Purity depends on the mind

Mother : I too had to purify myself for coming into contact with filth on several occasions. But I only chanted the Name of Govinda1 a few times and felt pure. The mind is everything. It is in the mind alone that one feels pure and impure. A man, first of all, must make his own mind guilty and then alone he can see another man’s guilt. Does anything ever happen to another if you enumerate his faults? It only injures you. This has been my attitude. Hence I cannot see anybody’s faults. If a man does a trifle for me, I try to remember him even for that. To see the faults of others! One should never do it. I never do so. Forgiveness is Tapasya (austerity).

1 A name of God.

Disciple: Swamiji (Swami Vivekananda) used to say, “ Suppose a thief entered the house and stole something. The idea of thief would flash in your mind. But a baby has no such idea. Therefore it would not see anyone as a thief.”

Mother : That’s true, indeed. He who has a pure mind sees everything pure. . . .

One could be born with a pure mind if one had performed many austerities and spiritual practices in a previous birth.

Disciple: Mother, my mind does not feel joy in doing Japa or spiritual practices.

Mother (smiling) : Why ? Not a little even ?

Disciple: Oh, I do a little rather half-heartedly. The next moment I think, “ What is the use of mumbling ? If God exists, then He is ; let me rather try meditation.”

Mother : Can you meditate ?

Disciple : No, I cannot do even that. I understand everything; but I cannot practice them and get peace. You know the road to Dakshineswar very well, but can you walk all the way ?

Lalit Babu entered the room and saluted the Mother. They became engaged in conversation ,the disciple joining in it now and then.

Mother: The Master used to say, “ The way is extremely difficult, like the sharp edge of a razor.” (After a little pause) But He has kept you in His arms. He is looking after you.

Lalit: The Master will take us in his arms after death ; is there anything great in that ? If he would only do so while we are in this body !

Mother: He is holding you in his arms even in this body. He is above your head. Truly he is holding you.

Disciple : Does he really hold us ? Are you telling the truth?

Mother (firmly) : Yes, really, truly.

The Mother finished the morning worship and distributed Prasada in Shal leaves to the devotees. Then she swept the room. As she took the dirt in her hand, a pin entered her little finger. The finger bled and the Mother suffered terribly from pain. As soon as the disciple heard about it he ran upstairs. Someone asked him to apply hot lime. That greatly relieved the pain. The Mother said to him affectionately, ” My child, you are my own. Truly you are my very own.’’