Hari
OM
Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and
parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.
PARABLE
OF THE BRAHMANISHTHA AND HIS DISCIPLE.
A
brahmanishta (realised Master) was fully immersed in enlightening all humanity
with his intuitive knowledge and experience, through all possible media. He
employed a certain disciple of his to take down notes and compile books. In
course of time, the disciple virtually became a gramophone record, able to
repeat all the words of the Guru verbatim. He became puffed with the pride of
this and went about telling, 'what does the Guru know that I do not? I can
quote all the scriptures and discourses!'
There
came a time when devotees of the Guru had a bereavement and he could not reach
them for some time, so he sent the disciple to minister and condole with them
until he could reach.
That
vain man went there and proceeded to give sermon and high Vedantic knowledge…
but it seemed that no one was gaining any solace, no matter how much he talked
about the True State of things. Still he continued, showing off his knowledge.
Eventually the Guru arrived, and then the whole group cheered. Tears were dried
and smiles arose. The Guru said but a few words and yet seemed to have much
more effect upon the family than the disciple had for the entire three hours
before!
Can
the moon say it shines by its own light? When the sun rises, the illusion of
the moon's light is swept away. Intellectual and theoretical philosophers are of
no use to humanity; the intuitive knowledge of the Guru is like the sun against
their 'light'. Knowledge arising by itself in an experiencing heart is not to
be compared to the knowledge of the brain. O man! Forget your intellectual
attainments. The knowledge you possess is not yours but it belongs to the Lord!
