A Page From Ramakrishna's Life

There is an incident in Ramakrishna' s life. He was very simple, uneducated, but a man of tremendous insight.
A man came to him and said, "I am going to
the Ganges -- it is the twelfth year -- and I want your blessings. And is it true that all sins that you have done are washed away?" Ramakrishna said,
"Yes, it is true. All sins are washed out while you take a dip in the Ganges." The man gave a great sigh of relief.
He said, "Then it is good. If you say so, then it is perfect." Ramakrishna said, "But I have not finished, I have to say something more. Have you seen those big trees on the bank of the Ganges?"

He said, "Yes." Ramakrishna said, "That is the trouble: when you take the dip in the Ganges your sins jump out and sit on the trees, and they wait for
you. How long can you remain in the water? The Ganges is really great and it does purify, but how long...? Finally, you will have to come out, and the
moment you come out -- those sins are sitting on the trees, they jump on you. And sometimes it happens that somebody else's sins also jump on you -- just
for a change they enjoy it. Those trees are full of sins. So you can go, but beware of the trees."
The man said, "This is very difficult. How long can
I remain in the water? Finally I have to come out, and I have to pass under those trees." Ramakrishna said, "I can't help you with that. That's why I don't
go -- what is the point?"

All religions have found strategies, first to make you feel guilty, then to give you a simple method so that you can be free of guilt. If you have done
something wrong, go to the person. Be humble, ask his forgiveness. Only he can forgive you, nobody else -- neither the Ganges nor God. And that is the
meaning of the word "sin": forgetfulness.

So now, don't forget again and do the same; otherwise, your asking forgiveness becomes meaningless. Now be careful,
be alert, be conscious; and don't do the same thing again. That is true repentance. Once you made the mistake -- it was just a mistake. To err is human,
there is nothing to be worried about. And to forgive is divine, so if somebody comes to you and says that he has committed a mistake against you,

don'tmiss the opportunity of tasting something of the divine. Or, when you have committed some mistake and you go to somebody else to be forgiven, you are giving
him a great chance to have some taste of the divine. It is good for both of you. By forgiving, he tastes something which is impossible to explain; it can
only be called divine, godliness.
And you also will feel something tremendously beautiful: humbleness, ego lessness. But remember not to commit the mistake again. It should become a decision in you; then you are really repentant. It has nothing to do with God, it has nothing to do with any priest; it has something
to do with your own psychology.

brought to u by sunkan

Hi Sunkan,

Thanks for posting this wonderful piece. One of my aunt was crazy about reading Tamil novels and magazines when she was in her late 30's. Her mom kept insisting her to read Sri Ramakrishna's book, but she never used to pay head to her mom's words. One fine day her mom gifted her Sri Ramakrishna's book (Ramakrisha Amudha Mozhigal) for her b'day. I believe it has three volumes. Once she started reading his books she put a big full stop to other Tamil magazines and novels. She literally thanked her mom and even now keeps advicing people around her to read Sri Ramakrishna's books.

Friends, if you get chance to read his books don't miss it.

dear sharadha,
i am also a great fan of this saint he simplifies everything to make understand the lay man no hazzle at all, so would love to get hold of the book u have mentioned, will defenitely read that for more enlightenment..happy u liked this article here...sunkan

Sunkan Mam,

Good story.........every one needs to read especially the people who believe some non sense things blindly.I like Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and its simple way of narrating the big morals of our life.

Like u said, to err is human.We cant learn anything without making mistakes.But thing is, it should not be repeated.Experience is the greatest teacher n the world.So make a mistake and learn lessons from that.

A famous quotes says "The greatest part of life is not falling but raising every time when we fall". So whenever failure comes , go ahead try to defeat the failure next time.

Originally Posted by prana

Sunkan Mam,

Good story.........every one needs to read especially the people who believe some non sense things blindly.I like Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and its simple way of narrating the big morals of our life.

Like u said, to err is human.We cant learn anything without making mistakes.But thing is, it should not be repeated.Experience is the greatest teacher n the world.So make a mistake and learn lessons from that.

A famous quotes says "The greatest part of life is not falling but raising every time when we fall". So whenever failure comes , go ahead try to defeat the failure next time.

yes prana,
happy to see you here, he is a simple but a great teacher, who has overwhelmed me a lot, sunkan

Thank u very much mam.......for sharing this wonderful piece........with us.........poor me..iam yet to start reading his books.......but now and then i hear small stories about him..........i will get his book at the earliest.....and get the divine pleasure by reading his words...............

Thanks for sharing. Following this advice would make our lives less complicated and more peaceful.
-Ramya

Originally Posted by sunkan

dear sharadha,
i am also a great fan of this saint he simplifies everything to make understand the lay man no hazzle at all, so would love to get hold of the book u have mentioned, will defenitely read that for more enlightenment..happy u liked this article here...sunkan

Hi Sunkan,

Pleasure is mine. U might get this book at the Ramaskrishna Mutt in Mylapore, Chennai or else in some book shops .

Do post your comments after reading it.

Originally Posted by latamurali

Thank u very much mam.......for sharing this wonderful piece........with us.........poor me..iam yet to start reading his books.......but now and then i hear small stories about him..........i will get his book at the earliest.....and get the divine pleasure by reading his words...............

lata,
take ur time, there is a time for every thing and as we grow we mature and seek subjects accordingly, illena pinjiley pazhuthuduthu appadimba..hhaha sunkan

Dear sunkan Mami,
Thanx for sharing good one...............