Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a 19th-century Indian mystic and saint, often used parables and stories to convey deep spiritual truths in simple, relatable ways. Here are some of his famous stories, explained briefly in English by description:
1. The Parable of the Elephant and the Mahout
Theme: Understanding true humility and discrimination
A man was told that God dwells in all beings. One day, an elephant came charging down the road. The mahout (elephant driver) shouted, "Get out of the way!" But the man thought, “God is in the elephant too. Why should I move?” He didn’t move, and the elephant threw him aside.
Moral: God is indeed in all beings, but that doesn’t mean you ignore practical wisdom. The voice of the mahout was also God’s voice. We must use discrimination (viveka).
2. The Parable of the Salt Doll
Theme: Oneness with the Divine
A salt doll wanted to measure the depth of the ocean. It went into the water and melted away, becoming one with the ocean.
Moral: Like the salt doll, when a soul seeks to know the infinite Divine, it loses its individual ego and becomes one with God. Self and God become one.
3. The Story of the Chameleon
Theme: Different paths, one Truth
Several people went into a forest and saw a chameleon. One said it was red, another said green, another said blue. They argued until a man who lived near the tree said, “You are all right. The chameleon changes color.”
Moral: God appears in different forms to different people. Hindus, Muslims, Christians – all see different aspects of the same Divine Truth.
4. The Farmer and the Flood
Theme: Surrender to God
A farmer’s fields were flooded. He tried all night to save the crops but failed. Finally, exhausted, he said, “Lord, I leave it all to you.” Then he felt peace and slept.
Moral: Surrendering to God after doing your best brings peace. Anxiety comes from ego; peace comes from faith.
5. The Poison and the Antidote
Theme: The importance of devotion
Sri Ramakrishna said: Just as a small drop of the antidote can counteract the poison, even a little genuine devotion to God can destroy a life of sin and ego.
These parables are not just tales but spiritual teachings in symbolic form, used by Ramakrishna to help people understand God, devotion, ego, discrimination, and the oneness of all religions.
Would you like more stories or one of these in greater detail?