the many forms of can place
Him
Him
you
A
the heart or outside.
in
You
like best.
wise
Guru, however, will understand the particular form of God that calls forth the greatest faith and regard
from the
on
tate
and
disciple,
will instruct
him
to medi-
that.
Then
there
mental
is
worship.
As you
external worship with offerings of flowers, paste, burning of
ship in the mind.
offer
all
and
in
Him
with
heart
in
the all
sandal
camphor, exactly so is the worIn the mind you have to picture
the form of Deity you choose, in the to
do
the
holy
things
used
mind you in
are
worship,
mind
again you have to adore the reverence and devotion of your
humble
supplication.
You have
heard
enough; now do something and show your worthi184
Name
of the Lord
No
more waste of time; begin from this day For the present do these two very evening.
ness. this
things:
Japam and meditation every morning and
evening without fail, and continue this habit for a couple of years at least. Then you will find great-
you will come to us more frequently, and will know more and more of spiritual mysteries.
joy;
So much for the present.
what more
practices
I shall tell
you
you have to take up.
in time
Now
you need not bother yourself about the mental worship; leave it for the time being. After your formal initiation, if I think you should do it, I will tell
you.
Regarding
worry over that at
much
this
as instructed
wasting of time,
my
you need not Now only do as
initiation itself,
stage.
and nothing more.
No more
child; begin this very day,
and
go bravely on. Procure a
new Asanam
or rug to
sit
upon; keep
apart to be used solely for meditation, worship and such things. Also choose a solitary retreat for
it
your meditation and Sadhana; your garden house, If you I imagine, stands in a very lonely place. 185
Spiritual Teachings feel inconvenient or
now and
disturbed at home,
Remember always
then retire there at night.
that
here in this sacred city of Kashi, spiritual realisaIf you can carry on your tion is easily attainable.
Sadhana for two years at a will gain, some realisation.
stretch, I
have attained
in
still
begin now, and will feel so
sooner
much
sure you
There are those a year
joy at heart that
who So
even.
some time you
the lapse of
after
am
you will
like to
meditate more and more.
Frequent holy places, study sacred books, and
come
to
me now and
then.
While meditating,
sit
and hold your hands near your chest or the upper abdomen. Do not begin erect
and
your
meditation
posture;
and
immediately
sit silently
try to
thoughts
cross-legged,
make
may
taking
your
for a couple of minutes or so,
the
cross
after
it;
mind calm, so then only
is
that
no
alien
meditation to be
begun in right earnest. For a year or two you will have to exert your mind to the limit of its power; thereafter meditation will If
become natural
to you.
any day you are hard pressed with work, that 186
Name day you may finish
in a
it
for meditation only once, or
few minutes,
say,
ten or
in
may
fifteen
In the event of greater pressure, fix your
minutes.
mind on God and
sit
of the Lord
close
moment, then bow down
for a
You
your meditation.
can do
to
Him in
this
exceptional cases, but not always.
Before your morning service wash your hands
and face and dress yourself clothes; then
take a
little
sit
in clean freshly
for your practice.
washed
You may
of the sacred Ganges water.
also
In the
evening also, follow the same routine. I assure you once more, if you do these things regularly, you will enjoy great peace of
mind and
Regarding moral conduct, rules; speak
the
truth
women
will live happily.
observe
always,
these
two
and honour and
Nothing more need you trouble yourself with now. The observance of these two rules will make all other moral rules worship
all
as mother.
living through your life.
Believe in the existence of God, and never say
He
does not
exist.
I
Therefore hold fast to
tell
Him 187
you,
my
child,
God
in sincere devotion
is.
and
Spiritual Teachings
and pray and pray! No more no more waste of time, no more idle-
in lowliness of spirit
speculations, ness; begin I
now,
this very day,
will see to the rest.
188
and move forward.
XXX THE PROCESS OF MEDITATION DISCIPLE it
outside as
meditate
some think of
Ideal in the heart, see
some
Maharaj, I
it
the
in the head;
Which
see you.
011
is
I
the proper
way, Sir?
THE SWAMI
The
process
of
meditation
according to the differences in Sadhana. Ordinarily it is better to meditate on the Ideal in differs
the heart.
The body should be
temple and
God
as residing in
it.
considered as the
When
the
mind
becomes steady through continued spiritual pracof his tices, then alone can a man have a vision Isbtam (Chosen Deity) and wherever he realises Him head or heart there he can carry on his ;
meditation with ease.
Through
persistence in
man
meditation
the
first
the perception of a gets hallowed effulgence; and simultaneously with that
experience that a experience or a
little
is
later,
189
a kind of higher and
Spiritual Teachings
nobler joy
is felt
and the mind
is
move
reluctant to
onward, leaving that joy. But if one goes further, he sees the effulgence taking more definite form,
and the mind tends consciousness.
merge itself in that form of Sometimes the mind can be comto
pletely obliterated by continuously hearing the long,
sacred
sound of the Pranava
symbol of Brahman)
.
knows no
realisation
Spiritual
more you know, the more It is
unbounded,
ing to active,
By experiencing a
some, again,
is
little
think they have reached
many
the end; but the fact
The
bounds!
yet remains to be known.
infinite!
of that effulgence,
sound
the
(Om,
Accord-
quite otherwise.
when
mind
the
ceases
to
be
then true religion begins; but others believe
that that
is
the end.
DISCIPLE
Generally
we
find
that
the mind,
making some progress along the spiritual path cannot advance further: what makes it stop, after
venerable Sir?
THE SWAMI The weakness
of
the
solely responsible for this mental torpor.
190
mind
is
Accord-
The Process of Meditation mind moves on
capacity the
ing to
its
point,
then stops;
it
cannot
minds are not of the same
to a certain
advance more.
All
capacity, although all
can be and must be developed. Sri Ramakrishna has said that through Brahmacharya the mind can
be strengthened more and more; and a strong mind
wavers
never anger.
To
are the
Sadhana.
lust
such a mind these passions are
convinced that these can do
It is firmly
Many
even when overtaken by
that
pitfalls
it
stand in the
and
trifles.
no harm.
way of
External troubles are negligible compar-
Hence the many injunctions for Asanam (posture) and Mudra (position of fingers) ed to the
internal.
in religious
worship.
DISCIPLE
Maharaj, you
each one of us
call
you and inquire about our spiritual progress and our difficulties. You give us new courage and to
enthusiasm. fear
and
Your encouragement
anxiety
and
makes
us
takes
away all bold and un-
compromising.
THE SWAMI not always come,
Such an attitude of mind does
my
child.
191
At
times, of course,
Spiritual Teachings
the
mind
is
in such a state that I feel I could entreat
one by one, even touching your feet and saying, "Do this, my son, do this, I implore you." But again I think, "Who am I to instruct you in all all
you
this; the is
it
Lord
done.
is
there;
Whom
and as
Himself
all!"
is
Why
us do, so
The Lord Himself
to ask!
the cause; the Lord Himself
He
He makes
is
is
the instrument, and
should people take
my
words even though they ask me!
But then you know, my boy, when the inspiration comes from within, then people do take them and follow them. a
Strive on,
my
son, strive
moment.
At
the close
on and on; do not waste of each day Sri Rama-
krishna wept and prayed:
gone and I Even so yearn is
am
"Mother, another day not yet blest with Thy vision!"
after
God,
my
Him!
192
child,
and be
lost in
XXXI
TRUE VISION DISCIPLE when
it is
Sri
man
hot,
breeze sets
is
Maharaj,
THE SWAMI
grace conditional?
Ramakrishna has said
fans himself; but
he stops fanning.
in,
when
Even
that
the cool so
with
grace.
DISCIPLE true
vision
What is the distinction between of God and hallucination? How
the to
distinguish them, Sir?
THE SWAMI
From
the
results a lasting bliss; one's
vision of God own mind knows it
true
instinctively.
DISCIPLE Maharaj, what is the necessity of Mudra (position of fingers) and other rituals in formal worship?
THE SWAMI evil
influences.
The mind is disturbed by many The right sort of Mudra helps
Sometimes the worshipper in warding them off. you may think that you are all right and that, if you meditate, your
mind
will
become concentrated. 193
But
Spiritual Teachings
as
for
sit
you
Once an
balance.
its
within
meditation,
various distractions crop
up
in the
five
minutes
mind and shake
thought rose in me, and
evil
approached the Master, from a distance divined it, and said: "My boy, I see that an as
I
thought
is
He evil
So saying, he blessing and uttered
disturbing your mind."
placed his hand on
my
head
in
some words inaudibly; within five minutes it had gone! When the mind moves on higher planes, no evil influence can reach there and agitate it. *
DISCIPLE
Maharaj,
*
*
* I
have heard that medita-
tion should be preceded by the worship of the
but
I
how,
do not know how
to conduct
it;
pray
Guru;
tell
me
Sir!
THE SWAMI of the Ishtam
DISCIPLE
is
It is
not essential; the worship
enough.
Pray
me how
tell
to
worship
the
Guru.
THE SWAMI You Swami
can
learn
how
from
P.
DISCIPLE
No,
Sir,
I
beg you
to tell
me; he
True Vision
may
not
tell
me
at all.
THE SWAMI
Very well;
at
first,
you should
upon the Guru in the heart; then while imagine him as merging himself
meditate
after a in
the
Ishtam; then begin to repeat the sacred name of your Ishtam and meditate upon His blessed form;
and thus
continue.
193
XXXII
WHAT
IS
TAPASYA?
{His Holiness Swami Brahmanaiida spent the days of his life on this earth in the Head
last
Monastery of the Ramakrishna Mission on the bank of the Ganges above Calcutta. The conver-
which follows took place during this time. It was the evening of the 17th of March, 1922. The venerable figure of the Swami was seated on the sation
A (monastery) group of disciples sat on the floor in front of him. As the older Sadhus of the Order finished their eastern
verandah of the Math
.
evening meditation, they came one by one to at the Swami's feet in reverent salutation.
bow The
of prayer and contemplation was in the broken only by the murmur of swift-flowing
stillness air,
waters and the faint sound of Vesper chants from
surrounding temples.
came the
question,
Suddenly through the silence "Maharajji, what
is
meant by
Tapasya?"]
THE SWAMI
Yhere
196
are
different
kinds
of
What
is
Tapasya?
Tapasya. Some take a vow that they will not sit for a long period. I have seen a man who had taken At that time he a vow not to sit for twelve years.
had almost finished
only five or six
that period
months were remaining. By constantly standing, his legs had grown very stout as in elephantFor sleeping he held to a rope. The rope was tied to both ends of a wooden piece, holding to which the man slept at night. There are other
iasis.
In the winter season, one stands
kinds of Tapasya.
neck in very cold water and spends the time in making Japam! In very hot weather one sits and meditates in the midst of five
all
night
up
to the
blazing Dhuntes under a burning sun.
kind one stands or
sits in
In another
meditation on a seat with
pointed nails.
DEVOTEE Is THE SWAMI
this true
Tapasya, Maharaj
Heaven knows!
?
These people
do these things with some motive. They hope they will become kings; or enjoy the world in their next birth.
They have admitted
DEVOTEE Do
this to
me.
they get these results?
197
Spiritual Teaching*
THE SW AMI Heaven knows! DEVOTEE Then what is real Tapasya? THE SWAMI Real Tapasya is not in feats.
one can do these things
Any
by
such
practice.
It is
very easy to conquer the body; but to conquei
the
mind
lust,
difficulty
name
for
lies in three things:
Truth
truthful.
(1)
and
get rid of lust. (3) over your Vasanas. These
Of
that
important, lies
Tapasya
be very
the pillar to which you must
is
things to be observed.
most
conquei fame. Real
You must
You must
control
to
Every inch of you must b
always hold. (2)
greatest
desire
greed,
Tapasya
the
is
here.
You must are
is
Brahmacharya.
Shastras
say
gain
the main
these the second
is,
Our
truthful,
that
the
Real by
Brahmacharya for twelve years very God becomes easy to realise. This is very
observing strictly,
you from my own experience have learned that no true meditation is possible
difficult. I
I
can
tell
without real Brahmacharya. It is very difficult to get control over the Sukshma Vasanas, so the rules for
Sannyasins
are
very
198
strict.
The
Sannyasin
What
is
Tapasya?
should not even look at a woman.
formed
a picture
is
anything
beautiful
instinct
to enjoy
in
is
our mind.
sees a
to
the
is
dream or
in a
When we
mind. senses,
our
see
natural
So we unconsciously enjoy If a Sadhu very injurious.
it.
This
woman
in the
By seeing one,
gets night pollution,
he has to make Prayaschittam. He has to take little food the next day or no food at all and he has to
make penance by making Japam
times.
gain
for thousands of
Without Brahmacharya the mind the power to meditate. The mind
will not will
be
thinking of this or that and will not think of His feet.
When
You
will
you
not get the correct
imagination.
Brahmacharya you will see
develop
everything in a different light.
Everything will look
fresh to you.
aroused in
By observing Brahmacharya, Ojas is Science also says the same thing. you.
Semen, they
say, is
produced from blood, and the
best part of blood.
DEVOTEE
It
is
a
pity
that
nobody
authority speaks about these things to our boys.
199
with
young
Spiritual Teachings
THE SWAMI Gurus
their
charya.
marry;
and
After but
Formerly young boys lived with
a
if
they
had
time they they
to observe
could
married,
they
Brahma-
go home and continued
to
observe certain rules of Brahmacharya, that in the
Grihastha Ashrama
life
they might produce strong and healthy children. If they became Sannyasins, they went to the forest and meditated on God.
DEVOTEE are
known
These
ideas
about
only among Brahmin
Brahmacharya
boys.
boys they are called Brahmacharis, but
become a mere ideas be
made known
THE SWAMI be
farce.
accompanied
to all castes
but
now
cannot
it
has
these
?
Brahmacharya should Japam. Otherwise Brahma-
Yes,
by
Maharajji,
As young
charya cannot stand.
200
LETTERS AND
STRAY COUNSELS
XXXIII
LETTER TO A DISCIPLE BHADRAK, BALASORE
DEAR A. I
am
,
glad to learn from your
by the
letter that
grace of the Lord, you have a desire to spend some
time in Sadhana secured
(spiritual
convenient
a
for
place
your
Everything has come out all right. young. Make the best use of this
Do
and
practices)
have
practice.
You
are yet
opportunity.
Instead of your bothering yourself with big metaphysical problems,
waste
not
valuable
time.
apply yourself steadily to Sadhana and realise the truth.
Have
faith
you
and go ahead.
will
You
will not achieve anything without steady practice.
Even
if
you spend your whole
philosophical
derive
any
questions, benefit.
favourable, settle for a year.
and you
you will
Now
down
life in the
that
quietly to
study of
not
be
all
things
Sadhana
able
to
are
at least
Your body and mind will become pure realise many things through God's
will
grace.
203
Spiritual Teachings
My
advice
without
any
always in
is:
give your
other
Dhyanam
ing the holy
mind wholly Engage
thought.
yourself
(meditation), Japan/
Name) and Smaran-Manan
remembrance and contemplation). in idle talk and gratuitous advice
Do
Him
to
(repeat-
(constant
not indulge
You
to others.
have strength of body and your mind is not yet burdened with unholy impressions. Now is the time to do spiritual practices. the
It is easier to
mind a good shape when
You have
plastic.
deep heart. ties.
such a mind.
Sadhana and pray
in
He If
to
difficult
this
God
still
with a yearning
opportunity,
for you
to
give
pure and Therefore plunge is
will solve all your doubts
you miss
extremely
it
and it
difficul-
will
do anything
be
after-
wards.
As
far
answers to
as
possible
I
am
giving
you suitable
your questions below. If you can follow them for some time at least, you will surely all
be blessed and many of your
life's
problems will
solve themselves.
Q How
many hours
in the
204
day should
we spend
Letter to a Disciple in
Japam and meditation and how many again
in
Puja (worship) and the study of Scriptures ? A The more time you can spend in all these,
Those who lead a purely medishould spend at least sixteen hours in
the better for you. tative
life
japam practice,
the
be the
desire for
it
your mind
mind
is
grow stronger and
itself will tell
desirable that
The
reading
you how
Before
this
thoughts
rise in the
You
are
of
stronger.
it,
the
Then
long you are to
stage
you should give
sacred books and
thoughts which
taste
is
reached,
at least two-
Japam and Dhya-
of the time should be spent in
rest
meditation.
your
turned inward, the greater
thirds of your daily practice to
nam.
continue
you
Once you get a
joy.
will
is
devote to Sadhana. it
As
will be able to prolong this period.
you
The more will
D byan am.
and
examining the various
mind
should
sifted
at the
further
from the
see
evil
time of your that
ones.
good
Then
unholy thoughts are to be eliminated and replaced one by one by holy thoughts, and these again analysed with great care and serious-
gradually
all
205
Spiritual Teachings ness.
In
this
of
elements
when
way,
the
mind
the
disturbing
controlled
and well-
all
are
regulated, you can attain the state of real meditation.
Simply closing the eyes and counting your
beads or casually thinking on
you the desired object
God
God-realisation.
Intense and serious thinking on
God
what
is
ig
who
long for eternal peace and The object of meditation is to make
required of those happiness. the
will not bring
mind calm and
And
serene.
if
you do not
succeed in this or get any joy therefrom, you are to
know
that your meditation
proper channel. like
to
whoever
impress is
necessaries
therefore
One on
supplying is
other
your
you
is
not directed in the
point also
entitled to a share
acquire
so
much
That
mind.
with
should
I
is
this:
food and other of
as will
your
merit;
leave
you a
decent balance after meeting this charge. What should I do when at times the mind
Q
seems unwilling to meditate; should I then study sacred books or try to engage the mind perforce in
meditation?
206
Letter to
In
A-^
your mind
the preliminary
stages
you must force
to meditate in order to cultivate a strong
The
habit.
a Disciple
very
nature of
the
mind
is
shirk
to
work, always seeking for ease and comfort. But if you really, yearn for peace eternal, you have to labour hard. 41
If
you
feel
uncomfortable to
long time at a stretch, then
and begin you
lie
sit
for
down on your bed
perform your ]apam; and again, if are sleepy, do it walking about. Anyhow, to
keep the mind always engaged in the thought of
On
God.
the
other hand,
if
you
let
loose
your
mind, you will never be able to cultivate the firm habit without which spiritual progress
is
impossible.
Carry on, therefore, a regular fight with the mind and give it a firm shape. This is Sfidbana; and the end of all Sadhanas
is
to bring the
mind under
control.
Q
Are the processes of Hatha-Yoga, Pranayama (control of breath), Asana (sitting posture), etc.,
more
or less necessary for
If. so,
how much
A
my
spiritual practices?
time should be devoted to these ?
For the present no such practices are neces207
Spiritual Teachings
What is most essential is to meditate on God and God alone and pray to Him incessantly sary for you.
with a devout heart.
Him.
constant touch with this rule
and
He
The
real thing
Therefore
to be in
is
try to
follow
you to do whatever
will lead
is
best for you.
As regards
the practice of Hatha-Yoga, you must
keep yourself aloof from it or you will feel the It is a most dangerous consequences. path without the help of a competent guide.
you can do with some one of
strong desire for
happen
to live
disciples,
it,
and then
you have a very
If it
only
Sri
when you
Ramakrishna's
under his direction and
strictly
guidance.
Q How doing
long should
a
practices)
spiritual
Sadhaka (one who sleep?
Beyond
usual period of sleep, can he spend a
little
is
his
more
time to give his body and mind rest ?
A
Ordinarily four hours' sleep
for a Sadhaka in
than five hours great harm.
is
is
good health; and
quite sufficient
sleep for
not rest but a disease.
By no means should a 208
It
more does
spiritual aspir-
Letter to a Disciple
ant
sleep
away
As youth is Sadhana when both time.
his
favourable time for
and the mind are strong account.
good
safely through the
peace
make
and
it
Therefore
if
up
life to
cannot
you
progress along the paths of spiritual
to
will lead
most unsafe paths of
happiness.
it
time he must store
such an amount of spiritual energy that
him
the body
a Sadhaka must turn this
During
most
the
life
now,
do anything afterwards. You are yet young, my boy. Give a good shape to your mind. Lose yourself heart and soul it
will be hardly possible for you to
in
Sadhana and make the
will get
best use of your time.
enough time for sleep and gossip
You
later on.
anybody is asked to labour hard in Sadhana, he will at once produce a number of lame excuses. If
He is
will say that the necessary.
know
that
All
body
is
this is
weak and
hours' rest
and
is
in tune.
life,
quite
He
insincerity.
methodical in their spiritual practices a strictly regular
that rest
should
who are and who lead
organs of those
sense
the
very
become so adjusted
enough
to
By leading an 209
that four
keep the body healthy irregular
life,
people
Spiritual Teachings
mind
generally tax their body and
so heavily that
even a period of eight or ten hours' sleep is too Therefore what I ask short to refresh their system. you,
my
is
boy,
this
regulate your life by every
means and then your body and mind will be fresh #nd active. Waste no more time. Do something if
you really yearn for things divine.
lofty
Idle talk
and
metaphysical speculations bring no good unless
translated into action.
Q What food?
Shall
make any
I
observed
be
rules are to
accept whatever
distinction?
Which
is is
regarding
offered to
better,
me
or
Madhukari
(food gathered by begging from house to house like a bee) or food brought by chance?
A
At the time of Sadhana, a
tion in food
is
little
discrimina-
There are some kinds
necessary.
of food which produce sleep, drowsiness, etc.; they are the worst enemies to a Sadhaka; therefore it is
always advisable not to take them.
much sweet
or sour food
any preparation of
growth of the
it
is
is
To
eat too
bad, and Kolai-dal or
also very harmful to the
spiritual life.
210
Foods such as these
Letter to a Disciple stir
he
up the Tamas (dullness) feels
drowsy
cannot make any
An and
at
in
time of
the
a result
his diet
foods as are easily digestible,
such
Under no circumstances must he of his
fill
This
stomach.
more than two increase
will
strength and energy and he will be able to
them
to
good
But
account.
if
overloaded, he will have to spend digesting
food.
his
He
will
inclination for meditation.
upon health all
in
means and care
for
it
all his
devote
energy
is
in
no energy or
Moreover,
favourable to Sadhana.
his
the stomach
find
you know
his health; for, as is
and
meditation
progress in the spiritual path.
must be very careful about
aspirant
eat only
thirds
As
man.
it
may
tell
full well,
good
So guard
it
now, when everything
by is
your favour.
As regards Mad>hukari,
it
is
very pure food.
But
does not bind you to any obligations. accept food From a particular person,
a fraction of your
Madhukari
is
merit
will
go
to
it
It
if
you binds; and
that
specially beneficial to those
person.
who
can-
not continue the flow of meditation without break 211
Spiritual Teachings
and consequently require some time Instead of whiling
away
idle talk, if they utilise
for diversion.
their time of diversion in it
Madhukari, they are
in
thereby not only saved from the sin of killing time in vain, but they also
keep themselves free from the
obligation of giving a portion for their food
ireturn
Q
the
Is
Sadhana?
vow
If so,
of
from any
merit
their
particular person.
of silence necessary at the time of
what
is
to be
done when some
unavoidable circumstances compel one to break or if the mind becomes irritated because of it ?
A
No,
the
understand in talk
vow
of silence
mind
is
it,
not required as you
Forced silence and wild indulgence
both have their evil
silent in
so
it.
in
is
effects
on man.
To
be
surely better than external silence,
always try to
follow
the
former.
Moreover,
instead of binding yourself by any forced silence,
you talk only so much as is required, it will not only do you no harm, but will give you the same if
result
as
is
attained
by one
observing
absolute
silence.
Q How
much
clothing
212
should
a
Sadhaka
Letter to a Disciple
And
require?
be borne?
what extent should heat and cold
to
any clothes to protect the body from the ravages of heat and cold, should If
anybody
offers
they be accepted?
A much
As as
for clothing, you is
barely
healthy and protect in
mind
many ideal
keep
only
as
to keep the body from heat and cold; but bear
necessary it
that if those of delicate health practise
austerities, they will is
should
to
realise
As
hardships.
have
God, not
their deserts.
to bear
Your
unnecessary
for the acceptance of any offer, you
must sincerely judge of that with reference to your utmost necessity. You may accept an offer only
when you
really feel a
want for
it;
otherwise reject
To
accept anything from any body for the purpose of hoarding is a sin unpardonable in
it
at once.
a Sadhaka.
Q
I
know
that both your noble self
and the
Lord have endless grace for me. Only bless me to Bless me also that my realise it fully and well. faith and devotion to you may be firm and unflinching.
As
I
feel I
have no power to do any-
213
Spiritual Teachings
make me do
thing without your help, will you not as
it
pleases you, venerable Sir
A
There
is
infinite
lose faith in yourself,
His grace
He
too.
?
in
strength
my
boy;
God
gracious to
is
is
Never
you.
And
in you.
all.
Know
for
through His endless grace alone that you are able to be here under the banner of It is again through His the Ramakrishna Order.
certain that
it
is
grace that you have found a good
man
to give
you
food and shelter during the period of your Sadhana. Have faith, therefore; have firm faith in Him.
Work will
You
hard with unshakable determination and
give you will
with
your
realise
will realise
Sadhana
as
instructed
Ramakrishna
Him
in
this
by
thing positive.
I
His endless
Make
Go on
them
and continue
very
life.
troubled with big questions any more.
and be
unceasingly.
not spend your time in vain.
disciples of Sri
you
Strive
knowledge.
know Him and you
Do
grace.
all
He
it
the till
Do not be Do some-
the best of this opportunity
blessed.
have answered
all
your questions.
214
Now
try to
Letter to a Disciple live
them
in your
From your
life.
stand that the gentleman
food and shelter
is
who
really a
letter 1
under-
has been giving you
Rich
devotee.
men
seldom spend money in good deeds; and those that Your host has been do so are very few in number. doing so much for you; see that his money is not wasted. You should live there in such a way that
from your conduct
his inclination to
spend more in
As your benefactor will have a share of your merit and demerit both, do there only such work as will not
good deeds may be gradually
make him
suffer hereafter.
increased.
Take
care;
do not run
after name and fame.
had
in plenty at
Those things you could have home. But once you have come out
of their clutches, try your utmost not to to
them
again.
Pray to
Him
fame may not soil your good heart. My love and best wishes to you and your desire
good sense
I
may be and make
prey
with a sincere heart
that even the least taint of desire for
your kind host.
fall a
name and
to our friend,
always pray to the Lord that fulfilled.
a
man 215
May He
of you.
give
you
XXXIV LETTER TO A DISCIPLE PURI
DEAR is
A
,
Received your letter and also B's. not clear. He does not wish to
That
wants to serve his country. it
SASHI NIKETANA^
t
appears to
me
far
it
belief
problem
that the
He
all right,
but
it is all due to want of Western education. I do not
is
others
and
man who
well formed.
My
cannot solve his
own
serve
to
possible
country before one's character is
marry.
that
assimilation of his
know how
is
His motive
is
will not be able to be of
much
use to others
Anyhow the body is good and if he leads life, he may get a taste for a higher life. Sri
Ramakrishna used
to
say:
"Fix
on God and perform thy worldly thou shalt be free from all dangers." firmly
a
pure
thy
hold
duties; then
Again
He
"In the play of hide-and-seek, if the player succeeds in touching the grand-dame (Boori), he is
said:
no longer a
'thief*.
Similarly by once seeing
216
God
Letter to a Disciple
we are no longer bound by You should always bear God.
life is to realise
the fetters of the world." in
First
mind of
that the goal of
all
know Him;
let
your faith and devotion to His feet become strong. Then you may do whatever you wish to do. So long as you live you will have to do some kind of
Even
work.
own
if
you have no you will
maintenance,
either
for
the sake of your body, or impelled by
(impressions). is
better to
such things as will bring peace to your benefit
shelter
your
be doing something
your ego or your past Samskaras Therefore when you must work, it
and
for
difficulties
to
do
own mind
Those who have taken
others.
under His feet and obtained His grace never
Every word spoken by them, every act done by them, leads to the good of humanity.
go wrong. It is
good
to
remain unmarried.
keep Brahmacharya
Those
extraordinary
gain
powers.
Only through such men do supernatural or powers
manifest
used to say:
themselves.
"The heart of
drawing-room."
If
we
to
divine
Ramakrishna
the devotee
wish
217
Sri
who
is
become
God's His
Spiritual Teachings
devotees and servants
we must become
pure; for
pure hearts can He reside. He is fai beyond the reach of the impure. When your mind and heart become as pure as clear glass, then only
only
God
in
can reside in you; then only can you claim to
His
be
child.
servant,
devotee,
His
dependent or
Just as a bright clear mirror gives a
good
Him
truly.
does a pure heart manifest
reflection, so
Therefore all
His
I
tell
instal
stain,
you
Him
who in
young and free from your heart and allow no are
other thing to enter there.
know Him
on him. severes.
is
not possible to
except through pure and holy living.
In this life you can realise
The boy
It
is
Him
by this way only.
good and has some auspicious marks
He can make spiritual progress if he perTo get a B.A. or M.A. degree, to become and make some money, is not a very high life and gives but temporary enjoyment,
a barrister ideal It
in
will not help
one
to
God, the goal of form your character and
attain
human life. First of all make it perfect. Then whatever you may undertake,
you will accomplish 218
easily.
If
in
studying
Letter to a Disciple
books you can spend even one-twelfth of the time wasted in preparing for your B.A. or M.A.
religious
degree, you will imbibe the higher
when
they have no time
come into
a
ideas of
Students generally complain that
life.
sacred books.
many thoughts and
My
man and
they are asked to read the
dear boy,
you wish
if
to
live in eternal happiness,
deep meditation and resolve to realise
be-
plunge
Him
or
die in the attempt.
Those who want worldly enjoyment let them become B.A's. and M.A's. But those who care have no need of university Ramakrishna used to speak of
only for Supreme Sri
degrees.
Bliss,
This does
Granthas (books) as Granthis (knots). not,
of
course,
include
the
Shastras,
Swamiji's
Reading purely secular books makes people vain, excites evil propensities in them and takes them far away from God. Any book which etc.
works,
does
not
however ultimately fro/in
induce
devotion
entertaining
cause
B.A., M.A.,
for
misery. etc.,
and
the
The
faith
time
in
God,
being,
egotism
will
arising
drags one away from God.
219
Spiritual Teachings
The
mispossession of wealth also works similar
Money does more harm than good.
chief.
Neither in the sleeping nor waking state could touch a coin. What He has Sri Ramakrishna
own life is that there is no other attain God but through Tyaga (renunciaBy running after sense enjoyments, man
taught us by His
path to tion).
becomes degraded
of the
to the level
If
brute.
you want to be a man, practise renunciation; love and realise Him. Renouncing momentary pleasures
fits
ciation
you for Supreme Happiness. By renunmeant giving up all sense pleasures of
is
this life.
Take
Lord; become
Look
mad
of
the lotus feet
at
shelter
the
with love and devotion for Him.
at the life of Sri
Ramakrishna and be a man
in the best sense of the term.
Renunciation
can
alone
Renounce
all
for His sake.
and pray
to
Him:
art
my
sister,
mother,
Thou
art
of enjoyment in
"Thou
Thou
my
art
all."
this life,
my
you
give
Make God art
my
brother,
Giving up
when you
220
peace.
your
father,
Thou all
own
Thou art
my
thoughts
are able to pass
Letter to a Disciple
day and night in constant thought of prayer to a
man.
When
and
Him, you will feel infinite joy and become That joy cannot be conveyed through
The human
words.
Him
heart
that state of joy
is
is
too small to hold
it.
attained, His grace, His
love and His presence will always be felt by you.
Three things are
God
human
birth,
essential for the realisation
company of holy men. have
and
all
the
attain
What
is
Now
three.
the
for
desire
and the
By the grace of God you make the best use of them
supreme
human
of
object
good of running
when you can
salvation
of
birth.
after fleeting pleasures
attain eternal peace
and happiness?
Renouncing everything, you have taken refuge at His lotus feet with the noble aspiration of realising
Him;
see therefore that your life
vain.
Remember
this,
my
boy,
is
it is
not spent in possible to be
born again as man and have spiritual yearning as well; but I can assure you, that the company of
you enjoy
men now
to
have
such holy
expect
(disciples of Sri is it
Ramakrishna) as a rare privilege and you cannot always.
221
The
blessing
of
such
*
cachings
Spiritual
holy company comes as a result accumulated during many births.
of
great
merit,
Therefore make
the best use of this opportunity instead of wasting
your
life in
worthless pursuits.
words of your Guru will make everything easy for you. Without this all forms and rituals of religion are useless. So Faith, intense faith, in the
surrender
yourself absolutely to your
kitten does to
its
He
mother.
Guru
far can your intellect
taken your
on
burden
responsibility
and
feels
much more than you dangers and
difficulties.
ful disciple
who
is
go?
himself,
anxious
He
do.
No
a
will then look after
you and provide you with everything; yours to have simple faith alone.
How
as
has for
is
only
He who
has
your
will save
evil
sense
a
of
welfare
you from
can befall a faith-
under the protecting wings of
the Guru.
Men realise
will surely
God.
