PERFECT MAN AND WORK

He who has seen God roams about, sometimes like a mad man, sometimes like an unclean spirit, feeling no distinction between cleanliness and its opposite. Sometimes-he remains like an inanimate object, being struck dumb by seeing God within and without. Sometimes, like a child,, he attaches his mind to nothing, and goes about with his clothes bundled in his arms. But when he works for the good of others, he is as brave as a lion.

After the attainment of Samadhi, all Karma drops away—Karma such as external worship, the telling of beads, and worldly activities. In the beginning there is a great fuss of work. But the more one proceeds towards God, the less becomes the bustle until even prayer and the singing of the Lord's glorious name are eventually given up (Addressing Sivanath Sastri of the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj) : So long as you do not come to the meeting, much talk about your name, attainments, qualities, etc., passes round; but the moment you come in, all that talk ceases. Everybody feels joy at your sight, and they simply cry out. " Here comes Sivanath Babu,"—and there ceases all further talk about you.

A newly married young woman remains deeply absorbed in the performance of domestic duties so long as no child is born to her. But as soon as she has a child she begins to neglect the minor details of household work, and does not find much pleasure in them. Instead, she fondles the new-born baby all the day and kisses it with intense joy. Thus a man in his state of ignorance is ever busy in the performance of all sorts of work; but as soon as he sees in his heart the presence of God, he finds no pleasure in them. On the contrary, his happiness consists now only in serving God and doing His will. He no longer finds happiness in any other occupation, and he cannot withdraw himself from the ecstasy of that holy communion.

When God is realised, the world never appears empty. He who has attained Him sees that the Lord Himself has become all these—the universe and its creatures. When he feeds his children, he feels as if he is feeding Gopala Himself; he looks upon his parents as God, and serves them in the same manner. If one happens to be in the world, and leads a family life after the realisation of God, it is sure that he cannot keep any physical connection with his wife. Both become devotees of God and spend their lives in prayer and devotion. They serve all creatures. As God is in all beings, they worship Him in