Letters from Sri Ramanasramam, by Suri Nagamma

“Though Ribhu had several disciples he had some
special affection for Nidagha because of his thorough
knowledge of the sastras, his pure mind and great devotion
to the Guru. Ribhu taught him in great detail and clarity the
essentials of Advaita philosophy. Even so, his sishya’s mind
was steeped largely in the performance of karma and so he
could not keep steady in the path of jnana taught by the
Guru. He was performing all the rituals as laid down in
Karma-Kanda and went to live in his native place. Even though
he was living far away, the Guru’s concern for Nidagha was
growing from day to day. So Ribhu was going to Nidagha’s
place now and then to see how far he was getting
disassociated from the Karma-Kanda (performance of karma).

Once in a while he used to go incognito also.

“On one occasion, Ribhu went in the guise of a villager
and found Nidagha standing and watching the king
coming out of the Raj Bhavan in a royal procession.

Nidagha did not notice Ribhu coming from behind. The
latter wanted to test Nidagha and so said, ‘Why is there a
big crowd here?’
Nidagha: (without looking behind and not knowing who
the questioner was) The Rajah is going in a procession.

Ribhu: Oho! The Rajah is going in a procession! Who is
the Rajah!
Nidagha: There you see. The one on the elephant; that
is the Rajah.

Ribhu: What? What do you say? Did you say that the
Rajah is on the elephant? Yes. I see both of them. But who is
the Rajah and who is the elephant?
Nidagha: What is all this nonsense? You say you can
see both. Don’t you know the one above is Rajah and the
one below is the elephant?
Ribhu: What? What did you say? Please tell me clearly.

Nidagha: What a nuisance! It is difficult to explain
anything to a man like you. How often should I tell you the
same thing? Now listen. The one above is the Rajah and the
one below is the elephant. Have you understood it now at
least?
Ribhu: I am sorry. Please don’t get angry with a
simpleton like myself. I pray, one more word. You say above
and below. My dear sir, please tell me what exactly it means.

Nidagha: (With great anger) How funny! You can see
the one above; that is the Rajah. The one below is the
elephant. What nonsense do you mean by saying that you
do not know what is above and what is below?
Ribhu: Yes. Yes! It is true. I see both. But I do not
understand what is meant by above and below.

Nidagha: (Unable to contain his anger) What nonsense!
If you cannot understand that which is obvious and visible
the only way to make you understand is to give you a practical
demonstration. I shall do so now. Bend down. You will then
understand everything fully.

“That rustic labourer bent down as directed. Nidagha
sat on him and said, ‘Now, now look. Do you understand? I
am above you like the Rajah, and you are below me, like the
elephant. Is it all right? Do you understand clearly?’
Ribhu: No. I have not yet understood. I am still unable
to know the meaning. You say you are above me like the
Rajah and that I am under you like the elephant. I am able
to understand to the extent that the Rajah is above and the
elephant is below. You say, ‘You’ and ‘I.’ That I am not able
to understand. Whom are you addressing when you say ‘You’
and ‘I’? Please explain this clearly in some detail.

“He said all that in a calm and dignified tone.

“When Nidagha heard this question aimed at him
pointedly, he realised the nonexistence of separate entities
as ‘You’ and ‘I’ and that they merge in the consciousness of
the Self. So instinctively, he realised his mistake, jumped down
and fell at the feet of the rustic, who, he felt could be no
other than his Guru as he had made his mind turn from
outer distinctions to the TRUTH that is the Self. He folded
his hands and expressed his deep gratitude for the great
revelation and thanked him for all that he had done for
him. Ribhu again explained to him the state of Reality and
taught how to abide in the Self. That teaching is Ribhu Gita.

In that Gita the Self and the Self alone is dealt with at great
length.” So said Bhagavan.