Categories: opinion

We need to get rid of worldly desires

Various types of devotees used to come to Sri Ramakrishna. Some of them who had some inkling about the nature of the world as well as human existence would often come to him and unburden themselves. Having felt in some way the impermanent nature of existence, they would ask him when they would be released from the apparently unending cycle of births and deaths. Sri Ramakrishna was very compassionate by nature. He would explain the idea of liberation from worldly bondages using a beautiful analogy.
Once, a person was admitted to a hospital with some serious illness. He slowly started responding to treatment. As his condition improved, he started feeling restless and would pester the nurses attending on him as to when he would be released from the hospital. An elderly nurse told him that once a patient enters the hospital, he would not be discharged until he is cured completely. Using this analogy, Sri Ramakrishna would explain that we have come into this world due to our past Samaskars.
We suffer from the disease of desires. The more we are afflicted by this disease, the more intensely we need to be treated. Spiritual disciplines, the contact and guidance of a spiritual preceptor, etc. are some of the modes of treatment needed to cure us.
As a spiritual aspirant starts his journey of redemption, he slowly understands about the nature of this world. As he goes forward, he becomes more and more restless and wants to get rid of the shackles of Maya. But, Mahamaya, the doctor who watches over the human beings, does not release us from the world or the cycle of births and deaths unless we are completely cured of the malady of desires. Hence, the restlessness a spiritual aspirant feels during his spiritual journey is a good sign, but one has to wait patiently till Mahamaya opens the doors of liberation to us.
 

SWAMI SHANTATMANANDA

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