Direct Realization Of Krishna

Sri Ramana Maharshi

Q: I wish to get sakshatkara (direct realization) of Sri Krishna. What should I do to get it?

M: What is your idea of Krishna and what do you mean by sakshatkara?

Q: I mean Sri Krishna who lived in Brindavan and I want to see him as the gopis saw him.

M: You see, you think he is a human being or one with a human form, the son of so and so, whereas he himself has said, I am in the Heart of all beings, I am the beginning, the middle and the end of all forms of life. He must be within you, as he is within all. He is your Self or the Self of your Self. So if you see this entity (the Self) or have sakshatkara of it, you will have sakshatkara of Krishna. Direct realization of the Self and direct realization of Krishna cannot be different. However, to go your own way, surrender completely to Krishna and leave it to him to grant the sakshatkara you want.

Q: Is it possible to speak to Ishwara as Sri Ramakrishna did?

M: When we can speak to each other why should we not speak to Ishwara in the same way?

Q: Then why does it not happen with us?

M: It requires purity and strength of mind and practice in meditation.

Q: Does God become evident if the above conditions exist?

M: Such manifestations are as real as your own reality. In other words, when you identify yourself with the body, as in the waking state, you see gross objects. When in the subtle body or in the mental place as in dreams, you see objects equally subtle. In the absence of identification in deep sleep you see nothing. The objects seen bear a relation to the state of the seer. The same applies to visions of God. By long practice the figure of God, as meditated upon, appears in dreams and may later appear in the waking state also.