The Ultimate is beyond words

Sri Ramakrishna, by virtue of his extraordinary sadhana, or spiritual practices, had innumerable spiritual experiences. He had realised the highest truth of Vedanta, which is variously described as oneness, all pervading consciousness, Brahman, etc. Many sincere devotees would come to him and ask him to describe the nature of the Ultimate. But Sri Ramakrishna would always say that Brahman, or the Ultimate Reality, is the only thing that has not been defiled, which means that the Ultimate Truth has never ever been described fully in words. That is why the shastras say that the Ultimate Truth is beyond speech, mind, etc. But Sri Ramakrishna, in his own inimitable style, would explain this idea through a beautiful story. Once, a wise man was visiting the court of a king. The king received him with all honour and provided all comforts to him. After some time he sent for the visitor and asked him whether he could describe the Ultimate Truth or Knowledge in a single word. The wise man agreed and came forward. Suddenly saying “behold” he was waving two fingers in the air. The king was watching closely. Within a moment the king suddenly saw that out of the two fingers one had disappeared and only one was visible. The wise man had deftly concealed the other finger. The king asked the wise man to explain what he was shown. The wise man explained that what was shown at the end was indicative of Advaita or non-dual truth, which is Ultimate, which is unitary consciousness pervading everywhere and indicates the absence of any duality. Due to Maya or ignorance, this oneness appears as many, which is experienced by all Jivas or souls. This is what the wise man had indicated by showing two fingers. But it is difficult to answer the question as to how the one appears as many. Even the Advaita Vedanta texts explain this concept as Sat, Asat, Anirvachaniya Maya i.e. existence, non-existence, indescribable Maya.