CHAPTER XI

SRI RAMAKRISHNA AT THE SINTI [**] BRAHMO-SAMAJ

BHAGAVaN SRi RaMAKRISHNA had been asked to attend the anniversary meeting of the Brahmo-Samaj, which that year was held in the beautiful garden-house of a gentleman named Veni Babu. [*+] The morning service was over when the Bhagavan arrived in a carriage with certain of His disciples and took His place on a raised seat set apart for Him on the veranda overlooking a large quadrangle. Crowds of devotees, followers and members of the Brahmo-Samaj gathered round Him in a circle. The prayers, music and other exercises of a devotional

nature then continued. On hearing the music, Sri Ramakrishna went into Samadhi and remained motionless for some time. Then regaining His sense-consciousness, He opened His mouth and in rapt tones began to speak thus:

[Psychic powers.] The realization of God is not the same as psychic power. There are many Yoga powers, but do you remember what Krishna said to Arjuna about them? When you see one who exercises any of these powers, you may know that such a one has not realized God, because the exercise of these powers requires egotism (Ahamkara), which is an obstacle in the path of supreme realization.

[Danger of psychic powers.] There is, indeed, great danger in possessing psychic powers. Totapuri thus taught me this truth: A Siddha (a man who had absolute control over psychic phenomena) was sitting on the seashore. Suddenly there arose a violent storm, which caused him great distress. Desiring to stop it, he exclaimed: "Let this storm cease!" His command was instantly fulfilled. A vessel was passing at a distance with all sails set. As the wind suddenly died away, the vessel capsized and all on board were drowned. The Siddha was the cause of the disaster and therefore

he had to take the sin of killing so many innocent people. As the result of this terrible sin, he lost his power and after death he had to suffer in purgatory.