Guest guest Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 A story of Sage RIBHU and his disciple Nidagha - Ramana Maharishi A Story of Sage Ribhu & his Disciple Nidagha (Chapter 26 of the Ribhu Gita) as told by Ramana Maharshi (1879-1950) The Sage Ribhu taught his disciple the supreme Truth of the One Brahman (Pure Consciousness) without a second. However, Nidagha, in spite of his erudition and understanding, did not get sufficient conviction to adopt and follow the path of Self-Knowledge (Jnana Yoga), but settled down in his native town to lead a life devoted to the observance of ceremonial religion (Bhakti Yoga). But the Sage loved his disciple as deeply as the latter venerated his Master. In spite of his age, Ribhu would himself go to his disciple in the town, just to see how far the latter had outgrown, his ritualism. At times the Sage went in disguise, so that he might observe how Nidagha would act when he, did not know that he was being observed by his Master. On one such occasion Ribhu, who had put on the disguise of a village rustic, found Nidagha intently watching a royal procession. Unrecognized by the town-dweller Nidagha, the village rustic enquired what the bustle was all about, and was told that the king was going in the procession. "Oh! it is the king. He goes in the procession! But where is he?" asked the rustic. "There, on the elephant," said Nidagha. "You say the king is on the elephant. Yes, I see the two," said the rustic, "but which is the king and which is the elephant?What!" exclaimed Nidagha. "You see the two, but do not know that the man above is the king and the animal below is the elephant? What is the use of talking to a man like you?Pray, be not impatient with an ignorant man like me," begged the rustic. "But you said above and below— what do they mean?" Nidagha could stand it no more. "You see the king and the elephant, the one above and the other below. Yet you want to know what is meant by 'above' and 'below'" burst out Nidagha. "If things seen and words spoken can convey so little to you, action alone can teach you. Bend forward, and you will know it all too well." The rustic did as he was told. Nidagha got on his shoulders and said: "Know it now. I am above as the king, you are below as the elephant. Is that clear enough?No, not yet," was the rustic's gentle reply. "You say you are above like the king, and I am below like the elephant. The 'king', the 'elephant', 'above' and 'below'— so far it is clear. But pray, tell me what you mean by 'I' and 'you'?" When Nidagha was thus confronted all of a sudden with. the mighty problem of defining a 'you' apart from an 'I', light dawned on his mind. At once he jumped down and fell at his Master's feet saying: "Who else but my venerable Master, Ribhu, could have thus drawn my mind from the superficialities of physical existence to the true Being of the Self? Oh! Gracious Master, I crave thy blessings" ********************************************************************** Aum shri Ramanaya namaha ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 Dear Adiji: Thank you for posting this. I have read it before at a different "stage." While I have indeed "outgrown" certain things, I have not thrown them out...I just observe them with a different perspective. Today is an anniversary of sorts for me and I observe it with mixed emotions, on the one hand, with gratitude, on the other, with grief. Gratitude for the grace I have known, grief for the passage of those moments which I will never forget, which I long for still. Moments like Marifa describes, and Tagore and Rumi:-) Like Vicki, who followed your post with hers, and inspired by her, I speak my naked truth. I started this post and then stopped, unable to finish, not wanting to bare my feelings of sadness, then saved by my boys calling me from downstairs to come feed them:-) School's out for spring break...gimme a break!!! In between frosted flakes and bubble baths, I am back just long enough to post this. So, after a few morning tears, I am fine again, grateful. The wind is blowing fiercely today and has been for the last two days. The winds of change...reminds me of all of the changes in my life in the past two years...how time flies when you are having fun:-) Gratefully accepting all blessings, Joyce ============================================================== story of Sage RIBHU and his disciple Nidagha - Ramana Maharishi A Story of Sage Ribhu & his Disciple Nidagha (Chapter 26 of the Ribhu Gita) as told by Ramana Maharshi (1879-1950) The Sage Ribhu taught his disciple the supreme Truth of the One Brahman (Pure Consciousness) without a