'Kama-Kanchana'
(Lust and Gold) (Lust and Gold)
COURT MARRIAGE AND YOU COURT MARRIAGE AND YOU
COURT SERVITUDE COURT SERVITUDE
TT is 'woman and gold' that binds man and robs TT is 'woman and gold' that binds man and robs
-*- him of his freedom. It is woman that creates the
*- him of his freedom. It is woman that creates the need for gold. For woman one becomes the slave need for gold. For woman one becomes the slave of another, and so loses his freedom. Then he of another, and so loses his freedom. Then he cannot act as he likes.
cannot act as he likes.
The priests in the temple of Govindaji at Jaipur The priests in the temple of Govindaji at Jaipur were celibates at first, and at that time they had were celibates at first, and at that time they had fiery natures. Once the King of Jaipur sent for fiery natures. Once the King of Jaipur sent for them, but they didn't obey him. They said to the them, but they didn't obey him. They said to the messenger, "Ask the king to come to see us." After messenger, "Ask the king to come to see us." After consultation, the king and his ministers arranged consultation, the king and his ministers arranged marriages for them. From then on the king didn't marriages for them. From then on the king didn't have to send for them.
have to send for them.
They would come to him of themselves and say:
They would come to him of themselves and say:
"Your Majesty, we have come with our blessings.
"Your Majesty, we have come with our blessings.
Here are the sacred flowers of the
Here are the sacred flowers of the temple. Deign totemple. Deign to
Tales and Parables of S
Tales and Parables of Sri Ramakrishnari Ramakrishna
accept them." They came to the palace, for now accept them." They came to the palace, for now they always wanted money for this thing or they always wanted money for this thing or another
another — — the building of a house, the rice-taking the building of a house, the rice-taking ceremony of their babies, or the rituals connected ceremony of their babies, or the rituals connected with the beginning of their children's education.
with the beginning of their children's education.
(22) (22)
Tales and Parables of S
Tales and Parables of Sri Ramakrishnari Ramakrishna
THE FALL OF THE TWELVE HUNDRED THE FALL OF THE TWELVE HUNDRED THERE is the story of twelve hundred nedas
THERE is the story of twelve hundred nedas1010 andand thirteen hundred nedis
thirteen hundred nedis1111. Virabhadra, the son of . Virabhadra, the son of Nityananda Goswami had thirteen hundred Nityananda Goswami had thirteen hundred 'shaven
'shaven headed' headed' disciples. disciples. They They attained attained greatgreat spiritual
spiritual powers. powers. That That alarmed alarmed their their teacher. teacher. "My "My disciples have acquired great spiritual powers,"
disciples have acquired great spiritual powers,"
thought Virabhadra. "Whatever they say to people thought Virabhadra. "Whatever they say to people will come to pass. Wherever they go they may will come to pass. Wherever they go they may create alarming situations; for people offending create alarming situations; for people offending them unwittingly will come to grief." Thinking them unwittingly will come to grief." Thinking thus, Virabhadra one day called them to him and thus, Virabhadra one day called them to him and said, "See me after performing your daily devotions said, "See me after performing your daily devotions on the banks of the Ganges." These disciples had on the banks of the Ganges." These disciples had such high spiritual nature that, while meditating, such high spiritual nature that, while meditating, they would go into Samadhi and be unaware of the they would go into Samadhi and be unaware of the river water flowing over their heads during the river water flowing over their heads during the flood-tide. Then the ebb-tide would come and still flood-tide. Then the ebb-tide would come and still they would remain absorbed in meditation.
they would remain absorbed in meditation.
10
10 Literally "Shaven headed", indicative of absolute renunciation of 'lust Literally "Shaven headed", indicative of absolute renunciation of 'lust and gold’
and gold’
Tales and Parables of S
Tales and Parables of Sri Ramakrishnari Ramakrishna
Now, one hundred of these disciples had Now, one hundred of these disciples had anticipated what their teacher would ask of them.
anticipated what their teacher would ask of them.
Lest they should have to disobey his injunctions, Lest they should have to disobey his injunctions, they had quickly disappeared from the place before they had quickly disappeared from the place before he summoned them. So, they did not go to he summoned them. So, they did not go to Virabhadra with others. The remaining twelve Virabhadra with others. The remaining twelve
hundred disciples went to the teacher after hundred disciples went to the teacher after finishing their morning meditations. Virabhadra finishing their morning meditations. Virabhadra said
said to to them: them: "These "These thirteen thirteen hundred hundred nuns nuns willwill serve you.
serve you.
I ask you to marry them." "As you please, revered I ask you to marry them." "As you please, revered sir," they said. "But one hundred of us have gone ' sir," they said. "But one hundred of us have gone ' away." Thenceforth each of these twelve hundred away." Thenceforth each of these twelve hundred disciples had a wife. Consequently they all lost their disciples had a wife. Consequently they all lost their spiritual power. Their austerities did not have their spiritual power. Their austerities did not have their original fire. The company of women robbed them original fire. The company of women robbed them of their spirituality because it destroyed their of their spirituality because it destroyed their freedom. (23)
freedom. (23)
Tales and Parables of S
Tales and Parables of Sri Ramakrishnari Ramakrishna
MASTER OF EVERYTHING, MASTER OF EVERYTHING,
SLAVE OF SEX!
