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

October 9, 2009

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 JalasutramLove And Love Alone