second. However, Nidagha, in spite of his erudition and understanding, did not get sufficient conviction to adopt and follow the path of Self-Knowledge (Jnana Yoga), but settled down in his native town to lead a life devoted to the observance of ceremonial religion (Bhakti Yoga). But the Sage loved his disciple as deeply as the latter venerated his Master. In spite of his age, Ribhu would himself go to his disciple in the town, just to see how far the latter had outgrown, his ritualism. At times the Sage went in disguise, so that he might observe how Nidagha would act when he, did not know that he was being observed by his Master. On one such occasion Ribhu, who had put on the disguise of a village rustic, found Nidagha intently watching a royal procession. Unrecognized by the town-dweller Nidagha, the village rustic enquired what the bustle was all about, and was told that the king was going in the procession. "Oh! it is the king. He goes in the procession! But where is he?" asked the rustic. "There, on the elephant," said Nidagha. "You say the king is on the elephant. Yes, I see the two," said the rustic, "but which is the king and which is the elephant?What!" exclaimed Nidagha. "You see the two, but do not know that the man above is the king and the animal below is the elephant? What is the use of talking to a man like you?Pray, be not impatient with an ignorant man like me," begged the rustic. "But you said above and below- what do they mean?" Nidagha could stand it no more. "You see the king and the elephant, the one above and the other below. Yet you want to know what is meant by 'above' and 'below'" burst out Nidagha. "If things seen and words spoken can convey so little to you, action alone can teach you. Bend forward, and you will know it all too well." The rustic did as he was told. Nidagha got on his shoulders and said: "Know it now. I am above as the king, you are below as the elephant. Is that clear enough?No, not yet," was the rustic's gentle reply. "You say you are above like the king, and I am below like the elephant. The 'king', the 'elephant', 'above' and 'below'- so far it is clear. But pray, tell me what you mean by 'I' and 'you'?" When Nidagha was thus confronted all of a sudden with. the mighty problem of defining a 'you' apart from an 'I', light dawned on his mind. At once he jumped down and fell at his Master's feet saying: "Who else but my venerable Master, Ribhu, could have thus drawn my mind from the superficialities of physical existence to the true Being of the Self? Oh! Gracious Master, I crave thy blessings" ********************************************************************** Aum shri Ramanaya namaha ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 I already made a post welcoming Adiji. But it has not shown up yet. Thanks Joyce for sharing and welcoming members to the Sangha. Hope you are all well, Love, Harsha , "Lady Joyce" <shaantih@c...> wrote: > Dear Adiji: > > Thank you for posting this. I have read it before at a different > "stage." While I have indeed "outgrown" certain things, I have > not thrown them out...I just observe them with a different perspective. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 6, 2004 Report Share Posted April 6, 2004 Warm Welcome to Adi-Shaktiji: How should be refer to you, Adiji as Joyceji did, or Shaktiji or Adi-Shaktiji? Adi in America could easily be converted to Eddy but I hope no one will do that. Thanks for your presence Love to all Harsha -- In , "Lady Joyce" <shaantih@c...> wrote: > Dear Adiji: > > Thank you for posting this. I have read it before at a different > "stage." While I have indeed "outgrown" certain things, I have > not thrown them out...I just observe them with a different perspective. > Today is an anniversary of sorts for me and I observe it with mixed > emotions, on the one hand, with gratitude, on the other, with grief. > Gratitude for the grace I have known, grief for the passage of those > moments which I will never forget, which I long for still. Moments > like Marifa describes, and Tagore and Rumi:-) > > Like Vicki, who followed your post with hers, > and inspired by her, I speak my naked truth. > I started this post and then stopped, unable to finish, > not wanting to bare my feelings of sadness, then saved by > my boys calling me from downstairs to come feed them:-) > School's out for spring break...gimme a break!!! > In between frosted flakes and bubble baths, I am back > just long enough to post this. > > So, after a few morning tears, I am fine again, grateful. > The wind is blowing fiercely today and has been for the last two days. > The winds of change...reminds me of all of