The Narrative:
The Request Thakur (Sri Ramakrishna) said to Srimat (Mahendranath Gupta), "Take me to Vidyasagar one day. I have a great desire to see the 'Ocean' (Vidyasagar)."
The Narrative:
Srimat was a teacher at Vidyasagar's school. He knew well that Vidyasagar did not particularly favor monks, ascetics, or religious gurus. Hesitatingly, he said to Thakur, "What is the point of meeting him? He doesn't believe in 'God' or such things."
Thakur (Sri Ramakrishna):
Let him not believe. What does it matter? He is an 'Ocean of Knowledge' on one hand, and an 'Ocean of Kindness' on the other. Shall I not see such a man?
Srimat:
He is a very stern man. You might be hurt by his words.
Thakur (Sri Ramakrishna):
Thakur remained adamant. He would see the "Ocean" no matter what. Srimat eventually agreed, "Alright, I will ask him."
The Narrative:
The next day, Srimat informed Vidyasagar, "Thakur Ramakrishna of Dakshineswar Kali Temple wishes to meet you."
The Narrative:
At that time, there was hardly anyone who hadn't heard of Ramakrishna. Vidyasagar was somewhat surprised and slightly uncomfortable. He asked, "You know my views on these things, Master. Does he wear ochre robes?"
Srimat:
No, he wears a red-bordered dhoti, a shirt, and shoes. He sleeps on a bed and uses a mosquito net.
Vidyasagar:
What kind of Paramahansa is this? You say he has no outward pretenses?
Srimat:
No, He serves at Rani Rashmoni's Kali temple and is constantly absorbed in thoughts of God.
Vidyasagar:
Alright, bring him one day since you insist so much.
The Narrative:
Thakur wanted to see the Ocean, and now the Ocean also wished to see Thakur. Thakur was delighted at the news. He asked Srimat, "When shall we go? Soon?"
Thakur (Sri Ramakrishna):
In a meditative voice, Thakur said, "Is seeing the 'Ocean' something that happens every day? I will go this Saturday, at exactly four o'clock in the afternoon. It is the Krishna Shasthi of Shravan—a very auspicious day."
The Narrative:
It was a day in 1882. Vidyasagar was nearly 62 years old, and Ramakrishna was 46. Vidyasagar lived in Badurbagan at the time. At two minutes to four, a horse-drawn carriage pulled up in front of his house. Bhavanath, Mahendranath (Srimat), Hazra, and Thakur Ramakrishna himself stepped out.
The Narrative:
Entering the house, Thakur's eyes lit up. Seeing the beautiful flowering plants, he remarked to himself, "Ah, Vidyasagar's heart is very soft."
The Narrative:
They went upstairs to the second floor. To the north was a room, and to the east, a large sitting room. Next to it was a small bedroom. There were no signs of luxury or vanity. Rows upon rows of books lined the walls.
Thakur (Sri Ramakrishna):
Thakur smiled—a melancholic smile. "He has read all these books? This is all A-vidya (outer knowledge). Where is he? Let him know the 'One' who truly matters. He has read so much, yet has he known that One?"
The Narrative:
Vidyasagar was in the sitting room and came forward to welcome Thakur. They stood face to face—the Ocean looking at Thakur, and Thakur looking at the Ocean.
Thakur (Sri Ramakrishna):
Thakur spoke first: "Until now, I have seen only canals, marshes, and rivers. Today, I have finally come to the Ocean!"
Vidyasagar:
Now that you have come, take some salty water back with you.
Thakur (Sri Ramakrishna):
Why salty water? You are the 'Sea of Milk' (Kshira-Sagara).
The Narrative:
The conversation deepened. The Paramahansa praised Vidyasagar's charity, his learning, and his simple, unpretentious life. Vidyasagar listened, feeling a sense of inner joy. He wanted to test the depth of this nearly illiterate man.
Vidyasagar:
A scholar of the six systems of philosophy, Vidyasagar asked, "Well, what is Brahma (the Ultimate Reality)?"
Thakur (Sri Ramakrishna):
He is beyond all academic learning. One cannot reach Him through mere scholarship.
Vidyasagar:
Meaning?
Thakur (Sri Ramakrishna):
In this world, both knowledge and ignorance are illusions (Maya). There is devotion and wisdom, but there is also lust and greed. But the core truth is this: Brahma is detached. He is like the light of a lamp. Someone may sit in that light and read the Holy Bhagavat, while another may use it to forge documents. The lamp doesn't care; its job is simply to shine. Brahma is much like that.
The Narrative:
Vidyasagar looked on in wonder. He had never heard such a simple yet profound explanation of complex Vedic hymns. And to hear it from a simple priest? Was it even possible?
Thakur (Sri Ramakrishna):
Listen, Vidyasagar. The Vedas, Puranas, Tantras, and philosophies are all 'tainted' (used/spoken). But Brahma has never been tainted. No one has been able to say exactly what Brahma is.
Vidyasagar:
But in the Vedas...
Thakur (Sri Ramakrishna):
I know what is in your Vedas. It says Brahma is the embodiment of Bliss, the Truth-Consciousness-Bliss (Sat-Chit-Ananda).
The Narrative:
Vidyasagar was startled. This man even knew what the Vedas said about Brahma!
Thakur (Sri Ramakrishna):
A man once went to see the ocean. He was asked, 'What did you see?' He replied, 'Ah! What waves! What a roar!' Those who write definitions of Brahma are like that. Even great sages like Sukadeva only stood on the shore of that Ocean of Brahma; they did not dive into it.
The Narrative:
Vidyasagar was mesmerized, as if a magician had cast a spell over him. His outer sternness vanished. He asked, "Is it possible to attain the knowledge of Brahma?"
Thakur (Sri Ramakrishna):
It is. But for that, one needs Samadhi (deep meditation). In that state, all reasoning stops. One cannot describe that experience to anyone. It is like a salt doll going to measure the depth of the ocean. As soon as it touches the water, it dissolves. Who is left to come back and tell the depth? As long as the ghee is raw, it sizzles in the pan. Once it is cooked, it is silent. When you are filling an empty pot with water, it makes a 'gurgling' sound. Once full, there is no more sound. Brahma is like that.
Vidyasagar:
Are Brahma and God the same?
Thakur (Sri Ramakrishna):
He who is Brahma is also God. But Brahma is formless and attribute-less, while God possesses all divine glories. Brahma did not wish to remain alone, so He took form; the One became many. From Brahma came God.
The Narrative:
Vidyasagar remained silent, absorbing these nectar-like words. Thakur then asked, "Well, Vidyasagar, you are a great scholar. Tell me, what is the meaning of the Gita in one word?"
The Narrative:
Vidyasagar thought for a moment—the Gita in one word? It seemed impossible.
Thakur (Sri Ramakrishna):
Thakur provided the answer himself: "Repeat the word 'Gita' ten times quickly. You will find yourself saying 'Tyagi, Tyagi, Tyagi' (one who renounces). This is the teaching of the Gita—renounce everything and seek God. Listen, Vidyasagar, one does not become a pundit simply by reading much. Learn to love God. As long as you say 'I' and 'mine,' you are in ignorance (A-vidya). The moment you think 'I am nothing, everything is God's,' you move from ignorance to true knowledge (Vidya)."
The Narrative:
The time came for Thakur to depart. Vidyasagar looked at Ramakrishna once more. The "Ocean of Knowledge" (Vidyasagar) had merged with the "Ultimate Wisdom" (Ramakrishna).