Teaching of Ubhaya Bharati - wife of Mandana Mishra!

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Dearest Advaitins,

 

It is my pleasure to share a story with you this morning.

 

This was the teaching of Ubhaya Bharati, wife of Mandana Mhra, who

engaged in a famous debate with ADI SANKARA.

 

Ubhaya Bharati was living in a hermitage on the banks of the river

Ganga, imparting spiritual teachings to women. Many women had become

her disciples. Every day in the morning, they used to go the Ganges

to have a bath. On the way, there lived a Sannyasi whom people called

Brahma Jnani. Truly, he was a renunciant and one of wisdom. However,

he was very much attached to a small earthen pot in which he used to

preserve water. One day, he was lying down using the pot as a pillow,

lest somebody might steal it. Ubhaya Bharati who was on her way to

Ganges with her disciples observed this and remarked, "Though he is

one of wisdom, there is a small defect in him. He has renounced the

world, but is attached to his earthen pot which he is using as his

pillow." The Sanyasi overheard their conversation and became angry.

When Ubhaya Bharati and her disciples were coming back from Ganges,

he threw away the pot on the road, just to show that he was not

attached to it. Seeing this, Ubhaya Bharati said, "I thought there

was only one defect in him -Abhimana (attachment). Now I realise that

he has another defect also - Ahamkara (ego). How can one with

Ahamkara and Abhimana be a Jnani (one of wisdom)?" It was an eye-

opener for the Sanyasi.

 

http://www.saiomni.homestead.comBIRTHDAY_DISCOURSE.htm - 23k

 

Let Knowledge come from all sides says a Rig Vedic verse ! SO, PLEASE

DO NOT DISCOUNT A STORY JUST BECAUSE IT IS FROM THE INTERNET ! THE

INTERNET IS ALSO MADE OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND ME!!! smiles!!!!