WITH NISARGADATTA MAHARAJ – III
Nisargadatta Maharaj’s answers to spiritual questions were not the usual repetitions of scriptural statements. Nor were they merely excellent explanation of this own experiential state. They were impregnated with a spontaneous and immediate spiritual power that instantly put listeners into a here and now state! For instance, when asked what the difference between awareness and consciousness was, his answer was, “When awareness catches hold of an object, it becomes consciousness!” I call such answers atom bomb answers! When one listens to it, one is instantly transported from one’s conditioned consciousness to a totally unconditioned, here and now state.
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As early as our first meeting, Maharaj had categorically told me about the filial relationship between the two of us. One day, when out of ignorance I overstepped the boundaries, he proved to me how unconditionally supreme he was in keeping it.
It was Maharaja’s birthday. Out of my devotion for him, I took fruits, flowers, garlands, and clothes on a plate. Inadvertently, I had also put on the plate, a sealed envelope containing fifty–one rupees. When all had left, I placed the plate in front of Maharaj and prostrated before him. My devotion to him brought tears of joy and I lay prostrate for a long time. Maharaj put his hand on my head and affectionately asked me to get up. He looked pleased and accepted all my offerings. But suddenly, he clapped his hands. His daughter-in-law came up. He told her something in Marathi. After some time she brought an envelope and gave it to him. Maharaj blessed me repeatedly and gave me permission to leave. When I was leaving, he gave me this envelope and said, “Remember, I told you on the very first day itself that only the grandfather should give gifts to the grandson. Open the envelope I have given you only after you reach home. Not before!” When as bid by Maharaj I opened the envelope at home, I found fifty one rupees in it!
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After two years, I took my younger brother who was working in Mumbai at that time, and his family, to Maharaj. My brother presented a plate with many offerings. Despite my pleading with him not to offer money, he included a sealed envelope containing one hundred and one rupees. Maharaj did exactly what he had done to me. Without opening my brother’s envelope, he gave another one to my brother and asked him to open it only after he had reached home. Of course, when my brother opened it, he found one hundred and one rupees! The grandsons had disobeyed and erred. But the glorious grandfather had rectified their mistakes through acts of grace. Acts, that one’s mind rushes to label as miracles.
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