the changes in my life > in the past two years...how time flies when you are having fun:-) > > Gratefully accepting all blessings, > > Joyce > > > ============================================================== > > > story of Sage RIBHU and his disciple Nidagha - Ramana Maharishi > > > > A Story of Sage Ribhu > & his Disciple Nidagha > (Chapter 26 of the Ribhu Gita) > as told by Ramana Maharshi (1879-1950) > > The Sage Ribhu taught his disciple the supreme Truth of the One > Brahman (Pure Consciousness) without a second. However, Nidagha, in > spite of his erudition and understanding, did not get sufficient > conviction to adopt and follow the path of Self-Knowledge (Jnana > Yoga), but settled down in his native town to lead a life devoted to > the observance of ceremonial religion (Bhakti Yoga). But the Sage > loved his disciple as deeply as the latter venerated his Master. In > spite of his age, Ribhu would himself go to his disciple in the town, > just to see how far the latter had outgrown, his ritualism. At times > the Sage went in disguise, so that he might observe how Nidagha would > act when he, did not know that he was being observed by his Master. > On one such occasion Ribhu, who had put on the disguise of a village > rustic, found Nidagha intently watching a royal procession. > Unrecognized by the town-dweller Nidagha, the village rustic enquired > what the bustle was all about, and was told that the king was going > in the procession. > > "Oh! it is the king. He goes in the procession! But where is he?" > asked the rustic. "There, on the elephant," said Nidagha. "You say > the king is on the elephant. Yes, I see the two," said the > rustic, "but which is the king and which is the elephant?What!" > exclaimed Nidagha. "You see the two, but do not know that the man > above is the king and the animal below is the elephant? What is the > use of talking to a man like you?Pray, be not impatient with an > ignorant man like me," begged the rustic. "But you said above and > below- what do they mean?" > > Nidagha could stand it no more. "You see the king and the elephant, > the one above and the other below. Yet you want to know what is meant > by 'above' and 'below'" burst out Nidagha. "If things seen and words > spoken can convey so little to you, action alone can teach you. Bend > forward, and you will know it all too well." The rustic did as he was > told. Nidagha got on his shoulders and said: "Know it now. I am above > as the king, you are below as the elephant. Is that clear > enough?No, not yet," was the rustic's gentle reply. "You say you > are above like the king, and I am below like the elephant. > The 'king', the 'elephant', 'above' and 'below'- so far it is clear. > But pray, tell me what you mean by 'I' and 'you'?" > > When Nidagha was thus confronted all of a sudden with. the mighty > problem of defining a 'you' apart from an 'I', light dawned on his > mind. At once he jumped down and fell at his Master's feet > saying: "Who else but my venerable Master, Ribhu, could have thus > drawn my mind from the superficialities of physical existence to the > true Being of the Self? Oh! Gracious Master, I crave thy blessings" > > ********************************************************************* * > Aum shri Ramanaya namaha ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 6, 2004 Report Share Posted April 6, 2004 Dear Joyce, First, let me thank you for the Warm welcome! also, for taking the initiative of inviting me to this wonderful group. So your boys are home for the springbreak! Yes, enjoy them till they are young and do 'activities' with them! Before, you will know it , thy will leave mother's nest and go on their merry ways! smiles! here is a poem i dedicate to you ... Joy and Sorrow Then a woman said, "Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow." And he answered: Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears. And how else can it be? The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain. Is not the cup that hold your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven? And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives? When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow," and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater." But I say unto you, they are inseparable. Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed. Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy. Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced. When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall. >From The Prophet -- Kahlil Gibran ps i also thank Harshaji for aceepting me in this group and i am already familiar with some of his loving posts in the other group 'advaitin' love recognizing love , "Lady Joyce" <shaantih@c...