Monica Bose-Growing up in the Grace of Bhagavan - 6

[Guest guest]

Then, I did not give it a thought, but now I talk to people who are surprised that there was no room other than the hall where Bhagavan could withdraw from the public gaze. He was always there for us. And this is linked to what was of paramount importance for him - the giving of darshan. He maintained the darshan even when he was very ill and in great pain. Traditionally, darshan, for a Jnani, means giving himself to be seen by others so that they might obtain contact with the Reality he embodies. Some devotees spoke of having glimpses of truth in Bhagavan's presence, for others there might be a slow maturation of understanding.

 

Physical sight was not imperative. Once an old woman came up to Bhagavan and lamenting that she could not see properly asked Bhagavan to bless her so that she might see him in her mind. With compassion Bhagavan acquiesced. It is an incident that was a comfort to those whose sight impaired, and indeed is still to those who did not have the chance to physically see the Maharshi. And the devotees wanted not only to see Bhagavan but also to be seen by him. In response, Bhagavan bestowed on them the Master's look of awareness and grace. I was a child, but even when the hall was filled with people, Bhagavan would for a moment look at me directly, turning his radiant gaze on me as well.

 

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to be continued

 

 

 

 

from The Mountain Path - Jayanti 2004