But
go wrong so long if
as they
do not
they surrender themselves to
the Guru, the chances of committing error will be
much
less.
Remember
Sri
222
Ramakrishna's parable
Letter to a Disciple
of
father and the sun
the
ridges across the fields.
the father himself takes
If
hold of the son's hand, there slipping off his feet; but
if
Let those
Guru
tent
them of
no fear of the
is
latter
the son tries to take hold is
a chance of his falling
who have
the grace of a compe-
of the father's hand, there
down.
narrow
walking over
rest content,
leaving
it
him
to
to cure
all their faults.
Renunciation being the
vital
factor
in
attaining
peace and happiness, everything should be given up for the sake of God. Unbroken Brahntacharya
A man
Lord.
an
Discrimination
animal.
man
distinguishes realise
God
one seeking the without continence is no better than also requisite for
is
(continence)
if
he
from
strives for
is
the it,
the
trait
brute.
which
Man
can
but the brute cannot,
being a complete slave of the senses. If
and
you wish taste joy
to possess real
peace and happiness
and cheerfulness
hold fast to God, giving up your renunciation
all.
this
Do
very
life,
not think
wandering about with a hand and smearing the body with
consists in
pair of tongs in
in
223
Spiritual Teachings ashes.
tion)
The outward marks of Tyaga
meant for show bring no good; rather are
they harmful. plete
(renuncia-
Real renunciation consists in com-
surrender of one's
self to the will of
God.
"Lord! my body, my mind Pray to Him saying: and everything are Thine; Thou mayest use them
Thou
as
wilt."
Have you not heard
that
Sri
Ramakrishna knew nothing but the Divine Mother, and that whatever He did was according to Her
and guidance? So always pray to God, "Lord, do not know what is good and what is bad; I am
will I
merely
Thy
Struggle
servant; let
Thy
incessantly
to
will be done."
make
this
attitude
permanent. If you surrender yourself completely unto God, He will do through you all that is need-
Therefore pray, ever pray to Him and take One thing more I wish to shelter at His feet. ful.
are praised impress upon your mind. Whether you or blamed, honoured or insulted, whether there be
a place in the world for you or no, whether your
body stands or falls, once you have understood that the end and aim of human life is to realise God, do 224
Letter to a Disciple
not swerve an inch from this ideal. self
Say to your-
"I
must
realise
cast
your
life
with firm determination:
God
here and now, at any cost/' It
is
mould
only
when you can
in this
you can be a man, a true and worthy Your Sat-Sanga (comchild of Sri Ramakrishna. that
pany of holy men) will then bear fruit and you will be blessed. Otherwise your life will be wasted;
and between you and the brute there
You
difference.
worthy son of
One always,
the
wish you to bear in mind Ordinary people understand by
this.
term
Mantram
a
Ramakrishna,
Sri
other point which is
deserve to be called
not
will
no
will be
a
Guru,
I
person
who
whispers some They do not
into the ear of the disciple.
care whether he possesses all the qualifications of
a
true
losing
ground.
none but a teacher.
But today such a conception
Master.
It
is
now
realised soul
He who
cannot show
it
is
being
recognised
is
that
qualified to be a spiritual
does not
to others.
potent as ever; but those
225
know
the path himself
Mantras are today as
who
trade
in
spiritual
Spiritual Teachings
them and
lore are ignorant of the rules governing
they themselves are not able to
Much
gress.
make any
real pro-
How
then can
less so their disciples.
they obtain real peace and happiness ? Sri Ramakrishna has turned the tide. invaluable
gems
spiritual
The most
are to be found
among
Those who have received the blessing are really disciples of Sri Ramakrishna
his disciples.
of
the
fortunate.
If they
can follow the children of the
great Master with firm faith and steadfast devothe tion, they will surely attain Supreme Bliss,
human life. These great followers of Ramakrishna know full well the various paths
goal of
spiritual
Sadhana
instruct those
a
manner
suited
who go
suited
to
them for
their
to
the
to
time.
Sri
of
They
spiritual help in
spiritual
evolution.
along the path into which it has been your good fortune to be led. Pray to your Guru with the faith of a child and he will certainly do all Proceed
needful.
that
is
his
physical
one
of
his
He
is
the best
body stands or disciples
Guru who, whether
attains
226
that
every
liberation.
The
falls, sees
Letter to a Disciple speciality
of this
disappearance
of
is
age his
that
even
body, the
physical
the
after
Guru
appears in flesh to his disciples to guide and bless
them.
and struggle ceaselessly. Shake off all doubt and plunge into your Sadhana that you may realise and make your own what you have learned Strive
from your Guru. Let not your spiritual practices be done for show, or to catch the public eye; but follow them silently and steadily, so that even
may not know of them. There may be people who may ridicule you or try to shake your faith; there may be others who by their your neighbours
praise
and respect for you, increase your egotism.
Therefore always bear in mind of
Sri
Ramakrishna:
this great teaching
"Meditate in your mind,
the forest or in a quiet corner." this is that
all
If
may
you steadily practise
time, you will find
come
to you.
The meaning of
Sadhana must be done
privacy, that others
You
not come to like this
what great will be a
227
in
in
know of
even for a joy
strict
and
changed
it.
little
bliss will
man
alto-
Spiritual Teachings
Therefore you who have renounced the His name, say to yourself with all
gather.
world
in
firmness: life/'
You are
''Realise
Him
I
must, now, in
this
very
be your supreme aim in life. have got the blessings of a real Guru and you Yes,
bound
let this
to succeed.
the least doubt of
There cannot
it.
228
be,
my
child,
XXXV EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS Keep your mind always in communion with God; then all depravity of the mind will vanish. Select a room for daily worship; every morning on your Asanam; then perform ]apam and meditation and prayer Born as a man here regularly as long as you can. and evening
retire there
and
sit
more you can devote yourself to the contemplation of God, the more fruitful will your life become; and the more attached you are to the vanities of the world, the more peaceless you on
this earth, the
will feel in mind.
I
of His endless grace
pray to the Almighty that out
He may
lead you in the right
path!
Know
without worshipping God you can never have peace of mind. Therefore suspending this;
all
activities completely,
day
in the
tion,
spend
worship of God, and in singing His glory.
in
229
some time every Japam and meditaTrue devotion and
Spiritual Teachings faith
and knowledge are the
results
continued practice of Sadhana. to
when,
agnosticism
attempt at Sadhana,
after
they
attain to the bliss Divine. to
seek.
These
Many a
people turn
lukewarm
little
cannot
The
people do
of long and
not it
or
is
not far
possess
sincere
reason
attachment to God, so they find
God
realise
difficult to per-
and persevere in the path of Sadhana. Sadhana proves too arduous an undertaking for them. sist
Without Divine attachment and Divine love the
mind becomes dry and you
suffer for
you become
But the more
peaceless.
God's sake, the more peaceful will
in the end.
"Persist cheerfully in your
1
my
attempt,
you will
said Sri Ramakrishna,
friend/
succeed
against
all
odds/*
headlong into Sadhana and persevere in not even if your very life is hazarded. * I
am
*
"then
So plunge it;
shrink
*
*
very glad to learn that you have been carry-
ing on your practices with great earnestness and If this state of things is continued for regularity. a couple of years without break,
230
I
assure you,
my
Extracts
from Letters
friend, your effort will not
remind you you need not at also
that, as
go unrewarded.
your constitution
this stage
practise for
stretch; rather proceed slowly
* I
and
is
* to
(Benares) and some other holy places early next and to spend three or four months these places
and
also in practising
fruition rests with It is
within
indeed the
Vairagyam
Him,
weak,
steadily.
on a pilgrimage
start
me
long at a
*
*
propose to
Let
Kashi in
June
visiting
Sadhana; but the
the Lord.
have any thought of God heart without the fire of
difficult to
human
It
(renunciation).
conviction that the
more a man
in him, the greater
is
is
my
settled
possesses this
the peace he enjoys.
A
fire
true
and living representation of Viveka (discrimination) and Vairagyam we saw in Sri Ramakrishna, the Master. that
It
is
only with the progress of time
we know Him more and
Vtveka and Vairagyam
them
personified
in
more.
in Scriptures,
Him.
It
We
read of
but
we saw
was our misfortune
that sitting at the feet of such a unique personality,
231
Spiritual Teachings
we
embodiment of Viveka and Vairagyam, could not make them our own.
the
*
*
You want you
permit please also
to
go
holy
places for Sadhana!
and
this sacred place
me and
seeks
place to carry
Whenever places, I
I
my
Who
live there?
my
attract
Oh, the
you.
am
wish
I
It
is
my
life in
me,
remember,
the
Whoever comes
once suggest to him
I at I
tell
prayer
reminded of
this
him
go there
to
and meditation. of holy
holiest
could go straight there, throwing I
find
no joy
in anything
strong desire to live the
Kashi and
my
all
regarding a suitable
counsel
aside all engagements;
of
may
not tempted to go to
is
of Kashi.
I
thing,
there, that I
with
land
continuous
in
live
else.
draw me
on Sadhana,
name
the sacred
and
to
one
of Kashi, the greatest and holiest of
sanctity
to
But
wholeheartedly.
in the
*
Kashi for Sadhana; well,
to
do not forget
live
*
I
am
last
certain if
you only
desire will be surely fulfilled.
noblest
blessed city of Kashi
is
object
of
living
well attained only
232
days
in
And this
when
a
Extracts
man
from
Letters
can lose himself entirely in the intoxication ot
love Divine, living in a lonely retreat quite undisturbed.
233
XXXVI STRAY COUNSELS You must
1.
Sadhana
to
with
of
Oh, the charm of
To
it,
the
Rama
Singing at the Panchavati, Sri krishna heard the music of the Vina within.
sweetness!
3.
your
nothing without, everything is music without is trivial compared
music within.
the
secret
is
.
The
within.
the
all.
There
2.
not divulge
God
should be imagined as vast and infinite. bring this idea of vastness within, one should
Himalayas or the ocean, or gaze at the sky. True character cannot be formed unless a
see the 4.
man becomes God, 5.
in
God-fearing,
To conquer is
lust
or
control
the
a task as impossible as
mind by walking
air.
6.
of
unless he believes in
the life hereafter, and in such principles.
studying books
on
i.e.,
all
The water waters;
it
of the Ganges fulfils
one's
234
is
verily the holiest
desire
and
is
a help
Stray Counsels to
the
realising
said:
"The
Ishtam.
water
Ramakrishna
Sri
of
the
Ganges,
has
the
holy
Prasadam of Jagannath (at Puri), and the sacred dust of Vrindavan are verily Brahman in reality." 7.
So long as Mother
downward
direction,
the
mind of man runs
things relating to the phallus, navel.
But as She
moves
Kundalini
anus
the
rises up, the
mind
a
in
after
and
the
also rises;
it
then moves toward things spiritual. 8.
With
the growth of Sattwa in man, he feels
God; he then
eager to behold the vision of in singing
His glory and meditating upon
delights
Him more
and more. 9.
The food
be taken; 10.
a
it is
of funeral ceremonies should not
harmful.
While coming down from Mughal
motor car
through
the
vast
scenery could not give
me
holy land of Benares,
when
and entered
its
bounds.
It
as
open
much I
Sarai in
fields,
the
joy as did this
crossed the bridge
was a
joy unspeakable! Divine of this land, Oh, the glory and the sweetness Lord Shiva Himself the blessed abode of Shiva!
235
Spiritual Teachings is
In this hallowed land, on
the supreme Teacher.
hand Mother Annapurna supplies man with on the other, Lord physical wants; and
the one his
Viswanath ministers our Master's exquisitely
spiritually
unto him.
During
visit to this holy land, a divine form
luminous and with beard on the
chin
appeared before Him and showed to Him everyThe Master's body was all thing worth seeing. the while lying unconscious.
This holy guide was
none other than Kala Bhairava (the guardian angel of the 11.
of Shiva) What bold and prophetic words are these .
city
uttered by Swamiji
ever will
go and
(America)
will
ensnared!"
A
India
who
(Swami Vivekananda) imitate
try to
me
become bound; he
great
man
is
When
he
at
that
land
will surely
he
name and left
left also all his costly robes there;
India
"Who-
born, not made!
has earned a greater
fame than Swamiji?
in
!
be In
greater
America,
he
and on reaching
once took to his old habit
''Hath,
Hath" (the habit of a barefooted monk trotting). Barefooted he would go to Calcutta and come back, 236
Stray Counsels
and
an ordinary man in the public road, he purchase Chanachur (a mixture of fried
like
would
grams and
peas,
tion for
a
nuts,
children
in
delicious
very
particular)
.
prepara-
Sometimes
we
gave him a pair of shoes to wear and he would What tremendous fame and honour accept them. he earned, but
still
he possessed to Reaching
soil his
man
is
like
The
an
honour
is
the
and
insignificant
least trace
That
mind!
power glory.
man,
of corruption could
why
it
is
said, a great
Buddha
the
one
should
be
Behold, what a mighty renunciation he made! realise
God he
gave up
out a thought.
What
he underwent!
When,
realise
(a
God, he took
rivulet at
with
he
born, not made.
Like
12.
this
digest
India,
roamed about. not
more tremendous was
all his royal
To
comforts with-
a severe course of discipline in spite of all,
he could not
his bath in the sacred
Buddha Gaya),
this resolve:
bold.
Nirajana
sat for the last
time
"Let this body go; but until
have attained illumination, the illumination came!
I
will not rise/'
I
And
SPIRITUAL
TEACHINGS OF
SWAMI BRAHMANANDA TRANSLATED FROM CONVERSATIONS AND LETTERS
IN
BENGALI
Second Edition
SRI
RAMAKRISHNA MATH MYLAPORE, MADRAS 1933 (All Bights Reserved)
SPIRITUAL TEACHINGS OF
SWAMI BRAHMANANDA
FOREWORD Swami Brahmananda was one of
the
most
eminent
and one of the most beloved of the
disciples
of
come as
to
His own
intimacy.
Ramakrishna
Sri
Him.
Sri
the
first
also
to
regarded him
Ramakrishna
son and admitted him to the utmost
In this
familiar
intercourse
daily
of
the
the
Master's
efful-
to dispute.
This
the
caught glint shone gence. through all he said, all he did, all he was. It gave him unlimited power and insight, disciple
It
and an authority no one thought last he used sparingly. He led appeal
than
mighty was suggestion
by more his
was
insistent
spiritual
to those
force
who
rather
by quiet methods, but so that
heard
it,
his
a
gentlest
word of
command. It
was my blessed
privilege to be closely associat-
ed with the Swami during the six months of his first visit to Madras. When the present book of coun-
sels
was put for
pare
into
my
hands to
revise, edit
once again the picture of that majestic, yet in the twilight
moving the dim monastery figure
and pre-
my mind
before
publication, there rose
child-like,
shadow up and down
Mylapore; once again his gentle voice sounded in my ears; once again the hall at
benediction of his loving presence fell in refreshing
shower over
my
I
spirit.
have striven
unmuted through
voice sound
to lit that
these pages; to lea^e
unbarred the benediction of that presence.
The
spiritual instructions
spoken in largest Belur,
or
in
elsewhere,
Some were earlier
measure
days
written in
of
the
at
which follow were Benares,
informal
personal
Swami's
Kankhal,
conversations.
letters.
In
administration
the as
President of the Ramakrishna Mission he remained nearly always in retirement at Puri, or at the
Head
Monastery of the Order on the Ganges above At that time he was reluctant to assume Calcutta.
At Madras, if any one asked him a question he would answer: "Go and ask Sasi Maharaj. He knows everything. I know the place of teacher.
nothing." vi
Later he emerged from his seclusion and be-
came an
and stimulating
active
The
Centres of the Mission. the present It
in
volume belongs
visitor at the various
teaching set
down
in
to this second period.
was preserved by devout disciples and published the "Vedanta Kesari," the Official Magazine of
the
work
Mission's
reverently revised,
Madras.
at
it
now
appears
and
Carefully in
more perma-
nent form. *
The They
counsels given are pre-eminently practical.
are
Swami's
the
spontaneous
own wide
experience.
Their
vision
transform and redeem. in
the
heart.
and profound
power
of
expression
spiritual
irresistible.
is
They kindle
They transmute
life
the
They
fresh ardour into
living.
Charged with a holy message they go forth now, bearing to world and cloister alike, the promise of spiritual achievement.
DEVAMATA ANANDA-ASHRAMA, LA CRESCENTA, CALIFORNIA, U. June, 1931. vii
S.
A.
CONVERSATIONS
PRINTED AT THE MADRAS PUBLISHING HOUSE,
MOUNT
ROAD, MADRAS.
LTD.,
CONTENTS PAGIi
FOREWORD
CONVERSATIONS J.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
MEDITATION AND REALIZATION
VI.
HAPPINESS
WORLDLY
IX.
X.
XI XI] XIII.
XIV.
XV.
XVI XVIJ XVIII.
XIX.
XX.
XXL XXII. XXIII.
6
WORSHIP AND MEDITATION THE KUNDALINI WORK AND WORSHIP
VII.
VII!
1
SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
11 17 21
29
AND SPIRITUAL LIFE REALIZATION THROUGH SELF-SURRENDER LIFE
.
36
43
DIVINE GRACE
52
POWER OF RENUNCIATION BRAHMACHARYA COMPANY OF HOLY MEN THE WORLD AND GOD NATURE OF MAN SEEK GOD ONLY CONTROL OF THE MIND TURNING THE MIND TO GOD EXAMPLE OF HOLY MEN
60 68 75
82 89 95 100 .
103 112
MEDITATION GOD- VISION
124
DIFFERENT METHODS OF ATTAINMENT
130
SAMADHI POWER OF MIND
144
117
139
xi
PAGE
XXIV.
XXV. XXVI. XXVII. XXVIII.
XXIX.
XXX. XXXI. XXXII.
WORSHIP OF GOD FRAGMENTS OF CONVERSATIONS GOD-MINDFULNESS ATTACHMENT FOR GOD WHAT A SADHU SHOULD DO NAME OF THE LORD THE PROCESS OF MEDITATION .... TRUE VISION WHAT IS TAPASYA?
XXXIV.
XXXV. XXXVI.
.
.
LETTERS XXXIII.
150 .
AND STRAY
.
-
.
.
155
163
169 175
183
.189 193
196
COUNSELS.
LETTER TO A DISCIPLE LETTER TO A DISCIPLE EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS
229
STRAY COUNSELS
234
203
216
I
MEDITATION AND REALISATION (CONVERSATION AT BENARES,
1921)
t
p tion,
Maharaj, I am practising ]apam and meditabut I have not yet acquired any taste for these.
Somehow I
or other
I
am
struggling on.
What must
do?
THE SWAMI in
Is
the beginning?
Concentrate
it
possible to have that taste
No.
Struggle hard to attain
your energies on
its
achieve-
ment, and never for a moment pay heed
to other
it.
all
matters. to
it
Apply yourself whole-heartedly to alone. Onward, onward! Never be
it
and
satis-
with your present state of mind. Try to create within yourself a burning dissatisfaction. Say fied
to yourself
a bit."
Mother
Sri
"What
progress
am
Ramakrishna used
1
making?
Not
to say to the Divine
"Mother, another day
not seen Thee!"
I
is
gone and
I
have
Spiritual Teachings
Every night before you go to bed, think for a while how much time you have spent in doing good
how much
deeds,
again in doing useless things;
how much time you have utilised in meditation and how much you have wasted in idleness. Make your
mind
strong
through
f
Tapasya
and Brahmacharya (continence) In rich men's houses they
austerity)
.
keep
Darwan
a
whose duty is to prevent thieves, cows, The sheep, etc., from entering the compound. mind is man's Danvan. The stronger the mind (porter)
Mind
becomes, the better.
ed to a
restive
horse.
takes the rider along
who can hold go the are you
the
a tight rein
right way.
doing?
Is
has also been compara horse generally
Such
wrong
path.
Only he
and check the horse can
Struggle,
struggle on!
everything
achieved
What the
by
mere wearing of the Gerua cloth (ochre-coloured cloth of the Sannyasin) or by renunciation of hearth
and home? flying.
Do
What have
you
realised?
not waste a single moment.
Time
You
is
will
be able to work hard only another three or four 2
Meditation and Realisation years at the most.
Afterwards both body and mind
become weak and infirm and you will not be able to do anything. What can be achieved withwill
out diligence?
You
are thinking, "Let us
and devotion;
ing, faitfe
Sadhana
Can we
(spiritual
first
then
practices)."
have yearnshall do our
of
all
we
that possible?
Is
dawn?
see the day without the break of
When
the Lord comes,
follow
Him
as
His
love,
devotion and faith
retinue.
Can anything be achieved without Tapasya? Brahma at first heard "Tapas (meditate), Tapas
Do
(meditate), Tapas (meditate)/*
you not see
what a severe Tapasya even the Avataras (Incarnations of God) had to perform? Has anybody gained Sankara ties
anything
and
labour?
without
others
what
tremendous
What
they practised in their lives!
renunciation they possessed!
What
Buddha, austeri-
burning
severe Sadhana
they performed!
Real faith cannot be had in the beginning. realisation,
then faith.
But 3
at
first
the
First
Sadhaka
Spiritual Teachings
(aspirant)
may
be
to
the precepts
or of
teacher)
"
has to pin his faith
some great
blind faith"
Guru
of his
it
(spiritual
soul; then only can he
advance toward the goal.
Do
you not know the parable of the oyster as The oyster floats about told by Sri Ramakrishna?
on the surface of the sea with just for a little
its
shell
wide open,
drop of the Swati-rain (rain falling
when the star Swati or Arcturus As soon as it gets a rain drop,
is
in the ascendant)
it
dives
down
.
to the
ocean-bed and there forms a fine pearl. Like the oyster, you too should be up and doing and then dive deep into the ocean of meditation.
You have no
Personal exertion
self-reliance.
an indispensable factor for success life.
years.
gress,
in the spiritual
Do
something for a period of at least four Then if you do not make any tangible pro-
come and take me
to task.
Japam and meditation
are impossible unless you
transcend the limitations of Rajas vity)
is
and
Tamas
(inertia
or
(excessive acti-
lethargy).
After-
wards, you have to rise even above Sattwa (illumi-
4
Meditation and Realisation
and attain the high where there is no return.
nation)
How Yet
it
tion
is
difficult is the
Strive
possible.
human
birth!
birth that God-realisa-
hard in
from which you
that state
from
attainment of a
human
only in this
is
spiritual plane
this life
will not
and reach
have
to
come
back.
^he mind
be raised, step by step, from the gross state to the subtle, then to the causal state, to
further to the Great Cause
still
yourself
There
to
fully
is
nothing
this is
the
is
Life
is
achieved. eternal.
most a hundred
years.
and, with
it,
if
is
Is
that
One must The span
is
is
Resign
everything.
ggfeq^ 3^jj
Everything
When
these hundred years, life
^
calculating.
possible in a day?
thing
He
Lord.
besides.
Brahman."
Never be
only.
(Mahakarana) and
Samadhi (highest illumination).
finally to
all
is
"Verily
His and His self-surrender
achieved, every-
struggle hard for
it.
of man's life
at
is
Give up the pleasures of you want to enjoy eternal
eternal bliss.
II
SPIRITUAL PRACTICES (CONVERSATION AT BENARES)
THE SWAMI
Are
your
religious
practices
going well? S
No, Maharaj.
spiritual
mind.
With
hence
unfoldment;
Evidently
we
all I
my
efforts I see
find
no
peace
no of
are born with evil Samskaras
(impressions) and these stand
in the
way of our
spiritual progress.
THE SWAMI My thus.
Practise
cannot do hours
Do
of
the
dead of night. If you that time, do it during the early
Japam
at
it
boy, you should not think at
Perform Puras charana*.
morning.
not waste your valuable time any more.
yourself
in
prayer
and
meditation.
All
Lose inner
it implies regular Japam or the repetition of the the Deity a prescribed number of times, followed by Homa and other ceremonies. Additional Jtipam is also permissible in place of these ceremonies.
*Usually
name of
6
Spiritual Practices
come by themselves, Sadhana for some time. will
truths
The
At
Then reduce
may
the quantity
much food
to
In
half.
the
some weakness of the body. be all right after some time, and feel
body will will remain active and the*
practise
take three-fourths of your usual
first
beginning you
But
you
spiritual aspirant should not take
at night. diet.
if
in perfect condition.
(The Swami then referred to the days when he practised Sadhana in the company of his brotherdisciples
and
said:
We
used to take only a single
meal during the whole day and night.") THE SWAMI A Sadhaka should
first
learn
about the spiritual path from some great soul, then follow it methodically. If he does it haphazard,
he cannot achieve much it
Again
if
he gives
up, he will have to put forth double the
effort to is
success.
lost.
gain the desired Lust,
anger,
vity)
is
and Tamas
now
But no endeavour
go
away
covered over by Rajas
(acti-
gradually
greed,
from him who leads the
Your mind
result.
usual
spiritual life.
(inertia).
7
It
must be made pure
Spiritual Teachings
and
subtle,
and raised
(illumination).
the
mind
Sattwa
will
find
pleasure
in
and will
also
feel
inclined
to
more and more time
devote
of
state
Then you
religious practices
when
the
to
attains
to them.
perfect
purity,
Later
on,
you
will
naturally devote yourself to spiritual culture.
mind it
ly
on the gross
at present
is
leans
toward
becomes awakened, spiritual.
increases
When
it
gross it
plane.
ConsequentBut when it *
things.
inclines naturally
grows
and the aspirant
The
toward the
subtler, its capacity also is
able
understand
to
within a short time the truths about God.
When
you
sit in
meditation,
first
think of a bliss-
This will have a soothing effect on your nerves and mind. Otherwise meditation ful Divine form.
will
become dry and
tedious.
Think of the form
of your Ishtam (Ideal) as smiling and
While away your time no
full
longer.
This
is
Sadhana continuously for seven or eight you
Now
must be kept under no doubt a troublesome task. But
senses are strong and
of
bliss.
the
control. practise
years, then
will enjoy the fruits of your practices, the peace
8
Spiritual Practices
and
attained also
thereof.
bliss
That
women have
But
strive for it? is
have
devotees
Should
illumination.
spiritual
than men.
women
Many
not
you
greater faith
they succeed in a compa-
why
ratively short time.
Belie^ me, the Lord practise a
He will extend His He who is protecting
little,
to you.
It is
miseries
and
How
grace!
troubles.
can
You have been things.
Now
them.
Now
up
When
you
will feel the joy of
you
helping hand us all from
His
is
you? all these spiritual
You have done enough do some
that aspect
appeals to you most.
Sadhana.
to
it
\'L
unbounded
only hearing of
realise
First take
How
describe
I
study and reasoning. tice.
always with you.
is
of
Follow your
God
realise
realising
Him
spiritual prac-
God which own path of
through also
it,
in
you
other
aspects and through other paths. One should meditate on the form of the Ishtam
does
not
along with Japam.
Otherwise
become
you cannot think of the whole
effective.
If
form, think only of a part.
9
Japam
Begin your meditation
Spiritual Teachings
on the "lotus feet" of the Deity. Continue to do it even if you fail in the Why should beginning. until
you stop
Practice will Is
you succeed?
make
Succeed you must.
everything easy.
meditation an easy affair?
next only to Samadhi.
it
is
to leave everything to
Resign yourself wholly unto Him. Then,
the Lord,
through
Try
Remember,
your
thing will
Sadhana, self-surrender
come from
within.
10
and
every-
Ill
WORSHIP AND MEDITATION (CONVERSATION AT BENARES) Maharaj, you spoke to us of the practice of Puja (worship) meditation, continence and study of the Scriptures. What does Puja mean? K.
,
THE SWAMI mental
worship.
Puja means both external and In
external
worship certain and water are
accessories such as flowers, incense,
necessary.
It is difficult
So mental
worship
is
to get these things always.
more convenient
for you.
After worshipping the Ishtam (Chosen Ideal) mentally with Padya (water for washing the feet)
,
flowers and incense, which are offered in external
worship, practise meditation and mental Japam. In purely mental Japam the Mantram (name of the Deity) lips.
is
to be repeated without
moving the
But in ordinary Japam one has to utter the 11
Spiritual Teachings
Mantram and
there
is
movement of
therefore
the
lips.*
In meditation you should think of the form of
your Ishtam as effulgent. is
shining through
its
Imagine that everything
Think of
lustre.
gence as non-material and possessed This
gence.
kind
of
meditation
this efful-
wirt\, intelli-
will
later
on )>
develop into meditation on the formless and aspect of God.
infinite
In the beginning the aspirant has
to take the help of imagination; later on,
when he
develops his spiritual sense, he will feel the presence
of
the
Divine.
Next,
when he
highest spiritual vision, he will
with Truth.
He
is
come
gets
the
face to face
then transported into a different
realm altogether, of which
this
world of matter
appears to be a mere shadow and, as such, something unreal.
Samadhi
The mind
(superconscious
is
then lost in Savikalpa
vision
with
Next comes Nirvikalpa Samadht vision without thought).
There
thought).
(superconscious is
then the
reali-
*Japam may be (i) loud, that is, audible to all, (ii) (a) audible to oneself only, or (b) silent but with the movement of the lips, and (iii) mental without any movement of the lips.
12
Worship and Meditation sation of that
which
In this state there
be heard.
When
beyond thought and speech.
is
nothing to be seen; nothing to
is
Everything
lost in the Infinite.
is
one attains to
one can bring down the mind only with great effort to the world of phenomena, which appear to be unreal. It is %cfT%cT - fcrefsrcf "beyond duality and non-duality,
Seme
persons
upon the body broken
Samadhi. Sri
state,
to
attaining as
spiritual
this
an obstacle
way of
un-
off
in
the breaking of an earthen
jar,
Ramakrishna used
tration to explain
the
in
and
experience,
It is like
Suppose sun the reflected water,
the cast
it
to give a beautiful illus-
highest
there are
realisation.
of
state
nine
in each one.
broken.
it;
finally
Then whatever
is,
is
even
spiritual
pots
You
pots one after another until only one
the sun reflected in
look
state
this
is
break the left,
this last
there. It
of
full
with
pot
is
can neither
be seen nor described.
K
Maharaj,
all-pervading
some think of the Ishtam
Spirit.
Is
this
meditation ? 13
as
not also a form
the
of
Spiritual Teachings
THE SWAMI
meditation
this
practise
some progress ning.
The
in
but
spiritual
Everyone has to
so.
Yes, quite
life;
He who
also impersonal
is
making
not in the begin-
presence of the Ishtam
everywhere.
after
only
is
to
be realised
personal and with form
He
and without form.
is
dwells in
every being.
He
prevades land and water, hills
and
and
stars,
dales, sky
K the
everything.
Maharaj, the Scriptures speak of service to
Guru
as a necessary
How far is THE SWAMI
tion.
stage.
means
to spiritual realisa-
this true ? It is
necessary at the preliminary
But afterwards one's mind
itself
plays the
part of the Guru.*
The Guru should not be looked upon His physical body ordinary human being. temple in
which resides the Lord.
If the
an
as is
the
Guru
is
served with this idea in mind, one comes to acquire love and
devotion
for
him, which can then be
directed toward the Lord.
*The guidance
of
God
the
Guru
comes through one's purified mind.
14
of Gurus, dwelling within
Worship and Meditation There are Sadhakas
upon
the
Guru
who
(aspirants)
in the Sahasrara (thousand-petalled
and next they merge the form
lotus in the brain),
Sri
Rama-
"The
Guru
of the Guru into that of the Ishtam.
used
krishna
meditate
to
say
very clearly:
appears before the disciple in his spiritual vision; then pointing out the Ishtam to him he says, 'Look,
Aere
your Ishtam?
is
Really the
Guru
is
and
loses
can
you about
I tell
Follow the
in
it."
not different from the Ishtam.
There are so many practices
How
himself
spiritual
all
in the spiritual life.
of them ?
path in right earnest.
When
the
mind becomes pure through
you
will understand all the truths of the spiritual
world. are
Remember, there
The
countless.
is
religious practices
no end
spiritual
to
them; they
aspirant
remains
wholly absorbed in them.
Q
Sadhaka gets a little taste of Ananda (Divine bliss), he is very much encouraged to proceed on his spiritual path. Is this not so? If the
THE SWAMI ual state there
is
But
True.
in the higher spirit-
neither bliss nor sorrow, pain nor
15
Spiritual Teachings
existence nor non-existence.
pleasure, that
you speak of
of Sadhana. able
wind
tion.
The
only a help during the period boat stands in need of a favour-
is
so long as
But when
The Ananda
it
it
has not reached
has once reached
it
its
destina-
there
no
is
need for wind, whether favourable or unfavourable.
Ananda
helps the aspirant in his onward course like
the favourable wind.
Knowledge, the object known and the knower, all three lose
been
only have the Scriptures
what takes place
One
describe.
so
much
say.
But
themselves in the Absolute;
after this,
able
to
none has the power
has to realise
it
to
for oneself through
spiritual practice.
How
wonderful neither
is
want nor
there
is
of
elevates the soul.
it
men who
Infinite fear.
