This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

CHAPTER III

THE BHAGAVAN WITH CERTAIN OF HIS HOUSEHOLDER DISCIPLES

One day in winter a certain householder disciple, who was a college professor, came to see the Bhagavan. Sri Ramakrishna was seated on the southern veranda of His room, and He was smiling. After a short conversation He asked: "Do you prefer to meditate on God with form or without form?" The God is form- less and with form. disciple hesitated, and answered: "I prefer to meditate upon God as the formless Being rather than as a Being with form." The Bhagavan replied: "That is good. There is no harm in looking at Him from this or the other point of view. Yes, to think of Him as the formless Being is quite right. But do not go away with the idea that that alone is true and that all else is false. Meditating

62