Sri Ramakrishna Says God Is The Only Real Teacher

[Guest guest]

MASTER (sharply): " That's the one hobby of you Calcutta people – giving

lectures and bringing others to the light! Nobody ever stops to consider how

to get the light himself. Who are you to teach others?

 

" He who is the Lord of the Universe will teach everyone. He alone teaches

us,who has created this universe; who has made the sun and moon, men and

beasts, and all other beings; who has provided means for their sustenance;

who has given children parents and endowed them with love to bring them up.

The Lord has done so many things – will He not show people the way to

worship Him? If they need teaching, then He will be the Teacher. He is our

Inner Guide.

 

" Suppose there is an error in worshipping the clay image; doesn't God know

that through it He alone is being invoked? He will he pleased with that very

worship. Why should you get a headache over it? You had better try for

knowledge and devotion yourself. "

 

This time M. felt that his ego was completely crushed. He now said to

himself: " Yes, he has spoken the truth. What need is there for me to teach

others? Have I known God? Do I really love Him? 'I haven't room enough for

myself in my bed, and I am inviting my friend to share it with me!' I know

nothing about God, yet I am trying to teach others. What a shame! How

foolish I am! This is not mathematics or history or literature, that one can

teach it to others. No, this is the deep mystery of God. What he says

appeals to me. "

 

This was M.'s first argument with the Master, and happily his last.

 

MASTER: " You were talking of worshipping the clay image. Even if the image

is made of clay, there is need for that sort of worship. God Himself has

provided different forms of worship. He who is the Lord of the Universe has

arranged all these forms to suit different men in different stages of

knowledge.

 

" The mother cooks different dishes to suit the stomachs of her different

children. Suppose she has five children. If there is a fish to cook, she

prepares various dishes from it – pilau, pickled fish, fried fish, and so on

– to suit their different tastes and powers of digestion.

 

Source: THE GOSPEL OF RAMAKRISHNA

 

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Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya

Prasanth Jalasutram

 

Love And Love Alone