Existence
The
where
very thought
There are some
spiritual
Absolute (Nitya) as distinct Others (Lila, Divine Sport).
realise the
from the Relative
look upon both of these as one and the same. There is yet another state of spiritual experience,
which
is
beyond both Absolute and Relative. 16
IV
THE KUNDALINI (CONVERSATION AT BENARES)
Q
how
%Maharaj,
can
Kundalini*
the
be
awakened ?
THE SWAMI
practice of
Through the
]apam
(repetition of the Lord's name) Dhyana (meditaAccording to tion) and other spiritual exercises. ,
some Yogis
there are special forms of meditation
and practices which awaken it, but I believe be best done through ]apam and Dhyana. practice of
Japam
*Lit. co /led. sleeping in the latent in all
It is
is
it
can
The
specially suited to our present
described in the Tantras as a coiled serpent
human body. Kundalini is the spiritual power With its awakening begins the real religious beings.
of the aspirant. According to the Yogis there exists in the column a hollow canal called Sushumna with seven spinal These centres begin with the Muladhara lotuses or centres. or the centre at the base of the spinal column, and end in the Sahasrara or the thousand-petalled lotus in the brain. As the life
Kundalini
rises
higher and higher, wonderful psychic powers and
When
it reaches the Sahaspiritual visions come to the Yogi. srara the Yogi attains the highest spiritual illumination.
17
Spiritual Teachings
iron age (Kali
Yuga)
practice easier
than
There
.
this.
is
But
no other
spiritual
must
meditation
accompany the repetition of the Mantram. Q Does meditation mean thinking of the form of the Deity ?
THE SWAMI
It
of
thinking
implies
the
Divine, both with form and without form.
Q one
the
Guru who decides whethe.
for meditation
on God with form or with-
Maharaj, is fit
is it
out form?
THE SWAMI
But the pure mind itself At times the mind is plays the part of the Guru. Yes.
At other times
inclined to think of the form.
formless aspect of
God
cannot be had always.
with
his
spiritual
comprehension also
appeals.
As
The
outer
Guru
the aspirant goes
on
power of Then his mind can
practices,
increases.
the
his
act as a guide.
The Yogavasishtha-Ramayana
that
mental
wasted through various distractions. A is drawn to the body, another part to the
energy part of
is
senses,
still
it
says
another
part to the
18
objects
of sense.
The Kundalini
The mind bonds.
tied to
is
Collect
forces of the
mind
in a particular direction.
This
the task of the spiritual
Concentrate
the
life.
whole mind and
spiritual practices until the goal
Be up and doing.
You
are
is
direct
reached.
young now.
not be able to do anything
exercises as
the
mind
it
is
part of the
likes it or not,
some
these
old.
is
will
In
spiritual
Whether
routine.
daily
to
Strive,
This
when you grow
necessary to do
it
You
the time to practise spiritual exercises.
the beginning
the
all
Snap
things.
the scattered
and make them flow is
many
must be followed
regularly.
Begin your spiritual life in right earnest. If you can concentrate all the distracted powers of the mind, you will find that this will generate a
tremendous through
Know
energy.
meditation
that
all
these
Do or
it
through
through
Japam
or
discrimination.
means are equally
effective.
Take up any one and merge yourself in Sadhana* Do not question any more. First do something; then come and ask questions, if you have any. 19
Spiritual Teachings
Q
Maharaj,
is
true
it
that
Kundalhri
the
awakens by the grace of the Guru?
THE SWAMI
Through
the grace of the
Guru
not only can the Kundalini be roused, but everything else can
Brahman.
One
easily.
Ask
But
the
be had, this
^even
grace
the knowledge of
cannot
to this
mind
in your
thing
discipline.
and else.
attained
has to strive one's utmost to get
calm moments
done any spiritual practice. It will you have done absolutely nothing. spiritual
be
it.
if
you have
tell
you that
Practise
some
Devote yourself not pay heed to any-
Begin now.
this alone.
Do
Plunge into the very depth of your
soul.
20
V
WORK AND WORSHIP (CONVERSATION AT BENARES)
THE SWAMI How
are you getting
on with
your spiritual practices?
S
Maharaj,
There
is
too
do not
I
much work
THE SWAMI Sadban a for
(spiritual
want of
time.
It
find
enough time for them.
to do.
is
a
mistake to
think
that
cannot be practised The real cause is the restlessness exercises)
of the mind.
Work and very good ual
if
worship must go hand in hand. one can devote oneself solely to
But
practices.
how many
can do
it?
It is
spirit-
Two
men can sit still doing nothing. One is The other the idiot, who is too dull to be active. As is the saint who has gone beyond all activity.
types of
the Gita says,
"
Without performing work none can 21
Spiritual Teachings
reach worklessness."
One can
attain
knowledge
As we
merely through the discipline of work. even those
have
who
give up work and lead
see,
a retired life
spend a good deal of their time in putting up thatches, cooking food and doing other things. Instead of working for yourself, work for the to
Know
sake of the Lord.
have
do
to
is
Vivekananda's.
your work
Ramakrishna's
Sri
If
work you and Swanu
that all the
you can work with
will not bind you.
On
this
idea,
the other hand,
improve you in every way, spiritually, moralOffer your ly, intellectually and also physically. soul of these at the feet body and great teachers. it
will
Give yourself up wholly to them; be their servant and tell them, "I give you my body, soul and all I have.
Do
with them what you will;
serve you to the best of this,
rests self
the
responsibility
with them.
any more.
the right
spirit.
my
power/'
of your
You need
I
am
If
ready to
you can do
spiritual
welfare
not bother about your-
But you should resign yourself in You should not do it with a doubt-
ing heart "taking the
name of God and 22
at the
Work and Worship time keeping your clothes untouched
We then
led a set
life for five
wandering
ourselves called
Vivekananda) "There is nothing
to
work.
me
aside
in a
We
work, but Rather,
it
I
do not think
infinite
faith in these
*This reference
is
to
Sri
life.
Work
for
did various kinds of it
did us great good.
faith in Swamiji's words.
or six years and
Swamiji (Swami one day and said,
wandering
the sake of the Lord/'
by water*."
I tell
did us
any harm.
But we had strong you, you must have
two great
souls,
Sri
Rama-
Ramakrishna's parable of the milkto supply milk
maid and the Brahmin priest. A milk-maid used to a Brahmin priest living on the other side of a
river.
Owing
the irregularities of boat service, she could not deliver the milk punctually every day. Once being rebuked for her delay I have to wait the poor woman said, "What can I do, Sir? a long time for the boatman." The priest said, "Woman! people cross the ocean of life by uttering the name of God, and canst thou not cross this little river?" The simple-hearted woman And from the next day she began to cross believed the priest. the river uttering God's name. One day the priest asked her why she was never late as before. The woman replied, "I cross the river by uttering the name of the Lord as you bade me The priest could not believe this, and wanted to see dp." himself how the woman crossed the river. The woman took him with her and began to walk over the water repeating the name of the Lord. But looking behind, she saw the priest following "How is it, Sir," she said, "you timidly, holding up his clothes. are uttering the name of the Lord, but at the same time you are trying to keep your clothes untouched by water? You do not fully rely on the Lord." Complete resignation and absolute faith in God are at the root of all miracles. to
23
Spiritual Teachings
krishna and Swamiji, and
not be afraid.
work
Keep your
for their cause.
faith firm.
Do
Hereafter
many will try to shake your faith by saying, "The work you have taken up has nothing to do with Sri Ramakrishna or Swamiji/' But pay no heed to them. Even if the whole world stands against you, never give up what you have once believed to he true.
S
It is
very difficult to devote oneself exclusive-
ly to spiritual practices.
I
tried but could not con-
tinue for a long time.
THE SWAMI Why not do
it,
do you think
falls
again
"The new-born
down many and
you can-
because you failed once or twice?
has to try again and again. to say
that
Ramakrishna used
calf tries to stand up, but
times.
again.
Sri
One
does not stop. It tries then at last, it not only
It
And
stands up, but also learns to run."
The mind
gets
up some regular work at the beginning of the spiritual life. Then the trained mind can be applied to meditation and other
good
training if one takes
spiritual
practices.
The mind 24
that
is
allowed to
Work and Worship will
drift
at
drift
the time of spiritual practices
also.
To
the spiritually advanced
when he wants
time
to
meditation and prayer.
from him by mind awakens
man
there comes a
devote himself solely to
At
that time
work
falls off
This takes place wheu the Otherwise, even if one spiritually.
itself.
of exclusive spiritual practice by sheer effort of the will, one can go on only for a few
takes
to
a
life
Then comes monotony.
days.
by persisting.
Some even go mad
Others follow the spiritual path in
a haphazard way, and keep their
mind busy with
other things as well.
Great strength can be acquired through the practice of Brahmacharya (continence and service). A true
Brahmacharm can do
men. nence,
work of
twenty-five
In olden days, besides the practice of conti-
Brahmacharya included ]apam
of the Lord's name) tures,
the
,
(repetition
meditation, study of the Scrip-
pilgrimage, association with holy men, and
even more. All
men
cannot
know what 25
is
good
for them. For
Spiritual Teachings
one should keep the company of holy
that reason
Here
men.
I
give you full freedom.
Let
how
perly trained.
mind
see
Not long
long you can follow the right path. not more than a .few days.
All troubles arise because the
me
is
not pro-
no enemy more harmful ruins one completely.
There
is
than idle gossip. It Unless one spends some time in solitude,
one
cannot understand the workings of the mind and realise the Truth.
ually
along any
It is
very difficult to
particular
line
in
grow
the
spirit-
midst of
tumult and confusion. I
give
freedom
to
all.
I
want everybody to But when I find that
advance along his own line. he is not able to do so, I come to his help.
good in every way to stay at a particular You will place and take up some form of service. It
is
you stay here for a long time without doing any work useful to the institution. But if you render some form of service every day, you will feel feel
uneasy
if
right in both
mind and body.
During the days of our
active life,
26
we used
to
be
Work and Worship and keep excellent health
in high spirits
too.
I
we used to feel much better then than now when we do not do any regular work. I am telling
think
you my innermost thoughts what I actually feel. I I have now retired from active work. speak of myself just by way of illustration. Some people think they, too, should do like me and be less active. Itfever entertain
such a thought.
Eternal life
before you.
a
few
lives
is
What
to the cause of Sri
you devote Ramakrishna and if
Swamiji ? Even if it is a mistake to do so, But I tell you, lives be spent in vain.
going to be
so.
Through the grace of
a few
let it
Sri
not
is
Rama-
krishna and Swamiji, you will see to what grear spiritual heights
Do -do,
properly.
now
life
any more.
If
you
will not be able to practise spiritual exer-
Any work
with your whole heart. as Swamiji used to say. are
soar.
not lead an easy-going
you
cises
you will
that
This
is
you take up, do the secret of work,
Set yourself to work.
required to conduct a magazine.
27
Do
You it
by
Spiritual Teachings all
means.
It is
nothing to you,
it
is
very easy for
you.
Before you begin to work, remember the Lord
and at
offer
your salutations to Him.
intervals
after
you
of the
in the course
of the work,
the
same
and
also
f
Spend all your time in k''nking teachings and commandments of Sri
finish
life,
Do
it.
Ramakrishna and Swamiji. Know in your heafc of hearts that the work you do is for their sake.
28
VI
HAPPINESS (CONVERSATION AT BENARES)
THE SWAMI Do
you
know why
I
ask
seriously, all of you, to devote yourselves heart
soul to the Lord
Thakur
(Sri
When we
?
Ramakrishna)
make us do our the mind remains
you and
spiritual
were of your age, used to push us and
indelible impression
In
practices.
plastic like clay.
from whatever
It it
boyhood
receives an
comes in con-
So long as clay remains soft, you can any shape you like. But when the clay is give burned, this cannot be done. Your mind now is It can be moulded in any way like unburnt clay. tact with. it
you want. It is be directed very is
pure and untainted, so it can If the mind easily toward God.
still
kept wholly occupied with thoughts of the Lord this time on, no foreign thought can disturb If the mind be now firmly fixed on the Divine,
from it.
29
Spiritual Teachings
you need have no anxiety about your
spiritual pro-
gress.
The mind
is
packet of mustard seeds.
like a
the seeds are once scattered,
gather them up. before
its
energy
frittered
efforts to concentrate difficulty
scattered.
is
Whgn
you
mind has been
the
mind of a
you will experience
it;
when you
Do
particular object.
try to focus
it
on a
how impressionYou are now like
you not see little
boy?
you want to mould yourselves, strive for earnestly from your sixteenth to your thirtieth
him. it
becomes
away, you will have to make very strenu-
tremendous
able
mould your mind
ask you to
I
very difficult to
it is
old and the energy of your
grow ous
So
If
year.
If
After that there
illumination.
Up
is
less
chance of achieving
to the thirtieth
and the mind remain
fresh.
That
year is
the
the
body
time when
mind can be given a definite shape. But you must labour hard and devote yourselves heart and the
soul to your ideal of
the
mind may
throughout
life.
receive
life.
Whatever impression
during
If therefore
30
youth
will
last
you have determined
Happiness to lead a holy life in order to realise
The mind
also
for spiritual practices.
constant struggle. by,
will be
it
is
health
is
all right
plastic.
This
is
the time
Mould your mind through
If this period of
more
strive
Your
your utmost from today.
now.
God,
difficult to
your
life
do anything
goes after-
wards. If
you can leave a strong stamp on the mind
during
this period, if
and end-all of your
you can make
from
the be-all
you can devote Him, you will be free
existence,
yourselves sincerely to realise
God
if
sorrow and pain. jNo misery, no unhappiness will be able to throw you 5if-yaiir balance. You all
become the
will
inheritor of everlasting bliss
#nd
joy divine.
What
How
does
he runs
man want? He wants happiness. after it! What plans he makes! What
strenuous efforts he puts forth! it? is
After baffled.
purpose.
He
many
attempts, after
But does he get
many
a plan,
he
He plans again and again, but to no In this way his whole life ebbs away.
has not the good fortune to enjoy peace and 31
Spiritual Teachings
happiness at labourer and
Then he and
Thus he
departs from this world.
who
the goal of
Nothing
lives
better can be expected
runs after empty pleasures, forgetting
life.
you wish to attain
sacrifice
hard like an ordinary reaps sorrow and pain.
toils
return
in
dies in vain.
by one
If
He
all.
all
fleeting joys,
worldly pleasures,
and
you must attachment fo?
real happiness, all
whole energy of your The more you advance toward
direct the
mind toward God.
Him, the greater the bliss you will realise. The more your mind becomes attached to the world and to
sense-enjoyments,
the
more
will
you
suffer.
Do you know the nature of the ordinary man? He seeks only pleasure, joy and diversion. And he makes
this
mistake from the very beginning.
Ninety-nine per cent of those
who
do not know what
is.
it
really
seek happiness
They grasp
at
whatever they find near at hand and believe they
have got the thing they seek. disappointed,
when
they
again they
they are
up something else; and But they bemoan their lot.
take
fail,
Then when
32
Happiness see the folly of
again;
still
they will not change their course, they
will not take lives receiving
destiny.
up the right path. They pass blow after blow and bewailing
Thakur
pare theni to a
good
they are disappointed again and
it;
grass even
their
Ramakrishna) used to comThe camel will not take
(Sri
camel.
when
their
close by.
It
knows well
that
thorny grass makes the mouth bleed, but still it on eating it. In the same way man insists suffers
because
of
wrong thoughts and
wrong
desires.
You
are
boys
very
young
boys.
Your mind
has not yet received any evil impression from the If you can struggle hard from now outside world. on, you will be able to escape
life's
sorrows and
miseries.
Whatever the
you may possess, whatever your chances of living a happy and prosperous life, however wide your circle of friends and wellriches
you will not have
All happiness. these things last for a few moments, or at the mbst
wishers,
an hour; they do not
last longer.
33 2
real
Then comes
a
Spiritual Teachings
reaction of misery. If
one
is
Thus
reaction follows action.
and eternal happiness, one that joy which brings no reaction
to attain true
must aspire
after
Wherein
in its train.
It
happiness?
lies
that
lies
in realising
true
and eternal
God.
This divine
enjoyment alone brings no reaction; all other kinds of enjoyments you can name are followed by re-
And you must know
action. is
reaction, there is
Never forget is
that wherever there
sorrow and suffering.
the ideal of
human
life.
This
life
not given us to while away in eating, drinking
and sleeping
When
things.
being,
spurn
an animal, in idle gossip and such you have been born as a human
like
all
solve to realise
worldly
God and
enjoyments.
Firmly
attain infinite bliss.
re-
Flinch
not, even if
you die in the attempt. Why have you come away from your hearth and home in the name of our Thakur (Sri Ramakrishna)
?
Is it
not to realise Him, to get rid of
the sorrows and sufferings of the world and attain
and happiness ? Sincerely struggle then toward the
everlasting peace
34
ideal of life, so
Happiness long as you have strength of body and mind.
no means relax your
efforts,
realise the ideal later or that
it
through the Lord's grace.
It
talk in this way.
I
By
saying that you will will be possible only is
idlers alone
do not want you
to idle
that
away
you are not in earnest, speak out Say, "I have a desire to enjoy worldly clearly. I have not a sincere longing to realise pleasures. your time.
Truth
If
to attain
God/
1
Let your speech and your
thought be one.
When The
do
are you going to
best part of life, as
I
spiritual practices?
told you,
sixteenth to the thirtieth year.
Do
is
from the
you hope that
after wasting these valuable years in useless pursuits,
you will be able to take up
in old self.
age?
Do
Know
that
is
cheating, deceiving one-
not cheat yourselves.
35
spiritual practices
VII
WORLDLY
LIFE
AND
SPIRITUAL LIFE
(CONVERSATION AT THE BEUJR MATH)
THE SWAMI trivial
Most people waste
concerns; then
many who
are in
spend their
last
(devotion)
their life in
old age overtakes them.
service retire
on pensions and
days at some place of pilgrimage. that thus they will attain Bhakfi
think
They
when
and Mukti
also that the Tirthas
(liberation).
They hope
(places of pilgrimage)
will
enable them to expiate all the sins they have comIs it not sheer madness to think thus?
mitted.
What
else can
purifying receive
it
be ?
He who
firmly believes in the
power of the Tirthas will, no doubt, some spiritual impetus therefrom. The
pure and holy, and those who have good Samskaras (tendencies) are somewhat Tirthas are always
benefited by them spiritually. That more can be expected from them. ever,
has to
be considered
is all.
Nothing Benares, how-
an exception.
Many
Worldly Life and Spiritual Life people, for this reason, are anxious to spend there the last days of their
life.
entertain the firm
They
hope
that they will attain liberation if they pass
away
in that sacred city.
True
it is
man
that a
is
freed from the bonds of Samsara (birth and death)
he breathes
if
Viswanach*
his last at Benares.
is
the Lord of the Universe, and strange and inscrutable are
His ways. misery and suffer
Is it desirable to live a life in
ing and then
attain
Mukti
(liberation)
wiser to enjoy the present
in
life
the
not
Is it
?
ecstasy
of
devotion and spiritual practice and then once for all
enter the portals of infinite bliss?
(Sri
Ramakrishna)
a house through
door/*
its
used to
say,
As Thakur
"You can
front gate or through
But which of these
is
better?
enter
back
its
When
it is
possible to gain entrance through the front gate,
why should we Decide now which
enter
through
the
back
door?
of these two you should choose
momentary happiness or
infinite bliss, the pleasures
*Lit. Lord of the Universe, a name for Shiva who, as the devotee believes, confers the highest knowledge and salvation to those who die in the holy city or Benares.
37
Spiritual Teachings
of
this life or
the
everlasting
peace of the
life
beyond ?
One
great thing to be considered
is
Kripa (Divine grace). The breeze of His grace is always blowOnly unfurl your sails and you will have it. ing.
How
can you catch the breeze
now
furled?
Hoist them
longer.
Give up your
desires
your hankering for
ments, fully
you keep your sails and do not delay any
resign
yourself
if
name
the
to
for worldly enjoy-
and fame, and
Lord.
impossible to enjoy worldly pleasures
same time
realise
God and mammon
It
is
and
quite at the
God.
You
cannot serve both
at the
same
time.
If
you want
God, you must renounce worldly pleasures. If, on the other hand, you desire to enjoy temporal pleasures, you will have to give up God. to realise
Do
not keep your feet in two boats, as they say.
If
you do, you will only make yourself miserable. You must have a clear conception of your life's ideal. Decide now what life you want to lead. Should
it
be
this fleeting life
or the everlasting
life
of transient pleasures
of eternal bliss ?
38
Worldly Life and Spiritual Life
You
are
young
innocent
boys,
Worldliness has not yet
left
its
and
guileless.
impress on your
you will be up and doing now, you can escape from the clutches of the trials and tribulamind.
If
tions of worldly life.
See that your principles are not done now,
fixed even
now.
be done.
Mere skipping on the surface will be of Hold to your ideal; hold fast, and never
no
avail.
If
loosen your grip.
God
as the be-all
saken
ments binds
it is
To
the
man who
and end-all of
life,
it
will never
has accepted has for
who
and cravings for sensual enjoyto him God is very near. Such a man desires
all
God
with the
ties
of his love as Yasoda and
the Gopis did Gopal. Sri
Ramakrishna used
himself for the sake of
puted claim on
so
a
"He who
has denied
God
has a strong and undisAs one can endearingly
Him."
demand anything of relations,
to say,
one's parents or one's near
devotee has a right to
ask God,
"Lord, appear before me. Will you not come? You must come." When a devotee is earnest, GoI
cannot remain unmoved. 39
He
hastens to
him and
Spiritual Teachings
takes
him on His
joy!
How
it
who
people, Sri
it,
He
boundless that bliss!
has had
pared to
Oh, how inexpressible that
lap.
that
supreme
become
insipid
experience.
Corn-
dear
most
so
worldly pleasures,
alone knows
to
and worthless.
Ramakrishna used
to say,
"He who
has totally
given up carnal enjoyments for the sake of God has already covered three-fourths of his journey." Is
easy to renounce all enjoyments?
it
man
Only
the strength required for renunciation.
mind it
a
has God's grace and has done severe Tapas
(spiritual discipline) in his past life, can
in
if
in such a
way
that vile thoughts
he acquire
Purify your
may
not arise
at all.
You
are all Brahmacharins
(unmarried).
you have pledged your pleasures, enjoyments and
will not marry,
life to
sacrificing
all
sake.
But bear in mind that
a pure and unsullied
young boys take like?
sword.
it
life.
to be.
it is
It is
Do
You
God, for His
very hard to lead
not so easy as yoii
you know what
it is
walking on the edge of a drawn Every moment there is the chance o a 40
It is like
Worldly Life and Spiritual Life of being sliced to pieces. Perfect continence the only condition of success in this life. And
fall, is
nay impossible, to practise absolute You have purity without love and faith in God. to live in a world full of passions and enjoyments. it
is
difficult,
Every day you have to see before you more than per cent of the people running
ninety-nine
after sensual
there
pleasures;
is
constant
mad
risk
of
your mind being contaminated with evil thoughts. If your mind becomes tainted by them, there is no
hope for you.
Those who want
to lead a life of
Brahmacharya (continence) must always engage their minds in thinking good thoughts, studying good books and in discussing elevating subjects.
They must spend
time in worship of God,
their
service of holy
and
men, in the company of pious people, the practice of meditation and other kinds
in
of spiritual
mould
is
the
only
way
to
one's character.
First tice
This
discipline.
of
of
else will
all,
be firm in your devotion to the prac-
Brahmacharya
come by
(continence).
itself.
41
Everything
Perfection in continence
Spiritual Teachings
be
cannot
practices)
tion of
;
attained
(spiritual
and without perfect continence,
God
is
impossible.
real bliss cannot
ness,
Sadhana
without
human
young boys
Unless
God
be had, and without
life will
with
be spent in vain.
pure minds
realisa-
is
realised,
real happi-
You
and noble
are ail aspira-
beg of you, my dear ones, do a little Sadhana and you will see how Shraddha (faith) and Bhakti (devotion) will be roused within you. tions.
You
I
will
become
heirs of
immortal
bliss;
you will
be blessed with the vision of your Ishtam (Chosen You will then Ideal), with the vision of God. attain to the ultimate goal of
42
human
life.
VIII
REALISATION
THROUGH
SELF-
SURRENDER 'AT THE BELUR MATH.
THE SWAMI
Sri
Ramakrishna used
to say that
person can attain God if he possesses the intensity of this threefold love the love a devoted wife
Tt
a worldly man feels for the world, and the attachment the miser
bears her husband,
the
attraction
has for his hoarded gold. Intense yearning of this kind is sure to enable one to realise God. Do you
know what
it
means?
It
means
that
one can reach
the Lord and be blessed with His vision and spiritual touch the moment the mind is cleansed of all desires
and
filled
The Lord
with a sincere longing for God-realisation. says in the Gita
*
in
'Relinquishing alone."
all
individual effort, take refuge
Me
Self-surrender,
self-surrender,
43
self-surrender
Spiritual Teachings
that
is
the only way; there
age (Kali Yuga)
and
is
He
span of
life.
the energy,
strength,
much on food
too
has to do
He
In this iron
other.
man depends
shortlived.
this brief
no
is
many
things little
possesses very
renunciation,
courage
in
of
and
of penance, that are essential for God-realiHis mind is weak and naturally runs after sation. spirit
9
But
enjoyment. realised,
God
in spite of all this,
Without
God-realisation
has to be
life
is
one comes into the world and goes out of out
accomplishing
therefore realise God, and there
is
with-
it
Man
must
no path
easier
worthy.
anything
vain;
than self-surrender.
it
What do we understand by self-surrender ? Does mean that we have not to do anything, that we
have only
to sit quiet?
The devotee
No,
has to pray
heart in this manner,
it
does not
constantly
"Oh
Lord!
I
with
is
for spiritual will bring
me
life.
that.
a pure
do not know
good and what is bad for me. dependent on Thee. Grant unto me all what
mean
I
am
solely I
need
Take me along the path
that
the greatest good.
44
that
Vouchsafe unto
Realisation
me
Through Self-Surrender
the faith and strength constantly to
remember
Thee and meditate on Thee." indeed no easy thing to dedicate oneself heart and soul to the Lord. Many people say: "I have It is
surrendered myself,
my
God.
to
all,
am
I
doing as
He
is
we
shall see that their actions are quite contrary to
making me do/'
what they take the
over
and
it,
If they
profess. credit
But
to
if
we
observe their
do anything good, they
themselves,
feel
highly
"Oh, what a great thing
think:
life,
elated I
have
But when even a slight trouble besets them, they immediately throw the blame on the achieved!"
Lord,
saying:
"What
bringing on me!'*
a
This
great is
misfortune
how most
He
is
people spend
life.
We
judge
men
only by their exterior, but
looks into their innermost mind.
who
prays
certain.
be
with a
Be pure
different
sincere in
heart.
heart.
God
God
runs to him
Know
this
as
Let not your words
from your thoughts
and
God
will
reward you according to your deserts. Sri Ramakrishna used to say "If you do one45
Spiritual Teachings
sixteenth part of the that
I
have done,
Sadhana so
very
indolent that
we
duty.
Sadhana
it is
He
enough."
shirk our
made
has
But
we
are
work and
fail
in our
for
easy
practices)
(spiritual
us.
By doing so we cheat
ourselves.
so
some
If
one gives us good things to eat, we want them to be put into our mouths. There are many who request
me
to
myself
them.
bless
when
I
moment
The
to
laughing
help
They do not do
hear them.
them.
instruct
cannot
I
leave
they
as
I
my
do whatever they like. If I should ask any one of them whether he follows my instructions, he would reply, "No, Sir, I had no time to
presence, they
do
"Weak and
or
it,"
was not able
do
to
desire to follow
it."
me and
evil-minded as
I
Those who have no have no faith in
am,
I
sincere
me may do
anything they like without asking me. not follow
my
instructions
blessed by me. sation
without
dodging.
When
the time in
They wish the
and
yet
They will they want to be
to attain spiritual reali-
necessary
such people come,
aimless
talk
46
in
by mere while away
exertion,
jesting
I
and making
Realisation
What
fun.
is
Through Self-Surrender
the use of tiring myself by talking
of spiritual practices to people
them?
who
will not follow
speak of higher matters only to a very
I
few who,
I
think, will take
my words and
on
act
But even then they do not follow the instructions fully and properly. Always accustomed
them.
to
shirking work,
without
that
want
to
attain
everything
effort.
There is
they
is
no dearth of Divine
men do
realise
the
in idle gossip only.
trouble
is
No
Man
Supreme Truth.
pride in talking nonsense; that
And
The
not care to avail themselves of
They take pleasure wants to
grace.
how he
it.
one takes
spends his
he sows, so he reaps. "Teachers can be had by thousands, but rare indeed is a true life.
disciple."
teachers, their
as
There are many to take up the role of but where are the men to hear and follow
teachings?
higher
life,
one goes on
striving
for
a
with strong faith in the words of the
GurUj then there
who
If
is
an end to one's miseries.
He
has such faith need not run about here and
there with a restless mind.
47
The Lord
looks to
all
Spiritual Teachings his wants.
He
him by
takes
the
hand and leads
him along the right path. There need be no for him who has been blessed by the Lord.
anxiety
given only to one in a million to cherish noble desires and sublime thoughts, and of such It is
souls as are so privileged very ideals to the last.
few can
Those persons
in
stick to their
whose mind
good thoughts have already sprung up should try their utmost to strengthen and make them permaIn order to keep
nent.
their fervour they
up
should
unto pray unceasingly to the Almighty, "Vouchsafe Lord, Thy grace! me, May it be on me forever!'*
O
Sri
the
Ramakrishna used
to say,
maid-servant in a house
"To looks
all
appearances
upon
all
that
belongs to her master as her own, but in her heart of hearts she knows that they do not belong to her at all.
So long as
without attachment.
we
We
of hearts that this world
we must do should know in
live,
our work
our heart
not our permanent home, but only a temporary abode. And we should direct is
our mind to God, the heavenly
we
came.
48
home from where
Realisation
How many with pride,
Through Self-Surrender
care for Truth or
man
sometimes
God?
raises himself
Puffed
up
on such a
high pedestal that he totally denies even the existence of God. Everyone thinks himself infallible
and
his
the only
way
know what
way
to salvation.
such a one says?
what we cannot understand." limited
is
his
Do
you
"We do not accept He little thinks how
power of comprehension!
What he
thinks right today, he gives
Thus
his
up as false tomorrow. opinion changes from day to day. In
making a parade of his knowledge, he does not care a straw for what is high and noble. The Divine Mother alone knows
in
how many ways man
is
deluded.
Every person conceives of God in his own little individual way. But our conception of the Lord should not be so limited, for sive. tellect.
He
is
He
is
all-comprehen-
not perceptible to the mind and in-
That one alone can
realise
God's nature,
whom He is pleased to reveal His mysteries. And when He is realised, the gates of knowledge to
are opened, the knots of the heart are cut asunder
49
Spiritual Teachings
and
wisdom
infinite
realises
this
relation
between
is
his
Man Mother
cannot reveals
attained.
he
can
state,
own and he
is
God and is
fully
understand
himself
that the
its
range,
is
Lord
any knowledge unless the The mysteries of this world and
attain it.
The
them out of Her mercy. understood,
the
the Lord's.
the next will be revealed only
ly
Only when man
is
not the real
when She
discloses
intellect, as ordinariintellect.
Its
Those who want
very limited.
real bliss in this life, those
who
area
3
to gain
really desire to solve
"Who am I?" "What have I come here for?" "Why am I suffering from so much misery?" "Why does one man attain to its
intricate
problems
God-hood and another remain a mere brute?" those
who
desire answers to these problems
have
one and only one duty, to strive to realise God by all possible means. Life's perplexing problems will be solved the moment
He
is
realised.
Children find joy in turning round a ing on to
it
firmly.
tion is fixed?
It is
Do you know on the
pillar,
where
their atten-
pillar; for they
50
hold-
know
full
Realisation
well that
down and
if
as
many
they loosen their grip, they will fall
be injured.
the Pillar of it
Through Self-Surrender
life,
So
then you
first
life is to realise
Our
God.
all
may go on
first
hold fast to
circling
round
There will be no fear
times as you like.
of falling down.
of
and foremost duty
Know
that
He
is
in
the Pillar.
Whatever you do, do clasping Him; then you not take any false step and fall. What you do
will will
be right and will be for the good of yourself and of the world. Blessed will be your life on earth.
51
IX
DIVINE GRACE (CONVERSATION AT THE BELUR MATH)
THE SWAMI
The name of
the
Lord
purifies
"I have taken the both the body and the mind. name of God; what have I to fear? What is there in the 'world to bind
by taking the Lord's faith
me? I have become immortal with such a burning name
one should practise
What
is
spiritual exercises.
the goal of spiritual practices?
It is to
God, to attain Divine grace. The practices are meant to clear the heart of all the impurities
realise
brought there by lust and greed. Unless this is done, you can never reach your goal, however much
you may
You unless
try.
cannot attain God's grace nor realise
you
Him
your heart. Impurities have through innumerable lives, and they
purify
gathered in it are to be removed.
