When you plunge in the water of the ocean, you may be attacked by alligators. But they won’t touch you if your body is smeared with turmeric. There are no doubt six alligators – lust, anger, avarice, and so on – within you, in the ‘heart’s fathomless depths’. But protect yourself with the turmeric of discrimination and renunciation, and they won’t touch you.
(p.125, The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, Thakur’s words to Narendra and his friends in his room in Dakshineswar on 16 Oct, 1882.)
Human being – today he is, tomorrow he is not. No one will accompany a person after his death. Only his actions – good or bad – follow him, even after death.
(p.144, The Gospel of the Holy Mother, Mother’s words at Belur Math during Durga Puja on 16 Oct, 1912.)