26/08/2026
THE COMMISION FOR THE VISION OF RAM
One day, at Ugarchand Shet's (Ramdas) dined with his several friends. After meals, when he was sitting in the drawing room of his palatial house, the Shet said in a mock-serious mood:
"Swami, I am a businessman, a commission agent in trade, and I am very wealthy. I promise you a decent commission, if you would show me Ram, whom I am so eager to see."
"Well," replied Ramdas, "Ramdas can show you Ram, provided you present him with the kind of commission he demands. He does not want your wealth. Assure him that you would hand over the thing he wants from you, and you shall see
Ram in all His magnificence."
"What is it that you want?" he inquired with great eagerness.
"Do you promise before Ramdas tells you what it is?"
Ramdas asked.
He thought for a while and said: "I cannot promise. Kindly tell me what is the commission you demand and I shall see if I am in a position to grant it."
Ramdas was about to drop the matter, but the Shet insisted on Ramdas' speaking out about the commission. At last Ramdas enlightened him.
"What Ramdas wants from you in exchange for the vision of God is your mind. Surrender it up to Ramdas totally, and you will see God face to face."
"Oh!" he exclaimed, throwing up his hands: "I cannot do that."
"Right," Ramdas replied, "you wish to retain the mind for owning this house, your vast riches, property and relations as yours and undergo anxiety, cares and worries concerning them all. Please yourself. The truth is, unless we give over our mind entirely to the thought of God and lay everything that you cling to as belonging to you at His feet, you cannot have Him. In short, complete and unqualified surrender to God alone entitles you to His grace and darshan."
- Swami Ramdas, In the Vision of God, p.359