Monday, March 02, 2020

Sharing the Lap





"When Bhagavan [Ramana Maharshi] was living on the hill, this incident took place. Bhagavan loved children and was charmed by their innocence. He admired their lack of hypocrisy. Vajreswari, the four-year-old daughter of Kavyakantha Ganapati Muni, had full liberty with Bhagavan and would insist on sitting on his lap whenever she came. Bhagavan would often call her near him, and show her affection by putting her on his lap and talking to her.

"Once Vajreswari came to Skandasramam and as usual sat on Bhagavan’s lap. As Bhagavan was holding her and talking to her lovingly, a young monkey came up to them. The young monkey apparently got jealous of Vajreswari, pushed her off Bhagavan’s lap and took her place.

"Vajreswari, started to cry, and she pleaded with Bhagavan, “Send this monkey out; I want to sit on your lap.” But the young monkey would not give up his privileged place and continued to sit there. This rivalry between the child and the young monkey thoroughly amused Bhagavan but at the same time he wanted to appease both of them.

"He turned to the young monkey and said, “Look, Vajreswari is your sister, is she not? Let her also sit on my lap with you. Give her some room.” Then he looked at Vajreswari who was standing near him and said, “Is he not your young brother? Come on, both of you sit on my lap!”

"Finally, both the child and the monkey sat together on Bhagavan’s lap fully satisfied and enjoyed each other’s company. Is this not a practical demonstration of Bhagavan’s great love for all beings irrespective of their forms? It is a lesson to all devotees!" 🐒🕉


-Arunachala’s Grace (7-volume set), Volume 1


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