The Parable of the “Sheepish” Lion

I am the destroyer
of the “tree of the world-process.”
My glory is like the summit of the mountain.
My wisdom is like the effulgent
sun that shines above the heavens.
I am the very embodiment of nectar
(Spiritual Bliss).
My wealth is the shining treasure
(of knowledge).
My intellect has been purified by nectar.
Thus did Sage Trishanku
proclaim his spiritual experience!
Om! May there be Peace, Peace, Peace!

— Taittiriya Upanishad 10

CHAPTER FIVE

Jnana Yoga

Jnana Yoga is the Yoga of Wisdom. Developed in ancient India, it is the highest philosophical system and is also known as Vedanta, literally meaning, “Culmination or the Essence of the Vedas.” The Vedas are revelations of the Sages of ancient India, and literally mean “Knowledge.” The project before a student of Jnana Yoga or Vedanta is to train his reasoning and to render it subtle. With this subtle reason, one is able to dispel ignorance and discover one’s true identity through the enquiry into “Who am I?”

With deep and sincere analysis and enquiry, you realize you know very little about yourself. Further, few have any idea of what they want to accomplish in life and what is their true potential. Life in this world seems confusing, fruitless and oftentimes without purpose. “Who am I?” “What is the purpose of life?” “Who is God and what is my relationship with Him?” “What happens after death?” — These are questions that plague us. Vedanta addresses these questions with great clarity. This is very beautifully illustrated in the following parable:

The Parable of the “Sheepish” Lion

Once upon a time a lion cub was orphaned at birth. Found by a herd of sheep, he was adopted by them. He roamed the prairies and learned to “bleat” somewhat like them, thinking he was one of the herd. One day a pack of wolves gave chase and the sheepish lion-cub ran for his life with the others, “bleating” pathetically.

This strange scene was witnessed by another lion sitting among the bushes. He stalked the strange lion-cub, separated him from the herd and cornered him. Shaking with fear the cub closed his eyes and awaited his fate. The lion roared, grabbed the cub by the nape of his neck and dragged him to a placid pool of water. “Now look at me and then tell me who you are—are you a sheep or are you a lion like me?” he roared.

With great wonder the cub realized that their reflections were identical; he was not a sheep after all, but a lion. He followed the lion, freeing himself from the degrading situation of being a misfit among the sheep. He gradually found his voice and learned to roar like a lion and became free!

Much in the same way, Vedanta teaches you to look at yourself with a clear intellect. It enables your mind to grasp the fact that your spirit is totally different from your mental concept of yourself. What you think of yourself is not the real you. Living with “sheep” through centuries, your mind behaves like a lamb bleating over every little adversity that arises. Eventually, by your good Karma, you encounter a wise “lion”—a Guru or Spiritual Preceptor—who corners you, declaring, “You are not this transient body or mind. You are the Eternal Self!”

In the beginning, it is puzzling to the mind, often frightening. But you are led by the various Yogic disciplines to purify the mind and the heart. The mind becomes a lake, which, when calm and tranquil, reflects the real you. Without complexes and without any concepts of the ego, you discover in your heart, “I am not what I thought myself to be. I am not a limited personality, but the Eternal Reality, one with the Divine Self!”

From the book Integral Yoga: The Secret to Enlightenment by Swami Jyotirmayananda, published by the Yoga Research Foundation. © Swami Jyotirmayananda. All rights reserved.