GOSPEL OF RAMAKRISHNA
the help of quinine or any other medicine. Pre- cisely the same is the case with the man who seeks for knowledge. To him religious precepts often prove useless so long as he is immersed in worldliness. Allow him a certain time for en- joyment of the things of the world, then his attachment to the world will gradually wear off. This is exactly the moment for the success of any religious instructions that may be given to him. Till then all such instructions will be entirely thrown away like pearls before swine. Many come to me and I have observed how some of them are anxious to listen to my words. But others of the company appear to be rest- less and impatient in my presence. They say to their friends in whispers: "Let us go, let us go. Well, if you wish to stay, we will go to the boat and wait for you there." Spiritual awaken- ing is very much a question of time. The teacher is a mere help. The meeting then broke up.
ii
Sri Ramakrishna (to a disciple) : The fact is, Karma (past actions). all this desire for knowledge or for freedom depends upon one's Karma in one's previous incarnations.
309
