Enough of this Rubbish!

[Guest guest]

30th May, 1936

Talk 190.

There is a pet squirrel in the hall which usually retires into its cage before

nightfall. Just as Maharshi was telling it to retire for the night a visitor

who had announced that he had attained the transcendent consciousness suggested

that water might be offered to it, since it was likely to be thirsty on this hot

evening. His presumption to understand animals evoked no response. He repeated

it. After a few minutes’ silence Maharshi said, "You are probably thirsty after

your long meditation in the hot Sun on the hotter rocks and you would like to

drink a jug of water."

D.: Quite so. I have taken water.

M.: The squirrel is not so thirsty. Because you were practising austerities in

the heat of the Sun you should feel thirsty. Why prescribe it for the squirrel?

Maharshi added: I noticed him standing on the hot rocks facing the Sun with eyes

closed. I stood there for a while but did not want to disturb him and came away.

These people do as they please.

D.: What I did, I did not intend beforehand. It was spontaneous.

M.: Oh! I see! Whatever we others do, we do with intention! You seem to have transcended all!

D.: This is not the first time I did so. You yourself inspire me and make me do

all these things. Yet you ask me why I did it. How is it?

M.: I see. You are doing actions being controlled by me. Then the fruits also

should be considered similarly to be mine and not yours.

D.: So they are undoubtedly. I act not of my free will but inspired by you. I

have no will of my own.

M.: Enough of this rubbish! So did Duryodhana of old (in the Mahabharata) say:

janami dharmam nacha me pravrittih,janamyadharmam nacha me nivrittih.kenapi

devana hridi sthitenayatha niyuktosmitatha karomi.

What is the difference between you two?

D.: I see no difference. But I have no will and act without it.

M.: You have risen high above the common run. We others are acting with personal will.

D.: How, Sir? You have said in one of your works that action can be automatic.

M.: Enough! Enough! You and another visitor behave as transcendental beings! You

are both fully learned. You need not learn more. I would not have said all this

had you not been coming here frequently. Do as you please. But these

eccentricities of the beginner’s stage will become known in their true light

after some time.

D.: But I have been in this state for such a long time.

M.: Enough!

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Siva—Siva