The first birth of a man is from his father; Upanayana marks his second birth, and Sanyās the third.
If you can find out the nature of Maya, the universal illusion, it will leave you just as a thief runs away when detected.
Are you fit to take Sanyās – answers Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
He who can give up the world altogether without having any thought of tomorrow, as to how he will eat or how he will be clothed, is fit to be a true Sanyāsin. His mentality must be like that of a man who can, if need be, let himself fall fearlessly from the top of a tall tree, without any thought of saving his own life or limbs.
Money can fetch you read alone. Do not consider it as your sole end and aim of life.
There are some who boast of their wealth and power, of their name and fame, and high status in society; but all these are for a few days only. None of these will follow them after death.
He is truly a man to whom money is only a servant; but on the other hand, those who do not know how to make a proper use of it, hardly deserve to be called men.
What is the nature of a true Sanyāsi?
He in whose heart the fire of renunciation burns intensely; who pants after God as a mother’s heart does for her child – he wants nothing except God. To him the world appears like a well without a wall; and he is always cautious lest he should fall into it. He does not think like others – ‘Let me first settle my family affairs and then I shall meditate on God.’ He has a fiery determination for him. He is fit to be a Sanyāsi.
The insect flies from darkness as soon as it sees light; the ant loses itself in the syrup without leaving it. So does the bhakta/ Sanyāsi cling to God forever and leaves all else, believes Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.
Are you a Sanyāsi or a Tyagi?
The man who becomes a Sanyāsi owing to some misunderstanding with his father, or mother, or wife may be called an ‘ascetic-by-disgust’. His asceticism is momentary; he gives up the ascetic way of life as soon as he gets a good lucrative job.
Both must be entirely unconnected with lust and gold. Should they feel an attachment for gold, or be troubled by pollution even in a dream, all their spiritual exercises would come to naught.
Utter the word Gita, in quick succession, a number of times – Gi-ta-gi-ta-gi-ta-tagi. It is then virtually pronounced as Tagi. “Tyagi” means one how has renounced the world for the sake of God. Thus in one word, the Gita teahes: Renounce, you world-bound people! And fix your mind on the Lord.
What is the nature of soul?
Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa says that the soul that is wholly world-bound is like the worm that lives for ever in filth, and dies there and has no idea of anything better. The soul whose worldliness is of lesser intensity, is however, like the fly that sits now on filth and now on sugar. The free soul (like that of a Sannyāsi) is like the bee that always drinks honey and tastes nothing else.
A boat may stay in water, but water should not stay in the boat. An aspirant may live in the world, but the world should not live within him.
Egotism is like a cloud which keeps God hidden from out sight. If it vanishes by the mercy of the Guru, God is perceived in all His glory.
For instance, you see in the picture that Sri Ramachandra, who is God, is only two or three steps ahead of Lakshmana ( the Jiva), but Sita Mata (Maya), coming in between the two, prevents Lakshmana from having a view of Rama.
Can taking sanyās lead me to God?
The secret is that the Union with God (Yoga) can never happen unless the mind is rendered absolutely calm, whatever be the path you follow for God realisation. The mind is always under the control of the Yogi, and not the Yogi under the control of his mind.
If you must be mad, be it not for the things of the world. Be mad with the love of God.
Let your heart pant for him as a miser longs for gold, says Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.
I must attain God in this very life; nay, in three days I must find Him; nay, with a single utterance of His name I will draw him to me – with such violent love the devotee can attract the Lord and realise him quickly. But devotees who are casual and lukewarm in their love take ages to find God, if indeed they find him at all.
If you have this kind of love, whether you take sanyas or not, it does not matter. Just cry for Him like a child. And He will come.
Readers will also like to read how Swami Karapatri Ji was blessed by Saraswati Mata