– Sri Ramakrishna
The enclosed advice of Sri Ramakrishna on avoiding the company of wicked people, has been taken from the book Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna by Swami Abhedananda.
Sri Ramakrishna: In our relation with men all that we can do is to take heed to ourselves that we mix with good people and avoid bad company. It is true, however, that God resides in bad people also, yes, even in a tiger; but surely it does not follow that we should embrace a tiger?
It may be asked: Why should we run away from a tiger when God is dwelling in that form?
To this the answer is that God abiding in our hearts directs us to run away from the tiger. Why should we not obey His will?
Story of the Confused Disciple and the Mad Elephant
In a certain forest there lived a sage who had a number of disciples. He taught his disciples the truth: “God dwells in all things. Knowing this, you should bend your knee before every object.”
One day a disciple went out into the forest for wood. On his way he saw a man riding a mad elephant and shouting: “Get out of the way, get out of the way! This is a mad elephant.”
The disciple, instead of running away, remembered his master’s teaching and began to reason: “God is in the elephant as well as in me. God cannot be hurt by God, so why should I run away?”
Thus thinking, he stood where he was and saluted the elephant as he came nearer. The driver (Mahout) kept on shouting: “Get out of the way!” but the disciple would not move, until he was snatched up by the mad elephant and dashed to one side.
The poor boy, bruised and bleeding, lay on the ground unconscious. The sage, hearing of the accident, came with his other disciples to carry him home. When after some time the unfortunate pupil recovered consciousness, he described what had happened.
The sage replied: “My boy, it is true that God is manifest in everything. But if He is in the elephant, is He not equally manifest in the driver (Mahout)? Tell me why you did not pay heed to the warning of the driver?”
Sri Ramakrishna continued: “In the sacred Scriptures it is written, “God dwells in water”; but some water can be used for divine service, or for drinking purposes, some for bathing or washing, while dirty water cannot be touched even.”
“In the same manner, although God resides in all human beings, still there are good men and bad men, there are lovers of God and those who do not love God. We should recognize Divinity in all, but we should not mix with bad people or with those who do not love God. Our relation with them must not be very close. It is wise to avoid the company of such people.”
After Sri Ramakrishna had finished his story, Swami Vivekananda asked him:
Narendra (Swami Vivekananda): “What attitude should we hold when wicked people come to disturb our peace or do actually offend us?”
Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna: “A person living in society should have a little Tamas (the spirit of resisting evil) for purposes of self-protection. But this is necessary only for outward show, its object being to prevent the wicked from doing harm to you. At the same time, you should not do actual injury to another on the ground that he has done injury to you.”
If You Liked this Post, I Also Recommend Reading:
- Part 1: How to Deal With Insults and Slander? – When someone insults us or spreads malicious rumors about us, how should we respond? Return insult for insult? The profound answer from Vivekananda!
- Part 2: How to Deal With Bullying and Harassment? – Practical advice from Sri Ramakrishna on how to deal with bullying and harassment, using a wonderful parable of the snake to drive home the lesson.
- Part 3: How to See God in Those You Don’t Like? Teachings of Sri Ramakrishna – How to tolerate those whom we hate? How to destroy the pride and egoism, which makes us feel superior to others? Answer from Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.
- Part 5: Suppose People Speak Ill Behind Your Back, How Should You Behave? – How should sadhaks treat those who dislike them and wish to cause them harm? Advice Sri Ramakrishna gave to Swami Vivekananda.
- Part 6: True Devotee Should Be Calm and Undisturbed by the Bad Opinions of Others – Wicked people may say bad things about you and blame you; but if you love God, you should endure with patience – Sri Ramakrishna’s advice to sadhaks.
