The Nature of Maya

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The nature of maya

 

This is a well-known story often told with

considerable variation in ashrams

and literature, usually with no mention of religion or

names. However, it is

apparently a true story concerning Buddha and his

chief disciple Arjuna:

 

The Master is seated with his disciples in rugged but

tranquil terrain,

discoursing the illusion mankind confuses with

reality. A disciple asks the

Master to explain the nature of maya (illusion).The

Master replies “Very

well, but I am thirsty. First get me a drink from

midstream of the river

nearby”.

The disciple clambers over rocks with a cup, but the

river suddenly becomes

a raging torrent and carries him away. He is swept

miles downstream, dashed

unconscious on to rocks. Is found by women bathing

there, and taken to one

of their homes to begin long recovery. She turns out

to be the princess of the

district, falls in love with him, and they are married

in the palace.

A long and happy life ensues; the former disciple

becomes a wise and loved

king, renowned for poetry and sound government. They

have several

children.

One day, there is a torrential storm. The palace is

swept away, wife and

children drowned, the whole province devastated. The

now penniless king,

filled with grief, enters old age after many years of

a miserable existence as a

beggar, wandering aimlessly to support himself. After

several years, he

chances on a landscape which looks vaguely familiar.

Then hears a stentorian

voice shouting “Hurry up with that cup of water, I’m

very thirsty”. Instantly

his rags turn to saffron robes, and his body becomes

much younger. He is

back with the Master’s group. and only five minutes

have elapsed since he

left them. In his state of utter confusion, the Master

says : “THAT is the

nature of maya”.

 

Nasrudin

 

 

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