I sat dreaming in a room of great silence.
The early morning was still and breathless,
The great blue mountains stood against the dark
skies, cold and clear,
Round the dark log house
The black and yellow birds were welcoming the sun.

I sat on the floor, with legs crossed, meditating,
Forgetting the sunlit mountains,
The birds,
The immense silence,
And the golden sun.

I lost the feel of my body,
My limbs were motionless,
Relaxed and at peace.
A great joy of unfathomable depth filled my heart.
Eager and keen was my mind, concentrated.
Lost to the transient world,
I was full of strength.

As the Eastern breeze
That suddenly springs into being
And calms the weary world,
There in front of me
Seated cross-legged,
As the world knows Him
In His yellow robes, simple and magnificent,
Was the Teacher of Teachers.

Looking at me,
Motionless the Mighty Being sat.
I looked and bowed my head.
My body bent forward of itself.

That one look
Showed the progress of the world,
Showed the immense distance between the world
And the greatest of its Teachers.

How little it understood,
And how much He gave.
How joyously He soared,
Escaping from birth and death,
From its tyranny and entangling wheel.

Enlightenment attained,
He gave to the world, as the flower gives
Its scent,
The Truth.

As I looked
At the sacred feet that once trod the happy
Dust of India,
My heart poured forth its devotion,
Limitless and unfathomable,
Without restraint and without effort.

The poem “The Immortal Friend,” penned by Jiddu Krishnamurti during his younger years in 1928, offers readers a glimpse into a transcendent moment of profound spiritual awakening and connection with a revered Teacher. This evocative piece delves into the poet’s meditative experience, depicting a serene encounter with the Teacher of Teachers.

Setting the Scene of Silence:Krishnamurti opens the poem by immersing readers in a room of profound silence. The early morning is described as still and breathless, with majestic blue mountains standing against the dark, cold, and clear skies. The imagery of the dark log house and welcoming black and yellow birds sets the stage for a contemplative atmosphere.

Meditation Beyond the Mundane:The poet transcends the external beauty of the sunlit mountains, birds, and immense silence. Seated with legs crossed in meditation, Krishnamurti loses awareness of the external world. His limbs become motionless, and a deep sense of peace envelops him. The description of forgetting the sunlit mountains and the golden sun signifies a detachment from the transient and a journey inward.

Joyful Immersion in Meditation:The joy experienced by the poet during meditation is profound and unfathomable. The mind becomes eager, keen, and concentrated. The sense of being lost to the transient world suggests a detachment from the mundane and a connection with a higher state of consciousness. The poet is filled with strength and vitality.

Encounter with the Teacher of Teachers:The poem takes a transcendent turn as the Eastern breeze is likened to the sudden presence of the Teacher of Teachers. Seated cross-legged in yellow robes, the Mighty Being appears before the poet. The simplicity and magnificence of the Teacher evoke a sense of reverence. The poet describes bowing his head and bending forward involuntarily, highlighting the overwhelming spiritual presence.

A Glimpse of Enlightenment:The Teacher’s motionless gaze reflects the progress of the world and the vast distance between worldly understanding and the wisdom embodied by the Teacher. The verses underscore the limited comprehension of the world contrasted with the immeasurable wisdom bestowed by the Teacher. The Teacher’s escape from the entangling wheel of birth and death is depicted as a joyous soaring.

Devotion and Limitless Love:The final stanzas reveal the poet’s heart pouring forth devotion, limitless and unfathomable. The act of looking at the sacred feet that once graced the dust of India symbolizes profound reverence. The Teacher’s enlightenment is celebrated as a gift to the world, akin to the fragrance of a flower. The poem concludes with the poet expressing boundless devotion effortlessly and without restraint.

Conclusion:

“The Immortal Friend” by Jiddu Krishnamurti captures a transformative moment of spiritual awakening and communion with a revered Teacher. The poem beautifully navigates the realms of meditation, transcendence, and devotion. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt expressions, Krishnamurti invites readers to witness the profound connection between the mortal seeker and the immortal guide, leaving an indelible impression of reverence and spiritual beauty.