Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa

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Tales of Transformation:

 

Totapuri Asked the disciple (Ramanakrishma) to withdraw his mind from all

objects of the relative world, including the gods and goddesses, and to

concentrate on the Absolute. But the task was not easy even for Sri Ramakrishna.

he found it impossible to take his mind beyond Kali, the Divine Mother of the

Universe. "After the initiation, "Sir Ramakrishna later said, describing the

event, " Nangta began to teach me the various conclusions of Advaita Vedanta and

asked me to withdraw the mind completely from all objects and dive deeply into

Atman. But in spite of all my attempts I could not altogether cross the realm of

name and form and bring my mind to the unconditioned state. I had no difficulty

in taking the mind form all the object of the world. But the radiant and all too

familiar figure of the Blissful Mother, the Embodiment of the essence of Pure

Consciousness, appeared before me as a living reality. her bewitching smile

prevented me from passing into the Great Beyond. Again and again I tried , but

she stood in my way every time. In despair I said to Nangta: 'It is hopeless, I

cannot raise my mind to the unconditioned state and come face to face with

Atman.' He grew excited and sharply said: 'What? You can't do it? But you have

to.' He cast his eyes around. Finding a piece of glass he took it up and stuck

it between my eyebrows. 'Concentrate the mind on this point!' he thundered. Then

with stern determination I again sat to meditate. As soon as the gracious form

of the Divine Mother appeared before me, I used my discrimination at a sword and

with it clove her in two. The last barrier fell. My spirit as once soared beyond

the relative plane, I lost myself in samadhi."

 

From Swami Nikhilananda, The Gospel of Sri Ramankrishna

 

Reprinted in this magazine.

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