Meeting of abludgeon by Suraghu

Sri Vasista

1. O lotus-eyed Rama, become one without grief by attaing the supreme state of oneness overcoming all sins.

2. By adopting the attitude of Suraghu, mind will not suffer any anguish. One does not plunge into darkness (of ignorance) like a child who holds a lamp in hand.

3. Through discrimination mind arrives at a state of peace. It will be like one who climbs out of an abyss by holding on to a piece of grass on the brim.

4. Now adopt the sacred attitude of Suraghu and remain always in a state of equilibrium. Become the jewel of example on the earth.

Sri Rama

5. O Lord of the munis, tell me how this mind, which wobbles like a wind- shaken peacock tail, can become one of tranquil attention?

Sri Vasista

6. -7 O Rama, (to appreciate this) listen to the conversation between the enlightened Suraghu and 'rajrishi' Parigha. These two have attained Self and are constantly endowed with tranquil attention. I shall now describe to you their fascinating conversation.

8. -14 There was once a famouns king called Parigha, ruling over the Parasika region. He was a great support to his people, like axle to a chariot. He was a great friend of Suraghu. Because of the sinful deeds of his people, a drought visited the land of Parigha. Many suffered from hunger and died. Parigha could not witness this calamity and left his kingdom like one who leaves a burning village. He wore the robes of a muni and left for a forest to do penance. He started living at a place which was beyond the notice of his people. He was completely dejected with himself and with the calamity that visited his people.

15. -19 . Living in that forest, he survived on dry leaves which fell off the trees. He was reduced to the bones. He did penance with such a seriousness. Because of his using dry leaves for his food, he came to be known as 'Parnada' (leaf eater) among the sages in the neighbourhood. Thus he continued his penance for thousand years and gained Self-knowledge. He became peaceful without any desires, a jivanmukta, without the sense of duality. He was devoid of sorrows and attachments.

20. -24 . O Rama, having attained liberation, he started to roam around the three worlds with abandon in the company of 'siddhas' and 'sadhyas'. In such wanderings, once he arrived at the palace of Suraghu, the kirata king'. It was a meeting between two liberated souls who emerged successfully out of the womb of ignorance. Pleased with the encounter, they worshipped each other. 'Oh, what a pleasure! it is due to the great merit acquired earlier that we are meeting' - they said to each other. They embraced each other and took seats side by side on the same chair.

Parigha

25. -29 . My friend, my mind is in ecstasy with meeting you here. My mind is cool like moon. Pure love is like a tree on a tank bund with numerous branches. It increases by separation. I still remember our convenations at our earlier meetings. You have attained liberation due to the grace of sage Mandavya. I too have attained liberation after years of hard 'tapas'. You are now reposed in that supreme state of Brahman.

30. -39 . O king, you are established in Self. Do you feel the delight of Self? Are you active with a sense of equality, joy and majesty, doing good to the people? Are your people free from physical and mental diseases? Are they prosperous? Are they living happily without grief in their habitations? Is the soil in your country yielding good fruits and giving sustenance to the people? Is your fame spreading to all quarters? Like water in a lake which fills the cells in the lotus stalk with itself, are you spreading your qualities to the ends of your kingdom? Are the village women singing your praises during harvesting? Is your family safe and healthy? Are your servants happy? Is your body free of physical and mental ailments and yielding fruits that ensure merit in both here and heaven? Is your mind detached from the vicious serpent like sensuousness?

40. -42 . Oh, we are separated for a long time. Now, due to the grace of god, we are meeting. My friend, there is nothing that a jiva will not suffer. Joys and sorrows are generated by separations and unions. Likewise we are now meeting after many such joys and sorrows. Oh! God's play is very strange, surprising and unexpected. It flows from the operation of his law.

Suraghu

43. -48 . O great soul, the play of the Divine is like the movement of a serpent. No one can know it. Look, what it has done- after a long separation, his play has brought us together. Oh, what is not possible for the divine will? O Lord, we are now established in a state of bliss. We have been blessed with your visit. Look, we are now free of any agitation. With your visit all aims have vanished and the tree of merit has yielded fruits. O Rajarshi, my cities are endowed fully with prosperity. With your arrival that prosperity has magnified manyfold. O mahatma, your words are like rain of nectar all over the place. Because, the arrival of and meeting with saints is like attaining liberation. So say wise people.