SLAVE OF SEX!
A JOB-SEEKER got tired of visiting the manager A JOB-SEEKER got tired of visiting the manager in an office. He couldn't get the job. The manager in an office. He couldn't get the job. The manager said to him, "There is no vacancy now; but come said to him, "There is no vacancy now; but come and f see me now and then." This went on for a and f see me now and then." This went on for a long time, and the candidate lost all hope. One day long time, and the candidate lost all hope. One day he told his tale of woe to a friend. The friend said:
he told his tale of woe to a friend. The friend said:
"How stupid you are! Why are you wearing away
"How stupid you are! Why are you wearing away the soles of your feet going to that fellow? You had the soles of your feet going to that fellow? You had better go to Golap. You will get the job better go to Golap. You will get the job tomorrow."
tomorrow." "Is "Is that that so?" so?" said said the the candidate. candidate. "I"I am going right away." Golap was the manager's am going right away." Golap was the manager's mistress. The candidate called on her and said:
mistress. The candidate called on her and said:
"'Mother, I am in great distress. You must help me
"'Mother, I am in great distress. You must help me out of it. 1 am the son of a poor brahmana. Where out of it. 1 am the son of a poor brahmana. Where else shall I go for help? Mother I have been out of else shall I go for help? Mother I have been out of work many days. My children are about to starve to work many days. My children are about to starve to death. I can get a job if you but say a word." Golap death. I can get a job if you but say a word." Golap said to him, "Child, whom should I speak to?" She said to him, "Child, whom should I speak to?" She said to herself: "Ah, the poor brahmana! He has word about it to the manager." Golap said, "I shall word about it to the manager." Golap said, "I shall
Tales and Parables of S
Tales and Parables of Sri Ramakrishnari Ramakrishna
speak to him today and settle the matter." The very speak to him today and settle the matter." The very next morning a man called on the candidate and next morning a man called on the candidate and said, "You are to work in the manager's office, said, "You are to work in the manager's office, from today." The manager said to his English boss:
from today." The manager said to his English boss:
"This man is very competent. I have appointed
"This man is very competent. I have appointed him.
him. He He will will do do credit credit to to the the firm." firm." (24)(24)
Tales and Parables of S
Tales and Parables of Sri Ramakrishnari Ramakrishna
BHAGAVATA IN THE EAR, when they saw some people listening to a reading when they saw some people listening to a reading
of the Bhagavata. "Come, friend," said the one to of the Bhagavata. "Come, friend," said the one to the other, "let us hear the sacred book." So saying the other, "let us hear the sacred book." So saying he went in and sat down. The second man peeped he went in and sat down. The second man peeped in and went away. He entered a house of ill fame.
in and went away. He entered a house of ill fame.
But very soon he felt disgusted with the place.
But very soon he felt disgusted with the place.
"Shame on me!" he said to himself. "My friend has
"Shame on me!" he said to himself. "My friend has been listening to the sacred word of Hari and see been listening to the sacred word of Hari and see where I am!" But the friend who had been listening where I am!" But the friend who had been listening to the Bhagavata also became disgusted. "What a to the Bhagavata also became disgusted. "What a fool I am!" he said. "I have been listening to this fool I am!" he said. "I have been listening to this fellow's blah-blah, and my friend is having a grand fellow's blah-blah, and my friend is having a grand time." In course of time they both died. The time." In course of time they both died. The messenger of death came for the soul of one who messenger of death came for the soul of one who had listened to the Bhagavata and dragged it off to had listened to the Bhagavata and dragged it off to hell.
hell. The The messenger messenger of of God God came came for for the the soul soul of of the one who had been to the house of prostitution the one who had been to the house of prostitution and led it up to heaven.
and led it up to heaven.
Verily, the Lord looks into a man's heart and does Verily, the Lord looks into a man's heart and does not judge him by what he does or where he lives.
not judge him by what he does or where he lives.
Tales and Parables of S
Tales and Parables of Sri Ramakrishnari Ramakrishna
GREATER EVEN THAN THE GURU!
He went to his disciple and asked for the required He went to his disciple and asked for the required piece of cloth; but the merchant replied: "I am very piece of cloth; but the merchant replied: "I am very sorry, sir. Had you told me of this a few hours sorry, sir. Had you told me of this a few hours earlier, I would have given you the thing wanted.
earlier, I would have given you the thing wanted.