Sri
Ramakrishna used 52
to cite a
Divine Grace
"So long as the
beautiful illustration:
covered with mud,
But when the
stone. is
it
is
is
washed
towards
mind
the needle
off,
the
loadstone."
washed away can think of the Lord and meditate on Him; Similarly the dirt of the
can cry unto forgive me.
is
not attracted by the load-
mud
drawn
naturally
needle
if
one
if
one
is
Him I
with repentance, saying, "Lord! will not do wrong in the future." At
once the magnet of God draws the needle of the mind. Divine grace flows the moment the mind
becomes pure; and then the
realisation of
God
takes
place as a matter of course.
God only
is
the sun of knowledge.
when He
He
can be seen
reveals His glory to the seer.
In
fact, so long as a person cherishes a desire for world-
ly
enjoyment, he cannot have sincere yearning for
the knowledge or vision of God.
themselves sweets to
when eat.
they get
But
dolls
Children forget to
play with
or
after a time the dolls lose all
charm for them; they want to go to the mother. Such is the case with men. Only after they become satiated with the enjoyments of the
53
world do they
Spiritual Teachings
long for God. Then the thought of God-realisation becomes uppermost in their mind. They are eager to hear what others have to say about
and they Noble
Know
try to realise
do not
desires
this;
Him in
those
who have
course.
lives.
mind
easily.
them, have them by
In this world of Maya,
receive innumerable blows
miseries;
own
arise in the
the special grace of God,
men
their
God
and
do not want
suffer untold
change their Strangely enough, they go again and again still
they
to
same place only to get blow after blow. If some one gives them good counsel they feel annoyed to the
with that person.
Men know into the
fire,
full it
will get
Not
again and again. to
do
call
likewise.
well that
If
any
if
they put their hand
burned;
still
they do
it
only that; they invite others
man
him mad and even go
differs
from them, they
to the point of persecut-
ing him.
Do
how
guardians try their best ta raise obstacles in the way of the boy who wishes to take
you not see
up the
religious path, to lead a Sannyasm's
14
Divine Grace
But they make
life?
who
is
little effort to
source of evil to
the objections rise only
virtuous
life.
turn back one
and who may become a himself and to his country. AH
leading a wild
life
when
a boy wants to live a
People try their utmost to drag him
own level. Do you know what the father of a monk once said referring to his own son? He said, "I would down
to their
have been happier had he died instead of becoming a monk. There is no control over death; one has to yield to
it.
But
I
cannot bear to see others tak-
ing away what belongs to me/'
This
is
what
is
called the world, so full of selfishness.
People lose themselves in anger the moment selfBut they have not the sense to interest is hurt. person is able to be a true Sannyasin, not only does he do good to himself, but
understand
also
that if a
he paves the way for the
ment of those near
spiritual
advance-
to him.
Nowadays people have become
so very restless,
they have not the patience to think seriously before acting.
They take up whatever comes 55
in
their
Spiritual Teachings
way, without caring to think whether or not it is But the mischief does not likely to do them good.
People train up their children in such a way that they too have to suffer like them when
end here.
grow
they
up.
Everyone is born with the impressions of innumerable past lives. The tendency to enjoyment is
already strong and the training one gets in child-
hood
intensifies
must they be ing
to
this
propensity.
who have
escape from
fortunate
escaped already or are
the manifold
threaten their spiritual
How
dangers
try-
that
life!
Through the grace of God, you have been able to Beware, that you do not miss give up the world. opportunity of reaching your desired goal. Be up and doing. Realise God. Do not pay heed He will to anything else; look up to Him alone. this rare
Then you
take your whole burden.
your lower desires
and cravings
will see that all will
leave you
altogether.
What Nothing.
can
we know
Therefore
of I
God
with our
little
brain?
ask you to surrender your-
56
Divine Grace self completely to
for
Him.
is
Work
Have
God.
is
All
The goal
God.
not an end in
itself,
that
for something;
after fleeting objects of this
for
is
intense yearning
mad
can never be the aim of is
man?
has
The whole world
why run mad Better be mad work
to love
He
His will be done!
What power
omnipotent!
you can do
Him.
world?
God.
to realise
is
life.
Even
selfless
but only a means to
Divine realisation. Practise spiritual
way of God. is
real,
God
is
and
discipline
Then you all else
will
and advance
know
that
in
God
the
alone
unreal; that the realisation of
the ultimate goal of
life.
You may
get a
little
more
tice.
But do not think that you have got everyContinue your discipline and move onward
thing.
few
light after a
and onward.
Then you
religious prac-
will realise
be blessed with His vision.
know Him
days'
You
God. You
will
will be able to
intimately.
Hear me, my boys. You are all born of good families and are well educated. You have had enough of
study,
argument and discussion; why 57
Spiritual Teachings
it
Now
more?
care for
on God.
compose your mind and fix mind: "Plunge into the
Say to your
You have
ocean of God/'
given up the world. If with trash and do not dediagain you remain busy cate yourself to
God, you
will lose both this
world
Through the grace of the Lord you have got noble thoughts and aspirations. Make and the
next.
the best use of this Divine grace.
the
infinite
bliss
of
God
for
Do
not
sacrifice
the sake of the
ephemeral pleasures of the world. Pray to the Lord, "Grant me, O Lord! the necessary strength to overcome all the obstacles that stand in my way to
You/' All worldly pleasures become insipid to
gets a taste of Divine bliss.
world?
Be
it
name
nothing can bring
add
to his misery
What
is
him who
there in the
or fame, wealth or children,
peace to
man.
These only
and anxiety.
have you come here, leaving your family and home? Is it to increase your burden or to
Why
lessen it?
All the objects of enjoyment that you
see before you vanish the
moment you
58
breathe your
Divine Grace last.
To
speak the truth, they only tend to take
you into greater and greater darkness. Do you want to tread the path of darkness or the path of
When
you have once got a glimpse o the Do light, you should not turn your face from it. not look at the things of the world. If you do so,
light?
you will get
So great is the influence they once leave an impression on
lost in
of desires that
if
them.
your mind, they will drag you down lower and lower; yet they will not let you feel your downward course.
dangers
The only way is
to
be
saved
to offer yourself solely to
59
God.
from these
X
POWER OF RENUNCIATION (AT THE BELUR MATH)
THE SWAMI
Complete self-surrender
to
the
an easy matter. The mind always creates doubts and raises such questions as this How is it "I have neither seen nor known God.
Lord
is
not
possible for
me
to love
and resign myself
to
Him?"
The natural tendency of the mind is to drag us down from higher thoughts and ideals to the things of the world.
Once a
certain person
krishna, "Sir,
I
of the Lord."
do not
feel inclined to
"What
Ramatake the name
complained to
is
it
Sri
then that draws your
mind away?" asked Sri Ramakrishna. "It is my ram. I love it more than anything else," was the "Very well/' said Sri Ramakrishna, "when you feed and serve your ram, think that you are feeding and serving the Lord Himself. Do this reply.
60
Power of Renunciation for
sincerely
thing
some time and you
will
find
every-
all right."
The Guru
(spiritual teacher)
shows the
the path to life eternal, and protects
him from
all
Putting great faith in the words of the
troubles.
GurUj
disciple
let
After a time he
the disciple live them.
will feel that the impurities of his
and Divine Light within. There is no
is
ing
achieved
mind
making
doubt
its
that
are vanish-
appearance
everything
The
through faith in the perfect Guru.
disciple should look
upon him
as
God
is
incarnate
on
Through constant thought and meditation
earth.
on the Guru, the disciple is purified both in body and mind. Then the Guru appears before the disciand revealing the Ishtam (Chosen Ideal) It is said latter, he passes out of sight.
to the
ple,
salutations to the
is
himself.
Brahma; Guru Verily
the
Guru
an?
"Guru
in
Guru
is
is
*sr
Vishnu; Guru
is
Shiva
no other than the highest
61
Spiritual Teachings
Brahman.
Salutations unto the Guru."
has sincere faith in the Guru,
If the disciple
him
it is
tion.
Divine knowledge and devoThe one thing needful is faith in the Guru.
When
this is gained, everything is gained.
easy for
to attain
God
Realisation of
cation of the heart. "If the
Guru
Guru himself
his disciple
the disciple fetters that
sible for
is
is
have to is
Ramakrishna used
Sri
destroyed in no time.
But
if
unillumined, then both he and suffer a great deal.
Anyway
not able to get rid of his ego or the
bind him to the world/'
It is
not pos-
an unillumined Guru to bring about the
liberation of his disciple.
an ordinary the world? this
to say
a perfect and illumined soul, the
is
ego of the disciple the
impossible without purifi-
is
man
How
to save another
The Lord
alone,
is
it
possible for
from the
who
is
world-enchanting Maya, can free
fetters
of
the author of
man from
its
meshes.
Only the knower of God can show the way of salvation to another.
not realised God,
But
who
how
can he,
who
has
has no commission from
62
Power of Renunciation Him, who has not been strengthened by Divine strength, how can he free a soul from the bonds of the world?
sure to
If the blind lead the blind,
come
tion that
to grief.
only after God-realisa-
It is
one gets the inner
both are
vision.
Then only can
one
truly understand the difficulties of another
give
him proper
If a
person
Lord and
is
and
instruction.
sincere
possesses
yearning
for
the
eager to follow the spiritual path, he
sure to find a real
Guru through
is
the grace of the
Therefore a spiritual aspirant need not feel anxious about finding a Guru.
Lord.
Those who come under the guidance of a Guru who has attained realisation need have no anxiety about
their
spiritual
progress.
They have been
put on the right way. Now their only task is to follow it. If they meet with any trouble or make
any mistake, the Lord
show them in the
sure to protect
is
the right course.
words of the Guru
path shown by him; that
What
is
this
is
let
them and
Having sincere faith them walk along the
enough.
world like? 63
It is
like the country
Spiritual Teachings
containing only stone and skin, but no Besides, it brings acidity and colic to the
hog-plum pulp.
one who
eats
it.
Your mind
You are now under
control, not being distracted by worldly
thoughts.
You
from now out it
much
is
all
souls.
God
can realise
is
strive
God
with-
exertion so long as you are young.
But
on.
You
can
fix
hard task to
control once
"The
young
you
a very
The
pure,
it
easily, if
your mind on
mind under
the
bring
gets scattered.
Vaishnavas have
this
beautiful
]iva has the grace of the three,
the Lord and the devotees of the Lord.
out the grace of the one
it
comes
to
saying the
Guru,
But withutter
ruin/'
The meaning is: The disciple has received the has grace of the Guru through the grace of God, he also been
imbued with noble
ideals; besides these
two he has the company of holy men. Now what is wanted is the grace of the one, that is, of the mind.
If
the
accomplished.
only
when
the
mind
is
favourable,
The grace of the mind is free from 64
everything
is
others can be felt restlessness.
The
Power of Renunciation mind must be brought under control. is done, all strivings prove of no avail. Therefore
I
mind has not
warn you, my reins.
as
Just
this
"Beware!" Your
boys,
yet learned to wander.
hold fast the
so,
Unless
Before
it
does
the driver
first
huge elephant and then makes it do whatever he pleases, so also we have to train the mind trains a
such a
in
command.
way
way It
that
it
act
according to our
must not be our master.
to train the
mind
is
desire for enjoyment. it
may
becomes your
slave.
to lead
it
to relinquish the
The moment It
is
The only
this
is
done,
for this reason that
Bhagavad Gita and other Scriptures speak again and again of the glory of renunciation. What we want is renunciation. That is the only
the
path, and they alone can realise the glory of renunciation
whose mind has not been
things of the world,
Sri
distracted by the
Ramakrishna used to
say,
"The
parrot learns to repeat the words taught to
when
it is
age,
it
it
young. When it grows beyond a certain cannot learn anything. Then it can only
cry 'caw,
caw/
"
65
Spiritual Teachings
Divine thoughts leave a deep mark on the tender
mind.
It is
only in youth that one
and grasp the higher
ciate
the advance of age the
fold things; to
wander;
it
is
It is
any deep impression on
But with
occupied with mani-
restless
loses steadiness
tained thinking.
able to appre-
ideals of life.
mind
becomes
it
is
very
and always wants
and the power of sus
difficult,
then, to
5
make
it.
How
simple and strong is the faith of little boys? They believe what they hear from others and try to
act accordingly.
They
attain success
they apply their undistracted mind.
advance of age
there
is
a
whenever
But with the
tendency
to
become
As people grow older, they begin to doubt everything. At last they reach such a state sceptical.
becomes very hard for them to have faith Therefore I tell you do what you anything.
that in
it
want
We speak
do now, when you are young. saw in the life of our Master that he used to
to
of
the
young men.
life
of renunciation particularly
He wanted
to impress
the idea that God-realisation
66
is
on
their
to
mind
the highest object
Poiver of Renunciation
of
He knew
life.
that the
young alone would be
able to take up his ideal fully.
Fortunately, you
young and your mind is not tainted by worldGive up all desires and dedicate yourthoughts.
are all ly
You
self solely to the Lord.
cannot have Divine
and worldly enjoyments at the same time. You cannot get the one without renouncing the bliss
You
other.
come
cannot give up the lower unless you
to possess a taste for the higher.
This
is
the proper time for you to
fill
your mind
with the thoughts of the Lord to the fullest extent. Make Him your own. "He is my all" when this firmly fixed in your mind, all your troubles
idea
is
will
come
to
an end.
Then no one
do you harm either here or Does he who has tasted relish
molasses?
when one
and
let
the syrup of sugar-candy joys
lose
gets a taste of Bliss Divine. to
their
flavour
All objects
be not only insignificant
What
wish to say to you offer yourself, heart and soul, to the Lord
but positively this
hereafter.
Worldly
of enjoyment appear
is
will be able to
bitter.
Him do
with you as
67
I
He
pleases.
XI
BRAHMACHARYA AT THE BELUR MATH
THE SWAMI
In spiritual practices, the
rule cannot be applied to
We
all.
same
must know the
peculiar tendencies of each individual before any
can be given for his guidance. If the instruction goes against the particular bent
spiritual instruction
of his nature, not only will
it
do no good, but
it
give rise to harmful consequences. It is, therefore, very essential that the Guru should study
may even closely
the individual tendencies and peculiarities
of his disciples, and give instructions in such a form as will readily appeal to their temperaments.
Beyond one or two general
rules,
no individual
can be told in the presence of others what particI have seen in ular path he should follow. the case of Sri Ramakrishna disciple
how he would
alone and give him 68
take each
in private the special
Brahmacharya instructions necessary for him.
If
you want
to ask
your Guru anything regarding your Sa4hana, you
must do so in
a general
In
private.
the
way,
observance of a few rules will be beneficial to In
spiritual aspirants.
the
if
you
realise
which you have taken
will gain the object for
and on getting a become immortal.
birth;
will
Next strict
is
Brahmacharya^
it
hold fast to great
mind,
strict
memory and
is
this
of Eternal Bliss you
Without
(continence).
not possible for any one
ideals.
vitality
Brahmacharya
observe
taste
Bfahmacharya
development and
ing.
you must
the problems of your life will be solved; you
all
to
place,
You must be fully conGod and obtain His grace,
have firm faith in God. vinced that
first
all
is
To
secure the
full
of the body, brain and essential.
Those
Brahmacharya develop
a
who strong
a remarkable capacity for understand-
By means of Brahmacharya a f
special
nerve
developed which brings about these wonderful powers. Do you know why our great teachers have is
laid so
much emphasis upon Brahmacharya? 69
It is
Spiritual Teachings
because they
knew
The
lost.
is
everything
not lose his
man
that if a
strict
brain
Brahmacharin does
He may
vitality.
Pal wan (a great athlete) his
fail in this respect,
look
not
supersensuous things
is
a
but the development of
so fine that his capacity
is
like
for grasping
remarkable.
There are certain rules which a Brahmacharin
He
must observe.
sleep, over-exercise,
conversation.
brain
gets
thoughts,
If
must avoid exciting food, overlaziness, bad company and evil
you
suffer
idle
cannot
you
excited,
and you
indulge in
from
talk
control
sleeplessness
your your
and
other troubles.
The
control
of
the
appetite
is
also
essential.
Otherwise you will be subject to many troubles. Sri Ramakrishna used to say, "Keep your Bhudi (stomach) and Mudi (brain) cool." It means you can do effective work only if your head and stomach
remain calm and
cool.
The
glutton
control over his appetite brings ruin
and mind.
Eating
too
who on
has no
his
body
much of such foods
garlic, onion, or chilli, excites the system,
70
as
and one
Brahmacharya finds
it
hard
extremely
to
who want
believe that those
control
mind.
the
I
to lead a spiritual life
should pay special attention to what they eat and drink.
It
is
desirable to take only nutritious
easily digested food.
There
is
no good
and
in overload-
ing the stomach.
No
hard and
fast rule
With some,
diet.
well, while to
can be laid
down
regarding
and meat might agree very others they may do harm. Every infish
dividual must find out from his
own
experience the
food that agrees with him.
We
should eat only in order that our body
remain
fit
and that we may be able
true nature. *TTOT*[
practice).
The
Sastras declare :^rtr*JTq*r
see that the
unimpaired.
isrer
our
wr-
(Health is the vital factor in spiritual This does not mean that one should
think of his body day and night.
should
to realise
may
One
vitality
It
of the
means
that
one
body remains
should eat healthy food, avoid-
ing that which excites or produces lethargy. Sri
Ramakrishna used
to say,
71
"You may
eat as
Spiritual Teachings
much
as
during the day, but you must
like
you
The
eat only sparingly at night/'
you take only a little food remain light and you can mind.
Would you
in meditation?
it
tractions
and hence
is
at night all creatures is
calm and
to meditate
the
mind
that if
your body will
easily concentrate
your
is
silent.
away the night or
sleep
Daytime has many
go This
on the Lord.
to rest is
and nature herself
the time for aspirants
In the depth of the night
easily concentrated.
or for show.
If
in public
People will mock at you,
you advice
offer
done
you do them before others, they
will be harmful to you. will
dis-
unsuited for meditation, but
Spiritual practices should not be
they
is
Otherwise you will have a tendency to sleep
or be lazy.
spend
at night,
idea
and give you of which various
gratis
conflicting suggestions, as a result
doubts will arise in your mind and your spiritual progress
will be
behaves thus,
obstructed.
The
he goes to bed
ideal
Sadhaka
at night
with the
mosquito curtain drawn down; everybody thinks that he is sleeping, but as a matter of fact he spends 72
Brahmacharya the whole night in meditation lying quietly on his bed.
While you taste of taste,
are young, you must try hard to get a
Divine
Bliss.
once you have got
you can never forsake your Sadhana.
at the risk
of your
spiritual practices.
too
When
much
life,
this
Even
you will continue your
Those who are troubled with
sleep in the night will
do well
to sleep
during the day, with a view to devote the night to The best time for meditation is dawn, meditation. eventide and midnight. this
Too
often people waste
time in useless ways.
Sri
Ramakrishna never used
to
spend the night
would he allow the young devotees who stayed with him to sleep long. When others had gone to bed, he would wake up his disciples, in sleep, nor
give them definite instructions and send them to the Panchavati, or the Mother's Temple, or Shiva's
Temple
They would spend
for meditation.
whole night
in
Sadhana as
directed,
and take
the rest
way that Sri Ramaduring the day. It was krishna used to take them through various spiritual in this
73
Spiritual Teachings exercises.
Often he used to
say,
"Three
classes of
people keep awake in the night, Yogis, Bhogis (seekers of enjoyment) and Rogis (sick persons). You are all Yogis. You should by no means sleep
away
the night."
74
XII
COMPANY OF HOLY MEN AT THE BELUR MATH
THE SWAMI When
once you get established in meditation, you will come to know how sweet is the bliss of it. Days and nights pass away unnoticed.
of
You
infinite
feel that
bliss.
you are floating
Do
not
speak
experiences to everybody, least of
in
an ocean
about
all to
your
those of a
hinder your growth. But if you exchange your experiences with one of a like nature with yours and in harmony with your contrary nature.
It
may
temperament, you may be helped in your progress. Both of you are travellers on the same path. Perhaps your companion has already walked along it and is aware of its dangers and difficulties. Benefited by his experiences, you may be able to avoid those dangers and difficulties. Do you know the object of Satsanga (company ^f holy men) ? The experiences of holy men are a
75
Spiritual Teachings
When you visit a new great help to a Sadhaka. if you have the help of a good guide, you will place,
be able to see within a short time
worth
all that is
you will be saved from the dangers and difficulties into which strangers are Similarly, from the company of adlikely to fall. there;
seeing
also
vanced Sadhakas you will be able to gather many valuable hints, and your spiritual struggle will be very
much
ordinary
simplified.
The
man
and many
intelligence
does not go very far. things have to be done.
find out the best
short a time as
Life
of
an
short
is
So you must
way of doing your work within as Hence the need of holy possible.
company. This life may come to an end after some years or even today. Nobody knows when the end will come. as
It is
soon
as possible.
strange and suffering to death.
better to get equipped for the journey
unknown
and sorrow.
To go empty-handed place
to a
would involve much
Birth must inevitably lead
Death means going to an unknown
place,
so you should provide fully for the journey. Finish
76
Company of Holy Men your duties here and be ever ready for the great Then you will be able to depart from this call. all
world with a smiling
If
face.
you have finished
your work, there is no fear for you. You that you are well provided for the journey.
You have
all
know
seen that children, while turning round
a post, keep firm hold of it. You too should by all to the Pillar of life possible means hold firmly
Have
(God).
man;
I
faith in yourself.
in yourself forge life's
With such
can do anything."
am
Believe, "I
a
strong faith
ahead and you will attain to your
goal and be blessed forever.
Fear
is
the greatest
Banish
sin.
When
weakness from your mind. realise
God
is
alive in
you,
all
the
fear
desire
when you have
and to
the
a spiritual life, put forth all opportunity to lead The your might and get a taste of Supreme Bliss. cycle of births
the
from
and deaths
best use of your this cycle
is
full
present
of misery.
life.
Make
Free yourself
and become the eternal companion
of the Lord. 77
Spiritual Teachings
Unless you can find
your mind on God, you will
fix
keep yourself pure in
very difficult to
it
Mahamaya (The Divine Mother)
world.
in diverse
ways and
innumerable
it
is
sports
not easy to withstand the created
temptations
Her.
by
anger, greed are almost invincible; to conquer is
no
child's
this
Lust,
them
Through the strength of the
play.
Lord alone, not by any other means, can you cut the meshes of Maya and make yourself free. Therefore
I
urge you to become strong in the
Then you can
might of the Lord. your
life as
He
wills
ordinary mortals to exertion.
whom
and
directs.
pass the rest of
It is
not given to
know God through
their
own
They alone can understand Him,
out of His infinite grace
He
to
reveals Himself.
Only such fortunate persons become free from the net of Samsara (worldliness) and obtain pure devo tion
and
liberation.
You must have Nishtha
a routine for spiritual practices.
(steadfastness)
factor; without
it
is
a
very
no great achievement 78
important is
possible.
Company Your
steadfastness
of
Holy Men
must be of such a nature
wherever and under whatever circumstances
may
be, the rules that
you have
must be observed
self
at
laid
down
cost.
any
that,
you
for your-
For
your
meditation, your study, your reflection, your sleep,
you must have certain definite hours. If you lead an irregular life, you cannot succeed in anything.
Whether
it
is
physical or mental development, the
only way to attain If a
life.
sets
it
it
through a
is
right; then
it
continues to keep correct time.
you
try to
has become irregular
By keeping get your mind
mould your
instructions of holy pitfalls
It
to various reasons.
of good men, you will If
regular
clock gets out of order, the watch-repairer
So with the mind of man.
owing
strictly
life
life.
company
set properly.
according
men, you will
and temptations of
the
to
the
easily avoid the
Following in their
footsteps you too will reach the goal attained by
them and
fulfil
your
life's
purpose.
So long as your mind is not controlled there is great need to observe certain definite rules. Without them
you can
never
79
get
mastery
over
your
Spiritual Teachings
The
mind.
observe
tell
ed in
They
this,
like
When
control.
is
you must
not,
you have succeed-
you need not observe any more
will fall off of their
Life
or
it
In this way, you should try to bring
it."
mind under
the
to
when you have made a routine, your mind, "You are subject to this
now; whether you
rule
is
but
shirk work;
you must
tendency of the mind
natural
fast flowing
own
away
rules.
accord.
The day So make
like a stream.
once gone can never be recalled. the best use of your time. Crying out, "Alas! Alas!!" at the last moment will be of no avail.
that
is
Therefore be up and doing.
Make up
your mind
Death
to realise your goal or die in the attempt. is
certain.
may come
It
life in trying to attain
you lose your loss,
God,
it
is
If
no
but a positive gain.
Try
world?
misery.
beyond
mind on the Lord and
to fix your
solve to realise this
today or tomorrow.
It
Treat all
Him. is it
all
as
What
happiness
nothing but worthless.
sorrow and misery. 80
If
firmly re-
is
there in
sorrow
and
You must go you get a glimpse
Company
of Holy
Men
of God, you will have Infinite Bliss; and sensuous pleasures will lose all
charm for you.
When
you
have once come to the Lord, there will be no room
Give up all things of the world and dwell on Him and Him alone. for fear or
anxiety.
81
XIII
THE WORLD AND GOD AT THE NAYA BAZAR BUNGALOW, BHADRAK
THE SW AMI God
the
is
Kalpataru
(the
man desires From Him one gets
mythical tree that grants whatever a
when he
is
sitting
whatever one asks rare privilege of
it).
Yet, having obtained the birth, man does not care to
for.
human
mind toward
direct his
the lotus feet of the Lord.
drowns himself
Instead, he
Sam sara and
exclaims,
him
also allows until,
under
to
tossed about
in the
"How
happy
remain in that
deep ocean of
am
I!"
God
state undisturbed
on the waves of sorrow and
misery, he repents for the past and cries,
"Alas!
Then He makes him
feel his
what have mistake.
I
done!"
Man
is,
as
it
shadow of the Kalpataru. so can he be;
if
were,
sitting
under the
he wants to be a God, he wishes to be a brute, that also
he may become. 82
If
The World and God
The Lord has given man both Vidya and Avidya. Vidya means discrimination and renunciation. With it
man may
attain
the grace of the
Avidya, which means envy, degrades culture fit
for
man
lust,
Lord; while
anger, greed, egoism and
to the level of the brute.
of Vidya destroys Avidya and makes
Supreme
Bliss;
The
man
but the growth of Avidya
strengthens the idea of "I" and "mine," and binds
him more and more
the world.
to
He
is
taken
and further away from God, and has to Man possesses bear many sorrows and difficulties. further
not only Vidya and Avidya, but also the power co discriminate between the two.
On
the nature of
depends the success or failure of his life. a great mistake to hold God responsible for
his choice It is
your sufferings.
own
You
chose a
path
according
to
and pleasure, and now enjoy the consequences of your choice. How can you blame God? For a moment's pleasure you forgot every-
your
will
thing else; you did not pause to consider right and
wrong.
If
you put your hand into the
naturally get burned.
Is
it
83
fire it will
the fault of the fire?
Spiritual Teachings
You
No.
alone
Ramakrishna
Some
ing.
to
may
read its
is
while
light,
some other
the two paths,
.
Sri
burn-
is
Bhagavatam
(Sacred
others mischief.
may The
The Lord has placed
not to blame for it"
man
before
it
"A lamp
say:
forge a document or do
lamp
for
responsible
used
by
Scriptures)
are
good and
evil.
Choose
as you please.
As you
think, so
With
you become.
the help of
discrimination and renunciation, realise God, and
become
heir
to
If
you run after
may no doubt
enjoy sensuous
Infinite
worldly things, you
Bliss.
pleasures for a time; but you
may be
sure your
gloomy and you will have The world is so to pass through endless suffering. constituted that, if you want pleasure, you must future will be dark and
undergo pain. Whether you like it or not, you cannot have the one without the other. Sri
the
Ramakrishna used to
popular
*Name
belief,
when
say:
the
According
Malaya*
to
breeze
of a mountain range in the South of India abounding
in sandal trees.
84
The World and God
sandal
the
all
blows,
timber
converted
are
trees
trees,
other trees remain what they are.
men
are two classes of
ing to the
first
awaken
and Vairagya
regard the world as
grace
of
realise
Him
the
belong-
Lord.
in
spirit-
them Viveka
(renunciation).
(dis-
They
They
are
determined
to
and solve the mystery of existence even
tion they begin their
The people
awakened
Men
worthless and yearn for the
at the risk of their lives.
end.
Similarly there
in this world.
of these are easily influenced by
ual teachings which
crimination)
into
while the bamboo, the plantain and
With such
a firm resolu-
Sadhana and succeed
in the
of the second class can never be
either by the sorrows
or by any lofty spiritual ideas.
and miseries of
life
They think they
are
going to live eternally and fondly imagine that without them the world cannot go on. "What I have in
my
hand,
I
must enjoy
shall be a fool"
down
to the full; otherwise
thinking thus they drag themselves
to the depths of ignorance
What
I
and
suffering.
you want the sweet perfume of sandal or the foul odour of filth? Do you want is it
that
85
Spiritual Teachings
and
Decide exactly what you want
or unrest?
peace
Time
strive for its attainment.
a swift stream.
the past
the
when
it
It
will be of
is
too late.
without
present,
no
flowing like
avail to cry over
Make
wasting
is
a
the best use of
moment.
single
Train your mind in such a way that you stantly think of
God and
may Your
else.
nothing
are numbered; they are fast running out.
spend your time in vain. Pray to the Lord with "Lord! give
Give up
all
all
not
me wisdom and make me Thine own." ideas of "I" and "mine". You have
enough on that account. "mine" by "Thou" and "Thine." you can
Replace "I" and
call
your
own
the
Is
their time comes,
without
there anything
moment you
Nothing you now cherish as yours Those you hold very dear you.
when
days
your heart and soul,
suffered
that
Do
con-
die?
will
accompany
will
pass
caring
for
away you.
Leaving everything behind, you will have to go to
an unknown
place.
The more you
think of "I"
and "mine", the more you fetter yourself. What is there in this Samsara for which to spend your 86
The World and God whole
Can
life?
this
the ocean of birth and
death?
from the troubles
may
What
life?
than to
leave
have
you effort
that
greater
and pray
to
this
Him
the
do
to
cry for a sight
at
me
can
after-
befall
purpose for
you which
strenuous
a
with earnest devotion that
Dakshineshwar ? of the
Sri
How
Ramakrishna used bitterly
Divine Mother,
he used saying,
gone and Thou with vision of Thee!" Call on
"Mother, one more day yet blessed
in
you
Make
birth!
you may reach the goal. Have you not heard what to
attend
misfortune
unfulfilled
taken
help you cross Will it save you
life
worldly
hast not
is
with an intense yearning.
What
is
this
Him
world but
an abode of misery? You have spent most of your wish days here in sorrow and trouble; and do you to
do the same hereafter
as well
?
You have come under the shelter of Sri Ramakrishna; know that you have been blessed by Him. Make good use of the grace you have received. It you fail to solve and death, and do not obtain
will be really very unfortunate
the
riddle of life
87
if
Spiritual Teachings
You
Eternal Bliss.
have caught
its
men
are the
spirit.
Do
not
of this age, and fail
to
take
full
advantage of it. No one in any age has shown the path in such a simple and easy manner as Sri
Ramakrishna
has
done.
If
miss
you
this
opportunity, you will have to suffer long.
Spread the sails of faith and devotion, and with the aid of the spiritual breeze that is blowing push on to your goal. Do it, and your boat will be carried
for
swiftly to
you.
within you.
Arise!
Have
its
destination.
Awake!
feet; fear
Do
I
I
capacity
is
have taken shelter at
will attain
Go
not look back.
with His vision; thus
and partake of
waiting
and weakness can have no place in
me; by His grace life."
Infinite
is
firm faith in yourself and say:
"I have heard His name,
His
He
fulfil
in this very
ahead.
Be blessed
the mission of your life
Infinite Bliss.
88
Him
XIV
NATURE OF MAN AT THE RAMAKRISHNA SEVASHRAM, KANKHAL, HARDWAR
THE SWAMI it
is
not
to
difficult
The
mind.
This place
very
and
is
Here
very sacred.
concentration
attain
atmosphere
the
is
of
the
The holy
pure.
Himalayas naturally induce the mind to become calm and meditative.
Ganges
The
eternal
sound of Omkara can be heard here.
Having come tunate
if
majestic
to this place,
it
you spend your time
Far better practising
Human
to
will be really unforin sleep
up your body meditation and austerities. give
birth
is
for the
and
in
attainment
idleness.
this
place
of wisdom
and devotion, not for living and procreating like God is most manifest in the human body; brutes. try to grasp
and
realise this.
89
Have you
not heard
Spiritual Teachings
what severe
the disciples of Sri
austerities
Rama-
krishna used to perform to realise the Truth? all
saw
in
Ramakrishna
Sri
a
blazing
They
fire
of
and hence they could do so much. It may not be possible for you to do all they did, but
spirituality,
at least try.
gave his very life to build up this organisation and to give facilities to you all for your spiritual Sadhana. Try to realise the great Swamiji
He
love that Swamiji bore you.
cut short his life
by overwork out of his infinite love for
be
ungrateful
Bengal.
has
To true
manifested
men
you, young
great
of Bengal,
Do
not
faith
in
Swamiji
charge of his mission as a sacred
left the
Remain
He had
him.
to
all.
and
loyal
Himself
to him.
to the
Sri
trust.
