AN EXTRACT FROM LETTERS FROM RAMANASRAMAM

[Guest guest]

From Letters from Ramanasramam

 

 

248) THE HAPPINESS OF AN INDEPENDENT LIFE

 

Revolving in my mind the details relating to the function held this morning for

the construction of a statue, I went to the Ashram this afternoon before 3 p.m.

As Bhagavan had gone out, I was standing in the hall awaiting his return. The

silkcotton mattress that was spread on the couch was slippery because it was

new, though it was thick and firmly stitched. As a big pillow was placed on one

side for Bhagavan to keep his arms, another behind to lean against and a third

one at the feet, the actual seating space got considerably reduced. As I was

wondering how Bhagavan would be able to sit there, he came in. Sitting on the

mattress and pressing it with his hand, he said, looking at his attendants,

“See how this mattress slips from one side to another! People think that it

will be comfortable for Bhagavan if there is a costly mattress. It is, however,

not possible to sit on this restfully. Why this? It will be much more

comfortable if I sit on the stone

seat itself. Truly, I do not find even the slightest happiness on these

mattresses and pillows, compared with the happiness I had when I was sitting or

sleeping on the raised platform which I myself constructed of stone and mud in

Virupaksha Cave. As was told in the story about the sadhu, people think that

Swami is undergoing great hardship when he lives in a thatched shed and lies on

a stone bench, and so they make a fuss. I do not find the slightest happiness on

these mattresses and pillows. It will perhaps be better if, like that sadhu in

the story, I gather some stones similar to those I had in the Virupaksha Cave,

take them to whichever place I go, and spread them on a mattress like this. At

that place it was a stone platform. In the Jubilee Hall and even here, it is a

stone couch. The only obstacle between me and this couch is this mattress. But

one thing. The pillow under the feet, the pillow on the side, and the broad

pillow at the back, all the

three, are almost as hard as stones. So this is almost like the story of the

sadhu. Without bringing stones from elsewhere, my bed of stones is already

here.â€

 

A devotee said, “What is that story of the sadhu, which Bhagavan has now

mentioned?†whereupon Bhagavan began relating the story as follows:

 

“A great Mahatma was living as a sadhu under a tree in a forest. He always

used to keep with him three stones. While sleeping, he used to keep one of them

under the head,another under the waist and the third under the legs and cover

himself with a sheet. When it rained, the body used to be on the stones and so

the water would flow underneath, and the water that fell on the sheet too, would

flow down. So

there was no disturbance to his sleep; he used to sleep soundly. When sitting,

he used to keep the three stones together like a hearth and sit upon them

comfortably. Hence snakes and other reptiles did not trouble him nor did he

trouble them, for they used to crawl through the slits under the stones.

Somebody used to bring him food and he would eat it. And so, there was nothing

for him to worry about.

 

“A king, who came to that forest for hunting, saw this sadhu and felt, ‘What

a pity! How much must he be suffering by having to adjust his body suitably to

those stones and sleep thereon. I must take him home and keep him with me at

least one or two days and make him feel comfortable.’ So thinking, he went

home and sent two of his soldiers with a palanquin and its bearers, with

instructions to invite the sadhu respectfully and bring him to his palace. He

also said that if they did not succeed in bringing the sadhu, they would be

punished. They came and saw the sadhu and told him that the king had ordered

them to bring him to the palace and that he should come. When he showed

disinclination to go with them, they said that they would be punished if they

returned without him. So they begged of him to come, if only to save them from

trouble. As he did not want them to get into trouble on his account, he agreed

to go with them. What was there for him to

pack up? A kaupeenam,* a sheet and those three stones. He folded and kept the

kaupeenam in that sheet, kept those three stones also in the sheet and tied them

together. ‘What is this? This Swami is bringing with him some stones when he

is going to a Raja’s palace! Is he mad or what?’ thought those soldiers.

Anyway, he got into the palanquin with his bundle and came to the king. The Raja

saw that bundle, thought it contained some personal effects, took him into the

palace with due respect, feasted him properly, arranged a tape cot with a

mattress of silk cotton to sleep upon. The sadhu opened his bundle, took out the

three stones, spread them on the bed, covered himself with the sheet and slept

as usual.

 

“The next morning the king came, bowed to him with respect and asked,

‘Swami, is it comfortable for you here?’

 

“Swami: Yes. What is there wanting here? I am always happy.

 

“King: That is not it, Swami. You were experiencing hardships in the forest by

having to sleep on those stones. Here this bed and this house must be giving you

happiness. That is why I am asking.

 

“Swami: The bed that was there is here also. The bed that is here is there

also. So I have the same happiness everywhere. There is nothing wanting at any

time, either in regard to my sleep or to my happiness.

