WITH NISARGADATTA MAHARAJ – I
Ever since I was introduced to the great sage, Nisargadatta Maharaj, perhaps in 1975, I used to go regularly to listen to his words of wisdom. He took to me with filial affection, though I have always regarded him as one of the greatest jnanis I have come across.
Instead of reaching punctually as I normally did, one day for certain unavoidable reasons, I could go to his presence only an hour late. I saw expressions of irritation on the faces of his audience! What happened next was so astounding that I would rather quote the diary entry I made on that day: “9-2-’79. Reached Maharaj’s place by 11.30. Mr. & Mrs.Sapre were there. Immediately Maharaj directed Mrs. Sapre to put a huge cushion and requested me to be seated on it. He then applied tilak and perfumes and garlanded me. He also gave me gifts. He even prostrated before me. He said, ‘This is how in Bharat a jnani greets another jnani.’ I prostrated immediately at his feet. Then he told me that as soon as I reach the ashram I should start giving talks. I am both amazed and puzzled.” I am ashamed to admit that I could fulfill this specific commandment only after a lapse of eleven years.
He then told me, “Sri Ramana Maharshi is my brother. So, you are like my grandson. In our culture, only the grandfather should give gifts to the grandson. Not the other way around. Therefore, never bring me gifts like garlands and fruits, and never ever, bring me money!” He even instructed his family members that no one should prevent me from coming in and seeing him, at any time, any day. Another day he told me, “We are three brothers, Ramana Maharshi, J. Krishnamurti and I. We teach the same truth, but in different languages, that’s all!” Maharaj was ever the spiritual emperor. Indeed, doesn’t maharaj mean king?
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In 1975, a devotee in Bombay took me out in her car, saying that she was taking me to a great saint! It was my very first encounter with Maharaj. He was gracious enough to shower his blessings on me through a deep, long look of compassion, wisdom and silence. He suddenly addressed me, “A seeker should look down upon the ‘I am the body’ idea, like an orthodox Brahmin looks down upon a non-vegetarian dish.” He repeated the statement thrice. His silent presence, his look of grace and his words of wisdom, put me into a state of ecstasy. For the first time in my life my body and mind were fully immersed in silence and stillness for a long, long time. It was a real miracle that Maharaj performed that day. It was not only a spiritual one, but as subsequent events proved, a physical one, too.
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From my childhood, I have had a strong aversion to any non-vegetarian dish. Its colour and odd odour nauseated my very being.
On the evening of the same day I met Maharaj, my close friend invited me for dinner. His Muslim family was a large one. It was also one of the wealthiest in Bombay. My friend had turned a strict vegetarian. There was a large dining table around which the family members sat. The table was strewn with an enormous quantity and variety of non–vegetarian food. This was a surprise to me as I had never expected to be offered food at a non–vegetarian table!
While I sat viewing the large spread, I suddenly noticed that my life-long aversion to non-vegetarian food had dropped off by itself! I did not feel even the least bit of aversion, not to speak of throwing up! Instead I felt at home. Ever since, even during my many tours abroad, I have noticed that I can look at all food with an equal eye, though, I am still a very strict vegetarian. Thanks to Maharaj’s miraculous grace, the body-idea had dropped. And along with it had dropped, my aversion to dead body food!
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