Ramakrishna
world through Swami
Vivekananda, and gave His message through him. Sri Ramakrishna is too great for the ordinary mind to
understand.
has
Swamiji
placed
Sri
Rama-
krishna and His ideals before the world so that they
may be understood by
the
blessed souls will have to
90
ordinary
mind.
All
come under His banner.
Nature of
Man
Read Swamiji's works carefully; and whenever and you do not understand any point, ask S others
to
has
preached
Sri
Ramakrishna's ideals in a form intelligible to
all.
madness
It is
except
again
and
explain
it.
Swamiji
to try to understand Sri
Ramakrishna
Read
the light of Swamiji's teachings.
in
and again the Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna Swamiji's works, and plunge yourselves in
you cannot fix your mind now, you will repent hereafter. This is the best period of meditation.
your
life.
If
Make good
use of
it.
Once you
get well
established in the spiritual life there will be for
you.
Then you can
turn
your mind
no fear in
any
Bring your mind under control. done, a good advance has been made.
direction you like.
When
this is
But take care
let
not your
mind swerve from
straight path even by an inch.
When
it
by every possible means. Beginners should have a routine for
run astray, curb
practices,
and "
study.
with
to
it
fixed hours for
With
Whether you
wants
the
Japam,
firm determination
like
it
tell
spiritual
meditation
your mind,
or not, these rules must be 91
Spiritual Teachings
After some time a habit will be formed
followed/'
and
it
will be painful to remain without meditation.
When
such a state
is
attained,
progressing toward the
nearing as a
God when you get a taste
immortal.
of
the
you are for His vision that
man
for food
Divine
Bliss
and
sleep.
and become
Then come what may, whether you
cast into the street or placed all
means you are
feel as restless
hungry and sleepy
First
it
Know
ideal.
same
to you.
When
on a throne, the iron
is
it
are
will be
turned into
gold by the touch of the philosopher's stone, it does not matter whether it is kept in a safe or buried in the ground. Sri
Ramakrishna
used
knowledge of Advatia
to
say,
in your pocket
"Have and
act
the as
you please/' After attaining the knowledge of the Absolute or supreme devotion to the Lord, what-
work you do The religious
ever
Mother does not of Her Maya.
will not bind you. life
is
full
of obstacles.
easily release
To
obtain
men from
the bonds
Her grace one should
pray with a devout and yearning heart.
92
Divine
You have
Nature of
Man
a whole bundle of Samskaras (tendencies) acquired in previous lives to overcome,
and even now new
Samskaras are being formed and added. All your life you must be prepared to fight these Samskaras.
The more you become.
If in the
ments you can
them, the stronger will they
resist
midst of defeats and disappoint-
your path, you will surely
stick to
reach the goal.
There are two tendencies
in
human
nature,
good
The former tends toward renunciation
and bad.
toward enjoyments. There is conThe victory of stant warfare between these two. the one or the other determines the nature of man.
and the
latter
Finding innumerable means of enjoyment in this world,
men become
so
they forget that there
They
think:
should
we
"No one
much
is
attached to them that
another side to the picture.
can be sure of the future;
not enjoy what
we have
Nobody knows whether God can be whether Eternal enjoy the world
we
at
present?
realised or not,
Bliss is possible or not. is
therefore give
within our reach. it
up?" 93
why
Why
But to should
Consequently they rush
Spiritual Teachings
headlong into sense enjoyments. experiences teach
them
But when
bitter
that worldly pleasures bring
only pain and misery and not peace and happiness, they cry with disappointment, "Alas, what have we
done?"
By following an unbridled ment men become slaves of the senses.
94
life
of enjoy-
XV SEEK GOD ONLY AT THE RAMAKRISHNA SEVASHRAM,
KANKHAL, HARDWAR
THE SWAMI Everyone wants Who likes to undergo pain and misery? to obtain that happiness
?
Who
mind.
He
is
But
how
Certainly not by running
after the fleeting pleasures of the senses
ing Him, has created
happiness.
the abode of
all
and ignor-
happiness.
He
many playthings to delude the human Throw away all these and pray to Him,
will then hasten to take
you
in
His arms.
had play enough; it is high time now to give it up and call upon the Mother. When a child is fond of play, the mother gives it I
toys
tell
to
you, you have
while away
its
time.
But the child that
does not care for play she carries about with hen Happy is the child that sits in the mother's lap. not only enjoys the play but has also the happiThe child that is ness of the mother's company. It
95
Spiritual Teachings
engaged
in play enjoys
it
the risk of being hurt in
no doubt, but its
It
play.
also runs
may
quarrel
playmates and get beaten. But the child in the mother's lap has no such troubles. It is
with
its
always happy and knows full well that the mother will take care of it and supply all its wants. The parable of the mango grove told by Sri
Ramakrishna
very instructive.
is
to eat the mangoes.
Why
about the number of
trees,
the garden?
fil
your
into this
Accomplish life's
do you bother yourself branches and leaves in
Eat the mangoes and be satisfied."
You have come of God.
"You have come
world for the realisation
this object first
mission.
Solve your
of
all
and
ful-
own problem
and equip yourself for life's journey. Struggle hard and become deathless by tasting Immortal Bliss.
Him
day and night. Whatever the form in which you think of Him, it will certainly do you Pray to
Whatever form or name appeals to you, take You are sure to get sincerely and pray to Him.
good. it
the vision of Him.
how
Parvati once asked
Sachchidananda could be
96
realised.
Mahadeva
The
reply
Seek
God Only
was, "Through faith."
You have been shown with
the right path.
patience 2nd perseverance.
faith,
more time
forms and
in discussing the
your Sadhana.
Him
to
Follow
it
Waste no details
of
in
any way you Sri His to sure are and blessing. you get please, Ramakrishna used to say, 'Sweetened bread will Pray
'
taste
sweet in whatever
You
are,
as
it
way you begin
to eat
it."
were, sitting under the Kalpataru
will get whatever you (wish-yielding tree) and you
ask for.
Do
not think yourselves too clever.
thinks itself very clever, but
who
it
lives
on
The crow
filth.
Those
are too clever in this world get cheated in the
long run.
With
a faith that knows no
deep meditation.
yourselves
in
heartened,
if after
realise
God.
but you
may
a
little
The ocean
is
wavering,
Do
practice
plunge
not get
dis-
you do
not
full of precious pearls,
not get them at the
first
dive.
My
boys, once again I enjoin you, have firm faith in
the words of your Guru, and try to get absorbed in
97
Spiritual Teachings
deep meditation. Be sure, sooner or have a vision of the Lord.
later
you will
Do
not allow your mind t5 get distracted. Keep His grace steadily and patiently to your Sadhana. will
descend on you in due
wish to see a great man. his
satisfy
attendants.
time.
You
Suppose you have first to see and
Similarly
obtain
to
the
grace of the Lord you have to seek the help of godly
men
and
many spiritual practices. undergo Knowing Him to be dearer than the dearest, pray to Him with a yearning heart for His grace and vision.
Cry unto the Lord cannot but
make
with the Lord.
who
like a child.
Incessant crying
the mother run to
He
reveals
it.
So also
Himself to that one
unceasingly prays for His grace and vision.
Shake
off
your sleep, and seek the grace of the
Lord with steadfast devotion.
Make
the
mind
one-pointed like the mariner's compass. In whatever direction the ship may sail, the compass
always points to the north, thus keeping the ship on its course. Even so with the human mind. If
98
God Only
Seek
on God, there will be nothing to fear. If by chance one is thrown into a bad environment, even then his faith and devotion will remain it is
fixed
The moment he
unshaken.
God, he
will
hears any talk about
become mad with Divine Love
just
flint, lying under water for a hundred years, when taken out and struck, emits sparks.
as the
Those who have been favoured with a the Lord have their
They of
have no
will
Him
and
mind always
taste for
to seek the
vision of
on Him.
fixed
anything except to talk
company of holy men.
Like a fallen leaf tossed to and fro by the wind,
be content to remain wherever you are placed by the Lord. Do not have any will or desire of your own.
Your mind it
keep is
in
this
like a dry
you
strike
is
it,
pure and untainted.
state
always.
match but
You may go on into pieces.
now
it
It
stick. is
striking
it,
but
Similarly if the
it
if
the it
to
mind
moment gets wet.
will only break
mind once becomes
you will find it extremely to its former purity.
99
spotless
ignites
of no use
soiled, it
The
Try
difficult to restore
XVI
CONTROL OF THE MIND DISCIPLE
my
control
how
Maharaj, with
mind,
to curb
is
it
so restless.
but
difficult,
tell
me
is
it
doubt to control the mind not impossible.
By regular
can be quieted and brought under reTherefore perform a little meditation
straint.
every day, and never fail to do
it
Please
cannot
it
practice
the
efforts I
it.
THE SWAMI No is
my
all
mind
to
is
run away like a
back whenever
it
seeks to
it.
The
nature of
restless boy.
go
out,
and
set
Drag it
to
meditating on God. If you can continue this struggle for two or three years, you will find in you a joy unspeakable; your mind will be calm and In the beginning meditation proves very But if you persist, as in the dry.
docile.
and
difficult
taking of a medicine, you will find in it a perennial source of joy, pure and unalloyed. What terrible ordeals does a student pass through for his examinations! If
you
God-realisation
call
upon
Him
is
far
easier
than
that
with sincerity and an unper100
Control of the turbed mind,
He
Mind Himself unto
will surely reveal
you.
at
DISCIPLE times when
All this I
no doubt hopeful, but
is
much meditation
think that with so
have not made any progress, everything seems vain, and a horrible despondency overwhelms me. I
I
THE SWAMI cause for despair. If
tible.
good in
What
despair of success.
With
effect.
it
despair.
The law of Karma
you do a good deed,
any way you
God,
Never
will produce a
it
it,
Name
of
like, if
you chant the holy
you good.
Therefore shake
off
all
and push on in the struggle with regularity.
is irresis-
sincere devotion or without
will always bring
inevitable.
do then, Sir? There is no
shall I
Then peace
will surely
The
result is
your despair strictness
and
come and dwell
Through meditation, not only does the mind become pacified, but the body also improves in
you.
and
diseases
standpoint
lessen.
Therefore,
of good health
one
even
from the
should
practise
meditation.
DISCIPLE
Maharaj, what 101
is
the
necessity
of
Spiritual Teachings
Without the help of a guide,
spiritual initiation?
man
own way
devotes himself entirely
if
a
to
God, will not that be enough
in his
THE SWAMI
Initiation
to realise
is
Him ?
necessary
because
When
you are initiated you are shown the object upon which the mind is it
helps
to
be
concentration.
concentrated.
You
cannot
let
your
mind
waver from one thing to another. If you are not initiated, you have no particular object to concentrate upon. Today you fix your mind on Hari,
tomorrow on less
This
Brahman. is
state
is
attitude
and the
Kali,
third
day on the form-
A
grim restlessness is the result. most harmful to an aspirant. Until this
overcome of
mind,
and
replaced
spiritual
by a peaceful
realisation
will
ever
remain a distant prospect. To attain this calmness of mind and to avert unsteadiness, initiation or the help of a guide is
path merable
is
necessary.
The
spiritual
a most formidable one, strewn with innu-
man
guided by an experienced hand, however clever he may be, he is pitfalls.
Unless a
,&
sure to stumble.
102
is
Control of the
Without tormenting then will you find
drudge on
as if
yourself,
joy.
Mind work hard, my
boy,
In the beginning you are to
you were learning the alphabet.
Do
not worry, do not complain, gradually peace will come. Do you know how I behave with those who
always complain that they are not finding peace or joy? For the first two or three years after their initiation I give
After that, they are
some
joy
no
when
nor do
reply,
I
pay heed to them.
they meet me, they
tell
me
that
making some progress and also finding and peace. A man must try steadily for
some time before he can expect a peaceful
state
of
mind. Therefore I ask you to struggle for a period of at least three years without any break; then you can have a claim to joy and not earlier. You will not do anything and yet you want to succeed. Is it not
Nothing great can be achieved by or idleness. If you really want peace, if
absurd?
trickery
you truly desire to realise God, then work steadily and wait. Spiritual realisation is a question of time.
Yours bird
is
to struggle
and
knows well when 103
to
to wait.
The mother
open the egg.
So the
Spiritual Teachings
Divine Mother reveals Herself to the devotee when the time
period
is
is
a very hard time.
is
moment
But
if
he
till
is
relieved of
This waiting
The devotee
is
always
now
joy, the hope, now despair; sorrow: so the struggle goes on. He
constantly
continues
wait.
now
in suspense
next
Work and
ripe.
a
fighting
he
is
duel
fierce
and
this
blessed with the vision of God.
led by a competent guide, he can be
much
of this struggle.
A
wise guide
can give an upward lift to the struggling mind, even when it is not mature. Such help also has its dangers.
If repeated too often,
and a deeper despair may
a greater struggle
result.
In this period of struggle and Sadhana the aspiHe must follow certain rant must be always alert. fixed rules of conduct
and never deviate from them.
He
must observe perfect continence and eat only such foods as have a soothing effect on his body. He will have to be under the direct guidance of one
who understands. He must not exert his brain too much in meditation. Otherwise he is sure to suffer; his brain will
become heated; he 104
will feel giddy,
Control of the
and other brain troubles Meditation
Mind
will follow.
in the primary stage being
warfare with the mind
the
mind
regular
constantly going
outward and the Sadhaka trying to drag it back to there is every possibility of the feet of the Lord brain
the
becoming
overheated.
The
aspirant
prevent this. In the beginning of his Sadhana he should apply himself to Pranayama
should
of
(control exercises. in
the
He
and
other
Hatha-Yoga and should proceed slowly steadily breath)
spiritual
path.
Then
these
preliminary
struggles will disappear one by one until finally will attain to the state of real meditation.
he
Then
even though he meditates for long hours at a stretch, he will feel as refreshed both in body and
mind
as after
deep sleep.
He
will also feel great
joy within.
must keep a special eye on The body and the mind being closely his diet. connected, the least change in the one is followed
The
spiritual novice
by a corresponding change in the other. If the stomach is irritated by taking any improper food, 105
Spiritual Teachings
the
mind too
will
have a
mind meditation
restless
and for a
like effect;
is
It
impossible.
reason that such stringent emphasis the dietetic regulations of a Sadhaka.
this
Under Sadhaka
no fill
with food.
circumstances,
again,
more than one-half of
(And
is
is
for
laid
on the
should his
stomach
half of the remaining half
is
to be left for water, while the rest should be kept
empty for the free passage of air.) An aspirant must not be dejected in spirit, brooding on his failures
However
and mistakes.
man may have
committed,
limited vision of
it
man; from
is
great a
the absolute stand-
from the standpoint of God, A single glance of the Lord
nothing at
it is
all.
sets at
the
sins
of millions of
a
a sin only to the
point,
all
sin
births.
nought
The
heavy
punishments prescribed for sin in the Scriptures are merely to maintain social order and to make people refrain from the evil ways of our Father, is ever merciful to us. loving evils.
to
His
His children.
Therefore,
there
is
106
Name
God,
life.
He
is
removes
ever all
no cause for dejection
Control of the if
we
Mind
upon Him sincerely. true, no doubt, that as the
call
It is
our past
result of
and despair sweep over no reason why a Sadhaka
actions, at times dejection
our mind; but that
is
should yield to them. try to
may
overwhelm him, he should be prepared
God
to fight against them.
Name
His
that past actions
Knowing
him
will give
strength.
an impenetrable armour. It will save him from all consequences. This is one will
be
way of Sadhana.
It is
There
in the beginning.
of It
the
Vaishnavite.
It
does not involve so
and deeds of
other
is
another path, the path
is
a
much
Sri
Incarnation
establish
It
some
of
path.
more
It is
But
this
fallen off
from
it.
or some
There
A
is
no
devotee must
God and
worship
Him
also has great dangers.
has often been found that
attempt to
Rama
Lord.
the
relation with
that aspect.
their
pleasant
hardship.
Krishna, Sri
monotony, no drudgery in in
very
In this path you are to contemplate the
gentle. life
and monotonous
rather dry
worship
their ideal.
107
many
God
unfit persons, in
as a
lover,
have
XVII
TURNING THE MIND TO GOD DISCIPLE God?
Sir,
THE SWAMI
how
can
we
turn our
mind
By keeping company with
to
the
wise and the good; by observing their daily actions and living them in your own life, you can turn your
You are to imitate the ways and manners of those who have their minds turned toward Him. The great barrier that obstructs your correct vision of God is the doubt and confusion of mind
to
God.
your mind.
They haunt the mind, swing
it
to
and
Drive fro, and lead it to run after diverse objects. them out with the sharp sword of discrimination. If you are not able to do so by your own strength, seek the aid of those
who
are adept in doing
it,
the Sadhus.
A
beginner should sit beside holy men and listen to them with profound attention and retain their
words of counsel
in his
memory. 108
But
it
must not
God
Turning the mind to
end
He must
there.
from
them.
try to realise
Bear in mind
what he neither
that
learns
talking,
nor learning, nor study, will lead you to realisation, you practise and live what you hear and
unless
Practice in life
learn.
is
not at
Hence
out Brahmacharya, or absolute continence.
Brahmacharya to realise
God
do not know can catch the realise
is
very
Many
necessary.
attempt
by studying the Scriptures; but they
Brahmacharya no one
that without spirit
of the Scriptures,
much
less
God.
For various reasons Brahmacharya
is
most
essen-
you have the desire to turn your mind to and realise Him, perform spiritual practices If
tial.
God
based on Brahmacharya.
books Sri
with-
all possible
I
If
would recommend
Ramakrishna"
you wish to read any
to
you "The Gospel of
and such works.
Read them
what you read. The more you read such books, the more light you will find in them. Your knowledge of God derived from ^hearand then
say
is
try to realise
quite different
ing Sadhana.
from
that acquired by practis-
This again
109
differs
widely from the
Spiritual Teachings
knowledge you acquire after realisation. Do you know what Nag Mahashaya used "It
is
who
easier to earn
can renounce
fame than
it is
to
renounce
a really great man/'
to say?
He
it.
He
also
"An anchored boat does not move forward." He meant, a man whose mind is deep-rooted in lust and gold cannot move Godward unless he can free said:
himself
from
their
God and
austere Sadhana.
not go together.
deluding
If
influence
through
pleasure-seeking can-
you want the one you have
to
banish the other.
Human do
is
a rare privilege; having
it,
if
you
you are surely very unfor-
not strive after
tunate. Sri
birth
God, Your human birth
will have been in vain.
"Human
Sankara has said:
birth,
desire for
and the company of holy men are rare Those who are blessed with all things on earth. three are the most fortunate among men."
salvation
DISCIPLE mind inward
As to
to the best
God,
Sri
way of
directing the
Ramakrishna has
prescrib-
ed occasional retirement into solitude
for a day or
a month or for a year, as opportunity
may
110
permit;
God
Turning the mind to
you prescribe the company of the holy. of
two are we
the
follow
to
Now
which
holy company or
solitude?
THE SWAMI
Both are true and both are to be
In the primary stage a
followed.
suddenly retire into solitude. great
danger.
human
associations
caution
is
necessary.
made some
in
Many
their
man
To do effort
should not so involves to
cut
off
have gone mad; hence great It is
only
when a man has
progress in the spiritual path that he
without danger. True solitude can be found nowhere in this world. Time,
can
retire into solitude
space and causation are too small to give
beyond mind, beyond intellect. It can be It is in Samadhi (super-consciousness). with the Most Tranquil.
Ill
it.
It is
felt
only
identical
XVIII
EXAMPLE OF HOLY MEN THE SWAMI Read or hear however much may, nothing will leave a
you so largely and You as the company of holy men. from watching their daily life. As an
on your mind and
sion
practically
learn just
illustration, I
the
life
you
more profound impres-
would
of a
benefit
like to relate
an incident from
Adhar Sen went
devotee.
to
Sri
Ramakrishna accompanied by a friend of his, an This friend would at times Inspector of Schools. experience a kind of inspiration and lose
ward
consciousness.
People called
it
all out-
One
Bhava.
day it so happened that just after their arrival, the Master fell into deep Samadht. From his face
beamed a
lustre divine indicating
joy that the Master felt.
Babu
said
to
his
At
the
unbounded
sight of this,
companion:
"Look
Adhar
here,
my
your Bhava is not real Bhava. Whenever you enter it, you seem to feel a great torment friend. I see
112
Example of Holy Men
From Divine communion no torment
within.
can
torture
see
I
Divine
of
flood
this
Master,
By what
result.
now
joy,
my
or
in
the
eyes
are
opened/'
Another
man
once visited Trailinga Swamt, the
great saint of Benares,
who
usually kept silent.
On
he thought within himself: "I went, but he did not speak; then what is the good of going to
his return
him any more?" Nevertheless he paid him visit.
This time, no sooner had he
the side of the
Swami than
a second
taken his seat
the latter suddenly began
weep bitterly and then he began to laugh. was beside himself with madness of devotion. to
this the
man
said to himself:
"What
I
today a thousand books shall so yearn for
shall see
I
He At
have learnt
could not teach.
God,
by
When
Him; when
I
I shall
have His grace, only then shall I enjoy such bliss." DISCIPLE Maharaj, many maintain that merely paying
visits to
holy
men
or observing their life
is
is
enough
hearing them
not necessary.
Are we
to
believe this?
THE SWAMI
No!
Never! 113
You must mix
Spiritual Teachings
them
with
arises in
an open heart. your mind, you must tell it with
If to
any doubt
them frankly
and get it solved by their help, if you are not able to do it yourself. You must also observe their life in detail
and model yours by what you see in them.
DISCIPLE
Maharaj, you said that momentary
enthusiasm brings no good, that spiritual realisaam I then to give up tion is a question of time
my
yearning for God-realisation ?
THE SWAMI
I
might have said that in connec-
tion with something else.
asm
is
fit
manifestation of a sudden
dejection,
man
DISCIPLE
gives
As
up
Sri
internal
feeling.
This
the path altogether.
Ramakrishna has
place for digging a well
is
you will never get water.
THE SWAMI
of emotion: an external
then out of despair and
disappears in no time;
If
enthusi-
meant, to become restless and cry and jump
for a day or two from a
ed.
By momentary
said, if the
shifted again Is that
Yes, tenacity
is
what you mean? what is require-
a man's restlessness results
from sincere
love of God, he cannot live a God-less
114
and again,
life,
even
Example of Holy Men though he
may
fails to realise
Him.
Millions of births
will persist pass without attaining Him, yet he
in calling
upon
Him
steadily
and quite unmoved.
Swamiji (Swami Vivekananda) used to say that a little awakening of the Kundalini (individualised cosmic energy)
was
very
dangerous.
Until She
up higher, lust, anger and other lower passions become very disturbing. The Vaishnavite Sadhana of Madhur Bhava or Sakhi Bhava (the attitude of rises
worshipping
God
as
an eternal bridegroom or a
friend of the devotee)
is
exceedingly dangerous. In trying to remember constantly the story of Sri
Divine play with Sri Radha, they (Vaishnavites) cannot control their lust and they
Krishna's
do
all
sorts of lecherous acts.
Hence the
restric-
tion for the beginner in reading the Rash-lila (story
of
Sri Krishna's
Divine play with
Sri
Radha) and
such works.
Meditation
is
not an easy thing.
Eat a bit more
and your mind will not settle that day. When lust, are anger, greed and the whole host of evil passions does medikept under control, then and then alone 115
Spiritual Teachings tation
become
itself,
meditation will be impossible.
any one of these asserts
If
possible.
It
easier
is
burning fire. But to keep the passions under control and not allow them to make an impression upon the mind that is real Tapasya. to sit in a circle of
What
religion
can
there be for
of passions
control
engaged in unholy
acts, it is
not
is
the
greatest
men are constantly so much of a sin on
occasional evil thoughts crop
if
your part
up
in
Drive them out.
your mind.
Without
possible.
desires
Seeing that worldly
penance.
tranquil,
and
The
eunuchs!
meditation
the
and without
To
mind grows
shall
meditate
to think
is
is
not
when
the
religion
tranquillity
think "I tranquil"
mind cannot become
an impossibility.
go hand in hand. Ramakrishna so long as there
Tranquillity and meditation must
We is
cannot love Sri
the idea of bargaining in us.
despair"
prayer.
when we cannot Still
again,
it
see
is
not
That
Him
is
after
desirable
why we a
little
to
give
expression to our inner feelings, for that lessens the intensity of love.
116
XIX
MEDITATION DISCIPLE
JViaharaj,
how
can God-yearning be
intensified ?
THE SWAMI tice
company teacher)
a
Through steady
prac-
spiritual
mind purified by the influence of holy and the instruction of the Guru (spiritual
with a
Guru
In this world even in the art of stealing,
.
is
How much
required.
of
necessity
Guru
a
for
greater must be the
acquiring
supreme
knowledge of Brahman!
DISCIPLE
How
THE SWAMI and true
how
faith
together.
can one attain peace?
Him;
water.
a
Peace and sincere love of
come
lessness, yearning
seen
can one attain peace ?
man
At must come
God
the very start
First
rest-
and intense pain for not having
the greater the thirst, the sweeter the
We must
rouse unrest in the heart.
When
does not find happiness in the world, then he 117
Spiritual Teachings
and attachment to God awakens
restless
grows
within him.
How can love of God grow? THE SWAMI By Sadhana and prayer DISCIPLE
have
thus
all attained.
DISCIPLE
world?
Is it possible in the
THE SWAMI
Is
there
any one outside the
world ?
DISCIPLE
No,
THE SWAMI DISCIPLE
I
mean, living in the family. but very
It is possible,
When
for
dispassion
difficult.
the
world
comes, should one renounce?
THE SWAMI yam
yes,
that
Real Vairagyam
That
is is
is
real
what
called
is
Vairagyam
like
fire,
it
is
Vairag-
(dispassion).
never
extin-
guished, but gradually spreads and grows hotter. swims Sri Ramakrishna used to say, as a fish
about merrily when put in larger waters, so is the man who has renounced the world; never does he
want
to be fettered again.
DISCIPLE
Is it
possible without a
118
Guru?
Meditation
THE SWAMI who shows
Name
I
Guru means one
think not.
the path to the Ishtam through a
(Mantram).
Upa-gurus
(intermediaries)
But the supreme Guru "Practise these Sadhanas
can be many.
commands:
with holy men/'
is
one that
and
The Guru would watch
over the pupil and the pupil would serve him. the pupil went astray, the back.
move
In olden times the custom was
with the Guru.
to live
Holy
When
Guru would bring him
So none but the knower of the Brahman, or
one far advanced in Sadhana, should be chosen as the Guru.
How to know him? THE SWAMI By moving with DISCIPLE
some
time.
disciple.
The Guru
the
Guru
and can not be
will not initiate him.
Whomsoever
the
Guru
closely for
too will watch his would-be
If the disciple possesses
for enjoyment
him
a strong desire
easily
brought round,
He
will reject him.
chooses, he will keep with
him and watch over him. The family Guru has one advantage, that he knows everything regarding the family to which the disciple belongs.
119
Spiritual Teachings
The way ship,
mind
to focus the
concentration
and
(control of breath) too
air
Good
meditation. is
Pranayama
a way, but not safe for
good place and pure there is no other condition
food, a
these are necessary:
Meditation in solitude has to be
for meditation. practised
by prayer and wor-
the loss of the vital fluid brings
the householder
about disease.
is
not for an hour or for a day; the more
you practise, the more benefited you will be. Go wherever you choose. If you find a good place with favourable surroundings, take that for your practice.
Seek
Him
in
from earthly
Him
alone.
Give up
and greed). First practise draw in the mind the mind,
Kamini-Kanchana renunciation
and
(lust
things.
beginning meditation must be Sahara and finally (with form), then Nirakara (formless) In
you
the
realise that
The world
bliss, as after
joy."
is
real
and
all
else is
appears to us is all illuIn Samadhi the world does not exist, only
illusion/' sion.
"Brahman
When
as
it
man
says, "I tasted real
descends
(from Samadhi)
deep sleep a a
man
120
Meditation
he says of his experience, only; words cannot describe
like the Rishis bliss
T
and
bliss
and
'Thou'
Sachchidananda
vanish
"It
was
The
it.
(Exis-
tence-knowledge-bliss Absolute) alone remains."
"What
If asked,
is
the proof that
God
exists?"
have seen God, and you too can see Him if you follow me/' So have said all the As Sri Ramakrishna has said: saints and saviours. the answer
is,
"I
"By merely repeating the name of Siddhi (hemp Gather leaves) you cannot become intoxicated. them, grind and dissolve them, drink them and wait for a while, then alone will you feel the intoxication.
In the same way, simply crying out 'Lord',
'Lord' will not do;
DISCIPLE
practise
Sadhana and wait/'
In performing Japam
forget everything;
THE SWAMI
what
is
sometimes
that, Sir?
The Pancbadashi
is
of opinion
that this feeling stands as an impediment. tion
means
tensified,
to think of
I
Him; and when
when God becomes
visible, it is
Meditathis is in-
Samadhi.
After Samadhi the blissful emotion lingers on for a long time.
Some
hold,
it
121
continues for ever.
Spiritual Teachings Sri
Ramananda
man
a
sent
Chaitanya
to
Ramananda,
of luxury, but at the name
lived a life
of the Lord a fountain of tears of devotion bursi
from
The man
his eyes.
he wept. cannot
They
know
you are not a Sadhu you
say, if
a Sadhu
appraise a diamond.
did not understand wh)
as a brinjal seller cannot
Only
that
one who through
Sadhana has attained a higher stage can understand a true devotee.
At the time of meditation you must think that desires and passions have no existence, that they are unreal.
Gradually
your mind.
As you
impression will sink into
this
drive out these thoughts, force
good ones. During your meditation, if you perceive some light or sound, know that you are going in
along the right path.
trivial signs.
signs, they are
good. Meditating in a lonely place, one can hear the sound of Pfanava
Still,
as
But these are
(sound symbol of the Brahman) or that of a bell or a sound from a distant place.
There was a man, minutes
before
his
a great dare*devil.
death
122
he
said:
Fifteen
"Carry
me
Meditation
Do
you think I wish to die here?" Reaching the sacred stream he smiled and "Mother! I sinned have much. 1 prayed: straight to the Ganges.
believe,
Mother, Thou canst wash away everything.
Save me,
Oh
!
Mother! 99
And
123
he died.
XX GOD VISION ^Conversation 1922.
at
The Swam?
Calcutta, is
the
2nd of
February,
honoured guest of a
devotee.,
THE SWAMI A required. feet.
He
pure, healthy
Remain under
mind
is
what
is
the shelter of His lotus
do all that is needful; you have only mind fixed ever on Him. Give up all
will
to keep your
longing for the world. It is a very unholy place. Pay no more heed to it than is absolutely necessary; devote the rest of yourself to God.
I tell
you, you Try and you will succeed. Struggle and struggle you will have to hard. struggle Begin this moment; no more delay, no more doubt, no more speculation. Oh, the joy are just the person to do
this.
of realisation, the satisfaction of it
even, will suffice for you.
it!
Strive; strive to cross
over PAahamaya (Divine illusion)
124
Just a little of
;
yes, in this very
God-Vision
you must go beyond it. Strive hard; it is deed a difficult task. Faith, unshakable faith
life
Without
the
is
you cannot succeed. Be doubts; then you can tear of Maya and see God. Faith, you know, is
necessary.
determined; remove the veil
in-
only resource;
that
all
strengthen
it
by
all
at
times,
possible
means.
DISCIPLE shall
I
If
doubt creeps in
do?
THE SWAMI You faith
what
until
cannot
God-realisation
have unshakable
comes.
only when you have
the vision of
have realised Him.
Till
an approach
It is
possible
God, when you then you can only make
to true faith; nothing more.
When-
ever doubts disturb the even balance of the mind,
God and
you can do so over and over again, your conviction will be firm and invincible. Doubts surely will come, but drive them hold fast to
out in this wise. but because of
my
pray.
If
Think within lot I
yourself:
cannot see Him.
"God
is,
The mo-
ment His grace descends, that moment I shall be Do not lose faith. Cling blessed by seeing Him." 125
Spiritual Teachings to
Him
always and under all circumstances. This gross mind cannot comprehend God.
beyond mind, He world that you see is
mind; the mind
far
is
The
intellect.
within the domain of the
is
is its
beyond
God
author, the
mind has created
and beyond it the mind cannot go. But through Sadhana a subtle mind opens up the mind of it,
That
spirit.
and unfold.
own
The
self.
vision
already in you, but in the form of
In course of time this
a germ.
subtle.
is
The
mind
gross
germ
will develop
will lead
you
to the
subtle shines forth in the glory of
stage that you can have the
It is at this
of finer
its
truths.
The world with
all
charm for you.
It
diversity will then lose all
its
can
Then you will pass your you no more. time, day and night, completely lost in the contem-
delude
plation of
The
God and His
next stage
not be described.
is
glory.
