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lead to the goal. Even when your mind does not become concentrated you can repeat the holy Name thousands of times. One hears the anahata-dhvani¹ prior to the rousing of the Kundalini. But this is not possible without the grace of the Divine Mother.

   The Mother continued, "In the early hours of the morning I was musing that I would not be able to see Lord Visvanath. It is a tiny emblem of Siva covered all over with vilva leaves and water to such an extent that one can hardly see it. As I was thinking this way, all of a sudden appeared the jet-black stone emblem of Siva-Visvanath Himself! I saw Nati's mother² run her fingers over the head of Siva. Then I too quickly came and put my hand on Siva's head."

   Disciple: Mother, I don't like the stone emblem of Siva anymore.

    Mother: How is that, my son? How many great sinners come to Varanasi and get emancipation by touching Lord Visvanath! He is accepting the sins of all with perfect composure. When people come here on weekends and salute me. I feel a burning sensation in my feet. Only after I wash my feet can I be at peace again.

   Disciple: If the Lord is the Father and Mother of all, why does He induce people to commit sins?

   Mother: True it is that He has become all living beings, but everybody reaps the fruit of his actions according to his past impressions and deeds. No doubt the sun is one, but its shining varies according to the place and the objects it illumines.



1 January 1917:

   I said to the Mother, "Mother, kindly bless me so that I may have good meditation and get immersed in His holy thoughts. "

   The Mother blessed me by touching my head with her hand and said, "Also you should always discriminate between the Real and the unreal."

   Disciple: You see, Mother, sitting quietly I am able to discriminate, but then the real test comes in the field of action. I am simply carried away. Mother, please give me strength so that I can keep steady at such times.



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¹ The mystical, primordial sound of the universe, the symbol of which is OM.

² Nikunja Devi, the wife of 'M' (Mahendranath Gupta).

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