Ramakrishna (smiling): Well, I went to some places. Hazra went farther and higher up, to Hrishikesha in the Himalayas. I did not go so far or so high up.
The vulture and the kite soar very high, but their eyes are all the while directed to the charnel-pits below. Do you know what the charnel-pits are? Lust and gold. If in going on a pilgrimage a man does not acquire Bhakti, then his pilgrimage is fruitless; for Bhakti is the end of all; it is the one thing needful.
Do you know what the vulture and the kite are? They are those who talk on lofty subjects and say: "We have performed most of the works enjoined in the Holy Scriptures," but whose minds are immersed in worldliness and strongly attached to wealth, name, fame, and sense-pleasures.
Pandit: Yes, Revered Sir,that is true. Going on a pilgrimage is like casting aside the precious stone worn on the breast of Vishnu and wandering about in search of other jewels.
Ramakrishna: Again, you should know that although you may give thousands of instructions, still they will not produce results until the time is ripe.
A child before going to sleep says to its mother: "Mamma dear, awaken me when I shall feel hungry."
The mother replies: "Do not worry about that, my child; thy hunger will awaken thee."
In the same manner one yearns after God when the proper time comes for it. [p. 284 & 285]
Source: THE GOSPEL OF RAMAKRISHNA Revised by SWAMI ABHEDANANDA
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