While he was in the temple one evening, Latu found that he could not meditate; he returned to the Master’s room feeling discouraged. The Master asked, “Why have you come back so soon?” “I couldn’t concentrate my mind on japam.” “Why not?” “I don’t know,” answered Latu. “On other days when I sit for japam and meditation, I see something and the mind gets concentrated. But today nothing appeared. I tried hard to concentrate, but I failed.” He added: “On my way to the temple the thought came to me — if Mother would appear to me and offer a boon, what should I ask for?”
Immediately the Master said: “There’s the trouble. Can one do japam with the mind full of desires? Never let that happen again. When sitting to meditate one should not ask for anything… . If Mother ever insists on giving you something, then ask only for devotion to Her. Never ask for wealth, power, sense pleasures, or anything else.”
The Master tells Hriday: “One should meditate while free from ties.”
Pondering thus Hriday appeared before the Master suddenly and asked: “What is this? Why are you sitting naked, having discarded your cloth and sacred thread?” After being addressed several times, the Master slowly regained his normal consciousness. Then he listened to Hriday’s question and replied: “What do you know? One should meditate by becoming free from all ties. From their very birth human beings are tied with eight fetters: hatred, shame, family status, good conduct, fear, fame, pride of caste, and ego. This sacred thread is a fetter because it signifies vainglory: ‘I am a brahmin and superior to all.’ One should call on Mother with a one-pointed mind, shunning all bondage. That is why I took off those things. When I return after meditation I shall put them on again.” Hriday was dumbfounded; he had never before heard such words. Unable to say anything in reply, Hriday left the place. Previously he had thought he could scold his uncle and make him see his mistake. Now he realized he could do nothing. (Source: Sri Ramakrishna and His Divine Play)