Mantra, A story

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This is a story of keeta-bhramara nyaya

(caterpillar-butterfly logic), as you contemplate, so you shall be. This

thumb rule applies very much to any object of

continuous concentration, be it a mantra-deity, or a

butterfly as in the case of a caterpillar inside a

pupa.<br>"One day, a wandering sadhu came upon a boy herding

buffaloes. He was hungry, and the boy readily obliged him

with some milk. After drinking to his satisfaction,

the sadhu began to feel generous, and asked the

herdsman, 'What would you like? I'm feeling fine, I'll give

it to you.'<br>The boy laughed and said,'I really

don't need anything. I do nothing all day long but herd

my buffaloes, and am fully satisfied with that.

Besides, sadhu-maharaj, you came to me as a beggar and I

gave you alms. How can I expect anything from you in

return? I am the giver, not you.'<br>The sadhu was taken

aback by the reply, and realised that this was no

ordinary buffalo-herd. But still feeling expansive he

asked, 'What is it that you love most in the

world?'<br>'Why, this buffalo', the boy replied innocently, 'the

one whose milk you just drank. She is the largest I

have, she gives me 10 gallons of milk everyday, she is

broad and string, so loving and beautiful, I love her

best of all.'<br>'All right', said the sadhu, 'please

do one thing. Go sit in that cave and imagine that

you are this buffalo. Think of her, keep her picture

in mind, completely self identify with her, become

her ! As you sit doing all this, repeat to yourself

"Bhaisoham, bhaisoham"(I am a buffalo, I am a buffalo). Don't

worry about a thing, I'll look after your

buffaloes.'<br>The herdsman did exactly as the sadhu said, and after

3 days when the sadhu entered the cave, he found

the boy sitting motionless with his eyes closed,

repeating, "Bhaisoham, bhaisoham".<br>The sadhu said, 'So

young man, how have you progressed? Come out

now.'<br>Out came the reply,'Don't call me a young-man! I am a

buffalo. Can't you see that? Look at my broad back! How

can I leave this small cave? My horns are too broad

to go thru the enterance. Now don't be foolish; go

away and leave me alone or I'll gore you and toss you

out with these beautiful horns of mine.'<br>But the

sadhu persisted and said, 'Try to remember my boy, I

told you to sit and do this. Now, instead of

repeating, "I am a buffalo", start to identify with Shiva

and repeat "Shivoham, Shivoham"(I am Shiva, I am

Shiva).'<br>The herdsman did that, and in about fifteen minutes

he was in a deep trance(samadhi). He realized his

goal: The Universal Soul in the form of Lord

Shiva.<br>The sadhu was astonished. Tears came to his eyes and

he said to himself, 'This fellow sits only three and

a half days and achieves and I have wandered around

practising without success for so many years.'<br>Then he

had to take that buffalo herd as his guru, and

finally he also realized. I do not remember the real

names of the characters in the story, but it is similar

to what happened with Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa.

What took his guru thirty years to achieve,

Ramakrishna achieved in a few days."<br>This proves that time

is not the critereon; if the desire is strong enough

the result must occur without delay. All has to be

forgotten except the name and form of the deity. Hence it

is important to choose a mantra and deity to which

has very strong inherent affinity for, the Guru can

be very helpful here as he can look behind the make

believe world of our imaginations.<br><br><<Both

name and form are essential for worship. One part of

the mind takes the shape of an object; that is form.

Another part of the mind identifies and distinguishes it;

that is name.>><br><br>To go directly to the

highest form of samadhi is almost impossible. Even

Ramakrishna had to worship Mother Bhavatarini for many years

before his consciousness became one-pointed enough to

achieve The Formless, but may be that was just Leela for

all of us ignorants.<br>regards really