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GOSPEL OF RAMAKRISHNA

toward him the heaps of Divine wisdom and the supply is never exhausted. When the gracious look of the Divine Mother falls upon one, can there be any lack of wisdom? Therefore I ask whether you have received any commission (Adesha) from the Lord? Hazra (to the Pandit): Oh ! I dare say he must have received something of that kind. Is it not so?

Sasadhar's host : He has not obtained Adesha, but he is lecturing only from a sense of duty. Bhagavan: If a man has received no Divine commission, what good will his lectures do? In the course of his lecture a BrahmoValue of lec-tures without Divine com-mission. said: "Brethren, I used to drink, I Divine com- used to do this and that." Hearing this the people began to talk: "What does this fellow say? He used to drink! "Thus this statement produced just the opposite effect in the minds of the audience. Unless the speaker be a good spiritual man, his lectures do not help mankind in any way. A subjudge once said to me: "Sir, you begin to preach, then I will also be ready." I answered: "My friend, listen. There was a large pond in a certain vil-lage. Some people used to throw dirt around the water's edge and otherwise defile the pond. Good

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