Letters from Sri Ramanasramam 404
scriptures that Self-knowledge can be obtained within the short space of time taken by a person to place his other foot in the second stirrup after the first foot has been placed in the first stirrup. I have therefore put them all in jail. I have done so to find out the truth of that statement,’ said the king. ‘How absurd!’ said the Muni, ‘can we say that what is stated in the scriptures is untrue merely because it cannot be proved? I declare that each word therein is true,’ said the Muni. ‘If that is so, I shall send for the horse just now. I pray that you favour me by proving that what is said in the scriptures is true,’ said the king. ‘As your desire is a good one, Iam happy. But I suppose you know that initiation into realization cannot be given to one who is not fit for it. Ifyou want that initiation you must have the fullest confidence in me and first release the pandits who are in jail. After that, if you come to the forest on a horseback, I shall judge your fitness and then give you upadesa (initiation)’ said the Muni.
“When he heard the words of the Muni, which inspired great confidence, the king’s eagerness increased vastly and so the prisoners were freed immediately. Ashtavakra was made to sit in the palanquin, the king himself rode on horseback, and went to the forest with his ministers and other followers. Then, when they stopped under a banyan tree, the Muni said, ‘Why not send away the whole retinue? Why all these for the initiation?’ Accordingly, the king sent them all away and unwilling to waste any further time, obtained the permission of Ashtavakra and placed one foot on the stirrup and as he was about to raise the other foot, the Muni said, ‘Wait, wait! Before you raise the other leg you must reply to my questions.’ On the king agreeing to it, the Muni asked, ‘In the scriptures under reference, is there merely the sentence that Realization can be obtained by one within
the short time of putting his other foot in the stirrup, or is