A SMILE - THE HIGHEST OPERATION OF GRACE
It was said of Sri Ramana Maharshi that he had:"His gentle smile shone like the cool rays of the moon.
His words simply rained amrit.
We sat there like statues
without consciousness of the body." [1]
"A look that pierced." [2]
So much so that people had to avert or close their eyes when his look fell upon them. Nevertheless, when his look displayed his divine smile, all were transfixed. Many have tried to communicate the wondrous experience of beholding the smile of Bhagavan. They all finally admitted that their words fell far short of the wonder. Here are a few instances from those who attempted to convey the effect of the smile that seemed to 'burst open the very gates of heaven'.
"You can imagine nothing more beautiful than his smile. There is no way of describing the radiance of his smile...A simple woman said: I don't understand the philosophy but when he smiles at me I feel safe, just like a child in its mother's arms... I had never yet seen him when I received a letter from my five-year-old daughter: 'You will love Bhagavan. When he smiles everyone must be so happy'." [3]
"And he would explain that it is the Guru not the disciple who sees the progress made; it is for the disciple to carry on persevering with his work even though the structure being raised may be out of sight of the mind. It may sound a hard path, but the disciples' love for Bhagavan and the graciousness of his smile gave it beauty."... [4]
_______________________
Source: From the article "Smile!" The entire article is posted on the "Articles" link of this website at #12.
______________________
End notes:
[1] Letters from SriRamanashramam, # 6, 26th November, 1945
[2] Be Still, It IsThe Wind That Sings, Arthur Osborne, Sri Ramanashramam 2000. p. 27
[3] Ramana Maharshi and the Path of self-Knowledge, SriRamanashramam 2002, p. 142[4] Ramana Maharshi and the Path of self-Knowledge, SriRamanashramam 2002, p. 187
Posted by Swami Sadasivananda at 8/27/2009 11:17 PM 
Categories: Pearls from an "Ocean of Compassion"
Categories: Pearls from an "Ocean of Compassion"
Comments