Kathamrita Volume II - Swami Vivekananda

Bhishma Deva was lying on a bed of arrows.The Pandavas, accompanied by Krishna, wentto see him. After awhile Bhishma began toweep. The Pandavas said to Krishna, ‘Krishna,how amazing! Grandfather Bhishma [12] is oneof the eight Vasus [13] . There is no man ofspiritual wisdom like him. Yet he weeps duringhis last moments.’ Krishna replied, ‘Bhishma isnot weeping because of that. Ask him why heweeps.’ When asked, Bhishma replied,‘Krishna, I have not been able to understandthe ways of God at all. I am weeping because Isee that Narayana Himself is a constantcompanion of the Pandavas – still there is noend to their trials and tribulations. When Ireflect on this, I realize that it is impossible tounderstand anything of God’s ways.’ ”Pure Atman is immutable like Mount Sumeru“God revealed to me that the Paramatman,which is described as the pure Atman in theVedas, is immutable, like Mount Sumeru,unattached and beyond happiness and sorrow.There is great confusion about the working ofHis maya. No one can say what event willcome after this, or if this will produce that.”Surendra (smiling) — If one gives away incharity in a previous life and gets wealth in thenext, then we should give in charity now.