When He used to utter these words, people used to think, what this illiterate, poor fellow is talking about? One who doesn't even have the basic education, how can He deliver such lectures?His stories & examples are simple, but when we think deeply whatever He said, we are truly amazed. Let me introduce you to a modern prophet of 19th. Century, Gadadhar Chattopadhyay, popularly known as "Shri Ramakrishna".
One of the most important scriptures of Hindus,i.e. Shrimat Bhagavad Gita states that whenever people will be in distress, whenever Evil will outdo the benevolent ones, God will take birth in the form of a human being, for destroying the evil forces & for boosting the benefic forces in the society--Such birth will take in every ages. Shri Ramakrishna was born in such an era, when the society was challenged by the orthodox customs of Brahmins & their practises;when people of lower castes cannot even touch the members of upper castes; when degradation of religion was in its prime.
Shri Ramakrishna from his childhood had immense devotion towards God. However, in due course, his outlook on things & his attitude towards religion changed. For example, he was being born in a Brahmin family, used to practise untouchability, however, after his realisation of God, his outlook completely changed. He firmly proclaimed, "A devotee doesn;t have a caste", as his only identity then becomes, he is a devotee of God.
He had a small laboratory, a virtual one, where he used to practise all the practices of religious customs, disciplines & traditions. For example, after realisation of God, he started *testing* with other practises too. For example, the Vedantic way, where God is formless. He was successful in that. He tried in the way Vaishnavas do & had realisation of God in their practises. Next was the way of Muslim. Yes, it is true. After his prayers in the way of Islam, he had vision of Prophet Muhammad & claimed, still, this way, one will realise God. Finally, the way a Christian practises, he did so. He listened to Holy Bible & had vision of Christ.
Regarding many names of God, he used to give a simple example. There is a pond, where people of different community draw water. Hindus call the water as "Jal", Muslims call it as "Paani", Christians as "Water" or some other calling it "Aqua". They are referring to the same water, but in different names. So is God. He is the same, but called in different names.
He says, "You may say that there are many errors and superstitions in another religion. I should reply: Suppose there are. Every religion has errors. Everyone thinks that his watch alone gives the correct time. It is enough to have yearning for God. It is enough to love Him and feel attracted to Him: Don't you know that God is the Inner Guide? He sees the longing of our heart and the yearning of our soul."
However, he kept on saying onething over & over. "The objective of being born is a human being is realisation of God".Difficult, but he says it to be the penance of this age. Its truly difficult!!
But he never advised us to stop performing our duties. He used to say, "Do your work but keep your mind firmly on God". However, practise is necessary & one should also be alert. One who is crossing the busy road, & also doing meditation will invite trouble for himself. Only in this way, one can safeguard both--God & world.
On rituals He was quite liberal. He used to say, "Rituals are like a market list. You need the list to buy all groceries, vegetables accordingly. But once you are done with buying all stuff, you dont need anymore". He was liberal to the householders, but he was strict for those who renounce the worldly life. For them he instructs, "Even the touch of money & women will be a reason for their fall".
What more can I say? He was such a wonderful man. The more I talk about him, I will surely run short of words.
All my obeiscances to this great prophet of 19th Century.
Om Namo Bhagavate Ramakrishnaya!!
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