HINDUISM: The lit candle

Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda once told a story which is a very serious piece of advice to serious seekers trying to help others. ‘Once a blind Swami was visiting another Swami in his Kutia in Uttarkashi. While they were talking, night slowly descended in the valley, but they were unaware of it. By and by the guest got up to leave, but before he parted, the host Swami gave him a coconut shell with a lighted candle in it. Naturally the departing guest protested, “what’s the matter with you? You know I’m blind. To me night and day darkness and light are the same. So, why have you given me this lighted candle?” “No, no,” explained the host, “this light is not for you, Maharaj, it is for others that they may not crash into you.” Satisfied, the sadhu left, carrying the light.

‘As the blind Swami proceeded in the light of his prodding stick, cautiously moving forward, suddenly someone coming from the opposite direction bumped into him. “Haven’t you eyes, my man? Can’t you see the candlelight? How careless you are!’ cried the blind Swami. The man merely said, “your candle has gone out in the breeze. There is no light in your shell”, and he walked away.’

Alas, for most seekers, the candle lit by the teacher is soon extinguished by the breeze of sensuous desires, unpalatable situations, soured relationships etc. Unless the lamp of inner joy is lit from within and guarded zealously from cruel winds blowing without and within by alert, vigilant sadhana, how can he help others?

When there is no glow of the candle of inner joy emanating from the teacher, he is only an empty coconut shell that lights no one’s path. There is a detailed description of this lamp of knowledge in the Ramcharitmanas, followed by Tulasidasji’s expert advice on how to guard it from harsh winds that enter through the sense windows!

Prarthna Saran, President Chinmaya Mission Delhi.