--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB <no_reply@> 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.
