He who meditates on God for many days has substance in him, has divine power in him. Further, he who sings well, plays well on a musical instrument, or has mastered anyone art, has in him real substance and the power of God. #RamkrishnaParamahamsa

Do not accept anything because I have said so; but test everything for yourself. It is not in assent or dissent that the goal is to be attained, but in actual and concrete realization. #RamkrishnaParamahamsa

The water that touches the shore is the same, but it is not the same when it is in the river. So too, the nature of the Atman is the same, but it is not the same when it is in different bodies. #RamkrishnaParamahamsa

Many are the names of God, and infinite the forms that lead us to know Him. In whatsoever name or form you desire to call Him, in that very form and name you will see Him. #RamakrishnaParamahamsa #RamkrishnaParamahamsa

I cannot stand anyone calling me guru. It irritates me. Who is the guru? Satchidananda alone is the guru.’ Ramakrishna on egotism: Water does not accumulate on high ground. #RamkrishnaParamahamsa

God doesn't take entire responsibility for a devotee unless the devotee is completely intoxicated with ecstatic love for Him. Not until a man thinks so much of God that he cannot look after himself does God take on his responsibilities. #RamkrishnaParamahamsa

God has been described in the Vedas as both with attributes and without. If you know one of His aspects truly, you will be able to know His other aspects too. God Himself will tell you all about them. But dogmatism is not good. #RamkrishnaParamahamsa

More are the names of God and infinite are the forms through which He may be approached. In whatever name and form you worship Him, through them you will realise Him. #RamkrishnaParamahamsa

Subtle are the ways of dharma. One cannot realize God if one has even the least trace of desire. A thread cannot pass through the eye of a needle if it has the smallest fibre sticking out. #RamkrishnaParamahamsa

As a nail cannot enter into a stone, but can easily be driven into the earth, so the advice of the pious does not affect the soul of a worldly man. It enters into the heart of a believer. #RamkrishnaParamahamsa

Through selfless work, love of God grows in the heart. Then through his grace one realize Him in course of time. God can be seen. One can talk to Him as I am talking to you. #RamkrishnaParamahamsa

When you desire to help others, you forget your own body and mind, you forget your own individuality, and it is then that you are in the best position to help others. #RamkrishnaParamahamsa

When I look around with my eyes open, I see that God dwells in all beings. He is the Indwelling Spirit of all-men, animals and other living beings, trees and plants, sun and moon, land and water. #RamkrishnaParamahamsa

The devotee should sing the name and glories of God. The path of karma is not the right one for the Kaliyuga. Bhakti Yoga is the right path. Do your duties in the world as long as you need them to reap the fruit of the actions of your past lives. #RamkrishnaParamahamsa

Even if one has attained Knowledge, one must still constantly practice God-Consciousness. Nangta used to say: 'What is the use of polishing the outside of a metal pot one day only? If you don't polish it regularly it will get tarnished again.' #RamkrishnaParamahamsa

Must I waste my mind, which should be given to God, on useless things? I say: 'O Mother, I don't want Narendra, Bhavanath, Rākhāl , or anybody. I seek Thee alone. What shall I do with man?' #RamkrishnaParamahamsa

This world is like a stage, where men perform many parts under various disguises. They do not like to take off the mask, unless they have played for some time. Let them play for a while, and then they will leave off the mask of their own accord. #RamkrishnaParamahamsa

As long as you live inside the house of māyā, as long as there exists the cloud of māyā, you do not see the effect of the Sun of Knowledge. Come outside the house of māyā, give up 'lust and greed', and then the Sun of Knowledge will destroy ignorance. #RamkrishnaParamahamsa

The alligator has got such a thick and scaly hide that no weapons can pierce it; on the contrary, they fall off harmless. So, how much soever you may preach religion to a worldly man, it will have no effect upon his heart. - #RamkrishnaParamahamsa

One man may read the Bhagavata by the light of a lamp, and another may commit a forgery by that very light; but the lamp is unaffected. The sun sheds its light on the wicked as well as on the virtuous. #RamkrishnaParamahamsa