Once Swamiji had the privilege of meeting the Mahatmas in the Himalayas and he told one of these Great Rishis with naive enthusiasm of his work of spreading Vedanta being accepted across the country by all.
There was an excruciating silence for a few minutes, and his flow of words stopped the moment he saw the screaming criticism on those sacred brows.
After a time, the revered Swamiji said, “Chinmaya, you had better stay here now, and no more need you go out in the world.”
No doubt, I was at a loss to understand what he meant. Explaining his idea, the revered Swamiji continued, “If you think that you are spreading these spiritual ideas — my boy, by the time you have spread the sacred ideals of Vedanta among the people, you will be a lost soul; because you will have by then developed a terrible amount of irrepressible ego!
Our acharyas have advised us that after sannyasa we have one sole duty in life — to reflect upon the truths of the scriptures and thus meditate upon the Infinite.”
How can the dissemination of knowledge bloat one’s ego? I was not convinced. When I expressed my inability to follow his line of thinking, that revered old saint of knowledge and wisdom kindly smiled, and patting me paternally on my back said:
“Son, devotees might come and ask us their doubts. You may give your discourses in the cities; there is none who is doing it as efficiently as you are. But one thing we should do. Never talk to the audience; talk to your own mind and make it a louder reflection in yourself to yourself.
Thereby, you will not only stop the growth of your ego in you, but also will be talking to the mind and heart of your audience.
May your missionary lectures and inspired preaching be a homely talk and a fruitful discussion between your own intellect and the lower mind. If those who are around you are benefited by your own self-reflection, it shall be the glory of the Lord and not your personal efficiency.”
I was smothered down by the beauty and depth of significance of this sacred attitude of the ideal Hindu missionary in India. “Glory to the Rishis!”