WITH NISARGADATTA MAHARAJ – II
Maharaj gave daily talks between ten and twelve noon. He spoke in Marathi, his native language. These talks were translated into English by a few of his close followers. As days progressed, professors in philosophy and psychology from all over the world, and especially from the USA, flocked to Maharaj’s residence in Mumbai. All were welcome. Maharaj spoke spontaneously. Questions and answers sessions were enlivening and spiritually very enlightening. Though he was illiterate, his responses to questions and doubts put before him, came straight from his Heart and fully corroborated the scriptures. It was a daily marvel to listen to Maharaj’s scintillating and original replies, soaked as they were in wisdom.
In the evening, Maharaj conducted sessions in which only Marathi speaking seekers were allowed. In these sessions a Marathi scholar would read out a passage from saint Jnaneshwar’s commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita, Jnaneshwari. Maharaj would then expound on its spiritual significance as borne out by his own experience. A few years after my close association with him, he pointedly told me one day to come to that evening’s session. I was thrilled!
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When I reached his residence, there was already a big crowd. Maharaj signaled me to sit in the front row, opposite to him. He bent down and told me in Hindi, a language I partially understand, “Listen to every word I speak!” He then gave a torrential talk on a verse from the Gita in Marathi, for nearly an hour! I listened to every word that dropped uninterruptedly and forcefully from his lips. It was a scintillating experience.
As soon as the veritable Niagara of words came to an end, Maharaj bent down to me and smilingly posed the question, “Have you understood everything I said? Did you grasp its meaning?” A solemn but very firm reply burst forth from my Heart, albeit through my mouth, “Yes, Maharaj! I have understood completely and thoroughly every word you uttered.”
Maharaj lifted me up, embraced me and said, “Yes! I know. That’s why I invited you. I wanted to make you experience that dimension of listening, which is beyond the realm of the brain, mind and ego. Purely the Heart’s language! True sharing is this Heart to Heart language! You’re blessed my child! Be happy!”
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I forthwith understood what J. Krishnamurti used to tell his audience, before commencing every talk of his, “Sirs! Please listen to what the speaker says. Do not accept what he says. Also, do not reject what he says! Simply, listen!”
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