Tuesday 13 May 2014

EARTH WITNESS !!!

In ancient India a sage was meditating under a tree . His was a process of self realization .... or rather self actualization , as modern psychologists would call it . After years of introspection , questioning and silent contemplation when he was almost on the verge of getting all his answers , he faced his strongest opponent -- Demon Mara . The demon who is none other than personification of our own base instincts and desires , manifested in front of the sage , accompanied by his men , and armed with all that is necessary to lure him away from reaching that moment of truth!

" How can you reach the truth just by spending a few days in isolation . Dedicate at least a couple of lives to search of truth and then shall you know . You do not have the right to be seated in contemplation here . That seat goes to me . I have so many witness who would testify to my worthiness of being seated here . What witnesses do you have ? " ---  roared Mara .

The sage was awakened but not angered . He did not argue , he did not defend himself . He just reached out his right hand and touched the earth on which he was sitting with the tip of his fingers  . And mother Earth herself thundered back in a thousand voice .... all echoing as one ---- " I stand witness to the worthiness of this man's spiritual pursuit ! There isnt a place on this planet where this man , in some past lifetime , have not given himself up totally in pursuit of spiritual truth ! "

Mara disapeared . The gates to the eternal world of wisdom opened for the sage .
Enlightenment !
The sage whose 'bodha' or sense has been awakened is Buddha .
And that moment when mother earth herself protected her child has been solidified in art through 'bhumi-sparsha mudra' , where Buddha's left arm rests on his lap and right hand reaches down to touch the earth !


Who is a greater witness to our lives than earth herself ...... to whom we owe our existence ! Who is a greater protector that Earth herself ... without whose safe haven all life would perish ! Who is a greater mother that Earth herself ... on whose dust we shall all return !


Wishes to all on the hallowed full moon night of Buddha .

Peace ....

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