They have been describing correctly and completely the particular part of the elephant which each one touched, but a single part can never represent the totality of the elephant. Each one concluded that the particular part of the elephant which he touched is the total form of the elephant. In this manner, each of the blind men touched and felt a particular part of the elephant and came to his own conclusion. Another person touched the stomach of the elephant and decided that the elephant is like a big wall. A third person touched the tail of the elephant and concluded that the elephant is like a thick rope. Another person touched the ear of the elephant and described the elephant as one big fan. Based on his own experience, he described that the elephant is like a big pillar. One of them went near the elephant and touched its leg. Seven blind people approached a big elephant. I wish to quote a nice example in this context. When an individual is himself subservient to gunas, how is he going to recognise the Lord who is above gunas and give a description of Him? Thus, when such an individual describes God, it is not based on his own experiences but, what he has read in the books written by others. For one who did not overcome his own weaknesses, his desires and qualities, to describe God as having such and such form is not correct.

In fact, those who had really experienced the glory of the Lord cannot and will not undertake to give a description to others. However, it is not possible for any of them to give a correct description of the Lord. What is perceived by them in the world and what constitutes their own daily experience form the basis for their description of Paramatma. Depending on their whims and fancies, they have been giving various descriptions of the Lord. All these statements by different people depend on their own ideas, their strengths and weaknesses, their likes and dislikes.

Sathya sai baba bhajan