Maharshi - devotees' illnesses

[Guest guest]

N.R. Krishnamurti Aiyer:

It is clear that Bhagavan, out of his infinite mercy and grace, cures

even the fatal diseases of his devotees. Does not Bhgavan body suffer

on that account?

 

Bhagavan: (speaking in English) Yes and no.

 

NRK: Please, Bhagavan, explain in more detail.

 

Bhagavan:

The mukta purusha [liberated being] does not need his body once he

has realized the Self. However, so long as he stays alive, he has the

power to drain off devotees' illnesses into his own body. That is why

his body suffers for the time being. That is what is meant by the

answer 'yes'. If he retires into the solitude of a quiet corner and

remains in kevala nirvikalpa samadhi, completely oblivious of the

body-world complex, the disease received in the body gets dissipated.

When he returns to his body consciousness the body is cured and

restored to its original health. The duration of that samadhi should

be in adequate proportion to the seriousness of the disease

concerned.

 

Sri Sankara Bhagavatpada, who attained Self-realization at a very

young age with a very healthy and strong body, was engaged in

ceaselessly activity in the state of sahaja samadhi. Out of his

infinite mercy he gave relief to hosts of suffering people who came

to him with all sorts of serious diseases. He was continuously, day

and night, and never cared to recoup his health by retiring into the

solitude of kevala nirvikalpa samadhi. As a result he gave up his

body while he was in his early thirties.

 

~ The Power of The Presence,

David Godman

vol 1, p. 172