SASHI AND SARAT
Sashi and Sarat were two cousins who came from a pious brahmin family
of Calcutta. At an early age they had joined the Brahmo Samaj and had
come under the influence of Keshab Sen. The Master said to them at their
first meeting: "If bricks and tiles are burnt after the trade-mark has been
stamped on them, they retain the mark for ever. Similarly, man should be
stamped with God before entering the world. Then he will not become
attached to worldliness." Fully aware of the future course of their life, he
asked them not to marry. The Master asked Sashi whether he believed in
God with form or in God without form. Sashi replied that he was not even
sure about the existence of God; so he could not speak one way or the
other. This frank answer very much pleased the Master.
Sarat's soul longed for the all-embracing realization of the Godhead. When
the Master inquired whether there was any particular form of God he
wished to see, the boy replied that he would like to see God in all the living
beings of the world. "But", the Master demurred, "that is the last word in
realization. One cannot have it at the very outset." Sarat stated calmly: "I
won't be satisfied with anything short of that. I shall trudge on along the
path till I attain that blessed state." Sri Ramakrishna was very much pleased.