a big Self and a big body

[Guest guest]

About ten days back an American young man came here.

Knowing that he takes photographs, some people from here

arranged to get the elephant which lives in the Thousand-pillared

Mandapam in Arunachaleswarar Temple and keep it in the open

space by the side of the Jubilee Hall.

Bhagavan on his return from the bath room stood by the side of the

elephant and was giving it a feed, when that American took a photo.

 

Yesterday morning, after 10 o'clock, some one brought the photo

to Bhagavan to show it to him. All people began to see it with some

curiosity. They were talking amongst themselves about something

that was written on the back of that photo.

As I did not understand what all they were talking about, I asked

Bhagavan about it quietly in a low tone.

 

Bhagavan:

"Nothing particular. On the back of the photo it is written,

'A big self which does not know the body and a big body which

does not know the Self are at one place'."

 

Devotee:

"What exactly could be his idea in writing thus?"

 

Bhagavan:

"That is easy. Though that elephant has such a big body it does not

know the Self. For that reason, whatever food is given to it, it stands

there dissatisfied trumpeting unceasingly. Perhaps because of that

or for some other reason, it is stated to be a big body without knowing

the Self. I stood there somehow with a shaky body; so again, perhaps

because of that or for any other reason, it is stated that I am the Big

Self not knowing the body. That might be the idea."

 

Devotee:

"That is true. Bhagavan always appears unconcerned about the body,

does he not?"

 

Bhagavan (with a smile):

"That's it. That's it. Chintha Dikshitulu has written saying that I am

like a statue in the Madras Museum. Sowris has written saying

that I am like a celluloid doll. People say something or other."

 

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Nagamma: Letters, entry 16.1.1949

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