Guest guest Posted May 3, 2002 Report Share Posted May 3, 2002 Dear Harshi, I always like to hear your reminder of ahimsa. When I hear I think about violence in my life (and it is still not without) and how I can learn more ahimsa. For the Realized it seems to be the most natural thing. So for Sri Ramana ahimsa was only natural. His whole life was non-violent. This here is a very beautiful story about a robbery in the Ashram, illustrating this and how Bhagavan kept his disciple away from violence (reminds also of some parts in the bible and Jesus). It is taken from “Self Realization”, the first biography about Bhagavan written by B.V. Narasimha Swami already in 1931 (nearly 20 years before Maharshi’s death). It is at long story, but the weekend is near and so many of you will perhaps find the muse to read. In HIM Gabriele ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “It was a dark summer night about 11-30 P.M. on 26th June, 1924. Maharshi had retired to rest as usual on the dais in the long thatched hall in front of his mother’s Samadhi. Four disciples were resting near various windows in the hall. After mid-night two of them, Kunjuswami and Mastan, heard the loud remark of some persons outside – the thieves -, “There are six persons lying inside.” Mastan shouted, “Who is it?” The thieves replied by smashing the glass panes of a window: their evident intention being to strike terror in the minds of the inmates. Kunju and Mastan left their beds, near that window and came near Maharshi’s dais as a safer place of retreat. The thieves then ran up and smashed the window near Maharshi who merely sat in silence. Kunju then opened the northern door of the hall and brought Ramakrishna (another disciple) from an adjoining hut for help. Meanwhile, through the open door, the two dogs of the Asram, Karuppan and Jack, issued out, but the thieves beat them mercilessly. The sickly Karuppan howled and ran in immediately, while Jack ran away. When Kunju returned to the hall, he and Maharshi told the thieves that there was very little for them to take, and that they were welcome to enter and take what they liked. Still without listening to them the thieves kept digging out a window from the wall. Then Kunju began to use threats and said he would give them a good drubbing if they persisted in their mischief; and he tried to go out of the southern door to face the thieves. Maharshi dissuaded him, saying: “Let these (thieves) play their role (Dharma); we shall stick to ours. Let them do what they like; it is for us to bear and forbear. Let us not interfere with them.” Despite this unruffled forbearance (titiksha) of Maharshi and of Kunju, who obeyed Maharshi’s direction, the bluster and mischief of the thieves increased. They threw some squibs at the window to create the impression that they had firearms with them. Again they were told to enter and take what they liked, not minding Kunju’s threats; but they replied with vows of vengeance on the young man. Then Kunju left the cottage, crossed the fields and reached the town to get help, so that Maharshi might be safe. Meanwhile Ramakrishna again asked the thieves not to create unnecessary trouble but to take what they liked. The thieves threatened to burn down the thatched roof. Maharshi told them that they should not do that and offered to leave the hall and go away with the other inmates. This was the very thing they wanted. Maharshi wanted the sickly dog Karuppan first to be taken to a safe place lest the thieves should beat and kill it; so Ramakrishna carried it to a shed. Before he returned Maharshi with the other disciples, Thangavelu Pillai, Mastan and Munisamier, issued out of the northern door. The thieves beat each of them with sticks, evidently with a view to disable them. Maharshi received a blow on his left thigh, and at once said “If you are not satisfied yet, you may strike the other leg also.” But either the ruffian’s heart did not allow him to take the Swami at his word or, what is more probable, Ramakrishna came up just in time, extended both his hands over the Swami, and thus warding off the thief’s strokes, took Maharshi further north. Then the beaten party reached the northern shed and sat there. The thieves directed them to stay there, adding “If you budge from here, your heads will be smashed.” Maharshi told the thieves, “You have the entire hall to yourself; do what you like.” Then a thief returned and said he wanted a hurricane lamp. Maharshi ordered that it should be given to him, so Ramakrishna gave him a lighted lamp. Again a thief returned and wanted the keys of the bureau. But this bunch Kunju had carried away and the thief was informed of that fact. The thieves broke open the almirahs and carried away a razor, strips of silver that adorned the images, a little rice and some mangoes. The total worth of the Asram property thus taken was about ten rupees. Cash, viz., six rupees of the visitor Thagavelu Pillai, was also taken away. A thief, grossly disappointed, returned with uplifted stick and said “Where is your money, where do you keep that?” Maharshi told him that they were poor sadhus living upon alms – and never had cash. Repeatedly the thief urged this question, got the same reply, and then went back to the hall. After the thief went back, Maharshi advised Ramakrishna and others, who had received injuries, to use some balm for allaying their pain. “But what about Swami?, was Ramakrishna’s inquiry, to which the Swami humorously replied that he had “received adequate pooja,” which literally means worship, though here it signifies blows. Ramakrishna then saw the weal on the left thigh of his master. He seized an iron implement that was hard by and wanted “permission to go in and see what the thieves were doing.” Maharshi noted his excitement and dissuaded him from violence. “We are sadhus, we should not give up our role (Dharma)”, he said. “If you go and strike them some may die. That will be a matter for which the world will justly blame not the thieves, but us. These are only misguided men. They are blinded by ignorance. But let us note what is right and stick to it. Sometimes your teeth suddenly bite your own tongue; do you knock them out in consequence?” Maharshi thus quieted Ramakrishna from avenging his master. At 2 a.m. the thieves left. Later Kunju returned with a village officer and a couple of constables. Maharshi was still seated in the northern shed, calm, composed and discoursing with the disciples on matters