Animals and Yudishtira

[Guest guest]

Thanks Mazie for sharing!

 

Sachin

 

 

----

 

Mazie Lane

08/25/05 23:15:26

 

Re: Story of Lakshmi

 

" According to traditional Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, one has

to attain a human birth in order to be enlightened. Sri Ramana,

although born as a Hindu, was not bound by any tradition. Bhagavan

was especially kind to animals and did not like the devotees chasing

them away. He stated explicitly that Lakshmi the cow had attained

Mukti (liberation). He did not make such comments about all animals.

He had made a similar comment regarding his mother as well when she

passed away. A few times Bhagavan remarked that sometimes Siddhas

(perfected yogis) roam in the area in the guise of animals and come

to visit him.

 

 

Dearest Harshaji,

 

This last statement reminds me of the oldtime encouragement

quote, " We entertain angels, unaware. " I wonder, in Bhagavan saying

this, did/do the Siddhas tend to roam and be drawn to great beings

such as Sri Ramana because he is Bhagavan, or, do these perfected

Yogis also roam about the grounds of ordinary-consciousness'd beings

such as myself. Perhaps they do and are, only we are unaware of

their presence, unlike Sri Ramana Maharshi who was Omniscient. We

get glimpses of them, feel their presence and note it, that is if

we're lucky-blessed, do the work, and of course ... Grace, always

Grace. I've felt on a deep level, through an inner intuition I

guess, that some animals I've had the pleasure of keeping company

with were much more than their outward forms would necessarily

indicate. I've had the gifted opportunity to see selflessness in

action when a cherished canine Friend dove into a rushing, teeth-

chattering river and saved my youngest daughter from drowning. She,

that is " Tilla, " (short for Attilla) swam so swiftly it was like

watching a divine arrow that's been set free by the hand of Arjuna,

she reaching Evelyn in quicktime/slow-mo movements (as it appeared

to me), and just latching onto her garments, dragging her to the

shore. She didn't let go of her precious cargo until she knew that

Evelyn could touch her feet upon solid earth and stand up on her

own, even though I had reached Evelyn and also grabbed onto her, she

did this. A gift of God, that dog! I've seen her weep when I was

weeping, crying actual tears, tears wetting the fur on her Dear,

Sweet muzzle. I wonder if perfected beings such as Sri Ramana

comments on, are indeed as close as we allow them to be - the

nearest of the near, the dearest of the dear - Divinity clothed in

flesh and fur ... for the having and the knowing at the mere cost of

admitting God into the Heart.

 

Have you heard of the story of Yudishthira refusing to enter heaven

without his dog? When Sri Krishna died, the Pandavas lost all

interest in life and left for the Himalayas. On the way, all of them

died one by one and only Yudishthira and his dog were left. When

they reached heaven Yudishthira was told that he could come in but

not the dog as the animals were not allowed in Heaven. Yudishthira

refused to enter without his loyal dog. The story is symbolic. "

 

This story always made me cry out loud in Joy, Harshaji. That he the

great King would refuse heaven for Love of a dog, for honor and

integrity, for loyalty that knows no limit ... it simply gets me and

brings me down to my knees at such Humility.

 

In the version that I heard of this story, when King Yudishthira

refuses heaven because of its price, accepted regardless of the loss

to himself, it is at that moment when the little, loyal dog-

companion bursts into Light and the Divine One, Lord Krishna, He is

then there standing exactly where the little dog had stood. I weep

at this, even now ... even now.

 

Love to all

 

Harsha

 

Love to You, Dearest Harshaji,

 

As I Am,

 

Mazie