 

“The king was puzzled and looked at the cot. He saw that the three stones were

on it. Whereupon, the king immediately prostrated before the sadhu and said,

‘Oh Holy Man! Without knowing your greatness I brought you here with the

intention of making you happy. I did not know that you are always in a state of

happiness, and so I behaved in this foolish manner. Please excuse me and bless

me.’ After making up for his mistake in this way, he allowed the sadhu to go

his way. This is the story of the sadhu.â€

 

“So, in the eyes of Mahatmas, that free life is the real happy life?†said

that devotee. “What else? Life in big buildings like this is like prison life.

Only I may be an ‘A’ class prisoner. When I sit on mattresses like these, I

feel that I am sitting on prickly pears. Where is peace and comfort?†said

Bhagavan.

 

Next day that mattress was taken away and the usual mattress was spread on the

couch. Even so, several people thought that it might be better to leave Bhagavan

to a free life like that of the sadhu. But Bhagavan had to stay there alone,

like a parrot in the cage of the devotees because the devotees never leave him

free.

[Guest guest]

Dr.Raju wrote:

 

Dear Alan,

Nice post,pointing that happiness is a state of mind and is not

dependent on external comforts.Once the king of Mysore visited ashram with his

family to have darshan of Bhagawan.After the darshan is over and while the king

is about to leave the ashram,chinna swamy asked the help of the king to

construct Morvy guest house and the king gave funds for this.After few days

Bhagawan was informed about this and Bhagawan told chinna swamy that he should

not have asked the king for funds to construct Morvi guest house because

naturally king feels that Bhagawan is not comfortable in the place where he is

presently living and wants a comfortable shelter to live in.But the fact is that

happiness is not dependent on external things.Freedom is more important,he said.

 

-- In , alanadamsjacobs wrote:

>

>

> From Letters from Ramanasramam

>

>

> 248) THE HAPPINESS OF AN INDEPENDENT LIFE

>

> Revolving in my mind the details relating to the function held this morning

for the construction of a statue, I went to the Ashram this afternoon before 3

p.m. As Bhagavan had gone out, I was standing in the hall awaiting his return.

The silkcotton mattress that was spread on the couch was slippery because it was

new, though it was thick and firmly stitched. As a big pillow was placed on one

side for Bhagavan to keep his arms, another behind to lean against and a third

one at the feet, the actual seating space got considerably reduced. As I was

wondering how Bhagavan would be able to sit there, he came in. Sitting on the

mattress and pressing it with his hand, he said, looking at his attendants,

“See how this mattress slips from one side to another! People think that it

will be comfortable for Bhagavan if there is a costly mattress. It is, however,

not possible to sit on this restfully. Why this? It will be much more

comfortable if I sit on the stone

> seat itself. Truly, I do not find even the slightest happiness on these

mattresses and pillows, compared with the happiness I had when I was sitting or

sleeping on the raised platform which I myself constructed of stone and mud in

Virupaksha Cave. As was told in the story about the sadhu, people think that

Swami is undergoing great hardship when he lives in a thatched shed and lies on

a stone bench, and so they make a fuss. I do not find the slightest happiness on

these mattresses and pillows. It will perhaps be better if, like that sadhu in

the story, I gather some stones similar to those I had in the Virupaksha Cave,

take them to whichever place I go, and spread them on a mattress like this. At

that place it was a stone platform. In the Jubilee Hall and even here, it is a

stone couch. The only obstacle between me and this couch is this mattress. But

one thing. The pillow under the feet, the pillow on the side, and the broad

pillow at the back, all the

> three, are almost as hard as stones. So this is almost like the story of the

sadhu. Without bringing stones from elsewhere, my bed of stones is already

here.â€

>

> A devotee said, “What is that story of the sadhu, which Bhagavan has now

mentioned?†whereupon Bhagavan began relating the story as follows:

>

> “A great Mahatma was living as a sadhu under a tree in a forest. He always

used to keep with him three stones. While sleeping, he used to keep one of them

under the head,another under the waist and the third under the legs and cover

himself with a sheet. When it rained, the body used to be on the stones and so

the water would flow underneath, and the water that fell on the sheet too, would

flow down. So

> there was no disturbance to his sleep; he used to sleep soundly. When sitting,

he used to keep the three stones together like a hearth and sit upon them

comfortably. Hence snakes and other reptiles did not trouble him nor did he

trouble them, for they used to crawl through the slits under the stones.

Somebody used to bring him food and he would eat it. And so, there was nothing

for him to worry about.