Samadhi.
It
is
This Samadhi can-
beyond the reach of the
gross mind, beyond language.
It
is
beyond Asti
and Nasti (human calculation), beyond pleasure and pain, beyond joy and sorrow, beyond light, 126
God-Vision
beyond
darkness,
language
is
all
beyond
too feeble to say
duality.
what
Human
that blessed state
is.
"The Vedas thou free,
O
all
deal with the three Gunas.
Be
Arjuna, be thou free from the three
Gunas" Sri Krishna says in the Gita. If you want God, you must transcend the limits of the Gunas. Disputes and dissensions, wars and feuds, malice and jealousy, egotism and pride, these are the products of Tamas.
Rajas goads
man
to activity,
name and fame.
A man
and
creates the desire for
full
of Rajas meditates for half an hour at best and
then looks around to see notice of others.
If
it
in vain;
if
it
has attracted the
has not, he thinks his medithis half hour's meditation!
tation
is
He
a beggar of popular applause.
is
all
Then comes
Sattwa (the state of serene vision). The Vedas deal with these Gunast but we must not stop here.
We must go beyond the Gunas. DISCIPLE us as duties;
In this world certain works seem to
how
THE SWAMI
are
we
to
do
these, Sir?
"This world 127
is
God's.
Nothing
Spiritual Teachings in
it
can
I call
my own; He
is
getting His
work
done by me; verily nothing belongs to me." If you can do what you call your duties with this attitude, then they will do you no harm; your work will no "This thing belongs to me, that
longer bind you. is
this attitude
mine,"
in its stead say:
mind; myself;
I
am
you must banish from your "Everything is God's, even
placed here by His Will, and
moment He
be removed hence the
I
shall
wills it."
Let
be your principle of life. Do yourself with the things of the world. this
Do
your duties with
them thoroughly and
this
attitude;
not
identify
and also do
well, so that people
perceive your real motive and blame you.
may
not
But in
the heart of hearts know, earthly things you have
God
Doer and you the instrument Through you, He will get done what He likes to none.
the
is
have done.
DISCIPLE in this
way,
Maharaj, in if at
egotism asserts what then?
times
itself
I
my
attempt to do work
forget the true motive,
and
128
if
if
attachment prevails,
God-Vision
THE SWAMI Do Never allow yourself
not
yield
to
depression.
to be depressed.
If at times
you forget your true motive, never mind. Begin once more with redoubled energy and see that it does not
recur
Who
can
ed?
They
kill
Doubts
again.
and confusion?
them before God-realisation
come and
will
attain-
That
they will go.
But do not get dejected.
their nature.
is
Shake
is
off
despair, shake off disappointment, shake off doubt;
make no compromise. Have infinite "To do or die" let infinite energy. motto.
God you must
you must see Him.
In vain
your mind, in vain your if
you cannot
realise
Therefore, say boldly: body, what
God
is
is
life,
Him
I
Him."
129
I
be your
your being, in vain
here in
What do
and
in this very life
this
shall I
the use of the mind, if
with them?
this
everything
"What
Let them stay or go, but see
now
realise;
tenacity,
care
if
is
in vain,
very
life.
do with the I
cannot see
they perish?
must see God;
I
must
XXI
DIFFERENT METHODS OF ATTAINMENT
DEVOTEE
Maharaj, these different forms of
worship, these different rituals, these different gods
do they mean anything special? All these have one and the same
and goddesses,
THE SWAMI
purpose God-realisation. There is so much difference between one man and another in their inclinations
and
their
temperaments that no one method
can be assigned to all for their Sadhana or spiritual Different advancement. temperaments require
Sadhana and
ways of worship. To meet these varying demands the Scriptures hav^ four means, Sam ad hi> prescribed principal different
different
Dhyana, actual Japam, prayer, and external worship.
The
best kind of worship
worship of the Brahman
is
Samadhi or the
direct
the actual vision of
the
Omnipresent Reality.
The second
in
importance 130
is
Dhyana or medita-
Different tion,
where two things
holy
exist,
]apam, prayer and the
self."
here.
Methods of Attainment "Himself" and "mylike have no room
When
meditation deepens, one perceives the form of one's Ishtam or chosen Deity, the
form, pure and
Here again Japam
simple.
The
prayer have no place.
next step
is
and
Japam and
which one sings the glory of the Lord praying, chanting or repeating the hallowed Name of one's chosen Deity, simultaneously meditating prayer, in
upon the blessed form behind
The
last
the
images.
These
Supreme Being
different
gods and goddesses the
human mind.
all
onward march Sadhana.
to
its
God.
in
Pratika
or
forms of worship, different these are but creations of
They mark
progress of the mind,
Name.
This consists in
external worship.
is
worshipping
that holy
different degrees of
evolutionary stages, in
A man
its
desires to
Now, what should he do ?
perform he Can begin
from any point? No. He must start exactly where his mind stands and proceed stage after stage till
the Goal
is
ordinary man:
reached.
if
Take
the
case
of
an
you ask him to meditate upon the 131
Spiritual Teachings
Supreme Brahman who is without name or form; or if you ask him to practise Sawadhi, he will not comprehend, nor will he be well-disposed towards The result will be that he will give up his task.
Sadhana altogether.
On
the
other
he
if
hand,
worships the Brahman in an image with offerings of flowers and sacred leaves, he will think he has
done something. For some time will be free from distractions,
moment and
ed,
will
is
liable to fall.
He
into
which every
will be unperturb^
will rejoice in his worship.
outgrow that
The of
it
at least, his minct
By and by he
stage.
mind grows, the less becomes the joy things gross and secular. Jf you begin
finer the
man
in
Puja or external worship now, later on you will naturally that
]apam
a better substitute.
is
feel
Then
you will find in meditation a far better substitute, and so on. This gradual process is the natural way of growth for the human mind. In the course of mental evolution, the experience the mind this acquires
up
is
in the
not
lost; the
mind
memory. 132
retains
and
stores
it
Different
Take an
Methods of Attainment
down in the courtroof. What will you
illustration: standing
you wish to get on the do? You have to find the stair-case and, climbing the steps one after the other, you reach the roof. yard,
you are thrown through the air right up the house-top, that certainly would mean a great
Instead, if to
deal of discomfort and danger.
You
can avoid
hurt or injury only by following the gradual pro-
So
cess.
untoward
is it
To
with the world within.
circumstances in your
avoid
march toward
all
spirit-
ual realisation, you must follow the gradual path that is marked out for us by the seers of the past.
These
forms of worship constitute that Waytfe and means, rules and regulations path. these exist in the physical world as well as in that different
of the mind.
The same law
DEVOTEE known shall
I
to
do
me,
If
a
rules both.
thought,
distracting
persists in rising in the
then, Revered Sir ?
THE SWAMI
"This
mind, what
How shall thought
is
well-
I
check
it ?
immensely
harmful to me;
it
worst enemy"
impress this idea on your mind by
can bring about
133
my
ruin;
it is
my
Sptfitual Teachings
Once you can stamp this impresrepeated effort. sion upon the mind, you will find the distracting thought vanishing in no time. this
boy
he?
I
who
is
sitting here.
do not know him.
he
is
for
some
worthless"
become
if
tion,
a
mind
Because
that idea.
little child:
thinking thus
in
it
same thing
he has
it
you
have
impressed
Take one more
does not
know
illustra-
the results of
you give it a little poison it will will not be afraid. But if that very If
taking poison.
not care;
you persist
for nothing;
he will be of no importance Your mind will no longer turn toward
And why?
upon
good
for you
so;
the
is
time, before long you will find that
whatsoever.
him.
He
Take, for example, "This boy who is
given to you, you will It is because you to a safe distance. is
start
and
know
recoil
the effect
of poison. So we see the mind is a strange thing; whatever you hold before it, it will learn.
One you:
thing,
first
realise it is
and a very serious thing,
I
must
tell
choose your ideal and then struggle to
The
ideal
the highest ideal
must never be lowered.
God who 134
is
God
smaller than an
Methods of Attainment
Different
atom and bigger than the shines
forth
everywhere,
beings, in you
and
in
solar system; at all times
me;
is
and
He
is
the
same
that pervades the entire universe.
superior to
Make Him
Him.
in
all
differing only in mani-
festation, greater or smaller.
Atman
He who
your ideal,
as the
Nothing Him and
Him
alone. Try a little, and you will realise what an inexhaustible fount of joy He is. The world
you have had enough experience of it! Now try seek God. the other side The veil of Maya, ignorance, vision of cross
before
hangs
God;
tear
off
it
Maya's bounds
is
you,
and
lo,
obstructing
He
is
there!
your
To
indeed a hard task, but not
an impossibility. Men have crossed before you and you can also cross. Strive on, success is at hand; ''Knock and
it
shall
be opened unto you."
The
world will stand transformed to these very eyes of yours.
DEVOTEE
Regarding the Scriptures, what attitude should we maintain? Should we put faith in their authority?
THE SWAMI
Certainly!
135
All these Scriptural
Spiritual Teachings
For the good and guidance injunctions are true. of mankind through the ages, these have been for-
men
mulated by
of the past and handed
down from
generation to generation, from father to son, up to
You must
the present day.
Another thing: must never give very existence lead
obey them.
as regards
Karma (work), you
up wholly. Without it your would be impossible. It can also it
Man
God-realisation.
you, in the end, to
does not know when Karma began, but he knows where it ends. Verily, with God-realisation all the shackles
of
Karma
fall off; then,
no more work
But until that
remains to be done.
state is reach-
Karma and you By doing your Karma for the sake
ed you are within the bounds of
have to work. of
Karma you
will attain to the greatest
DEVOTEE And take, Sir?
what
Are there any
THE SWAMI A
sort of
Good.
food are
very difficult question!
Men
constitution that
hardly possible to lay
any hard and
is
fast rule
to
rules about diet?
very hard to answer. it
we
differ so
about food.
136
It
is
widely in their
One
down
thing
may
Different
Methods of Attainment
be suitable to your constitution, but the same may not suit mine. Our Scriptures therefore have not
much stress on this point. come across certain passages laid
about food;
crimination classification.
Roughly
to
referring that
speaking,
own food
Gita
the
it
we dis-
a
is
general can be said
One should
be avoided.
that rich dishes should
choose one's
but
In
according to one's power of
assimilation.
DEVOTEE does
it
Mahara
not involve
THE SWAMI injury)
is
the
non- vegetarian
j ,
sin,
No.
greatest
diet,
the sin of killing animals?
They virtue,
say
Ahimsa
(non-
when?
Only
but
Samadhi, when the supreme knowledge has been attained, when God has been realised in all
after
Then only can Before that, no amount of
creatures.
comes
when you
realise
there be true Ahimsa. talk can
that
make
the
you as well as in the little no difference exists. Before that it resides in
You
may
What 137
so.
It
same Atman ant, is
speak of Ahimsa, but truly
can you avoid Himsa?
it
and that
impossible.
speaking,
food do you take?
Spiritual Teachings
Potato?
forth
shoots
It
young
sprouts
when
is the potato lifeplanted; these bring a new crop; Sow the paddy grain; it grows into a plant; less?
and
this again bears
new paddy.
Is
the paddy then
lifeless ?
Examine a drop of water under a microscope and you will find millions of little lives; and you drink it!
to live is to take breath.
Again,
every
breath you
Take the
kill
case of those
millions of
Now,
little
who make much
with
creatures.
of this vege-
What food do they prescribe? Milk and Ghee? Now, how do you get milk? By table diet.
depriving a poor creature, the tiny calf, of
mate food. that
is
lies in
no
is
a bit of fish or meat!
cannot stand. ideas.
an extremely cruel act. But common parlance, and all the sin
That
sin, in
It is
its legiti-
The
old
Such flimsy arguments
Hindus never had such
a later Vaishnavite interpolation.
138
XXII
SAMADHI THE SWAMI Savikalpa
Samadhi state
(ecstatic
mainly of two kinds, of dual consciousness) is
and
conNirvikalpa (undifferentiated state of In a man the Samadhi sciousness). Nirvikalpa loses all knowledge of name and form, and the
whole
world vanishes into nothingness.
In
the
Cossipore Garden, Swamiji (Swami Vivekananda) few attained the Nirvikalpa Samadhi, but very
knew of There
it,
is
for he seldom spoke of his experiences. yet
Ananda Samadhi.
In
ecstatic joy that the
as
Samadhi
kind of
another
this the
body can
mind
called
such
tastes
scarcely hold
a consequence the Brahma-Randhra
it
(the gate
of the body in the top of the head) gives way. this blissful state of consciousness, the body three weeks at best,
Men
visualise
and
In lasts
and no longer.
God
Rajasic and Tamasic,
in
different
according
139
to
forms, Sattwic, the
predomi-
Spiritual Teachings
nance of one or other of these three
What
qualities.
a pity that instead of trading in this price-
people bargain for paltry worldly must cultivate the habit of remem-
less merchandise,
things!
bering
Men
and thinking on God
have only
God
to call their
for
constantly,
own and
they
they have to
realise this truth in this life.
The is
natural bent of the ordinary
towards
human mind
enjoyment, but that must be
changed and the mind given an upward turn. Sri Ramakrishna's mind ever soared in the region of Bliss
Supreme; especially during His Sadhana under the Panchavati
(at Dakshineswar)
it
reached
high pitch that time passed unnoticed. lost all appetite for food and drink.
such
He
a
totally
But,
since
His body had to be preserved, the man who waited upon the Master would thrust a morsel of rice into His mouth whenever
from the exalted remained.
He
state
In
seemed of
bliss
to
in
come down which
He
the way, during whole day and night, the Master was made to swallow some seven or eight morsels of rice at most. usually
this
140
Samadhi
Much mark
later
that
when we met Him, even then we could He had to bring His mind down to the
physical plane by force.
One day
length about the Shabda
spoke at
the subject of
and
my
lo!
words revealed
Brahman
(the
sound). This was noontide meditation in the Pan-
Brahman
manifestation of
chavati,
of His teaching the Master
in the course
I
suddenly to
me:
as
I
had the truth of His
heard the birds on the
around sing the Divine Vedic lore. On one occasion Sri Ramakrishna
trees
day as
I
vision
I
said:
"One
was meditating in the Kali Temple, in a saw the screens of Maya (ignorance) one
disappear
after
from
other
the
my
sight.
Another day, Mother held before my eyes a flood of light surpassing in effulgence and splendour a million suns, and out of that luminous mass
a
form,
purely
of the
nature
of
I
saw
consciousness,
emerge slowly, only to melt away into the light the next moment/* The formless assumed form, and the form lost
One day
itself in
the formless!
entering the Kali Temple, K. began to
141
Spiritual Teachings
admonish the Mother
his chest
in a violent tone:
became red and
tears trickled
in great anger.
Sri
down from
his eyes
Ramakrishna who had
all this
time been inside the Temple, perceiving his tone, came out and said: "True, temper can be shown to
our near and dear ones; but yours
is
a
very
(Virabhava or the attitude of a Mine is Matribhava (the consort).
attitude
difficult
lord to his
attitude of a son to his
The human body
is
mother)
."
the greatest temple of God.
reason the Scriptures enjoin that medita-
For
this
tion
and worship should be performed
In this body
is
in the body.
the Sahasrara (the thousand-petal-
led lotus in the head,
i.e.,
the upper brain)
from
where the mind does not ordinarily come down, once
it
ascends there.
Scriptures
say:
Vamana,
rebirth
in this very
and
It is
''When is
at
for this reason that the
in the
Ratha
Him
is
seen
the
an end"; which means that
God (Vamana) man escapes the
body (Ratha) resides
realising
if
therein,
repeated cycles of birth and death.
;
In this body
Ramaprasad saw the Lord, the Father and Mother 142
Samadhi of
body,
he sang, "Thou abidest Mother, and herein do I see Thee."
and
all,
Oh
There
is
instantly
in this
a third eye, the eye of knowledge, in
body on the forehead between the eye-brows. When it opens, one sees, as Sri Ramakrishna has this
said,
and happy around him. true of the Macrocosm is true of the
everything
What
is
blissful
Microcosm.
How
wonderful
Verily, if a taste
man
it
is
God is so near us! realise Him and have a
that
can once
of Bliss Divine, he will forthwith lose
taste for everything else.
The
all
temples, cars and
chariots used in external worship are but symbols
of the greatest temple of God, the
143
human
body,
XXIII
POWER OF MIND THE SWAMI A seven
within
A
gates.
poor man
Minister
a
granted.
The
Minister leads
the
royal presence.
to
gates
royal
man
asks his guide
they
enter
and
interview
officer richly dressed
in
lives
King
his
begs
his prayer
him
Now,
and stationed
palace of the is
through
the
finding
an
at each gate the
he (the officer) is the King; but every time the answer is in the negative. When the
exquisite beauty
man
at
like
the
if
seventh gate, at the
sight
and grandeur of the
real
of
the
King the
once recognises him as such and asks the Such is the case with the Guru: minister no more. Minister,
the
through different stages
Guru till
leads
the
disciple
he leaves him with the
Lord.
No Guru will see
is
own mind. You made steady through
greater than your
when your mind
is
Power of Mind from within what you have to do and which way to follow. Even in your daily duties it will show what is to be done first meditation,
and what
Goal
is
it
will
next.
dictate
Thus
it
will lead
you on
till
the
reached.
You
can develop your mind and make it steady in either of two ways, by retiring to a solitary retreat
ble to
and making the mind absolutely unsusceptiany change through concentration and medita-
good thoughts and developing love and attachment toward God. The mind is just like a milch cow which gives a larger tion or by continually thinking
supply
when
and you
fed well.
will find
it
Give the mind more food better
giving you
service
in
return.
And what
mind?
Meditation and concentration, prayer and
worship, and
There
is
all
constitutes
the
food
of
the
such practices.
a class of Sadhakas
who
mind and keep a strong watch over The mind, after roaming here and finds lasting peace, consequently
145
it
let its
loose their
movements.
there,
nowhere
turns back to
Spiritual Teachings
God and
takes refuge in
The
Him.
look after the mind, the mind This being the case,
it
fact
is,
if
you
will look after you.
behoves you to keep a vigilant
eye on the movements of the mind and analyse them
with the utmost care and scrutiny. analysis
no place
is
solitary retirement.
Rishis
of
old
retreats or the
It is
suitable than a place of
for this purpose that the selected
the to
The mind has
to
be purged of
it
will not be able to
must be made transparent or it catch the reflection of God. True
renunciation consists in giving
mind
is
attachment
all
up
for worldly objects to which the
the
mental
bank of the Ganges
attachment;
When
this
Himalayan carry on their
always
Spiritual practices. all
more
For
mind
once freed from
is
bound.
this shackle
will not be affected in the least, even
though
it
it is
placed in the midst of numberless objects of sense. Hence the value of struggle. man who has no
A
struggle in his life
But he
is lifeless.
faces any obstacle that
comes
in his
who
way
bravely
will have
the reward of everlasting peace.
The most favourable time 146
for meditation
is
the
Power of Mind
when the day closes and night commences, and when the night closes and day breaks. At these hours Nature is calm and at time of Samyama, the hour
This
rest.
is
the reason
why
early rising forms an,
essential factor in the religious life of a this
time the Sushumna
Nodi
At
man.
(the central nerve
within the spinal cord) sets to work and as a result the usual the breath passes through both nostrils, course which
is
generally through one only, either
the Ida or the Pin gala disturbing the mind. Certain
Yogins always watch for the time when the Sushumna starts to function and when it is actually at work,
at
once they will
for meditation, leaving
sit
may be engaged in. Man wants peace; but how can he realise it unless he can establish a close intimacy with God and aside whatever they
make Him
his
own; unless
in the
can hold intercourse with Him,
Him and just
as
friends
behave with
Him
he does with
his near
and
on
relatives
mental world he feed Him, dress
sweetly and cordially
and dear ones, his
this physical
course acquire this mental attitude the easiest
147
To
plane? is
to
Spiritual Teachings
think constantly on
of
Sadhanas.
all
He
infinite
is
self
in
Him?
the
Him;
it is
Mysterious
and
form.
the
Bhusandi,
is
He
finite.
human
therefore the simplest
the
also
Who
Crow,
way of God. incarnates Himunderstand
can
Rama-
took
at first
chandra for an ordinary being; but unable to procure any shelter in the three worlds heaven, earth,
when chased by
or the nether world
Hand
of Rama, at
incarnate and
last
prayed to
the unseen
he recognised Him as God Him. Many and varied are
the paths through which
God
leads
man; and
body knows through which path he
will
no-
be led.
sometimes leads him through a thorny path and other times through a soft, rosy one. The one
God at
course open to
wholly
The
at
man
His Feet.
body,
therefore
This
is
mind and the
is
to resign himself
the only
way
senses all
out.
become low
and benumbed through the debasing influence of Maya. says
weeps
"Ensnared in the trap of the Sri
and laments/*
man who
has
first
Brahman
"the
Ramakrishna,
Such
realised
five elements,"
is
Maya!
Himself But to a
God, who has transcended
148
Power of Mind once for
Her deluding charms and
all
attractions,
a thousand worlds cannot do the least harm.
a
man
beyond the bounds of Maya, and to such a
is
one alone are revealed Her
mysteries.
Under the delusion of cannot
comprehend
troublesome
The body
it is
is
to be
how
terribly
decaying day by day;
birth.
Maya,
man
painful
and
this divine
born and to
ful of the sacred mission for
human
Such
live in this world. still
he
is
forget-
which he has taken
this
In spite of the troubles and tribula-
tions of life here
on
this earth,
human
birth has a
unique advantage. It is only in this birth that a being can realise God. Therefore without paying heed to the ease and comforts of this frail form, a
man
should do here such meritorious works as will
produce lasting
effect hereafter
and thus terminate
the repeated cycles of birth and death.
Indeed, for
the sake of mental peace one has to invoke peacelessness.
Such
is
the teaching of the wise.
149
XXIV
WORSHIP OF GOD ADMONITIONS TO A DISCIPLE i
THE SWAMI many
Pilgrimages
The
ways.
chief advantage
enabled to meet holy
God.
and there
No
in
we
are
that
is
Another
serve them.
worldly is
beneficial
tend
to
remembrance
of
thoughts
constant
doubt these will aid us in our spiritual
We
progress.
men and
that
is
advantage decrease
are
will gain
much
spiritual
knowledge
also.
Kashi
(Benares)
Sadhus (holy men)
is
a very sacred
live there.
place.
Many
Thus we get the
A
spiritual opportunity to be in their company. current is always flowing in Kashi. Householders
have many there.
It
facilities for
would be good
the if
worship of the Lord
you could stay there for
a time.
Vrindavan
is
another sacred place.
150
There are
Worship of God
many Sadhus
there immersed in the contemplation
of the Lord day and night.
Work
see those places.
You ought
to
go and But
you will have always.
in spite of this, find time to visit these places at least
once.
So far as work
concerned, there
is
some
is
work
which will lead you
Godward.
Unselfish
belongs to this
But
work
will never
Know
that your
class.
selfish
help you in your spiritual path. wife, children and all which you
belong
to the Lord.
If
everything will go on
you have
all right for
now
call
yours
this firm belief,
you.
The
con-
trary belief will bring about a contrary result. ii
Repetition of the holy
good.
The mind
will
While repeating the
Name
of the Lord
is
very
become
Name
pure through it. of the Lord you should
keep remembrance of the Lord in your mind. Such repetition and remembrance will do much good. Mere repetition without the remembrance of the
Lord will not be of much this is easy.
initiation
To do
it
use.
I
do not say
that
one must have Upadesb, or
by the Guru. 151
Spiritual Teachings
The Guru
will
determine
Ishta-Devata
your
(form of Ideal) and other things necessary for your spiritual progress.
According to the difference in
the nature of each individual, there are
Devatas.
One
cannot
suit
Until
all.
Ishta-
many
spiritual
knowledge dawns upon you, you have to follow the directions of your Guru. The more you work, the purer you become.
To very
practise without the aid of the
A
difficult.
strength of
is
always
few rare souls of exceptional
mind might be able
any such external help.
Yet
it
under the guidance of a Guru. possibility of
Guru
to realise without is
better to
Then
there
your committing any mistake.
work is
no
Still
you should not remain idle because you have not got a Guru. Begin at once and the Guru will come in proper time.
The Guru must
select the Shishya (disciple)
the Shishya must choose the Guru.
one alone
selects,
it is
not so good.
and
Otherwise
if
Only a perfect
(Siddha-Guru) can really help the disciple. Such a Guru alone can give initiation according to soul
152
Worship of God
An
the differences in the nature of the disciples.
ordinary
Guru can do no such
thing.
This
latter is
ready to give Upadesh to anyone at any time. the proper time comes, God will send you
Guru.
Until you get such a Guru, your duty
worship of the Lord. spent in
If
not, your days
Hence have
vain.
regular
When your is
the
\vili
be
meditation,
Japam, and Bhajanam (singing the praises of the Lord) every day. iii
As you proceed with meditation you will you are getting more and more realisation. is
no use
in merely
reading the Shastras
see that
There (Sacred
and discussing about them. By medithe mind will become pure, and when the
Scriptures) tation,
mind becomes
pure, realisation of
matter of course.
worldly matters.
out of
this.
But
Ordinarily,
No if
we
God
follows as a
hold our mind on
result
worth the name comes
fix
your mind in the pure
you
thought of God, you will feel a taste of real bliss. All your energy is spent in worldly things. Exert You should yourself a little in the worship of God.
153
Spiritual Teachings
Begin at once the Our span of life is very
not spend your life thus in vain.
worship of the Lord. short. The most important duty for us in this short life is the worship of God. If we waste our time,
we
may be engaged is
Whatever work you think of the Lord always. It
can never regain
not enough
if
in,
it.
you merely
sit
in a corner for a
short time at a certain period of the day and shut
your eyes; for then you will see the whole world
coming before your mind's eye. It is best to start from Dualism.
If
you proceed
you will find that you are To see God outside naturally led to Non-dualism. of ourselves is a right path. Afterwards you will a
little
be able
along
this path,
to see
God
within yourself.
highest form of meditation.
ing?
alone. sation.
not
Until you get the taste of
practise meditation. sary.
Is
This
God
all-pervad-
you should Until then, Dualism is necesbliss,
In the state of Samadhi, you will see
None
the
is
can describe the nature of
self-reali-
So long as you have the thought of
you, sin will not affect you.
154
God
God
in
XXV FRAGMENTS OF CONVERSATIONS i
DEVOTEE me
Maharaj, the other day you told that the mind can be made steady in two ways.
Now, which
of these two
THE SWAMI feet of your
Hold
the
to follow ?
I
mind
fast to the sacred
Ishtam (Chosen Deity)
DEVOTEE Where blessed
am
form of
I
meditate upon the
Ishtam ?
my
THE SWAMI DEVOTEE In
shall
.
In the heart.
And how,
vener-
Consider your Deity as in are while meditation. you you
facing
the
heart!
able Sir?
THE SWAMI DEVOTEE
blood; Is
He
blobd ?
how
But
can a
in the heart there are flesh
man
residing in these things Shall
I
and
think of his Ishtam there?
think on
Him
155
flesh,
bones
in this wise ?
and
Spiritual Teachings
THE SWAMI and bones
No, do not think of the flesh Your Ishtam is residing right in
at all.
the core of the heart itself; develop this idea and
sciousness of
but
the beginning, of
In
meditate.
body will sometimes
afterwards
totally;
will
it
only the
not.
the
course, rise in
You
con-
your mind >
will forget
image of the Ishtam
will
it
then
reign supreme in your mind.
DEVOTEE as
I
find
other
Him
Shall
think on
my
Ishtam exactly
and images?
in pictures
Or
in
any
way?
THE SWAMI living
I
Not
exactly;
in
a
form,
but
and luminous. ii
DEVOTEE
In the Scriptures
I
have read and
formed, at
from many that ]apam should be perthe same time meditating on the mean-
ing of the
Mantram (holy Name).
also heard
think on this meaning?
Mantram
as a
man
Letter by letter, or
to
on the
whole?
THE SWAMI ing a
Now, how
Not
It is just like
so.
by his name.
The moment
156
I
address-
address
Fragments of Conversations you by your name, your form also flashes into my mind. Similar is the Mantram and the form that is
bom
out of
it.
DEVOTEE How
shall
I
]apam?
perform
Mentally or muttering low?
THE SWAMI When then do
retreat,
it
you are alone
manner
in a
as
in a solitary
may be
audible
you only. If there is anybody nearby, it must be done silently; but the lips must move in either to
case. iii
DEVOTEE I
tation,
For the
clearly
forth in letters,
Then
eyes.
I
few days
last
the
perceive
in
my
Mantram shining
and effulgent before
bright
of
I
my
Shall
do, Sir?
Ishtam
Mantram from
my
do not see my Ishtam, the Mantram
alone forming the sole object of perception. shall
medi-
the
THE SWAMI cious sign indeed.
I
alone,
try to think
after
on the image
driving
away the
Or what?
mind? That
What
is
very
good,
Yes, surely that
both have to be thought on. 157
is
an auspigood. But
The Mantram
is
no
Spiritual Teachings
other
than
the
Brahman
Himself
manifested
through name. Hence you should not drive it out of the mind. Think on the Mantram and also the holy form represented by
Think on both.
it.
It
better not to banish either.
is
DEVOTEE figure of
my
Well,
Sir,
Ishtam shall
which part of the blessed I think on first, the face
or any other part?
THE SWAMI Why,
begin from His lotus feet
offering unto
them your
then face, hands or feet
whatever
after
.
first
salutations; rises
DEVOTEE Why is the Mantram so THE SWAMI True, the Mantram
and
before you. very long?
sometimes
But long or short, it possesses a special power; and if you perform Japam constant-
becomes long.
ly,
you will know the truth of
DEVOTEE Many time of Japam and touches the rosary,
you,
Sir,
it
in
no
time.
are of opinion that if at the
meditation it
the
fourth
constitutes a sin;
may
finger I
ask
why?
THE SWAMI Do fourth finger?
you perform Japam with the
All right, do as you
158
like.
If
you
Fragments of Conversations perform Japam with the fourth
like to
can do
you
to
without any hesitation.
it
finger,
you
will not bind
It
any sin whatsoever. iv
DEVOTEE How shall I steady the mind, THE SWAMI By regular daily practice And
can make the mind firm and steady.
Sir?
you
for this
morning is the best time. Before meditation reading from any of the holy Scriptures early
practice
make
will
concentration
tation half an
hour's silent
it
you
divert
affairs,
may come
it
attention
your will not
general, but also
mind toward
it
only
mind; and
and
a
little
necessary;
for
There-
later.
abruptly
do you great
will deter the
secular
to
harm
in
growth of your
spiritual realisation in particular.
Japam and meditation, first
is
said that if immediately after meditation
fore
is
it
rest
medi-
you may not derive the
at the time of meditation
desired effect;
After
easier.
their
these are the food of the
practice
is
what
foremost necessity of
constitutes
man.
If,
beginning, you are not able to carry on your
159
in
the the
Japam
Spiritual Teachings
and meditation must
not
in
give
the right way, even
up the
practice
then you
altogether.
By
you can gain a good deal. Daily two hours' ]apam and meditation and then half-
practice
alone
an-hour's Solitary
rest
is
what
retirement
is
is
required
also
of everybody.
a great help
to
the
Simply by sitting silently in the secluded nook of a garden or on the solitary spiritual
aspirant.
bank of a
open
field,
river, or
or shut
can profit much.
on the lonely
outskirt of a vast,
up within your own closet, you You must make up a routine
you commence your spiritual practices. And you must not take upon yourself any work which may stand in the way of following the before
routine.
v
DEVOTEE
If
at
the time of meditation any
form of any god or goddess other than that of my Ishtam appears to my mind, what should I do then, Sir?
THE SWAMI Know sign.
Your
it
to
Ishtam Himself
160
be a very auspicious
may appear
to
you
Fragments of Conversations in
He
various
forms.
He
many.
is
one,
and
at
the same
Enjoy the holy sight o your Ishtam and welcome that one which comes in His time
is
end you will find these different forms merging one by one into the sacred body of In
stead.
the
own Ishtam. You must lay much
your
tation,
especially
Ashtami
tit his
on ]apam and medion the Amavasya, Purnima and stress
(the last day of the dark fortnight,
moon day and
day of either fortnight of the month), and also on th^e occasions of the worship of Mother Kali (Shyama) Jagadthe full
the
eighth
,
dhatri
and Durga.
women
as
You must
your mother.
And
also look
upon
instead of
all
giving
any positive word to anybody simply say, "I shall try"; for you may not be able to keep to your promise.
DEVOTEE on the same is it
not a most unfortunate thing for me,
renouncing a
Maharaj, you are always insisting theme, "Serve your father'*. But
monk and
all, I
Sir,
that
have not yet been able to become
serve you ?
161
Spiritual Teachings
THE SWAMI The only
thing
You
Monk! is
are already that.
you have not taken the
that
Gerua (the ochre-coloured dress of a monk). my son, Gerua alone cannot make you a monk.
