Paul Brunton - The Maharshi and His Message #7

[Guest guest]

...........

 

I feel now that some explanation of my visit is required of me,not by

the Maharshi himself but by the little crowd which has begun to talk

so animatedly. I know from the accounts of my guide that only a

handful of these people are resident disciples, and that the others

are visitors from the country around. Strangely enough, at this point

my guide himself arises and makes the required introduction. He

speaks energetically in Tamil, using a wealth of gesture while

he explains matters to the assembled company. I fear that the

explanation is mixing a little fable with his facts, for it draws

cries of wonder. The midday meal is over. The sun unmercifully raises

the afternoon temperature to a degree I have never before

experienced.But then, we are now in a latitude not so far from

the Equator. For once I am grateful that India is favoured with a

climate which does not foster activity, because most of the people

have disappeared into the shady groves to take a siesta.

 

I can, therefore, approachthe Maharshi in the way I prefer, without

undue notice or fuss. I enter the large hall and sit down near him.

He half reclines upon some white cushions placed on the divan. An

attendant pulls steadily at the cord which operates the punkah fan.

The soft burr of the rope and the gentle swish of the fan as it moves

through the sultry air sound pleasantly in my ears. The Maharshi

holds a folded manuscript book in his hands; he is writing something

with extreme slowness. A few minutes after my entry he puts the book

aside and calls a disciple. A few words pass between them in

Tamil and the man tells me that his Master wishes to reiterate his

regrets at my inability to partake of their food. He explains that

they live a simple life and never having catered for Europeans before

do not know what the latter eat. I thank the Maharshi, and say that I

shall be glad to share their unspiced dishes with them; for the rest,

I shall procure some food from the township. I add that I regard the

question of diet as being far less important than the quest which has

brought me to his hermitage. The Sage listens intently, his face

calm, imperturbable and non-committal.

 

" It is a good object, " he comments at length. This encourages me to

enlarge upon the same theme.

 

" Master, I have studied our Western philosophies and sciences,lived

and worked among the people of our crowded cities, tasted their

pleasures and allowed myself to be caught up into their ambitions.

Yet I have also gone into solitary places and wandered there amid the

loneliness of deep thought. I have questioned the sages of the West;

now I have turned my face towards the East. I seek more

light. "

 

The Maharshi nods his head, as if to say, " Yes, I quite understand. "

 

" I have heard many opinions, listened to many theories. Intellectual

proofs of one belief or another lie piled up all around me. I am

tired of them, sceptical of anything which cannot be proved by

personal experience. Forgive me for saying so, but Iam not religious.

Is there anything beyond man's material existence? If so, how can I

realize it for myself? "

 

The three or four devotees who are gathered around us stare in

surprise. Have I offended the subtle etiquette of the hermitage by

speaking so brusquely and boldly to their Master? I do not know;

perhaps I do not care. The accumulated weight of many years' desire

has unexpectedly escaped my control and passed beyond my lips. If the

Maharshi is the right kind of man, surely he will understand and

brush aside mere lapses from convention. He makes no verbal reply but

appears to have dropped into some train of thought. Because there is

nothing else to do and because my tongue has now been loosened, I

address him for the third time: " The wise men of the West, our

scientists, are greatly honoured for their cleverness. Yet they have

confessed that they can throw but little light upon the hidden truth

behind life. It is said that there are some in your land who can give

what our Western sages fail to reveal. Is this so? Can you assist me

to experience enlightenment? Or is the search itself a mere delusion? "

.............