Ishanga – A partnership with Sadhguru

Sadhguru explains how a partnership with him works, by recounting a beautiful story about Shiva and a devotee.

Sadhguru: A long time ago, Shiva came to do partnership with me. I said, “Fifty-fifty.” He said, “Okay.” Then I decided, “No, no, you take hundred percent, including me.” So He did. Now I ride on His shoulders.

There is a beautiful story in the yogic lore. On a certain day, a man was walking through the Himalayas. It was a very hard journey, and anyone would want to seek help. He said, “Oh Shiva, I can’t do this, just come help me. At least hold my hand, take me along.”

Shiva appeared and said, “You walk. I’ll walk with you.”

“How do I know you are walking with me?” the devotee asked.

Shiva said, “Look out for the footprints. You only have two legs. If there are four footprints, that means I am walking with you.”

So every few minutes he checked, and sure enough, there was one more pair of footprints coming along with him.

After a few days he looked back, and there was just one pair of footprints. He said, “Oh you’ve forsaken me again.”

Shiva said, “See, it is very wet and slippery. But look at your feet, they are dry. That’s why there is only one pair of footprints.” The fool was riding on Shiva’s shoulders.

This is a simple device to breach the boundaries of who you are, so that something far bigger than you becomes a part of you and your life. This is not about me taking your seven percent. It is just that within you, if you reduce “what is me, what is mine” by seven percent, we can do something else with you. If you allow this to happen, I will ensure that your life also becomes as wonderful as it can be.”