Surendra's Brother: "The Brahmo Samaj preaches the freedom of women and the abolition of the caste-system. What do you think about these matters?"
Sri Ramakrishna: "Men feel that way when they are just beginning to develop spiritual yearning. A storm raises clouds of dust, and one cannot distinguish between the different trees — the mango, the hog plum, and the tamarind. But after the storm blows over, one sees clearly. After the first storm of divine passion is quelled, one gradually understands that God alone is the Highest Good, the Eternal Substance, and that all else is transitory. One cannot grasp this without tapasya and the company of holy men. What is the use of merely reciting the written parts for the drum? It is very difficult to put them into practice on the instrument. What can be accomplished by a mere lecture? It is austerity that is necessary. By that alone can one comprehend.
"You asked about caste distinctions. There is only one way to remove them, and that is by love of God. Lovers of God have no caste. Through this divine love the untouchable becomes pure, the pariah no longer remains a pariah. Chaitanya embraced all, including the pariahs.
"The members of the Brahmo Samaj sing the name of Hari. That is very good. Through earnest prayer one receives the grace of God and realizes Him. God can be realized by means of all paths. The same God is invoked by different names."
Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna
Note: IMO the only way one can rise above caste system is by rising himself above the dharma of body, mind and intellect, as caste system is related to them only and not to the Atman. By chanting God's name, sattva guNa increases gradually. After it becomes predominant, it does not matter which caste you belong. It does not depend upon the path one chooses. According to Sri Ramakrishna, chanting holy names of the Lord is the most easiest and natural way to progress spiritually.
One may be intelligent, but it is mental purity that counts.
Sri Ramakrishna: "Men feel that way when they are just beginning to develop spiritual yearning. A storm raises clouds of dust, and one cannot distinguish between the different trees — the mango, the hog plum, and the tamarind. But after the storm blows over, one sees clearly. After the first storm of divine passion is quelled, one gradually understands that God alone is the Highest Good, the Eternal Substance, and that all else is transitory. One cannot grasp this without tapasya and the company of holy men. What is the use of merely reciting the written parts for the drum? It is very difficult to put them into practice on the instrument. What can be accomplished by a mere lecture? It is austerity that is necessary. By that alone can one comprehend.
"You asked about caste distinctions. There is only one way to remove them, and that is by love of God. Lovers of God have no caste. Through this divine love the untouchable becomes pure, the pariah no longer remains a pariah. Chaitanya embraced all, including the pariahs.
"The members of the Brahmo Samaj sing the name of Hari. That is very good. Through earnest prayer one receives the grace of God and realizes Him. God can be realized by means of all paths. The same God is invoked by different names."
Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna
Note: IMO the only way one can rise above caste system is by rising himself above the dharma of body, mind and intellect, as caste system is related to them only and not to the Atman. By chanting God's name, sattva guNa increases gradually. After it becomes predominant, it does not matter which caste you belong. It does not depend upon the path one chooses. According to Sri Ramakrishna, chanting holy names of the Lord is the most easiest and natural way to progress spiritually.
One may be intelligent, but it is mental purity that counts.
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