Crumbs from His Table
There was once a Guru who had eight disciples. One day he desired them all to make a copy of his teachings from a notebook he had kept. One of them, who had lived an easy-going life before renouncing the world, could not make a copy for himself. He, therefore, paid a couple of rupees to a fellow disciple and requested him to make a copy for him also. The Guru examined the copy books one day and, noticing two books in the same handwriting, asked the disciples for an explanation. Both the writer and the one on whose behalf it was written told the truth about it. The Master commented that, though speaking the truth was an essential quality of a spiritual aspirant, yet that alone would not carry one to one’s goal but that sraddha (earnestness of purpose) was also necessary and since this had not been exhibited by the disciple who had entrusted his own labour to another he was disqualified from discipleship.
Crumbs from His Table
In the early hours of 14th September, 1935, at 4 a.m., the writer was not able to obtain the usual internal quiet. He therefore mentally remonstrated with Sri Bhagavan that He had not showered His grace on him and that was why he was not able to consistently maintain his equanimity of mind. At that moment, however, he heard the still small voice within saying, “if you feel disappointed you had better come back to me.”
Crumbs from His Table
Sri Bhagavan said that vast study or high education was not compulsory for Self-realization (Cf. The humble knowledge of oneself is a surer way to God, than deep researches after science. -Imitation of Christ, By Thomas a Kempis )and that sometimes it could prove more a hindrance than a help. A highly educated Pandit has a greater samsara (family) than an ordinary man, whose immediate obstacles to the quest of the “Self ” only centre round his wife, children and a few relations and friends. If such a one can, by constant enquiry, break these bonds, he is well on the path to salvation, whereas a Pandit has, in addition to breaking the immediate ties of his relations, etc.
Crumbs from His Table
Sri Bhagavan calmly asked him, “Who is attracted?” He replied “I am. Whenever I see her, my mind goes out to her and thoughts of being in her company etc., crowd into my mind.” Sri Bhagavan asked him to put the questions: “Who sees and who is attracted? Who is disturbed by lust? In whom do desires arise?” adding that the moment he put these questions he would find all these thoughts taking leave of him.
Crumbs from His Table
Sri Bhagavan: “Who are you?”
D: I am Narayanaswami.
B: Is it the body, the mouth or the hands that represent the “I” you are talking about?
Crumbs from His Table
As this term is supposed to include every other quality needed to dub one a saint or Swami , the writer suggested to Mr. Iyer that no more questions were needed. He how- ever would not stop there but asked Sri Bhagavan if He knew that the Avadhuta had worked any miracles. Sri Bhagavan replied in the negative; and Narayana Iyer prompted the writer to put some questions. Not know- ing what questions to put, he hesitated, but as Mr. Iyer continued to goad him, he asked Sri Bhagavan if it was not a fact that both He and the Avadhutha Swami were doing tapas (penance) for some time at the same place and Sri Bhagavan replied that it was so, under a mango tree on the Hill. He was asked to put some more ques- tions but the writer was unable to do so. Sri Bhagavan was all the while looking at him, as if awaiting to hear his questions. He could not, therefore, desist any longer and said, “I am desired to put some more questions to you and I am wondering what to ask.”