>

> “A king, who came to that forest for hunting, saw this sadhu and felt,

‘What a pity! How much must he be suffering by having to adjust his body

suitably to those stones and sleep thereon. I must take him home and keep him

with me at least one or two days and make him feel comfortable.’ So thinking,

he went home and sent two of his soldiers with a palanquin and its bearers, with

instructions to invite the sadhu respectfully and bring him to his palace. He

also said that if they did not succeed in bringing the sadhu, they would be

punished. They came and saw the sadhu and told him that the king had ordered

them to bring him to the palace and that he should come. When he showed

disinclination to go with them, they said that they would be punished if they

returned without him. So they begged of him to come, if only to save them from

trouble. As he did not want them to get into trouble on his account, he agreed

to go with them. What was there for him to

> pack up? A kaupeenam,* a sheet and those three stones. He folded and kept the

kaupeenam in that sheet, kept those three stones also in the sheet and tied them

together. ‘What is this? This Swami is bringing with him some stones when he

is going to a Raja’s palace! Is he mad or what?’ thought those soldiers.

Anyway, he got into the palanquin with his bundle and came to the king. The Raja

saw that bundle, thought it contained some personal effects, took him into the

palace with due respect, feasted him properly, arranged a tape cot with a

mattress of silk cotton to sleep upon. The sadhu opened his bundle, took out the

three stones, spread them on the bed, covered himself with the sheet and slept

as usual.

>

> “The next morning the king came, bowed to him with respect and asked,

‘Swami, is it comfortable for you here?’

>

> “Swami: Yes. What is there wanting here? I am always happy.

>

> “King: That is not it, Swami. You were experiencing hardships in the forest

by having to sleep on those stones. Here this bed and this house must be giving

you happiness. That is why I am asking.

>

> “Swami: The bed that was there is here also. The bed that is here is there

also. So I have the same happiness everywhere. There is nothing wanting at any

time, either in regard to my sleep or to my happiness.

>

> “The king was puzzled and looked at the cot. He saw that the three stones

were on it. Whereupon, the king immediately prostrated before the sadhu and

said, ‘Oh Holy Man! Without knowing your greatness I brought you here with the

intention of making you happy. I did not know that you are always in a state of

happiness, and so I behaved in this foolish manner. Please excuse me and bless

me.’ After making up for his mistake in this way, he allowed the sadhu to go

his way. This is the story of the sadhu.â€

>

> “So, in the eyes of Mahatmas, that free life is the real happy life?†said

that devotee. “What else? Life in big buildings like this is like prison life.

Only I may be an ‘A’ class prisoner. When I sit on mattresses like these, I

feel that I am sitting on prickly pears. Where is peace and comfort?†said

Bhagavan.

>

> Next day that mattress was taken away and the usual mattress was spread on the

couch. Even so, several people thought that it might be better to leave Bhagavan

to a free life like that of the sadhu. But Bhagavan had to stay there alone,

like a parrot in the cage of the devotees because the devotees never leave him

free.

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Sri Dr.Raju,

 

It is good to hear from you again. Thank you for your helpful comment on this post.

 

All regards and best wishes,

 

Yours in Bhagavan,

 

Alan

--- On Sat, 25/4/09, drrajunsp <drrajunsp wrote:

drrajunsp <drrajunsp Re: AN EXTRACT FROM LETTERS FROM RAMANASRAMAM Date: Saturday, 25 April, 2009, 4:48 AM

 

 

Dr.Raju wrote:Dear Alan,Nice post,pointing that happiness is a state of mind and is not dependent on external comforts.Once the king of Mysore visited ashram with his family to have darshan of Bhagawan.After the darshan is over and while the king is about to leave the ashram,chinna swamy asked the help of the king to construct Morvy guest house and the king gave funds for this.After few days Bhagawan was informed about this and Bhagawan told chinna swamy that he should not have asked the king for funds to construct Morvi guest house because naturally king feels that Bhagawan is not comfortable in the place where he is presently living and wants a comfortable shelter to live in.But the fact is that happiness is not dependent on external things.Freedom is more important,he said. -- In , alanadamsjacobs@ ... wrote:>> > From Letters from Ramanasramam> > > 248) THE HAPPINESS OF AN INDEPENDENT LIFE> > Revolving in my mind the details relating to the function held this morning for the construction of a statue, I went to the Ashram this afternoon before 3 p.m. As Bhagavan had gone out, I was standing in the hall awaiting his return. The silkcotton mattress that was spread on the couch was slippery because it was new, though it was thick and firmly stitched. As a big pillow was placed on one side for Bhagavan to keep his arms, another behind to lean against and a third one at the feet, the actual seating space got considerably reduced. As I was wondering how Bhagavan would be able to sit there, he came in. Sitting on the mattress and pressing it with his hand, he said, looking at his attendants,

