Brahmatvam

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhaktas,

Brahman is Bliss. We, who are creatures of Brahman, ought to be in a blissful

state always; yet, except as children, we grow increasingly unhappy as we grow

older and seek to find remedy in philosophical tracts. Our scriptures insist

that Vairagya (non-attachment) is an essential practice for achieving this

goal.

In this connection, I want to share with you the following extract from the book

'Illusions' by Richard Bach.

Dasan

M.K. Krishnaswamy

 

" Once there lived a village of creatures along the bottom of a great crystal

river. The current of the river swept silently over them all - young and old,

rich and poor, good and evil, the current going its own way, knowing only its

own crystal self.

Each creature in its own manner clung tightly to the twigs and rocks at the

river bottom, for clinging was their way of life, and resisting the current was

what each had learned from birth.

 

But one creature said at last, "I am tired of clinging. Though I cannot see it

with my eyes, I trust that the current knows where it is going. I shall let go,

and let it take me where it will. Clinging, I shall die of boredom."

 

The other creatures laughed and said, `Fool! Let go, and that current you

worship will throw you tumbled and smashed across the rocks, and you will die

quicker than boredom.'

 

But the one heeded them not, and taking a breath did let go, and at once was

tumbled and smashed by the current across the rocks. Yet, in time, as the

creature refused to cling again, the current lifted him free from the bottom,

and he was bruised , but hurt no more. And the creatures down stream, to whom he

was a stranger, cried, `See a miracle! A creature like ourselves, yet he flies.

See the Messiah, come to save us all!'

 

And the one carried in the current said, `I am no more messiah than you. The

river delights to lift us free, if only we dare let go. Our true work is this

voyage, this adventure.' But they cried the more:. `Saviour!' all the while

clinging to the rocks, and when they looked again he was gone, and they were

left alone, making legends of the Saviour."