Sri RamaKrishna says Mere book-learned Pandits do good neither to themselves nor to others

[Guest guest]

Bhagavan: Whatever work is done for the good of others is absolutely free

from fault.

 

He who performs good works through love, without seeking results, attains to

God. But he who works for name, fame or any other selfish purpose remains

bound. Further, I may say that you have already become Siddha (perfected).

 

Vidyasagar: Sir, how is that?

 

Bhagavan: You know that Siddha, or well-boiled potato, becomes soft and

tender. Have you not become tender-hearted by your compassion for all?

 

Vidyasagar: But the paste of Kalai (a kind of pulse) when boiled (Siddha)

becomes harder. Is it not so? [book-learned Pandits like vultures.]

 

Bhagavan, laughing: Yes, but you are not like that.Mere book-learned Pandits

(scholars) are hard-hearted. They do good neither to themselves nor to

others. They are like vultures who soar high in the sky, but always search

after carrion-pits. They may talk about Divine truths, but their minds are

attached to woman and wealth.

 

Their attachment is to worldly things (Avidya). Compassion, Devotion

(Bhakti), Dispassion (Vairagya)--these are the manifestations of Vidya.

 

Vidyasagar was listening to the words of wisdom with whole attention, while

the eyes of other gentlemen present were fixed upon the blissful face of

Ramakrishna radiant with Divine glory. [p. 104]

 

The Bhagavan continued: The Absolute Brahman is beyond the reach of Vidya

(knowledge) as well as of Avidya (ignorance), which keeps one away from the

realization of the Absolute. The absolute Brahman is beyond the reach of

Maya, while Maya is either Vidya or Avidya. Vidya-Maya and Avidya-Maya both

exist in this world.

 

As there are knowledge (Jnana) and Devotion (Bhakti), so also there are lust

and greed for wealth. Good and evil, virtue and vice, are to be found in

this world of relativity; but Brahman is unaffected by them. They exist in

relation to Jiva (individual ego), but cannot touch the Absolute Brahman.

[p. 105]

 

Source: THE GOSPEL OF RAMAKRISHNA Revised by SWAMI ABHEDANANDA

 

--

Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya

Prasanth Jalasutram

 

Love And Love Alone