spiritual as usual. The constables asked Maharshi what had happened. He drily remarked that some fools had broken into the Asram and gone away disappointed at finding nothing worth their trouble. The constables made an entry of this fact and went away with the officer. Munisamier (a young boy doing pooja at the Asram) then ran after them and told them that Maharshi and others had been beaten by the robbers. In the morning the Circle Inspector, Sub-Inspector, and a Head Constable came up for investigation followed by the Deputy Superintendent. Maharshi talked to none of them about his injury. Maharshi never spoke with anger or pain about the thieves; in fact he rarely referred to the incident. A few days later some of the Asram property was recovered and the thieves were arrested, promptly tried and convicted.” Narasima Swami: Self Realization, p. 152-156 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 3, 2002 Report Share Posted May 3, 2002 ..5in"> Arial;color:blue;font-weight:bold">Thanks Gabriele for that story. I love reading it. Arial;color:blue;font-weight:bold"> Arial;color:blue;font-weight:bold">It is nice to have you on the list and sharing stories. Arial;color:blue;font-weight:bold"> Arial;color:blue;font-weight:bold">Love Arial;color:blue;font-weight:bold">Harshi Arial;color:blue;font-weight:bold"> yes"> -----Original Message----- Gabriele Ebert [g.ebert (AT) gmx (DOT) de] Friday, May 03, 2002 1:26 PM Sri Ramana and ahimsa margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> color:black"> margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Dear Harshi, color:black;mso-color-alt:windowtext"> margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">I always like to hear your reminder of ahimsa. When I hear I think about violence in my life (and it is still not without) and how I can learn more ahimsa. color:black;mso-color-alt:windowtext"> margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">For the Realized it seems to be the most natural thing. So for Sri Ramana ahimsa was only natural. His whole life was non-violent. margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">This here is a very beautiful story about a robbery in the Ashram, illustrating this and how Bhagavan kept his disciple away from violence (reminds also of some parts in the bible and Jesus). It is taken from “Self Realization”, the first biography about Bhagavan written by B.V. Narasimha Swami already in 1931 (nearly 20 years before Maharshi’s death). It is at long story, but the weekend is near and so many of you will perhaps find the muse to read. mso-color-alt:windowtext"> margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">In HIM color:black;mso-color-alt:windowtext"> margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Gabriele color:black;mso-color-alt:windowtext"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">“It was a dark summer night about 11-30 P.M. on 26th June, 1924. Maharshi had retired to rest as usual on the dais in the long thatched hall in front of his mother’s Samadhi. Four disciples were resting near various windows in the hall. After mid-night two of them, Kunjuswami and Mastan, heard the loud remark of some persons outside – the thieves -, “There are six persons lying inside.” Mastan shouted, “Who is it?” mso-color-alt:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">The thieves replied by smashing the glass panes of a window: their evident intention being to strike terror in the minds of the inmates. Kunju and Mastan left their beds, near that window and came near Maharshi’s dais as a safer place of retreat. The thieves then ran up and smashed the window near Maharshi who merely sat in silence. Kunju then opened the northern door of the hall and brought Ramakrishna (another disciple) from an adjoining hut for help. 12.0pt;color:black;mso-color-alt:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Meanwhile, through the open door, the two dogs of the Asram, Karuppan and Jack, issued out, but the thieves beat them mercilessly. The sickly Karuppan howled and ran in immediately, while Jack ran away. mso-color-alt:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> 12.0pt;color:black;mso-color-alt:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">When Kunju returned to the hall, he and Maharshi told the thieves that there was very little for them to take, and that they were welcome to enter and take what they liked. Still without listening to them the thieves kept digging out a window from the wall. windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Then Kunju began to use threats and said he would give them a good drubbing if they persisted in their mischief; and he tried to go out of the southern door to face the thieves. windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Maharshi dissuaded him, saying: “Let these (thieves) play their role (Dharma); we shall stick to ours. Let them do what they like; it is for us to bear and forbear. Let us not interfere with them.” 12.0pt;color:black;mso-color-alt:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;font-weight: bold"> mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;font-weight:bold"> 12.0pt;color:black;mso-color-alt:windowtext;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;font-weight: bold"> 0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Despite this unruffled forbearance (titiksha) of Maharshi and of Kunju, who obeyed Maharshi’s direction, the bluster and mischief of the thieves increased. They threw some squibs at the window to create the impression that they had firearms with them. color:black;mso-color-alt:windowtext"> 0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Again they were told to enter and take what they liked, not minding Kunju’s threats; but they replied with vows of vengeance on the young man. Then Kunju left the cottage, crossed the fields and reached the town to get help, so that Maharshi might be safe. color:black;mso-color-alt:windowtext"> 0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> 0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Meanwhile Ramakrishna again asked the thieves not to create unnecessary trouble but to take what they liked. The thieves threatened to burn down the thatched roof. Maharshi told them that they should not do that and offered to leave the hall and go away with the other inmates. This was the very thing they wanted. Maharshi wanted the sickly dog Karuppan first to be taken to a safe place lest the thieves should beat and kill it; so Ramakrishna carried it to a shed. 0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> 0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Before he returned Maharshi with the other disciples, Thangavelu Pillai, Mastan and Munisamier, issued out of the northern door. The thieves beat each of them with sticks, evidently with a view to disable them. Maharshi received a blow on his left thigh, and at once said “If you are not satisfied yet, you may strike the other leg also.” But either the ruffian’s heart did not allow him to take the Swami at his word or, what is more probable, Ramakrishna came up just in time, extended both his hands over the Swami, and thus warding off the thief’s strokes, took Maharshi further north. Then the beaten party reached the northern shed and sat there. The thieves directed them to stay there, adding “If you budge from here, your heads will be smashed.” 