A certain man, who claims to have been Sri Maharshi’s quondam disciple, has filed a suit in the court praying for a declaration that he is the legitimate Sarvadhikari of the Asram.
Sri Maharshi was examined on Commission. There was a crowd but the proceedings went on smoothly in the room on the North East.
The following are a few tit-bits therefrom: Sri Bhagavan’s answers were quite spontaneous and smooth.
Q.: To which Asramam does Sri Bhagavan belong?
M.: Atiasrama (beyond the four stages).
Q.: What is it?
M.: It is beyond the four commonly known Asramas.
Q.: Is it Shastraic?
M.: Yes. It is mentioned in the Shastras.
Q.: Are there others of the same type besides yourself?
M.: There may be.
Q.: Have there been any?
M.: Suka, Rishabha, Jada Bharata and others.
Q.: You left home at an early age because you had no attachment for home and property. But here, there is property in the Asramam. How is it?
M.: I do not seek it. Property is thrust on me. I neither love nor hate it.
Q.: Are they given to you?
M.: They are given to the Swami, whoever he may be. But the body is considered the Swami in the world. That body is this. It reduces itself to myself.
Q.: In that case the attachment to property is now renewed. Is it so?
M.: I do not hate it,—that is all I said.
Q.: In practical life it amounts to what I say.
M.: Just as we live and move in practical matters.
Q.: Do you give ? Have you ever done it?
M.: Visitors ask questions. I answer them as well as I know. It is for them to treat my words as they please.
Q.: Is it ?
M.: How shall I say how others take it?
Q.: Have you disciples?
M.: I do not give in the ceremonial manner. For instance, keeping a kumbha, making puja to it and whispering to the person.
The person may call himself my disciple or devotee. I do not consider any one to be my disciple. I have never sought from any one nor do I give ceremonial upadesh. If the people call themselves my disciples I do not approve or disapprove. In my view all are alike. They consider themselves fit for being called disciples. What can I say to them? I do not call myself a disciple or a Guru.
Q.: How did you approve the building of Skandasramam on the Hill which was temple-land, without previously obtaining permission from the authorities?
M.: Guided by the same Power which made me come here and reside on the Hill.
Q.: When you threw away your cash, etc., within an hour after your arrival in this place, you did so because you did not desire possessions. You never touch money. There were no possessions for several years after your arrival here. How is it that donations are now accepted by the Asramam?
M.: This practice grew up at a later stage because a few associates began to use my name to collect funds. I did not approve of their action nor check them. So it is going on. One man leaves, another steps in, but the process goes on. I do not desire that contributions should be accepted. But people do not heed that advice. I do not desire to give ineffective advice. I do not therefore check them. Since money comes in property grows spontaneously.
Q.: Why do you not sign your name?
M.: The author of ‘Self-Realisation’ has furnished his answer for this question. Moreover, by what name am I to be known? I myself do not know. People have given me several names from time to time since my arrival here. If I should sign by one name, all would not understand it. So I used to say to the people seeking autographs that, even if they should show my signature, people in general would not believe it to be true.
Q.: You do not touch money nor other offerings, I trust.
M.: People sometimes place fruits in my hands. I touch them.
Q.: If you receive one kind of offering, why should you not receive money also?
M.: I cannot eat money. What shall I do with it? Why should I take that with which I do not know what to do?
Q.: Why do visitors stop at the Asramam?
M.: They must know why.
Q.: You have no objection to any one coming and staying here, I suppose.
M.: No.
Q.: You have similarly no objection to any length of their stay.
M.: No. If I do not find it agreeable I will go away. That is all.
A lawyer devotee asked Sri Bhagavan if the previous day’s examination by Commission caused much strain.
M.: I did not use my mind and so there was no strain. Let them examine me for a thousand days. I don’t mind.