[Ramakrishna's love of humor.] Then addressing Vidyasagara he continued: "To-day I have at last reached the ocean (referring to the literal meaning of the word Vidyasagara,--the ocean of knowledge). So long I have seen only canals, lakes, or, at most, rivers, but now I see the ocean itself.

Vidyasagara: Then, Sir, Thou art welcome to take some salt water from it.

Bhagavan: No, my dear sir, why salt water? You are not the ocean of Avidya (ignorance),

which leads away from God, but you are the ocean of milk, the ocean of Vidya, or true knowledge leading Godward.

Vidyasagara: Revered Sir, Thou mayest say that.

[Good works and compassion for all.] Bhagavan: Your Karma proceeds from the Sattwa element of nature. From it rises compassion. Whatever work is done for the good of others is absolutely free from fault. It may be called Rajasika, but it is the activity of Sattwa. There is no harm in such works. Sukadeva and others like him had compassion for all. They worked for humanity and helped mankind in the path of Divinity. You are giving free education and doing charitable works; that is good. He who performs good works through love, without seeking results, attains to God. But he who works for name, fame or any other selfish purpose remains bound. Further, I may say that you have already become Siddha (perfected).

Vidyasagara: Sir, how is that?

Bhagavan: You know that Siddha, or well-boiled potato, becomes soft and tender. Have you not become tender-hearted by your compassion for all?

Vidyasagara: But the paste of Kalai (a kind of pulse) when boiled (Siddha) becomes harder. Is it not so?

[Book-learned Pandits like vultures.] Bhagavan, laughing: Yes, but you are not like that. Mere book-learned Pandits (scholars) are hard-hearted. They do good neither to themselves nor to others. They are like vultures who soar high in the sky, but always search after carrion-pits. They may talk about Divine truths, but their minds are attached to woman and wealth. Their attachment is to worldly things (Avidya). Compassion, Devotion (Bhakti), Dispassion (Vairagya)--these are the manifestations of Vidya.

Vidyasagara was listening to the words of wisdom with whole attention, while the eyes of other gentlemen present were fixed upon the blissful face of Ramakrishna radiant with Divine glory.

[Vidya and Avidya.] The Bhagavan continued: The Absolute Brahman is beyond the reach of Vidya (knowledge) as well as of Avidya (ignorance), which keeps one away from the realization of the Absolute.

The absolute Brahman is beyond the reach of Maya, while Maya is either Vidya or Avidya.