Unfortunately, now I have no small piece of cloth Unfortunately, now I have no small piece of cloth which will answer your purpose. However, I shall which will answer your purpose. However, I shall remember your requirement, but please remind me remember your requirement, but please remind me of
of it it now now and and then." then." The The brahmana brahmana had had to to gogo away disappointed. This conversation between the away disappointed. This conversation between the guru and his worthy disciple was overheard by the guru and his worthy disciple was overheard by the wife of the latter from behind a screen. She at once wife of the latter from behind a screen. She at once sent a man after the brahmana, and calling him happened. The wife said: "Please go home sir; you happened. The wife said: "Please go home sir; you will get the cloth tomorrow morning." When that will get the cloth tomorrow morning." When that merchant returned home at night the wife asked merchant returned home at night the wife asked him, "Have you closed your shop?" The merchant him, "Have you closed your shop?" The merchant
Tales and Parables of S
Tales and Parables of Sri Ramakrishnari Ramakrishna
said, "Yes, what is the matter?" She said, "Go at said, "Yes, what is the matter?" She said, "Go at once and bring two cloths of the best quality in the once and bring two cloths of the best quality in the shop." He said, "Why this hurry? I shall give you shop." He said, "Why this hurry? I shall give you the best cloth tomorrow morning." The wife, the best cloth tomorrow morning." The wife, however, insisted, "No, T must have them just however, insisted, "No, T must have them just now or not at all." What could the poor merchant now or not at all." What could the poor merchant do? The person whom he had now to deal with do? The person whom he had now to deal with was not the spiritual guru whom he could send was not the spiritual guru whom he could send away with vague and indefinite promises, but the away with vague and indefinite promises, but the 'curtain guru' whose behests must be 'curtain guru' whose behests must be instantaneously obeyed, or else there would be no instantaneously obeyed, or else there would be no peace for him at home. At last the merchant, peace for him at home. At last the merchant, willingly enough, opened the shop, at that late hour willingly enough, opened the shop, at that late hour of the night, and brought the cloths for her. Early of the night, and brought the cloths for her. Early next morning, the good lady sent the article to the next morning, the good lady sent the article to the guru with the message, "If in future you want guru with the message, "If in future you want anything from us, ask me, and you will get it." (26) anything from us, ask me, and you will get it." (26)
Tales and Parables of S
Tales and Parables of Sri Ramakrishnari Ramakrishna
MODERN JANAKAS!
MODERN JANAKAS!
A GENTLEMAN of modern education was once A GENTLEMAN of modern education was once discussing with the Master the nature of discussing with the Master the nature of house-holder uncontaminated by worldliness. To him, the holder uncontaminated by worldliness. To him, the Master said, "I know of what sort is your Master said, "I know of what sort is your 'uncontaminated family-man' of the present day! If 'uncontaminated family-man' of the present day! If a poor brahmana comes to beg of this master of for it is his wife who manages all those things!) says for it is his wife who manages all those things!) says to the begging brahmana, 'Sir, I never touch to the begging brahmana, 'Sir, I never touch money, why do you waste your time in begging of money, why do you waste your time in begging of me?' The brahmana, however, proves inexorable.
me?' The brahmana, however, proves inexorable.
Fired with his importunate entreaties your Fired with his importunate entreaties your uncontaminated family-man thinks within himself uncontaminated family-man thinks within himself that he must be paid a rupee, and tells him openly:
that he must be paid a rupee, and tells him openly:
'Well, sir, come tomorrow, I shall see what 1 can generous fellow you are! Are rupees like leaves and generous fellow you are! Are rupees like leaves and straws to be thrown away without the least straws to be thrown away without the least
Tales and Parables of S
Tales and Parables of Sri Ramakrishnari Ramakrishna
thought?" 'Well, my dear,' replies the master in an thought?" 'Well, my dear,' replies the master in an apologetic tone, 'the brahmana is very poor and we apologetic tone, 'the brahmana is very poor and we should not give him less.' 'No', says his wife, T should not give him less.' 'No', says his wife, T cannot spare so much. Here is a two Anna bit; you cannot spare so much. Here is a two Anna bit; you can give that to him, if you like.' As the Babu is a can give that to him, if you like.' As the Babu is a family-man quite uncontaminated by worldliness, family-man quite uncontaminated by worldliness, he takes, of course, what his wife gives him, and he takes, of course, what his wife gives him, and next day the beggar gets only a two Anna piece.
next day the beggar gets only a two Anna piece.
So you see, your so-called uncontaminated So you see, your so-called uncontaminated family-men are really not masters of themselves. Because men are really not masters of themselves. Because they do not look after their family-affairs, they they do not look after their family-affairs, they think that they are good and holy men, while, as a think that they are good and holy men, while, as a matter of fact, they are hen-pecked husbands matter of fact, they are hen-pecked husbands guided entirely by their wives, and so are but very guided entirely by their wives, and so are but very poor
poor specimens specimens even even of of common common humanity." humanity." (27)(27)
Tales and Parables of S
Tales and Parables of Sri Ramakrishnari Ramakrishna
HOW'S A FALLEN SANNYASI HOW'S A FALLEN SANNYASI
Do you know how it looks for a Sannyasi to accept
Do you know how it looks for a Sannyasi to accept