Ramana Maharsi likes things which cost very little

[Guest guest]

Some rich people brought a silver cup, saucer and spoon and placing them

reverentially before him, said, “Bhagavan, please use these when you take

any liquid food.” Bhagavan examined the things and passed them on to his

attendants. As the attendants were placing them in the bureau in the hall,

he objected and said, “Why there? Let them be kept in the office itself.”

“They were given for Bhagavan’s use, were they not?” said a devotee. “Yes,”

replied Bhagavan, “but those are things used by rich people. What use can

they be to us? If required, we have our own cups and spoons. We can use them

— why these?” So saying, Bhagavan told his attendant, “Look, from tomorrow

we will use our own cups. Take them out.”

 

A devotee asked, “What are those cups,Bhagavan?” “Oh! Those cups are made of

coconut shells,smoothed and preserved. They are our cups and spoons. They

are our own. If we use them the purpose is served. Please keep the silver

articles carefully elsewhere,” said Bhagavan. “Are not those silver articles

Bhagavan’s own?” asked the devotee. Bhagavan said with a laugh, “Yes, they

are. But tell me, why all this ostentation for us? They are costly. Should

we be careless, some one might steal them.So they must be guarded. Is that

the job for Swami?

 

About the same time, a devotee brought a nice walking stick with a silver

handle, and presented it to Bhagavan. Turning it this side and that, and

examining it, Bhagavan remarked to the devotee, “Good. It is very nice.

Please use it carefully.” “But it is not for my use,” he said. “I have

brought it thinking that Bhagavan would use it.” “What an idea!” exclaimed

Bhagavan. “A nice walking stick with a silver handle should be used only by

officials like you. Why for me? Look, I have my own walking stick. That is

enough,” concluded Bhagavan.

 

As a rule, Bhagavan does not use costly things. He likes things which do not

cost even a paisa.

 

Source: Letters from and Recollections of Sri Ramanasramam Book

 

--

Love And Love Alone

 

Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya

Prasanth Jalasutram