Sayings of Ramakrishna 175

A tame mongoose had its home high up on the wall of a house. One end of a rope was tied to its neck, while the other end was fastened to a weight. 

The mongoose with the appendage runs and plays in the parlor or in the yard of the house, but no sooner does it get frightened than it at once runs up and hides itself in its home on the wall. 

But it cannot stay there long, as the weight at the other end of the rope draws it down, and it is constrained to leave its home. 

Similarly, a man has his home high up at the feet of the Almighty. Whenever he is frightened by adversity and misfortune he goes up to his God, his true home; but in a short time he is constrained to come down into the world by its irresistible attractions.