Vivekananda Mailing List- 7/26/04

[Guest guest]

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Owing to the extreme poverty of his family, Shri Ramakrishna was

obliged to become in his boyhood a priest in a temple dedicated to the

Divine Mother, also called Prakriti, or Kâli, represented by a female

figure standing with feet on a male figure, indicating that until Maya

lifts, we can know nothing. Brahman is neuter, unknown and unknowable,

but to be objectified He covers Himself with a veil of Maya, becomes

the Mother of the Universe, and so brings forth the creation. The

prostrate figure (Shiva or God) has become Shava (dead or lifeless) by

being covered by Maya. The Jnâni says, " I will uncover God by force "

(Advaitism); but the dualist says, " I will uncover God by praying to

Mother, begging Her to open the door to which She alone has the key. "