A Monkey Teaches In Ramana's Court!

Ramana Maharshi

oi-Priya Devi

By Priya Devi

Tuesday, July 6, 2010, 18:32

The court of Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi did not sport any religious discourses though the Master answered the queries of His devotees. The very life of Bhagavan Ramana was a teaching by itself and a keen seeker would not miss the underlying spiritual essence in what we may brush aside as mundane happenings.

It is a well known fact that the Master exhibited special concern for animals. He did not tolerate even the slightest negligence to them. He even forbade from referring to an animal as 'it', simply because He saw every creature as verily the eternal 'Atman'. The form, whether a human or an animal did not make any difference to Him. His compassion spread equally on every being, animate or inanimate, that He bestowed His benign blessing of liberation on animals as well.

One day a hungry monkey with its young-one clinging to its bossom looked for some fruits. A devotee put aside the fruit basket, away from the monkey in order to safeguard the fruits. When Bhagavan came to know of it, He chided the devotee and ordered the fruit basket to be placed in front of Him. He then signaled the monkey to pick its share.

The monkey made its way to the fruit basket placed before Bhagavan. To the surprise of all who were gathered, it picked up just one fruit of the whole lot and left the place quietly.

Bhagavan remarked loudly at the gathering, “Look she has smeared coal on our faces, and left!" ('Smearing coal', a term used in Tamil to denote that someone has outwitted another)

The simple attitude of selflessness was portrayed through the monkey's gesture and Bhagavan Ramana's remark made it explicit to the devotees. Further more the monkey's gesture also revealed the truth of living in the present moment. The animal was more spontaneous with a free mind that was not cluttered by greed for the morrow.

We humans as we always term ourselves as the fittest of all creations constantly clamour for the future. Where then is the scope for a trouble free mind or a pure mind which becomes a ready tool for self enquiry propagated by Bhagavan for self realisation?