Eloquent Silences

Bahva kept silent when Baskali asked him to expound the nature of reality. Baskali prayed, 'Teach me, Sir.' The teacher still remained silent. When addressed the second and third time, he said, 'I am teaching you, but you do not follow. Truth is silent.'

The disciple sat quietly in front of the teacher for three days. On the morning of the fourth day, he addressed the teacher reverently, with folded hands, 'I asked you thrice and have atoned for it by remaining silent for three days. I do not know the truth. Therefore, I ask. Pray, tell me what you are trying to tell me by not telling me anything.' The Master said, 'When you asked the first time, I had to remain silent because the teaching is credible but not stateable.'

A long pause followed. The disciple spoke again, 'I understand now. But, Sir, why did you not speak when I asked you the second time?' The teacher spoke again after a long pause, taking twice the time now, 'The second time, I had to remain silent because the teaching is practicable but its fruit is ineffable.'


A long pause followed. The disciple spoke again, 'I understand now. But, Sir, why did you not speak the third time?' The teacher again took a long pause, now thrice as long. He said, 'The third time, I had to remain silent because the agony of knowing the truth and not being able to state it is indescribable.'