[paragraph continues] No one can understand Thy perfection unless Thou givest the power.

Ramakrishna: Kedar said to me that when he went to other places he starved, but that here he always found food in abundance.

Bijoy (clasping his hands before ): Lord, I know Thee now. I understand Thy glory. Thou needest not tell me of it.

Thereupon Ramakrishna went into Samadhi. When He returned, He said: "If that be so, let it be so."

Bijoy: Yes, Lord, now I know Thee.

Saying this, Bijoy prostrated himself before Ramakrishna and pressed to his breast the Hallowed Feet of the Lord. Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna, again losing all sense-consciousness, entered into God-consciousness and remained motionless like a carven image. Seeing this wonderful sight, some of the devotees shed tears of joy and happiness while others kneeled and began to pray to the Bhagavan. Each one fixed his eyes upon Sri Ramakrishna and, according to the innermost feeling of his heart, realized his Ideal in Him. Some saw in Him the Ideal Devotee, while others recognized the Divine Incarnation in a human form. Mahima, with tears of joy in his eyes chanted: "Behold,

behold, the embodiment of Divine Love!" And after a few minutes, as if catching a glimpse of the Absolute Brahman in Ramakrishna, he exclaimed: "Infinite Existence, Intelligence and Love, beyond Unity and Diversity!"

[Avatara.] After remaining in this state for a long time, Bhagavan Ramakrishna came down once more on the human plane and said: God incarnates Himself in a human form. It is true that He dwells everywhere, in all living creatures, but the desires of the human soul cannot be fulfilled except by an Avatara or Divine Incarnation. The human being longs to see Him, touch Him, be with Him and enjoy His Divine company. In order to fulfill such desires, the Incarnation of God is necessary.

When an Avatara or Divine Incarnation descends, however, the people at large do not know it. It is known only to a few chosen disciples. Can everyone comprehend the indivisible Absolute Brahman, Existence-Intelligence-Bliss Absolute?

[Rama.] When the Supreme Lord incarnated Himself as Rama, only twelve sages knew it. The other saints and sages knew Him as the prince of the Raja Dasaratha. But those twelve sages prayed to Him, saying: "O

[paragraph continues] Rama, Thou art the indivisible Existence-Intelligence-Bliss Absolute. Thou hast incarnated in this human form. By Thine own power of Maya Thou appearest as a human being, but in reality Thou art the Lord of the universe."

Footnotes