Page:The Gospel of Râmakrishna.djvu/194

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GOSPEL OF RAMAKRISHNA

to Him. First realize God and all other things shall be added unto you. Jadu Mullik is a rich man. If you wish to cultivate his acquaintance, do not trouble yourself as to how much wealth he has, how many houses he owns, how many country-houses and gardens. First, be intro- duced to him and he will furnish you with all the necessary information afterwards. There was a young man named Podo in a certain village. In that village was an old Parable of the deserted temple. dilapidated temple. The holy image of God once worshipped there had disappeared and it was now the home of small bats. One day at nightfall the vil- lagers were surprised to hear the sound of bells, gongs, and conch-shells issuing from the de- serted temple. Men, women and children all flocked to the place. They thought that some devotee must be worshipping some image of God newly set up within the temple by perform- ing the Arati, the evening ceremony of waving the lights and offering flowers, fruits and holy water. With folded hands they all stood listening to the sacred sounds before the temple. One of them, more curious than the rest, had the courage to go inside. To his surprise he saw that Podo was ringing the bell and blowing

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