DEVOTEE
Is
it
not a great privilege
But,
to
be
Holy Order (Sri Ramakrishna Order) and become Sannyasin and serve you ?
able
to
join
the
THE SWAMI your sick
same
Indeed
my
father,
yourself
but
is;
by
boy, you will attain
result, the greatest
entangle
it
good.
furthermore
And
to
the
you do not
if
by
serving
marriage
or
otherwise, you have nothing to fear in this world. I
ask you again,
to your
father's
my
child, devote yourself
service
and also
to
Japam and
meditation and the study of sacred books.
162
wholly
XXVI GOD-MINDFULNESS DISCIPLE Work, have
Maharaj, while engaged in Relief have to labour very hard all day long; I
I
no opportunity to I find no time at practices:
little
spiritual
or
feel inclined to
all;
so
on I
my
do not
do such work.
THE SWAMI all
carry
But have you to work like that
through?
DISCIPLE
No,
THE SWAMI you
find
who
is
Sir,
for the
first
few days
Then why do you complain
no time?
It is
the
only.
that
ordinary worldling
often heard to grumble in this strain, that secular duties stand in the way of spiritual prac-
Such flimsy argument, my boy, does not You have the power of befit you, a Sadhu. Brahmacharya (absolute continence) in you; you must carry on both spiritual practices and
tices.
mundane
duties simultaneously.
163
My
idea
is
that
Spiritual Teachings
you do not possess any strong desire you only
spiritual exercises;
like to pass
your time
merriment; your plea of want nothing but a lame excuse. In Relief
in vain works,
of time
at heart for
is
operations the
and
in
few days may be a very busy
first
time for you and
I
fully appreciate that; but this
What
state of things does not continue for long.
do you do then? Why do you not carry on your Sadhana at that time? Do you not feel ashamed to
complain in
this
Those who are their
perform only
do
they
wherever
the
wise? really inclined
practices it
more
under
circumstances:
all
intensely
whenever
favourable.
is
opportunity
toward Sadhana
and
Those
who
always complain of inconveniences of time and place never make any progress in their life; they
wander
about
like
vagabonds
and
spend
soiil
in
their
precious time in vain.
Engage
yourself heart
and
Sadhana.
Plunge into your spiritual practices. Oh, the joy of it! If you once have a taste of that joy, all else will lose
its
savour for you.
164
Then, wherever and
God-Mindfulness in whatever circumstances
you will not
Providence,
you may be placed by relish
anything
except
Sadhana.
True, in the very beginning you cannot
have that
joy; but believing in the
Guru,
if
joy of
it
persist in
you
will descend
words of your Sadhana for some time, the
upon you unsought.
In performing ]apam and meditation, time and other conditions are indeed necessary, but Smaran
and Manan plation
of
remembrance and contem-
(constant
God) work
Whether
at
cultivate
this
wait
no such
for
conditions.
or idle, whether dining or sitting can alone, you always practise these. You must
adept in
it,
habit;
know
and that
when you become an you have made a fair
advance in mind toward God. According to Sri Ramanuja such an uninterrupted flow of thought is
called I
Dhyana (meditation) wonder why you are so much
(Pointing to
.
Swami
P.)
They
afraid of work.
are all saintly
men;
you must do whatever they ask you to do. This will surely bring you good. But if you disobey, you
will never
make any 165
spiritual
advancement.
Spiritual Teachings
Therefore
I
implicitly.
beg This
What
give you.
you, is
my
boy,
to
them
obey
the sincerest advice that
work we had
a huge lot of
I
to
can
do
under the Divine dispensation! Even as Sadhus we had to be involved in litigations and frequently visit
offices,
lawyers'
With
all that
we
seeking their
legal
advice.
cannot say that any evil result has
come from our work; was His.
for
we knew
*
*
that all
work *
*
THE SWAMI
(Seeing a small broken bottle) That bottle has been broken. This shows a bad habit of mind.
You work
with an unsettled mind.
you think of a hundred other things while engaged in work. But secular or sacred, nothing I
fear
can
great
Whether it
be
achieved
an unsteady mind.
with
humble one, must be done with the utmost care and attenit is
Let
tion.
secular
me
work
a lofty undertaking or a
tell
you, those
are
also
who
steady
in
are their
steady
in
spiritual
exercises. If
you desire to do work in the right manner, you 166
God-Mindfulness
must hold these two great principles in view. In the first place you must possess a profound regard
work undertaken, and secondly you must be quite indifferent to the fruits thereof. Then for
the
alone can you do work in the proper way.
work
avert all disinclination for sider
And you
the secret of Karma-Yoga.
called
it
God.
as belonging to
if
It is
is
can
you only con-
when you
you become disturbed
this secret that
This
in
forget
mind; with
a disturbed mind, you will not succeed either in
advancing spiritually or in secular work.
Under
the impulse of
name and fame,
it is
indeed
do a magnificent work, but through such work you cannot appraise the value of a man as he
easier to
really
In order to do so, you have to examine
is.
his daily actions; for
a
man which
(selfless
is
the ordinary actions of
reveal the real
actions alone can
developed
it
his
man.
Through such
you know how far the
character.
A
true
man
has
Karma-Yogin and soul in
worker) will lose himself heart
any undertaking, even though it is of a most inferior kind. He is never actuated by the least desire
167
Spiritual Teachings
of winning cheap popular applause.
Who
own
choice?
the difference between a
Karma-
cannot do a work
Where
then
lies
if it is his
A
Yogin and an ordinary layman? must welcome any work that may
Karma-Yogin
fall to his
share
and gradually adjust himself to all requirements. Simply carrying on some work is not sufficient; it must be done
disinterestedly
in the holy
Name
of
A
Karma-Yogin must keep three-fourths of his mind fixed on God, and with the remaining one-fourth he should do whatever he has to do. the Lord.
Follow
this rule,
then alone can you do your work
manner; your mind too will become expanded and you will feel great joy in you. But on in proper
the other hand,
if
you work forgetting God, egotism
and pride will easily get the better of you and quarrels and dissensions will ensue, disturbing the equanimity of your mind.
Therefore
I
tell
whether at work or not, never forget God. maintain
Sadhana
this
attitude,
you
(spiritual practices)
168
must by
all
stick
means.
to
you,
To your
XXVII
ATTACHMENT FOR GOD DISCIPLE
Sir,
is
THE SWAMI
Sri
Ramakrishna
still
Have you gone mad?
living? If
He
why should we then lead such a life, up our home and all? He is. Only pour
does not
live,
giving out your whole heart in prayer to Him, and He will stand revealed in His glory to you and will remove all
the doubts and confusions
that
are
troubling
you constantly.
DISCIPLE
Him now? when He is pleased
Maharaj, do you see
THE SWAMI
Yes, but only to reveal Himself to us; then alone can
Everyone alas!
who
yearning
we
see
Him.
Him
through His grace. But longs to see Him? How few have that
can see
!
DISCIPLE
Venerable
Sir,
please
tell
us some-
thing about the Master.
THE SWAMI boy; and very
His
little
of
is it
a never-ending story,
do we know!
169
You
my will
Spiritual Teachings
know Him only when He will be pleased to make you know Him. Bear this in mind; without the of
concentration
mental and
my
spiritual
God
possible.
the
threefold religious
realisation
is
power,
bodily,
unfoldment
not so
easy
is
a
not task,
son!
DISCIPLE tion,
find
I
universe;
it
when
Maharaj,
I
for
sit
medita-
my mind
roaming about the whole thinks on no end of things. How to
stop this restlessness of the mind, Sir ?
THE SWAMI
In
the
this
beginning
always
happens, but you must try diligently to check the
mad outward
course of your mind.
ceed in the following manner:
never
meditation immediately after sitting
Asanam the it
(holy seat).
mind back from
up
By its
You
can suc-
begin your
down on your
discrimination
first
draw
external pursuits and lock
within, at the sacred feet of your Ishtam; then
begin Japam and meditation. If you follow this course for some time, the mind will naturally cease to wander.
The
easiest
way
in this
Katt-Yuga (Iron Age) 170
is
Attachment for path of ]apam. Japam the mind can the
steady,
and
finally
it
By
God, but very
constantly
it
performing
made calm
and
will lose itself in the Ishtam. all similar
difficult to
ask you to perform Japam
with
be
easily
The path of Yoga and to
God
paths are paths
follow.
frequently,
think on the Ishtam;
in
Therefore
I
and along
doing
this
you
perform both Japam and meditation simultaneousThis dual method brings success sooner. ly.
Always perform your Sadhana with unswerving steadfastness and do not let a single day pass by
Whether you wish or not, sit down on your Asanam at the appointed hour every day. If you can carry on your practices for three years with without
it.
such unerring regularity,
attachment for feel
God
will
yourself nearer to
assure you that love
and
grow in you and you will Him. Then you will be
upon Him and Him not be able to turn your mind in
prompted from within alone; you will
I
to call
any other direction. It is at this stage that the joy of Sadhana is felt by an aspirant in his heart.
Without intense love and attachment for God, 171
it
Spiritual Teachings is
very difficult for a beginner to perform Sadhana
in the right way, even after retiring into solitude.
always a possibility of serious Therefore, two of a similar type
Being alone, there consequences.
is
and temperament should live together; in that case mutual help and guidance may be rendered, should any
crisis befall
one or the other
on the other hand,
if
the
number
gossip and confusion enter to
injurious
worldly
spiritual
mind
lose
tions,
but
its
not
more
than indulgence in
idle talk not only does the
made
to forget
supreme Ideal of human life. While carrying on spiritual
must
is
higher tendencies and nobler aspirais
it
is
any time. But, more than two,
and nothing
practice
By such
talk.
in,
at
God, who
is
the
an aspirant Chatrams (Rest-
exercises,
beg his food from
houses for pilgrims) ; for these are maintained in greater part with the funds of Shraddha (funeral
ceremony) given by worldly people with the purpose of serving the holy. A hundred other desires also
prompt the minds of the people before
subscri-
bing their share to these charitable food-supplying 172
Attachment j or For
agencies.
them
is
all
not pure.
these reasons, a meal supplied by
on Madhukan (holy very good; it is pure and un-
But to
live
begging of food) is contaminated by any unholy
At
God
desire.
down With a
the time of Sadhana, you must also cut
minimum;
the quantity of your food to a
loaded stomach Japam and meditation are not possible because the greater part of your energy will be
squandered in digesting the food, and the mind will remain perturbed. That is why moderation in food and recreation, in everything, has
habits, in
been so strongly enjoined in the Srimad-BhagavadGita. "Yoga is not for him," the Lord says, "who eats too
who
much
sleeps too
Again,
must
if
settle
or too
much
or too
him
spiritual realisation
you
little."
you really want
down
O
Arjuna, for
nor,
little;
in a particular place
and carry on
your Sadhana uninterruptedly for a length of time.
By wandering about you tangible or permanent.
will never gain anything
This
am
telling
my own life. But I doubt profit by my experience.
the pages of
prepared to
I
173
you from
if
you are
Spiritual Teachings
In
this sacred
monastery
Vivekananda) how Sadhana! Food and All
think about.
is
of
Swamiji
grand are the
facilities
clothes, nothing
ready at hand.
(Swami for
have you to
Why
do you
not live here and apply yourself whole-heartedly to
of constant prayer and meditation? But who will listen to us! No good comes of 'Vagabondisa
life
ing/'
my
child.
you think that you can become a Mahatma or a great saint by roaming about here and there for If
some
time, let
me
tell
you, you are misguided.
cannot become a saint in that way. ceasing
Without un-
you cannot have any religious cannot be had simply by trickery. If
practice
experience;
you
You
it
sincerely cherish a longing for God-realisation,
you must plunge into Sadhana and be completely lost in your practice. Without sincere Sadhana
what good from place
Cerua and
will
come out of your wandering about
to place,
living
though dressed in the sacred
on holy begging?
174
XXVIII
WHAT A SADHU SHOULD DO DISCIPLE
Maharaj,
I
have
been trying in senses under control but
various ways to bring my all are of no avail; will you
succeed in
my
tell
me how
I
can
lust, I will
con-
attempt?
THE SWAMI
"I will
conquer
try in this
way, you will if you can concentrate will of themselves be on mind senses the God, your curbed without much effort on your part. Sri quer anger, greed" if you never conquer them; but
Ramakrishna
used to say, the more you
proceed
eastwards, the further are you from the west; you have not to spend any energy to accomplish this.
Take up
this
direct
method;
call
upon God and
pray to Him; then the senses will lose their venomous sting in no time. The way in which you perform ]apam and mediWith such casual effort, tation is most superficial.
by an hour's practice or two, 175
God
can never be
Spiritual Teachings
you can lose yourself day and night in the contemplation of God, His Name and glory, then alone will you be blessed with vision of But
realised.
Him;
if
not. That is the only way: be Sadhana heart and soul; no more waste
otherwise
plunged
in
of time. In the primary stage of your Sadhana you should
go on increasing your Japam and meditation slowly and steadily, little by little. If today you spend an hour, a few days after add a little more time; again a few days
later,
devote
still
more, and so
way you should lengthen the time of your spiritual practice, more and more every day. on.
In this
But in momentary enthusiasm you must never crease your
bounds.
If
in-
Japam and meditation by leaps and you violate this law, I warn you, you
will suffer badly:' the
reaction
increase will be too severe for
consequently
you are
you
from the sudden to bear
unmoved;
likely to
undergo terrible Then you will have no more for fapatri. and meditation. It is an
depression of mind. inclination
arduous task to
lift
up a depressed mind and turn 176
What a Sadhu Should Do it
back to Sadhana once again. In all spiritual realisation His grace without
essential;
that
no
progress
is
Therefore, for His grace you must pray to
an of
its
also
own;
it is
most
possible.
Him
Prayer has a wonderful
heart.
eager
is
with
efficacy
pleasing to God.
In the beginning of your Sadhana you must not let yourself
For you,
be swayed by any desire for enjoyment.
now
is
the time for complete abstinence,
for controlling all desires.
of
By the grace
the
Lord when you are once well established in this practice, then you will have no more fear of being stained by desires, should they rise in your
mind
at
any time.
who have embraced the giving up their home and all,
Again, those
monk
after
most unworthy
life
of a
for
them
be actuated by the desire to For a monk such exercise authority over others.
it is
a motive
is
bondage. about
to
the root-cause of
Therefore
you
it
as
must
be
again
into
very careful
Whatever you may do or see, belonging to God and upon your-
this pitfall.
look upon
falling
177
Spiritual Teachings self as
Remember
an instrument in His hand.
the
words of the Gita, ''Being deluded by egotism, man himself the doer/'
calls
Lying
is
yet another great sin.
man who
or a
frequents places of
trusted, but not the
of
all sins in this
You must cise
them.
to one's
one who
lies.
Even a drunkard ill
It is
fame can be the blackest
world.
never find fault with others nor
Such a habit
own
good.
is
criti-
extremely detrimental
By thinking of
the evil quali-
of others day and night, they will be impressed on your own mind; and that, at the cost of the ties
good tendencies that you may possess. So there is no good in fault-finding! Rather, sing His glory and mix heartily with all and rejoice. But who will listen to this advice ?
It is
very bad for Sadhus
groups to find fault with others and launch a malicious crusade against them. None but the
to
sit
in
low-minded take part
Always
in such shameful actions
cultivate the
habit
of
looking
!
at
the
goodness of a man and doing him honour and praising him, even though only a slight trace of goodness 178
What a Sadhu Should Do is
found
to be
Take
in him.
it
from me,
my
boy,
you do not show due regard for other's greatness, your mind will never expand, nor will you ever be if
called great by others.
not honest on the part of a Sadhu to accept householder's without offerings performing
It is
a
Sadhana
in return.
The householder
supplies
with food and provisions, because he to
carry
on
his
himself from
Sadhana
all
Sadhana, therefore,
you must not
at
your
own
cost.
The
Without
life.
take
holder's service; if you disobey this rule,
you do so
expected
withdrawing
exclusively,
other pursuits of
is
him
a
house-
know
that
acceptance of
holy alms, in whatever shape, from a householder entitles the latter to a share of the former's religious
Therefore
merit.
much
Sadhu
Man
accumulate as
this charge.
composed of both good and bad tendenso do not slight another because only the evil is
ones are visible to you;
your
must
merit as will leave a decent remainder after
meeting
cies;
a
own
but,
considering
counterpart, try to rectify
179
him
as
him and by
Spiritual Teachings
Then only do
draw him towards the good.
love
you deserve crying
to
down *
What
be called a man.
a fellow-being! *
the use of
is
*
*
DISCIPLE
Maharaj, on some days during my meditation my mind of itself becomes calm and steady, while I
may;
it
on others
I
cannot
make
runs about to and fro;
how
it so,
to
try as
make
it
steady, Sir?
THE SWAMI tide of the
As you
Ganges,
my
see ebb
son, even so
ebb and flow.
is
not to
is
in the
the case with
Your Sadhana
everything in this world. its
and flow
too
has
In the beginning, however, this
be wondered
But
at.
to
stick
your
you can carry it on for some time, the ebb and flow will stop and your mind will flow
Sadhana.
in a
If
smooth and unobstructed
Whenever you
feel that the
steady, then leaving aside all
deeply in Sadhana.
sit
mind
is
calm and
work engage
yourself
Again when you are perturb-
ed in mind and do not
must
current.
feel
calm, then also you
for your usual daily exercises, and try to
180
What bring the
mind under
The mind does
tion.
once.
You
moment. and
have to
Through
control through discrimina-
become steady struggle and struggle not
mind and
struggle the
intellect, all will surely
Remember, my
come under
child, since
fair-spoken; goodness
all
at
every senses
control.
you are a Sadhu, you
are expected to be calm and gentle
word you
Do
a Sadhu Should
and modest and
must flow out through every
utter, every action
you perform, through
your behaviour and movements.
By
their contact
with you, others must attain peace of mind and be
drawn toward God and goodness.
DISCIPLE current
we
Maharaj,
of holy places;
hear of the spiritual
may
know what
I
that
means, Sir?
THE SWAMI when
has a time flow.
At
Yes, every place of pilgrimage
such
a
the spiritual
current begins
time the mind can be
pacified by means of ]apam and
also
you will
to
easily
meditation,
and
feel a great joy at heart.
How to know that time, Sir? THE SWAMI Oh, that is not so difficult DISCIPLE
181
to
Spiritual Teachings
know; a
sincere
man
can
easily
catch
it
at
a
slightly advanced stage of his Sadhana. Regarding Kashi (Benares), it is wholly beyond the ordinary world; it is a place of mighty spiritual
Whatever Sadhana
consciousness.
you
perform dormant
here will multiply itself tenfold; also the lion of
Mantram awakens
place.
In Kashi, the land of eternal freedom, Lord
very soon in this sacred
Viswanath bestows salvation unasked on or small, rich or poor, alike.
He who
thrice blessed
all,
virtuous or vicious,
great
on
all
can procure an honest living in this
home of
spirituality is
among men.
182
indeed a
man
XXIX NAME OF THE LORD THE SWAMI Do you perform prayer meditation
DEVOTEE No, Sir. Not at all. THE SWAMI It is better to do day. ness.
That I
a
little
every
you peace of mind and steadisure you have a family Guru; why
will give
am
have you not taken better receive
should
and
now?
it
perform
initiation
from him?
from him soon. a
little
Japam
You had
Every day you and meditation.
Purchase a string of Rudraksha beads; dip it in the holy waters of the Ganges and touch the sacred Feet of Lord
Viswanath
with
it;
then
perform
Japam with that a hundred and eight or a thousand times daily. If you like to do more, you can safely
do
so;
and you should.
DEVOTEE What shall I repeat, Sir? THE SWAMI The blessed Name of Among
His various
Names 183
that
the Lord!
one which
inspires
Spiritual Teachings
the greatest faith and devotion in you
that
is
the
Name
you should choose for your Japam. DEVOTEE Again, without a form, meditation
is
not possible; what form shall
I
meditate upon,
and where?
THE SWAMI You
must meditate upon that
one of the many forms of can place
Him
Him
you
A
the heart or outside.
in
You
like best.
wise
Guru, however, will understand the particular form of God that calls forth the greatest faith and regard
from the
on
tate
and
disciple,
will instruct
him
to medi-
that.
Then
there
mental
is
worship.
As you
external worship with offerings of flowers, paste, burning of
ship in the mind.
offer
all
and
in
Him
with
heart
in
the all
sandal
camphor, exactly so is the worIn the mind you have to picture
the form of Deity you choose, in the to
do
the
holy
things
used
mind you in
are
worship,
mind
again you have to adore the reverence and devotion of your
humble
supplication.
You have
heard
enough; now do something and show your worthi184
Name
of the Lord
No
more waste of time; begin from this day For the present do these two very evening.
ness. this
things:
Japam and meditation every morning and
evening without fail, and continue this habit for a couple of years at least. Then you will find great-
you will come to us more frequently, and will know more and more of spiritual mysteries.
joy;
So much for the present.
what more
practices
I shall tell
you
you have to take up.
in time
Now
you need not bother yourself about the mental worship; leave it for the time being. After your formal initiation, if I think you should do it, I will tell
you.
Regarding
worry over that at
much
this
as instructed
wasting of time,
my
you need not Now only do as
initiation itself,
stage.
and nothing more.
No more
child; begin this very day,
and
go bravely on. Procure a
new Asanam
or rug to
sit
upon; keep
apart to be used solely for meditation, worship and such things. Also choose a solitary retreat for
it
your meditation and Sadhana; your garden house, If you I imagine, stands in a very lonely place. 185
Spiritual Teachings feel inconvenient or
now and
disturbed at home,
Remember always
then retire there at night.
that
here in this sacred city of Kashi, spiritual realisaIf you can carry on your tion is easily attainable.
Sadhana for two years at a will gain, some realisation.
stretch, I
have attained
in
still
begin now, and will feel so
sooner
much
sure you
There are those a year
joy at heart that
who So
even.
some time you
the lapse of
after
am
you will
like to
meditate more and more.
Frequent holy places, study sacred books, and
come
to
me now and
then.
While meditating,
sit
and hold your hands near your chest or the upper abdomen. Do not begin erect
and
your
meditation
posture;
and
immediately
sit silently
try to
thoughts
cross-legged,
make
may
taking
your
for a couple of minutes or so,
the
cross
after
it;
mind calm, so then only
is
that
no
alien
meditation to be
begun in right earnest. For a year or two you will have to exert your mind to the limit of its power; thereafter meditation will If
become natural
to you.
any day you are hard pressed with work, that 186
Name day you may finish
in a
it
for meditation only once, or
few minutes,
say,
ten or
in
may
fifteen
In the event of greater pressure, fix your
minutes.
mind on God and
sit
of the Lord
close
moment, then bow down
for a
You
your meditation.
can do
to
Him in
this
exceptional cases, but not always.
Before your morning service wash your hands
and face and dress yourself clothes; then
take a
little
sit
in clean freshly
for your practice.
washed
You may
of the sacred Ganges water.
also
In the
evening also, follow the same routine. I assure you once more, if you do these things regularly, you will enjoy great peace of
mind and
Regarding moral conduct, rules; speak
the
truth
women
will live happily.
observe
always,
these
two
and honour and
Nothing more need you trouble yourself with now. The observance of these two rules will make all other moral rules worship
all
as mother.
living through your life.
Believe in the existence of God, and never say
He
does not
exist.
I
Therefore hold fast to
tell
Him 187
you,
my
child,
God
in sincere devotion
is.
and
Spiritual Teachings
and pray and pray! No more no more waste of time, no more idle-
in lowliness of spirit
speculations, ness; begin I
now,
this very day,
will see to the rest.
188
and move forward.
XXX THE PROCESS OF MEDITATION DISCIPLE it
outside as
meditate
some think of
Ideal in the heart, see
some
Maharaj, I
it
the
in the head;
Which
see you.
011
is
I
the proper
way, Sir?
THE SWAMI
The
process
of
meditation
according to the differences in Sadhana. Ordinarily it is better to meditate on the Ideal in differs
the heart.
The body should be
temple and
God
as residing in
it.
considered as the
When
the
mind
becomes steady through continued spiritual pracof his tices, then alone can a man have a vision Isbtam (Chosen Deity) and wherever he realises Him head or heart there he can carry on his ;
meditation with ease.
Through
persistence in
man
meditation
the
first
the perception of a gets hallowed effulgence; and simultaneously with that
experience that a experience or a
little
is
later,
189
a kind of higher and
Spiritual Teachings
nobler joy
is felt
and the mind
is
move
reluctant to
onward, leaving that joy. But if one goes further, he sees the effulgence taking more definite form,
and the mind tends consciousness.
merge itself in that form of Sometimes the mind can be comto
pletely obliterated by continuously hearing the long,
sacred
sound of the Pranava
symbol of Brahman)
.
knows no
realisation
Spiritual
more you know, the more It is
unbounded,
ing to active,
By experiencing a
some, again,
is
little
think they have reached
many
the end; but the fact
The
bounds!
yet remains to be known.
infinite!
of that effulgence,
sound
the
(Om,
Accord-
quite otherwise.
when
mind
the
ceases
to
be
then true religion begins; but others believe
that that
is
the end.
DISCIPLE
Generally
we
find
that
the mind,
making some progress along the spiritual path cannot advance further: what makes it stop, after
venerable Sir?
THE SWAMI The weakness
of
the
solely responsible for this mental torpor.
190
mind
is
Accord-
The Process of Meditation mind moves on
capacity the
ing to
its
point,
then stops;
it
cannot
minds are not of the same
to a certain
advance more.
All
capacity, although all
can be and must be developed. Sri Ramakrishna has said that through Brahmacharya the mind can
be strengthened more and more; and a strong mind
wavers
never anger.
To
are the
Sadhana.
lust
such a mind these passions are
convinced that these can do
It is firmly
Many
even when overtaken by
that
pitfalls
it
stand in the
and
trifles.
no harm.
way of
External troubles are negligible compar-
Hence the many injunctions for Asanam (posture) and Mudra (position of fingers) ed to the
internal.
in religious
worship.
DISCIPLE
Maharaj, you
each one of us
call
you and inquire about our spiritual progress and our difficulties. You give us new courage and to
enthusiasm. fear
and
Your encouragement
anxiety
and
makes
us
takes
away all bold and un-
compromising.
THE SWAMI not always come,
Such an attitude of mind does
my
child.
191
At
times, of course,
Spiritual Teachings
the
mind
is
in such a state that I feel I could entreat
one by one, even touching your feet and saying, "Do this, my son, do this, I implore you." But again I think, "Who am I to instruct you in all all
you
this; the is
it
Lord
done.
is
there;
Whom
and as
Himself
all!"
is
Why
us do, so
The Lord Himself
to ask!
the cause; the Lord Himself
He
He makes
is
is
the instrument, and
should people take
my
words even though they ask me!
But then you know, my boy, when the inspiration comes from within, then people do take them and follow them. a
Strive on,
my
son, strive
moment.
At
the close
on and on; do not waste of each day Sri Rama-
krishna wept and prayed:
gone and I Even so yearn is
am
"Mother, another day not yet blest with Thy vision!"
after
God,
my
Him!
192
child,
and be
lost in
XXXI
TRUE VISION DISCIPLE when
it is
Sri
man
hot,
breeze sets
is
Maharaj,
THE SWAMI
grace conditional?
Ramakrishna has said
fans himself; but
he stops fanning.
in,
when
Even
that
the cool so
with
grace.
DISCIPLE true
vision
What is the distinction between of God and hallucination? How
the to
distinguish them, Sir?
THE SWAMI
From
the
results a lasting bliss; one's
vision of God own mind knows it
true
instinctively.
DISCIPLE Maharaj, what is the necessity of Mudra (position of fingers) and other rituals in formal worship?
THE SWAMI evil
influences.
The mind is disturbed by many The right sort of Mudra helps
Sometimes the worshipper in warding them off. you may think that you are all right and that, if you meditate, your
mind
will
become concentrated. 193
But
Spiritual Teachings
as
for
sit
you
Once an
balance.
its
within
meditation,
various distractions crop
up
in the
five
minutes
mind and shake
thought rose in me, and
evil
approached the Master, from a distance divined it, and said: "My boy, I see that an as
I
thought
is
He evil
So saying, he blessing and uttered
disturbing your mind."
placed his hand on
my
head
in
some words inaudibly; within five minutes it had gone! When the mind moves on higher planes, no evil influence can reach there and agitate it. *
DISCIPLE
Maharaj,
*
*
* I
have heard that medita-
tion should be preceded by the worship of the
but
I
how,
do not know how
to conduct
it;
pray
Guru;
tell
me
Sir!
THE SWAMI of the Ishtam
DISCIPLE
is
It is
not essential; the worship
enough.
Pray
me how
tell
to
worship
the
Guru.
THE SWAMI You Swami
can
learn
how
from
P.
DISCIPLE
No,
Sir,
I
beg you
to tell
me; he
True Vision
may
not
tell
me
at all.
THE SWAMI
Very well;
at
first,
you should
upon the Guru in the heart; then while imagine him as merging himself
meditate
after a in
the
Ishtam; then begin to repeat the sacred name of your Ishtam and meditate upon His blessed form;
and thus
continue.
193
XXXII
WHAT
IS
TAPASYA?
{His Holiness Swami Brahmanaiida spent the days of his life on this earth in the Head
last
Monastery of the Ramakrishna Mission on the bank of the Ganges above Calcutta. The conver-
which follows took place during this time. It was the evening of the 17th of March, 1922. The venerable figure of the Swami was seated on the sation
A (monastery) group of disciples sat on the floor in front of him. As the older Sadhus of the Order finished their eastern
verandah of the Math
.
evening meditation, they came one by one to at the Swami's feet in reverent salutation.
bow The
of prayer and contemplation was in the broken only by the murmur of swift-flowing
stillness air,
waters and the faint sound of Vesper chants from
surrounding temples.
came the
question,
Suddenly through the silence "Maharajji, what
is
meant by
Tapasya?"]
THE SWAMI
Yhere
196
are
different
kinds
of
What
is
Tapasya?
Tapasya. Some take a vow that they will not sit for a long period. I have seen a man who had taken At that time he a vow not to sit for twelve years.
had almost finished
only five or six
that period
months were remaining. By constantly standing, his legs had grown very stout as in elephantFor sleeping he held to a rope. The rope was tied to both ends of a wooden piece, holding to which the man slept at night. There are other
iasis.
In the winter season, one stands
kinds of Tapasya.
neck in very cold water and spends the time in making Japam! In very hot weather one sits and meditates in the midst of five
all
night
up
to the
blazing Dhuntes under a burning sun.
kind one stands or
sits in
In another
meditation on a seat with
pointed nails.
DEVOTEE Is THE SWAMI
this true
Tapasya, Maharaj
Heaven knows!
?
These people
do these things with some motive. They hope they will become kings; or enjoy the world in their next birth.
They have admitted
DEVOTEE Do
this to
me.
they get these results?
197
Spiritual Teaching*
THE SW AMI Heaven knows! DEVOTEE Then what is real Tapasya? THE SWAMI Real Tapasya is not in feats.
one can do these things
Any
by
such
practice.
It is
very easy to conquer the body; but to conquei
the
mind
lust,
difficulty
name
for
lies in three things:
Truth
truthful.
(1)
and
get rid of lust. (3) over your Vasanas. These
Of
that
important, lies
Tapasya
be very
the pillar to which you must
is
things to be observed.
most
conquei fame. Real
You must
You must
control
to
Every inch of you must b
always hold. (2)
greatest
desire
greed,
Tapasya
the
is
here.
You must are
is
Brahmacharya.
Shastras
say
gain
the main
these the second
is,
Our
truthful,
that
the
Real by
Brahmacharya for twelve years very God becomes easy to realise. This is very
observing strictly,
you from my own experience have learned that no true meditation is possible
difficult. I
I
can
tell
without real Brahmacharya. It is very difficult to get control over the Sukshma Vasanas, so the rules for
Sannyasins
are
very
198
strict.
The
Sannyasin
What
is
Tapasya?
should not even look at a woman.
formed
a picture
is
anything
beautiful
instinct
to enjoy
in
is
our mind.
sees a
to
the
is
dream or
in a
When we
mind. senses,
our
see
natural
So we unconsciously enjoy If a Sadhu very injurious.
it.
This
woman
in the
By seeing one,
gets night pollution,
he has to make Prayaschittam. He has to take little food the next day or no food at all and he has to
make penance by making Japam
times.
gain
for thousands of
Without Brahmacharya the mind the power to meditate. The mind
will not will
be
thinking of this or that and will not think of His feet.
When
You
will
you
not get the correct
imagination.
Brahmacharya you will see
develop
everything in a different light.
Everything will look
fresh to you.
aroused in
By observing Brahmacharya, Ojas is Science also says the same thing. you.
Semen, they
say, is
produced from blood, and the
best part of blood.
DEVOTEE
It
is
a
pity
that
nobody
authority speaks about these things to our boys.
199
with
young
Spiritual Teachings
THE SWAMI Gurus
their
charya.
marry;
and
After but
Formerly young boys lived with
a
if
they
had
time they they
to observe
could
married,
they
Brahma-
go home and continued
to
observe certain rules of Brahmacharya, that in the
Grihastha Ashrama
life
they might produce strong and healthy children. If they became Sannyasins, they went to the forest and meditated on God.