“See how this mattress slips from one side to another! People think that it will be comfortable for Bhagavan if there is a costly mattress. It is, however, not possible to sit on this restfully. Why this? It will be much more comfortable if I sit on the stone> seat itself. Truly, I do not find even the slightest happiness on these mattresses and pillows, compared with the happiness I had when I was sitting or sleeping on the raised platform which I myself constructed of stone and mud in Virupaksha Cave. As was told in the story about the sadhu, people think that Swami is undergoing great hardship when he lives in a thatched shed and lies on a stone bench, and so they make a fuss. I do not find the slightest happiness on these mattresses and pillows. It will perhaps be better if, like that sadhu in the story, I gather some stones similar to those I had in the Virupaksha Cave, take them to whichever place I go, and spread them on a mattress like

this. At that place it was a stone platform. In the Jubilee Hall and even here, it is a stone couch. The only obstacle between me and this couch is this mattress. But one thing. The pillow under the feet, the pillow on the side, and the broad pillow at the back, all the> three, are almost as hard as stones. So this is almost like the story of the sadhu. Without bringing stones from elsewhere, my bed of stones is already here.â€> > A devotee said, “What is that story of the sadhu, which Bhagavan has now mentioned?†whereupon Bhagavan began relating the story as follows:> > “A great Mahatma was living as a sadhu under a tree in a forest. He always used to keep with him three stones. While sleeping, he used to keep one of them under the head,another under the waist and the third under the legs and cover himself with a sheet. When it rained, the body used to be on the stones and so the water would flow underneath,

and the water that fell on the sheet too, would flow down. So> there was no disturbance to his sleep; he used to sleep soundly. When sitting, he used to keep the three stones together like a hearth and sit upon them comfortably. Hence snakes and other reptiles did not trouble him nor did he trouble them, for they used to crawl through the slits under the stones. Somebody used to bring him food and he would eat it. And so, there was nothing for him to worry about.> > “A king, who came to that forest for hunting, saw this sadhu and felt, ‘What a pity! How much must he be suffering by having to adjust his body suitably to those stones and sleep thereon. I must take him home and keep him with me at least one or two days and make him feel comfortable.’ So thinking, he went home and sent two of his soldiers with a palanquin and its bearers, with instructions to invite the sadhu respectfully and bring him to his palace. He also said

that if they did not succeed in bringing the sadhu, they would be punished. They came and saw the sadhu and told him that the king had ordered them to bring him to the palace and that he should come. When he showed disinclination to go with them, they said that they would be punished if they returned without him. So they begged of him to come, if only to save them from trouble. As he did not want them to get into trouble on his account, he agreed to go with them. What was there for him to> pack up? A kaupeenam,* a sheet and those three stones. He folded and kept the kaupeenam in that sheet, kept those three stones also in the sheet and tied them together. ‘What is this? This Swami is bringing with him some stones when he is going to a Raja’s palace! Is he mad or what?’ thought those soldiers. Anyway, he got into the palanquin with his bundle and came to the king. The Raja saw that bundle, thought it contained some personal effects, took him

into the palace with due respect, feasted him properly, arranged a tape cot with a mattress of silk cotton to sleep upon. The sadhu opened his bundle, took out the three stones, spread them on the bed, covered himself with the sheet and slept as usual.> > “The next morning the king came, bowed to him with respect and asked, ‘Swami, is it comfortable for you here?’ > > “Swami: Yes. What is there wanting here? I am always happy.> > “King: That is not it, Swami. You were experiencing hardships in the forest by having to sleep on those stones. Here this bed and this house must be giving you happiness. That is why I am asking.> > “Swami: The bed that was there is here also. The bed that is here is there also. So I have the same happiness everywhere. There is nothing wanting at any time, either in regard to my sleep or to my happiness.> > “The king was puzzled and looked at

the cot. He saw that the three stones were on it. Whereupon, the king immediately prostrated before the sadhu and said, ‘Oh Holy Man! Without knowing your greatness I brought you here with the intention of making you happy. I did not know that you are always in a state of happiness, and so I behaved in this foolish manner. Please excuse me and bless me.’ After making up for his mistake in this way, he allowed the sadhu to go his way. This is the story of the sadhu.â€> > “So, in the eyes of Mahatmas, that free life is the real happy life?†said that devotee. “What else? Life in big buildings like this is like prison life. Only I may be an ‘A’ class prisoner. When I sit on mattresses like these, I feel that I am sitting on prickly pears. Where is peace and comfort?†said Bhagavan.> > Next day that mattress was taken away and the usual mattress was spread on the couch. Even so, several people thought that it

might be better to leave Bhagavan to a free life like that of the sadhu. But Bhagavan had to stay there alone, like a parrot in the cage of the devotees because the devotees never leave him free.>