Fwd: A note on TitikshA

[Guest guest]

advaitin , " dhyanasaraswati "

<dhyanasaraswati wrote:

 

post number 31273

 

Namaskarams Subbuji for an informative post on 'Titiksha'

(FORTITUDE).

 

Subbuji asks at the end of his post :

 

(There is a somewhat similar incident that occurred in the life of

Bhagavan Ramana, when a gang of robbers raided the Ashram in the

early days. Will someone recount the same? )

 

Please allow me to narrate here an incident that occured at the

Dakshineshwer Kali Temple where Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was the

presiding priest.

 

It is said one day thieves broke into the Dakshineshweri temple and

walked away with all the gold and precious ornaments adorning the

archa vigraha murti of Lord Krishna . Mathurnath. the nephew of Rani

Rasmati ( it was she who built this great temple ) was informed of

this robbery. On hearing this , Mathurnath was outraged and in an

ouburst , losing all sense of proprtion and equanimity of mind (

lack

of Titiksha). Mathurnath cried out " Oh Krishna! Are you not ashamed

of yourself? If you are not able to protect your jewels on your own

idol, how are you going to protect the whole world? Were you

paralysed when the thieves were carrying away the Jewels? Or were

you

asleep? This is a disgrace to you Divinity. "

 

When Sri Ramakrishna heard this ouburst , he pacified Mathuranath

with these words " Mathuranath! For the sake of your petty jewels and

trinkets, is this the way you should berate God? When the Goddess of

wealth, Lakshmi, is the consort of the Lord, why do you get so

agitated over the loss of a few trivial ornaments? The Lord can have

no such petty feelings. You are feeling so much for the action of a

few thieves who loved some jewels and came to the Lord to get them.

It is because of your love for jewels that you are getting

distressed

so much. But the Lord has no desires. He is ready to give himself

away. God is prepared to offer himself. Such a one, will He be

worried about this petty loss? Hence, change your vision. Do not

comment on God. " At these words Mathuranath felt ashamed of himself.

 

The moral of the story is there is nothing to lament at the loss of

jewels for 'nothing' really belongs to us - it is wise to recall the

very first lines of Isavasya Upanishad which goes like this

 

Om Isavasyamidam sarvam

 

Everything in this universe belongs to Hari.

 

(this is from our group 'Brahmanshakti)

 

Now, Subbuji - here is the Sri Ramana and the robbers story !

 

A poignant example of Ramana's ahimsa (nonviolence toward living

things) arose when his ashram was robbed by six dacoits (thieves) on

June 26, 1924. When one of his devotees wanted to strike back

violently at the robbers, Ramana replied, " Let these [thieves] play

their role [dharma]; we shall stick to ours [nonviolence]. Let them

do what they like; it is for us to bear and forebear. Let us not

interfere with them. " When Ramana was hit on the left thigh by one

of

the ruffians, he at once said, " If you are not satisfied yet, you

may

strike the other leg also. " As it turned out, the thief stopped.

Eventually all the robbers were captured by the police after the

escape from the ashram. Explaining his stance in the incident,

Ramana

commented: " These [thieves] are only misguided men. They are blinded

by ignorance. But let us note what is right and stick to it.

Sometimes your teeth suddenly bite your own tongue. Do you knock

them

out in consequence? "

 

(http://www.vclass.mtsac.edu:930/phil/sage.htm - 15k - Cached )

 

 

Subbuji, many people equate 'titiksha' with 'tolerance' but the real

meaning of 'titiksha' is 'forbearance or equanimity of mind ' -

would

not agree ? It is my pleasure to recall here verse 5 of chapter 15

of

Srimad Bhagwat Gita

 

nirmana-moha jita-sanga-dosa

adhyatma-nitya vinivrtta-kamah

dvandvair vimuktah sukha-duhkha-samjnair

gacchanty amudhah padam avyayam tat (CHAP 15-VERSE 5)

 

SRILA PRABHUPADA'S TRANSLATION

One who is free from illusion, false prestige, and false

association,

who understands the eternal, who is done with material lust and is

freed from the duality of happiness and distress, and who knows how

to surrender unto the Supreme Person, attains to that eternal

kingdom.

 

 

The key phrase is dvandvair vimuktah sukha-dukha-samajnair - freed

from the duality of happiness and distress - that is 'Titiksha' -

the

hallmark of a great sadhaka!

 

 

Hari Aum Tat Sat !

 

--- End forwarded message ---