On 24 May 1884 Harinath again visited Sri Ramakrishna at Dakshineswar. He said to the Master, “Well, why does it take many people such a long time to realize God?”
Master: “The truth is that a man doesn’t feel restless for God unless he is finished with his enjoyments and duties.”
Harinath: “Why is there so much suffering in the world?”
Master: “This world is the lila [divine play] of God. It is like a game. In this game there are joy and sorrow, virtue and vice, knowledge and ignorance, good and evil. The game cannot continue if sin and suffering are altogether eliminated from creation. In the game of hide-and-seek one must touch the ‘granny’ in order to be free. But the ‘granny’ is never pleased if she is touched at the very outset. It is God’s wish that the play should continue for some time.”
Harinath: “But this play of God is our death.”
Master (smiling): “Please tell me who you are. God alone has become all this — maya, the universe, living beings, and the twenty-four cosmic principles. ‘As the snake I bite, and as the charmer I cure.’ It is God Himself who has become both vidya and avidya. He remains deluded by the maya of avidya, ignorance. Again, with the help of the guru, He is cured by the maya of vidya, Knowledge.”