Who is God = That Thou Are!

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The sweet and Bitter Fruits

[Elaboration of a Metaphor from " Mundaka Upanishad " ]

 

A bird was hopping on an immense tree having innumerable branches and

huge foliage. The branches were laden with fruits of different sizes and

shapes. The lone bird chirped and jumped from one branch to another. The

sweet taste of fruits made him happy, and his eyes sparkled with

contentment and joy. His breast swelled up with pride of having

discovered and enjoyed the sweet fruit.

 

But sooner than later, the bird tasted a bitter fruit and his joy turned

sour; his ego deflated. Cursing the whole tree, he pondered, 'this all

is useless; there is no happiness or joy in these fruits. I don't want

any of them.' Ah! The glorious feeling of discrimination and

renunciation occupied his heart! He looked hither and thither, and his

eyes caught a calm and serene looking bird sitting at the treetop. That

Bird appeared to be in state of meditation, golden effulgence radiating

from His countenance that illumined the whole tree including our little

bird.

 

'O my, my! What a dignified composure and wonderful peace! I must go

there,' resolved the little one. It flew up for a while, but soon the

temptation of juicy fruits hanging from the innumerable branches

overpowered his resolve. He thought, 'those fruits on the lower branches

were bitter, but these fruits here appear different, sweeter. Let me

enjoy a few of these.' Thus, our little friend stopped and pecked at one

juicy fruit. And what a wonder! The fruit indeed turned out to be very

sweet. Soon, forgetting the past experiences of repulsive bitter tastes,

forgetting everything about that Golden Bird above, this little bird got

busy in relishing the sweetness of fruits and cool comfort of green

foliage.

 

However, the story repeated; it had to. For, the fruits although

appearing healthy, juicy, and fresh were but a mixture of sweet and

bitter. The bitter taste once again caused dejection and intense desire

in the heart of the little one to reach the Bird at the top. Repeating

such cycles of which no account can ever be kept, at last the lower bird

reached the treetop. Approaching the Graceful Bird with a mixture of

fear, awe, respect and humility, the lower bird realized to his surprise

that he was but the reflection of that Golden Bird! It also acquired

that golden hue, that state of peace and bliss, which he had never

experienced in his life before. At last, as it approached nearer and

nearer to that Bird, our friend became one with It, losing own identity

forever.

 

And on the lower branch another bird appeared, and began to taste the

fruits of the tree.

 

c s shah

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