--> Skip to main content


Sadhu with Occult Power – Story Told By Sri Ramakrishna

Sadhu with occult power is a story told by Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

Once upon a time a sadhu acquired great occult powers. He was confused about his powers.  But he was a good man and had some austerities to his credit. To help him one day God, disguised as a holy man, came to him and said, ‘Revered sir, I have heard that you have great occult powers.’

The sadhu received the Holy Man cordially and offered him a seat. Just then an elephant passed by.

The Lord, in the disguise of the holy man, said to the sadhu, ‘Revered sir, can you kill this elephant if you like?’ The sadhu said, ‘Yes, it is possible.’ So saying, he took a pinch of dust, muttered some mantras over it, and threw it at the elephant. The beast struggled awhile in pain and then dropped dead.

The Lord said: ‘What power you have! You have killed the elephant!’ The sadhu
laughed.

Again the Lord spoke: ‘Now can you revive the elephant?’ ‘That too is possible’, replied the sadhu. He threw another pinch of charmed dust at the beast. The elephant writhed about a little and came back to life.

Then the Lord said: ‘Wonderful is your power. But may I ask you one thing? You have killed the elephant and you have revived it. But what has that done for you? Do you feel uplifted by it? Has it enabled you to realize God?’ Saying this Lord vanished.