0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Maharshi told the thieves, “You have the entire hall to yourself; do what you like.” mso-color-alt:windowtext"> 0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> 0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Then a thief returned and said he wanted a hurricane lamp. Maharshi ordered that it should be given to him, so Ramakrishna gave him a lighted lamp. Again a thief returned and wanted the keys of the bureau. But this bunch Kunju had carried away and the thief was informed of that fact. color:black;mso-color-alt:windowtext"> 0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">The thieves broke open the almirahs and carried away a razor, strips of silver that adorned the images, a little rice and some mangoes. The total worth of the Asram property thus taken was about ten rupees. Cash, viz., six rupees of the visitor Thagavelu Pillai, was also taken away. A thief, grossly disappointed, returned with uplifted stick and said “Where is your money, where do you keep that?” mso-color-alt:windowtext"> 0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Maharshi told him that they were poor sadhus living upon alms – and never had cash. Repeatedly the thief urged this question, got the same reply, and then went back to the hall. color:black;mso-color-alt:windowtext"> 0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> 0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">After the thief went back, Maharshi advised Ramakrishna and others, who had received injuries, to use some balm for allaying their pain. “But what about Swami?, was Ramakrishna’s inquiry, to which the Swami humorously replied that he had “received adequate pooja,” which literally means worship, though here it signifies blows. 0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Ramakrishna then saw the weal on the left thigh of his master. He seized an iron implement that was hard by and wanted “permission to go in and see what the thieves were doing.” color:black;mso-color-alt:windowtext"> 0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Maharshi noted his excitement and dissuaded him from violence. 0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;font-weight:bold">“We are sadhus, we should not give up our role (Dharma)”, he said. bold">“If you go and strike them some may die. That will be a matter for which the world will justly blame not the thieves, but us. These are only misguided men. They are blinded by ignorance. But let us note what is right and stick to it. Sometimes your teeth suddenly bite your own tongue; do you knock them out in consequence?” Maharshi thus quieted Ramakrishna from avenging his master. mso-color-alt:windowtext"> 0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> 0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">At 2 a.m. the thieves left. Later Kunju returned with a village officer and a couple of constables. Maharshi was still seated in the northern shed, calm, composed and discoursing with the disciples on matters spiritual as usual. The constables asked Maharshi what had happened. He drily remarked that some fools had broken into the Asram and gone away disappointed at finding nothing worth their trouble. The constables made an entry of this fact and went away with the officer. mso-color-alt:windowtext"> 0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Munisamier (a young boy doing pooja at the Asram) then ran after them and told them that Maharshi and others had been beaten by the robbers. 0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> 0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">In the morning the Circle Inspector, Sub-Inspector, and a Head Constable came up for investigation followed by the Deputy Superintendent. Maharshi talked to none of them about his injury. color:black;mso-color-alt:windowtext"> 0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> 0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Maharshi never spoke with anger or pain about the thieves; in fact he rarely referred to the incident. A few days later some of the Asram property was recovered and the thieves were arrested, promptly tried and convicted.” wave windowtext 3.0pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> 0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt: wave windowtext 3.0pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> 12.0pt;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"> 0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Narasima Swami: Self Realization, p. 152-156 color:black;mso-color-alt:windowtext"> 0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"> mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ color:black;mso-color-alt:windowtext"> windowtext"> /join mso-fareast-font-family:"Courier New";color:black"> All paths go somewhere. No path goes nowhere. Paths, places, sights, perceptions, and indeed all experiences arise from and exist in and subside back into the Space of Awareness. Like waves rising are not different than the ocean, all things arising from Awareness are of the nature of Awareness. Awareness does not come and go but is always Present. It is Home. Home is where the Heart Is. Jnanis know the Heart to be the Finality of Eternal Being. A true devotee relishes in the Truth of Self-Knowledge, spontaneously arising from within into It Self. Welcome all to a. "Courier New";color:black"> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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