Complaint of the Stomach

Home ]

Ramana Maharshi (1879-1950)[Source]


One day there had been feasting at the Ashram. Many had been upset at the large quantity of rich food. Some quoted the following complaint about the stomach by the Tamil poet Avvayar

You will not go without food even for one day, nor will you take enough for two days at a time. You have no idea of the trouble I have on your account, 
oh wretched stomach! 
It is impossible to get on with you!

Ramana Maharshi immediately replied with a parody giving the stomach's complaint against the ego

You will not give even an hour's rest to me, your stomach. Day after day, every hour, you keep on eating. You have no idea how I suffer, 
oh trouble making ego! 
It is impossible to get on with you!

Oh trouble making ego!  It is impossible to get on with you!


Source:
Osborne, Arthur (Ed)(1997) 
The Collected Works of Ramana Maharshi

Samuel Weiser Inc; ISBN 0 87728 907 7


Home ]