Socrates, the Greek philosopher, the Yogi, left the physical abode, drinking the poison, offered to him by his enemies. He said before leaving, “I am aware of the Self and seeing myself the Self. This physical body is ought to leave, irrespective of the means to renounce the body”.
He was the Guru, one with eternity. Meera Bai drank the poison but didn’t die, but received it like ambrosia. She was not initiated by a Guru at that time and thus felt the difference between herself and Krishna. But, Socrates felt no difference between eternity Once she met Raidas Ji, she felt no difference.
Let’s see a parable about his ways to deal with gossip.
O, Sir! I have heard something about your friend. I wish to convey it to you.
Socrates: O dear! Kindly give a pause and participate in this little test. Is the think you shall tell me true?
Acquaintance: I’m not aware. I have heard it in rumors.
Socrates: You have still some possibility to pass the test. Is the notion good, something positive about my friend?
Acquaintance: No, sir. It indicates something bad about him.
Socrates: Then why do you wish to tell me? Will it benefit me or you if you tell me the notion? Will you feel pious telling the rumor?
Acquaintance: No sir. It shall create distress.
Socrates: Then, do not tell it to me.
See, Socrates didn’t enjoy listening to the rumors but filtered the information through the best filters. We must adopt these filters and stop finding fault in others. We gather the debts if we find faults. We are aware that Meera Bai didn’t die drinking the poison but Socrates did. We stand nowhere to judge superiority or inferiority. We need to peep within ourselves.