> wrote: > Dear Adiji: > > Thank you for posting this. I have read it before at a different > "stage." While I have indeed "outgrown" certain things, I have > not thrown them out...I just observe them with a different perspective. > Today is an anniversary of sorts for me and I observe it with mixed > emotions, on the one hand, with gratitude, on the other, with grief. > Gratitude for the grace I have known, grief for the passage of those > moments which I will never forget, which I long for still. Moments > like Marifa describes, and Tagore and Rumi:-) > > Like Vicki, who followed your post with hers, > and inspired by her, I speak my naked truth. > I started this post and then stopped, unable to finish, > not wanting to bare my feelings of sadness, then saved by > my boys calling me from downstairs to come feed them:-) > School's out for spring break...gimme a break!!! > In between frosted flakes and bubble baths, I am back > just long enough to post this. > > So, after a few morning tears, I am fine again, grateful. > The wind is blowing fiercely today and has been for the last two days. > The winds of change...reminds me of all of the changes in my life > in the past two years...how time flies when you are having fun:-) > > Gratefully accepting all blessings, > > Joyce > > > ============================================================== > > > story of Sage RIBHU and his disciple Nidagha - Ramana Maharishi > > > > A Story of Sage Ribhu > & his Disciple Nidagha > (Chapter 26 of the Ribhu Gita) > as told by Ramana Maharshi (1879-1950) > > The Sage Ribhu taught his disciple the supreme Truth of the One > Brahman (Pure Consciousness) without a second. However, Nidagha, in > spite of his erudition and understanding, did not get sufficient > conviction to adopt and follow the path of Self-Knowledge (Jnana > Yoga), but settled down in his native town to lead a life devoted to > the observance of ceremonial religion (Bhakti Yoga). But the Sage > loved his disciple as deeply as the latter venerated his Master. In > spite of his age, Ribhu would himself go to his disciple in the town, > just to see how far the latter had outgrown, his ritualism. At times > the Sage went in disguise, so that he might observe how Nidagha would > act when he, did not know that he was being observed by his Master. > On one such occasion Ribhu, who had put on the disguise of a village > rustic, found Nidagha intently watching a royal procession. > Unrecognized by the town-dweller Nidagha, the village rustic enquired > what the bustle was all about, and was told that the king was going > in the procession. > > "Oh! it is the king. He goes in the procession! But where is he?" > asked the rustic. "There, on the elephant," said Nidagha. "You say > the king is on the elephant. Yes, I see the two," said the > rustic, "but which is the king and which is the elephant?What!" > exclaimed Nidagha. "You see the two, but do not know that the man > above is the king and the animal below is the elephant? What is the > use of talking to a man like you?Pray, be not impatient with an > ignorant man like me," begged the rustic. "But you said above and > below- what do they mean?" > > Nidagha could stand it no more. "You see the king and the elephant, > the one above and the other below. Yet you want to know what is meant > by 'above' and 'below'" burst out Nidagha. "If things seen and words > spoken can convey so little to you, action alone can teach you. Bend > forward, and you will know it all too well." The rustic did as he was > told. Nidagha got on his shoulders and said: "Know it now. I am above > as the king, you are below as the elephant. Is that clear > enough?No, not yet," was the rustic's gentle reply. "You say you > are above like the king, and I am below like the elephant. > The 'king', the 'elephant', 'above' and 'below'- so far it is clear. > But pray, tell me what you mean by 'I' and 'you'?" > > When Nidagha was thus confronted all of a sudden with. the mighty > problem of defining a 'you' apart from an 'I', light dawned on his > mind. At once he jumped down and fell at his Master's feet > saying: "Who else but my venerable Master, Ribhu, could have thus > drawn my mind from the superficialities of physical existence to the > true Being of the Self? Oh! Gracious Master, I crave thy blessings" > > ********************************************************************** > Aum shri Ramanaya namaha ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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