--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB wrote:
> >
> > Remembering the story of Trotaka earlier, I was
> > searching for other versions of the story, and
> > stumbled onto this:
> >
> > http://www.dci.dk/?artikel=297&emne=Maharishi%20Mahesh%20Yogi
> >
> > I'm not exactly sure what it is. It appears to
> > be a long article (and I do mean long...whoever
> > wrote it makes me look short-winded) on a Danish
> > talk forum called Dialogcentret.
> >
> > It's also one of the loveliest pieces of writing
> > I've ever seen on the Holy Tradition and the
> > teachings of Guru Dev and Maharishi. From the
> > True Believer perspective, but without a trace
> > of the True Believer 'tude. I found myself
> > thoroughly charmed by it, and have nothing
> > but praise for the article itself and its
> > anonymous author.
>
> Holy shit. This is *the* Holy Tradition
> booklet, isn't it?
Yup. Also available on Trancenet.
This is the part that strikes me as most
interesting:
"From my own experience, I know that there were hundreds of very
learned and capable disciples of GURU DEV, yet the task of
spiritually regenerating mankind fell to one who was like
TROTAKACHARYA, as distinct from the intellectual giants who
surrounded the Master. This does not detract from the recognition and
appreciation of those of more highly developed intellect since it is
they who are more capable of comprehending and evaluating the
philosophy and really enjoying the creative application of the whole
philosophy in practical life. What is meant here is that, even those
who are not so highly developed intellectually, can innocently become
as tools in the hands of the divine, to work out His plan. And this
seems to be the case in the tradition of JYOTIR MATH - not much
learning is needed: just innocent surrender to the master. This gives
us the key to success - we have simple sincere feelings, devotion, a
sense of service - and wisdom dawns."
Seems to me MMY is presenting Trotaka not just as
a model for himself, but also for all TM teachers,
to forestall any concerns they may have about their
ability to teach successfully if they don't happen
to be "intellectual giants."
There's also this version of the Trotaka story,
written by one R.B. Ramakrishna Rao, who has no
connection to TM or MMY:
How at Shringeri during his stay Shankara showered his blessings on a
disciple called Giri is very interesting. The co- students used to
look down upon Girl thinking that Vedanta for him was a hard nut to
crack. Once Shankara at the time of his lecture said, "Let us wait
for Giri." The other pupils said, "Why should we wait for him, Sir? A
wall is much better than that dullard."
Shankara felt pained when such a student as was devoted to the
service of his master was jeered at. "What do you know about his
nature and spiritual achievements? His ability will reveal itself
shortly," said the Master. "Isn't it enough if Master knows my merit?
Should it be made known to others also? Let me not have such
conceit" - so Giri used to feel within himself and was serving his
master silently. On that day as usual he came late and did obeisance
to Acharya. Acharya said with a smile, "Look Giri, We want you to
give a discourse on the Self and its nature. We have been waiting for
you."
It was the master's command as well as blessing. The so-called
dullard Giri, in a very modest way and full of devotion expressed in
his eyes, presented the very gist of Vedanta in Trotaka Vritta, a
highly complicated metrical form, but very enlighteningly as if he
was making with all reverence as offering to the Master. The other
students felt ashamed of their folly. They apologised to both Acharya
and Giri. Shankara, thus revealing the literary ability latent in
Giri, called him "Trotakacharya" to make this incident remembered for
a long time.
http://www.celticguitarmusic.com/life_of_shankara.htm
(Why this is on a site devoted to Celtic guitar
music, I have no idea!)
It doesn't mention the other disciples "falling on
their knees," but that they're said to have "felt
ashamed of their folly" and apologized to Trotaka
looks to me to be pretty much the same idea.
