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Story Of The Bird On Mast Of A Ship – Sri Ramakrishna

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A bird sat absentmindedly on the mast of a ship anchored in the Ganges. Slowly the ship sailed out into the ocean.

When the bird came to its senses, it could find no shore in any direction. It flew toward the north hoping to reach land; it went very far and grew very tired but could find no shore.

What could it do? It returned to the ship and sat on the mast.


After a long while the bird flew away again, this time toward the east. It couldn’t find land in that direction either; everywhere it saw nothing but limitless ocean. Very tired, it again returned to the ship and sat on the mast.

After resting a long while, the bird went toward the south, and then toward the west. When it found no sign of land in any direction, it came back and settled down on the mast.

It did not leave the mast again, but sat there without making any further effort. It no longer felt restless or worried. Because it was free from worry, it made no further effort.

Sri Ramakrishna 
………

What we really search for is within us. We need not worry about losing it. It can never be lost. One day we all have to realize it.

Explanation and Additional Information:

The story of "The Bird on the Mast of a Ship" from the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna holds deep philosophical, spiritual, and symbolic significance in Hinduism. It illustrates the nature of the human soul, its quest for peace, and the futility of external seeking without understanding the inner Self.

Expansion of the Story

In the story, a bird sat on the mast of a ship anchored in the Ganges. As the ship slowly sailed into the ocean, the bird found itself surrounded by endless water, with no shore in sight. The bird tried flying in all four directions—north, east, south, and west—seeking land, but every attempt ended in failure and exhaustion. After a while, the bird realized it had no choice but to return to the mast, where it finally sat quietly, free from restlessness and worry, without making any further attempts to fly away.

Symbolism of the Story

  1. The Bird as the Human Soul: The bird represents the human soul, which is initially unaware of its true nature. Like the bird, the soul embarks on a restless journey to seek fulfillment in the external world (symbolized by the bird flying in all directions). The soul is constantly trying to find peace through material pursuits, sensory pleasures, and worldly achievements.

  2. The Mast as the Divine Self: The mast symbolizes the Divine or the true Self, which is always present and unchanging. Just as the mast is fixed and stable, the Divine Self remains steady amidst the turbulent "ocean" of life’s experiences and uncertainties. When the bird ceases its external search and rests on the mast, it symbolizes the soul realizing its oneness with the Divine, finding peace within.

  3. The Ocean as the World (Samsara): The vast, endless ocean symbolizes the world of Maya (illusion) or Samsara (the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth), which entices the soul into believing that true happiness and fulfillment can be found externally. Just as the bird tires itself searching in the ocean, humans exhaust themselves in the endless pursuit of desires, possessions, and temporary pleasures.

  4. The Restless Flight as the Human Struggle: The bird’s repeated attempts to fly in different directions represent the human mind’s restlessness and its quest for satisfaction. It mirrors the struggle to find permanent peace in transient, impermanent things, resulting in frustration and exhaustion.

  5. Return to the Mast as Self-Realization: The bird’s eventual return to the mast, where it rests and gives up further effort, symbolizes the soul's realization that the external search is futile. This marks the point where the individual turns inward, seeking the Divine within, leading to liberation (Moksha) and inner peace. The bird sitting quietly on the mast is the state of self-surrender or spiritual awakening.

Importance of the Story in Hinduism

This parable touches on key concepts in Hinduism, including Maya (illusion), Samsara (worldly existence), and Moksha (liberation). It beautifully illustrates the Vedantic teaching that the ultimate purpose of life is not found in worldly pursuits but in Self-Realization. It resonates with the teachings of the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita, where the importance of self-knowledge and surrender to the Divine is emphasized.

Similar Example in Hindu Philosophy

A similar example from Hindu scriptures is the moth and the flame analogy. The moth is drawn to the flame, thinking it will find fulfillment in it, but in doing so, it destroys itself. This reflects how humans chase desires and temporary pleasures, which ultimately lead to suffering. True fulfillment comes from realizing that the soul is already complete and united with the Divine.

Another comparable analogy is from the Chandogya Upanishad, which states that the soul, like a bird, flits from one branch (pleasure) to another in the tree of life, until it finds rest in the root, which is the Self or Brahman.

Quotes from Hindu Scriptures

  • Bhagavad Gita 2.70: "As the ocean remains undisturbed though it receives waters from all sides, so the man who is not disturbed by desires can alone achieve peace."

    • This verse reflects the bird’s final state of calmness when it stops searching externally and finds peace on the mast.

  • Mundaka Upanishad 3.2.8: "Having realized the Self, one becomes free from the cycle of birth and death, and attains immortality."

    • Just like the bird, the soul that stops its restless seeking and realizes its true nature becomes free from the limitations of worldly existence.

Modern-Day Relevance

In today’s world, this story holds immense relevance. People often lead busy, stressful lives, constantly seeking happiness in material success, relationships, fame, or power. The more they chase after these external goals, the more restless and dissatisfied they become. This parable teaches the importance of introspection, mindfulness, and inner contentment. Instead of constantly looking outside for fulfillment, individuals should turn inward, connect with their deeper spiritual essence, and cultivate peace and stillness within.

Practical Lessons:

  1. Mindfulness and Inner Peace: The story reminds us to pause, reflect, and find peace within ourselves rather than seeking it in the ever-changing external world.
  2. The Futility of Excessive Striving: Overexertion in trying to achieve worldly goals without balancing inner contentment can lead to burnout. Like the bird, we should realize that rest and acceptance can be the path to true satisfaction.
  3. Self-Discovery and Meditation: The story encourages spiritual practices such as meditation, self-inquiry, and devotion to understand the true nature of the Self and to experience lasting peace.

Additional Thoughts

Sri Ramakrishna's parable is a profound teaching about spiritual surrender. It highlights the idea that ultimate fulfillment comes not through constant struggle but through surrender to the Divine, allowing grace to lead us toward spiritual awakening. This aligns with Bhakti Yoga (the path of devotion), where self-surrender to the Divine is considered a key step toward liberation.

Moreover, this parable teaches that true wisdom lies in realizing the limits of external pursuits and the boundlessness of inner joy. It invites us to reflect on our priorities and shift from a life of outward obsession to one of inner stillness.

Sri Ramakrishna’s story of the bird on the mast serves as a powerful metaphor for the human soul’s journey. It teaches that true fulfillment cannot be found in the external world, no matter how hard one searches. Instead, the answer lies within, in realizing the oneness of the soul with the Divine. This timeless wisdom is as relevant today as it was centuries ago, guiding individuals toward a path of inner peace, contentment, and spiritual awakening.