GOSPEL OF RAMAKRISHNA
a child. Lastly, he may remain inert and motion- less for a long time in the state of Samadhi. Devotee: After God-vision does egoism (Ahamkara) disappear entirely? Bhagavan: Sometimes the Lord wipes out the last stain of egoism, as in the state of Samadhi. Again, sometimes He leaves a faint trace of ego- ism, but that is harmless. It is like that of an innocent child, who knows not the doing of in- jury to anyone. The steel sword is turned into gold by the touch of the Philosopher's Stone. It still retains its shape but it does not injure anyone. Bhagavan to Mozoomdar: You have been to England and America. Tell me all about what you saw there. Mozoomdar: Sir, people in England mostly worship what Thou callest Kanchan (gold), but there are some good men and women who are not so attached to worldliness. Generally speaking, one sees nothing but worldly activity (Rajas) everywhere from beginning to end. Bhagavan: I have seen the same thing too. Why in England and America alone ? Attach- Attachment to work.
ment to work is to be found in every country. That worldly ac- tivity is the first chapter of life. So long
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