Once, to illustrate the futility of empty, theoretical advaitic
knowledge, Papa narrated the following story. He was staying in a small
mandir in Jhansi when a man approached him and asked, "Who are you?""I am Ramdas," he replied simply.
"No, you speak a lie there," returned his visitor. "You are Ram Himself. When you declare you are Ramdas, you do not know what you say. God is everything and in everything. He is in you and so you are He. Confess it right away.
"True, dear
friend," Ramdas replied, "God is everything. But at the same time, it
must be noted God is one, and when He is in you and everywhere around
you, may I humbly ask to whom you are putting this question?"
After a little reflection, the man could only answer, "Well, I have put the question to myself ".
Papa always stressed the necessity of absolute honesty and sincerity as essential in the great Quest. Better an honest, dualistic bhakti than a hypocritical advaita. Whereas bhakti, however dualistic, will lead ultimately to jnana as jnana mata, the mother of jnana, advaita practiced only with the head leads merely to confusion and hypocrisy.
Swami Satchidananda
After a little reflection, the man could only answer, "Well, I have put the question to myself ".
Papa always stressed the necessity of absolute honesty and sincerity as essential in the great Quest. Better an honest, dualistic bhakti than a hypocritical advaita. Whereas bhakti, however dualistic, will lead ultimately to jnana as jnana mata, the mother of jnana, advaita practiced only with the head leads merely to confusion and hypocrisy.
Swami Satchidananda
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