Sadhu with Occult Power – Story Told By Sri Ramakrishna - Similes In The Stories Of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

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.

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Similes In The Stories Of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a revered figure in Hinduism, often used simple and vivid similes to convey profound spiritual truths. Here are a few examples:

Ocean and Waves: Sri Ramakrishna often likened the relationship between God and individual souls to that of the ocean and its waves. He would say that just as waves arise from the ocean, exist for a while, and then merge back into the ocean, individual souls emerge from God, have their existence in the world, and ultimately merge back into the divine.

Mud Dolls and Gold Ornaments: He would compare the differences in spiritual maturity among individuals to the distinctions between mud dolls and gold ornaments. Just as a mud doll might not recognize the value of a gold ornament, those who are spiritually immature may not recognize the value of spiritual teachings or experiences.

Salt Doll and the Ocean: Sri Ramakrishna would often use the analogy of a salt doll trying to measure the depth of the ocean. The doll melts as it enters the ocean, signifying the loss of individual identity upon merging with the divine. This illustrates the idea of ego dissolution in spiritual realization.

Lamp and Butter: He would compare the role of a guru or spiritual teacher to that of a lamp. Just as a lamp illuminates a dark room, a guru enlightens the path of spiritual seekers, dispelling ignorance and guiding them towards realization.

Torn Bag and Leaking Pot: In describing the futility of practicing spirituality with a restless mind, Sri Ramakrishna would often use the analogy of a torn bag or a leaking pot. Just as a bag with holes cannot hold anything, a mind filled with distractions cannot retain spiritual knowledge or experience.

These similes, simple yet profound, helped Sri Ramakrishna convey complex spiritual concepts in a way that was accessible and relatable to his disciples and followers.