absolutely stainless.' During my stay there the Master forbade even Ramlal to see me, although he was a nephew. Now-a-days I talk with all and come out in the presence of others.
"You are a Calcutta boy. Had you so desired, you could have married and led a householder's life. Since you have renounced everything, why should you give your mind to it again? Should one again take in the spittle that has been once spat out?"
Disciple: Mother, is it good to practise
asanas, pranayama,1and other exercises?
Mother: Asanas and
pranayama endow one with occult powers and these lead a man astray.
Disciple: Is it good for a monk to go to places of pilgrimage?
Mother: If one's mind is at rest in a particular place, then what need is there to go to places of pilgrimage?
Disciple: Mother, I don't have time even for meditation. Kindly make my
Kundalini awaken.
Mother: It will certainly awaken. A little Japa and meditation will awaken it. Does it wake up on its own? Do Japa and meditation. The practice of meditation will lead your mind to such one-pointedness that you won't like to give up meditation. But when you do not achieve such concentration of mind, don't force yourself to meditation. On such occasions finish your spiritual practice by
simply saluting the Lord. The day on which you have the right mood, you will have meditation spontaneously.
UDBODHAN
19 June 1912
Disciple: Mother, why is it that my mind does not become steady? When I try to think of God. I find it drawn to various worldly objects.
Mother: It is harmful if the mind is drawn to worldly objects like money and members of one's family. Nonetheless, the mind naturally dwells on one's daily activities. If you don't succeed in meditation, practise Japa. Japa leads to perfection. One attains perfection through Japa. If a meditative mood sets in well and good. If not, don't force your mind to meditate.
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1 Asanas and Pranayama: exercises for gaining mastery over the vital energies, through the control of body and breath.