DEVOTEE are
known
These
ideas
about
only among Brahmin
Brahmacharya
boys.
boys they are called Brahmacharis, but
become a mere ideas be
made known
THE SWAMI be
farce.
accompanied
to all castes
but
now
cannot
it
has
these
?
Brahmacharya should Japam. Otherwise Brahma-
Yes,
by
Maharajji,
As young
charya cannot stand.
200
LETTERS AND
STRAY COUNSELS
XXXIII
LETTER TO A DISCIPLE BHADRAK, BALASORE
DEAR A. I
am
,
glad to learn from your
by the
letter that
grace of the Lord, you have a desire to spend some
time in Sadhana secured
(spiritual
convenient
a
for
place
your
Everything has come out all right. young. Make the best use of this
Do
and
practices)
have
practice.
You
are yet
opportunity.
Instead of your bothering yourself with big metaphysical problems,
waste
not
valuable
time.
apply yourself steadily to Sadhana and realise the truth.
Have
faith
you
and go ahead.
will
You
will not achieve anything without steady practice.
Even
if
you spend your whole
philosophical
derive
any
questions, benefit.
favourable, settle for a year.
and you
you will
Now
down
life in the
that
quietly to
study of
not
be
all
things
Sadhana
able
to
are
at least
Your body and mind will become pure realise many things through God's
will
grace.
203
Spiritual Teachings
My
advice
without
any
always in
is:
give your
other
Dhyanam
ing the holy
mind wholly Engage
thought.
yourself
(meditation), Japan/
Name) and Smaran-Manan
remembrance and contemplation). in idle talk and gratuitous advice
Do
Him
to
(repeat-
(constant
not indulge
You
to others.
have strength of body and your mind is not yet burdened with unholy impressions. Now is the time to do spiritual practices. the
It is easier to
mind a good shape when
You have
plastic.
deep heart. ties.
such a mind.
Sadhana and pray
in
He If
to
difficult
this
God
still
with a yearning
opportunity,
for you
to
give
pure and Therefore plunge is
will solve all your doubts
you miss
extremely
it
and it
difficul-
will
do anything
be
after-
wards.
As
far
answers to
as
possible
I
am
giving
you suitable
your questions below. If you can follow them for some time at least, you will surely all
be blessed and many of your
life's
problems will
solve themselves.
Q How
many hours
in the
204
day should
we spend
Letter to a Disciple in
Japam and meditation and how many again
in
Puja (worship) and the study of Scriptures ? A The more time you can spend in all these,
Those who lead a purely medishould spend at least sixteen hours in
the better for you. tative
life
japam practice,
the
be the
desire for
it
your mind
mind
is
grow stronger and
itself will tell
desirable that
The
reading
you how
Before
this
thoughts
rise in the
You
are
of
stronger.
it,
the
Then
long you are to
stage
you should give
sacred books and
thoughts which
taste
is
reached,
at least two-
Japam and Dhya-
of the time should be spent in
rest
meditation.
your
turned inward, the greater
thirds of your daily practice to
nam.
continue
you
Once you get a
joy.
will
is
devote to Sadhana. it
As
will be able to prolong this period.
you
The more will
D byan am.
and
examining the various
mind
should
sifted
at the
further
from the
see
evil
time of your that
ones.
good
Then
unholy thoughts are to be eliminated and replaced one by one by holy thoughts, and these again analysed with great care and serious-
gradually
all
205
Spiritual Teachings ness.
In
this
of
elements
when
way,
the
mind
the
disturbing
controlled
and well-
all
are
regulated, you can attain the state of real meditation.
Simply closing the eyes and counting your
beads or casually thinking on
you the desired object
God
God-realisation.
Intense and serious thinking on
God
what
is
ig
who
long for eternal peace and The object of meditation is to make
required of those happiness. the
will not bring
mind calm and
And
serene.
if
you do not
succeed in this or get any joy therefrom, you are to
know
that your meditation
proper channel. like
to
whoever
impress is
necessaries
therefore
One on
supplying is
other
your
you
is
not directed in the
point also
entitled to a share
acquire
so
much
That
mind.
with
should
I
is
this:
food and other of
as will
your
merit;
leave
you a
decent balance after meeting this charge. What should I do when at times the mind
Q
seems unwilling to meditate; should I then study sacred books or try to engage the mind perforce in
meditation?
206
Letter to
In
A-^
your mind
the preliminary
stages
you must force
to meditate in order to cultivate a strong
The
habit.
a Disciple
very
nature of
the
mind
is
shirk
to
work, always seeking for ease and comfort. But if you really, yearn for peace eternal, you have to labour hard. 41
If
you
feel
uncomfortable to
long time at a stretch, then
and begin you
lie
sit
for
down on your bed
perform your ]apam; and again, if are sleepy, do it walking about. Anyhow, to
keep the mind always engaged in the thought of
On
God.
the
other hand,
if
you
let
loose
your
mind, you will never be able to cultivate the firm habit without which spiritual progress
is
impossible.
Carry on, therefore, a regular fight with the mind and give it a firm shape. This is Sfidbana; and the end of all Sadhanas
is
to bring the
mind under
control.
Q
Are the processes of Hatha-Yoga, Pranayama (control of breath), Asana (sitting posture), etc.,
more
or less necessary for
If. so,
how much
A
my
spiritual practices?
time should be devoted to these ?
For the present no such practices are neces207
Spiritual Teachings
What is most essential is to meditate on God and God alone and pray to Him incessantly sary for you.
with a devout heart.
Him.
constant touch with this rule
and
He
The
real thing
Therefore
to be in
is
try to
follow
you to do whatever
will lead
is
best for you.
As regards
the practice of Hatha-Yoga, you must
keep yourself aloof from it or you will feel the It is a most dangerous consequences. path without the help of a competent guide.
you can do with some one of
strong desire for
happen
to live
disciples,
it,
and then
you have a very
If it
only
Sri
when you
Ramakrishna's
under his direction and
strictly
guidance.
Q How doing
long should
a
practices)
spiritual
Sadhaka (one who sleep?
Beyond
usual period of sleep, can he spend a
little
is
his
more
time to give his body and mind rest ?
A
Ordinarily four hours' sleep
for a Sadhaka in
than five hours great harm.
is
is
good health; and
quite sufficient
sleep for
not rest but a disease.
By no means should a 208
It
more does
spiritual aspir-
Letter to a Disciple
ant
sleep
away
As youth is Sadhana when both time.
his
favourable time for
and the mind are strong account.
good
safely through the
peace
make
and
it
Therefore
if
up
life to
cannot
you
progress along the paths of spiritual
to
will lead
most unsafe paths of
happiness.
it
time he must store
such an amount of spiritual energy that
him
the body
a Sadhaka must turn this
During
most
the
life
now,
do anything afterwards. You are yet young, my boy. Give a good shape to your mind. Lose yourself heart and soul it
will be hardly possible for you to
in
Sadhana and make the
will get
best use of your time.
enough time for sleep and gossip
You
later on.
anybody is asked to labour hard in Sadhana, he will at once produce a number of lame excuses. If
He is
will say that the necessary.
know
that
All
body
is
this is
weak and
hours' rest
and
is
in tune.
life,
quite
He
insincerity.
methodical in their spiritual practices a strictly regular
that rest
should
who are and who lead
organs of those
sense
the
very
become so adjusted
enough
to
By leading an 209
that four
keep the body healthy irregular
life,
people
Spiritual Teachings
mind
generally tax their body and
so heavily that
even a period of eight or ten hours' sleep is too Therefore what I ask short to refresh their system. you,
my
is
boy,
this
regulate your life by every
means and then your body and mind will be fresh #nd active. Waste no more time. Do something if
you really yearn for things divine.
lofty
Idle talk
and
metaphysical speculations bring no good unless
translated into action.
Q What food?
Shall
make any
I
observed
be
rules are to
accept whatever
distinction?
Which
is is
regarding
offered to
better,
me
or
Madhukari
(food gathered by begging from house to house like a bee) or food brought by chance?
A
At the time of Sadhana, a
tion in food
is
little
discrimina-
There are some kinds
necessary.
of food which produce sleep, drowsiness, etc.; they are the worst enemies to a Sadhaka; therefore it is
always advisable not to take them.
much sweet
or sour food
any preparation of
growth of the
it
is
is
To
eat too
bad, and Kolai-dal or
also very harmful to the
spiritual life.
210
Foods such as these
Letter to a Disciple stir
he
up the Tamas (dullness) feels
drowsy
cannot make any
An and
at
in
time of
the
a result
his diet
foods as are easily digestible,
such
Under no circumstances must he of his
fill
This
stomach.
more than two increase
will
strength and energy and he will be able to
them
to
good
But
account.
if
overloaded, he will have to spend digesting
food.
his
He
will
inclination for meditation.
upon health all
in
means and care
for
it
all his
devote
energy
is
in
no energy or
Moreover,
favourable to Sadhana.
his
the stomach
find
you know
his health; for, as is
and
meditation
progress in the spiritual path.
must be very careful about
aspirant
eat only
thirds
As
man.
it
may
tell
full well,
good
So guard
it
now, when everything
by is
your favour.
As regards Mad>hukari,
it
is
very pure food.
But
does not bind you to any obligations. accept food From a particular person,
a fraction of your
Madhukari
is
merit
will
go
to
it
It
if
you binds; and
that
specially beneficial to those
person.
who
can-
not continue the flow of meditation without break 211
Spiritual Teachings
and consequently require some time Instead of whiling
away
idle talk, if they utilise
for diversion.
their time of diversion in it
Madhukari, they are
in
thereby not only saved from the sin of killing time in vain, but they also
keep themselves free from the
obligation of giving a portion for their food
ireturn
Q
the
Is
Sadhana?
vow
If so,
of
from any
merit
their
particular person.
of silence necessary at the time of
what
is
to be
done when some
unavoidable circumstances compel one to break or if the mind becomes irritated because of it ?
A
No,
the
understand in talk
vow
of silence
mind
is
it,
not required as you
Forced silence and wild indulgence
both have their evil
silent in
so
it.
in
is
effects
on man.
To
be
surely better than external silence,
always try to
follow
the
former.
Moreover,
instead of binding yourself by any forced silence,
you talk only so much as is required, it will not only do you no harm, but will give you the same if
result
as
is
attained
by one
observing
absolute
silence.
Q How
much
clothing
212
should
a
Sadhaka
Letter to a Disciple
And
require?
be borne?
what extent should heat and cold
to
any clothes to protect the body from the ravages of heat and cold, should If
anybody
offers
they be accepted?
A much
As as
for clothing, you is
barely
healthy and protect in
mind
many ideal
keep
only
as
to keep the body from heat and cold; but bear
necessary it
that if those of delicate health practise
austerities, they will is
should
to
realise
As
hardships.
have
God, not
their deserts.
to bear
Your
unnecessary
for the acceptance of any offer, you
must sincerely judge of that with reference to your utmost necessity. You may accept an offer only
when you
really feel a
want for
it;
otherwise reject
To
accept anything from any body for the purpose of hoarding is a sin unpardonable in
it
at once.
a Sadhaka.
Q
I
know
that both your noble self
and the
Lord have endless grace for me. Only bless me to Bless me also that my realise it fully and well. faith and devotion to you may be firm and unflinching.
As
I
feel I
have no power to do any-
213
Spiritual Teachings
make me do
thing without your help, will you not as
it
pleases you, venerable Sir
A
There
is
infinite
lose faith in yourself,
His grace
He
too.
?
in
strength
my
boy;
God
gracious to
is
is
Never
you.
And
in you.
all.
Know
for
through His endless grace alone that you are able to be here under the banner of It is again through His the Ramakrishna Order.
certain that
it
is
grace that you have found a good
man
to give
you
food and shelter during the period of your Sadhana. Have faith, therefore; have firm faith in Him.
Work will
You
hard with unshakable determination and
give you will
with
your
realise
will realise
Sadhana
as
instructed
Ramakrishna
Him
in
this
by
thing positive.
I
His endless
Make
Go on
them
and continue
very
life.
troubled with big questions any more.
and be
unceasingly.
not spend your time in vain.
disciples of Sri
you
Strive
knowledge.
know Him and you
Do
grace.
all
He
it
the till
Do not be Do some-
the best of this opportunity
blessed.
have answered
all
your questions.
214
Now
try to
Letter to a Disciple live
them
in your
From your
life.
stand that the gentleman
food and shelter
is
who
really a
letter 1
under-
has been giving you
Rich
devotee.
men
seldom spend money in good deeds; and those that Your host has been do so are very few in number. doing so much for you; see that his money is not wasted. You should live there in such a way that
from your conduct
his inclination to
spend more in
As your benefactor will have a share of your merit and demerit both, do there only such work as will not
good deeds may be gradually
make him
suffer hereafter.
increased.
Take
care;
do not run
after name and fame.
had
in plenty at
Those things you could have home. But once you have come out
of their clutches, try your utmost not to to
them
again.
Pray to
Him
fame may not soil your good heart. My love and best wishes to you and your desire
good sense
I
may be and make
prey
with a sincere heart
that even the least taint of desire for
your kind host.
fall a
name and
to our friend,
always pray to the Lord that fulfilled.
a
man 215
May He
of you.
give
you
XXXIV LETTER TO A DISCIPLE PURI
DEAR is
A
,
Received your letter and also B's. not clear. He does not wish to
That
wants to serve his country. it
SASHI NIKETANA^
t
appears to
me
far
it
belief
problem
that the
He
all right,
but
it is all due to want of Western education. I do not
is
others
and
man who
well formed.
My
cannot solve his
own
serve
to
possible
country before one's character is
marry.
that
assimilation of his
know how
is
His motive
is
will not be able to be of
much
use to others
Anyhow the body is good and if he leads life, he may get a taste for a higher life. Sri
Ramakrishna used
to
say:
"Fix
on God and perform thy worldly thou shalt be free from all dangers." firmly
a
pure
thy
hold
duties; then
Again
He
"In the play of hide-and-seek, if the player succeeds in touching the grand-dame (Boori), he is
said:
no longer a
'thief*.
Similarly by once seeing
216
God
Letter to a Disciple
we are no longer bound by You should always bear God.
life is to realise
the fetters of the world." in
First
mind of
that the goal of
all
know Him;
let
your faith and devotion to His feet become strong. Then you may do whatever you wish to do. So long as you live you will have to do some kind of
Even
work.
own
if
you have no you will
maintenance,
either
for
the sake of your body, or impelled by
(impressions). is
better to
such things as will bring peace to your benefit
shelter
your
be doing something
your ego or your past Samskaras Therefore when you must work, it
and
for
difficulties
to
do
own mind
Those who have taken
others.
under His feet and obtained His grace never
Every word spoken by them, every act done by them, leads to the good of humanity.
go wrong. It is
good
to
remain unmarried.
keep Brahmacharya
Those
extraordinary
gain
powers.
Only through such men do supernatural or powers
manifest
used to say:
themselves.
"The heart of
drawing-room."
If
we
to
divine
Ramakrishna
the devotee
wish
217
Sri
who
is
become
God's His
Spiritual Teachings
devotees and servants
we must become
pure; for
pure hearts can He reside. He is fai beyond the reach of the impure. When your mind and heart become as pure as clear glass, then only
only
God
in
can reside in you; then only can you claim to
His
be
child.
servant,
devotee,
His
dependent or
Just as a bright clear mirror gives a
good
Him
truly.
does a pure heart manifest
reflection, so
Therefore all
His
I
tell
instal
stain,
you
Him
who in
young and free from your heart and allow no are
other thing to enter there.
know Him
on him. severes.
is
not possible to
except through pure and holy living.
In this life you can realise
The boy
It
is
Him
by this way only.
good and has some auspicious marks
He can make spiritual progress if he perTo get a B.A. or M.A. degree, to become and make some money, is not a very high life and gives but temporary enjoyment,
a barrister ideal It
in
will not help
one
to
God, the goal of form your character and
attain
human life. First of all make it perfect. Then whatever you may undertake,
you will accomplish 218
easily.
If
in
studying
Letter to a Disciple
books you can spend even one-twelfth of the time wasted in preparing for your B.A. or M.A.
religious
degree, you will imbibe the higher
when
they have no time
come into
a
ideas of
Students generally complain that
life.
sacred books.
many thoughts and
My
man and
they are asked to read the
dear boy,
you wish
if
to
live in eternal happiness,
deep meditation and resolve to realise
be-
plunge
Him
or
die in the attempt.
Those who want worldly enjoyment let them become B.A's. and M.A's. But those who care have no need of university Ramakrishna used to speak of
only for Supreme Sri
degrees.
Bliss,
This does
Granthas (books) as Granthis (knots). not,
of
course,
include
the
Shastras,
Swamiji's
Reading purely secular books makes people vain, excites evil propensities in them and takes them far away from God. Any book which etc.
works,
does
not
however ultimately fro/in
induce
devotion
entertaining
cause
B.A., M.A.,
for
misery. etc.,
and
the
The
faith
time
in
God,
being,
egotism
will
arising
drags one away from God.
219
Spiritual Teachings
The
mispossession of wealth also works similar
Money does more harm than good.
chief.
Neither in the sleeping nor waking state could touch a coin. What He has Sri Ramakrishna
own life is that there is no other attain God but through Tyaga (renunciaBy running after sense enjoyments, man
taught us by His
path to tion).
becomes degraded
of the
to the level
If
brute.
you want to be a man, practise renunciation; love and realise Him. Renouncing momentary pleasures
fits
ciation
you for Supreme Happiness. By renunmeant giving up all sense pleasures of
is
this life.
Take
Lord; become
Look
mad
of
the lotus feet
at
shelter
the
with love and devotion for Him.
at the life of Sri
Ramakrishna and be a man
in the best sense of the term.
Renunciation
can
alone
Renounce
all
for His sake.
and pray
to
Him:
art
my
sister,
mother,
Thou
art
of enjoyment in
"Thou
Thou
my
art
all."
this life,
my
you
give
Make God art
my
brother,
Giving up
when you
220
peace.
your
father,
Thou all
own
Thou art
my
thoughts
are able to pass
Letter to a Disciple
day and night in constant thought of prayer to a
man.
When
and
Him, you will feel infinite joy and become That joy cannot be conveyed through
The human
words.
Him
heart
that state of joy
is
is
too small to hold
it.
attained, His grace, His
love and His presence will always be felt by you.
Three things are
God
human
birth,
essential for the realisation
company of holy men. have
and
all
the
attain
What
is
Now
three.
the
for
desire
and the
By the grace of God you make the best use of them
supreme
human
of
object
good of running
when you can
salvation
of
birth.
after fleeting pleasures
attain eternal peace
and happiness?
Renouncing everything, you have taken refuge at His lotus feet with the noble aspiration of realising
Him;
see therefore that your life
vain.
Remember
this,
my
boy,
is
it is
not spent in possible to be
born again as man and have spiritual yearning as well; but I can assure you, that the company of
you enjoy
men now
to
have
such holy
expect
(disciples of Sri is it
Ramakrishna) as a rare privilege and you cannot always.
221
The
blessing
of
such
*
cachings
Spiritual
holy company comes as a result accumulated during many births.
of
great
merit,
Therefore make
the best use of this opportunity instead of wasting
your
life in
worthless pursuits.
words of your Guru will make everything easy for you. Without this all forms and rituals of religion are useless. So Faith, intense faith, in the
surrender
yourself absolutely to your
kitten does to
its
He
mother.
Guru
far can your intellect
taken your
on
burden
responsibility
and
feels
much more than you dangers and
difficulties.
ful disciple
who
is
go?
himself,
anxious
He
do.
No
a
will then look after
you and provide you with everything; yours to have simple faith alone.
How
as
has for
is
only
He who
has
your
will save
evil
sense
a
of
welfare
you from
can befall a faith-
under the protecting wings of
the Guru.
Men realise
will surely
God.
But
go wrong so long if
as they
do not
they surrender themselves to
the Guru, the chances of committing error will be
much
less.
Remember
Sri
222
Ramakrishna's parable
Letter to a Disciple
of
father and the sun
the
ridges across the fields.
the father himself takes
If
hold of the son's hand, there slipping off his feet; but
if
Let those
Guru
tent
them of
no fear of the
is
latter
the son tries to take hold is
a chance of his falling
who have
the grace of a compe-
of the father's hand, there
down.
narrow
walking over
rest content,
leaving
it
him
to
to cure
all their faults.
Renunciation being the
vital
factor
in
attaining
peace and happiness, everything should be given up for the sake of God. Unbroken Brahntacharya
A man
Lord.
an
Discrimination
animal.
man
distinguishes realise
God
one seeking the without continence is no better than also requisite for
is
(continence)
if
he
from
strives for
is
the it,
the
trait
brute.
which
Man
can
but the brute cannot,
being a complete slave of the senses. If
and
you wish taste joy
to possess real
peace and happiness
and cheerfulness
hold fast to God, giving up your renunciation
all.
this
Do
very
life,
not think
wandering about with a hand and smearing the body with
consists in
pair of tongs in
in
223
Spiritual Teachings ashes.
tion)
The outward marks of Tyaga
meant for show bring no good; rather are
they harmful. plete
(renuncia-
Real renunciation consists in com-
surrender of one's
self to the will of
God.
"Lord! my body, my mind Pray to Him saying: and everything are Thine; Thou mayest use them
Thou
as
wilt."
Have you not heard
that
Sri
Ramakrishna knew nothing but the Divine Mother, and that whatever He did was according to Her
and guidance? So always pray to God, "Lord, do not know what is good and what is bad; I am
will I
merely
Thy
Struggle
servant; let
Thy
incessantly
to
will be done."
make
this
attitude
permanent. If you surrender yourself completely unto God, He will do through you all that is need-
Therefore pray, ever pray to Him and take One thing more I wish to shelter at His feet. ful.
are praised impress upon your mind. Whether you or blamed, honoured or insulted, whether there be
a place in the world for you or no, whether your
body stands or falls, once you have understood that the end and aim of human life is to realise God, do 224
Letter to a Disciple
not swerve an inch from this ideal. self
Say to your-
"I
must
realise
cast
your
life
with firm determination:
God
here and now, at any cost/' It
is
mould
only
when you can
in this
you can be a man, a true and worthy Your Sat-Sanga (comchild of Sri Ramakrishna. that
pany of holy men) will then bear fruit and you will be blessed. Otherwise your life will be wasted;
and between you and the brute there
You
difference.
worthy son of
One always,
the
wish you to bear in mind Ordinary people understand by
this.
term
Mantram
a
Ramakrishna,
Sri
other point which is
deserve to be called
not
will
no
will be
a
Guru,
I
person
who
whispers some They do not
into the ear of the disciple.
care whether he possesses all the qualifications of
a
true
losing
ground.
none but a teacher.
But today such a conception
Master.
It
is
now
realised soul
He who
cannot show
it
is
being
recognised
is
that
qualified to be a spiritual
does not
to others.
potent as ever; but those
225
know
the path himself
Mantras are today as
who
trade
in
spiritual
Spiritual Teachings
them and
lore are ignorant of the rules governing
they themselves are not able to
Much
gress.
make any
real pro-
How
then can
less so their disciples.
they obtain real peace and happiness ? Sri Ramakrishna has turned the tide. invaluable
gems
spiritual
The most
are to be found
among
Those who have received the blessing are really disciples of Sri Ramakrishna
his disciples.
of
the
fortunate.
If they
can follow the children of the
great Master with firm faith and steadfast devothe tion, they will surely attain Supreme Bliss,
human life. These great followers of Ramakrishna know full well the various paths
goal of
spiritual
Sadhana
instruct those
a
manner
suited
who go
suited
to
them for
their
to
the
to
time.
Sri
of
They
spiritual help in
spiritual
evolution.
along the path into which it has been your good fortune to be led. Pray to your Guru with the faith of a child and he will certainly do all Proceed
needful.
that
is
his
physical
one
of
his
He
is
the best
body stands or disciples
Guru who, whether
attains
226
that
every
liberation.
The
falls, sees
Letter to a Disciple speciality
of this
disappearance
of
is
age his
that
even
body, the
physical
the
after
Guru
appears in flesh to his disciples to guide and bless
them.
and struggle ceaselessly. Shake off all doubt and plunge into your Sadhana that you may realise and make your own what you have learned Strive
from your Guru. Let not your spiritual practices be done for show, or to catch the public eye; but follow them silently and steadily, so that even
may not know of them. There may be people who may ridicule you or try to shake your faith; there may be others who by their your neighbours
praise
and respect for you, increase your egotism.
Therefore always bear in mind of
Sri
Ramakrishna:
this great teaching
"Meditate in your mind,
the forest or in a quiet corner." this is that
all
If
may
you steadily practise
time, you will find
come
to you.
The meaning of
Sadhana must be done
privacy, that others
You
not come to like this
what great will be a
227
in
in
know of
even for a joy
strict
and
changed
it.
little
bliss will
man
alto-
Spiritual Teachings
Therefore you who have renounced the His name, say to yourself with all
gather.
world
in
firmness: life/'
You are
''Realise
Him
I
must, now, in
this
very
be your supreme aim in life. have got the blessings of a real Guru and you Yes,
bound
let this
to succeed.
the least doubt of
There cannot
it.
228
be,
my
child,
XXXV EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS Keep your mind always in communion with God; then all depravity of the mind will vanish. Select a room for daily worship; every morning on your Asanam; then perform ]apam and meditation and prayer Born as a man here regularly as long as you can. and evening
retire there
and
sit
more you can devote yourself to the contemplation of God, the more fruitful will your life become; and the more attached you are to the vanities of the world, the more peaceless you on
this earth, the
will feel in mind.
I
of His endless grace
pray to the Almighty that out
He may
lead you in the right
path!
Know
without worshipping God you can never have peace of mind. Therefore suspending this;
all
activities completely,
day
in the
tion,
spend
worship of God, and in singing His glory.
in
229
some time every Japam and meditaTrue devotion and
Spiritual Teachings faith
and knowledge are the
results
continued practice of Sadhana. to
when,
agnosticism
attempt at Sadhana,
after
they
attain to the bliss Divine. to
seek.
These
Many a
people turn
lukewarm
little
cannot
The
people do
of long and
not it
or
is
not far
possess
sincere
reason
attachment to God, so they find
God
realise
difficult to per-
and persevere in the path of Sadhana. Sadhana proves too arduous an undertaking for them. sist
Without Divine attachment and Divine love the
mind becomes dry and you
suffer for
you become
But the more
peaceless.
God's sake, the more peaceful will
in the end.
"Persist cheerfully in your
1
my
attempt,
you will
said Sri Ramakrishna,
friend/
succeed
against
all
odds/*
headlong into Sadhana and persevere in not even if your very life is hazarded. * I
am
*
"then
So plunge it;
shrink
*
*
very glad to learn that you have been carry-
ing on your practices with great earnestness and If this state of things is continued for regularity. a couple of years without break,
230
I
assure you,
my
Extracts
from Letters
friend, your effort will not
remind you you need not at also
that, as
go unrewarded.
your constitution
this stage
practise for
stretch; rather proceed slowly
* I
and
is
* to
(Benares) and some other holy places early next and to spend three or four months these places
and
also in practising
fruition rests with It is
within
indeed the
Vairagyam
Him,
weak,
steadily.
on a pilgrimage
start
me
long at a
*
*
propose to
Let
Kashi in
June
visiting
Sadhana; but the
the Lord.
have any thought of God heart without the fire of
difficult to
human
It
(renunciation).
conviction that the
more a man
in him, the greater
is
is
my
settled
possesses this
the peace he enjoys.
A
fire
true
and living representation of Viveka (discrimination) and Vairagyam we saw in Sri Ramakrishna, the Master. that
It
is
only with the progress of time
we know Him more and
Vtveka and Vairagyam
them
personified
in
more.
in Scriptures,
Him.
It
We
read of
but
we saw
was our misfortune
that sitting at the feet of such a unique personality,
231
Spiritual Teachings
we
embodiment of Viveka and Vairagyam, could not make them our own.
the
*
*
You want you
permit please also
to
go
holy
places for Sadhana!
and
this sacred place
me and
seeks
place to carry
Whenever places, I
I
my
Who
live there?
my
attract
Oh, the
you.
am
wish
I
It
is
my
life in
me,
remember,
the
Whoever comes
once suggest to him
I at I
tell
prayer
reminded of
this
him
go there
to
and meditation. of holy
holiest
could go straight there, throwing I
find
no joy
in anything
strong desire to live the
Kashi and
my
all
regarding a suitable
counsel
aside all engagements;
of
may
not tempted to go to
is
of Kashi.
I
thing,
there, that I
with
land
continuous
in
live
else.
draw me
on Sadhana,
name
the sacred
and
to
one
of Kashi, the greatest and holiest of
sanctity
to
But
wholeheartedly.
in the
*
Kashi for Sadhana; well,
to
do not forget
live
*
I
am
last
certain if
you only
desire will be surely fulfilled.
noblest
blessed city of Kashi
is
object
of
living
well attained only
232
days
in
And this
when
a
Extracts
man
from
Letters
can lose himself entirely in the intoxication ot
love Divine, living in a lonely retreat quite undisturbed.
233
XXXVI STRAY COUNSELS You must
1.
Sadhana
to
with
of
Oh, the charm of
To
it,
the
Rama
Singing at the Panchavati, Sri krishna heard the music of the Vina within.
sweetness!
3.
your
nothing without, everything is music without is trivial compared
music within.
the
secret
is
.
The
within.
the
all.
There
2.
not divulge
God
should be imagined as vast and infinite. bring this idea of vastness within, one should
Himalayas or the ocean, or gaze at the sky. True character cannot be formed unless a
see the 4.
man becomes God, 5.
in
God-fearing,
To conquer is
lust
or
control
the
a task as impossible as
mind by walking
air.
6.
of
unless he believes in
the life hereafter, and in such principles.
studying books
on
i.e.,
all
The water waters;
it
of the Ganges fulfils
one's
234
is
verily the holiest
desire
and
is
a help
Stray Counsels to
the
realising
said:
"The
Ishtam.
water
Ramakrishna
Sri
of
the
Ganges,
has
the
holy
Prasadam of Jagannath (at Puri), and the sacred dust of Vrindavan are verily Brahman in reality." 7.
So long as Mother
downward
direction,
the
mind of man runs
things relating to the phallus, navel.
But as She
moves
Kundalini
anus
the
rises up, the
mind
a
in
after
and
the
also rises;
it
then moves toward things spiritual. 8.
With
the growth of Sattwa in man, he feels
God; he then
eager to behold the vision of in singing
His glory and meditating upon
delights
Him more
and more. 9.
The food
be taken; 10.
a
it is
of funeral ceremonies should not
harmful.
While coming down from Mughal
motor car
through
the
vast
scenery could not give
me
holy land of Benares,
when
and entered
its
bounds.
It
as
open
much I
Sarai in
fields,
the
joy as did this
crossed the bridge
was a
joy unspeakable! Divine of this land, Oh, the glory and the sweetness Lord Shiva Himself the blessed abode of Shiva!
235
Spiritual Teachings is
In this hallowed land, on
the supreme Teacher.
hand Mother Annapurna supplies man with on the other, Lord physical wants; and
the one his
Viswanath ministers our Master's exquisitely
spiritually
unto him.
During
visit to this holy land, a divine form
luminous and with beard on the
chin
appeared before Him and showed to Him everyThe Master's body was all thing worth seeing. the while lying unconscious.
This holy guide was
none other than Kala Bhairava (the guardian angel of the 11.
of Shiva) What bold and prophetic words are these .
city
uttered by Swamiji
ever will
go and
(America)
will
ensnared!"
A
India
who
(Swami Vivekananda) imitate
try to
me
become bound; he
great
man
is
When
he
at
that
land
will surely
he
name and left
left also all his costly robes there;
India
"Who-
born, not made!
has earned a greater
fame than Swamiji?
in
!
be In
greater
America,
he
and on reaching
once took to his old habit
''Hath,
Hath" (the habit of a barefooted monk trotting). Barefooted he would go to Calcutta and come back, 236
Stray Counsels
and
an ordinary man in the public road, he purchase Chanachur (a mixture of fried
like
would
grams and
peas,
tion for
a
nuts,
children
in
delicious
very
particular)
.
prepara-
Sometimes
we
gave him a pair of shoes to wear and he would What tremendous fame and honour accept them. he earned, but
still
he possessed to Reaching
soil his
man
is
like
The
an
honour
is
the
and
insignificant
least trace
That
mind!
power glory.
man,
of corruption could
why
it
is
said, a great
Buddha
the
one
should
be
Behold, what a mighty renunciation he made! realise
God he
gave up
out a thought.
What
he underwent!
When,
realise
(a
God, he took
rivulet at
with
he
born, not made.
Like
12.
this
digest
India,
roamed about. not
more tremendous was
all his royal
To
comforts with-
a severe course of discipline in spite of all,
he could not
his bath in the sacred
Buddha Gaya),
this resolve:
bold.
Nirajana
sat for the last
time
"Let this body go; but until
have attained illumination, the illumination came!
I
will not rise/'
I
And
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